{"id":23924,"date":"2025-04-24T00:25:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:25:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=23924"},"modified":"2025-04-24T00:25:44","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T16:25:44","slug":"10_invid_invasion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=23924","title":{"rendered":"10_invid_invasion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
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\n
\n
\nRobotech\uff1a\u3000Invid\u3000Invasion
\nBook\u300010\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000series
\nCopyright\u30001987\u3000by\u3000Jack\u3000McKinney
\n
\narranged\u3000by\u3000dayuan\u3000\uff07\u3000robotech\u3000zone\u3000\uff07
\n
\n
\n
\nPROLOGUE
\n
\nSomewhere\u3000a\u3000queen\u3000was\u3000weeping\u3002\u3002\u3002her\u3000children\u3000scattered\uff1b\u3000her\u3000regent\u3000a\u3000prisoner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000lust\uff1b\u3000at\u3000war\u3000with\u3000nature\u3000and\u3000enslaved\u3000to\u3000vengeance\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000dare\u3000we\u3000presume\u3000to\u3000read\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3000even\u3000now\uff1b\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000a\u3000path\u3000not\u3000taken\u2026one\u3000denied\u3000to\u3000us\u3000by\u3000gates\u3000and\u3000towers\u3000our\u3000senses\u3000cannot\u3000perceive\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000never\u3000will\uff1f
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000a\u3000prayer\uff1a\u3000A\u3000planet\u3000newly\u3000rich\u3000in\u3000the\u3000flower\u3000that\u3000was\u3000life\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000a\u3000profusion\u3000of\u3000such\u3000incredible\u3000nutrient\u3000wealth\u3000that\u3000her\u3000Sensor\u3000Nebulae\u3000had\u3000found\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000across\u3000the\u3000galaxy\u3002\u3000A\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000white\u3000world\u3000as\u3000distant\u3000from\u3000her\u3000Optera\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000from\u3000the\u3000peaceful\u3000form\u3000her\u3000consciousness\u3000once\u3000inhabited\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000yet\u3000Optera\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000half\u3000her\u3000children\u3002\u3000Left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000care\u3000of\u3000one\u3000who\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000his\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000what\u3000he\u3000fought\u3000so\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000had\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000but\u3000trapped\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000worn\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000lured\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000whose\u3000giant\u3000warriors\u3000had\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000possess\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000and\u3000dispossess\u3000its\u3000inhabitants\u3002\u3000But\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000how\u3000she\u3000had\u3000loved\u3000him\uff01\u3000Enough\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000from\u3000her\u3000very\u3000depths\u3000the\u3000ability\u3000to\u3000emulate\u3000him\u3002\u3000And\u3000later\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000a\u3000hatred\u3000keen\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000birth\u3000a\u3000warring\u3000nature\uff1b\u3000an\u3000army\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u3000to\u3000rival\u3000his\u2026to\u3000rival\u3000Zor’s\u3000own\uff01
\n
\nBut\u3000he\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000killed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000very\u3000soldiers\u3000her\u3000hatred\u3000had\u3000fashioned\u3002
\n
\nOh\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000these\u3000dark\u3000memories\uff01\u3000her\u3000ancient\u3000heart\u3000must\u3000have\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000rescued\u3000from\u3000these\u3000sorry\u3000realms\uff01\u3000Garuda\uff1b\u3000Spheris\uff1b\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000And\u3000this\u3000Haydon\u3000IV\u3000with\u3000its\u3000sterile\u3000flowers\u3000long\u3000awaiting\u3000the\u3000caress\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pollinators\u2026this\u3000coq\u3000fused\u3000world\u3000even\u3000my\u3000Inorganics\u3000cannot\u3000subdue\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000all\u3000these\u3000things\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000would\u3000gather\u3000the\u3000cosmic\u3000stuff\u3000of\u3000her\u3000race\u3000and\u3000make\u3000the\u3000jump\u3000to\u3000that\u3000world\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000Nebulae\u3000had\u3000located\u3002\u3000And\u3000woe\u3000to\u3000the\u3000life\u3000form\u3000that\u3000inhabited\u3000that\u3000world\uff01\u3000For\u3000nothing\u3000would\u3000prevent\u3000her\u3000from\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000home\u3000for\u3000her\u3000children\uff1b\u3000a\u3000home\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pletion\u3000of\u3000their\u3000grand\u3000evolutionary\u3000design\uff01
\n
\n
\nNews\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000exodus\u3000from\u3000Haydon\u3000IV\u3000spread\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Fourth\u3000Quadrant\u2026to\u3000Spheris\u3000and\u3000Garuda\u3000and\u3000Praxis\uff1b\u3000worlds\u3000already\u3000abandoned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000insectlike\u3000horde\uff1b\u3000worlds\u3000singled\u3000out\u3000by\u3000fate\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000backlash\u3000of\u3000Zor’s\u3000attempt\u3000at\u3000repense\uff1b\u3000nature’s\u3000cruel\u3000joke\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Tirolian\u3000scientist\u3000had\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000foliate\u3000them\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000Flowers\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000from\u3000Optera\uff1b\u3000an\u3000action\u3000that\u3000had\u3000sentenced\u3000that\u3000warm\u3000world’s\u3000sentient\u3000life\u2026form\u3000to\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000quest\u3000to\u3000relocate\u3000their\u3000nutrient\u3000grail\u3002\u3000But\u3000Zor’s\u3000experiments\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000discriminating\u3000plant\u2026choosy\u3000about\u3000where\u3000it\u3000would\u3000and\u3000would\u3000not\u3000put\u3000down\u3000roots\u2026and\u3000a\u3000malignantly\u3000loyal\u3000one\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n
\nDeriving\u3000as\u3000much\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000called\u3000out\u3000from\u3000Zor’s\u3000seeded\u3000worlds\u3000to\u3000its\u3000former\u3000guardian\/hosts\u3002\u3000Warlike\u3000and\u3000driven\u2026instincts\u3000born\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters’\u3000transgression\u2026the\u3000Invid\u3000answered\u3000those\u3000calls\u3002\u3000Their\u3000army\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000Inorganics\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000swarms\u3000to\u3000overwhelm\u3000and\u3000rule\uff1b\u3000and\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000paradises\u3000the\u3000founder\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\u3000had\u3000envisioned\uff1b\u3000were\u3000planets\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000beings\u3000his\u3000discoveries\u3000had\u3000all\u3000but\u3000doomed\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000now\u3000suddenly\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000off\u3000on\u3000a\u3000new\u3000quest\u3000that\u3000would\u3000take\u3000them\u3000clear\u3000across\u3000the\u3000galactic\u3000core\u3002
\n
\nTo\u3000Earth\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nWord\u3000of\u3000their\u3000departure\u3000reached\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3000aboard\u3000the\u3000Sentinel’s\u3000ships\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000seat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000bridge\u3000when\u3000the\u3000muniqu\uff1fwas\u3000received\u3002\u3000Thin\u3000and\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000a\u3000war\u2026weary\u3000veteran\u3000of\u3000countless\u3000battles\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000thirty\u2026five\u3000years\u3000old\u3000by\u3000Earth\u3000reckoning\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000vagaries\u3000of\u3000hyperspace\u3000travel\u3000put\u3000him\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000fifty\u3000or\u3000two\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000seventy\uff1b\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000how\u3000one\u3000figured\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000giant\u3000planet\u3000Fantoma\uff1b\u3000once\u3000home\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000viewports\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000foreground\u3000Rick\u3000could\u3000just\u3000discern\u3000the\u3000small\u3000inhabited\u3000moon\u3000called\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000dot\u3000against\u3000Fantoma’s\u3000barren\u3000face\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000such\u3000an\u3000insignificant\u3000world\u3000have\u3000unleashed\u3000so\u3000much\u3000evil\u3000on\u3000an\u3000unsuspecting\u3000galaxy\uff1f\u3000Rick\u3000wondered\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Lisa\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000humming\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000while\u3000she\u3000tapped\u3000a\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000mands\u3000into\u3000her\u3000console\u3002\u3000His\u3000wife\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000stayed\u3000together\u3000through\u3000thick\u3000and\u3000thin\u3000these\u3000past\u3000eleven\u3000years\uff1b\u3000although\u3000they\u3000had\u3000had\u3000their\u3000share\u3000of\u3000disagreements\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000Rick\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000Sentinels\u2026Baldon\uff1b\u3000Teal\uff1b\u3000Crysta\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u2026and\u3000pursue\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nWho\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000would\u3000e\u3000to\u3000this\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000himself\u3002\u3000A\u3000mission\u3000whose\u3000purpose\u3000had\u3000been\u3000peace\u3000at\u3000war\u3000with\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000and\u3000his\u3000grand\u3000designs\u3000of\u3000empire\u3002\u3002\u3002how\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000regent\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000how\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000history\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000fleet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000conquer\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000be\u3000used\u3000to\u3000battle\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002
\n
\nProviding\u3000the\u3000fleet\u3000reached\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000still\u3000major\u3000problems\u3000with\u3000the\u3000spacefold\u3000system\u3000Lang\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Tirolian\u3000Cabell\u3000had\u3000designed\u3002\u3000Some\u3000missing\u3000ingredient\u3002\u3002\u3002Major\u3000Carpenter\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000heard\u3000from\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000and\u3000Jupiter\u3000Group\u3000attack\u3000wings\u3000were\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000fold\uff1b\u3000with\u3000almost\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000Veritechs\u3000between\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nRick\u3000exhaled\u3000slowly\u3000and\u3000deliberately\uff1b\u3000loud\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Lisa\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000and\u3000turn\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000smile\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000it\u3000was\u3000fitting\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000should\u3000end\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000list\uff1b\u3000Rick\u3000decided\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000could\u3000have\u3000happened\u3000there\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000them\u3000in\u3000such\u3000unprecedented\u3000numbers\uff1f\u3000Rick\u3000shuddered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nPerhaps\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000where\u3000the\u3000final\u3000battle\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fought\u3002
\n
\n
\nRavaged\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000and\u3000their\u3000gargantuan\u3000agents\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000miracle\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Looking\u3000on\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000from\u3000deep\u3000space\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000appeared\u3000unchanged\uff1a\u3000its\u3000beautiful\u3000oceans\u3000and\u3000swirling\u3000masses\u3000of\u3000cloud\uff1b\u3000its\u3000silver\u3000satellite\uff1b\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000any\u3000beacon\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quadrant\u3002\u3000But\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\u3000revealed\u3000the\u3000scars\u3000and\u3000disfigurations\u3000those\u3000invasions\u3000had\u3000wrought\u3002\u3000The\u3000northern\u3000hemisphere\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000a\u3000barren\u3000waste\uff1b\u3000forested\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rusting\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000Dolza’s\u3000ill\u2026fated\u3000four\u2026million\u2026ship\u3000armada\u3002\u3000Great\u3000cities\u3000of\u3000gleaming\u3000concrete\uff1b\u3000steel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000glass\u3000towers\u3000lay\u3000ruined\u3000and\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000Wide\u3000highways\u3000and\u3000graceful\u3000bridges\u3000were\u3000cratered\u3000and\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000Airports\uff1b\u3000schools\uff1b\u3000hospitals\uff1b\u3000sports\u3000plexes\uff1b\u3000industrial\u3000and\u3000residential\u3000zones\u3002\u3002\u3002reduced\u3000to\u3000rubble\uff1b\u3000unmarked\u3000graveyards\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000fifteen\u2026year\u3000period\u3000of\u3000peace\u2026that\u3000tranquil\u3000prologue\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Masters’\u3000arrival\u2026saw\u3000the\u3000resurrection\u3000of\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000things\u3000the\u3000twentieth\u3000century\u3000had\u3000all\u3000but\u3000taken\u3000for\u3000granted\u3002\u3000Cities\u3000had\u3000rebuilt\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3002\u3000But\u3000humankind\u3000was\u3000now\u3000a\u3000different\u3000species\u3000from\u3000that\u3000which\u3000had\u3000originally\u3000raised\u3000those\u3000towering\u3000sculptures\u3000of\u3000stone\u3002\u3000Post\u2026Cataclysmites\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000feudal\uff1b\u3000warring\u3000breed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000distrustful\u3000of\u3000one\u3000another\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000of\u3000those\u3000stars\u3000their\u3000hopeful\u3000ancestors\u3000had\u3000once\u3000wished\u3000upon\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000as\u3000some\u3000have\u3000claimed\uff1b\u3000Earth\u3000actually\u3000called\u3000in\u3000its\u3000second\u3000period\u3000of\u3000catastrophe\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000bent\u3000on\u3000adhering\u3000to\u3000some\u3000self\u2026fulfilling\u3000prophecy\u3000of\u3000doom\u3002\u3000The\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000for\u3000that\u3000matter\uff1a\u3000The\u3000two\u3000races\u3000met\u3000and\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000an\u3000unspoken\u3000agreement\u3000for\u3000mutual\u3000annihilation\u2026a\u3000paving\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000for\u3000what\u3000would\u3000follow\u3002
\n
\nThose\u3000who\u3000still\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000blame\u3000Protoculture\u3000trace\u3000the\u3000genesis\u3000of\u3000this\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Zor\uff1b\u3000Aquarian\u2026age\u3000Prometheus\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000gift\u3000to\u3000the\u3000galaxy\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Pandora’s\u3000box\u3000he\u3000willingly\u3000opened\u3002\u3000Displaced\u3000and\u3000repressed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000had\u3000rebelled\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000chains\uff1b\u3000molecular\u3000or\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000containing\u3000its\u3000power\u3002\u3000That\u3000Zor\uff1b\u3000resurrected\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Elders\u3000of\u3000his\u3000race\u3000for\u3000their\u3000dark\u3000purposes\uff1b\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000free\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000from\u3000its\u3000Matrix\u3000is\u3000now\u3000seen\u3000as\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Protoculture’s\u3000equation\u3002\u3000Equally\u3000so\uff1b\u3000that\u3000that\u3000liberation\u3000should\u3000call\u3000forth\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002
