15_death_dance-第5部分

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e　got　something　better　to　offer　me　than　threats。〃

〃Your　egotism　will　be　the　death　of　you；〃　the　Regent　said　from　the　door。

Edwards　smiled　as　the　door　slid　shut。　Everything　he　said　had　been　calculated　to　draw　out　the　real　Regent；　talk　was　useless　until　then。　But　he　had　faith　that　his　gambit　would　pay　off。　Eventually　the　Regent　would　show　himself…in　person　or　as　before　in　the　sphere…and　when　that　day　came；　there　would　be　much　to　discuss。


Incredible　as　it　seemed；　the　armored　Alpha　was　actually　being　carried　aloft　by　perhaps　three　dozen　orbs　of　mixed　size；　clustered　like　grapes　beneath　the　mecha's　swept…back　wings　and　Beta…elongated　fuselage。　Cheering　seemed　a　bit　premature；　but　that　didn't　stop　any　of　the　still…grounded　Sentinels　from　sending　up　exclamations　of　encouragement。

The　feat　had　required　more　orbs　than　anyone　would　have　guessed…over　a　quarter　of　the　number　that　remained　in　the　cave；　at　last　count…but　Veidt；　as　promised；　had　been　able　to　herd　them　under　the　hovering　VT　without　much　ado。　Several　of　the　creatures　either　didn't　prehend　the　Haydonite's　telepathic　instructions　or　thought　better　of　them　at　the　last　moment　and　opted　for　solo　flights　into　Praxis's　cloudy　and　smoke…smudged　skies。　The　others；　however；　rose　quickly　to　the　task；　less　like　lighter…than…air　balloons　than　anti…Galilean　cannonballs。　Cabell　calculated　that　if　the　present　rate　of　lift　remained　unchanged；　the　mecha　would　arrive　at　the　Roche　limit　with　ample　time　to　rendezvous　with　the　drive　module。　At　that　point；　Sarna；　copiloting　the　Alpha　along　with　Jonathan　Wolff；　would　bid　the　orbs　what　amounted　to　a　〃thanks　and　so　long；〃　and　the　VT　would　utilize　its　onboard　puter　and　thrusters　for　guidance　adjustments。　Janice；　Burak；　and　Tesla　were　squeezed　together　in　the　mecha's　Beta　hindquarters。

Rick　threw　a　couple　of　enthusiastic　shouts　to　the　Alpha　before　rushing　off　to　join　Vince　and　some　of　the　others；　who　were　already　in　the　GMU's　mand　center　monitoring　the　mecha's　progress　and　supplying　its　telemetry　systems　with　updates　gleaned　from　the　base's　scanners　and　data　mainframes。

Wolff　was　on　the　net　when　Rick　entered　the　mand　center。　〃Everything　checks　out　fine　so　far；〃　he　was　telling　Vince。　〃It's　like　an　elevator　ride　to　the　stars。〃　The　net　was　relatively　clear；　except　for　occasional　bursts　of　static。

〃Ask　him　if　Sarna　anticipates　any　disengagement　problems；〃　Rick　said　to　Vince。

〃Uh；　no　problem；〃　Wolff　reported　a　moment　later。

Rick　leaned　in　to　one　of　the　console　pickups。　〃And　Janice？〃

〃Here；　Rick。　We're　doing　all　right。〃　Thumping　noises　could　be　heard　in　the　background。　〃It's　just　a　little　close　for　fort。〃

Rick　made　a　mental　note　to　tell　Janice　just　how　much　he　admired　her。　〃Sit　tight；　Janice。　You're　almost　there。〃

Wolff　and　Janice　acknowledged　and　signed　off。　Rick　found　himself　crossing　his　fingers；　something　he　hadn't　done　in　years。　He　laughed　in　a　self…mocking　way；　optimistic　but　oddly　disturbed　at　the　same　time。

