I heard more gunfire and shouted commands—and also an agonized scream. My cyberear picked up a faint rumble that I guessed was the APC engine starting up. I couldn’t see more than a meter or two in front of me—the dust was that thick. Strangely, it seemed to be filled with tiny swirls, thicker clumps of dust that resembled knots in wood—or eyes. I had the unshakable feeling that the whirlwind was looking at me, weighing me—and then disregarding me.