10_invid_invasion-第14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！


d　of　Jagger　strut；　inching　her　way　to　ward　the　edge　with　each　pass　and　beckoning　the　fans　to　join　her。

Woods　and　the　colonel　looked　on　from　the　wings。

〃What　an　incredible　performer；〃　Briggs　was　saying。　Woods　noticed　the　glint　in　the　colonel's　eye　as　he　watched　Yellow　twirl　herself　like　some　sort　of　singing　acrobat。　〃She's　amazing。。。And　these　kids　look　like　they're　ready　to　jump　out　of　their　socks。〃

The　man　is　practically　drooling。　Woods　laughed　to　himself。　〃They　are　beginning　to　get　a　bit　out　of　hand；〃　he　told　Briggs；　a　forced　note　of　concern　in　his　voice。　He　motioned　to　the　front　ranks　of　the　audience；　where　the　crowds　were　pushing　hard　against　the　security　force's　arm…link　cordon。　〃Don't　you　think　it　would　be　wise　to　keep　a　van　ready　out　back　just　in　case　we　have　to　get　Yellow　Dancer　out　of　here　in　a　hurry？〃

Woods　saw　Briggs　blanch。　He　called　out　to　one　of　the　men　guarding　the　stage　entrance　and　told　him　bring　a　van　to　the　rear　door；　while　Woods　suppressed　a　smile　and　turned　to　watch　Yellow　strut　her　stuff。


On　the　cold　stone　floor　of　a　small；　seldom…used　room　beneath　the　stage；　Lunk　sat　cross…legged；　blowing　up　balloons。　Several　hundred　of　these　helium…filled　colored　globes　had　already　been　inflated　and　secreted　in　a　partment　behind　the　bandshell　itself；　but　the　ones　Lunk　was　busy　preparing　had　to　serve　a　special　purpose。　To　each　grouping　of　four　balloons；　Lunk　added　a　carefully　concealed　propellant　device　in　addition　to　a　sensor　that　would　allow　the　four…color　group　to　home　in　on　a　prearranged　beacon　signal　transmitted　from　the　outskirts　of　Norristown；　close　to　the　spot　where　the　team　had　left　the　Cyclones　and　the　Veritech。

When　Lunk　had　filled　the　last　of　the　balloons；　he　crawled　over　and　shut　down　the　helium　tanks；　only　then　realizing　how　spaced　out　he　was　from　inhaling　the　gas。　He　glanced　at　the　room's　brick　rear　wall　and　moved　over　to　it　now；　running　his　hands　over　the　stones　and　searching　for　any　signs　of　the　doorway　indicated　on　Lancer's　map　of　the　facility　and　linking　passageway。　But　he　could　find　no　evidence　of　seams　or　fractures　in　the　mortar。　Perhaps　it　could　be　opened　only　from　inside　the　tunnel；　he　thought；　checking　his　watch。　He　would　know　soon　enough；　in　any　case。。。


The　cart　turned　out　to　be　watertight。　Not　that　this　would　have　been　some　wondrous　piece　of　news　under　normal　circumstances；　but　given　the　tunnel　trio's　present　condition　it　was　one　of　those　small　miracles　to　be　thankful　for。　It　meant　that　they　were　able　to　remain　seated　while　the　water　rose　around　them　rather　than　have　to　exhaust　themselves　trying　to　remain　afloat　in　water　that　was　well　over　their　heads。　Of　course；　this；　too；　seemed　a　minor　consolation。

A　few　four…pack　canisters　of　Protoculture　were　bobbing　about　in　the　cold　water；　and　Rand　was　sitting　on　the　front　bumper　of　the　cart　looking　like　the　world　was　about　to　end。

Which　was　certainly　an　appropriate　enough　response；　seeing　how　the　water　was　still　pouring　into　their　tomb　with　no　signs　of　letting　up；　and　the　cold　ceiling　was　only　four　feet　above　them　now。　But　Rook；　who　seldom　had　a　good　word　to　say　about　anything；　was　trying　to　cheer　Rand　up。

