15_death_dance-第15部分

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〃How？〃　the　Regent　finally　managed。　〃How　is　this　possible？　He　is　dead。〃　Or　is　he？　the　Regent　suddenly　asked　himself。　Could　he　have　been　duped　all　these　years　into　thinking　Zor　dead；　when　in　fact。。。No；　he　thought。　Zor　was　dead。　But　what　then　was　the　origin　of　these　images？　A　simulagent；　perhaps；　like　the　very　one　he　had　created　to　take　his　place　at　the　summit…

〃We　know　Zor　is　dead；〃　the　scientist　was　saying。　〃But　somehow　his　memory　lives　on　in　this　one…a　clone；　we　suspect。〃

The　Regent　came　bolt　upright　in　the　chair。　〃The　matrix！〃

〃Precisely。〃

〃He　must　be　sent　to　Optera　at　once！〃

The　scientist　inclined　his　head　some。　〃Of　course；　my　lord。　But　would　it　not　be　best　to　take　advantage　of　Garuda's　proximity　to　Haydon　IV？　May　I　remind　Your　Highness　of　the　devices　there　that　are　far　superior…〃

〃Yes；　yes。　See　that　it　is　arranged。　I　will　leave　immediately；〃　the　Regent　added；　already　on　his　feet。

〃There　is　one　small　detail；　however。。。〃

〃What？〃

〃We　have　learned　that　the　Regis　is　there。〃

〃On　Haydon　IV？！〃

〃Yes；　my　lord。　Should　we　wait　until　she　leaves　before　transporting　the　clone？〃

The　Regent　started　to　agree；　but　bit　off　his　words。　Why　not　let　her　see　the　clone？　he　asked　himself。　Why　not　let　her　look　once　more　upon　Zor's　face；　into　his　very　thoughts　and　recollections？　He　laughed　out　loud。　To　be　there；　to　see　her　face　when　the　clone　was　presented。。。

〃No；　you　are　not　to　wait；〃　the　Regent　said　shortly。　〃In　fact；　you　are　simply　to　say　that　you　have　a　gift　for　her…a　gift　from　her　loving　husband！〃


〃I　need　to　see　Tesla　at　once；〃　Burak　told　Janice　as　he　stepped　from　the　shuttle's　ramp　into　the　SDF…7's　docking　bay。　Gnea　and　Max　had　ridden　up　with　him；　but　they　were　already　rushing　off　to　meet　with　Wolff　and　Vince　Grant。

Janice　thought　she　heard　something　akin　to　arrogance　in　the　Perytonian's　voice；　but　decided　to　leave　it　unchallenged。　〃Of　course；　Burak；〃　she　said；　motioning　for　him　to　follow　her。

They　didn't　speak　for　the　duration　of　the　long　walk　to　the　cargo　hold　that　had　bee　Tesla's　quarters；　but　short　of　the　closed　hatch　Burak　stopped　and　said；　〃Alone。〃　The　Perytonian　positioned　himself　between　Janice　and　the　hatch。

〃Something　I　should　know？〃　she　risked。

〃You　should　know　that　he　doesn't　like　you　very　much；〃　Burak　whispered　back　menacingly；　gesturing　over　one　shoulder　with　his　two…thumbed　hand。

Janice　laughed。　〃And　we　make　such　an　adorable　couple。　Is　it　my　looks　or　my　personality？〃

Burak　contorted　his　demon　face　for　her　benefit。

〃Keep　doing　that　and　your　face　is　going　to　stay　that　way；〃　she　said；　moving　off。

Burak　snorted　and　entered　the　hold；　pulling　smuggled　Fruits　from　his　uniform　and　casually　tossing　them　to　Tesla；　who　was　seated　on　an　enormous　crate。

〃What's　this　all　about？〃　the　Invid　asked　peevishly；　as　one　of　the　mutant　Fruits　bounced　off　his　snout。

〃I　have　good　news；〃　Burak　announced；　assuming　a　proud　stance　and　allowing　Tesla　to　regard　him　a　moment。　〃You　claim　to　be　more　evolved　than　the　Regent。　That　means　the　scientists　would　recognize　your　greatness；　does　it　not？〃

