16_world_killers-第28部分

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he　non…Spherisians。　It　stood　in　the　polished；　faceted　glory　of　the　planet's　most　beautiful　gem　setting；　a　form　a　thousand　feet　high。

A　figure　of　clay。

The　stuff　was　a　nondescript　color；　impossible　to　discern　there　where　fantastic　light…shows　changed　from　instant　to　instant。　The　matter　of　material　strengths　and　the　impossibility　of　such　an　immense　amount　of　the　stuff　holding　its　shape　was　barely　worth　mentioning；　because　the　reality　was　there　before　them。

The　clay　was　unfired；　looking　like　it　had　been　molded　only　moments　ago；　yet　it　had　stood　there　since　the　epoch　of　Haydon　himself。　It　was　as　if　a　divine　artist　had　been　called　away；　for　a　moment；　from　an　unfinished　work。　Again　there　was　that　lack　of　features　but　the　definite　strength　and　nobility　of　the　outline。　It　agreed　in　form　with　the　others　the　Sentinels　had　seen。

〃Haydon　was　the　living　model　for　its　shape；〃　Teal　said　in　a　proud；　distant　voice。　〃e；　look　closer。〃

She　led　the　way　toward　an　ascending　path　a　yard　or　so　wide　which　connected　to　a　network　that　spiraled　around　and　up　and　down　the　stupendous　cavern。　Awed；　the　rest　began　falling　in　automatically。

Except　for　Jack；　who　took　one　look　at　that　corkscrew　webbing　of　trails　and　knew　he　could　never　make　it。　In　fact；　he　was　already　feeling　a　twinge　in　his　mending　middle　from　the　activity；　the　nurses　had　made　him　promise　to　sit　in　the　flier　and　not　move　at　all；　and　he　had　already　disobeyed　them。

Karen　was　about　to　help　Jack　to　Veidt's　flier；　but　Gnea　intervened。　〃I've　been　here　once　already；　Sister。　I'll　give　him　a　hand。〃

The　others　were　already　wending　up　the　steep　pathway　except　for　Burak；　who　was　still　immobile　before　the　clay　Haydon。　Karen　nodded　and　let　go　of　Jack's　arm；　then　hurried　after。　Jack　hobbled　along；　more　or　less　leaning　on　Gnea；　letting　go　a　blissful　breath　as　she　helped　him　into　his　chair　again。

〃I'm　not　an　invalid　anymore；　Gnea。　You　can　go　on　with　the　others；　I'll　be　all　right。〃

She　eased　into　a　chair　next　to　him　and　patted　his　forearm。　〃No　problem；　bucko。　Are　you　hungry？〃

〃No；　I…〃

〃Well；　I　am！〃

〃Well；　you're　a　growing　amazon；〃　Jack　pointed　out。


CHAPTER　TWENTY…EIGHT

Perhaps　the　most　intriguing　aspect　of　the　Regent…Tesla　conflict　is　one　that　cannot　be　verified　but　was　a　persistent　rumor　among　the　Invid。
It　was　alleged　in　various　quarters　that　the　count　of　Special　Children　eggs　left　behind　by　the　Regis　upon　her　departure　was　one　short。　Further　rumor　had　it　that　she'd　chosen　to　raise　one　of　the　select　brood　as　a　secret　experiment；　telling　no　one　about　it；　not　even　the　Special　Child…and　that　she　raised　it　as　a　Scientist。
Perhaps　Tesla's　crimes　were；　like　something　out　of　Greek　drama；　even　more　enormous　than　he　imagined。
Lemuel　Thicka；　Temple　of　Flames：　A　History　of　the　Invid　Regent

The　pilgrims　to　Haydon's　shrine　became　separated；　going　off　along　various　paths　that　wound　the　cavern　walls；　to　view　the　stupendous　icon　from　assorted　angles　and　distances。　Karen　was　walking　alone　when　Baldan　emerged　from　the　glittering　wall　to　stand　before　her。

He　was　as　tentative　as　any　adolescent　male　approaching　an　attractive　older　female。　〃There　is…something　I　thought　you　might　like　to　see；〃　he　began　hesitantly。　〃I'd　like　to　show　it　to　you…to　thank　you　for　helping　teach　me　the　fighting　skills。〃