\n
\n
\nThey\u3000came\u3000without\u3000warning\uff1a\u3000a\u3000swarm\u3000of\u3000monsters\u3000and\u3000mecha\u3000folded\u3000across\u3000space\u3000and\u3000time\u3000by\u3000their\u3000leader\/queen\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000through\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000psychic\u3000will\u3002\u3000They\u3000did\u3000not\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000announce\u3000themselves\u3000the\u3000way\u3000their\u3000former\u3000enemies\u3000had\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000did\u3000they\u3000delay\u3000their\u3000invasion\u3000to\u3000puzzle\u3000out\u3000humankind’s\u3000strengths\u3000and\u3000weaknesses\uff1b\u3000quirks\u3000and\u3000foibles\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000need\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000whether\u3000Earth\u3000did\u3000or\u3000did\u3000not\u3000have\u3000what\u3000they\u3000sought\uff1b\u3000their\u3000Sensor\u3000Nebulae\u3000had\u3000already\u3000alerted\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000found\u3000patible\u3000soil\u3000and\u3000climate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000white\u3000world\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000was\u3000required\u3000were\u3000the\u3000Pollinators\uff1b\u3000a\u3000missing\u3000element\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters’\u3000equations\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000already\u3000had\u3000dealings\u3000with\u3000Earthlings\uff1b\u3000having\u3000battled\u3000them\u3000on\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000planets\uff1b\u3000including\u3000Tirol\u3000itself\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000resilient\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000on\u3000Haydon\u3000IV\uff1b\u3000Spheris\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000pathetic\u3000lot\u3000on\u3000their\u3000homeworld\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000week\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000conquered\u3000the\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000destroying\u3000the\u3000orbiting\u3000factory\u3000satellite\u2026an\u3000ironic\u3000end\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000aboard\u2026laying\u3000to\u3000waste\u3000city\u3000after\u3000city\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dismissing\u3000with\u3000very\u3000little\u3000effort\u3000the\u3000vestiges\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3002\u3000Depleted\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000charges\u3000necessary\u3000to\u3000fuel\u3000their\u3000Robo\u2026technological\u3000war\u3000machines\uff1b\u3000those\u3000warriors\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000so\u3000valiantly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000on\u3000a\u3000small\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000nuclear\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000conventional\u3000ordnance\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000plasma\u3000and\u3000laser\u2026array\u3000superiority\u3002
\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000if\u3000Protoculture\u3000had\u3000been\u3000available\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000for\u3000their\u3000Hovertanks\u3000and\u3000Alpha\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000there\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000gross\u3000problems\u3000to\u3000overe\uff1a\u3000the\u3000two\u3000years\u3000since\u3000the\u3000mutual\u3000annihilation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000and\u3000Anatole\u3000Leonard’s\u3000mand\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000civilization’s\u3000unchecked\u3000slide\u3000into\u3000lawlessness\u3000and\u3000barbarism\u3002\u3000Cities\u3000became\u3000city\u2026states\u3000and\u3000warred\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000rose\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000positions\u3000of\u3000power\u3000only\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000even\u3000more\u3000swiftly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000greater\u3000military\u3000might\u3002\u3000Greed\u3000and\u3000butchery\u3000ruled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000little\u3000remained\u3000of\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000hemisphere’s\u3000dignity\u3000collapsed\u3002
\n
\nThough\u3000certain\u3000cities\u3000remained\u3000strong\u2026Mannatan\uff1b\u3000for\u3000example\u3000\uff08formerly\u3000New\u3000York\u3000City\uff09\u2026the\u3000centers\u3000of\u3000power\u3000shifted\u3000southward\uff1b\u3000into\u3000Brazilas\u3000especially\u3000\uff08the\u3000former\u3000Zentraedi\u3000Control\u3000Zone\uff09\uff1b\u3000where\u3000growth\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sure\u3000and\u3000steady\u3000since\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000return\u3000to\u3000devastated\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000the\u3000founding\u3000of\u3000New\u3000Macross\u3000and\u3000its\u3000sister\u3000city\uff1b\u3000Monument\u3002
\n
\nUnlike\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Tirol\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000not\u3000inclined\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000or\u3000exterminate\u3000humankind\u3002\u3000Quite\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1a\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000found\u3000favorable\u3000conditions\u3000for\u3000growth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000enough\u3000in\u3000her\u3000campaign\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Tirolians\u3000and\u3000the\u3000so\u2026called\u3000Sentinels\u3000to\u3000recognize\u3000the\u3000continuing\u3000need\u3000for\u3000technology\u3002\u3000Gone\u3000was\u3000the\u3000blissful\u3000tranquillity\u3000of\u3000Optera\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000experiment\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000carried\u3000forth\u3000to\u3000its\u3000conclusion\u3000nonetheless\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000well\u3000suited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000purpose\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000disarming\u3000and\u3000occupying\u3000the\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000believed\u3000she\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000halfway\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000goal\u3002\u3000By\u3000utilizing\u3000a\u3000percentage\u3000of\u3000Humans\u3000to\u3000cultivate\u3000and\u3000harvest\u3000the\u3000Flowers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000free\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000out\u3000her\u3000experiments\u3000uninterrupted\u3002\u3000The\u3000central\u3000hive\uff1b\u3000which\u3000came\u3000to\u3000be\u3000called\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Great\u3000Work\uff1b\u3000but\u3000secondary\u3000hives\u3000were\u3000soon\u3000in\u3000place\u3000across\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000sectors\u3000of\u3000her\u3000empire\u3002\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000was\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000let\u3000humankind\u3000survive\u3000until\u3000such\u3000time\u3000as\u3000the\u3000work\u3000neared\u3000pletion\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000rid\u3000herself\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000not\u3000taken\u3000into\u3000account\uff1a\u3000the\u3000very\u3000warriors\u3000she\u3000had\u3000fought\u3000tooth\u3000and\u3000claw\u3000on\u3000those\u3000worlds\u3000once\u3000seeded\u3000by\u3000Zor\u3002\u3000Enslave\u3000a\u3000world\u3000she\u3000might\uff1b\u3000but\u3000take\u3000it\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\uff1f
\n
\nNever\uff01
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000ONE
\n
\nThe\u3000armada\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000ships\u3000T\u3002R\u3002\u3000Edwards\u3000had\u3000amassed\u3000for\u3000his\u3000planned\u3000invasion\u3000and\u3000conquest\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000be\u3000put\u3000to\u3000that\u3000very\u3000use\u3000years\u3000later\u3000when\u3000Admiral\u3000Hunter\u3000sent\u3000them\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000Adding\u3000irony\u3000to\u3000irony\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3000mentioned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000warships\u3000had\u3000serious\u3000design\u3000flaws\u3000which\u3000went\u3000unnoticed\u3000during\u3000their\u3000use\u3000on\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000Assuming\u3000this\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000case\u3000even\u3000if\u3000Edwards\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000persevere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000would\u3000have\u3000failed\u3002\u3000Destiny\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000Edwards\u3000the\u3000crown\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000justified\u3000to\u3000wear\u3000and\u3000likewise\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000Hunter\u3000the\u3000quick\u3000victory\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000justified\u3000to\u3000claim\u3002
\nSelig\u3000Kahler\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Tirolian\u3000Campaign
\n
\nA\u3000fleet\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000warships\u3000moved\u3000into\u3000attack\u3000formation\u3000above\u3000the\u3000Moon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mixed\u3000school\u3000of\u3000gleaming\u3000predators\uff1b\u3000radiant\u3000where\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000sun\u3000touched\u3000their\u3000armored\u3000hulls\u3000and\u3000alloy\u3000fins\u3002\u3000Each\u3000carried\u3000in\u3000its\u3000belly\u3000a\u3000score\u3000or\u3000more\u3000of\u3000Veritech\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000sleek\uff1b\u3000transformable\u3000mecha\u3000developed\u3000and\u3000perfected\u3000over\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000past\u3000thirty\u3000years\u3002\u3000And\u3000inside\u3000each\u3000of\u3000these\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pilot\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000die\u3000for\u3000a\u3000world\u3000unseen\u3002\u3000War\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000agenda\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000hold\u3000aboard\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000vessels\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000love\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000clean\u2026shaven\u3000youth\u3000going\u3000on\u3000twenty\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000long\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mother\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000his\u3000blue\u2026black\u3000hair\u3000bed\u3000straight\u3000back\u3000from\u3000his\u3000high\u3000forehead\u2026save\u3000for\u3000that\u3000undisciplined\u3000strand\u3000that\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000forward\u2026making\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000appear\u3000more\u3000prominent\u3000than\u3000they\u3000actually\u3000were\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\u3000uniform\u2026simple\u3000gray\u3000tight\u2026fitting\u3000pants\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000high\u3000boots\u3000and\u3000a\u3000short\u2026sleeved\u3000ornately\u3000collared\u3000top\u3000worn\u3000over\u3000a\u3000crimson\u2026colored\u3000synthcloth\u3000bodysuit\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mars\u3000Group\u3000patch\u3000adorned\u3000the\u3000young\u3000man’s\u3000shirt\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000name\u3000was\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u2026Lieutenant\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u2026and\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000homeing\u3000of\u3000sorts\u3002\u3000That\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000coupled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000anxieties\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000concerning\u3000the\u3000imminent\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000had\u3000put\u3000him\u3000in\u3000an\u3000impassioned\u3000frame\u3000of\u3000mind\u3002\u3000The\u3000fortunate\u3000recipient\u3000of\u3000this\u3000not\u2026so\u2026sudden\u3000desire\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000dark\u2026eyed\u3000teenager\u3000named\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000a\u3000good\u3000six\u3000inches\u3000shorter\u3000than\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000with\u3000milk\u2026chocolate\u2026brown\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000shapely\u3000legs\u3000enhanced\u3000by\u3000the\u3000uniform’s\u3000short\u3000skirt\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000Marlene’s\u3000small\u3000face\u3000cupped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000while\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000lovingly\u3000into\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000As\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000slid\u3000to\u3000her\u3000narrow\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000full\u3000against\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000stifling\u3000the\u3000protest\u3000her\u3000more\u3000cautious\u3000nature\u3000wished\u3000to\u3000give\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000and\u3000urging\u3000her\u3000to\u3000respond\u3002\u3000Which\u3000she\u3000did\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000moan\u3000of\u3000pleasure\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000flat\u3000against\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Marry\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000after\u3000she\u3000had\u3000broken\u3000off\u3000their\u3000embrace\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000himself\u3000say\u3000it\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000applauded\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000for\u3000finally\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000nerve\u3000up\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Marlene’s\u3000response\u3000was\u3000a\u3000separate\u3000issue\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000surprised\u3000gasp\u3000probably\u3000said\u3000the\u3000same\uff1a\u3000that\u3000she\u3000too\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000getting\u3000around\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000nervous\u3000hands\u3000at\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000it\u3000an\u3000attitude\u3000of\u3000prayer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000pressed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000coyly\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000didn’t\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000tone\u3000and\u3000reacted\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slapped\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000my\u3000father\u3000first\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marlene\u3000continued\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000tone\uff1b\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000still\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003\u3000When\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000around\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3000slack\u3000jawed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000they’re\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Tirol\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000here\u3000for\u2026\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000understood\u3000at\u3000once\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000literally\u3000known\u3000her\u3000for\u3000her\u3000entire\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000still\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000putting\u3000him\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\u3000was\u3000smiling\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000beaming\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000shrill\u3000of\u3000sirens\u3000collapsed\u3000her\u3000happiness\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Defold\u3000operation\u3000plete\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000said\u3000over\u3000the\u3000PA\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000wing\u3000manders\u3000report\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000for\u3000final\u3000briefing\u3000and\u3000bat\u3000assignments\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott’s\u3000lips\u3000were\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000line\u3000when\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Answer\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3002\u3000I\u3000might\u3000not\u3000get\u3000another\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000mand\u3000ship\u3000bridge\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000no\u2026nonsense\u3000affair\uff1b\u3000with\u3000two\u3000duty\u3000stations\u3000squeezed\u3000between\u3000the\u3000wraparound\u3000viewports\u3000and\u3000four\u3000more\u3000back\u3000to\u3000back\u3000behind\u3000these\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spaciousness\u3000and\u3000calm\u3000that\u3000had\u3000characterized\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000here\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000a\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000put\u3000duty\u3000first\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000something\u3000like\u3000the\u3000first\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000to\u3000elicit\u3000any\u3000casual\u3000conversation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000then\u3000the\u3000ments\u3000would\u3000have\u3000surprised\u3000some\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000so\u3000excited\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000tech\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000hardly\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000Earth\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000after\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\u3002’
