A pungent stench filled their nostrils as they exited the Equinox-the aroma of decay, the scent of death. Kale was glad that Juli was sleeping again-she wouldn't have been able to handle the sight of all this-her former civilization in ruins like this.
Sector City appeared much different than when they had left it three months ago. It looked like intense fighting had taken place all over the city. Nothing moved that wasn't carried on the wind and the only people visible were the multitudes strewn in the streets and even the carrion feeders had long since given up on them.
The tall buildings had toppled in some cases and one might have counted the unbroken window panes on the fingers of one hand. Kale tried to remember where their shuttle had crashed months before, but it was so difficult to discern what had been before all of this devastation.
The boys walked off of the ramp with Wynn and Grod following. The streets had been so littered with debris that finding a level place to land had been almost impossible.
The Prophet had chosen to remain in the ship and still had not commented further on why they were required to return to Draconis. Kale's parents remained on board as well with Juli. The Horva soldiers, Jael and Merab, remained to protect the king.
Tiet wouldn't have liked that. They had barely persuaded him to remain on board at all. Fortunately his injuries still bothered him more than his pride. The limited medical facilities, both within the Guniran province and onboard the ship, had slowed his healing quite a bit.
"Should we split up?" Emil asked.
"No. If we do run into those Agonotti, we'll all need as much help as we can get," Wynn said.
The group surveyed for survivors and any supplies they might be able to use. Medical supplies were especially in need, but the ship was well outfitted with food and water.
"Just mouth-breath, boys," Wynn said. The smell was nauseating. The ramp closed behind them in order to relieve those still onboard from the stench.
The landing party moved cautiously between bodies and debris. They walked toward a group of buildings several blocks away that appeared structurally sound, at least from a distance. They tried to avoid looking at the people. The faces contorted into nightmarish expressions-the epitaph of a doomed city.