〃C'mon；　pal；　try　not　to　get　so　down　in　the　dumps。〃

Rand　stared　at　her　in　disbelief。　〃Down　in　the　dumps？〃　he　said；　gesturing　to　the　room；　their　situation。　〃What　d'ya　think；　I　should　be　happy　about　getting　a　chance　to　wash　up　before　I　die？〃

〃It's　my　fault；〃　Scott　told　them。　〃I　should　have　considered　the　possibility　that　some　of　the　older　defensive　systems　would　still　be　operational。〃

Rook　shook　her　head。　〃Don't　blame　yourself；　Scott。〃

〃Let　'im；〃　Rand　argued。　〃Why　not？　He　got　us　into　this；　didn't　he？〃

〃We　got　us　into　this；〃　Rook　said；　raising　her　voice。

Scott　told　them　both　to　shut　up。　〃Besides；　we　might　get　a　lucky　break　yet。〃

Rand　and　Rook　waited　for　an　explanation。

〃If　the　a/v　scramblers　fade　before　the　water　gets　much　higher；　we'll　probably　get　to　face　a　firing　squad　instead　of　drowning。〃


In　the　stage　wings；　the　colonel　looked　out　at　Yellow's　screaming　audience　and　swung　harshly　to　Woods。　〃If　this　mob　gets　any　more　unruly；　the　Invid　are　to　going　to　send　a　few　Troopers　in　here　and　we'll　have　all　hell　to　pay！〃

Woods　had　to　agree。　Yellow　was　supposed　to　have　finished　up　already；　but　instead　she　was　going　into　yet　another　encore。　The　crowds　were　whipped　up　into　such　a　frenzy　that　the　arena　seemed　unable　to　contain　it。

Yellow　Dancer　sensed　Woods's　concern　and　turned　to　him　briefly　as　she　gyrated　around　the　stage。　Where　is　Scott？　she　asked　herself　as　the　band　revved　up。　She　took　several　giant　steps　toward　the　wings　and　tried　to　flash　her　acplice　a　signal；　touching　her　earring　and　shaking　her　head　as　if　to　indicate　that　she　hadn't　heard　from　Lunk　yet。

Woods　acknowledged　his　understanding　with　a　shrug　and　a　slight　gesture　toward　the　chief；　who　was　pacing　in　the　wings　like　a　nervous　animal。

Yellow　brought　the　mike　up　and　asked　if　everyone　was　all　right；　holding　the　mike　out　to　them　as　they　screamed　replies。　Again　they　strained　at　the　security　cordon；　and　several　kids　succeeded　in　making　it　onto　the　stage　before　being　scooped　up　by　guards　and　carried　off。　Something　had　to　be　done　quickly！


Scott；　Rook；　and　Rand　had　scarcely　a　foot　of　breathing　space　left；　and　the　water　level　was　still　rising。　Things　had　reached　the　desperate　stage　a　few　minutes　before；　and　now　the　three　of　them　were　in　the　water　pushing　up　against　each　and　every　ceiling　stone；　praying　that　one　would　give。

〃That　story　about　the　hero　escaping　through　a　loose　stone　is　just　a　fairy　tale；〃　Rand　was　saying；　when　his　hands　felt　the　stone　budge。　For　a　moment　he　was　speechless；　but　finally　he　managed　to　gulp　out　the　words：　〃It　moved！　The　stone　moved！〃


〃She's　already　gone　a　half　hour　overtime！〃　the　chief　shouted　to　Woods。　〃I　want　the　concert　wrapped　up…and　I　mean　now！〃

〃But　look　at　the　kids；〃　Woods　tried。　〃They're　having　the　time　of　their　lives。　I　mean；　after　all；　when　do　they　ever　get　a　chance　to　let　off　a　little…〃

〃Now！〃　the　chief　said　firmly。　〃Or　this　will　be　the　last　chance　they　ever　get。　Do　you　understand　me？〃