She　came　with　him　into　a　passageway　that　reminded　her　of　a　cut　and　polished　ice　cave。　It　led　to　a　sort　of　domed　gallery　or　rotunda；　where　objects　were　set　near　the　chamber's　walls。　The　things　he　had　brought　her　to　see　were　like　nothing　so　much　as　diamond　footballs；　or　stylized　Easter　eggs；　as　big　as　a　small　groundcar。　They　were　perrate　pedestals　that　were　aligned　along　a　plex　celestial　design　in　the　window…clear　floor。

Baldan　led　Karen　over　to　one。　〃Stand　on　that　spot；　so；　and　look　into　the　Microcosm。〃

She　took　her　place；　and　the　egg　before　her　lowered　itself　a　bit　so　that　its　tip　was　level　with　her　eyes。　It　was　wondrously　crosshatched　with　lights　and　colors　even　though　it　was　clear；　but　she　saw　nothing　coherent。　She　was　about　to　ask　Baldan　if　she　was　doing　something　wrong　when　the　world　seemed　to　fall　away　on　all　sides。

She　found　herself　looking　at　a　place　that　had　been　ravaged　worse　than　Tirol　or　even　Spheris。　Yet；　somehow　she　knew　that　it　had　once　been　a　thriving　scene。　She　shuddered　at　the　windswept　tors；　bleak　wastelands；　and　dank；　treacherous　bogs。　Off　in　the　middle　distance；　though；　something　began　to　e　into　focus。

It　was　an　Invid　hive；　far　larger　than　any　she　had　ever　seen。　Its　central　dome　alone　was　bigger　than　Glike；　Beroth；　and　Monument　City　put　together。　It；　and　the　satellite　structures　connected　to　it　and　one　another　by　a　network　that　shone　as　red　as　canals　of　lava；　covered　much　of　one　continent。

〃Optera；〃　she　heard　Baldan　say。　〃And　the　Home　Hive　of　the　Invid。〃

She　backed　away　and　the　vision　faded。　〃Baldan；　what　are　these？〃

〃They　are　our　fenestella…mental　looking…glasses　for　viewing　other　worlds。　Seeing　the　Invid　hive　has　upset　you；　hasn't　it？　I'm　sorry；　stupid　of　me　to　begin　with　that　one…〃

〃No；　no！〃　She　laid　a　hand　on　his　arm。　〃It　was　amazing！　Was　I　actually　seeing　what's　going　on　at　this　moment　on　Optera？〃　The　G…2　intelligence　staff　would　go　wild　over　this！

But　Baldan　was　shaking　his　head。　〃These　are　representations…depictions。　And　there　are　more　pleasant　ones：　Garuda　and　Karbarra　and　others　the　Sentinels　have　never　visited。　Let　me　show　them　to　you。〃

〃I'd　like　that。〃

As　they　went；　he　talked　about　the　different　worlds　and　their　histories。　She　could　tell　that　Baldan　I　was　ing　more　and　more　to　the　fore　in　him。

揟o　the　Regent　and　Tesla　and　their　folk；　Optera　is　a　beautiful　world；〃　he　told　her；　〃even　though　it's　not　the　paradise　it　was。　Part　of　the　purpose　of　this　place　is　to　remind　us　that　Spheris　is　only　part　of　a　much　greater　scheme　of　things。〃

He　spoke　like　a　person　with　an　old　soul；　as　she　had　once　heard　someone　put　it。　〃I　think　you're　a　very　wise　man；　Baldan；〃　she　told　him。

He　looked　subdued。　〃Baldan　I　was　in　many　ways　the　sum　of　our　race。　He　was　slated　for　great　things；　great　acplishments；　before　the　Invid　came。　His　death　was　a　very　untimely　blow　to　all　Spherisians。　So　I　have　a　very　great　deal　to　live　up　to；　you　see。〃

Gloom　had　settled　on　him。　Karen　slipped　her　arm　through　his　and　pressed　her　lips　to　the　glassy；　strangely　warm　cheek。　〃You're　going　to　do　just　fine；　I　know　it。　Now　c'mon；　show　me　some　more！〃


Aboard　Ark　Angel；　Rem　bent　to　his　studies。　Cabell　would　expect　him　to　sift　through　as　much　of　the　data　gained　on　this　voyage　as　possible；　and　to　have　furthered　his　own　studies　as　well。

There　was　a　tone　from　his　quarters'　hatch　signal。　When　he　gave　it　leave　to　open；　Janice　Em　stepped　into　the　room。

