16_world_killers-第8部分

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〃Do　you　really　think　you　can　ever　be　free　of　me；　Minmei？　I　never　yield　anything　that's　mine；　you　should　know　that　by　now。〃　His　voice　was　very　soft；　as　if　it　calmed　him　to　be　hurting　her。

Minmei　resisted　ineffectually　for　a　moment；　then　gave　up。　〃Go　ahead！　Do　what　you　want！　You　think　being　cruel　makes　you　strong？　I've　known　real　men；　and　pared　to　them　you're　a　pitiful　excuse　for　a　Human　being　and　a　miserable　failure　as　a　lover…〃

Her　own　scream　cut　her　off；　as　he　gave　her　more　pain。　He　had　her　wrist　in　a　hold　that　felt　like　he　was　about　to　break　it；　and　he　shook　her　head　back　and　forth　slowly　to　emphasize　each　word。　〃Your　Jonathan　Wolff's　dead　by　now；　like　Hunter　and　the　rest。　Were　you　going　to　join　the　Zentraedi？　They　got　in　my　way；　too；　they're　finished。〃

He　knelt；　pulling　her　face　around　to　his。　〃I　told　you　there　are　things　I　know；　things　I've　learned　since　we　got　to　Tirol；　that　will　give　me　unlimited　power。　Unlimited　control。　You　may　not　love　me　willingly；　but　you　will　love　me。〃

Nothing　Minmei　had　ever　heard　had　terrified　her　like　those　words。　She　could　feel　his　hot　breath　on　her；　it　sickened　her。

〃Now；　you're　going　to　tell　me　everything　I　want　to　know；　and　all　the　rest　of　it。　And　in　the　meantime　we'll　just　keep　you　nice　and　calm。〃

The　general　reached　out　with　his　free　hand　and　buzzed　for　the　guards。　All　her　blathering　about　awakening　the　dead…it　had　to　be　mad　raving；　of　course；　he　told　himself；　but　it　still　bothered　him。　And　yet　a　search　of　the　area　had　turned　up　no　sign　whatsoever　of　the　pilot　who　had　spirited　her　off　SDF…3；　nor　could　Edwards's　agents　produce　any　clues。

The　dead　might　mean　a　number　of　things；　but　Edwards　suspected　he　knew　whom　she　meant。　Preposterous。。。

He　flung　her　at　the　guards。　〃Lock　her　up；　dry　her　out。　I　want　no　one　to　get　word　of　this。　plete　cover…up。　Tell　the　interrogators　to　keep　me　updated。〃

After　the　guards　had　dragged　her　out；　Edwards　gazed　out　the　window。

He　could　hardly　know　that；　far　across　a　distant　landing…site　hardtop；　a　man　in　a　pilot's　suit　was　staring　back　through　a　telebinoc　at　the　silhouette　so　far　away　that　was　a　mortal　enemy。

Lieutenant　Isle　lowered　the　telebinoc。　All　the　elaborate　security　systems　and　plex　equipment　and　weaponry　between　him　and　Edwards　were　just　an　abstract　problem　in　mission　planning　now；　just　a　layered　project　requiring　the　proper　application　and　strength　of　will。

But　the　battle　itself　was　joined。


CHAPTER　EIGHT

If　Sartre's　right　and　the　history　of　every　person　is　the　story　of　failure；　then　something's　outta　whack　here。
mander　Vincent　Grant；　quoted　in　The　Sentinels；　by　Le　Roy　la　Paz

If　Glike　was　enchanting　from　the　landing　stages　and　spires　of　the　city；　it　was　overwhelming　from　the　vantage　point　of　a　Haydonite　cone…flier。

Vince；　mesmerized　by　the　fantasyland　view；　blinked　in　surprise　to　realize　that　the　cone　was　hovering；　with　its　disk…rim　up　against　a　landing　stage；　over　the　summit　of　a　skyscraper　that　suggested　an　inverted　icicle。　The　transparent　dome　under　which　he；　Jonathan　Wolff；　and　Max　had　been　standing　now　parted；　providing　a　debarkation　gate。