\n
\nmander\u3000Gardner\u3000seated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000station\u3000of\u3000starboard\u3000pair\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000this\u3000and\u3000laughed\u3000bitterly\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000served\u3000under\u3000Gloval\u3000during\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3000and\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000Hunter\u3000since\u3002\u3000His\u3000thick\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000mustache\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000silver\u3000these\u3000past\u3000few\u3000years\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000retained\u3000a\u3000youthful\u3000energy\u3000and\u3000the\u3000unwavering\u3000loyalty\u3000of\u3000his\u3000young\u3000crew\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000woman\u3000tech\u3000who\u3000had\u3000spoken\u3000was\u3000all\u3000of\u3000seventeen\u3000years\u3000old\uff1b\u3000born\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000space\u3000like\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shipmates\u3002\u3000Gardner\u3000wished\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000could\u3000have\u3000showed\u3000her\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000of\u3000forty\u3000years\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000teeming\u3000with\u3000life\uff1b\u3000wild\u3000and\u3000wonderful\u3000and\u3000blissfully\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ing\u3000tide\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000does\u3000it\u3000matter\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000tech’s\u3000male\u3000console\u3000mate\u3000answered\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000planet’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000another\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Robotech\u3000ships\u3000are\u3000all\u3000I’ve\u3000known\u2026all\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000setting\u3000foot\u3000on\u3000your\u3000homeworld\uff1f\u3000Our\u3000parents\u3000were\u3000born\u3000here\u3002\u3000And\u3000their\u3000parents\uff1b\u3000right\u3000on\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000ancestors\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGardner\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000copilot’s\u3000shrug\u3000of\u3000indifference\u3000clear\u3000across\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000another\u3000Invid\u3000colony\uff1b\u3000color\u3000it\u3000what\u3000you\u3000will\u3002\u3000So\u3000this\u3000place\u3000is\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000Spheris\u3000was\u3000brown\u3002\u3000It\u3000doesn’t\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Spoken\u3000like\u3000a\u3000true\u3000romantic\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000copilot\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000get\u3000romantic\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000grubbing\u3000around\u3000the\u3000old\u3000homestead\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000Protoculture\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nmander\u3000Gardner\u3000was\u3000hanging\u3000on\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000when\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000hissed\u3000open\u3000suddenly\u3000and\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Bernard\u3000entered\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Alpha\u3000Group\u3000is\u3000just\u3000about\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000launch\uff1b\u3003\u3000Bernard\u3000reported\u3002
\n
\nGardner\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000and\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000contoured\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000signaling\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000techs\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000PA\u3000system\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Most\u3000of\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000for\u3000those\u3000who\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000this\u3000mission\u3000is\u3000all\u3000about\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000simply\u3000this\uff1a\u3000Several\u3000months\u3000ago\u3000we\u3000became\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Sensor\u3000Nebulae\u3000had\u3000located\u3000some\u3000new\u3000and\u3000apparently\u3000enormous\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002\u3000The\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000transmissions\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Regis\u3000moved\u3000quickly\u3000to\u3000secure\u3000the\u3000Flowers\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000murderous\u3000intent\u3000she\u3000demonstrated\u3000on\u3000Spheris\u3000and\u3000Haydon\u3000IV\u3000and\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000other\u3000worlds\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000you\u3000about\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000should\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000you\u3000about\u3000what\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000face\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000probable\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000decimated\u3000Wolff’s\u3000forces\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000number\u3000more\u3000than\u3000four\u3000times\u3000the\u3000units\u3000under\u3000his\u3000mand\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000techs\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000locked\u3000on\u3000Gardner\u3000and\u3000grim\u3000faces\u3000set\uff1b\u3000were\u3000giving\u3000silent\u3000support\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mander’s\u3000words\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000briefing\uff1b\u3000whispering\u3000her\u3000apologies\u3000and\u3000seating\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000her\u3000duty\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n d\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000briefing\uff1b\u3000whispering\u3000her\u3000apologies\u3000and\u3000seating\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000her\u3000duty\u3000station\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Admiral\u3000Hunter\u3000has\u3000entrusted\u3000us\u3000to\u3000spearhead\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000military\u3000operation\u3000to\u3000invade\u3000and\u3000reclaim\u3000our\u3000homeworld\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Gardner\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000know\u3000that\u3000I\u3000can\u3000count\u3000on\u3000every\u3000one\u3000of\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000firm\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000admiral’s\u3000conviction\u3000that\u3000we\u3000can\u3000lay\u3000the\u3000foundations\u3000for\u3000his\u3000second\u3000wave\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000inclined\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000God\u3000have\u3000mercy\u3000on\u3000our\u3000souls\u3002\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000brief\u3000silence\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000navigator’s\u3000update\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003Earth\u3000orbit\u3000in\u3000three\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000mander\u3002\u3000Placing\u3000visual\u3000display\u3000on\u3000the\u3000monitor\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nEveryone\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000screen\u3002\u3000Orbital\u3000schematics\u3000de\u2026rezzed\u3000and\u3000were\u3000replaced\u3000by\u3000a\u3000full\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000all\u3000seen\u3000photos\u3000and\u3000video\u3000images\u3000galore\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000inspired\u3000awe\u3000nevertheless\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3003\u3000someone\u3000said\u3002\u3000And\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000Fantoma\u3000or\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000it\u3000most\u3000certainly\u3000was\uff1a\u3000snow\u2026white\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000blue\u3000oceans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000variegated\u3000land\u3000masses\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000of\u3000it\u3000patterned\u3000by\u3000swirling\u3000clouds\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000puter\u2026generated\u3000grid\u3000assembled\u3000itself\u3000over\u3000the\u3000image\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000ship\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000close\u3002\u3000At\u3000her\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000Earth\u3000looks\u3000like\u3002\u3002\u3002I’d\u3000almost\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000mander\u3000called\u3000for\u3000scanning\u3000to\u3000be\u3000initiated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000grid\u3000was\u3000highlighting\u3000an\u3000area\u3000located\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000continents\u3002\u3000Data\u3000readouts\u3000scrolled\u3000across\u3000an\u3000adjacent\u3000display\u3000screen\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Full\u3000magnification\u3000and\u3000color\u3000enhancement\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gardner\u3000barked\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000to\u3000study\u3000her\u3000screen\u3002\u3000The\u3000forward\u3000monitor\u3000was\u3000displaying\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000red\u3000image\uff1b\u3000not\u3000softened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\u3000by\u3000Earth’s\u3000inviting\u3000cloud\u3000cover\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000this\u3000was\u3000but\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000puter\u3000to\u3000pare\u3000the\u3000present\u3000readings\u3000with\u3000those\u3000logged\u3000in\u3000its\u3000memory\u3000banks\u3002\u3000She\u3000sensed\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000high\u2026backed\u3000chair\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000it\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000her\u3000screen\u3000strobing\u3000encouragement\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000central\u3000hive\u3002\u3000Designation\u3002\u3002\u3002Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marlene\u3000read\u3000from\u3000the\u3000data\u3000scroll\u3002\u3000\u3003Picking\u3000up\u3000energy\u3000flux\u3000readings\u3000and\u3000multiple\u3000radar\u3000contacts\u3002\u3002\u3002waiting\u3000for\u3000signature\u3002\u3003
\n
\nGardner\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000her\u3000briefly\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000forward\u3000once\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000visuals\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000possible\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000instructed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000techs\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000transport\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marlene\u3000said\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nGardner’s\u3000nostrils\u3000flared\u3002\u3000\u3003Prepare\u3000to\u3000repel\u3002\u3003
\n
\nTechs\u3000were\u3000already\u3000bending\u3000over\u3000the\u3000consoles\u3000tapping\u3000in\u3000mands\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000a\u3000veritable\u3000light\u3000show\u3000of\u3000flashing\u3000screens\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Two\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000contact\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000navigator\u3000informed\u3000Gardner\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000sections\u3000standing\u3000by\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Auto\u2026astrogator\u3000is\u3000off\u3002\u3002\u3002Ship’s\u3000shields\u3000raised\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000flipped\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000switches\u3002\u3000\u3003Net\u3000is\u3000open\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gardner\u3000said\u3000decisively\u3002\u3000\u3003Issue\u3000the\u3000go\u3000signal\u3000to\u3000all\u3000Veritechs\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003One\u3000minute\u3000and\u3000counting\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000mander\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000up\u3000to\u3000your\u3000squads\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000their\u3000lines\u3000and\u3000set\u3000these\u3000ships\u3000down\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000saluted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Gardner\u3000returned\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000luck\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000added\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000count\u3000on\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000from\u3000her\u3000station\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000past\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000leaned\u3000down\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000surprised\u3000him\u3000by\u3000placing\u3000a\u3000heart\u2026shaped\u3000holo\u2026locket\u3000into\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000this\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000regarding\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000my\u3000way\u3000of\u3000saying\u3000\u2018good\u3000luck\u3002’\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000thanked\u3000her\u3000and\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000that\u3000kiss\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000Resurfaced\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000Gardner\u3000and\u3000the\u3000techs\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000another\u3000crisp\u3000salute\u3000and\u3000rushed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Good\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000sweetheart\uff1b’\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000techs\u3000stationed\u3000behind\u3000Marlene\u3000mimicked\u3000not\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000after\u3000Scott\u3000left\u3002\u3000\u3003\u2018And\u3000here’s\u3000a\u3000token\u3000of\u3000my\u3000undying\u3000love\u3002’\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000poked\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Marf\u3000and\u3000one\u3000who\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000called\u3000Red\u3000were\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Knock\u3000it\u3000off\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000the\u3000razzing\u2026personal\u3000time\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000e\u3000by\u3000aboard\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott’s\u3000open\u3000displays\u3000of\u3000affection\u3000only\u3000added\u3000fuel\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fire\u2026but\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000it\u3000right\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1f\u3003\u3000Red\u3000said\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\u3000absence\u3000makes\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000grow\u3000fonder\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000swiveled\u3000about\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cushioned\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000hid\u3000her\u3000face\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000it\u3000could\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000managed\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000verge\u3000of\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000let\u3000them\u3000get\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000supporters\u3000at\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000stations\u3000called\u3000out\u3000while\u3000Red\u3000laughed\u3002
