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Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

Stadler was even more appalled. As he spoke, he realized that he had sold his soul, and also realized that Cuffy Meigs was, in essence, here to collect it. In a last gesture of defiance, Stadler roared at Meigs not to touch the levers and tried to push him away from them. Meigs knocked Stadler down and then yanked a lever at random.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, and every structure within a hundred miles. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the Taggart Bridge across the [[Mississippi River]] was cut in half.

The result was catastrophic. The Xylophone, activated at full gain, destroyed itself, its own blockhouse, Stadler, Meigs, Meigs' crew, and every structure within a hundred miles. Stadler would never know it, but every man, woman and child in that radius was killed almost instantly—and, worst of all, the [[Taggart Bridge]] across the [[Mississippi River]] was cut in half.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.

Robert Stadler survived the initial blast, only to die in agony within about five minutes.