16_world_killers-第17部分

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Spheris　presented　a　plicated　skein　of　problems　unlike　those　of　any　other　Invid…held　planet　on　the　Sentinels'　hit　list。

〃We　can't　take　any　Protoculture　weapons　down　there；〃　Teal　explained　at　a　strategy　meeting。　〃To　do　so　would　mean　disaster。〃

〃What're　we　supposed　to　fight　'em　with；　spit？〃　somebody　groused　from　the　sidelines。

Teal　looked　around　toward　the　source　of　the　voice；　her　eerie　transparent　eyes　flashing。　〃Spheris　is　a　planet　of　crystal　structures；〃　she　snapped。　〃Protoculture…weapons　emissions　evoke　certain　harmonics　from　the　very　texture　of　my　homeworld。　Fire　a　beam　and　you're　very　likely　to　find　that　it　will　e　back　to　hit　you。　Or　it　could　sunder　some　of　the　delicate　latticework　that　makes　up　the　planet；　and　cause　great　death　and　destruction　among　my　people。〃

〃Hold；　hold；〃　Lron　grumbled。　〃How　then　do　the　rattering　Invid　operate？　Do　they　not　use　mecha？〃

Teal　nodded。　〃As　I　said　in　the　intel　debriefing；　Protoculture…based　mecha　do　no　damage；　because　they're　not　as　focused；　as　concentrated；　as　a　weapons　beam。　But　even　the　Invid　dare　not　use　weapons　actuated　by　Protoculture；　and　so　they　employ　a　variety　of　conventional　armaments。　But　those　armaments　are　very　effective。〃

〃So　are　ours；〃　Bela　put　in；　casually　flicking　her　thumb　across　the　razor　edge　of　her　shortsword。　She　was　also　wearing　a　Badger　assault　pistol　and　a　few　grenades　to　plement　her　Praxian　arms。

Others　seconded　what　she　had　said：　the　Karbarrans　with　their　pneumatic　long…guns；　the　Garudans　who　had　taken　so　quickly　to　REF　conventional　infantry　weapons；　Jack　and　Karen；　who　had　seen　for　themselves　that　Invid　could　be　hurt　or　stopped　with　projectile　firearms　if　those　firearms　were　used　just　right。

〃You're　not　listening！〃　Teal　barked。　〃The　Invid　will　have　the　advantage　in　firepower。　So；　we　must　exploit　our　advantages　to　the　fullest。　And　the　Sentinels'　main　advantage　is　my　and　Baldan's　access　to　the　Crystal　Highways。〃

With　this　Teal　put　her　hand　on　the　shoulder　of　her　son；　Baldan　II。　He　sat　by　her　side；　gazing　around　at　the　Sentinels　gathered　at　the　meeting　table　and　standing　in　ranks　around　it。

In　mere　weeks；　he　had　grown　until　he　was　nearly　his　mother's　height；　a　broad…shouldered；　lean…waisted；　post…adolescent　wearing　a　loincloth。　People　had　simply　taken　to　calling　him　by　his　father's　name；　leaving　out　the　numerical。　Talking　to　him；　Lisa　had　found；　was　uncannily　like　talking　to　the　original　Baldan　at　times；　but　at　others　it　was　like　conversing　with　a　newborn。

〃But　you　won't　be　going　in　blind；〃　Teal　said。　〃My　son　and　I　will　descend　first；　to　scout　the　way　and　ferret　out　our　enemy's　weaknesses。〃

There　were　some　low…decibel　remarks　when　the　gathering　heard　that。　Teal　had　never　been　very　enthusiastic　about　the　Sentinels'　war…had　stayed　out　of　most　of　the　fighting　with　a　demeanor　that　had　won　her　the　nickname　〃Permafrost　Princess。〃

But　here　was　the　Permafrost　Princess；　in　the　wake　of　Baldan's　death　and　a　motherhood　she　had　detested　at　first；　ready　to　take　her　son　down　on　a　first…in　team　op。　Ready　to　lay　her　life　and　her　son's；　most　emphatically；　on　that　well…known　line。