But　the　landing　stage　was　empty。　Max　turned　to　their　Haydonite　pilot　suspiciously。　〃You　said　you　were　taking　us　to　Sarna。〃

The　Haydonite　was　smaller　and　more　slender　than　either　Veidt　or　Sarna　and　had　an　emerald　cast　to　her　skin。　In　the　center　of　her　forehead　was　a　star…sapphire　pattern　of　light　that　came　from　no　apparent　source。　Her　features　were　no　more　pronounced　than　those　of　any　other　Haydonite　the　visitors　had　seen；　and　yet　there　were　contours　that　somehow　gave　her　face　an　individuality。　The　offworlders　had　learned　that　the　Haydonites　were　far　from　anonymous。

She　bowed　serenely。　〃She　will　be　with　you　presently。　You　will；　after　all；　wish　some　privacy　for　your　consultations。　There　are　dangers　in　this　city；　as　well　you　know。　And　now；　if　you　will　pardon　me；　I　have　other　pressing　matters　to　which　I　must　see。〃

Vince　led　the　way　out　of　the　cone…flier；　and　in　another　few　seconds　it　was　lifting　away　into　the　sky　of　Glike；　among　the　flying　carpets　and　lolling　sky　barges。

It　was　windy　and　chilly　up　there；　but　the　view　made　it　worthwhile。　Jonathan　Wolff　unlimbered　a　telebinocular　and　looked　around。　Max　glared　out　angrily　at　the　Oz…like　urbanscape；　he　was　worried　about　Miriya　and　the　rest；　wishing　some　direct　action　were　possible。

Vince　said；　〃What　I　don't　get　is　this　business　with　Vowad；　Sarna's　father。　I　mean；　jealousy；　from　a　Haydonite？

The　emotions　of　the　synthetically　spawned　Haydonites　were　usually　too　subtle　for　the　other　Sentinels　to　detect；　or　were　deeply　suppressed。　And　certainly　their　family　ties　were　tenuous　by　outsiders'　standards。　But　the　situation　between　Sarna；　Vowad；　and　Veidt　was　apparently　the　exception。

Haydonites　didn't　so　much　reproduce　as　literally　create　their　offspring；　as　a　sort　of　art　form。　The　young　incorporated　characteristics　of　the　elders　and　selected　innovations；　as　esthetic　essays；　as　well。

Wolff　lowered　the　telebinocular。　〃From　what　I've　been　able　to　pick　up　since　we've　been　here；　Vowad　is　the　ultimate　expression　of　Haydonite　development；　their　Number　One；〃　he　said。　〃And　Sarna　was；　sort　of；　his　crowning　achievement。　Except；　she　didn't　behave　quite　the　way　she　was　supposed　to。　Got　all　enthused　over　Veidt　and　some　radical　ideas　he　had；　like　resisting　the　Invid　encroachment。〃

〃Where've　we　heard　that　before？〃　Max　murmured。

〃Thing　is；〃　Wolff　Went　on；　〃I　get　the　impression　that　if　anybody　could　keep　the　Invid　from　having　their　way　on　Haydon　IV；　it's　Vowad。　Only；　he　doesn't　seem　inclined　to　do　it。〃

〃The　whole　thing's　a　little　slippery　by　Haydonite　standards；　I　suppose；〃　Vince　said。　〃The　Invid　ease　their　way　in　with　trade　arrangements　and　diplomatic　missions；　cultural　exchanges　and　all　that；　and　the　next　thing　you　know；　they're　entrenched。　Bribed　the　officials；　intimidated　or　blackmailed　the　bureaucrats…they've　got　all　the　leverage　they　need　around　here；　more　or　less。〃

And　if　the　planet's　vaunted　defense　system　ever　really　existed；　the　three　had　e　to　realize；　it　found　the　Invid　infiltration/subversion　operation　too　nebulous　to　deal　with。　So　long　as　the　Invid　made　no　overt　moves；　they　were　safe　from　retribution。　And　violent　transactions　between　offworlders　were；　so　it　seemed；　exempt　from　interference　by　planetary　defenses。