Tesla　ducked　his　snout；　looked　around　the　hold　like　a　felon；　and　motioned　for　Burak　to　keep　his　voice　down。　〃Yes；　certainly；〃　he　said。　〃But　what　does　this　have　to　do　with　anything？〃

Burak　studied　one　of　the　Fruits。　〃Suppose　I　could　arrange　for　an　audience　with　the　scientists　here？〃

Tesla　shot　to　his　feet；　horrified　by　the　prospect。　〃You　must…〃

〃Hunter　and　a　few　of　the　others　were　captured；〃　Burak　quickly　explained；　gazing　up　at　the　Invid。　〃I　suggested　that　we　exchange　you　for　them。　That　way…〃

〃You　what？〃

〃That　way　you'll　be　able　to　assert　your　right　to　the　throne…just　as　you。。。wanted。。。What's　wrong？〃

Wearily；　Tesla　had　reseated　himself。　〃You　fool；〃　he　muttered；　shaking　his　hands。　〃You've　just　sealed　my　fate。〃

〃B…but。。。〃

〃It's　too　soon；　Burak；　too　soon。　The　Regis　will　send　me　to　the　pits。〃　He　glanced　up。　〃The　next　time　you　see　Tesla　he'll　be　a　maggot。〃

Burak　made　a　distressed　sound；　seeing　his　own　dreams　for　Peryton　go　up　in　smoke；　and　just　then　Janice；　Vince　Grant；　Gnea；　and　Lron　burst　into　the　hold。　The　amazon　Praxian　had　an　armed　blaster　in　her　hands。

〃Everybody　ready？〃　Janice　said　brightly；　looking　back　and　forth　between　Burak　and　Tesla。　Cautiously；　Lron　and　Grant　had　moved　in　to　shackle　the　Invid's　wrists　and　place　a　prisoner　bib　around　his　neck。

〃All　right；　Invid；　let's　go；〃　Gnea　said；　brandishing　the　weapon。

Lron　gave　Tesla　a　light　shove。

Tesla　looked　down　and　caught　Janice's　smile。

〃Guess　this　is　your　lucky　day；〃　she　told　him。


Jonathan　Wolff　sat　on　the　bridge　of　the　cruiser　with　his　feet　up　on　one　of　the　duty…station　consoles。　He　was　alone　for　a　change；　Grant　and　most　of　the　crew　having　rushed　off　for　the　ordnance　bay。　Well　within　reach；　on　the　floor　beside　the　mand　chair；　was　a　bottle　of　Southlands　brandy。　It　was　almost　empty。

〃To　rescues；〃　Wolff　said　now；　toasting　Garuda　through　the　forward　viewport　and　lifting　the　bottle　to　his　lips。　He　gulped　down　half　an　inch　and　shuddered。

The　Hunters　had　gone　and　gotten　themselves　captured；　along　with　Karen；　Rem；　and　that　Garudan…Kami。　And　Max　or　somebody　figured　they　could　swap　them　for　Tesla；　only　Wolff　didn't　put　much　stock　in　it。　Of　course　he　hadn't　said　that　to　them…oh　no；　mustn't　burst　anyone's　bubble；　chin　up　and　all　that　ancient　rot。　But　that　was　what　he　felt。　The　Invid　would　go　back　on　their　word；　maybe　the　Sentinels　would　go　back　on　theirs；　somebody　would　betray　somebody　else。。。he　didn't　need　to　be　there　to　see　it　all　go　down。

〃So　here's　to　betrayals；〃　he　said；　and　took　another　pull。　〃Minmei；　you。。。meanie。〃

Doubled　over　in　laughter；　Wolff　swung　his　legs　off　the　control　panel。　Yes；　she　was　a　meanie　all　right；　telling　him　to　take　a　walk；　falling　in　love　with　his　enemy。　〃Earth's　enemy；〃　Wolff　emphasized。　〃Have　to　give　the　man　his　due。〃　He　drank　again；　staring　blankly　at　the　bottle　when　he　lowered　it；　rocking　back　and　forth。