\n
\ne\u3000back\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000she\u3000prayed\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000give\u3000my\u3000life\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000safe\u3002
\n
\n
\nGardner’s\u3000mand\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fleet’s\u3000many\u3000transport\u3000vessels\u2026delicate\u2026looking\u3000ships\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000swans\u3000in\u3000flight\uff1b\u3000with\u3000long\uff1b\u3000tapering\u3000necks\u3000and\u3000thin\u3000swept\u2026back\u3000wings\u3000under\u3000each\u3000of\u3000which\u3000was\u3000affixed\u3000a\u3000boxcarlike\u3000Veritech\u3000carrier\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000his\u3000body\u3000sheathed\u3000in\u3000lime\u2026green\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000was\u3000strapping\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000now\u3002\u3000Fifteen\u3000years\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000only\u3000minor\u3000changes\u3000in\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000craft\u3002\u3000Lang’s\u3000Robotech\u3000design\u3000team\u3000had\u3000maintained\u3000the\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000caps\u3003\u3000and\u3000sensor\u2026studded\u3000mitts\u3000and\u3000boots\u3000that\u3000were\u3000so\u3000characteristic\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u2026generation\u3000VT\u3000pilots\u3002\u3000Armor\u3000itself\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000somewhat\u3000bulky\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000these\u3000third\u2026generation\u3000warriors\u3000were\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000ground\u2026assault\u3000missions\u3000as\u3000often\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000space\u3000strikes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gladiatorial\u3000styling\u3000favored\u3000by\u3000Lang’s\u3000counterparts\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000main\u3000engine\u3000and\u3000boosters\u3000are\u3000in\u3000top\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000launch\u3000tech\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000bin\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000before\u3000he\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3000luck\u3000and\u3000good\u3000hunting\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000flashed\u3000him\u3000a\u3000thumbs\u2026up\u3000as\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000sealed\u3000itself\u3002\u3000\u3003Thanks\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000over\u3000the\u3000externals\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000seein’\u3000you\u3000Earthside\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFlashes\u3000of\u3000green\u3000and\u3000red\u3000light\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000displays\u3000played\u3000across\u3000the\u3000tinted\u3000faceshield\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000helmet\u3000as\u3000he\u3000activated\u3000and\u3000engaged\u3000one\u3000after\u3000another\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech’s\u3000plex\u3000systems\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000mander\u3000Bernard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Twenty\u2026first\u3000Armored\u3000Tactical\u3000Assault\u3000Squadron\uff1b\u3000Mars\u3000Division\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000announced\u3000over\u3000the\u3000\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Condition\u3000is\u3000green\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000are\u3000go\u3000for\u3000launch\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000flight\u3000bay\u3000is\u3000open\uff1b\u3003\u3000control\u3000radioed\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000cleared\u3000for\u3000launch\uff1b\u3000mander\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000start\u3000as\u3000bay\u3000doors\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000carrier\u3000retracted\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloud\u2026studded\u3000deep\u2026blue\u3000oceans\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000field\u3000of\u3000vision\u3002\u3000The\u3000sight\u3000elicited\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000vertigo\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000experienced\u3000before\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000prehend\u3000a\u3000planet\u3000with\u3000so\u3000much\u3000water\uff1b\u3000a\u3000liquid\u3000world\u3000that\u3000offered\u3000so\u3000little\u3000surface\u3002\u3002\u3002but\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000himself\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Mars\u3000Division\u3000attack\u3000wing\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000over\u3000the\u3000net\uff1b\u3000\u3003let’s\u3000do\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritech\u3000lurched\u3000somewhat\u3000as\u3000the\u3000bin\u3000conveyers\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3000the\u3000fighters\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000bay\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000grappler\u3000pylons\u3000that\u3000would\u3000convey\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000from\u3000belt\u3000to\u3000vacuum\u3000had\u3000already\u3000attached\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000He\u3000readied\u3000himself\u3000at\u3000the\u3000controls\uff1b\u3000urging\u3000his\u3000body\u3000to\u3000relax\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000meld\u3000with\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000systems\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000grapplers\u3000release\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000drifting\u3000weightlessly\uff1b\u3000before\u3000he\u3000engaged\u3000the\u3000thrusters\u3000that\u3000bore\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000transport\u3000carrier\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000look\u3000alive\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000as\u3000his\u3000wingmen\u3000came\u3000alongside\u3000to\u3000signal\u3000their\u3000readiness\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000we\u3000join\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000main\u3000formation\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000eyes\u3000open\u3000and\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3003\u3000Earthspace\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000mecha\u3000now\uff1b\u3000some\u3000two\u3000thousand\u3000Veritechs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000descent\u3000over\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000world\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000heard\u3000mander\u3000Gardner’s\u3000voice\u3000over\u3000the\u3000\u3000net\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000wing\u3000manders\u3000maintain\u3000loose\u3000battle\u3000formation\u3002\u3002\u3002prepare\u3000to\u3000break\u3000off\u3000for\u3000individual\u3000bat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000first\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000enemy\u3000hostility\u3002\u3000It\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000long\u3000in\u3000ing\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000is\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000who\u3000made\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000\uff08so\u3000named\u3000by\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000attachment\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000and\u3000its\u3000brethren\u3000worlds\uff09\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000uniqueness\u3000of\u3000their\u3000position\uff1a\u3000Their\u3000invasion\u3000represented\u3000humankind’s\u3000first\u3000deliberate\u3000offensive\u3000against\u3000an\u3000XT\u3000force\u3002\u3000Up\u3000to\u3000that\u3000point\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000on\u3000the\u3000defensive\uff1b\u3000counterstriking\u3000first\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000then\u3000those\u3000giants’\u3000Tirolian\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lastly\u3000\uff08and\u3000unsuccessfully\uff09\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000day\u3000was\u3000a\u3000red\u2026letter\u3000event\uff1b\u3000if\u3000not\u3000the\u3000turning\u3000point\u3000Hunter\u3000and\u3000numerous\u3000others\u3000had\u3000all\u3000hoped\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000below\u3000him\u3000at\u3000nine\u3000o’clock\uff1b\u3000surfacing\u3000through\u3000Earth’s\u3000atmosphere\u3000at\u3000an\u3000alarming\u3000rate\u3002\u3000An\u3000Invid\u3000troop\u3000carrier\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000so\u2026called\u3000Mollusk\u3000Carriers\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Here\u3000they\u3000are\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000to\u3000his\u3000wingmen\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000clamshell\u2026shaped\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000yawning\u3000now\uff1b\u3000revealing\u3000an\u3000arena\u3000array\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003Fall\u3000in\u3000on\u3000my\u3000signal\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWhen\u3000Scott\u3000looked\u3000again\u3000a\u3000split\u3000second\u3000later\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000column\u3000launched\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000was\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000on\u3000an\u3000ascent\u3000to\u3000engage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ships’\u3000crablike\u3000hulls\u3000and\u3000pincer\u3000arms\u3000a\u3000gleaming\u3000golden\u2026brown\u3000in\u3000Sol’s\u3000intense\u3000light\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000gonna\u3000see\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000hostility\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000muttered\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000his\u3000squadron\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000space\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000Scott’s\u3000mand\u3000the\u3000pilots\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Twenty\u2026first\u3000thumbed\u3000off\u3000flocks\u3000of\u3000heat\u2026seeker\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000which\u3000streaked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ascending\u3000column\u3002\u3000Short\u2026lived\u3000explosions\u3000of\u3000violent\u3000fight\u3000blossomed\u3000against\u3000Earth’s\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000white\u3000backdrop\u3002\u3000The\u3000VTs\u3000continued\u3000their\u3000silent\u3000descents\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000second\u3000and\u3000third\u3000salvos\u3000of\u3000red\u2026tipped\u3000demons\u3000against\u3000that\u3000horde\u3000which\u3000had\u3000overwhelmed\u3000their\u3000world\u3002\u3000And\u3000countless\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000flamed\u3000out\u3000and\u3000fried\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000matter\u3002\u3000For\u3000every\u3000one\u3000taken\u3000out\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000that\u3000survived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thos \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n nd\u3000fried\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000matter\u3002\u3000For\u3000every\u3000one\u3000taken\u3000out\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000that\u3000survived\uff1b\u3000and\u3000those\u3000which\u3000broke\u3000through\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000began\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000back\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000there\u3000were\u3000creatures\u3000inside\u3000each\u3000of\u3000those\u3000ships\u2026huge\u3000bipedal\u3000mockeries\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000form\uff1b\u3000with\u3000massive\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000heads\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000elongated\u3000snouts\u3002
\n
\nUnlike\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000and\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000relied\u3000on\u3000numbers\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000firepower\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000a\u3000seemingly\u3000endless\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000Battlepods\u3000and\u3000an\u3000armada\u3000of\u3000ships\u3000four\u3000million\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000but\u3000by\u3000and\u3000large\u3000the\u3000war\u3000was\u3000fought\u3000in\u3000conventional\u3000terms\u3002\u3000Up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000this\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000the\u3000case\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000number\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000on\u3000both\u3000sides\u3000substantially\u3000reduced\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000humankind\u3000encountered\u3000a\u3000horde\u3000mentality\u3000to\u3000rival\u3000any\u3000that\u3000nature\u3000had\u3000produced\u3002\u3000And\u3000true\u3000to\u3000form\uff1b\u3000whether\u3000army\u3000ants\u3000or\u3000swarms\u3000of\u3000killer\u3000bees\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000sting\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000knew\u3000from\u3000their\u3000previous\u3000encounters\uff1b\u3000initial\u3000fusillades\u3000were\u3000what\u3000counted\u3000most\u3002\u3000Once\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000its\u3000column\uff1b\u3000the\u3000individual\u3000Invid\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000blindingly\u3000maneuverable\u3000and\u3000often\u3000unstoppable\u3002\u3000In\u3000close\u3000it\u3000favored\u3000two\u3000approaches\uff1a\u3000ripping\u3000open\u3000mecha\u3000with\u3000its\u3000alloy\u3000pincer\u3000claws\u3000and\u3000embracing\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000literally\u3000shocking\u3000it\u3000to\u3000death\u3000with\u3000charges\u3000delivered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ships’\u3000Protoculture\u3000systems\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000both\u3000variations\u3000of\u3000this\u3000occurring\u3000while\u3000he\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000own\u3000fighter\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\u3002
\n
\nVeritech\u3000and\u3000crabship\u3000were\u3000going\u3000at\u3000it\u3000across\u3000the\u3000field\uff1b\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000troops\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000in\u3000deadly\u3000pursuits\u3000and\u3000dogfights\uff1b\u3000crisscrossing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000reaches\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stratosphere\u3000amidst\u3000tracer\u3000rounds\uff1b\u3000missile\u3000tracks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laser\u2026array\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000ships\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000team\u3000taken\u3000out\u3000by\u3000a\u3000claw\u3000swipe\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000tail\u3000to\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000precious\u3000atmosphere\u3000sucked\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fractured\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000flailing\u3000for\u3000life\u3000inside\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000part\u3000of\u3000nearby\u3000space\uff1b\u3000several\u3000Veritechs\u3000floated\u3000derelict\u3000after\u3000loveless\u3000Invid\u3000embraces\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000realized\u3000the\u3000hopelessness\u3000of\u3000their\u3000situation\u3000and\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000squadron\u3000to\u3000reconfigure\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3002
\n
\nMechamorphosis\uff1b\u3000or\u3000mode\u3000selection\uff1b\u3000was\u3000still\u3000controlled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000three\u2026position\u3000cockpit\u3000lever\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pilot’s\u3000mecha\u3000will\uff1b\u3000which\u3000interfaced\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000Protoculture\u2026governed\u3000systems\u3002\u3000But\u3000where\u3000all\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u2026generation\u3000Veritechs\u3000participated\u3000in\u3000reconfiguration\uff1b\u3000the\u3000augmentation\u3000packs\u3000and\u3000energy\u3000generators\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Armored\u3000Alphas\u3000\uff08essential\u3000for\u3000the\u3000space\u3000and\u3000ground\u3000missions\u3000that\u3000typified\u3000the\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\uff09\u3000remained\u3000intact\u3000during\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3000The\u3000forward\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000craft\u3000telescoped\u3000to\u3000acplish\u3000this\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000unfolding\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000while\u3000radome\u3000and\u3000cockpit\u3000rotated\u3000up\u3000through\u3000a\u3000180\u2026degree\u3000arc\uff1b\u3000now\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000underbelly\u3000laser\u3000turret\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000underbelly\u3000rifle\/cannon\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000that\u3000was\u3000grasped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000right\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\nThus\u3000transformed\uff1b\u3000Scott’s\u3000squadron\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000to\u3000reengage\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000blue\u3000thrusters\u3000bright\u3000in\u3000Earth’s\u3000dark\u3000side\u3002