Woods　backed　away　and　threw　a　signal　to　the　control　booth：　They　were　to　cut　the　power　as　soon　as　Yellow　finished　her　song。。。

Lunk；　meanwhile；　was　pacing　back　and　forth　in　the　small　area　beneath　the　stage。　Scott　was　way　overdue。　There　were　no　contingency　plans　other　than　to　get　out　of　Norristown　as　quickly　as　possible。　Annie　and　Lancer　would　be　all　right；　but　Lunk　could　be　identified　by　the　guards　at　the　facility　tower。　But　just　as　he　was　resigning　himself　to　this；　he　heard　sounds　of　movement　behind　him。　He　swung　around　in　time　to　see　his　waterlogged　friends　step　through　the　parted　wall。　Each　of　them　was　toting　Protoculture　canister　packs。

〃Well；　it's　about　time；〃　Lunk　said　to　them；　eyeing　their　soaked　clothing。　〃What　happened　to　you　guys…you　e　by　way　of　the　river；　or　what？〃

〃We'll　explain　later；〃　Scott　said　hurriedly；　already　fastening　the　packs　to　the　balloon　clusters。　〃Signal　Lancer；　and　let's　get　this　show　on　the　road。〃


Yellow　was　aware　that　the　control　room　and　sound　personnel　had　been　ordered　to　cut　the　power；　so　she　was　milking　the　final　song　for　all　it　was　worth；　extending　the　chorus　and　encouraging　the　audience　to　join　in；　in　the　hopes　that　Scott　would　appear　in　time。　But　by　now　she　had　done　all　she　could；　the　band　was　finishing　up　with　an　interminable　one…chord　wrap…up；　and　she　was　just　about　to　make　the　grand　leap　that　would　cut　it　off。　Then　she　heard　a　small　but　unmistakable　flashing　tone　emitted　by　her　left　earring。　It　was　Lunk's　signal：　Scott　had　made　it！

〃Thank　you！　Thank　you；　all　of　you！〃　Yellow　yelled　into　the　microphone　over　deafening　applause。　Yellow　gestured　to　Annie　and　watched　as　she　began　to　worm　her　way　toward　the　cordon；　readying　the　pass　that　would　admit　her　backstage。

People　in　the　crowd　were　pointing　to　something　in　the　air　now；　and　Annie　got　a　glimpse　of　a　skyful　of　balloons　before　she　disappeared　through　the　door　to　the　stage　wings。

〃I　love　you！〃　Yellow　added　as　she　left　the　stage。

The　plan　called　for　Scott；　Rook；　and　Rand　to　infiltrate　themselves　among　Yellow　Dancer's　retinue　of　sidemen　and　bodyguards；　all　of　whom　had　been　handpicked　by　Woods。　At　the　same　time；　Lunk's　role　was　to　see　to　it　that　the　waiting　police　van　was　rendered　safe　and　secure。

This　was　easily　acplished；　thanks　to　the　fact　that　the　guard　was　napping　when　Lunk　stole　up　to　the　driver's　side　door。　Lunk　pummeled　the　man　into　a　more　lasting　sleep。　Scott；　Rook；　and　Rand　took　to　the　canvas…backed　van；　while　Lunk　dragged　the　guard　off　to　one　side　and　began　to　change　into　the　man's　police　helmet；　shirt；　and　trousers。　Annie　appeared　a　moment　later；　followed　by　Yellow；　who　was　clutching　two　wardrobe　suitcases　under　her　arms。　The　colonel　was　inside　the　arena；　waiting　patiently　at　Yellow's　dressing…room　door　for　the　singer　to　arrive。　Woods's　team；　meanwhile；　had　spirited　her　out　a　rear　entry　and　was　now　doing　its　best　to　keep　things　backstage　suitably　chaotic。

〃So；　you're　alive　after　all；〃　Yellow　said　breathlessly；　running　to　the　truck　and　passing　her　valises　up　to　Scott。

