16_world_killers-第25部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


s　concentration　was　divided　among　so　many　things。

But　Burak　withstood　the　bolt　somehow　and　held　up　Jack　Baker's　set。　His　thumb　was　on　its　special　switch；　the　one　that　would　trigger　the　charge　in　Tesla's　resplendent　collar。　〃Pery。。。ton；〃　Burak　got　out　between　locked　teeth。

Tesla　felt　immense　amusement　and　savage　wrath　at　the　same　time。　〃Is　that　so？　Behold！〃

Suddenly　the　unpickable　locks　that　clasped　the　collar　around　his　neck　clicked　open。　At　the　same　time；　Burak　found　that　he　couldn't　move；　not　so　much　as　the　thumb　that　rested　on　the　deadly　button。

Tesla　took　the　collar　and　hurled　it　far　from　him；　there　would　be　more　of　such　baubles　than　he　could　count　once　he　had　taken　his　rightful　place。　He　reached　out　to　push　Burak's　thumb；　there　was　a　loud　report　from　the　exploding　bib；　down　somewhere　in　the　lower　levels　of　the　landing　platform　area。

Tesla　still　had　three　valuable　hostages；　an　army　of　Inorganics；　and　his　newfound　powers。　He　had　no　doubt　now　that　he　would　prevail。

〃Very　well；　all　of　you；　we're　going　to…〃

But　as　he　turned；　he　let　out　an　enraged　bellow。　Veidt　was　gone。　Gnea　was　befuddled；　swearing　that　he　had　been　there；　with　her　Badger　trained　on　him；　only　seconds　before。　From　where　he　had　floated；　cornered；　Veidt　could　only　have　plunged　over　the　edge　of　the　platform　and　down　into　the　darkened　levels　far　below。

Only；　who　knew　what　such　a　fall　meant　to　a　Haydonite？　No　time　to　wonder　now。　Tesla　issued　a　mental　order；　and　Gnea　and　Burak　gathered　up　the　Fruit；　then　closed　ranks　behind　him。　Together；　they　descended　to　fall　in　behind　a　flying　wedge　of　Inorganics；　to　battle　their　way　toward　the　spaceport。

Odeons　lifted　them　up　and　carried　them　swiftly。


The　Invid　had　thought　the　arms　room　a　place　safe　from　Spherisian　intrusion…firstly；　because　it　held　Protoculture　weapons　the　locals　dreaded；　secondly；　because　it　was　an　enclosure　cut　off　from　the　Crystal　Highways。

The　invaders　never　thought　to　consider　their　own　thick　bundles　of　fiber…optic　filaments…thick　cables　of　silicon…based　strands。　That　same　system　was　accessible　elsewhere。

In　one　corner　of　the　room；　two　cables　swelled　and　swelled；　expanding；　drawing　in　more　material　from　floors　above　and　below；　until　at　last　the　insulation　around　them　was　blown　away　in　shreds。　The　filaments　curled　and　fused；　taking　on　humanoid　form。


This　time；　Baldan　found　himself　all　but　transparent；　the　light　shifting　within　him　as　if　he　were　a　fortune…teller's　ball　e　alive。　Teal　was　now　posed　of　the　same　clear　stuff；　though　her　body　was　still　unmistakably　female。

He　shook　his　head　to　clear　it　of　the　ringing。　The　last　stretch；　through　the　Invid　cable　system；　had　been　resonant　with　their　inprehensible　battle　signals　rather　than　with　the　songs　of　the　Highways。

〃Why　are　we　here；　Baldan？　And　where　are　we？〃

He　set　off　among　the　rearing　racks　of　outsize　Invid　weapons。　〃We're　here　because　it　isn't　right　that　Spherisians　let　others　do　their　fighting　and　dying　for　them。　It　isn't　just。　It　cheapens　freedom。〃

He's　not　using　Baldan　II's　voice；　Teal　told　herself。　Those　are　his　father's　words；　and　no　mistaking　it。

