10_invid_invasion-第21部分

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turned　at　the　same　moment：　Wilson　seemed　to　be　suspended　in　the　entrance；　arms　up　over　his　head；　his　body　shaking　as　energy　coursed　through　his　suit。　The　ground　was　rumbling　all　of　a　sudden；　and　before　they　could　take　a　step　toward　their　two　rades；　an　Invid　Trooper　erupted　from　the　ground　not　twenty　feet　in　front　of　them。

The　shock　of　seeing　the　thing　must　have　been　enough　to　break　the　charge　that　held　Wilson；　Scott　guessed；　because　now　both　he　and　Todd　were　heading　back　toward　the　woods　at　a　run；　dodging　a　pincer　swipe　along　the　way。　Scott　and　Wolff　adopted　a　similar　tactic；　only　to　find　their　route　back　to　safety　blocked　by　a　second　Invid。　The　Trooper　emerged　with　enough　force　to　throw　Scott　off　his　feet。

A　third　Trooper　had　cut　off　Wilson　and　Todd's　retreat　as　well；　and　the　two　men　were　depleting　their　blaster　charges　against　it。

Wolff　was　shouting　for　Scott　to　get　up；　all　the　while　pouring　energy　from　his　handgun　into　the　face　of　the　alien。　Peripherally；　Scott　saw　a　flash　of　white　light　and　experienced　a　wave　of　searing　heat；　he　turned　in　time　to　see　Wilson　and　Todd　disintegrate　beneath　a　storm　of　annihilation　discs；　their　depth　screams　a　piercing　sound　track　through　the　net。

Wolff；　meanwhile；　had　managed　to　chase　off　the　Invid　that　had　been　looming　over　them　only　a　minute　before。　Scott　couldn't　figure　out　how　he　had　pulled　it　off　but　didn't　stop　to　question　it。　He　was　on　his　feet　now；　Wolff's　mands　to　run　for　it　in　his　ears。　The　tree　line　was　only　fifty　feet　away；　and　he　made　a　mad　dash　for　it。。。


CHAPTER　FIFTEEN

The　incident　with　Jonathan　Wolff　dealt　a　severe　blow　to　the　team。　Not　only　because　the　episode　touched　them　more　deeply　than　they　thought　possible…they　were　not　as　inured　as　they　liked　to　think…but　primarily　because　it　seemed　to　shift　the　burden　of　responsibility　entirely　onto　their　shoulders：　There　was　no　resistance；　except　for　their　own　meager　efforts。　But　they　would　get　over　Wolff's　treachery。　How　could　they　not；　once　confronted　with　the　disillusionments　that　lay　ahead？
Zeus　Bellow；　The　Road　to　Reflex　Point

The　note　Scott　left　for　the　team　only　made　matters　worse。　It　read：　〃Don't　anyone　worry。　I　can't　tell　you　where　I'm　going　or　what　I'll　be　doing；　but　I'll　be　back　around　sunset。　Scott。〃

It　was　the　secrecy　that　troubled　Rand　most。　If　Scott　had　simply　disappeared　for　the　day；　Rand　might　not　have　given　his　absence　a　second　thought；　but　when　Scott　failed　to　return　with　Colonel　Wolff　that　afternoon；　he　and　Rook　decided　to　take　matters　into　their　own　hands。　They　didn't　bother　with　the　formalities　of　the　chain　of　mand　that　kept　Jonathan　Wolff　insulated　from　the　city's　rabble；　they　simply　made　their　own　way　to　his　room　and　burst　in　on　the　man　uninvited。

〃Where's　Scott；　Colonel？〃　Rand　said；　out　of　breath　from　his　run　down　the　hall。

Wolff　turned　puffy　eyes　to　them。　He　was　seated　at　a　table　in　the　fetid　room；　a　half…empty　bottle　of　vodka　in　front　of　him。　He　had　barely　moved　when　Rand　and　Rook　had　thrown　open　the　door　and　was　now　regarding　them　tiredly；　with　little　concern。

〃Scott　who？〃　he　said；　refilling　his　glass。

〃Bernard；〃　said　Rook。　〃We　know　he　was　with　you　this　morning；　and　he　hasn't　returned　since。〃

