16_world_killers-第27部分

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Edwards　lost　patience　and　swung　his　fist。　Minmei　dropped；　senseless。　He　tried　to　insinuate　his　mind　into　hers；　greedy　to　have　her　as　his　living　puppet　again。　But　the　song　was　still　there；　he　was　shut　out　of　her　mind　and　her　love　forever。


Minmei　came　to　blearily　in　disfort　and　pain。　She　felt　like　vomiting　as　she　blinked　her　eyes　open。　It　took　seconds　to　realize　where　she　was　and　what　had　happened　to　her。

She　was　shackled　to　a　crudely　hewn　wooden　X　that　had　been　erected　on　the　bridge　of　Edwards's　stolen　starship。　Before　her　were　the　screens　and　consoles；　and　loyal　Ghost　Riders　who　ignored　her　moans。

Edwards；　noticing　that　she　had　e　around；　left　his　mand　chair　to　put　his　hand　under　her　chin。　〃I　want　you　to　enjoy　the　ride；　darling；〃　he　said；　showing　his　teeth。　〃After　all；　you're　my　most　important　passenger。〃

The　soul…song　that　protected　her　from　him　had　made　him　remember　how　her　voice　played　a　pivotal　role　in　Earth's　victory　in　the　Robotech　War。　Undeniably；　Fate　had　been　working　in　his　favor　when　he　fought　to　take　her　with　him　on　Tirol。　In　addition　to　the　SDF；　his　own　loyal　troops；　the　Brain；　and　the　Inorganics；　he　had　the　secret　weapon　that　had　won　the　war！

Now　the　problem　was　how　to　use　it。　〃My　beloved；〃　he　added；　kissing　her　cheek；　tasting　the　salt　tears　there。

Deep　within；　her　newfound　patience　settled　in　again；　so　that　she　could　wait　however　long　it　took；　bear　whatever　she　had　to；　until　she　could　kill　him。


〃We　asked　you　here；　mander　Grant；〃　Lang　said；　〃because　we　require　your　opinion。　Despite　the　setback　of　Edwards's　mutiny；　we　shall　be　ready　soon　to　send　an　expedition　back　to　Earth。　The　new　ships　will　be　quite　space…worthy　within　weeks。〃

〃But…the　fold　drives…〃　Vince　objected。

Exedore　tut…tutted。　〃They　are　already　pleted；　as　in　fact　was　the　one　for　the　ship　Edwards　pirated。　The　drives　are　all　in　safekeeping　here　in　Dr。　Lang's　plex。〃

Strolling　along　in　the　middle　of　Lang's　Robotech　wonderland；　Vince　rumbled　with　laughter。　Good　old　Lang；　one　jump　ahead　all　the　way！

But　a　sudden　thought　stopped　Vince。　〃I　hope　you　gentlemen　aren't　about　to　ask　me　to　volunteer。〃　Much　as　he　ached　to　go　home　to　his　son　and　the　world　he　loved　best；　to　leave　without　Jean　was　unthinkable。

〃No；　no〃　Exedore　was　saying；　placing　a　small　hand　in　the　center　of　that　massive；　V…shaped　back。　〃But　we　want　your　opinion　on　the　person　we　have　chosen。〃

He　explained　quickly　the　circumstances　of　Edwards's　escape　as　Breetai　had　relayed　them。　〃And　the　Valivarre　will　be　making　planetfall　soon。　We　want　to　put　Jonathan　Wolff　in　overall　mand　of　the　expedition　back　to　Earth。〃

The　REF　was　an　expedition；　it　sounded　strange　to　be　talking　about　an　expedition　home。　But　the　more　Vince　thought　about　it；　the　more　logical　a　choice　Jonathan　was；　what　with　Rick　and　Lisa；　Max　and　Miriya　unavailable　and　Vince　himself　unwilling。

If　reports　were　true；　then　Wolff　had　no　motive　to　stay　and　every　reason　to　go　home　again；　reunite　with　his　family；　and　put　Minmei　and　the　REF　behind　him。　More　to　the　point；　he　was　a　brilliant　and　capable　mander…diligent　and　honest。

