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"So are you going to come quietly," shouted one of the cops again, "or are you going to let us blast you out?"
"Which would you prefer ?" shouted Ford.
A millisecond later the air about them started to fry again (...).
The fusillade continued for several seconds at unbearable intensity.
When it stopped, there were a few seconds of near quietness as the echoes died away.
"You still there ?" called one of the cops.
"Yes," they called back.