She　was　wearing　the　guise　of　the　Human；　as　she　usually　did　with　him…and　around　most　crewmembers；　to　put　them　at　ease。　Even　so；　there　were　many　who　kept　their　distance　from　her　now　that　they　knew　she　was　an　Artificial　Person。

Rem　himself　had　no　such　prejudices；　one　reason　was　that　he　had　been　on　the　receiving　end　too　many　times。　But　there　was　another；　far　better　one。

〃It's　late；〃　she　said。　〃Haven't　you　studied　enough　for　one　evening？〃

She　turned　out　the　light　over　his　work　station　and　took　his　hand；　kissing　his　neck　and　lips　as　he　kissed　hers。　Together　they　went　to　his　bed。


Max　Sterling　fought　the　urge　to　hang　onto　Aurora；　to　see　to　it　that　she　didn't　hurt　herself。　But　his　daughter　was　screaming　bloody　murder；　eager　to　practice　her　walking　there　on　the　carpeted　floor　of　his　quarters。

He　tried　to　keep　from　dwelling　on　how　crazy　it　all　was。　Here　she　was；　only　weeks　old；　taking　her　first　steps。　Max　let　go；　and　Aurora　tottered　toward　Miriya；　who　knelt　a　few　yards　away。

The　changes　in　Miriya　were　more　subtle　than　the　ones　taking　place　in　Aurora　with　every　passing　minute；　but　they　were　unmistakable。　The　peerless　champion　of　the　Quadronos　no　longer　seemed　the　least　bit　interested　in　getting　back　on　flight　status　or　resuming　her　military　career　in　any　fashion　whatsoever。　Whenever　Max　brought　up　the　subject；　she　simply　gave　him　a　serene　smile　and　changed　it。

It　was　as　if　the　almost…fatal　pregnancy　and　the　birth　of　Aurora　had　given　Miriya　a　secret　wealth　of　knowledge。

Baby　Aurora　was　doing　splendidly；　just　as　she　did　everything；　when　she　abruptly　went　as　stiff　as　a　board；　like　someone　suffering　a　seizure；　and　keeled　over。　Max　and　Miriya　almost　knocked　heads；　rushing　to　her。　To　their　immense　relief；　she　was　breathing　again；　and　the　seizure　seemed　to　have　passed。　But　she　gave　no　sign　of　hearing　them。

Instead；　she　lay　with　eyes　wide　and　focused　on　the　ceiling。　They　heard　her　tiny　voice　but　it　took　a　few　repetitions　to　understand　what　she　was　saying。　And　when　they　did；　Miriya　let　out　a　cry　of　pain；　as　Max　felt　the　hair　on　the　back　of　his　neck　standing　straight　up。

〃Dana；　the　spores！　Beware　the　spores！　Dana；　beware　the　spores！〃


〃Not　very　subtle；　is　he？〃　the　Regent　scoffed；　looking　into　the　screen。　〃Where's　all　this　Evolved　refinement　we　keep　hearing　about？〃

It　was　true：　Tesla's　battle　plan　lacked　finesse。　Apparently；　he　thought　the　appearance　of　his　force　would　in　and　of　itself　oblige　the　Regent　to　sue　for　peace。

〃Fool！〃　the　Regent　reflected；　his　nasal　antennae　flashing。　〃He　doesn't　realize　the　true　strength　of　deevolution！〃


Outlying　strongholds　and　defensive　bases　had　been　neutralized；　and　the　central　dome　of　the　Home　Hive　itself　was　Tesla's　straightforward　objective。

The　transports　began　sowing　their　crop　of　Terror　Weapon　dropships　and　skirmish　fliers。　While　these　went　on　ahead；　the　transports　descended　to　let　forth　rank　after　rank　of　Inorganic　bipeds　and　packs　of　Hellcats。　The　troopships　fired　in　support　of　the　assault　but　kept　well　back；　since　the　hive's　mammoth　guns　were　shooting　in　answer。

The　smaller　invading　craft　and　ground　units　advanced　fearlessly；　though。　Suicidal　attacks　by　a　number　of　Tesla's　Terror　Weapons　resulted　in　awful　losses　but　succeeded　in　knocking　out　most　of　the　big　cannon…something　that　would　have　been　inconceivable　in　the　days　when　the　Home　Hive　was　operating　at　full　efficiency　and　power。

It　was　fratricide；　carnage　between　identical　twins；　as　Inorganic　fought　Inorganic。　As　it　turned　out；　on　Spheris　Tesla's　soldiers　had　picked　up　tricks　of　battle　concerning　such　duels　that　the　Regent's　fighters　had　never　had　occasion　to　learn。　That　was　one　more　thing　in　the　challenger's　favor。