\n
\nMeanwhile\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000Veritechs\u3000was\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000transports\u3000to\u3000respond\u3000to\u3000another\u3000column\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000approaching\u3000swiftly\u3000from\u3000Delta\u3000sector\u3002
\n
\nScott’s\u3000displays\u3000flashed\u3000coordinates\u3000and\u3000signatures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u3000Mollusk\u3000Carrier\u3000even\u3000before\u3000he\u3000had\u3000visual\u3000contact\u3002\u3000He\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000team\u3000to\u3000form\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lead\u3000and\u3000throw\u3000themselves\u3000against\u3000the\u3000column\u3002\u3000Once\u3000again\u3000heatseekers\u3000found\u3000their\u3000marks\u3000and\u3000took\u3000out\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000and\u3000once\u3000again\u3000orange\u3000hell\u2026flowers\u3000blossomed\u3002\u3000But\u3000reinforced\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000frenzied\u3000counterstrike\u3002\u3000Shock\u3000vessels\u3000broke\u3000through\u3000the\u3000front\u3000lines\u3000and\u3000went\u3000for\u3000the\u3000transports\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000suicide\u3000runs\u3000and\u3000massed\u3000charges\u3002\u3000Particle\u3000beams\uff1b\u3000disgorged\u3000from\u3000bow\u3000guns\uff1b\u3000swept\u3000like\u3000insecticide\u3000through\u3000their\u3000ranks\uff1b\u3000annihilating\u3000ship\u3000after\u3000ship\u3002
\n
\nScott’s\u3000team\u3000regrouped\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000chase\u3000to\u3000any\u3000that\u3000survived\uff1b\u3000blasts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000VTs’\u3000chain\u2026guns\u3000blowing\u3000pincers\u3000to\u3000debris\u3000and\u3000holing\u3000carapaces\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000death\u3000screams\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unlucky\u3000ones\u3000piercing\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net’s\u3000cacophony\u3000of\u3000mands\u3000and\u3000reactions\u3002\u3000VTs\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000ships\u3000drifted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000arena\uff1b\u3000locked\u3000in\u3000bizarre\u3000postures\uff1b\u3000obscene\u3000embraces\u3002\u3000Here\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000pincer\u3000was\u3000apparently\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000it\u3000had\u3000ensnared\uff1b\u3000there\uff1b\u3000another\u3000held\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000to\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000exchanging\u3000lightning\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000death\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000sweat\u3000beading\u3000up\u3000across\u3000his\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000was\u3000in\u3000pursuit\u3000of\u3000two\u3000Invid\u3000ships\u3000that\u3000were\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000mander\u3000Gardner’s\u3000transport\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000Marlene’s\u3000terror\u2026stricken\u3000call\u3000for\u3000help\u3000only\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000before\u3000and\u3000had\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000ships\u3000bracketed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000chain\u2026gun’s\u3000sights\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000fired\u3000once\uff1b\u3000shooting\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000through\u3000its\u3000groin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000devilishly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000disintegrated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000burst\u3000of\u3000crimson\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000its\u3000pincers\u3000raised\u3000for\u3000action\uff1b\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000viewports\u3002\u3000But\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000Scott’s\u3000cannon\u3000demissioned\u3000it\u3000before\u3000it\u3000attained\u3000striking\u3000distance\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Saw\u3000two\uff1b\u3000swatted\u3000same\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000Marlene\u3000over\u3000the\u3000\u3000net\uff1b\u3000a\u3000confident\u3000tone\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000back\u3000on\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Good\u3000job\uff1b\u3000mander\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gardner\u3000congratulated\u3000him\u3000before\u3000Marlene\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000\u3003Signal\u3000your\u3000team\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000their\u3000atmospheric\u3000approach\u3002\u3000Our\u3000thermal\u3000energy\u3000shields\u3000are\u3000already\u3000seriously\u3000drained\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Roger\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000waving\u3000the\u3000chain\u2026gun\u3000to\u3000signal\u3000his\u3000wingmen\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000escort\u3000you\u3000through\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000transport’s\u3000thrusters\u3000fire\u3000a\u3000three\u2026second\u3000burst\uff1b\u3000realigning\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000for\u3000its\u3000slow\u3000descent\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000and\u3000punched\u3000up\u3000orbital\u3000entry\u3000calculations\u3000inn\u3000the\u3000data\u3000screen\uff1b\u3000fed\u3000these\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000autopilot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000wide\u2026range\u3000radar\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000net\u3000again\uff1b\u3000alerting\u3000him\u3000to\u3000a\u3000unit\u3000of\u3000bandits\u3000moving\u3000against\u3000him\u3000at\u3000four\u3000o’clock\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000glimpsed\u3000them\u3000even\u3000as\u3000their\u3000signatures\u3000were\u3000registering\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000radar\u3000screen\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000her\u3000calmly\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000permitted\u3000the\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000Invid\u3000to\u3000close\u3000in\uff1b\u3000enabling\u3000his\u3000onboard\u3000targeting\u3000puter\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000calculated\u3000risk\u3000but\u3000one\u3000that\u3000paid\u3000off\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000deltoid\u3000partments\u3000opened\u3000and\u3000each\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000missile\u3000that\u3000homed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000its\u3000target\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000boostered\u3000himself\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000fireworks\u3000and\u3000rechecked\u3000the\u3000screen\uff1a\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000enemy\u3000activity\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000all\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000mander\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000reported\uff1b\u3000easing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000thinking\u3000cap’s\u3000faceshield\u3002
\n
\nGardner’s\u3000face\u3000now\u3000flashed\u3000into\u3000view\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cockpit’s\u3000small\u3000mo\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff01\u3000We\u3000must\u3000try\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000through\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000drones\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000regroup\u3002\u3000Understood\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Roger\u3000mander\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000returned\u3002\u3000At\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000from\u3000the\u3000HUD\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000faceshield\uff1b\u3000the\u3000inside\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000which\u3000was\u3000displaying\u3000approach\u3000vectors\u3000and\u3000numerical\u3000data\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000entrance\u3000azimuth\u3000is\u3000one\u2026two\u2026one\u2026one\u3002\u3002\u3002Reconfiguring\u3000for\u3000orbital\u3000deviation\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000armed\u3000the\u3000Veritech’s\u3000shield\u3000after\u3000it\u3000had\u3000shifted\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000alongside\u3000Gardner’s\u3000descending\u3000transport\u3002\u3000The\u3000hull\u3000temperature\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000critical\u3000levels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000reasoned\u3000that\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000occurring\u3000on\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000ship\u3002\u3000A\u3000glance\u3000told\u3000him\u3000he\u3000was\u3000correct\u3000and\u3000more\u3002\u3000The\u3000underside\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000vessel\u3000was\u3000radiating\u3000an\u3000intense\u3000glow\u3000that\u3000suggested\u3000an\u3000improper\u3000angle\u3000of\u3000approach\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000vessel\u3000to\u3000correct\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000it\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000he\u3000went\u3000on\u3000the\u3000net\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Remend\u3000you\u3000recalculate\u3000entry\u3000horizon\uff1b\u3000mander\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3000entering\u3000too\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000helped\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000put\u3000down\u3002\u3000Our\u3000shields\u3000will\u3000never\u3000see\u3000us\u3000through\u3000another\u3000attack\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000never\u3000live\u3000to\u3000see\u3000another\u3000attack\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000readjust\u3000your\u3000course\u3000heading\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000more\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000ship\u3000wasn’t\u3000built\u3000for\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000gravitational\u3000pull\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000tear\u3000her\u3000apart\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000suppress\u3000a\u3000mounting\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000panic\u3002\u3000He\u3000heard\u3000Marlene\u3000tell\u3000Gardner\u3000that\u3000the\u3000reserve\u3000thermal\u3000energy\u3000shields\u3000were\u3000now\u3000pletely\u3000exhausted\u3002\u3000Gardner\u3000ordered\u3000her\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000retros\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000craned\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000the\u3000retros\u3000were\u3000having\u3000any\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000his\u3000guts\u3000like\u3000a\u3000knot\u3000pressing\u3000against\u3000his\u3000diaphragm\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000break\u3000free\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000section\u3000of\u3000the\u3000transport\uff1b\u3000glow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burn\u3000out\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000maintain\u3000proximity\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3000his\u3000own\u3000displays\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000flashing\u3000warnings\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000better\u3000slow\u3000down\u3000myself\u3000if\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000decorating\u3000a\u3000big\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000mode\u3000selector\u3000to\u3000G\u3000position\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fear\u3000temporarily\u3000to\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000through\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000legs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000dropped\uff1b\u3000reverse\u2026articulating\uff1b\u3000he\u3000engaged\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000substantially\u3000cutting\u3000his\u3000speed\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Gardner’s\u3000transport\u3000was\u3000roaring\u3000past\u3000him\u3000in\u3000an\u3000uncontrolled\u3000plunge\u3002
\n
\n\u3003mander\uff1b\u3000pull\u3000out\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000cried\u3000into\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000Marlene\uff01
\n
\nCaught\u3000between\u3000self\u2026sacrifice\u3000and\u3000desperation\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000do\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000bear\u3000witness\u3000to\u3000the\u3000agonizingly\u3000slow\u3000deterioration\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000ship\u2026the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000all\u3000he\u3000held\u3000dear\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000The\u3000transport\u3000was\u3000a\u3000glowing\u3000ember\u3000now\uff1b\u3000slagging\u3000off\u3000fragments\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000void\u3002\u3000The\u3000intense\u3000heat\u3000would\u3000have\u3000already\u3000boiled\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000of\u3000those\u3000inside\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\uff01
\n
\nHis\u3000mind\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000save\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000by\u3000denying\u3000the\u3000events\uff1b\u3000cocooning\u3000him\u3000in\u3000much\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000did\u3002\u3000But\u3000averting\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000only\u3000worsened\u3000matters\u3002\u3000Everywhere\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000ships\u2026of\u2026the\u2026 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n His\u3000mind\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000save\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000horror\u3000by\u3000denying\u3000the\u3000events\uff1b\u3000cocooning\u3000him\u3000in\u3000much\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000did\u3002\u3000But\u3000averting\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000only\u3000worsened\u3000matters\u3002\u3000Everywhere\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000ships\u2026of\u2026the\u2026fleet\u3000were\u3000breaking\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000flaming\u3000out\u3000as\u3000they\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000Earth’s\u3000betraying\u3000blue\u3000softness\uff1b\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000stabilizers\u3000folded\u3000by\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000delicate\u3000necks\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000molten\u3000alloy\u3000falling\u3000like\u3000silver\u3000tears\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritechs\u3000were\u3000faring\u3000better\uff1b\u3000but\u3000columns\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000now\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ascent\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000out\u3000their\u3000own\u3000form\u3000of\u3000injustice\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000fell\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000helpless\u3000transports\u3000and\u3000mand\u3000ships\u3000first\uff1b\u3000helping\u3000nature’s\u3000cruel\u3000reversal\u3000along\u3000with\u3000deliberately\u3000placed\u3000rends\u3000and\u3000breaches\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000further\u3000ruin\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000fleet\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000acts\u3000of\u3000bravery\u3000and\u3000futility\uff1a\u3000a\u3000Battloid\u3000already\u3000crippled\u3000and\u3000falling\u3000backward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\u3000pouring\u3000cannon\u3000fire\u3000against\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000two\u3000superheated\u3000Veritechs\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000defend\u3000a\u3000transport\u3000against\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000claw\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000another\u3000VT\uff1b\u3000boosters\u3000blazing\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kamikaze\u3000run\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000head\u3000of\u3000the\u3000column\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000instructed\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000to\u3000jettison\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000augmentation\u3000pack\u3000and\u3000increased\u3000his\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000atmosphere\u3000be\u3000damned\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000still\u3000an\u3000outside\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000some\u3000of\u3000Gardner’s\u3000crew\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000evacuation\u3000pods\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000could\u3000be\u3000kept\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hapless\u3000transport\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000pull\u3000out\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000screaming\u3000through\u3000gritted\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000the\u3000transport’s\u3000triple\u2026thrusters\u3000died\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000engulfed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000soundless\u3000fireball\u3000that\u3000blew\u3000it\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\uff01\u3000Scott\u3000railed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000heavens\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fists\u3000striking\u3000blows\u3000against\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000and\u3000console\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000menced\u3000a\u3000swift\u3000unguided\u3000fall\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWO
\n
\nI\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000I’ll\u3000ever\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000I\u3000laid\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u2026beneath\u3000all\u3000that\u3000Robotech\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mean\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000Look\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lost\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000stammer\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000was\u3000pure\u3000tremolo\u3002\u3000The\u3000latter\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000case\u3000of\u3000offworld\u3000accent\u2026some\u3000Tirolian\u3000holdover\u2026but\u3000that\u3000Look\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000meet\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000sat\u3000there\u3000tinkering\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000whether\u3000I\u3000should\u3000run\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hills\u3000or\u3000off\u3000the\u3000guy\u3000then\u3000and\u3000there\u3002\u3000Later\u3000on\u2026much\u3000later\u3000on\u2026he\u3000told\u3000me\u3000about\u3000that\u3000first\u3000night\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000laugh\uff1b\u3000even\u3000now\uff1a\u3000Ask\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000the\u3000one\u3000about\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000falling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilderness\u2026and\u3000prepare\u3000to\u3000have\u3000your\u3000head\u3000bitten\u3000off\uff1f
\nRand\uff1b\u3000Notes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Run
\n
\nTirol\uff1b\u3000once\u3000the\u3000homeworld\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000then\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000colony\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000uprooted\u3000the\u3000remnants\u3000of\u3000their\u3000dying\u3000race\u3000and\u3000journeyed\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000reconfigured\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000much\u3000of\u3000its\u3000surface\u3000given\u3000over\u3000to\u3000humankind’s\u3000needs\uff1b\u3000its\u3000small\u3000seas\u3000and\u3000weather\u3000patterns\u3000tamed\u3002\u3000Not\u3000like\u3000this\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000solitary\u3000yellow\u3000sun\u3000and\u3000distant\u3000silver\u3000satellite\u3002\u3000He\u3000yearned\u3000for\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000his\u3000home\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20263\u3000had\u3000been\uff1b\u3000he\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000binary\u3000stars\u3000of\u3000Fantoma’s\u3000system\uff1b\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000motherworld\u3000itself\u3002\u3000How\u3000remote\u3000one\u3000felt\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heavens\u3000on\u3000this\u3000displaced\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000recalled\u3000Admiral\u3000Hunter’s\u3000rousing\u3000send\u2026off\u3000speech\uff1b\u3000his\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000\u3003cool\u3000green\u3000hills\u3000of\u3000home\u3003\u2026his\u3000home\uff1b\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000laughed\u3000bitterly\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000planet’s\u3000native\u3000splendor\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Alpha\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000spot\u3000to\u3000cushion\u3000its\u3000fall\u3000in\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000highland\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Oak\u3000and\u3000fir\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000guessed\u3002\u3000The\u3000VT\u3000was\u3000history\uff1b\u3000but\u3000cockpit\u3000harnesses\u3000and\u3000collision\u3000air\u3000bags\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000had\u3000been\u3000violent\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000plow\u3000up\u3000a\u3000large\u3000hunk\u3000of\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000sustained\u3000a\u3000forehead\u3000bruise\uff1b\u3000then\u3000came\u3000a\u3000follow\u2026up\u3000thigh\u3000wound\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000making\u3000when\u3000he\u3000had\u3000rather\u3000carelessly\u3000climbed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000now\uff1b\u3000his\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000fuselage\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000left\u3000leg\u3000bandaged\u3000with\u3000gauze\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ship’s\u3000first\u2026aid\u3000kit\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000rid\u3000of\u3000his\u3000cumbersome\u3000armor\u3000just\u3000before\u3000nightfall\u3000but\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000blaster\u3000within\u3000reach\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000forest\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000full\u3000of\u3000sounds\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000identify\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000these\u3000were\u3000all\u3000natural\u3000calls\u3000and\u3000chirps\u3000and\u3000whistles\u2026from\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000primitive\u3000and\u3000uncontrolled\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000there\u3000were\u3000just\u3000too\u3000many\u3000places\u3000for\u3000an\u3000enemy\u3000to\u3000hide\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000scorched\u3000Martian\u3000desert\u3000any\u3000day\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000muttered\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000rustling\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brush\u3000nearby\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000blaster\u2026a\u3000discette\u2026shaped\u3000weapon\u3000developed\u3000on\u3000Tirol\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000scaled\u2026down\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000one\u3000carried\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Masters’\u3000Bioroids\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Is\u3000there\u3000somebody\u3000out\u3000there\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000movement\u3000suddenly\u3000increased\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fired\u3000off\u3000a\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000it\u3000impacted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000orange\u3000flash\u3000against\u3000a\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000flushing\u3000two\u3000small\u3000long\u2026eared\u3000creatures\u3000from\u3000the\u3000undergrowth\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000mistook\u3000them\u3000for\u3000Optera\u3000cha\u2026chas\u3000at\u3000first\u2026the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000Pollinators\u2026then\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000rabbits\u3002
\n
\nWhat’s\u3000happening\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000shaken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000coursed\u3000through\u3000him\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000I\u3000loved\u3000destroyed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000I’m\u3000losing\u3000my\u3000nerve\u3002\u3000He\u3000set\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000put\u3000his\u3000gloved\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000he\u3000had\u3000sustained\u3000a\u3000concussion\u3000during\u3000the\u3000crash\u3002\u3000A\u3000delayed\u3000onset\u3000of\u3000shock\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nLifting\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000another\u3000surprise\u3000in\u3000store\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000dumping\u3000droplets\u3000of\u3000water\u3000on\u3000him\u2026it\u3000was\u3000raining\uff01\u3000Scott\u3000got\u3000up\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000this\u3000phenomenon\u3000from\u3000old\u2026timers\u3000but\u3000hadn’t\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000encounter\u3000it\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000rain\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000thing\u3000under\u3000certain\u3000conditions\uff1b\u3000but\u3000right\u3000now\u3000it\u3000was\u3000only\u3000adding\u3000to\u3000his\u3000disfort\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000that\u3000had\u3000e\u3000in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1a\u3000periods\u3000of\u3000a\u3000short\u2026lived\uff1b\u3000rolling\uff1b\u3000explosive\u3000roar\u3002
\n
\nClouds\u3000backlit\u3000by\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000electrical\u3000charge\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000swiftly\uff1b\u3000obscuring\u3000the\u3000Moon\u3000and\u3000plunging\u3000the\u3000world\u3000into\u3000an\u3000impenetrable\u3000dark\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000the\u3000angry\u3000bolts\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000that\u3000stroboscopic\u3000light\u3000were\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000launched\u3000like\u3000fiery\u3000spears\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000land\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000earsplitting\u3000claps\u3000of\u3000thunder\u3000in\u3000their\u3000wake\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000overwhelmed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000novel\u3000form\u3000of\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000so\u3000unlike\u3000the\u3000fear\u3000he\u3000was\u3000accustomed\u3000to\u3000that\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000screaming\u3000into\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000seemingly\u3000rooted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000This\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000enemy\u3000laser\u3000fire\u3000or\u3000plasma\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000bat\u3000or\u3000close\u3000calls\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000a\u3000deeper\u3000one\uff1b\u3000springing\u3000from\u3000an\u3000archaic\u3000part\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000met\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nUnnerved\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000cockpit\u3000as\u3000lightning\u3000struck\u3000and\u3000ignited\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000toppling\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000second\u3000bolt\u3000that\u3000split\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000giant\u3000along\u3000its\u3000length\u3002\u3000He\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000and\u3000hunkered\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000warmth\u3000and\u3000security\u3002\u3000Eyes\u3000tightly\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000ears\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000crackling\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1a\u3000What\u3000am\u3000I\u3000doing\u3000on\u3000this\u3000horrible\u3000planet\uff1f
\n
\nAs\u3000if\u3000answering\u3000him\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000reran\u3000images\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000ship’s\u3000fiery\u3000demise\uff1b\u3000that\u3000slow\u3000and\u3000silent\u3000fatality\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Marlene\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000through\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000hand\u3000had\u3000found\u3000the\u3000holo\u2026locket\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000But\u3000his\u3000forefinger\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000on\u3000the\u3000activation\u3000button\uff1b\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000fearful\u3000of\u3000confronting\u3000the\u3000ghosts\u3000the\u3000device\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000summon\u3000up\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000force\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000see\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3002\u3002before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000let\u3000the\u3000past\u3000die\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000metallic\u3000green\u3000heart\u3000opened\u3000at\u3000his\u3000touch\uff1b\u3000unfolding\u3000like\u3000a\u3000triptych\uff1b\u3000from\u3000its\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000holo\u2026bead\u3000center\u3000wafted\u3000a\u3000phantom\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Marlene\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000my\u3000darling\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000it\u3000isn’t\u3000much\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you’d\u3000get\u3000a\u3000kick\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000trinket\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000living\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000wait\u3000till\u3000this\u3000conflict\u3000is\u3000all\u3000behind\u3000us\u3002\u3000Till\u3000we\u3000meet\u3000again\uff1b\u3000my\u3000love\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000Marlene’s\u3000trailed\u3000off\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000shimmering\u3000message\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000its\u3000place\u3000of\u3000captivity\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000and\u3000clutched\u3000it\u3000tightly\u3000in\u3000his\u3000fist\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000desperately\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000de\u2026rezz\u3000the\u3000images\u3000held\u3000fast\u3000in\u3000his\u3000own\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Outside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000continued\u3000unabated\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000night\u3000of\u3000his\u3000soul\u3002\u3000Lighting\u3000fractured\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rainwater\u3000ran\u3000in\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000stream\u3000across\u3000the\u3000protective\u3000curve\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000canopy\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000Earth’s\u3000skies\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000blue\u3000as\u3000the\u3000seas\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000from\u3000space\uff1b\u3000the\u3000air\u3000smelled\u3000sweet\uff1b\u3000washed\u3000clean\u3000of\u3000last\u3000night’s\u3000violence\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000was\u3000little\u3000consolation\u3002\u3000Fear\u3000and\u3000sorrow\u3000had\u3000lulled\u3000him\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fitful\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stark\u3000images\u3000of\u3000Marlene’s\u3000death\u3000were\u3000with\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000awoke\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000stream\u3000near\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000site\uff1b\u3000he\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000canteens\u3000with\u3000water\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000in\u3000morning’s\u3000soft\u3000light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000spectacle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000profusion\u3000of\u3000bird\u3000life\uff1b\u3000he\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000tolerable\u3000place\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000feel\u3000at\u3000home\u3000here\u3002\u3000He\u3000promised\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000turn\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000and\u3000only\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000from\u3000this\u3000point\u3000on\u3002\u3000Insanity\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000alternative\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000and\u3000stowed\u3000the\u3000canteens\u3000with\u3000the\u3000survival\u3000gear\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000retrieved\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000emergency\u3000rations\u3000to\u3000last\u3000him\u3000the\u3000better\u3000part\u3000of\u3000an\u3000Earth\u3000week\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000e\u3000across\u3000a\u3000settlement\u3000or\u3000city\u3000by\u3000then\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000forage\u3000for\u3000food\u3002\u3000And\u3000given\u3000what\u3000little\u3000information\u3000he\u3000had\u3000about\u3000edible\u3000plants\u3000and\u3000such\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000hardly\u3000an\u3000appetizing\u3000one\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000now\u3000to\u3000the\u3000one\u3000item\u3000that\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000rescue\u3000him\u3000from\u3000edible\u3000plants\u3000or\u3000privation\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000vehicle\u3000stored\u3000away\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000small\u3000cargo\u3000partment\u3002\u3000A\u3000well\u2026concealed\u3000sensor\u3000panel\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fuselage\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000access\u3000to\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lifting\u3000the\u3000self\u2026contained\u3000Cyclone\u3000free\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000hold\u3002\u3000In\u3000its\u3000present\u3000collapsed\u3000state\u3000the\u3000would\u2026be\u3000two\u2026wheeled\u3000transport\u3000was\u3000no\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000locker\uff1b\u3000but\u3000reconfigured\u3000it\u3000was\u3000equivalent\u3000to\u3000a\u30001\uff1b000\u2026cc\u3000twentieth\u2026century\u3000motorcycle\u3002\u3000Which\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000fashion\u3002