Wolff　raised　the　telebinocular　again；　scanning。　〃Heads　up；〃　he　said　softly。


A　flying　carpet　was　approaching；　a　hooked…rug　size。　In　another　few　seconds；　Sarna　alighted　next　to　them。

After　receiving　news　that　Rick；　Lisa；　and　the　others　had　recovered；　she　said；　〃We　haven't　much　time。　Matters　here　are　much　worse　than　Veidt　and　I　ever　thought　when　we　proposed　this　plan。　We　have　to　get　you　all　off　Haydon　IV　as　soon　as　we　can。〃

Before　they　could　press　her　for　details；　she　hastened；　〃You　brought　your　seeing　devices？　Good；　look　over　there；　at　the　juncture　of　the　Sky　Road　and　Silver　Way。〃

Eventually　they　focused　on　the　point　she　was　indicating。　Vince　watched　for　a　moment；　then　breathed　an　uncharacteristic；　deliberate　string　of　obscenities。

〃Yeah；　this　changes　things；〃　Wolff　added　sardonically。

Far　away　and　below；　a　slave　coffle　was　being　moved　along　by　Inorganic　guards　toward　a　rearing；　adamantine　Invid　stronghold　that　looked　brutally　out　of　place　in　exquisite　Glike。

The　prisoners；　headbanded　with　metallic　straps　that　glowed　with　instrumentation；　were　dirty　and　disheveled。　It　was　easy　to　see　that　they　were　big；　rugged　women　wearing　the　remains　of　their　fighting　costumes；　walking　with　heads　held　high；　herded　by　their　captors。

〃Praxians；〃　Max　said　softly。　〃The　missing　Praxians。　They're　here！〃

Sarna　was　nodding　measuredly。　〃They　were　not；　as　we　thought；　exterminated；　the　Invid　have　many　more　than　that　here　in　the　city　and　elsewhere　on　Haydon　IV。　Many；　many　thousands。〃

In　contrast　to　the　usual　lack　of　extreme　emotion　in　Haydonites；　there　was　loathing　in　her　voice　now。　〃And　my　father；　Vowad；　permits　it。　Permits　anything；　to　preserve　his　oh…so…important　serenity；　and　this　little。。。Shangri…la；　as　you　Humans　might　say。〃

They　lowered　their　binoculars　as　she　went　on。　〃The　Regent　has　brought　the　proper　pressure　to　bear；　he'll　have　you　all　in　captivity　soon；　if　we　don't　move　quickly。　I've　arranged　for…〃

But　she　got　no　further；　as　the　sun　was　blotted　out　overhead　by　flying　carpets　over　half　an　acre　in　area。　On　them　stood　Inorganics：　Scrim　and　Crann　and　Odeon；　weapons　ready；　along　with　the　Haydonites　who　were　doing　the　actual　flying。

The　three　REF　fighters　pulled　their　Badger　assault　pistols；　ready　to　fight　for　their　lives；　but　Sarna　said；　〃No！　If　you　fire　first；　you'll　have　done　what　they　want。　And　Miriya　and　the　others　will　suffer　the　more　for　it。　Stay　where　you　are　and　let　me　speak　for　you。〃

The　flying　carpets　landed　so　as　to　ring　them　in　with　the　sheer　drop　of　the　brink　at　their　backs。　Vince；　Max；　and　Wolff　formed　their　own　security　wheel；　but　kept　their　machine　pistol　muzzles　pointed　at　the　landing　stage　surface。　They　had　a　few　other　surprises　on　their　persons　beside　the　Badgers；　but　going　up　against　Inorganics　without　mecha　of　their　own　would　amount　to　a　suicide　mission。