Wolff　made　a　dejected　sound　and　put　down　his　glass。　He　reached　for　his　dark　glasses　and　slid　them　on。　〃Bernard。。。〃

〃Well？〃

Tight…lipped；　Wolff　turned　his　gaze　from　them　and　shook　his　head。

Rand　gasped。　〃You　mean。。。〃

〃I　can't　say　for　sure。　The　Invid　surprised　us；　and　in　the　confusion　I　didn't　see　if　he　made　it　out　or　not。　They　were　waiting　for　us；　and　we　were　overmatched。　What　more　can　I　tell　you？〃

Struggling　with　the　possible　truth　of　it；　Rand　said　nothing。　But　a　suspicious　look　had　begun　to　surface　on　Rook's　face。　〃A　whole　lot　more；〃　she　told　Wolff。　〃How　did　you　escape；　Colonel？〃

Wolff　shrugged。　〃I　was　luckier　than　the　others。　That's　the　way　it　is。〃

Rook　snorted。　〃From　what　I　hear；　that's　the　way　it　always　is　with　you。〃

〃What　are　you　insinuating？〃　Wolff　seethed；　flashing　her　a　cold　look。

Rand　gestured　Rook　to　back　off。　He　took　two　steps　toward　the　table　and　slammed　his　hand　down。　〃Just　tell　us　where　you　were　attacked。〃

Wolff's　hand　went　out　to　steady　the　bottle。　〃If　you're　thinking　about　trying　to　go　out　there　and　find　him；　forget　it。　You　won't　make　it。〃

Rand　showed　his　teeth；　then　relaxed。　〃Look；　we've　got　an　Alpha　fighter　hidden　nearby。　If　there's　even　a　chance　that　Scott's　alive；　you　better　believe　I'm　going　out　there　to　find　him。〃

Mention　of　the　VT　seemed　to　bring　Wolff　around　somewhat。　He　lifted　the　bottle　but　set　it　down　without　pouring。　〃Even　a　fighter　might　not　be　enough。〃　Wolff　gave　Rand　an　appraising　look。　〃Yes；　Scott　told　me　that　you'd　seen　action　together。　But　we're　up　against　a　hive；　not　a　Scout　patrol。〃

〃It's　still　worth　a　try。〃

Wolff　thought　a　moment；　then　said：　〃All　right；　I'll　lead　you　out　there。〃

〃Great！〃

Wolff　stood　up　and　went　for　his　jacket。　〃We'll　leave　immediately。〃

Rand　swung　around　to　Rook。　〃Let　the　others　know　what　I'm　up　to。　We'll　get　Scott　back！〃

With　that　he　rushed　from　the　room；　Wolff　a　few　paces　behind　him。　Rook　stood　dumbfounded　for　a　moment；　then　followed　him　to　the　doorway。　〃What　am　I…your　personal　messenger　or　something？〃　she　yelled　to　his　back。　But　he　didn't　turn　around。　〃Rand！〃　she　shouted　again；　fuming。


Rand　showed　Wolff　where　the　Alpha　was　hidden；　but　the　colonel　insisted　they　recon　the　area　on　Cyclones　before　bringing　the　Veritech　into　play。　The　fighter；　Wolff　insisted；　would　stir　up　the　entire　hive；　it　was　simply　too　precious　a　modity　to　risk；　even　for　the　life　of　a　valued　friend。

Rand　saw　the　logic　of　it；　disturbing　as　it　was；　especially　after　Wolff　had　led　him　to　the　hive。

〃The　place　is　a　fortress！〃　Rand　exclaimed；　keeping　his　voice　low。　〃I've　never　seen　anything　like　it。〃

Wolff　regarded　him　from　behind　the　dark　glasses；　obviously　pleased　by　Rand's　shocked　reaction。　They　were　at　the　edge　of　the　clearing　now；　suited　up　in　Cyclone　armor　and　armed　with　hand　blasters。　〃It's　just　one　of　many；〃　Wolff　said。　〃There's　a　chain　of　these　things　that　runs　clear　to　Reflex　Point。〃

