C40 The enemy's true motive

The heavy iron doors of the central clocktower gave way with a deafening groan as Proctor Kaelen and the exiles breached the lower vestibule. Inside, the massive bronze pendulum swung back and forth, its relentless arc cutting through a cloud of thick, ozone-scented steam.

Vespera led the way up the open iron catwalks, the master register tucked under her arm