tz.cobra strike-第37部分

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　Thirty　kilometers　away；　the　ship's　hull　would　barely　register　the　heat　of　those　shots；　but　for　the　watchers　aboard；　the　flashes　of　light　should　be　impossible　to　miss。　Assuming　someone　was　watching。
　And　apparently　they　were。　From　the　front…inside　of　the　red　oval　the　Dewdrop's　landing　lights　flicked　twice　in　acknowledgment。　Shifting　to　a　crouch；　Justin　got　ready　to　move；　keeping　alert　for　trouble　from　the　city。
　It　took　the　Dewdrop　a　few　minutes　to　e　to　ground…and　it　did　so；　inexplicably；　a　good　kilometer　north。　Justin　briefly　considered　signaling　again；　decided　it　would　be　safer　to　just　go　to　it；　and　set　off　in　a　crouching　run。
　No　one　opened　fire　before　he　reached　the　ship。　Link　was　waiting　by　the　open　hatchway　as　he　came　up；　and　favored　the　younger　man　with　a　tight　smile。　〃Wele　back；〃　he　said；　gripping　Justin's　hand　briefly。　He　gave　the　other　a　fast　once…over　before　returning　his　eyes　to　the　city。　〃You've　never　seen　a　group　of　people　so　happy　as　when　we　saw　your　signal。〃
　〃I　was　happy　enough　for　all　of　you　put　together；〃　Justin　told　him；　following　Link's　gaze。　A　half…dozen　cars　and　a　bus　could　be　seen　approaching　from　city's　edge。　〃Looks　like　a　good　time　to　get　out　of　here。〃
　Link　shook　his　head。　〃They're　bringing　Yuri　and　Marck…Almo　struck　a　deal　for　their　release。〃
　〃What　kind　of　deal？〃　Justin　frowned。
　〃A　sort　of　promise　not　to　tear　up　their　industrial　base　before　we　go。〃　Link　glanced　at　the　other。　〃Why　don't　you　go　inside；　get　any　injuries　seen　to。　I　can　handle　this。〃
　〃Well　。。。　all　right。〃　Something　about　this　felt　wrong；　but　for　the　moment　Justin　couldn't　figure　out　what。　Turning；　he　stepped　into　the　hatch　and　sprung　the　inner　door…and　walked　straight　into　his　brother's　arms。
　For　a　minute　they　just　held　each　other…the　man　who'd　done　his　job；　Justin　thought　bitterly；　and　the　man　who　hadn't。
　But　for　the　moment　his　shame　was　swallowed　up　in　the　relief　of　being　safe　again。
　Joshua　released　him　and　stepped　back；　still　gripping　his　brother's　shoulders。　〃You　hurt　anywhere？〃
　〃I'm　fine；〃　Justin　shook　his　head。　〃What's　happened　since　I　left？〃
　Joshua　glanced　toward　the　hatch。　〃Let's　get　to　the　lounge　where　we　can　watch　that　convoy；〃　he　suggested。　〃I　can　give　you　a　fast　rundown　on　the　way。〃
　They　reached　the　lounge　a　minute　later　to　find　Nnamdi　and　Christopher　gazing　at　the　outside　monitors；　the　scientists〃　greetings　muted　by　their　attention　being　elsewhere。　That　suited　Justin；　he'd　already　had　more　of　a　hero's　wele　than　he　properly　deserved。　〃Where's　the　governor？〃　he　asked　Joshua　as　they　took　seats　in　front　of　another　screen。
　〃Back　in　sick　bay　with　Michael。　She　should　be　back　by　the　time　the　others　get　here。　And　Almo's　outside；　behind　the　front　landing　spotlights；　where　he　can　back　up　Dorjay　if　the　Qasamans　make　any　trouble。〃
　〃But　they　won't；〃　Nnamdi　spoke　up。　〃They've　made　their　deal；　and　it's　a　fair　one。　And　we've　already　seen　they　follow　through　on　their　promises。〃
　Justin　snorted。　〃Like　with　that　fake　explosive　collar？〃
　All　eyes　turned　to　him。　〃What　do　you　mean；　fake？〃　Christopher　asked。
　〃I　mean　they　suckered　us　royally。　Those　cylinders　held　cameras　and　recorders；　not　explosives。　They　let　Joshua　e　in　so　that　they　could　get　a　quick　look　inside　the　Dewdrop。〃
　Christopher　swore　under　his　breath。　〃But　then　they　must　have　seen　you　two　switch　places。　My　God…you're　lucky　you　got　out　alive　after　that。〃
　Some　of　the　burden　seemed　to　lift　from　Justin's　conscience。　Seen　in　that　light；　perhaps　he　hadn't　done　such　a　bad　job；　after　all。
　The　convoy　outside　had　halted　a　hundred　meters　from　the　Dewdrop　and　a　crowd　of　Qasamans　was　forming　around　the　vehicles　when　Telek　reappeared　in　the　lounge。　〃Justin；　glad　you　made　it；〃　she　said　distractedly　as　she　leaned　over　Christopher's　shoulder。　〃Any　sign　of　them　yet？〃