Rand　swallowed　hard；　discouraged。　〃It　was　around　here　that　you　last　saw　Scott？〃

Wolff　nodded　and　lowered　the　helmet's　faceshield。　〃We'll　search　the　perimeter　first。〃　He　motioned　Rand　off　to　the　right。　〃Stick　to　the　woods；　and　I'll　meet　you　on　the　other　side。　I　only　hope　there's　something　left　of　Bernard　to　find。〃

Rand　refused　to　allow　the　thought　to　register。　He　turned　and　was　about　to　move　off　when　the　ground　began　to　tremble。　Wolff　drew　his　blaster　and　pivoted　through　a　360；　searching　for　some　sign　of　the　Invid's　egress　point。　Rand　managed　to　get　his　blaster　unholstered　and　aimed　in　the　same　general　direction　as　Wolff　's。

In　a　moment　the　Invid　Trooper　showed　itself；　rising　up　through　the　earth　and　underbrush　just　outside　the　clearing。　Wolff　and　Rand　hit　it　full　power；　but　neither　of　them　was　successful　at　directing　a　charge　to　any　of　the　creature's　vulnerable　points。　The　Trooper　seemed　to　sense　their　helplessness　and　opted　to　kill　them　with　its　claw　rather　than　cannon　fire。　It　had　one　of　its　pincers　raised　for　a　downward　strike；　when　someone　behind　the　two　men　stunned　it　with　a　Scorpion　delivered　to　the　head。

Rand　turned　in　time　to　see　Rook's　red　Cyclone's　rearwheel　landing　in　the　clearing。　She　slid　the　tail　end　of　the　mecha　around　and　shouted　through　the　externals　for　Rand　to　jump　on。

〃I　told　you　you　weren't　leaving　me　behind；〃　Rand　heard　as　he　raced　to　the　Cyc。　〃And　it's　a　lucky　thing　for　you　two　that　I　decided　to　follow。〃

As　Rand　straddled　the　Cyclone's　rear　seat；　he　realized　that　Wolff　wasn't　behind　him。　Over　his　shoulder　he　glimpsed　Wolff　waving　Rook　off。　〃Get　going！〃　Wolff　told　them。　〃I'll　make　it　back　to　my　mecha！〃

Rook　wasn't　about　to　sit　around　and　argue。　She　toed　the　Cyclone　into　gear　and　sped　off　almost　before　Rand　had　secured　an　adequate　handhold　behind　her。　Meanwhile；　the　stunned　Invid　had　e　to　life　and　was　spewing　a　horizontal　hail　of　annihilation　discs　into　the　trees。　The　Trooper　pursued　them；　its　shoulder　cannons　blazing。　Rook　pushed　the　Cyclone　through　a　series　of　twists　and　turns；　dodging　explosions；　plumes　of　fire　and　dirt。

Rand　was　thinking　they　were　in　the　clear　when　the　carapaced　head　of　a　second　Invid　appeared　in　front　of　them；　pushing　itself　up　from　the　soft　forest　ground；　an　unearthly　land　crab。　Rook　tried　to　launch　the　Cyclone　over　the　thing　before　it　pleted　its　rise；　but　the　Invid　got　one　of　its　pincers　free　just　as　the　mecha　was　directly　overhead。　Rand　felt　the　jolt　as　the　alien's　claw　impacted　the　mecha；　and　the　next　thing　he　knew　he　was　on　his　butt　in　the　grass；　dazed；　Rook　similarly　postured　nearby。　The　Cyclone　was　nowhere　in　sight。

Rand　shook　his　head　clear　and　raised　the　helmet　faceshield。　〃We've　gotta　find　the　Cyc；〃　he　shouted　to　Rook。　〃Split　up。〃

Rook　got　to　her　feet；　Rand　waved　her　the　okay　sign　and　disappeared　into　the　brush。


Splitting　up　was　a　bad　idea；　Rand　told　himself　fifteen　minutes　later。　The　woods　were　thick；　impenetrable　in　places；　he　had　started　working　circles　to　fix　his　location；　but　he　soon　lost　track　of　his　own　center…along　with　Rook　and　the　missing　Cyclone。