\n
\nOriginally\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology’s\u3000first\u3000creations\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000undergone\u3000some\u3000radical\u3000modifications\u3000under\u3000Lang’s\u3000SDF\u20263\u3000teams\u3002\u3000The\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000rely\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000its\u3000design\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000basic\u3000one\uff1a\u3000a\u3000hybrid\u3000piston\u3000and\u3000Protoculture\u2026powered\u3000transformable\u3000motorcycle\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000far\u3000cry\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Hovercycles\u3000developed\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000during\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000period\u3002\u3000Unlike\u3000that\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000marvel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000required\u3000the\u3000full\u3000interaction\u3000of\u3000its\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\u3003\u3000and\u3000specially\u3000designed\u3000armor\u3000were\u3000essential\u3000to\u3000the\u3000functioning\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vehicle’s\u3000Protoculture\u2026based\u3000mechamorphic\u3000systems\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000light\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000carry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wondrously\u3000fuel\u2026efficient\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000several\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000and\u3000set\u3000about\u3000reconfiguring\u3000it\uff1b\u3000which\u3000entailed\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000flipping\u3000the\u3000appropriate\u3000switches\u3002\u3000That\u3000much\u3000acplished\uff1b\u3000he\u3000transferred\u3000his\u3000survival\u3000gear\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cycle’s\u3000rear\u3000deck\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000modular\u3000battle\u3000armor\u2026not\u3000unlike\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000pads\uff1b\u3000hip\u3000harnesses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000forearm\u3000protectors\u3000worn\u3000by\u3000turn\u2026of\u2026the\u2026century\u3000athletes\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fashioned\u3000from\u3000lightweight\u3000alloys\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000Marlene’s\u3000holo\u2026heart\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000now\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000last\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\u3000before\u3000snapping\u3000the\u3000armor’s\u3000pectorals\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000time\uff1b\u3000my\u3000love\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heart\u3002
\n
\nAgain\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000concentrate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mission\u3002\u3000He\u3000recalled\u3000mander\u3000Gardner’s\u3000words\uff1a\u3000If\u3000only\u3000one\u3000of\u3000you\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000invasion\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000and\u3000destroy\u3000it\u3000along\u3000with\u3000their\u3000queen\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000many\u3000people\u3000from\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000atmospheric\u3000entry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000unlikely\u3000that\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000down\u3000near\u3000his\u3000crash\u3000site\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000ship\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000lock\u3000the\u3000proper\u3000coordinates\u3000into\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000autopilot\u3002\u3000As\u3000a\u3000consequence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000surely\u3000delivered\u3000him\u3000far\u3000from\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dozen\u3000preassigned\u3000rendezvous\u3000points\u3000and\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000stars\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000down\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000southern\u3000hemisphere\uff1b\u3000which\u3000put\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000miles\u3000between\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000oceans\u3000between\u3000them\u3000if\u3000not\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000north\u3000was\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000choice\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000donned\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000mounted\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000A\u3000thumb\u3000switch\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000to\u3000life\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000his\u3000confidence\u3000somewhat\u3000restored\u3000by\u3000the\u3000throaty\uff1b\u3000synchronous\u3000firing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cycle’s\u3000systems\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000evening\u3000the\u3000score\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000and\u3000her\u3000Invid\u3000horde\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000he\u3000set\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000worst\u3000thing\u3000about\u3000being\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000survivor\u3000were\u3000the\u3000memories\u3000that\u3000survived\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000decided\u3002\u3000If\u3000only\u3000one\u3000could\u3000erase\u3000them\uff1b\u3000switch\u3000them\u3000off\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000one\u3000loved\u3000were\u3000more\u3000frightening\u3000ghosts\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000imagination\u3000could\u3000conjure\u3000up\u3002\u3000And\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000outrun\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nLess\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000from\u3000his\u3000crash\u3000site\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000himself\u3000on\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000or\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000roadway\u3000lined\u3000with\u3000trees\u3002\u3000But\u3000an\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000shock\u3000awaited\u3000him\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rise\uff1a\u3000a\u3000veritable\u3000desert\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wooded\u3000foothills\u3000that\u3000witnessed\u3000his\u3000crash\uff1b\u3000stretching\u3000out\u3000toward\u3000distant\u3000barren\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000homesick\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3002
\n
\nWho\u3000said\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000Fantoma\u3000landscapes\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1f
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000Edwards\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u2026timers\u3000brag\u3000about\u3000this\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000vast\u3000as\u3000Spheris\uff01
\n
\nNow\u3000reassured\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000renewed\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000throttle\u3000and\u3000streaked\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3002
\n
\n
\nElsewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3000rode\u3000a\u3000survivor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000different\u3000campaign\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000cycle\u3000was\u3000of\u3000a\u3000different\u3000sort\uff1b\u3000\uff08twenty\u3000years\u3000old\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000day\uff1b\u3000and\u3000running\u3000desperately\u3000short\u3000of\u3000fuel\u3000pellets\uff09\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000clear\u2026eyed\uff1b\u3000short\uff1b\u3000sinewy\u3000teenager\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shaggy\u3000mop\u3000of\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000an\u3000unwashed\u3000look\u3000about\u3000him\u2026both\u3000by\u3000necessity\u3000and\u3000by\u3000design\u2026he\u3000called\u3000himself\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000his\u3000inherited\u3000names\u3000long\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000born\u3000about\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20263\u3000had\u3000been\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000Little\u3000Luna\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000rise\u3000and\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000Chairman\u3000Moran’s\u3000government\uff1b\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000humankind’s\u3000subsequent\u3000regression\u3000to\u3000barbarism\uff1b\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000of\u3000events\u3000that\u3000had\u3000culminated\u3000with\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000their\u3000easily\u3000won\u3000conquest\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000now\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000what\u3000he\u3000did\u3000best\uff1a\u3000keeping\u3000himself\u3000alive\u3002\u3000His\u3000old\u3000bike\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000object\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000plummet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\u3000two\u3000days\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000something\u3000too\u3000slow\u3000and\u3000controlled\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000meteor\uff1b\u3000too\u3000massive\u3000for\u3000an\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000made\u3000up\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000track\u3000its\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000abandoning\u3000his\u3000earlier\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000try\u3000for\u3000Laako\u3000City\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hopes\u3000of\u3000beating\u3000other\u3000Spotters\uff1b\u3000Foragers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000assorted\u3000rogues\u3000to\u3000the\u3000find\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000relaxed\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000bike\u3000e\u3000to\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000stop\u3000a\u3000good\u3000kilometer\u3000from\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000point\u3002\u3000He\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000was\u3000even\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000guessed\uff1b\u3000like\u3000some\u3000great\u3000bird\u3000with\u3000enormous\u3000hexagonally\u3000shaped\u3000cargo\u3000pods\u3000strapped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000undersides\u3000of\u3000its\u3000wings\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000glowing\u3000in\u3000places\u3000but\u3000obviously\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cooled\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rains\u3000that\u3000had\u3000drenched\u3000the\u3000irradiated\u3000wastes\u3000during\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000cautiously\u3000resumed\u3000his\u3000forward\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000pleting\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000safe\u3000distance\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000tracks\u3000or\u3000footprints\u3000in\u3000the\u3000still\u2026moist\u3000sands\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000left\u3000or\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3000during\u3000the\u3000past\u3000twelve\u3000hours\u3000or\u3000so\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000cycled\u3000through\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000tighter\u3000circle\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000first\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002\u3000Approaching\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000discern\u3000numbers\u3000and\u3000letters\u3000stenciled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fuselage\u2026M_R_DIV_I\u3000\u2026but\u3000could\u3000make\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000whole\u2026where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000or\u3000why\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000wreck\u3000had\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000recent\u3000death\u3000written\u3000all\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000the\u3000least\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000walking\u3000into\u3000cargo\u3000bays\u3000wallpapered\u3000with\u3000Human\u3000remains\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000just\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000shut\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000something\u3000he\u3000could\u3000use\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000or\u3000foodstuffs\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000began\u3000to\u3000circle\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000on\u3000foot\u3000now\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000some\u3000way\u3000to\u3000get\u3000inside\u3002\u3000The\u3000nose\u3000was\u3000throwing\u3000off\u3000so\u3000much\u3000heat\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000getting\u3000near\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000hatch\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000carriers\u3000had\u3000sprung\u3000open\u3000on\u3000impact\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000place\u3000seemed\u3000cool\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000enter\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000twisted\u3000wreck\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hatch\u3000and\u3000started\u3000in\u3002\u3000The\u3000interior\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000uninviting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000smelled\u3000like\u3000hell\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000very\u3000far\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000into\u3000the\u3000thing\u2026after\u3000whacking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000on\u3000a\u3000low\u3000threshold\u3000and\u3000falling\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u2026he\u3000found\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000him\uff1a\u3000a\u3000bin\u3000of\u3000ten\u3000Robotech\u3000cycles\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000lifted\u3000one\u3000up\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000rack\u3000and\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000to\u3000look\u3000it\u3000over\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Robotech\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000type\u3000the\u3000military\u3000had\u3000used\u3000before\u3000the\u3000development\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hovercrafts\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000them\u3000but\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000would\u3000live\u3000to\u3000see\u3000one\u2026let\u3000alone\u3000ride\u3000one\uff01
