I pulled them out and wedged the thick metal blades between the spokes of the red wheel.

Using the shears as a lever, I threw my entire weight against the handles.

Down below, the men were moving closer to Aries.

“Set the case on the ground,” Killian ordered.

My muscles burned as I strained against the shears.

The metal groaned, a sharp screech of protest echoing in the small room.

Then, with a loud pop, the rust broke.

The wheel spun half an inch.

A hiss of scalding hot air shot out of the valve, burning the skin on my wrist.

I ignored the pain, wrapping my hands around the wheel and spinning it fully open.

A deafening roar shook the entire room.

The boiler rattled against the concrete floor.

Outside the window, the overhead steam manifold exploded with a massive rush of white.

A thick, boiling cloud of steam blasted into the warehouse bay.

The entire ground floor vanished from sight in an instant.

I heard shouts of confusion and panic from below.

“What is that?” someone yelled.

“I can’t see my hands!” another cried.