He　was　close　to　the　hive　clearing　again；　removing　his　helmet；　when　he　heard　sounds　of　movement　close　by。　Rand　turned；　glimpsed　Colonel　Wolff；　and　almost　called　out　to　him。　But　something　made　him　pull　himself　into　concealment　at　the　last　moment。　Wolff　had　holstered　his　blaster　and　looked　as　though　he　were　waiting　for　a　delivery　of　some　kind。　A　Human…size　figure　was　walking　toward　Wolff；　but　it　was　still　too　far　off　for　Rand　to　get　a　good　look　at　it。　And　even　when　it　finally　approached　Wolff；　he　didn't　know　what　to　make　of　it。

Rand　had　his　H…90　aimed　at　the　thing　now：　It　was　taller　than　it　had　first　appeared；　perhaps　eight　feet　tall；　bipedal　and　suited　up　in　bulky　dark…colored　battle　armor。　The　creature's　head…if　that　was　indeed　its　head　and　not　some　kind　of　helmet…reminded　Rand　of　a　snail's　foot。　He　told　himself　that　it　had　to　be　an　Invid。　It　certainly　matched　Scott's　description　of　them；　but　Rand　had　for　so　long　e　to　think　of　the　aliens'　ships　as　the　creatures　themselves　that　his　mind　refused　to　accept　the　idea。

Then　Rand　saw　the　Invid　soldier　hand　Wolff　a　carry　pack　of　Protoculture　canisters。

He　was　tempted　to　kill　them　both…alien　and　traitor…but　knew　as　the　rage　spread　through　him　that　he　wanted　Wolff　to　know　who　was　taking　him　out　when　the　moment　came。

Rand　lowered　the　weapon　and　silently　began　to　work　his　way　toward　the　conspirators。　There　was　an　outcropping　of　rock　behind　Wolff；　Rand　made　his　way　to　the　top　of　this　while　the　Invid　walked　back　to　the　hive。　Wolff　had　the　Protoculture　and　was　about　to　return　to　his　Cyclone　when　Rand　surprised　him。

〃So　the　hero's　a　traitor；〃　Rand　said　from　the　outcropping；　his　blaster　aimed　down　at　Wolff。　Wolff　had　been　quick　to　raise　his　own　weapon；　but　Rand　went　on；　undaunted。　〃No　wonder　the　city's　full　of　laughing　soldiers…it's　so　safe　and　secure　now　that　you've　arrived。〃

Rand　risked　a　leap　and　in　a　moment　was　standing　face　to　face　with　Wolff；　who　had　yet　to　say　a　word。　〃The　Robotech　hero's　made　a　deal　with　the　Invid！　For　a　few　measly　canisters　of　Protoculture；　the　great　Jonathan　Wolff　leads　his　own　soldiers　to　the　Invid's　doorstep。　Isn't　that　it？〃

Wolff　fired。

The　low…charge　blast　caught　Rand　in　the　right　forearm　guard；　knocking　the　weapon　from　his　grip　and　sending　a　jolt　of　searing　heat　to　the　flesh　beneath　the　battle　armor。　He　went　down　on　one　knee；　as　much　from　surprise　as　pain；　and　stared　up　at　Wolff　in　disbelief。

〃Go　ahead　and　finish　me；〃　Rand　spat。　〃I　was　meant　to　be　Invid　bait　anyway。。。Just　like　Scott　and　all　the　others。。。It's　how　you　always　manage　to　return　in　one　piece　and　well　stocked　with　'Culture。。。〃

Wolff　put　the　short　muzzle　of　the　blaster　to　Rand's　head。　〃Easy；　boy；〃　he　warned　him。

Rand　was　shaking　uncontrollably　in　spite　of　his　best　efforts　to　contain　his　fear。　〃How　could　you　do　it？〃　he　asked　Wolff。　〃Scott　idolized　you。。。He　told　me　you'd　saved　his　life　once。〃

〃Now　you　know　about　the　dark　side　of　heroism；〃　Wolff　said　flatly。

Rand　could　feel　the　blaster's　priming　charge　grounding　on　his　skull。　He　wished　he　could　see　the　man's　eyes；　know　just　what　he　was　thinking。　〃I've　seen　it　before…everyone　out　to　save　their　own　necks；　trading　lives。。。But　why　you；　Wolff？　Why？〃