Without　warning；　a　tone　sounded　on　the　bridge　and　nearly　sent　him　out　of　his　skin。　He　reached　out　for　the　　stud　and　slammed　his　fist　down；　missing　it；　but　getting　it　on　the　third　try。

〃Wolff；〃　he　said。

〃A　small　craft；〃　one　of　the　new　crewmen　reported。　〃Not　much　bigger　than　an　Alpha。　Transport；　maybe。〃

〃Put　it　up；〃　Wolff　said；　swinging　to　a　monitor　screen。

〃No　can　do；　sir。　Too　far　for　visuals。〃

〃Is　it　within　range？〃

〃Just　barely。〃

〃Armed？〃

〃Negative；　sir。　But　it　launched　from　the　sector　where　the　Hunters　are　being　held。〃

Wolff　contemplated　the　blip　on　the　screen。

〃Let　it　go；〃　he　said。　〃The　way　things　stand；　what　difference　is　one　small　ship　going　to　make？〃


CHAPTER　ELEVEN

Unlike　the　Zentraedi；　who　had　in　a　sense　taught　them　everything　they　knew　about　warfare；　the　Invid　were　not　above　the　idea　of　taking　hostages。　The　reason　for　this　can　be　traced　back　to　the　chaotic　period　following　the　defoliation　of　Optera　by　the　Masters'　newly　created　clone　warriors。　The　Regent　was　convinced　that　Zor　had　stolen　the　Flowers　of　Life　merely　to　offer　them　up　in　exchange　for　the　Regis　herself。　Emulating　the　Tiresian　then；　the　Regent　had　sent　out　his　new　army　not　to　kill；　but　to　capture　Zor；　in　the　hopes　of　holding　him　hostage　for　the　return　of　the　Flowers！
Bloom　Nesterflg；　The　Social　Organization　of　the　Invid

〃I　just　think　we　should　talk　this　over　first；　that's　all；〃　Tesla　told　the　assembled　Sentinels；　Bioroid　pilots；　and　assorted　members　of　Kami's　tribe。

He　could　see　that　the　Garudans　weren't　exactly　thrilled　to　have　an　Invid　in　their　midst…particularly　the　Invid　who　had　supervised　the　Regent's　specimen　mission　some　time　ago…and　he　was　beginning　to　wonder　whether　he　would　even　make　it　out　of　the　village　alive；　let　alone　into　one　of　the　farm…hives。　Still；　he　reasoned；　if　he　could　e　up　with　a　better　plan　than　the　hostage　exchange　the　Sentinels　seemed　to　be　favoring　at　the　moment；　he　might　be　able　to　save　himself　from　either　fate。

〃After　all；〃　Tesla　continued；　undaunted；　〃it　doesn't　sound　to　me　like　you　have　this　thing　entirely　worked　out。　The　whens；　the　wheres；　the　hows。。。And　for　all　I　know；　the　Regent　may　have　given　orders　for　me　to　be　shot　on　sight。〃

This　much　was　true；　and　as　a　result　the　group　lapsed　into　an　uneasy　silence。　They　couldn't　simply　call　the　farm；　nor　could　they　just　waltz　in　waving　the　proverbial　white　flag。　But　this　was　where　Tesla　was　supposed　to　supply　answers；　and　instead　he　was　suddenly　acting　as　though　he　couldn't　bear　to　part　pany　with　his　captors。　In　private　Janice　had　told　everyone　to　expect　as　much；　although　she　had　been　vague　about　the　reasons。

〃Then　what　the　heck　have　we　been　keeping　you　around　for　all　this　time？〃　Jack　shouted。　〃You're　supposed　to　be　our　ace　in　the　hole；　not　some　hunk　of　dead　weight。〃

〃Jack；　I'm　hurt；　I'm　really　hurt；〃　Tesla　returned；　trying　to　put　emotion　behind　the　words。