〃Never　underestimate　the　best；〃　Rand　said；　full　of　importance。

Yellow　gave　Rand　the　once…over　and　smiled　bemusedly。　〃Why　are　you　so　wet？〃

〃e　on；　get　in；〃　Rook　broke　in。　〃It'll　be　your　bedtime　story。〃

Yellow　climbed　up　into　the　back　of　the　truck；　already　pulling　off　the　clothes　that　separated　her　from　Lancer。　Rand　threw　himself　in　and　unfurled　the　rear　canvas　drape。　Annie　ran　around　to　the　passenger　seat　and　settled　herself；　while　a　smiling　Lunk　did　the　same　behind　the　wheel。　He　knew　how；　ridiculous　he　looked　in　the　smaller　man's　uniform　and　helmet　and　couldn't　keep　from　laughing。

A　moment　later　the　truck　was　screeching　away　from　the　stage　entrance；　just　short　of　a　crowd　of　fans　who　had　found　their　way　back　there。　Woods　stood　pleased　in　the　doorway；　silently　wishing　Yellow　and　her　friends　a　smooth　getaway。


Back　outside　the　dressing…room　door；　Colonel　Briggs　was　glancing　impatiently　at　his　watch　and　plaining　under　his　breath　about　how　much　time　women　required　to　change　outfits。　He　contemplated　walking　in　on　Yellow；　wondering　if　he　would　be　able　to　catch　her　at　a　vulnerable　moment。　The　thought　was　blossoming　into　a　Technicolor　fantasy　when　one　of　his　guards　ran　up　to　him　and　saluted。

〃There's　been　a　break…in　at　the　facility；〃　the　staffer　reported　in　a　rush。　〃Thirty…eight　cases　of　Protoculture　are　missing。〃

The　colonel's　mouth　fell　open。　〃B…but。。。how？〃

〃They　used　some　kind　of　scramblers　to　disrupt　the　surveillance　cameras　and　apparently　lowered　themselves　into　the　storage　room　from　one　of　the　overhead　maintenance　corridors。〃

Briggs　grabbed　the　man　by　the　lapels　and　pulled　him　close。　〃How　could　they　get　through　the　towers？　Were　all　vehicles　searched？〃

〃Yes；　chief；　everyone　was　searched；〃　the　man　managed　to　get　out。　〃They　must　have　found　another　way　out。〃

The　colonel　shook　the　man；　took　a　few　steps；　then　whirled　on　him　again。　〃Search　the　city！　Set　up　roadblocks！　I　want　them　found…alive！〃

The　staffer　saluted。　〃We'll　do　what　we　can。　But　most　of　our　units　are　still　working　crowd　control　outside。〃

〃Forget　the　crowds！〃　Briggs　barked。　〃Get　every　man　on　it。〃


The　city's　streets　were　soon　filled　with　police　vans…sirens　hooting；　tearing　around　corners　in　search　of　a　team　of　sneak　thieves。　But　by　this　time；　Lunk　was　edging　the　van　out　of　town；　way　ahead　of　the　roadblocks　the　colonel's　currently　understaffed　security　force　were　attempting　to　set　up　at　all　possible　points　of　egress。

The　colonel's　own　van　screeched　to　a　halt　in　a　cobblestone　square；　where　it　rendezvoused　with　three　others　that　were　returning　from　various　checkpoints。　Briggs　leapt　out　and　approached　one　of　his　lieutenants；　demanding　all　pertinent　information。

〃And　don't　tell　me　they've　disappeared；〃　he　warned　the　already　shaking　staffer。

〃We　have　reason　to　believe　that　they　made　their　getaway　in　a　police　van；〃　the　lieutenant　updated。　〃So　we're　in　the　process　of　having　our　men　check　each　van　they　e　across　to　ascertain　the　identity　of　those　inside。〃

〃Good；〃　the　colonel　said　haltingly。　Then：　〃You　mean　to　tell　me　that　your　men　are　out　there　searching　each　other？！〃　He　was　about　to　say　more；　when　he　heard　a　small　crash　behind　him；　as　if　something　had　fallen　from　a　rooftop。　Turning；　Briggs　saw　a　cluster　of　red；　yellow；　and　green　balloons　weighted　down　by　something　he　couldn't　make　out　until　he　had　taken　three　steps　toward　it。

