The solid slam of metal against metal told Skater that Wheeler was already in the duct and hard at work. He disengaged the electromagnetism in his right glove by butting his chin against the forearm control. Once his hand was free, he slid the pneumatic hammer from the backpack, set a magazine filled with pitons into the chamber, and fitted the end against the duct wall with as much weight behind it as he could manage before squeezing the trigger. Even then the force of the piton sinking into the duct wall almost tore him from his position.