He　came　at　last　to　what　he　was　searching　for：　a　row　of　heavy　Enforcer　rifles。　They　weren't　even　locked　up。　He　lifted　one；　making　sure　that　its　charge　was　full。　As　heavy　as　it　was；　he　handled　it　easily；　his　structure　was　stronger　than　that　of　ordinary　flesh　and　blood。　Teal　saw　that　he　was　drawing　on　Baldan　I's　memories　as　much　as　he　was　upon　the　training　Bela　and　the　others　had　given　him。

He　heard　a　quiet　clicking　and　turned　to　see　Teal　checking　over　a　second　rifle。　〃No！〃　he　said　softly。　〃Where　I　go　from　here　you　cannot　follow。〃

She　held　the　rifle　resolutely。　〃You　plain　because　Spherisians　won't　fight；　and　now　you　lose　your　posure　because　one　wants　to！　Make　up　your　mind；　young　man。〃

The　features　of　his　face　slid　around　into　a　wry　look；　then　straightened　again。　〃Keep　your　head　down；　Mother。〃

They　stole　out　along　Invid…style　corridors；　through　the　great　hive。　They　were　near　the　innermost　sanctum；　having　bypassed　ring　upon　ring　of　sentries　and　guardposts　and　surveillance　by　means　of　the　Crystal　Highways。　In　moments　they　hung　back　in　the　shadows　of　a　structure　like　a　huge　fibroblast；　looking　out　at　the　Invid　Brain　that　held　sway　over　most　of　the　occupying　army。

It　was　pulsing　and　emitting　strange　sounds；　so　agitated　and　apprehensive　that　even　the　two　intruders　could　sense　it　clearly。　The　battle　wasn't　going　well。

There　was　a　handpicked　elite　of　Officers　and　Enforcers　around　the　Brain；　conferring　in　low　tones　and　attending　it。　Baldan　looked　to　his　mother；　raising　his　chin　and　brows　inquiringly。

What　misplaced　practical　joke　of　the　Protoculture　brought　me　here？　she　carped　to　herself。　All　she　had　ever　wanted　to　do　was　enjoy　life　and　the　attentions　of　admirers；　to　let　her　beauty　speak　for　itself　and　languish　in　the　adulation　that　everyone　seemed　eager　to　accord　her。

But　she　nodded　to　her　son　that　she　was　ready。　The　two　leapt　out　to　either　side　of　the　cover；　rifle　muzzles　at　waist　level；　firing　Protoculture　blasts。


CHAPTER　TWENTY…FIVE

Tesla　was　very　troubled　in　the　last　hours　before　the　attack。　When　I　asked　him　about　it；　I　expected　one　of　his　evasive　numbers　or　egomaniacal　silences。
But　he　seemed　to　need　to　talk　to　someone。　He　was　psychotic　by　then；　I　think；　the　lab　people　conjecture　that　he'd　actually　been　increasing　his　chromosome　numbers。
At　any　rate；　he　said；　〃I　have　had　a　recurring　dream　lately。　A　great　phoenix　of　mind…force　rises　from　a　small　blue…white　world　and　soars　away　to　another　plane　of　existence。　It　fills　me　with　apprehension。〃
Lisa　Hayes　Hunter；　Recollections

Karen　had　seen　to　Jack's　wounds　as　best　she　could；　but　he　went　into　shock；　still　losing　blood。　It　came　down　to　a　simple　choice　of　leaving　him　there　and　going　for　help；　or　staying　with　him　and　watching　him　die。

Then　the　decision　was　taken　away　from　her。　A　Hellcat　bounded　into　sight　at　the　bunker's　entrance；　showing　its　glowing　fangs。　Its　eyes　were　flashing　rhythmically；　it　was　one　of　Tesla's。

Three　had　originally　been　dispatched　by　Tesla　to　keep　Karen　and　Jack　from　getting　word　of　his　treachery　back　to　the　Sentinels。　But　an　ambush　by　the　Brain's　forces　had　cut　down　the　other　two　'Cats。