And；　with　the　threat　of　the　Invid　and　the　Robotech　Masters　on　the　loose；　somebody　had　to　carry　the　warning　to　Earth。　There　had　been　no　reply　from　Carpenter's　expedition；　it　was　time　for　a　recon　in　force。

〃I'd　say　that　for　once；　Hobson's　Choice　has　given　us　a　winner；〃　Vince　told　them。


CHAPTER　TWENTY…SEVEN

The　more　information　we　accrue　on　the　subject　of　the　being　known　as　Haydon；　the　more　convinced　I　am　that　my　work　is　only　beginning。
Dr。　Emil　Lang；　personal　notes　on　the　SDF…3　mission

〃Listen　to　me；　honey：　I　want　you　to　push　again　now。　Okay？〃

Miriya　caught　her　breath；　stopped　sobbing；　and　nodded。

〃That's　my　girl；〃　Jean　Grant　said；　the　encouragements　automatic　as　she　concentrated　on　her　job。　〃Max；　are　you　holding　her　hand？〃

〃Yes。〃　Max　and　Miriya　exchanged　finger　squeezes；　but　hers　was　so　weak。

〃Okay；　Mommie　and　Daddy；　let's　do　it；〃　Jean　said。　〃Bear　down；　hon。〃

Miriya　did；　biting　her　lower　lip　until　it　bled；　then　groaning　in　pain。　No　battle　wound　had　ever　given　her　suffering　like　this；　no　enemy　torture　could　be　more　horrible。

Jean　didn't　have　time　for　an　indecent　turn　of　phrase。　Medical　advances　had　made　the　safe；　relatively　painless　delivery　of　babies　a　run…of…the…mill　thing；　but　those　advances　didn't　apply　to　a　Zentraedi　woman　impregnated　by　a　Human　male　when　by　all　rights　it　should　have　been　impossible。　Or　a　gestation　period　that　only　lasted　a　few　months　but　had；　by　all　indications；　e　to　full　term。　Or　a　pregnancy　that　had　e　close　to　taking　the　mother's　life　several　times　for　no　discernible　reason。

〃What　is　it？　What's　wrong？〃　Max　asked　Jean；　as　there　was　a　flurry　of　activity。　He　couldn't　see　what　was　happening　from　where　he　sat　by　Miriya's　end　of　the　delivery　med…table；　holding　her　hand。

〃We're　bringing　a　baby　into　the　world。　Isn't　that　worth　giving　your　wife　a　kiss？〃　Jean　said　distractedly　through　her　mask。　But　inside；　she　despaired。　Miriya　was　hemorrhaging　badly；　and　nothing　Jean　could　do　seemed　to　help。

Miriya　screamed；　and　Max；　clasping　her　hands　and　babbling　words　of　reassurance；　saw　her　eyes　rolling　up　into　her　head。　He　ripped　his　own　mask　off。

〃Mir！　Mir！　Don't　do　this！　Please　please；　stay　with　me！〃

She　began　convulsing；　and　Jean；　checking　the　vital　signs；　thought；　We're　losing　her。

Max　was　bending　against　his　wife；　holding　her　head　to　his；　weeping　and　begging　her　not　to　die。　〃Jean；　do　something！〃

〃Shhhh！　I'm　trying；　Max。〃　But　it　was　hopeless。

Don't　worry；　Mother；　I　am　with　you。

Max　wiped　his　eyes。　〃Wh…what'd　you　say；　Jean？〃

〃I　didn't　say　anything；　Max。　I　thought　you　did。〃　The　nurses　and　techs　and　two　other　attending　physicians　had　nothing　to　add。

Put　your　minds　at　rest。　All　will　be　well；　you'll　see。

Jean　didn't　have　time　to　wonder　if　she　was　going　nuts…hearing　voices　directly　in　her　mind。　Miriya's　convulsions　stopped　and　her　vital　signs　rose　and　stabilized。　The　hemorrhaging　slowed　to　a　trickle；　then　ceased。