The　shuttle　was　back　on　the　planet's　surface　now。　Vince　Grant　was　still　aboard　the　SDF…7；　but　almost　everyone　else　with　the　exception　of　Teal　had　shuttled　down。　Jean's　team　was　in　the　process　of　erecting　an　atmosphere…controlled　geodesic　medical　module　on　the　outskirts　of　the　village　to　house　Rick　and　the　others　once　they　were　freed。　Veidt　and　Sarna　had　affirmed　that　five　or　even　fifteen　minutes'　exposure　to　Garuda's　atmosphere　wouldn't　prove　lethal；　but　at　the　same　time　the　danger　to　Rick　and　the　others　was　increasing　with　each　moment　they　were　kept　from　proper　treatment。　Just　what　constituted　〃proper〃　treatment　had　yet　to　be　determined；　and　Veidt　refused　to　speculate　until　the　Humans　were　rescued　and　run　through　a　battery　of　tests。

Burak　was　sorry　he　had　opened　his　mouth；　but　there　was　nothing　he　could　do　to　change　things。　Besides；　Tesla　was　giving　it　his　best　shot　and　might　yet　convince　the　Sentinels　to　adopt　a　different　course　of　action。

〃Let's　hear　it；　if　you've　got　a　better　plan；〃　Miriya　Sterling　was　saying。

Tesla　put　his　hands　behind　his　back　and　paced　back　and　forth；　the　crown　of　his　head　inches　from　the　longhouse　rafters。　The　breathing　gear　the　med　group　had　fashioned　for　the　Invid　was　a　jury…rigged　affair　of　masks；　tanks；　and　tubes；　giving　Tesla　a　decidedly　elephantine　appearance。

〃How's　this？〃　he　asked　at　last；　swinging　around　to　face　Jack；　Cabell；　the　chief；　and　a　few　others。　〃Divert　attention　away　from　the　farm　by　initiating　a　raid…〃

〃We're　one　step　ahead　of　you；　Tesla；〃　Max　said；　interrupting。　〃Infiltrate　a　small　party　at　the　same　time；　and　end　up　giving　your　troops　more　hostages。〃

〃It　doesn't　have　to　end　that　way；〃　Tesla　argued。　〃Not　if　I'm　with　the　mando　team。〃

Jack　grunted。　〃What　do　you　know　that　Rick　didn't　know？　We　went　in　quiet　as　mice　and　they　nailed　us。〃

〃It　was　the　mecha…your　Hovercycles…that　gave　you　away。　The　farm's　defenses　can　sense　Protoculture　activity。　So　even　though　you　got　past　the　Inorganics。。。〃

Tesla　left　the　sentence　unfinished；　pleased　to　see　that　the　Sentinels　were　offering　one　another　surprised　glances。

〃No　wonder　they　got　the　jump　on　us；〃　Jack　remarked。

〃What　about　weapons；　Tesla？〃　Cabell　thought　to　ask。

〃Weapons；　too；〃　the　Invid　answered　him。

Max　looked　around　the　longhouse。　〃Where　does　that　leave　us？〃

〃Swords；　crossbows；　spears；〃　Gnea　said　proudly。

Cabell　shook　his　head。　〃They're　no　use　against　Inorganics。〃

〃Grenades；　then；〃　Learna　chimed　in。　〃Rocket　launchers…〃

〃And　these；〃　said　the　chief；　as　two　of　his　tribesmen　dragged　an　odd…looking　crate　into　the　hut。

Inside　were　a　dozen　Karbarran　firearms　not　unlike　Lron's　own　small…bore。　Each　wooden　and　metal…fitted　rifle　had　a　large　globular　fixture　forward　of　the　trigger　guard　and　forestock　lever。　〃We　received　many　such　crates　during　the　final　days　of　the　Masters'　empire；〃　the　chief　went　on　to　explain　as　Lron　hefted　one　of　the　weapons。

〃Yes；〃　Lron　said；　〃Karbarra　was　exporting　rebellion　then。〃　He　glanced　over　at　Tesla。　〃Until　the　Invid　appeared。〃

Max；　too；　was　studying　the　Invid。　〃All　right；　Tesla；〃　he　said；　ing　to　his　feet。　〃We'll　play　this　one　your　way。　But　all　deals　are　off　at　the　first　sign　of　any　monkey　business。〃

Tesla　regarded　Max　and　the　others　through　his　hastily　fashioned　mask。　〃Now；　why　would　I　want　to　do　that　when　I've　had　enough　trouble　just　trying　to　act　Human？〃