Tesla　had　picked　the　feline…shape　for　the　job　because　it　was　smaller　and　more　limber　than　the　biped　Inorganics。　Now；　it　slunk　into　the　entranceway　of　the　bunker　on　all　fours；　belly　scraping　sparks　from　the　gleaming　floor；　yeowling　at　its　prey。

Karen　was　already　trying　to　drag　Jack　back　to　safety；　but　the　side　doors　were　all　secured。　So　at　last　she　wound　up　crouched；　with　Jack；　against　the　dead　end　of　the　entrance…way's　rear　wall。　The　Robobeast　edged　nearer；　its　strobing　eyes　lighting　the　darkness；　claws　gouging　the　quartz…hard　floor。

Karen　raised　Jack's　pistol　and　her　own　side…by…side　and　opened　fire。　The　'Cat　screamed　and　lowered　its　head；　shielding　its　eyes；　but　kept　ing；　it　had　little　to　fear　from　a　conventional　handgun。　One　paw　reached　out　to　slice　her　wide　open。

But　it　missed　because　it　was　being　yanked　backward。　It　turned　to　grapple　with　something　Karen　couldn't　see；　unable　to　get　any　fighting　room　in　the　confinement　of　the　entranceway。

Then　it　was　gone；　dragged　into　the　open；　and　there　was　a　monstrous　clash　going　on　outside。　Karen　rushed　to　the　entrance；　looking　for　Skull　colors；　nothing　short　of　a　mecha　could　have　jerked　the　Hellcat　out　of　the　bunker　tail…first。

She　was　right。　It　was　an　Odeon；　rolling　with　and　slugging　the　smaller　'Cat。　Another　Odeon　joined　it；　its　nose…tentacle　flickering　out　to　ensnare　the　Hellcat。　In　another　moment；　they　were　socking　and　kicking　the　thing；　dismembering　it。　Their　optical　sensors　were　not　flashing。

Karen　thought　about　making　a　dash　for　it；　but　she　couldn't　leave　Jack　behind。　The　Odeons　were　rising　from　their　savage　battle　and　turning　their　attention　to　her。

She　backed　into　the　shadows　once　more；　they　closed　in。　But　as　the　nasal　whips　curled　and　snapped　at　her；　a　stream　of　depleted…transuranic　slugs　the　size　of　candlepins　hit　them。

Karen　spun　and　threw　herself　headlong；　shielding　her　face。　The　Odeons；　holed　through　and　through；　leaked　green　nutrient　fluid　for　a　moment　as　their　systemry　fizzled；　then　they　collapsed；　smoke　and　flame　belching　from　their　split　seams。　They　ruptured　open　with　explosions　that　mingled　with　the　sounds　of　a　descending　Alpha's　thrusters。

Karen　had　sat　up　again；　face　smudged　and　pallid。　The　VT　was　in　Guardian　mode；　its　canopy　raised　now　as　the　pilot　stood。　Blaze's　light　reflected　off　a　well…remembered　flight　helmet；　one　cast　in　the　image　of　a　Praxian　war　helm。

〃Well；　well！　Maybe　when　we　get　a　moment；　you　can　tell　me　why　two　enemy　slugs　killed　&　friendly　'Cat　that　was　in　turn　just　about　to　eat　a　Sentinel！〃

It　was　Bela。


〃Tesla！　Ark　Angel　to　Tesla！〃

〃Still　no　acknowledgment；　Captain；〃　the　Human　mo　officer　told　Lisa。

〃Keep　trying　anyway；〃　she　said。　To　the　mike；　she　repeated；　〃Your　troops'　lines　are　collapsing　in　all　sectors！　You　must　get　them　to　stand　fast！〃

She　switched　off　her　mike　and　told　the　officer；　〃Keep　on　trying　to　raise　him。〃　Then　she　switched　to　ship's　net。　〃Rick；　he's　not　answering。　I　think　it's　a　double…cross。〃　She　looked　intently　at　the　duplicate　trigger；　on　her　mand　console；　for　the　explosives　in　Tesla's　collar。