And　other　developments　continued。　There　were　a　few　busy　seconds；　but　Miriya　went　through　them　with　her　eyes　closed　and　a　blissful　smile　on　her　face。

〃You've　got　yourselves　a　beautiful　little　daughter；　folks；〃　Jean　said。　The　child　was　crying　heartily。　Miriya's　eyes　opened　and　she　and　Max　laughed　and　wept；　hugging　each　other。

But　Jean；　seeing　to　the　umbilical　word；　felt　a　cold　wind　blow　through　her。　She　was　no　obstetrician；　but　she　had　delivered　plenty　of　babies。

And　this　was　the　first　newborn　she　had　ever　seen　e　into　the　world　already　breathing；　with　eyes　open　and　teeth　already　sprouting。

The　baby　moved　feebly；　but　its　eyes　fixed　on　hers。

Thank　you；　Jean；　that　same　voice　said。


〃We　have　to　move　with　all　deliberate　speed；　Admiral；〃　Burak　told　Rick　in　a　controlled/impatient　tone。　〃Tesla's　efforts　to　liberate　Peryton　are　wele；　of　course；　and　I'm　grateful　that　he's　led　the　vanguard；　but　I　am　the　one　who　has　been　chosen　by　Destiny　to　free　my　people　and　bee　their　Lord。

〃While　I　sympathize　with　the　Spherisians　and　the　rebuilding　they　must　do；　the　fact　is　that　they　have　been　freed；　while　my　folk　lie　under　a　terrible　curse。　You　can　see　my　point；　I'm　sure。〃

Burak　was　cleaned　up　and　dressed　in　new　garments；　Jack　Baker's　blood　washed　from　his　horns。　Rick　had　been　avoiding　him　for　days；　but　at　last　the　Perytonian　had　buttonholed　him；　on　his　way　to　another　strategy　meeting。

〃Um；　I　see　what　you　mean；　Burak。　I'll　make　sure　everyone　in　the　leadership　understands。〃

〃Please　see　that　you　do。　I　will　await　word　in　my　quarters。〃

Burak　turned　and　strode　off　in　kingly　fashion；　followed　by　a　few　of　his　people。　Rick　couldn't　figure　out　if　they　were　just　humoring　Burak　out　of　loyalty　and　pity；　or　if　they　really　believed　all　his　claptrap　about　being　the　messiah　of　his　planet。

Certainly；　nobody　could　disabuse　him　of　the　conviction　that　Tesla　had　gone　off　to　begin　the　liberation　of　Peryton；　even　when　they　showed　Burak　the　tracking　plots　on　Tesla's　escaped　ships　headed　in　the　direction　of　Optera。

Rick　had　been　ready　to　chalk　it　all　up　to　Tesla's　hypnosis；　or　whatever　the　Invid　used；　but　Gnea　and　Jack　showed　no　signs　of　any　residual　effects　while　Burak　was　still　walking　around　talking　like　a　locked…ward　case。　He　shrugged　to　himself；　and　made　a　note　to　have　security　keep　surveillance　on　the　Perytonians。

Ironically；　Burak's　home　planet　was；　at　long　last；　next　in　line　on　the　Sentinels'　long　campaign。　But　before　that　battle　could　be　mounted；　the　Sentinels　had　to　tend　to　their　wounded　and　bury　their　dead。　There　were　also　repairs　to　make　to　Ark　Angel；　mecha；　weapons；　and　equipment。

And；　despite　his　increasing　behavioral　quirks；　Burak　was　being　more　cooperative　in　that　he　and　his　followers　showed　more　willingness　to　answer　the　intel　officers'　specific　questions　about　their　homeworld。　Though　the　general　consensus　was　that　they　were　holding　back　a　lot；　the　Perytonians　had　given　the　rest　of　the　Sentinels　more　to　ponder　with　regard　to　that　tragic；　cursed　planet。