This　time　the　team　was　principally　XT…Lron　and　Crysta；　Gnea　and　Bela；　with　Learna　as　guide。　That　Jack　would　acpany　them　had　been　taken　for　granted；　and；　after　Tesla's　plan　had　been　given　the　okay；　Janice　signed　on。　The　Praxians　felt　more　fortable　with　their　one…handed　crossbows；　shields；　and　shortswords　than　anything　else　the　Sentinels　could　offer　in　the　way　of　weaponry；　and　Gnea　wouldn't　part　pany　with　her　spearlike　naginata。　But　the　others　carried　Karbarran　air　rifles；　satchels　of　mand…detonated　explosives；　conventional　fragmentation　grenades；　and　rocket　launchers。　Shortly　after　Garuda's　midnight；　the　eight…member　team　was　inserted　by　Garudan　flitters　to　within　twenty　miles　of　the　crater；　allowing　them　ample　time　to　reach　the　farm…hive　before　sunrise。

At　the　same　time；　Wolff　and　the　Sterlings　met　back　at　the　shuttle　to　coordinate　plans　for　their　joint　diversionary　raid　against　two　neighboring　farms。　It　was　decided　that　the　Veritechs　and　Hovertanks　would　mence　their　strikes　at　sunrise；　when　the　Garudan　slaves　would　still　be　in　the　camps。

〃We're　going　to　concentrate　our　fire　against　the　orchards；　here　and　here；〃　Max　briefed　his　squadron　later　on；　pointing　to　areas　on　the　maps　Learna　had　provided。　The　hives　themselves…processing　plants　really…were　almost　certainly　protected　by　energy　shields　like　the　one　the　Invid　had　thrown　over　Tiresia's　Royal　Hall　during　the　battle　for　Tirol。　But　since　the　Sentinels'　main　objective　was　to　draw　out　the　enemy　mecha；　Max　saw　no　reason　why　targeting　the　precious　Optera　tree　plantations　couldn't　achieve　the　same　result。

〃Colonel　Wolff's　tankers　will　position　themselves　along　this　ridgeline　and　move　in　after　you've　pleted　your　initial　runs。　Then　you're　to　pulverize　that　hive。　If　we　dump　enough　into　that　shield　we　might　be　able　to　punch　through。〃　Similar　all…out　bursts　had　worked　against　the　Karbarran　hives。　Max　scanned　his　small　audience。　〃Any　questions？〃　When　all　the　headshaking　was　over；　he　added；　〃All　right　then；　let's　saddle　up。〃

Outside　the　shuttle；　he　caught　sight　of　Miriya；　who　had　been　off　briefing　the　Skull's　Red　contingent；　and　hurried　over　to　her　just　as　she　was　scampering　up　into　the　Alpha's　cockpit。　She　had　seemed　preoccupied　during　the　meeting　with　Wolff；　and　absent　even　now　when　he　asked　her　if　everything　was　all　right。

〃Yeah；　fine；〃　she　said；　offering　him　a　weak　smile　beneath　her　transpirator。

〃You　don't　look　fine；〃　he　told　her；　touching　her　hair。　〃Maybe　you　should　sit　this　one　out。〃　She　laughed　at　the　suggestion；　more　out　of　surprise；　he　suspected；　than　anything　else。　A　former　Quadrono　sit　out　a　fight？

〃Max；　I'm　just　a　little　tired。〃　She　donned　the　thinking　cap；　climbed　the　notch　ladder；　and　settled　herself　in　the　cockpit　seat。　〃Now　wipe　that　concerned　look　off　your　face；〃　she　told　him　before　lowering　the　canopy。

He　forced　a　smile　her　way；　readjusted　his　mask；　and　ran　to　his　own　mecha。　In　five　minutes　both　squadron　teams　were　up；　tearing　through　Garuda's　crimson　predawn　skies。

The　farms　they　had　chosen　to　hit　were　some　fifty　miles　southwest　of　the　crater　farm；　surrounded　by　extensive　forests　of　Optera　trees；　which　from　Max's　point　of　view　resembled　outsiz