Outside　the　base；　members　of　the　Skull　Squadron　and　the　Wolff　Pack　were　beginning　to　prepare　a　second　mecha　for　lift。　This　one　was　to　include　Lisa；　Miriya；　Cabell；　Lron；　and　Crysta。　The　air　was　filled　with　lightning　flashes　and　all…but…constant　peals　of　thunder。　Praxis　trembled　underfoot　like　the　SDF…3　during　fold　maneuvers。　Even　Cabell　refused　to　speculate　on　how　much　time　the　planet　had；　but　to　a　few　of　the　Sentinels　each　minute　felt　like　something　to　be　thankful　for。

Kami　and　Learna　had　yet　to　emerge　from　the　orb　cavern　deep　inside　the　region's　now…floodlit　central　cave。　The　temperature　had　dropped　considerably　over　the　past　half　hour；　and　the　air　was　breathable　once　more。　Baldan　and　Teal　had　joined　the　Garudans　to　help　keep　count　of　the　orbs；　and　with　the　first　Alpha　on　its　way；　Jack；　Karen；　Rem；　and　Gnea　appeared　on　the　scene。

Everyone　watched　as　two　golf　ball…sized　spheres　wafted　up　out　of　the　shaft　to　join　their　brethren；　who　were　grouped　in　various　locations　along　the　vaulted　ceiling。　A　veritable　parade　of　overhead　orbs　stretched　from　here　all　the　way　to　the　mouth　of　the　cave。　Jack　directed　his　light　down　into　the　shaft　and　asked　Karen　and　Gnea　to　do　the　same。　He　had　discerned　some　sort　of　movement　perhaps　eight　feet　down　the　well；　one　of　the　larger　creatures　was　struggling　to　fit　through　the　constricted　passageway。　Each　time　the　thing　would　back　off；　two　or　three　smaller　orbs　would　bubble　up　and　out　of　the　shaft。　The　Sentinels　had　discussed　various　ways　to　enlarge　the　opening；　but　Rick　was　leery　of　employing　explosives　or　lasers　for　fear　the　orbs　would　misunderstand　their　intentions。　Jack　couldn't；　however；　see　any　harm　in　spelunking　down　for　a　closer　look。


While　Gnea　and　Rem　went　rushing　back　to　the　GMU　for　cord　and　anything　they　could　find　in　the　way　of　rigs　and　harnesses；　Baldan　and　Teal　were　off　in　a　corner　of　the　cavern　exploring　a　different　route　down。　It　had　occurred　to　the　male　Spherisian…earlier；　when　he　had　melded　his　hand　with　the　cave　wall…that　there　were　peculiar　forces　at　work　in　the　depths　of　Praxis；　and　Teal；　her　arms　buried　to　the　elbow　in　rock；　was　affirming　that　now。

〃The　mineral　content　is　most　unusual；〃　she　reported　analytically。　〃Nothing　like　what　we've　experienced　elsewhere　on　Praxis。　It　seems　more　a　part　of　the　planet's　past　than　its　present。〃

〃I　sensed　the　same　thing；〃　Baldan　told　her；　gesturing　to　the　cavern's　outcroppings　and　formations。　〃These　deposits　have　been　exhumed　from　somewhere　in　the　core；　but　in　some　unnatural　fashion。　They're　not　so　much　the　result　of　the　planet's　vulcanism　as　they　are　the　cause　of　it。〃　Once　again；　Baldan　pushed　his　arms　deep　into　the　wall。　〃Perhaps　I　can　travel　the　Crystal　Highways　here　as　we　do　on　Spheris；　and　municate　with　the　tortured　substrata　of　this　world。〃

〃It's　dangerous；〃　Teal　said；　pulling　one　of　Baldan's　hands　from　the　wall。　〃Praxis　is　destabilized。　You　might　not　be　able　to　re…form。。。〃

Baldan　registered　surprise　at　her　concern　for　his　well…being；　it　was　unlike　her。　〃Then　keep　hold　of　my　hand；〃　he　said　as　he　began　to　meld　the　rest　of　his　crystalline　being　with　the　glistening　rock　that　formed　the　cave　wall。　Teal　could　see　a　portion　of　the　wall　assume　Baldan's　features　in　bas…relief；　he　seemed　to　smile；　then　disappeared　entirely。