There　was　also　the　plight　of　the　Spherisians　to　consider：　their　cities　in　ruins；　their　economic　and　industrial　infrastructure…the　aboveground　portion；　at　any　rate…wrecked。　Though　they　could　survive　in　the　planet's　interior　and　rebuild　on　their　own；　in　time；　the　Sentinels　felt　it　their　duty　to　help　the　Spherisians　as　much　as　possible　before　lifting　off。

A　partial　message　had　been　received　from　Max　Sterling；　and　though　Rick　and　Lisa　were　gone　at　the　time；　they　were　overjoyed　to　hear　that　Miriya　had　given　birth　to　a　baby　girl　the　couple　had　named　Aurora。　The　tape　of　the　transmission　was　fuzzy　and　broken　up　by　static；　but　Rick　thought　Max　looked　troubled；　even　though　mother　and　daughter　were　both　reported　to　be　doing　fine。


Of　more　importance　to　the　mission　was　the　fact　that　the　Haydonites　had　established　intermittent　contact　with　Karbarra。　The　big　ursinoids　there　had　many　of　their　technical　problems　licked；　and　production　of　REF…type　mecha　and　smaller　craft　was　due　to　start　within　weeks…as　was　construction　of　a　prototype　SDF…7　class　cruiser。　That　didn't　change　the　Perytonian　invasion　timetable；　but　it　heartened　the　Sentinels…the　Human　members　in　particular。　The　fleet　that　would　take　them　home　was　now　a…building！


The　Regent　paced　through　his　vaulted　organic　halls；　followed　by　his　faithful　bodyguard。　He　had　lost　all　contact　with　Spheris；　and　could　guess　the　rest。

He　had　issued　orders　to　strip　all　outposts　and　planetary　garrisons；　to　bring　home　every　Invid　trooper　to　protect　the　Home　Hive。　But　he　knew　that　if　an　enemy　was　on　its　way　from　Spheris；　there　was　no　time　for　reinforcements。

He　stood　at　last　before　the　Special　Children；　the　bio…manipulated　embryos　left　behind　by　the　Regis　with　the　exhortation　that　he　let　them　grow　into　what　she　had　intended　them　to　be；　and　respect　the　things　she　had　designed　into　them。

〃Bah！　What　use　are　they　to　the　Invid　if　the　Home　Hive　falls？〃　He　had　refrained　from　violating　her　wishes　in　the　constant　hope　that　someday　she　would　return　to　him；　he　preserved　her　Special　Children　as　a　sign　of　his　longing　for　her。　But　what　good　to　honor　her　request　if　it　meant　his　defeat　and　death？

He　swept　his　hand　out　at　the　ranks　and　ranks　of　silent；　glistening　eggs。　〃Quicken　and　hatch　them！　Feed　in　the　richest　nutrients　and　do　all　other　things　to　maximize　their…potential！〃

He　spun　on　his　bowing　entourage。　〃See　to　it　that　all　defenses　are　prepared　and　on　alert。　And　make　ready　my　bat　armor。〃

If　it　was　his　fate　to　preside　over　the　end　of　the　Invid　empire；　he　would　see　that　it　didn't　overtake　him　gently　or　at　small　cost。


Once　Jack　was　out　of　danger　from　his　wounds；　his　love…hate　relationship　with　Karen　began　swinging　quickly　back　to　its　old　sweet…and…sour　tune。

There　were　a　couple　of　days　there…he　was　awake　on　and　off；　but　in　guarded　condition　and　as　weak　as　a　kitten…when　she　was　actually　sweet　to　him。　Especially　when　he　managed　a　little　sheepishly；　〃Thanks　for　riding　to　the　rescue；　Lancelot。〃

However。。。

〃As　soon　as　I'm　well　enough　to　do　anything　about　it；　y'turn　back　into　Attila　the　Penn；〃　he　sneered。

