22
The relative peace was shocking.
Denise could feel her ears popping as she tried again and again to adjust to the sudden stillness. The turbines still roared and reverberated off the walls, but it was a calming, steady sound after the violence of their passage.
Vern’s voice was a visceral shock over the headphones. “You okay?”
“I think so. A bit too much to process.”
Vern had flattened the rotor blades so they were simply whirling without moving any air. The detritus in the courtyard that had been blowing in their own personal tornado had slowly settled back to the terrazzo floor. Small chairs and tables had been slammed against walls or sent skittering down long hallways.
“You better add some negative lift.” At least part of her mind was still functioning.
“I’m worried about bei
