15_death_dance-第7部分

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d　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　sublevel　room；　Rick　was　certain　they　had　overshot　their　mark　and　landed　in　hell。　In　the　strobing　light　he　could　see　they　were　standing　on　the　rim　of　a　massive　well　that　seemed　to　drop　straight　down　to　the　planet's　molten　core。　Here；　too；　the　ceiling　was　covered　with　orbs…most　of　them　of　greater　size　than　any　he　had　seen　on　the　surface；　but　it　was　the　creatures　crawling　up　out　of　that　well　that　had　left　him　speechless。　They　might　have　been　Hovertank…size　spiders；　except　for　their　eyestalks；　double…tiered　segmented　bodies；　and　front…facing　mouths。　And　if　they　weren't　the　devil's　own　creation；　Rick　decided；　then　he　didn't　ever　want　to　meet　their　maker。　For　no　god　could　have　loved　so　hideous　and　evil…looking　a　beast。

It　thrilled　him　to　realize　that　the　black　stickiness　coating　the　cavern's　floor　was　blood　from　these　things；　but　even　that　was　not　enough　to　wash　the　fear　out　of　him。　He　remembered　reading　somewhere　that　there　was　an　actual　endogenous　terror　hormone　certain　creatures　gave　rise　to　in　the　human　body；　and　indeed　he　seemed　to　remember　them　in　some　primal　corner　of　his　mind。　But　then　he　suddenly　recalled　where　he　had　actually　seen　them：　they　were　the　creatures　an　ancient　and　unknown　Praxian　hand　had　depicted　on　the　cave's　walls！


Tesla　was　amazed　by　the　Human　female's　strength。　He　had　finally　succeeded　in　dragging　her　backward　into　the　Beta's　cargo　space　and　now　had　both　of　Janice's　seemingly　frail　wrists　firmly　clasped　in　his　own　hands；　but　it　had　been　a　struggle　all　the　way。　Burak；　meanwhile；　had　slid　forward　into　the　cockpit　seat　to　handle　the　controls。　The　drive　module　was　looming　into　view　through　the　VT's　canopy；　right　on　schedule；　and　theirs　for　the　taking。

〃Wele　to　our　crew；〃　Tesla　was　saying　to　the　still…untamed　female。　〃Glad　to　have　you　aboard。〃　Jonathan　Wolff's　urgent　voice　could　be　heard　over　the　open　net。

Janice　twisted　around；　almost　breaking　free　of　his　hold；　and　glared　at　him。　〃Is　this　any　way　to　treat　a　guest？〃

〃If　I　let　you　free；　will　you　promise　to　behave？〃

Janice　gave　her　hea