A low rumble came from the east. It was a sound like footsteps, but the feet that made such a sound would have to be of enormous mass. Trees in the distance cracked and bent, and then the grinding, clicking sound came again.

Anso listened for several minutes, when it struck him that this must be the sound of the very war machine that brought them down. He had trouble envisioning what this thing would even look like, his experience in battle being limited to the crash he had just experienced.

“Get to cover!â€? Anso said, not knowing if the crew would understand his words, but hoping that they would catch his meaning. “Something is coming.â€? He headed towards a small ridge to the west of the wreck where most of the survivors had gone, and where he had seen them take Lucrezia.

He dove behind the ridge as a shadowy bulk pushed forward in the tangled undergrowth. The faint moonlight glinted off a human shape in the forest, effortlessly shoving aside and snapping the ancient trees with huge clawed arms.