〃Good　luck；〃　she　whispered；　still　grasping　her　friend's　disembodied　hand。


Elsewhere　in　the　cavern；　Rem；　Gnea；　and　Karen　heard　Jack　say；　〃There　are　thousands　of　globes　down　here！　Enough　to　lift　the　whole　damn　base！〃　His　voice　rose　from　the　shaft　like　that　of　an　oracle。　〃They're　huge　ones！　We've　gotta　give　them　a　way　out！　Tell　Hunter…〃

Just　then　a　violent　tremor　hit　the　cave；　erasing　Jack's　words　and　eliciting　a　shower　of　rocks　and　dirt　from　the　grotto's　ceiling。　The　orbs　began　an　excited　dance　when　the　tremor　passed；　hastening　toward　the　entrance　in　what　seemed　an　inverted　ball…bearing　stampede。　Karen　was　leaning　into　the　shaft　yelling　Jack's　name。

〃I'm　okay；〃　he　yelled　back　at　last。　〃Just　took　a　spill　off　the　rope。　I'm　on　a　ledge　or　something。　Seems　to　be　some　kind　of　cavities　down　here。。。One　of　you　better　e　down…and　bring　more　light。〃


Teal　had　been　knocked　to　her　knees　by　the　force　of　the　quake；　but　she　had　managed　to　keep　hold　of　Baldan's　hand　and　forearm。　She　twisted　around　in　time　to　see　Kami　and　Learna　picking　themselves　up　off　the　floor。　Then　she　saw　Baldan's　face　manifest　in　the　wall：　he　looked　terrified。

〃What？　What　is　it；　Baldan？〃

His　stone　mouth　formed　the　word　Invid。　〃They've　performed　a　horrible　experiment　here；　brought　back　creatures　from　the　planet's　past…like　these　globes；　but　terrible　ones　also。　You　must　hurry　and　warn　the　others。　These　creatures…〃

〃But　you　can't　expect　me　to　leave　you　here！〃　Teal　was　aghast。

〃I'm　trapped；〃　he　told　her。　〃It's　no　use。〃

Teal　tugged　on　his　arm。　〃Don't…〃　Then　she　looked　down　and　noticed　a　fissure　in　the　wall　that　hadn't　been　there　before　the　tremor。

〃Baldan。。。〃

〃Hurry；〃　he　insisted。

Reluctantly；　she　let　go　of　his　arm。　And　as　she　turned　to　leave；　she　heard　Karen　scream　from　across　die　grotto。

〃It's　Jack　and　Rem！〃　a　wide…eyed　Karen　was　saying　when　Teal　approached　her。　Kami；　Learna；　and　Gnea　were　trying　to　calm　her。　〃Something's　taken　hold　of　them！〃


CHAPTER　FOUR

＇The　psychohistorian＇　Constance　Wildman　would　have　us　believe　that　the　Robotech　Wars　were　nothing　more　than　a　series　of　incestuous　struggles　and　Freudian…inspired　rivalries…the　Masters　and　their　〃children；〃　the　Zentraedi；　the　various　intrigues　that　blossomed　around　〃primal　goddess〃　Lynn…Minmei；　the　Flower　as　grail；　nutrient　mother's　milk。。。And　she　adduces　the　Regis…Tesla…Regent　triangle　to　strengthen　her　case；　for　where　else　〃do　we　find　a　more　perfect　archetypal　representation　of　the　rebellious　son　who　wishes　to　kill　the　father　and　possess　the　mother？〃　To　which　one　might　be　tempted　to　answer：　in　the　relationship　between　Zor　and　Haydon。
Footnote　in　Reedy　Kahhn's　Riders　on　the　Storm：　The　Regent's　Invid

〃And　you　actually　threatened　Edwards？〃　the　Regent's　voice　screamed　through　the　municator。　〃You　fool！　You　were　supposed　to　entice　him；　not　drive　him　further　from　my　grasp。〃

In　his　quarters　on　the　fleet　flagship；　the　Invid　simulagent　gulped　and　found　his　voice。　〃I　was　only　trying　to　get　information　out　of　him…as　you　yourself　requested。　But　he　wouldn't　reveal　anything　about　his　homeworld。　And　worse　still；　he　didn't　seem　to　believe　me　when　I　spoke　of　the　power　of　our　empire。〃

