15_death_dance- 第24部分

Tesla；　Jack；　Janice；　and　Learna　were　nearing　the　municator　sphere　when　something　suddenly　charged　the　air…a　resonant；　bone…rattling　hum　that　carried　a　peculiar　odor　with　it。

〃An　alert；〃　Tesla　announced；　fingers　on　the　sphere's　activation　controls。　〃Seems　you've　succeeded　in　calling　attention　to　yourselves。〃

〃Anything？〃　Jack　called　out　to　Gnea。　She　shook　her　head；　then　offered　him　a　perplexed　shrug。

〃Ahh；　there's　the　reason　they're　leaving　us　alone。。。〃

Jack　turned　around　in　time　to　see　an　image　e　to　life　in　the　heart　of　the　sphere。　It　took　a　moment　to　make　sense　of　the　scene；　and　Learna　was　the　first　to　gasp。

〃Looks　as　though　we've　a　rebellion　on　our　hands；〃　Tesla　ventured。

The　sphere　showed　a　virtual　army　of　Garudans　pouring　into　the　basin。　Invid　soldiers　were　butchering　them　from　dug…in　positions　close　to　the　base　of　the　hive。　The　Optera　tree　forest　was　ablaze；　giving　the　crater　the　look　of　a　devil's　cauldron。

〃It's　suicide！〃

Janice　put　her　arm　around　Learna's　soft　shoulders。

〃Then　let's　make　it　count　for　something；〃　Jack　said　in　a　determined　voice。　He　nudged　Tesla　into　motion　again；　and　the　Invid　began　to　lead　them　along　one　of　the　corridors。　Shortly　they　were　standing　before　a　shimmering　portal　similar　to　the　one　at　the　hive　entrance。　Once　again；　Tesla's　hand　or　voice　〃unlocked〃　the　portal；　and　the　team　found　themselves　in　a　kind　of　control　center；　filled　with　〃furniture〃…strangely　contoured　chairs　and　fairly　conventional　tables　and　countertops…wardrobe　closets；　instrumentality　columns；　municator　spheres　of　various　size　and　design；　and　what　looked　to　be　Tiresian　Robotech　devices。

The　team　fanned　out　to　search　the　space　and　Lron　made　an　important　discovery　behind　one　of　the　long　counters：　two　cowering　white…robed　Invid　scientists。

The　Karbarran　pulled　them　up　by　their　necks　and　shoved　them　toward　the　center　of　the　room。

〃Tesla！〃　one　of　them　seethed；　following　up　with　what　Jack　imagined　to　be　a　few　choice　Invid　epithets。　Janice　translated：　〃He　called　Tesla　a　traitor。　Said　it　was　true　what　they'd　heard　about　him。〃

〃Meaning　what？〃　Jack　asked。

〃Why；　my　leading　you　here；〃　Tesla　said　too　quickly。

〃Where　is　Kami？〃　Learna　demanded。

Tesla　put　the　question　to　them；　then　grunted　when　the　scientists　had　replied。　〃They　refuse　to　say。〃

Jack　grabbed　Crysta's　rifle　and　held　it　to　the　head　of　one　of　the　scientists。　〃Ask　him　again。〃

Tesla　listened　to　the　reply　and　shook　his　head。

〃All　right　then…〃

〃Hold　it　a　moment；　Jack；〃　Bela　interrupted。　〃Perhaps　they　crave　a　lungful　of　Garuda's　fresh　air。。。〃

Tesla　told　the　two　what　the　Sentinels　had　in　store　for　them；　even　Jack　could　see　their　snout　sensors　blanch　at　the　prospect。　No　one　really　needed　the　translation。

〃They've　changed　their　minds；〃　Tesla　announced　with　a　snort　of　disapproval。

And　with　that　the　scientists　began　to　lead　the　Sentinels　on　a　circuitous　tour　through　the　dome；　descending　always；　via　tractor　tubes　and　spiral　drops　where　there　should　have　been　stairs；　past　conveyor　systems　and　vat　after　vat　of　Fruits　or　pulverized　stem　and　Flower；　in　and　out　of　corridors　and　rooms；　mo　stations　and　rotundas；　all　recently　vacated　by　soldiers　and　worker　drones　who　had　ceased　their　tasks　to　protect　the　farm。　Within　minutes　of　leaving　the　control　center　Jack　felt　pletely　lost；　he　had　no　idea　where　they　were　in　relation　to　the　hive　entrance；　and　began　to　wonder　whether　the　scientists　were　leading　them　into　a　trap。　But　his　concern　faded　by　the　time　they　reached　what　he　guessed　to　be　the　lowest；　perhaps　underground　level；　they　had　passed　numerous　places　where　ambushes　could　have　been　sprung；　but　not　a　single　soldier　had　been　seen。　Then　at　last　they　reached　the　end　of　the　line…or　so　it　seemed　until　one　of　the　scientists　actually　walked　the　group　right　through　a　wall。　The　chamber　beyond　was　a　kind　of　membranous　sac；　veined　and　pulsating　like　something　one　might　find　in　an　unhealthy　lung；　and　there；　heaped　together　in　the　center　of　the　floor；　were　Rick；　Lisa；　Karen；　and　Kami。

