"You are taking the vehicle away."

When the Tongue Box had first answered her prayers, Turtle had wept with joy. Now she held back tears and rage and terror.

"And we will also retrieve the rogue angel you have damaged so badly." The voice of Father Michum of the Troodon was as cold as sea ice. "The Synod will make full use of it, but only after study and contemplation in Luna Meridiana."

"I understand." Turtle's hand spun the prayer crank, even as her mind ...