Rick　rose　now；　in　the　midst　of　a　lot　of　murmured　debate　among　those　present。　〃We　have　to　apply　everything　we've　learned　to　beat　the　Invid；　because　they've　had　us　outgunned　and　outnumbered　at　every　turn。　Now；　the　subject　populations　of　the　planets　we've　liberated　have　always　worked　in　our　favor；　and　they've　tipped　the　balance　at　least　twice；　maybe　three　times。　So　our　most　important　trump　cards　here　are　Teal　and　Baldan。

〃They　will　be　delivered　to　the　surface　of　Spheris　by　a　stealth…insertion　drop　capsule　and　employ　their　innate　skills　to　merge　with　the　Crystal　Highways。　They　will　gather　information　and　attempt　to　raise　popular　resistance；　while　we　hold　station　and　wait。？

〃They　will　municate　the　results　to　us　and　coordinate　our　assault。　If　anyone　has　objections　to　this　general　outline；　I　want　to　hear　them　now。〃

Moments　passed'；　while　the　Sentinels　looked　at　one　another　and　at　Teal　and　Baldan　II。　But　no　one　spoke。

Baldan；　for　his　part；　looked　over　to　where　Karen　Penn　was　sitting　with　some　of　the　younger　REF　turks　along　the　sidelines。　He　had　already　heard　of　her　deeds；　his　mother　was　rather　taken　with　them。　Karen　was　talking　with　Gnea　and　another　young　amazon。　She　suddenly　looked　up　to　meet　Baldan's　gaze；　and　he　turned　his　face　away；　a　radiance　rising　in　his　cheeks　for　no　reason　he　could　understand。

Rick　Hunter　was　still　speaking。

〃You　all　know　the　tactical　importance　of　this　planetary　objective。　The　Invid　have　found　a　way　to　mass…synthesize　their　nutrient　fluid　here…the　best　they　have。　Apparently；　it's　like　high…octane　to　them。　If　we　can　cut　off　that　supply；　we'll　be　nailing　the　lid　on　their　coffin。〃

He　looked　over　to　where　Burak　sat；　at　the　edge　of　the　shadows。　The　thing　that　was　Tesla；　the　thing　that　made　every　Sentinel　uneasy　no　matter　how　it　protested　its　faith　to　their　cause；　had　failed　to　appear　for　the　planning　session。

〃And　so　at　last　we　will　have　crippled　their　sources　of　new　mecha〃…Rick　ticked　off　on　his　fingers…〃their　sources　of　new　technology；　their　shipyards　and　their　life…support　supply　line。　We'll　be　set　up　for　the　campaign　on　Peryton。〃

Burak　looked　up　suddenly　at　the　mention　of　his　home…world；　like　a　thief　surprised　in　the　act。　Rick　met　his　gaze　and　wished　he　knew　what　was　going　on　in　the　young　buck's　head。

One　thing　was　apparent　to　everyone。　Armageddon　lay　ahead；　and　not　too　far　off。


There　was　almost　a　firefight　between　the　REF　factions。

Edwards　was　determined　to　have　a　face…to…face　with　Lang；　but　the　security　people　at　Lang's　enormous　plex　refused　entry　to　the　convoy　of　limos；　armored　vehicles；　and　troop　carriers。　The　Ghost　Veritechs　flying　high　cover　were　warned　away　on　pain　of　getting　their　tails　shot　off；　and　no　one　was　inclined　to　test　the　perimeter　defenses　of　the　Robotech　sorcerer。

It　was　an　open　secret　among　Humans；　and　Tiresians　as　well；　that　battle　lines　were　being　drawn　for　a　contest　of　wills　and/or　a　power　play　in　the　REF。　The　surviving　Ghost　Riders　and　quite　a　few　others　beside　were　rallying　to　Edwards's　banner；　but　as　many　and　more　were　standing　by　Lang　and　the　council　members　who　were　in　accord　with　him。