〃All　right；　make　another　approach；〃　he　answered　from　the　drop　bay。　〃I'm　taking　in　the　last　of　the　reserves；　to　get　our　troops　back　out。〃

It　was　on　her　lips　to　object；　but　she　held　it　in。　The　lessons　of　the　Praxians　had　subsumed　those　of　the　Academy。　Of　course　you　don't　leave　your　buddies　in　deep　trouble；　no　matter　what　the　cost。　She　knew　it　as　well　as　he。　It　was　just　that　she　wished　she　could　make　the　assault　with　him　and　the　other　units。

She　brought　the　ship　onto　a　new　heading；　bearing　down　on　Beroth　at　low　altitude　and　steady　helm；　ing　to　dead…slow。　Luckily；　the　Invid　had　used　up　most　of　their　missiles；　and　their　conventional　cannonfire　and　smaller　rockets　weren't　powerful　enough　to　do　more　than　dent　the　starship's　armor　and　blow　away　noncritical　superstructural　features。

Ark　Angel　nudged　over　or　smashed　a　lot　of　local　architecture　on　its　touchdown；　lying　almost　smack　in　the　middle　of　Beroth。　At　Rick's　mand　the　bat　teams　charged　out　to　provide　fire　support　for　the　Sentinels　elements　still　trying　to　disengage；　now　that　Tesla's　forces　had　abandoned　them。

Lisa　saw　from　the　tactical　displays　that　it　looked　very　grim。　It　was　clear　that　Tesla　was　leaving　them　in　the　lurch；　having　some　plan　of　his　own；　but　there　was　little　the　Sentinels　could　do　about　it；　the　Brain's　Inorganics　were　after　them　now。

At　that　moment　even　the　shaky　timetable　of　the　withdrawal　was　set　aside。　There　were　sounds　of　Protoculture　weapons　fire　in　the　city。　Spheris　itself　cried　out　in　torment。


Baldan　and　Teal　hosed　the　Brain　and　its　attendants　with　steady　streams　of　riflefire；　cutting　Officers　and　Enforcers　down　and　leaving　streaks　of　blackening　tissue　across　the　sides　of　the　heaving　Invid　monstrosity。

The　attack　had　e　so　suddenly　that　all　opposition　was　mowed　down　before　there　was　any　chance　for　the　Invid　to　return　fire。　With　wild　elation　Baldan　thought；　We've　taken　them　by　surprise。　We　can　kill　the　Brain　and　end　the　battle　here！

But　even　as　he　thought　that；　the　floor　was　heaving　beneath　him。　Protoculture　weapons　had　been　fired；　and　Spheris　was　reacting　in　pain。

His　affinity　for　his　world　let　him　understand　what　was　happening。　Sympathetic　vibrations　of　a　sort　only　Protoculture　could　evoke　were　sending　fractures　along　and　between　the　Crystal　Highways；　like　fractal　daggers　driven　into　Spheris　itself。　Somehow；　the　mere　explosions　of　mecha　didn't　produce　this　phenomenon…perhaps　because　such　bursts　were　undirected。　But　the　riflefire；　minor　as　it　was　in　parison　to　the　warfare　going　on　in　Beroth；　was　a　different　matter　entirely。

Baldan　and　Teal　were　knocked　off　their　feet　and　the　Brain　was　sloshed　around　in　its　nutrient　pool。　Baldan　tried　to　get　to　his　feet　and　shoot　the　Brain　again；　but　Teal　shouted。　〃No；　or　you　may　doom　us　all！　e；　e！　Before　the　Inorganics　get　us！〃

The　floors　were　already　drumrolling　to　the　heavy　tread　of　running　Inorganics　ing　in　answer　to　the　Brain's　agonized　summons。　Baldan　rose　at　last；　taking　his　mother's　arms　and　dragging　her　off　the　other　way。　She　dropped　her　rifle　and　clung　to　him。　They　tottered　away　as　the　hive　shook　on　its　foundations。