　〃I　don't　see　them；〃　he　replied。　〃They're　probably　in　the　bus　off　to　one　side；　there。〃　He　pointed；　and　as　if　on　cue；　two　figures　emerged　from　the　vehicle；　struggling　a　bit　as　they　plowed　through　the　knee…high　grass。
　Cerenkov　and　Rynstadt。
　The　edge　of　the　crowd　withdrew　a　bit　as　the　two　men　passed　on　their　way　to　the　Dewdrop。　〃Watch　for　drawn　weapons；〃　Telek　said　to　the　room　in　general。　〃We　don't　want　them　pulling　a　last…minute　suicide　rush　or　some　such　trick。〃
　〃If　they　were　going　to　pull　something；　wouldn't　they　have　done　it　while　they　still　had　Almo；　Michael；　and　Dorjay　under　the　gun？〃　Nnamdi　suggested。
　〃Maybe；〃　Telek　grunted。　〃But　we　were　hair…trigger　alert　then。　Maybe　they　expect　us　to　be　lulled　now。　Anyway；　I　don't　trust　them…they　accepted　this　deal　too　easily　for　my　taste。〃
　〃Like　they　accepted　my　ultimatum　to　bring　Decker　back；〃　Joshua　muttered。　Justin　looked　at　his　brother；　found　him　staring　at　the　approaching　men　with　a　look　of　intense　concentration　on　his　face。
　Telek　glanced　in　the　twins〃　direction。　〃Something？〃
　〃Tell　her；　Justin；〃　Joshua　said；　eyes　and　frown　still　on　the　display。
　　Justin　explained　again　about　the　spy　collar。　〃Um；〃　Telek　grunted　when　he'd　finished。　〃You　think　they've　planted　a　bomb　or　something　on　one　of　them；　Joshua？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　Joshua　said　slowly。　〃But　I　suddenly　don't　like　this。〃
　〃Me；　neither。〃　Telek　hesitated；　then　picked　up　the　mike　and　punched　for　the　outside　speakers。　〃Yuri；　Marck？　Hold　it　there　a　second；　would　you？〃
　The　two　men　came　to　a　hesitant　looking　halt　about　twenty　meters　from　the　hatch。　〃Governor？　What's　wrong？〃　Cerenkov　called。
　〃I　want　you　both　to　strip　to　your　underwear；〃　she　told　them。　〃Safety　precaution。〃
　Rynstadt　glanced　back　over　his　shoulder　at　the　silent　Qasamans。　〃Can't　we　skip　that？〃　he　called；　his　voice　almost　breaking　with　strain。　〃They　didn't　put　anything　in　our　clothes…I'm　sure　of　that。　Please…let　us　get　aboard。〃
　〃Something's　wrong；〃　Christopher　muttered。　Grabbing　the　mike　from　Telek；　he　punched　a　new　button。　〃Dorjay；　signal　them　to　tell　you…quietly…what's　going　on。〃　Without　waiting　for　an　acknowledgment　he　switched　back　to　the　outside　speaker。　〃e　on；　guys…you　heard　the　governor。　Strip。〃
　Flicking　off　the　speaker；　he　handed　the　mike　silently　back　to　Telek；　who　accepted　it　the　same　way。　On　the　screen；　the　two　men　were　pulling　off　their　tunics；　and　because　he　knew　to　watch　for　it；　Justin　could　see　Rynstadt's　lips　moving。　They　were　working　on　their　boots　when　Link's　voice　came　quietly　into　the　circuit。　〃Marck　says　they've　both　been　poisoned…　some　sort　of　toxin　on　a　meal　tray　that　the　server　wore　gloves　to　avoid　touching。〃
　〃No　wonder　they　were　so　willing　to　let　them　go；〃　Nnamdi　growled。　〃We've　got　to　get　them　aboard　right　away　and　into　the　analyzer；　Governor。〃
　But　Telek　was　staring　through　the　screen；　her　face　frozen　into　a　mask　of　horror；　〃They're　not　poisoned；〃
　she　whispered。　〃They're　infected。　They've　dosed　them　with　something　to　kill　all　of　us。〃
　For　a　long　moment　shock　hung　thickly　in　the　air。　Telek　recovered　first。　〃Almo；　get　back　in　here…use　the　cargo　hatch　you　went　out　by。　Dorjay　。。。　e　inside　and　seal　the　outer　door。　Now。〃
　〃What？〃　Christopher　and　Joshua　yelped　in　unison。
　〃No　choice；〃　Telek　snapped　back。　Her　hand　was　white…knuckled　where　she　clutched　the　mike；　and　her　face　looked　very　old。　〃We　haven't　got　isolation　facilities　aboard…you　all　know　that。〃
　〃The　medical　analyzer…〃
　〃Has　an　even　chance　of　not　even　figuring　out　what　they've　been　given；〃　she　cut　Christopher　off；　〃let　alone　knowing　how　to　cure　it。〃
　Beneath　his　feet；　Justin　felt　the　deck　vibrate　slightly　as　Pyre　closed　the　cargo　hatch；　an　instant　later　it　was　echoed　as　Link　sealed　the　main　hatchway。