In　addition　to　Lang's　own　security　force　there　were　Jokers　and　Diamondbacks；　people　from　the　technical　and　support　units；　Destroid　types　from　the　Old　Ironsides　and　Walking　Steel　squadrons；　and　infantry　doggies　like　the　men　and　women　from　Hell's　Hoplites。

Many　were　still　straddling　the　fence；　though；　and　Edwards's　forces　were　organized；　highly　disciplined　and　motivated；　and　loyal　to　him　alone。　He　and　his　opposition　had　one　another　in　an　uneasy　stalemate；　but　everyone　knew　it　couldn't　last　for　long。

So；　the　request　for　a　meeting　with　Lang；　in　Lang's　own　stronghold；　had　e　as　something　of　a　surprise。　The　obvious　lessons　of　the　Trojan　Horse　gave　the　scientist　pause；　but　the　off　chance　that　a　power　struggle　could　be　averted　made　him　agree　to　the　confrontation　in　the　end。

Edwards's　VTs　veered　off　in　pliance　with　the　warnings；　and　the　general　himself　stepped　forth　from　his　armored　limo　once　it　was　inside　a　garage…bunker。　Edwards　looked　around　warily　before　exiting　the　car；　he　had　begun　sensing　some　troubling　and　lethal　presence　near　him　in　recent　days…a　menacing　shadow　he　could　never　quite　see　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye。　Sometimes　he　thought　it　was　a　phantom　image　brought　on　by　his　brain…boost；　and　other　times　he　was　sure　that　there　was　somebody　poised　in　the　darkness；　waiting　to　kill　him。

But　he　had　no　qualms　about　going　into　Lang's　den；　really；　fools　like　the　good　doctor　always　played　by　the　rules；　which　was　why　they　were　always　fated　to　lose。

Soon；　the　two　were　closeted　together　in　Lang's　inner　sanctum；　an　alchemist's　lair　of　bizarre　experimental　Robotech　equipment；　glowing　retorts；　and　weird　holographic　displays　of　flora　and　fauna　from　that　galactic　region。

〃We're　wasting　time　and　resources　with　all　this　bickering。〃　Edwards　got　around　to　his　pitch　quickly。　〃I　only　want　what's　best　for　the　REF！　For　Earth　and　the　Human　race！〃

All　the　while；　he　was　monitoring　the　sensors　that　had　been　built　into　his　skullpiece；　reading　the　alphanumerics　and　indicators　that　were　projected　onto　the　inside　of　his　eye…lens。　It　was　the　crowning　achievement　of　his　technical　staff；　the　ultimate　debugger。

Edwards　knew　that　Lang　had　several　monitoring　systems　that　the　scientist　thought　would　catch　every　word　and　movement　in　the　room；　but　the　remotes　built　into　Edwards's　belt　and　epaulets　and　the　fabric　of　his　dress　uniform　would　counter　all　that。　Lang　was　going　to　find　himself　with　a　lot　of　blank　tape。

〃How　can　I　prove　that　to　you　and　the　others？〃　Edwards　finished。

Lang　hadn't　batted　an　eye。　〃Remain　neutral　during　the　hearing　of　Wolff　and　the　others；　since　you　have　no　real　evidence。　Put　all　your　forces　under　the　direct　mand　of　the　council。　And　most　importantly；　allow　me　and　my　teams　to　examine　the　Invid　artifacts；　or　remains；　or　whatever　else　there　is；　under　the　Royal　Hall。〃

〃No！〃　Edwards　forgot　himself；　his　fist　pounding　a　table　so　that　minor　items　leapt　off　it　and　scattered　on　the　floor。

〃No？〃　Lang　echoed　mildly。　〃And　why　not；　General？　Nothing　to　hide；　surely？　So；　when　you　permit　me　to　investigate　the　catabs　there；　which　your　people　so　closely　guard；　then　we　can　talk　about　your　dutiful　beneficence　toward　the　REF。〃