The　Regent　made　a　sour　expression。　〃Well；　how　could　he；　ing　from　the　likes　of　you？　Do　you　know　nothing　of　subtlety？　Have　you　forgotten　all　that　the　brain　taught　you　about　intelligence　gathering？　It's　as　though　you've　made　up　your　mind　to　deal　with　the　Humans　in　your　own　sloppy　fashion；　when　your　mission　was　to　be　my　eyes　and　ears。　Not　my　mouth！〃

The　simulagent　winced；　and　turned　to　see　if　any　of　the　soldiers　were　laughing　behind　his　back。　How　could　he　begin　to　explain　what　he　was　going　through…how　the　feel　of　power　had　worked　its　own　magic　on　his　mind；　a　magic　that　outweighed　any　concerns　for　diplomacy　or　〃subtlety。〃　But　he　kept　these　things　tucked　away　from　the　being　he　was　born　to　answer　to；　and　instead　thought　to　address　the　Regent　as　one　might　expect　a　servant　to　behave。

〃I　apologize；　Your　Highness。　It's　these　Humans。。。they　confuse　me。〃

〃Yes；〃　the　Regent　told　him；　softening　his　tone　some；　〃I　can　understand　that　much。　But　I　begin　to　wonder　about　this　Edwards。　It　strikes　me　that　perhaps　he　has　seen　through　my　ruse…no　thanks　to　you。〃

The　simulagent　lowered　his　snout　to　the　municator　remote。　〃Tell　me　how　I　can　make　amends。　I　am　but　your　humble　servant。〃

The　Regent　wagged　a　finger。　〃And　it　would　profit　you　to　keep　that　in　mind。〃　He　showed　the　sphere　the　palms　of　his　hands。　〃Why　does　everyone　feel　they　can　think　for　themselves？　First　my　wife；　now　you。。。Only　Tesla　served　me　well。〃　He　waved　his　hands　in　the　air。　〃Arg；　this　whole　affair　is　my　fault　anyway；　sending　a　servant　to　do　a　conqueror's　work。〃　The　Regent　adjusted　his　robes。　〃I　want　you　to　return　to　Optera。　There's　nothing　more　you　can　do　on　Tirol；　and　if　I　permit　you　to　stay　any　longer；　it's　likely　you'll　undo　something。〃

〃But；　Your　High…〃

〃Don't　argue　with　me！　We　can　do　without　the　captured　brain　a　while　longer；　and　there　are　other　ways　to　extract　the　information　we　want　about　the　Masters；　the　Matrix；　and　the　Humans'　homeworld。　Better　to　let　the　situation　on　Tirol　deteriorate　of　its　own　accord。　Then　Edwards　and　I　will　talk。〃　The　Regent's　eyes　stared　out　from　the　sphere；　gazing　coldly　at　his　simulagent。　〃You　may　have　my　looks〃…he　sighed…〃but　you　certainly　lack　my　talents。〃


Rick　slammed　his　hand　down　on　the　console…mike　stud　and　shouted　Wolff's　call　sign　into　the　pickup。　One　minute　Jonathan　had　been　reporting　that　all　signals　were　go　for　disengagement；　and　the　next　thing　anyone　knew　he　was　saying　something　about　the　Beta　having　separated　from　the　VT。　And　now　the　GMU　seemed　to　have　lost　contact　with　both　ponents。

〃Rising　Star；　e　in；〃　Rick　urged。　〃Wolff！　Respond。　What's　going　on　up　there？〃　He　swung　around　to　Jean　and　Vince；　who　were　busy　at　adjacent　consoles。　〃Anything？〃

Jean　swiveled　to　face　him。　〃Too　much　cloud　cover　for　a　visual　on　the　Beta；　but　scanners　show　it　on　an　accelerated　course　for　the　drive　module。　The　Alpha's　way　off　the　mark。　We　should　have　some　data　soon。〃