They　recognized　Vowad　right　away　by　the　bulging　cranium　and　deep　red　flesh　tone；　and　the　enormous　lavender　star　sapphire　set　in　his　forehead。　He　was　standing　beside　the　Invid　Regent；　the　Regent's　two　Hellcats　flanking　them。　The　other　Haydonites　there　bore　what　Vince　had　learned　to　recognize　as　emblems　marking　them　as　Respected　Elders…the　〃Old　Guard〃　of　the　planet；　who　had　made　their　peace　with　Invid　subversion。

The　Inorganics　lumbered　off　the　carpets；　deploying　to　encircle　the　Sentinels。　Among　the　mecha　were　Armored　Officers；　somewhat　evolved　Invid　in　powered　armor；　standing　some　eight　feet　tall　or　so；　brandishing　weapons。　Vince　couldn't　figure　out　why　the　defenses　of　the　planet　didn't　respond　to　such　a　show　of　force…unless　either　the　defenses　were　a　myth　or　the　Haydonites　had　decreed　that　those　defenses　not　interfere　with　the　Regent's　troops。

The　Regent　and　Vowad　alighted；　the　Hellcats　stalking　along　a　pace　behind。　〃You　Humans　are　born　troublemakers；〃　the　Regent　observed。　〃Always　scheming；　never　still。〃

〃It　keeps　us　amused；　kicking　you　off　planet　after　planet；〃　Jonathan　Wolff　conceded　mildly。

The　Regent　growled；　and　his　Hellcats　showed　then…fangs　in　furious　screams。　Vowad；　seeing　his　daughter　among　the　Sentinels；　intervened　before　the　'Cats　could　pounce。

〃You　will　acpany　us　to　where　your　other　panions　are　being　held！　There　you　will　be　examined　for　positive　identification；　and　officially　remanded　to　the　custody　of　the　Regent；　for　trial　on　charges　of　war　crimes。〃

〃Like　hell；〃　Max　Sterling　said；　thumbing　off　his　pistols'　safeties。　〃Might　as　well　die　right　here。〃

But　Sarna　leaned　to　whisper　in　his　ear；　〃Please！　Trust　me；　there's　a　way　out　of　this　yet；　but　you　must　play　along　for　a　while。　For　Miriya's　sake；　and　your　unborn's！〃

Slowly；　unwillingly；　Max　returned　the　Badgers　to　their　underarm　rigs。　Vince　and　Wolff　hesitated；　then　did　the　same。

〃Veidt　or　I　will　send　word　to　you　as　soon　as　we　can；〃　Sarna　whispered　as　the　Invid　closed　in。

The　Regent　loomed　before　them。　〃How　splendid　it　feels　to　have　your。。pany。。。at　last！〃

Covered　by　Inorganic　guns；　the　three　men　were　disarmed　and　ushered　aboard　the　largest　flying　carpet。　Vowad　stayed　behind；　drawing　Sarna　aside；　as　the　Regent　and　his　troops　and　prisoners　lifted　away。　The　two　hovered　there；　the　wind　rustling　their　long　robes。

〃I　detest　these　uncontrolled　emotions　you've　acquired　through　your　contact　with　the　Sentinels。　I　mand　you　to　stop　this　foolish　sedition；〃　Vowad　hissed　at　her。　〃I　forbid　you　to　bring　down　the　wrath　of　the　Invid　upon　us。〃

〃mand？　Forbid？　Those　are　words　only　the　Invid　may　use　on　Haydon　IV　now；　you've　seen　to　that。〃

〃Stop　speaking　like　a　madwoman；　Sarna！　These　attitudes　of　yours　are　insanity！　You　never　talked　like　this　until　you　met　that　accursed　Veidt！〃

〃But；　Father；　you　have　the　power　to　unleash　our　defenses　against　them…to　fight　the　Invid！〃

〃And　perhaps　destroy　our　whole　world　in　the　process？〃　A　gesture　of　his　head　indicated　the　departing　Invid　and　their　prisoners。