〃Protoculture　canisters！〃　he　exclaimed；　kneeling　beside　the　helium　balloons　and　their　precious　cargo。　He　looked　up　and　saw　scores　more　drifting　high　over　the　city　on　a　northeast　wind。　〃Gather　up　all　those　balloons；〃　he　ordered　the　lieutenant。　〃Shoot　them　down　if　you　have　to！。。。And　bring　me　that　singer；〃　he　hastened　to　add；　thinking　back　to　the　concert　and　its　colorful　finale。。。

Briggs　was　hurrying　back　to　his　van　when　a　vehicle　from　the　facility　pulled　alongside　him。

〃Have　you　found　them？〃　he　asked　eagerly。

〃No；〃　the　driver　answered。　〃But　the　Invid　Intercessors　have　arrived　at　the　facility。。。And　they　wanna　speak　to　you。。。〃


The　getaway　truck　and　the　rigged　balloon　clusters　arrived　at　the　transmitter　site　at　the　same　time；　a　clearing　in　the　woods　that　fringed　the　northeastern　outskirts　of　Norristown。　The　team　hopped　out　and　began　gathering　up　the　canisters。　Rook　and　Lancer　were　heading　for　the　Cyclones　when　they　heard　Annie　yell　and　saw　her　point
to　the　sky。

〃Invid。〃

There　we　a　five　Troopers；　ing　in　fast　from　the　southwest　but　still　several　miles　off。　Scott　told　everyone　to　grab　whatever　canister　packs　they　could　carry　and　run　for　the　mecha。　Lancer；　already　suited　up　in　battle　armor；　headed　directly　for　one　of　the　Cyclones　and　inserted　a　fresh　canister　into　the　cylinderlike　fuel　cell　below　the　mecha's　engine。　He　straddled　the　cycle　and　activated　the　ignition；　watching　with　delight　as　the　power　displays　came　to　life；　glowing　with　an　unprecedented　brightness。　Nearby；　Scott　was　in　the　cockpit　of　the　Veritech；　Lunk　attending　to　the　refueling。

Rook　was　preparing　to　power　up　her　red　Cyclone　when　she　saw　Lancer　lift　off　and　reconfigure　to　Battle　Armor　mode。　Beside　her；　Rand　was　strapping　on　the　last　of　his　Cyclone　armor。

〃Rand；　did　you　remember　to　put　in　a　fresh　canister？〃　she　asked　him；　certain　he　had　forgotten。

〃Oh；　right；〃　he　returned；　and　stooped　ego　insert　the　fresh　pack。

〃Dimwit；〃　Rook　scolded　him　as　she　roared　off；　going　to　Battle　Armor　mode　a　moment　later。　Rand　followed　her　up　and　through　to　reconfiguration；　and　the　two　of　them　streaked　off　to　assist　Lancer；　who　was　going　head　to　head　with　two　Invid　Troopers。

Lancer　had　coaxed　the　Troopers　to　the　ground　and　was　executing　leaps　to　avoid　pincer　swipes。　Frustrated　now；　one　of　the　creatures　was　ready　to　bring　its　shoulder　cannons　into　play。

Lancer　stepped　back　when　he　saw　the　muzzles　begin　to　glow；　Rook　and　Rand　had　set　down　behind　him；　and　the　three　of　them　felt　the　blast　of　the　first　charge。

〃Let's　not　push　our　luck　until　the　Alpha　arrives；〃　Lancer　said　over　the　Cyclone's　tactical　net。

The　two　Troopers　took　to　the　air；　then　swooped　down　for　strafing　runs。　But　Rand　had　tailed　one　of　them　and　launched　shoulder…tubed　Scorpions　before　the　Invid　could　fire。　The　Trooper　took　two　missiles　to　the　face　and　went　down；　leaking　a　thick　green　fluid。