〃Was　it　the　globes？〃

〃Can't　tell；　Rick；〃　Vince　said　without　turning　around。

Just　then　Wolff's　voice　crackled　into　life　through　the　room's　speakers。　〃…actly　sure　what　happened。　Sarna　was　just　passing　along　instructions　to　the　orbs；　then　all　of　a　sudden　the　Beta　broke　away。　We're　way　off　course。　Can　you　give　as　a　new　heading？〃

〃ing　up；〃　Rick　answered　him。　〃Do　you　have　any　traffic　from　Janice？〃

〃Negative；　Rick。　I　can't　even　get　a　fix　on　the　ship。〃

〃She's　closing　on　the　module；　Jonathan；〃　Vince　said。　〃Any　guesses？〃

〃Not　right　now。〃

Rick　was　about　to　add　something　when　the　hatch　hissed　open。　〃We've　got　troubles；　sir；〃　a　Skull　pilot　announced。

〃We're　aware　of　it；〃　Rick　said；　more　harshly　than　was　necessary。

The　captain　took　a　puzzled　look　around。　〃No；　sir；　in　the　caves。　We're　under　attack。〃

〃Attack？　From　what？〃　Rick　noticed　for　the　first　time　that　the　woman　was　covered　with　dirt。　Her　face　was　smeared　with　some　unidentifiable　black　fluid　or　grease。

〃Uh；〃　the　pilot　stammered；　〃you're　going　to　have　to　decide　for　yourself；　sir。〃

Rick　and　the　pilot　left　the　base　at　a　run。　Outside；　Rick　saw　scores　of　orbs　streaming　from　the　mouth　of　the　cave。　Veidt　and　a　handful　of　Praxians　and　mecha　pilots　were　doing　their　best　to　calm　the　creatures；　but　Max　and　Miriya；　along　with　half　the　Wolff　Pack；　were　nowhere　in　sight。

〃In　here；　sir！〃　the　pilot　was　shouting；　motioning　to　the　cavernous　entrance。

The　floor　of　the　cave　was　shaking；　and　Rick　heard　low　rumbling　sounds　he　initially　attributed　to　tectonic　tremors；　then　he　realized　that　he　was　hearing　explosions。　These　grew　more　concussive　as　he　neared　the　grotto。

The　place　was　in　a　state　of　near　pandemonium；　dozens　of　orbs　bobbing　along；　underlit　by　intense　flashes　of　explosive　light　that　was　pouring　out　from　holes　and　shafts　in　the　floor；　strident　voices　raised　above　the　clatter　of　weapon　fire；　and　something　else…a　kind　of　shrill；　clacking　noise；　as　eerie　as　it　was　loud。

Rick　glanced　around；　trying　to　make　sense　of　things。　Karen　Penn　was　off　in　a　corner；　terrified；　although　Kami　and　Learna　were　by　her　side。　Teal　stood　some　distance　from　them；　alone　near　what　looked　to　be　a　limb　of　rock。　Gnea　and　Bela　were　carrying　coiled　lengths　of　cord　toward　a　shaft　opening；　close　by　were　a　couple　of　Perytonians　and　a　few　men　from　Wolff's　team；　donning　gas　masks　and　strapping　on　web…gear　ammo　packs。

Without　warning　someone　thrust　a　Wolverine　into　his　hands。

〃Max！〃　Rick　said；　whirling　around。　〃What's…〃

〃Cover　up；〃　Max　cut　him　off。　He　tossed　Rick　a　mask　and　trotted　off　toward　the　shaft；　cradling　an　Owens　Mark　IX　mob　gun。　〃Jack　and　Rem　are　trapped　down　there；〃　he　called　over　his　shoulder。　〃We've　killed　a　bunch　of　them　already；　but　they　just　keep　ing！〃

〃Killed　a　bunch　of　what？　Who　keeps　ing？〃

At　the　opening；　Max　pulled　down　his　respirator　and　hooked　on　to　one　of　the　cords　that　had　been　lowered　into　the　shaft。　〃Ready？〃　he　shouted　above　the　din　from　down　below。　Breathless；　Rick　followed　his　lead；　and　the　two　of　them　took　to　the　rigs。

A　moment　later；　on　the　floor　of　an　enormous　suble