Alice let go, and the burning brand across her hands extinguished in an instant. She tried to roll, execute a parachute landing, but her sideways momentum was too great and she smacked down on the roof’s tough membrane, skidding like a hockey puck. She came up in a crouch, riot gun jammed to her shoulder, then flicked the rapid fire toggle only to see both cartridges had melted. She slid the tactical sling over her head and tossed it. Gunfire continued to track her, so she sprinted across the roof. Without looking, she put her foot on the edge and leaped across to the next roof. Down with a bang , the shock bone deep, then up and moving again. Breath harsh and heavy, oxygen-limited muscles begging for relief.