Fearing　the　worst；　Jack　hung　back　while　everyone　else　ran　to　them…everyone　but　Janice；　who　positioned　herself　near　the　sac's　osmotic　gate　where　she　could　keep　an　eye　on　Tesla。　Learna　immediately　slipped　a　transpirator　over　Kami's　muzzle　and　hugged　him　to　herself　for　all　it　was　worth。　Kami　stirred　some　after　a　moment；　but　the　three　Humans　were　another　matter；　sickly　pale　and　disheveled；　they　languished　in　a　deathlike　stupor；　whimpering　every　so　often。

〃。。。subjected　them　to　the　atmosphere；　then　performed　some　sort　of　mind…probe　experiments；〃　Janice　could　hear　Tesla　translating。

Janice　saw　the　two　scientists　take　a　step　back　as　Jack　and　the　others　swung　around　to　them。　She　pretended　to　preoccupy　herself　studying　the　chamber's　portal；　furnishing　Tesla　with　a　bit　of　illusory　breathing　space。　At　the　same　time；　she　sharpened　her　eyes　and　ears　in　his　direction。

〃Don't　worry　about　a　thing；〃　Tesla　was　telling　his　rades　in　a　low　but　reassuring　tone。　〃Now　that　the　Regent　has　been。。。killed；　Tesla　will　rule　in　his　place。　I　will　make　peace　with　these　beings　and…〃

〃Tesla；　what　are　you　saying？〃　one　of　the　Invid　cut　him　off。　〃The　Regent　killed？　We　just　spoke　with　him。　In　fact；　it　was　he　who　told　us　to　expect　you。〃

〃What？〃　You　spoke。。。But；　but　what　you　said；　what　you　said　about　it　being　true…〃

〃Yes；〃　the　other　scientist　sneered。　〃That　you　had　taken　up　the　Sentinels'　fight；　and　that　we　should　beware　your　treachery！〃

〃No！〃　Tesla　said　too　loudly。　He　caught　himself　and　risked　a　glance　at　Janice；　but　she　kept　her　eyes　averted　from　him。

Jack；　Gnea；　and　Lron　were　storming　up　to　him　when　he　swung　back　around。　Lron　took　hold　of　each　of　the　scientists　by　the　fronts　of　their　robes。

〃Ask　them　what　they　did　with　Rem。〃　Jack　barked。

Tesla　peered　over　at　the　rescued　group；　noticing　for　the　first　time　the　Tiresian　was　not　among　them。　Absently；　he　put　the　question　to　the　two　he　had　hoped　were　to　be　his　first　subjects；　still　stunned　by　what　they　had　told　him。　The　Regent　alive？　How　could　it　be？

〃Well？〃　Jack　shouted。　〃What's　he　saying？〃

Tesla　waited　for　the　scientist　to　repeat　it；　nodding　as　he　listened。　〃Rem　is　Tiresian。　His　dreams　were　less；　shall　we　say；　monplace。　So　he　was　sent　elsewhere　for　further　tests。〃

〃Where？〃　Janice　asked；　walking　over　to　him。

Tesla　listened　for　a　moment。　〃To　Haydon　IV。　In　fact；　the　Regent　himself　is　on　his　way…〃　Tesla　eyes　went　wide　and　the　words　caught　in　his　throat。

〃Go　on。。。〃

He　swallowed　and　found　his　voice…raspy　as　it　was；　all　at　once。　〃The　Regent　is　on　his　way　to　Haydon　IV　as　we　speak。〃

〃Then　that's　where　we're　bound；〃　Bela　said　evenly；　her　eyes　narrowed　to　slits。

Tesla　gulped；　loud　enough　for　everyone　to　hear。

〃We've　got　to　get　them　to　Jean's　med　team；〃　Learna　announced；　still　holding　on　to　her　mate。

Bela　lifted　Lisa　from　the　floor。　〃We　have　no　time　to　lose。〃

Lron　and　Crysta　moved　in　to　take　hold　of　Rick　and　Karen。


Max　and　Miriya　received　Cabell's　good　news/bad　news　update　over　the　　net：　Rick　and　the　others　had　been　rescued；　but　they　were　still　under　the　effects　of　the　planet's　microbe…laden　atmosphere　and　delirious　with　fever。　Moreover；　the　mission　had　gone　smoothly　with　no　casualties　among　the　team；　but　Rem　was　no　longer　on　Garuda。　Jack's　team　was　out　of　the　crater　hive　now　and　awaiting　extraction；　Jean　claimed　that　Rick；　Lisa；　and　Karen　were　too　weak　to　endure　the　trip　back　to　the　med　group's　temporary　hq　by　Hovercycle　or　Garudan　flitter。