She　eluded　his　embrace　nimbly　and　threw　a　clean；　bundled　uniform　in　his　face。　〃The　doc　says　you're　on　convalescent　status　now；　you　drooling　sex　fiend；　so　you're　gonna　convalesce。　Veidt's　flier　meets　us　on　the　roof　in　ten　minutes；　so　move　it；　Mister！〃

Jack　started　undoing　his　hospital　gown；　but　she　was　out　the　door　before　he　could　moon　her。

Actually；　his　first　excursion　out　of　sick　bay　promised　to　be　the　trip　of　a　lifetime。　Numerous　Sentinels　had　already　made　the　journey；　all　had　received　heartfelt　invitations　from　the　grateful　Spherisians。

It　so　happened　that　today　was　the　first　day　the　Hunters　could　get　away　to　make　the　pilgrimage；　and　Gnea；　hearing　that　Jack　was　to　go；　decided　to　e　along；　too；　for　a　second　visit。　Burak　announced　with　august　dignity　that　it　was　only　fitting　that　he　witness　the　most　guarded　shrine　in　Spheris。　Veidt；　his　flier　repaired；　felt　it　was　a　good　time　for　a　test　flight。

Teal　and　Baldan　II；　learning　who　would　be　on　Veidt's　flier；　insisted　on　showing　the　Sentinels　around　personally。

Veidt　was　perfectly　fortable　hovering　several　inches　off　the　deck；　but　seats　like　long…legged　director's　chairs　had　been　provided　for　others。　In　addition；　a　picnic　lunch　lay　in　a　pile　of　thermal　canisters　at　the　rear　of　the　bubble…domed　passenger　space。

〃Still　not　ready　for　volleyball；　Baker？〃　Rick　asked　innocently　as　Karen　helped　Jack　to　his　seat。　Jack　snorted　a　laugh　and　then　groaned　in　pain；　but　he　didn't　plain；　it　was　just　the　sort　of　thing　he　had　done　to　other　people；　and　he　had　no　intention　of　being　accused　of　dishing　it　out　but　not　being　able　to　take　it。

Though　Karen　might　abuse　Jack；　however；　she　wasn't　about　to　see　anybody　else　do　so。　〃Admiral！　Unless　there're　enough　people　here　with　matching　blood　types　to　give　Lieutenant　mander　Baker　transfusions　in　the　event　he　should　rupture　a　gut；　Sir；　I　respectfully　suggest　we　go　easy　on　him。〃

Rick　coughed　behind　his　hand　to　hide　his　grin。　〃Of　course；　quite　right。〃　Lisa　elbowed　Rick；　then　looked　out　over　the　devastated　but　rebuilding　Beroth；　throbbing　silently　with　laughter。

The　ice…cream…cone　flier　took　them　out　across　the　crystal　countryside；　to　a　volcanic　chimney　the　Spherisians　had　opened　so　that　their　liberators　could　see　their　greatest　treasure。　They　descended　past　sights　as　wonderful　as　anything　they　had　seen　on　their　journeys　so　far。

At　last　they　came　to　rest　with　the　narrow　promenade　flange　that　encircled　the　little　passenger　dome　even　with　a　cut…glass　walkway。　They　were　miles　deep；　yet　the　temperature　was　fortable；　the　air　pressure　little　different　from　that　above。　Rick　wanted　to　ask　how　that　could　be；　but　he　was　sure　the　Spherisians　would　only　confuse　him　again；　as　they　had　the　Sentinels　engineers　and　scientists。

The　party　stepped　out　and　followed　Teal　and　her　son　along；　through　an　immense　archway　of　lava　pulled　and　braided　like　multiple　strands　of　taffy。　On　the　other　side；　they　all　fell　mute　except　for　a　few　loud；　indrawn　breaths。

No　outworlder　had　ever　seen　that　representation　of　Haydon　until　the　Sentinels　were　invited　into　the　lower　domains　of　Spheris。　It　was　set　in　the　middle　of　a　cavern　from　which　light　shone　in　darts　bright　enough　to　bother　the　eyes　of　the　non…Spherisians。　It　stood　in　the　polished；　faceted　glory　of　the　planet's　mo