The　bend　in　a　corridor　brought　them　up　against　a　sealed　security　door；　the　sound　of　the　Inorganics　came　closer。　Baldan　backed　off　and　fired　at　the　door　over　and　over；　even　though　he　knew　it　would　do　no　good。

As　the　biped　mecha　came　lumbering　around　the　corner；　Teal　saw　the　method　to　Baldan's　madness。　The　floor　quaked　and　shifted；　and　a　prow　of　icy　crystal　thrust　itself　up　into　sight。　Spheris　was　reacting　against　its　source　of　pain。

The　upthrust　had　cut　the　Inorganics　off　from　their　quarry　for　the　moment。　Baldan　threw　down　the　rifle；　took　his　mother's　hand；　and　veered　at　the　crystal　as　the　hive　tilted　again。　They　melded　with　it　and　were　safely　away。

Churning　in　its　nutrient　pool；　nearly　insane　with　the　pain　of　its　wounds；　the　Brain　lost　all　control。　If　the　slave　races　were　going　to　use　Protoculture　weapons；　Protoculture　weapons　it　would　be！


Tesla；　too；　nearly　lost　his　balance　as　the　planet　convulsed。　The　Brain　demonstrated　its　ire　a　moment　later。　Weapons　pods　set　on　tall　masts　around　the　hive　opened　up。　The　blasts　were　highly　accurate；　hitting　Tesla's　blinking…eye　Inorganics　and　blowing　them　part。

〃To　the　ships！　The　ships！〃　he　howled；　an　echo　of　his　mental　mand。　The　disguised　troop　transports　were　only　yards　away；　but　most　of　his　loyal　troops　were　still　covering　his　retreat。

He　dithered；　racked　by　indecision。　To　flee　without　the　army　he　had　gathered　would　leave　him　a　wretched　outcast　once　again；　but　to　stay　was　to　be　killed；　either　by　the　Brain；　the　Sentinels；　or　the　very　planet！　Better　to　live　to　fight　another　day。

〃We　raise　ship　immediately！〃　he　screamed；　so　loud　that　Burak　and　Gnea　winced。


The　Crystal　Highways　themselves　spasmed。　The　planet　bid　fair　to　tear　itself　apart。　The　Spherisians　who　had　trusted　the　safety　of　the　underground　looked　at　one　another。


〃Get　everybody　back！　Disengage！〃　Rick　was　nearly　hoarse　from　shouting　his　mands　over　the　tac　net。　〃Prepare　for　pickup！〃

It　felt　as　if　Spheris　was　going　to　e　apart　at　the　seams；　and　the　only　thing　to　do　was　try　to　get　his　Sentinels　to　safety。　He　had　no　idea　what　the　upheavals　meant　for　the　Spherisians　themselves；　but　there　didn't　seem　to　be　much　he　could　do　for　them；　except…

He　switched　to　mand　freq。　〃Lisa！　Do　not　use　Protoculture　weapons！　It'll　only　make　things　worse　down　here！〃

That　didn't　seem　to　bother　the　Invid　Brain；　though。　Rays　and　annihilation　disks　streamed　from　the　hive's　defensive　batteries；　wiping　out　every　mecha　that　flashed　the　signal　of　Tesla；　and　whatever　Sentinel　targets　they　could　find　as　well。

The　tide　of　the　Inorganics'　battle　had　definitely　turned；　with　Tesla's　mecha　fighting　dispiritedly　or　simply　turning　to　run；　while　the　Brain's　war　machines　came　on　relentlessly。　Still；　for　some　reason　none　of　the　Inorganics　were　using　Protoculture　weapons。　Some　programmed　proscription？

The　Brain's　gunners　were　really　pouring　it　on　now；　and　the　planet　rocked。　Rick　despaired　of　ever　getting　his　troops…or　himself