〃You　stay　away　from　there；　you　damn　black　magician！〃　the　general　hollered。

〃And　another　thing；〃　Lang　said　mildly。　〃Major　Carpenter　and　the　Earth　expedition　are　safely　away。　The　warning's　gone　forth；　and　there　is　nothing　you　can　do　about　it。〃

The　general　was　stunned　for　a　moment。　He　had　had　no　idea　that　any　of　the　new　SDF…7　vessels　had　been　fitted　with　a　spacefold　drive！　And　now　one　was　on　its　way　to　Earth；　manded　by　an　officer　loyal　to　the　council　and　to　Lang；　imperiling　all　Edwards's　grand　designs。

The　general；　provoked　beyond　words；　lurched　at　the　scientist；　hands　out　to　choke　him。

Suddenly；　Lang's　hands　were　clamped　around　Edwards's　wrists　with　a　strength　that　threatened　to　crush　them。　The　general　was　being　forced　back　and　down　to　his　knees。　There　was　a　wild　moment　in　which　Edwards　realized　that　Lang's　strength　wasn't　Human…that　Lang　could　quite　easily　kill　him。

Edwards　had　e　into　Lang's　bailiwick　without　bodyguards；　though；　because　he　was　sure　he　had　read　the　man。　〃Go。。。ahead；〃　he　gritted。　〃Finish　it；　if　you　think　you　can！　Murder　me！　Isn't　that　what　your　precious　Shapings　are　all　about？〃

The　tremendous　pressure　from　the　scientist's　grip　fell　away；　and　Edwards　was　left　to　rub　numbed　wrists。　He　laughed　a　little　hysterically。　〃No；　you　can't；　can　you？　That　wouldn't　be　kosher　with　the　Shapings　of　the　Protoculture；　would　it？〃　He　cackled　to　himself；　struggling　to　his　feet。

〃Stop　your　subversion　now；〃　Lang　said　in　a　near　monotone；　〃before　there's　any　more　bloodshed。　Adhere　to　your　oath；　and　abandon　these　megalomaniacal　dreams。〃

Edwards　drew　himself　up；　lips　ing　away　from　his　locked　teeth。　He　would　perhaps　never　again　have　a　chance　to　tell　Lang　off　in　private；　this　would　be　the　only　moment　when　the　two　stood　alone　together　out　of　the　spotlight；　as　it　were。

〃Here's　the　oath　I'll　serve；〃　he　said　in　a　voice　so　low　it　was　barely　audible。　But　as　he　spoke　it　became　louder。　〃I　swear　to　kill　Wolff。　I　swear　to　exterminate　Rick　and　Lisa　Hunter　and　Breetai；　after　I've　made　them　suffer　enough。　The　rest　of　you　will　either　bow　at　my　feet　or　die。　I　swear　to　have　Obstat　and　Huxley　and　all　the　rest　of　them　on　the　council　as　my　personal　slaves…〃

It　was　on　the　tip　of　his　tongue　to　say　that　he　meant　to　subjugate　Minmei；　but　that　secret　he　managed　to　contain。　〃I　swear　to　have　the　galaxy　as　my　personal　domain。〃

He　backed　away；　flexing　partially　paralyzed　fingers。　〃I　swear　revenge。〃

Lang　didn't　pursue　him；　indeed；　Lang　stood　with　hands　locked　behind　his　back　now。　〃Then　there's　nothing　to　discuss。　But…one　last　question；　if　you　will；　General。〃

Edwards　flashed　a　grin　like　a　shark's。　〃What？〃

Lang's　eyebrows　met。　〃I　understand　why　you　despise　Rick　Hunter；　his　connection　to　your　old　nemesis；　Roy　Fokker；　makes　that　obvious。　But　whence　es　this　loathing　of　Lisa　Hayes　Hunter？　What　has　she　ever　done　to　you？〃

Edwards　forgot　the　pain；　letting　his　hands　fall　to　his　sides。　〃You'll　find　out　when　the　oh…so…saintly　Hunters　do：　when　it's　too　late。〃