Max　signed　off　and　immediately　raised　two　of　his　wingmen　on　the　tac；　ordering　them　to　rendezvous　with　Skull　One　at　the　crater　hive。　Reconfiguring　the　media　to　Guardian　mode；　he　imaged　the　Alpha　into　a　vertical　takeoff　and　set　his　course　northeast　for　the　basin。　As　the　VT　rose；　Max　had　a　full　view　of　the　forests　and　steppes　the　Skull　and　Wolff　Pack　had　turned　to　wasteland。　Not　since　the　battle　on　Karbarra　had　he　seen　so　much　death；　such　extensive　destruction。　The　dome…shaped　hive　was　in　ruins；　collapsed　and　in　flames；　the　Optera　tree　forests；　along　with　patches　of　grassland　and　evergreen；　were　burning　out　of　control。　The　terrain　was　ravaged　beyond　belief…pockmarked；　holed；　cratered；　littered　with　legless　or　pincerless　Invid　mecha；　bits　of　Hovertank　and　Veritech；　Bioroid　and　Inorganic。　An　entire　hillside　was　covered　base　to　summit　with　Hellcat　husks　and　Invid　and　Garudan　corpses。　Hundreds；　perhaps　thousands　had　died。　And　from　what　Max　was　hearing　over　the　net；　the　same　scene　had　played　at　each　and　every　Invid　farm　and　installation　throughout　the　planet's　equatorial　belt。　But　Garuda　had　freed　itself　from　the　offworlders'　yoke。

Good　news。。。bad　news。

Max　said　as　much　to　Miriya　as　the　VT　covered　the　fifty　or　so　miles　to　the　crater。　She　was　still　in　the　Beta　module　and　apparently　all　right；　in　spite　of　her　ordeal。　Max　was　cautiously　optimistic；　he　had　yet　to　quiz　her　about　how　her　fighter　had　been　brought　down　in　the　first　place。

The　crater　hive　was　for　the　most　part　intact；　but　Max　didn't　expect　it　to　last　much　longer。　Fires　encroaching　on　it　from　all　sides。　Skull　One　dropped　out　of　the　smoke　and　clouds　onto　a　battleground　much　like　the　one　they　had　just　left；　dead　and　wounded　strewn　across　the　field；　a　palpable　mingling　of　triumph　and　loss。　Those　Invid　who　had　survived　were　seeing　the　Garudan's　barbaric　side；　but　Max　didn't　suppose　he　could　fault　Kami's　people　for　the　day's　bloody　aftermath；　this　requisite　catharsis。

Masked　again；　Jack；　Gnea；　and　Bela　directed　Max　and　his　wingmen　in；　and　got　Rick　and　the　others　into　the　VTs　as　fast　as　they　could。　Lron；　Crysta；　and　Janice　were　keeping　Tesla　and　a　few　Invid　scientists　under　guard　inside　the　hive…protected　from　the　Garudans'　bloodlust　for　the　time　being。　Kami；　still　weak　but　ambulatory　now；　was　off　somewhere　sharing　the　bittersweet　taste　of　victory　with　Learna　and　their　fellow　warriors。　Mopping　up；　Max　ventured；　much　as　the　Wolff　Pack　was　doing　in　other　quarters。

Max　caught　a　brief　glimpse　of　Rick　as　he　was　being　lifted　into　the　cargo　space　of　Blue　Danube's　Beta　module。　The　transpirator　prevented　Max　from　being　able　to　see　his　friend's　face；　but　Rick　looked　as　though　the　Invid　had　robbed　him　of　his　bones。

The　three　VTs　raced　for　Kami's　village；　where　Jean's　team　took　over　and　carried　Rick　and　the　others　to　the　safety　of　the　geodesic　med　dome。　Max　couldn't　help　but　see　it　as　a　miniature　version　of　the　Invid　hives　they　had　just　destroyed。

He　and　Miriya　entered　on　Jack's　heels；　doffed　their　masks；　and　took　in　a　lungful　of　the　dome's　artificial　atmosphere。

〃Sweet；　isn't　it？〃　Max　said；　trying　to　sound　cheerful。　Miriya　gave　him　a　weak　smile；　but　said　nothing。　He　was　reaching　for　her　hand　when　she　suddenly　stumbled　and　collapsed　into　his　arms。


CHAPTER　THIRTEEN

Use　your　discretion；　but　try　to　have　your　men　hold　off　until　you're　certain　that　at　least　half　of　them　＇ed。　note：　the　Zentraedi＇　are　inside…that　includes　Breetai　and　that　kingsize　bitch；　Kazianna。　Instruct　the　demo　team　to　use　more　charges　than　they　think　necessary；　I　don't　want　any　of　them　ing　out　alive。　In　fact；　it　might　be　worthwhile　to　sabotage　as　many　of　their　environment　suits　as　possible　beforehand。　Neither　of　us　believe　in　accidents；　Adams；　but　we're　going　to　call　it　that　no　matter　what。
A　〃Code　Pyramid〃　muniqu？from　T。　R。　Edwards；　as　quoted　in　Wildm