　And　on　the　outer　display；　Rynstadt　and　Cerenkov　froze　in　horrified　disbelief。　〃Hey！〃　Cerenkov　yelled。
　〃I'm　sorry；〃　Telek　said；　the　words　almost　a　sigh。　She　seemed　to　remember　the　mike；　lifted　it　to　her　lips。　〃I'm　sorry；〃　she　repeated。　〃You've　been　infected。　We　can't　risk　taking　you　aboard。〃
　〃Guns　being　drawn！〃　Nnamdi　said　abruptly。　〃They　know　we've　figured　it　out；〃
　〃Captain…m　laser　on　the　Qasamans；〃　Telek　snapped　toward　the　inter。　〃Dazzle　them。　Then　。。。　then　prepare　to　lift。〃
　〃You　can't　leave　them　here。〃
　Justin　hadn't　even　noticed　Pyre's　entry　into　the　lounge；　but　his　voice　made　it　clear　he'd　been　there　long　enough　to　know　what　was　happening。
　And　that　he　wasn't　going　to　accept　it。
　Telek　turned　to　face　him；　but　there　was　no　fight　in　her　eyes。　〃Give　me　an　alternative；〃　she　said　quietly。　〃Put　them　in　spacesuits　for　two　weeks？…and　watch　them　die　there　because　we　can't　get　to　them　to　even　attempt　treatment？〃
　〃The　rest　of　us　could　stay　in　suits；〃　Pyre　said。
　〃Oxygen　wouldn't　last　long　enough；〃　F'ahl　said　from　the　bridge。　〃And　recharging　in　a　contaminated　atmosphere　would　be　damned　risky。〃
　The　display　screens　lit　up　briefly　as　m　laser　fire　swept　the　Qasamans。　Rynstadt　and　Cerenkov　broke　their　paralysis　as　the　sound　of　gunshots　and　mojo　screams　became　audible；　the　two　men　dashing　for　the　Dewdrop's　tail。　Heading　for　what　cover　the　ship　would　provide；　Justin　guessed　。。。　until　it　lifted　into　space　away　from　them。
　And　suddenly　he　had　it。
　〃Almo！〃　he　shouted；　interrupting　Telek　but　not　caring。　〃Two　spacesuits…out　the　cargo　hatch。　Hurry。〃
　〃Justin；　I　just　got　done　saying…〃　Telek　began。
　〃We　can　lift　with　them　in　the　hold；〃　Justin　continued；　the　words　tripping　over　each　other　as　he　tried　to　get　them　out　as　fast　as　possible。　〃The　hold's　got　an　airseal…we　can　evacuate　it　and　set　up　UVs　to　sterilize　the　outsides　of　the　suits。〃
　〃And　watch　them　die　in　there？〃　Telek　snarled。　〃The　hold　hasn't　even　got　a　true　airlock；　and　we　haven't　got　the　facilities…〃
　〃But　the　Troft　ships　out　there　do”　Justin　shouted　back。
　And　the　lounge　was　abruptly　quiet；　save　for　the　deep　hum　of　the　idling　gravity　lifts　and　the　fading　sounds　of　Pyre's　running　footsteps　down　the　hall。
　Three　minutes　later；　in　a　highly　inaccurate　rain　of　bullets　from　the　Qasamans；　the　Dewdrop　lifted　and　made　for　the　starry　sky。　An　hour　after　that；　Cerenkov　and　Rynstadt　were　inside　a　Troft　warship's　isolation　facility；　prognosis　uncertain。
　An　hour　after　that；　the　Dewdrop　was　in　hyperspace；　heading　for　home。
　
　
　Chapter　23
　
　The　Menssana　had　returned　from　its　survey　mission　to　Aventine　to　the　sort　of　wele　explorers　throughout　the　ages　must　have　received。　Its　personnel　were　received　with　an　official　vote　of　congratulations　by　the　Council；　its　magdisks　of　data　copied　and　disseminated　to　hundreds　of　eager　scientists　around　the　planet。
　The　Dewdrop's　reception；　two　days　later；　was　considerably　more　subdued。
　The　last　page　of　Telek's　preliminary　report　vanished　from　the　board　screen；　and　Corwin　put　the　instrument　aside　with　a　sigh。
　〃Reaction？〃
　Corwin　looked　up　to　meet　his　father's　eyes。　〃They　were　lucky；〃　he　said　bluntly。　〃They　should　all　have　been　killed　out　there。〃
　Jonny　nodded。　〃Yes。　The　Qasamans〃　only　error　was　that　they　wanted　as　much　information　as　they　could　get　before　destroying　the　mission。　If　they　hadn't　cared　they　could　have　blown　up　the　Dewdrop　any　of　a　dozen　different　times。〃
　Corwin　grimaced。　York's　arm　gone；　Winward's　eyes　only　slowly　ing　back；　Cerenkov　and　Rynstadt　still　in　critical　condition　aboard　an　orbiting　Troft　ship…　and　with　all　of　that；　he　could　still　consider　the　mission　lucky。　〃What　in　heaven's　name　have　we　gotten　ourselves　into？〃　he　muttered。
　〃A　real　mess。〃　Jonny　sighed。　〃How　long　befo