In　an　infernal　landscape　of　Protoculture　blasts；　dismembering　hand…to…hand　bat；　and　fanatic　killing　and　dying；　the　outnumbered　loyalist　army　was　pushed　back　and　back　toward　the　hive。

When　he　thought　that　the　time　was　right；　the　Regent　turned　to　one　of　his　toadies。　〃Release　the　Special　Children　at　once。〃

He　turned　back　to　watch　as　they　rose　from　forward　positions　in　camouflaged　bunkers。　Tesla's　soldiers　were　caught　off　guard　as　new　enemies　burst　into　their　very　midst。

Though　it　infuriated　him　to　think　about　it；　the　Regent's　own　scientists　were　very　much　the　Regis's　rejects。　She　had　wanted　only　those　who　were　energized　by　her　Great　Work；　the　seeking　of　the　Ultimate　Invid　Form。　Others；　she　banished　from　her　presence。

Therefore　the　Regent's　scientists…mostly　culls…hadn't　been　able　to　fathom　all　the　potentials　and　secrets　of　her　Special　Children。　Several　savants　had　died　before　the　Regent's　fury。　The　Invid　monarch　finally　decided　that　he　didn't　need　geniuses　or　great　biogenetic　artists；　ESP　savants　or　spiritual　guides。　〃Give　me　living；　breathing　killing　machines；〃　he　manded。

And　so　it　was。　The　things　that　began　hurling　back　the　invaders'　advance　were　bigger　than　any　other　mecha　the　Invid　were　ever　to　field。　They　resembled　the　Enforcers　that　the　Regis　was　later　to　develop　on　Earth；　but　were　bigger　and　of　greater　brute　strength；　bearing　heavier　armor　and　firepower。

But　like　the　Inorganics；　the　Special　Children　had　multiple　upper　limbs。　These　were　provided　with　pincers；　tentacles；　great　scythelike　ripper…blades；　weapons　muzzles；　and　more。　The　things　could　defend　and　fight　on　all　sides。

They　waded　into　Tesla's　attack　waves；　slashing　Inorganics　in　two　and　hurling　the　pieces　in　different　directions；　blasting　them　apart；　tearing　them　limb　from　limb；　or　simply　stomping　them　into　the　ground…up　soil　of　Optera。　The　advance　was　stopped；　the　lines　breached；　the　Special　Children　spread　out；　visiting　destruction　upon　everything　in　their　path。

But　Tesla；　in　the　safety　of　his　transport　ship；　breathed　a　sigh　of　relief。　Only　in　his　Evolved　state　had　he　finally　understood　some　of　the　things　for　which　the　Special　Children　were　designed。　One　of　those　functions　was　to　absorb　and　store　Protoculture　energy。

Brought　to　term　properly；　the　Children　wouldn't　have　been　particularly　imposing　specimens　or　doughty　fighters；　but　they　could　have　stopped　Tesla　cold　by　draining　all　energy　from　his　soldiers。　The　Regent；　however；　had　approached　the　situation　with　exactly　the　devolved　simple…mindedness　Tesla　had　foreseen。

〃Second　wave；〃　he　ordered。

In　his　hive；　the　Regent　shook　the　walls　with　his　ire　when　twice　again　as　many　Inorganics　were　sent　in　by　Tesla。　Again；　the　renegade　was　willing　to　suffer　horrific　losses　in　his　drive　to　victory。　For　every　Inorganic　that　the　Special　Children　slew；　three　more　swarmed　up　at　them。

The　irreplaceable　Special　Children　began　to　suffer　losses；　driven　back　toward　the　hive　though　they　fought　like　demons　every　foot　of　the　way。　One　of　the　Invid's　greatest　genetic　treasures　was　being　spent；　at　a　hellish　rate　and　to　no　great　effect；　in　a　few　minutes　of　a　battle　between　equally　unworthy　leaders。

〃mit　all　reserves！〃　the　Regent　ordered。　〃And　establish　a　direct　link　so　that　I　may　speak　to　Tesla　face…to…face！〃


The　defending　lines　wavered　but　held。　The　last　power　of　the　hive　was　supercharging　the　Regent's　fighters；　and　Tesla　suffered　more　attrition。　But　it　didn't　matter。

In　his　mand　ship；　he　vowed；　I　will　rule　the　Invid！