〃What　is　your　Invid　war　to　me？　What　are　the　Sentinels？　Just　a　tick　of　the　eternal　clock　of　Haydon　IV；　a　single　moment　in　our　lifetime。　When　they　have　all　passed　away；　we　will　be　as　we　have　always　been　and　will　always　be。　I　will　not　risk　this　perfect　place　for　the　petty　squabbles　of　the　lower　orders。〃


〃It　seems　your　decision　to　withhold　information　from　the　council　was　well　conceived；〃　Exedore　said。

〃Regrettably；　yes；〃　Lang　answered；　showing　no　regret　at　all。

Anything　said　before　the　council　went　straight　to　Edwards's　ear；　and　both　scientists　had　thought　it　unwise　to　let　Edwards　know　that　there　was　any　monopole　ore　left　here　on　Tirol。

〃In　my　opinion；　the　battle　lines　are　drawn；　and　we're　only　awaiting　the　opening　shot；〃　Lang　added。　Exedore；　who　had　seen　centuries　of　war；　nodded。

They　felt　safe　speaking　their　mind　there　in　the　center　of　Lang's　research　facility；　satisfied　that　it　was　debugged　and　that　the　people　he　had　gathered　around　him　were　loyal。　Besides；　his　latest　project　was　plete：　one　of　the　SDF　Escort…class　cruisers　had　been　adapted　with　a　spacefold　drive。

It　had　taken　every　gram　of　ore　recoverable　from　the　analysis　labs　and　every　speck　from　the　secret　cache　Lang　and　Exedore　had　amassed　with　Breetai's　help。　At　last　there　was　a　way　to　contact　Earth；　to　pass　along　a　warning　of　the　Robotech　Masters'　intention　to　seek　out　the　world　to　which　Zor　had　sent　the　SDF…1　and　the　mysterious　Protoculture　matrix…provided　the　rest　of　the　Plenipotentiary　Council　could　be　swayed。

Exedore　and　Lang　sat　together；　waiting；　before　the　lab's　main　screen。　The　heated　debate　of　the　last　five　hours　had　them　all　exhausted；　and　the　one…hour　interlude　before　the　vote；　during　which　each　member　was　to　weigh　the　pros　and　cons；　had　e　as　a　wele　chance　to　catch　their　breath。

A　tone　sounded　and　the　screen　lit　up　again；　split　so　that　the　other　ten　council　members'　faces　appeared　there。　Former　judge　Justine　Huxley　said；　〃The　moment　for　the　vote　has　e。　If　there　are　no　further　objections；　council　members　will　be　so　good　as　to　enter　their　ballots。〃

Exedore　and　Lang　plied；　not　hiding　their　vote　from　each　other　as　they　keyed　in　their　codes。　The　tabulating　puter　came　up　with　the　result　instantly。

〃By　a　two…vote　majority；　Dr。　Lang's　proposal　to　send　the　refitted　SDF…7　class　ship　back　to　Earth；　with　warning　of　the　peril　constituted　by　the　Robotech　Masters；　is　carried。〃

〃I　would　reiterate　my　point　that　the　voyage　be　undertaken　as　soon　as　possible；〃　Lang　was　quick　to　put　in；　〃and　my　remendation　that　Major　Carpenter　be　put　in　overall　charge　of　the　mission。〃

Suddenly；　Edwards's　face　replaced　all　others　on　the　screen；　flushed　with　fury。　〃You're　all　making　a　mistake　you'll　regret！　That's　the　only　spacefold　ship　we've　got；　maybe　the　only　one　we'll　have　for　months　or　years　to　e！

〃Who　knows　what　Carpenter　and　the　others　will　run　into　back　there？　I'll　say　it　again：　the　only　sane　course　of　action　is　to　wait　until　we've　got　an　armada　and　return　to　Earth　in　overwhelming　strength！〃

〃Are　you　saying　that　the　majority　of　the　council　has　lost　possession　of　its　mental　faculties？〃　Exedore　asked　innocently。　Edwards　made　a　wordless　sound　of　rage　and　broke　the　connection；　so　t