He　turned　his　back　on　Lang；　striding　out　of　the　room　so　fast　that　the　door　barely　had　time　to　get　out　of　his　way。

Lang　made　sure　the　door　was　secure；　then　turned　toward　a　dim　corner　of　his　sanctum。　〃Scott；　did　you　get　all　that？〃

Scott　Bernard；　Lang's　apprentice　and　godson；　emerged…a　slender；　dark…haired；　unsmiling　kid　of　thirteen　or　so；　small　for　his　age。　〃The　machines　are　in　some　sort　of　flux；　Doctor。〃


Heels　clacking　on　the　hardtop；　Edwards　walked　back　toward　his　limo　as　his　personal　bodyguards　fell　in　beside　him。　The　wrist　module　still　read　true；　he　laughed。

Nothing　I　say　can　be　held　against　me！

That　left　a　number　of　other　concerns；　but　suddenly　the　most　pressing　among　them　was　Minmei。　Edwards　made　a　rasping；　pantherish　sound　as　he　slid　into　his　limo。

God！　It　would　be　so　easy　to　break　her　will　by　physical　or　chemical　means…to　turn　her　into　something　that　would　obey　his　every　word　and　whim；　satisfy　his　every　hunger。

The　hell　of　it　was　he　wanted　Minmei；　not　some　brainwiped　zombie　that　looked　and　talked　like　her。　He　wanted　her　to　love　him。

And　she　would。　If　he　had　to　turn　the　universe　upside　down　and　shake　it　like　a　toy　to　make　her　do　so；　she　would　love　him。

The　limo　rolled　out　under　the　security　spotlights；　flanked　by　security　vehicles；　about　to　swoop　under　the　security　umbrella　of　Ghost　VTs。

〃Wait！〃

Surface…effect　braking　thrusters　blared；　people　pulled　guns　and　Guardian…mode　fighters　swooped　in；　while　the　security　net　crackled　with　confused　transmissions。

Edwards　was　out　of　the　limo　virtually　over　the　lap　of　a　hulking　bodyguard。　〃Did　you　see　him？　There；　up　there*〃

But　the　spot　to　which　he　was　pointing；　the　top　of　a　nearby　building；　was　empty。　Even　as　VT　spotlights　converged　on　it；　he　could　see　that。

Adams　was　out　of　the　front　seat。　〃What　was　it；　sir？〃

Edwards　kept　his　eyes　trained　on　the　spot。　Don't　let　them　see　you　sweat！　You　can't　afford　to　show　any　weakness！

〃Nothing；　a　trick　of　the　light。　Let's　get　'em　rolling。〃

When　the　convoy　was　moving　again；　he　replayed　the　split…second　glimpse　and　couldn't　convince　himself　that　he　had　been　wrong。

A　human　figure；　poised　on　the　roof　almost　nonchalantly。　Watching。

Waiting。。。


CHAPTER　EIGHTEEN

The　frictions　among　the　Sentinels　were　many；　and　the　Grail　of　defeating　the　Regent　was　sometimes　the　single　thing　that　kept　them　from　a　disastrous　falling…out。
It　is　noteworthy　that　none　of　them　noticed　how　immune　Tesla　grew　to　their　irritability；　frustration；　retribution；　and　so　on。　They　were　physical　warriors；　under　attack…though　they　didn't　know　it…from　a　metaphysical　foe　who'd　gotten　inside　their　own　lines。
Ann　London；　Ring　of　Iron：　The　Sentinels　in　Conflict

揥hat's　the　matter；　Lieutenant　mander　Baker？　Don't　I　look　'strac'？〃

Jack　Baker　eyed　Gnea。　〃I；　uh；　I　just　wish　my　academy　mandant　could　see　you；　is　all。〃

Such　an　encounter　would　offer　a　chance　to　brush　up　on　his　cardiopulmonary　resuscitation　technique；　Jack　figured；　because　modore　Steinfeld　would　certainly