Wolff　retracted　the　blaster。　〃Because　they　can't　be　beaten。〃　He　sneered。　〃Because　it's　better　to　have　a　few　safe　towns　than　an　entire　planet　of　slaves。。。And　because。。。because　of　things　you　wouldn't　understand；　kid。〃

Rand　scowled。　〃You　better　kill　me；　Wolff；　because　I'm　gonna　see　to　it　that　you're　stopped。〃

Wolff　stepped　back　and　holstered　his　sidearm。　〃Go　ahead　and　tell　the　town。　See　if　they　believe　you。〃

Wolff　turned　and　hurried　off。


Rand　unfastened　the　scorched　battle　armor　from　his　forearm　while　he　watched　Wolff　leave。　Relieved　that　his　burns　weren't　as　serious　as　he　had　feared；　he　began　to　search　the　tall　grass　and　brush　for　his　blaster；　wondering　if　he　might　be　able　to　catch　up　with　Wolff　before　he　reached　the　Cyclones。

Go　ahead　and　tell　the　town；　Rand　recalled　Wolff　telling　him。　See　if　they　believe　you。

Suddenly　he　heard　Rook's　voice　and　looked　up。　Scott　was　with　her；　one　arm　draped　over　Rook's　shoulders　for　support。　His　battle　armor　was　blackened　in　places；　but　he　looked　otherwise　intact。

〃I　can't　believe　my　eyes；〃　Rand　said；　extending　his　hand　to　Scott。　〃Is　it　really　you？〃

〃Barely；〃　Scott　returned。

〃I　found　him　in　a　hole　in　the　ground。〃　Rook　laughed。

〃And　I　miss　it　already。〃　Scott　disengaged　himself　from　Rook　and　started　to　say　something　about　a　prehistoric…looking　creature　he　had　seen　while　in　hiding；　when　he　spied　Wolff　several　hundred　yards　off。　He　tried　a　shaky　step　in　that　direction　and　said　to　Rand；　〃Is　that　Colonel　Wolff？　He　came　back　to　look　for　me？〃

Rand　put　a　hand　out　to　restrain　him。　〃Let　him　go；　Scott。〃　Scott　looked　over　his　shoulder；　puzzled。　〃I've　got　something　to　tell　you；　and　you're　not　going　to　like　it。。。Wolff。。。Wolff's　a　traitor。　He's　got　an　arrangement　with　the　Invid…he's　been　trading　soldiers'　lives　for　Protoculture。〃

〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃　Scott's　eyes　were　flashing。

〃He's　a　traitor！　I　saw　him　with　my　own　eyes。　And　an　Invid；　Scott；　not　a　ship　but…〃

Rand　didn't　see　the　punch　ing。　Now；　lying　facedown　in　the　grass；　he　couldn't　even　remember　feeling　it。　〃You're　lying；　you　little　coward！〃　Scott　was　yelling。　Rand　rolled　over　and　sat　up；　feeling　a　slight　numbness　beginning　to　spread　across　his　jaw。　〃When　I　confronted　him；　he　didn't　deny　it。　I'm　telling　you；　we　were　both　led　out　here　to　be　killed。〃

Scott　roared　something　and　launched　himself；　but　Rook　stepped　in　his　way。　In　his　weakened　state　he　was　no　match　for　Rook　and　was　easily　held　back。　But　she　could　do　nothing　about　the　curses　he　was　hurling　Rand's　way。

All　at　once　a　fiery　explosion　effectively　erased　all　traces　of　the　struggle；　the　concussive　force　of　it　flattening　Rook　and　Scott　to　the　grass　on　either　side　of　Rand。　Through　the　smoke　the　three　could　see　Trooper　after　Trooper　issuing　from　the　ground　around　them；　blinding　globes　of　incipient　fire　at　the　tips　of　shoulder　cannons。

In　a　moment；　annihilation　discs　were　zipping　into　the　area；　pulverizing　rocks　and　roots　and　whatever　else　lay　in　their　path。　Rand　help