\n
\nStraddling\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000depressed\u3000the\u3000ignition\u3000switch\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\u3000crossed\u3000for\u3000luck\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyclone\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000purring\u3000like\u3000a\u3000kitten\uff1b\u3000after\u3000a\u3000goose\u3000or\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000throttle\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Awwriight\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000flicked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000headlight\uff1b\u3000screeched\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000through\u3000a\u3000360\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tore\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000launching\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000desert\u3000air\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sprung\u3000hatchway\u3002\u3000He\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000exhilarated\u3000from\u3000his\u3000short\u3000flight\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000something\u3000else\u3000in\u3000flight\uff1a\u3000a\u3000three\u2026unit\u3000Invid\u3000scouting\u3000party\u3000ing\u3000fast\u3000over\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000of\u3000low\u3000hills\u3000to\u3000the\u3000west\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000cursed\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000not\u3000figuring\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000picture\uff1b\u3000they\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000transport’s\u3000crash\u3002\u3000And\u3000as\u3000always\uff1b\u3000their\u3000timing\u3000was\u3000impeccable\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000only\u3000Scouts\u3000and\u3000not\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000outrun\u3000them\u2026at\u3000least\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000Scouts\u3000put\u3000down\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000downed\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000positioning\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000prevent\u3000Rand’s\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cloven\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000one\u3000them\u3000flattening\u3000the\u3000old\u3000cycle\u3000that\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000through\u3000so\u3000much\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000sure\u3000hope\u3000your\u3000insurance\u3000is\u3000paid\u3000up\uff1b\u3000pal\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Scout\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000twenty\u2026foot\u2026tall\u3000bipedal\u3000creatures\u3000with\u3000articulated\u3000armored\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000massive\u3000pincer\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000actual\u3000head\uff1b\u3000but\u3000raised\u3000egg\u2026shaped\u3000protrusions\u3000atop\u3000their\u3000inverted\u3000triangular\u3000torsos\u3000were\u3000suggestive\u3000of\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000while\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000red\u2026rimmed\u3000lipless\u3000mouth\u3000concealed\u3000a\u3000single\u3000sensor\u3000lens\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000brown\u3000ones\u3000and\u3000purple\u3000ones\u2026these\u3000three\u3000were\u3000of\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000category\u2026and\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000they\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000two\u2026legged\u3000land\u3000crabs\u3002\u3000The\u3000Scouts\u3000were\u3000just\u3000that\u3000and\u3000were\u3000weaponless\uff1b\u3000except\u3000if\u3000one\u3000counted\u3000their\u3000innate\u3000repulsiveness\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000inflict\u3000serious\u3000da \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n weaponless\uff1b\u3000except\u3000if\u3000one\u3000counted\u3000their\u3000innate\u3000repulsiveness\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000inflict\u3000serious\u3000damage\u3000with\u3000their\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000and\u3000just\u3000now\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Scouts\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000demonstrate\u3000that\u3000fact\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000shot\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000forward\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Scout’s\u3000first\u3000swipe\uff1b\u3000its\u3000claw\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000crunching\u3000sound\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000but\u2026Um\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000submitting\u3000a\u3000bill\u3000for\u3000damages\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000as\u3000a\u3000second\u3000creature\u3000gave\u3000pursuit\u3002
\n
\nRand’s\u3000previous\u3000questions\u3000concerning\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000capabilities\u3000were\u3000soon\u3000to\u3000be\u3000answered\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000gaining\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000or\u3000not\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000put\u3000the\u3000cyc\u3000through\u3000its\u3000paces\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000kicked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000turbochargers\u3002\u3000Instantaneously\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000took\u3000off\u3000like\u3000a\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000living\u3000up\u3000to\u3000its\u3000namesake\u3000while\u3000Rand\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000retain\u3000control\u3002\u3000The\u3000Scouts\u3000meanwhile\u3000gave\u3000up\u3000their\u3000ground\u2026shaking\u3000run\u3000and\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000thrusters\u3000carrying\u3000them\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000pincer\u3000arms\u3000poised\u3000for\u3000the\u3000embrace\u3000that\u3000killed\u3002
\n
\nTheir\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000overe\u3000his\u3000initial\u3000ineptitude\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000leaning\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000through\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000self\u2026imposed\u3000twists\u3000and\u3000turns\u3000along\u3000the\u3000featureless\u3000sands\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tactic\u3000that\u3000more\u3000than\u3000once\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Scouts\u3000close\u3000to\u3000midair\u3000collisions\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000lemme\u3000know\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000gettin’\u3000tired\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3000above\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000He\u3000laughed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000Scouts\u3000a\u3000maniacal\u3000grin\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000again\u3000to\u3000face\u3000forward\u3000he\u3000found\u3000trouble\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000approaching\u3000him\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000up\u3000one\u3000heck\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dust\u3000storm\u3002\u3000Two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000into\u3000flanking\u3000position\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000suddenly\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000surrounded\u3002
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000Bernard\u3000felt\u3000two\u3000emotions\u3000vying\u3000for\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Scouts\uff1a\u3000elation\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000found\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000rades\u3000and\u3000rage\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000why\u3000the\u3000rider\u3000wasn’t\u3000reconfiguring\u3000but\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000called\u3000for\u3000immediate\u3000action\u3002\u3000Lowering\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000visor\uff1b\u3000he\u3000engaged\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000turbos\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000up\u3000on\u3000its\u3000rear\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000it\u3000went\u3000fully\u3000airborne\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Scott’s\u3000mind\u3000instinctively\u3000found\u3000the\u3000vibe\u3000that\u3000allowed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000interface\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cycle’s\u3000Protoculture\u3000systems\u3002
\n
\nHelped\u3000along\u3000by\u3000the\u3000imaging\u3000Scott’s\u3000mind\u3000fed\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000via\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000began\u3000to\u3000reconfigure\u3002\u3000The\u3000windscreen\u3000and\u3000helmet\u3000assembly\u3000flattened\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000front\u3000wheel\u3000disengaged\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000axle\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000back\u3000and\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000The\u3000rear\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thruster\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000rode\u3000up\uff1b\u3000while\u3000other\u3000ponents\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000wheel\u2026mounted\u3000missile\u3000tubes\uff1b\u3000attached\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000Scott’s\u3000hip\uff1b\u3000leg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000forearm\u3000armor\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000final\u3000stage\u3000of\u3000mechamorphosis\uff1b\u3000he\u3000resembled\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000airborne\u3000armored\u3000backpacker\u3000whose\u3000gear\u3000just\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000include\u3000two\u3000solid\u3000rubber\u3000tires\u3000and\u3000a\u3000jet\u3000pack\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000let\u3000the\u3000thruster\u3000carry\u3000him\u3000in\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Scouts\u3000before\u3000bringing\u3000his\u3000forearm\u3000weapons\u3000into\u3000play\u2026twin\u3000launch\u3000tubes\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000small\u3000but\u3000deadly\u3000Scorpion\u3000missiles\u3002\u3000Right\u3000arm\u3000outstretched\u3000now\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000he\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000tubes’\u3000targeting\u3000mechanism\uff1b\u3000centered\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Scouts\u3000in\u3000the\u3000reticle\uff1b\u3000and\u3000loosed\u3000both\u3000missiles\u3002\u3000They\u3000streaked\u3000toward\u3000their\u3000quarry\u3000with\u3000a\u3000deadly\u3000sibilance\u3000\uff08Scott’s\u3000armor\u3000protecting\u3000him\u3000from\u3000their\u3000backlash\uff09\uff1b\u3000narrowly\u3000missed\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000ship\u3000square\u3000in\u3000the\u3000belly\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000it\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sands\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000unarmored\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3000went\u3000down\u3000into\u3000a\u3000long\u3000slide\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000to\u3000dispatch\u3000his\u3000remaining\u3000pursuers\u3002\u3000Once\u3000in\u3000their\u3000midst\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dodged\u3000two\u3000claw\u3000swipes\u3000before\u3000launching\u3000himself\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000would\u2026be\u3000assailant\u3002\u3000Another\u3000missed\u3000swipe\u3000and\u3000a\u3000second\u3000leap\u3000landed\u3000him\u3000atop\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pair\uff1b\u3000he\u3000leapt\u3000up\u3000again\u3000and\u3000came\u3000down\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000off\u3000a\u3000single\u3000Scorpion\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u3000forearm\u3000launch\u3000tubes\u3002\u3000While\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000was\u3000engulfed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ensuing\u3000explosion\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000put\u3000down\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000thing\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000crush\u3000him\u3000with\u3000its\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000rolled\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000Likewise\uff1b\u3000he\u3000dodged\u3000a\u3000right\u3000claw\u3000and\u3000jumped\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000Scout\u3000brought\u3000its\u3000left\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000puzzlement\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000already\u3000gone\u3002\u3000He\u3000toyed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000for\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000more\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000it\u3000another\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000him\u3000before\u3000polishing\u3000it\u3000off\u3000with\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000Scorpion\uff1b\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Scout\u3000took\u3000right\u3000through\u3000its\u3000red\u3000optic\u3000scanner\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000overturned\u3000mecha\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000approached\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000not\u3000really\u3000as\u3000tough\u3000as\u3000they\u3000look\uff1b\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000red\u2026haired\u3000civilian\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hombre\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000really\u3000something\u3000else\u3000in\u3000a\u3000battle\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000his\u3000bushy\u3000eyebrows\u3000arched\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000faceshield\u3000of\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Cyclone\u3000does\u3000the\u3000work\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000humbly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000rig\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000up\uff1b\u3000dusted\u3000himself\u3000off\uff1b\u3000and\u3000righted\u3000the\u3000cycle\uff1b\u3000marveling\u3000at\u3000it\u3000once\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000Forager\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000Scott\u3000warily\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000kinda\u3000one\u2026man\u3000army\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000might\u3000say\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000listen\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000actually\u3000rode\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000things\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000interrupted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000need\u3000some\u3000information\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000bet\u3000I\u3000could\u3000modify\u3000this\u3000to\u3000go\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000speed\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000now\uff1b\u3000fidgeting\u3000with\u3000this\u3000and\u3000that\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000this\u3000control\u3000setup\uff01\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000reconfigure\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000where\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000are\u3000we\uff1b\u3000outlaw\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000managed\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000even\u3000that\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000elicit\u3000a\u3000response\uff1b\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000Rand\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shirtfront\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000pal\u3002\u3000Where’d\u3000those\u3000Scouts\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000there\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000hive\u3000around\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000began\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000against\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000hold\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000let\u3000him\u3000go\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000scrappy\u3000kid\u3000but\u3000might\u3000make\u3000a\u3000decent\u3000partner\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000backed\u3000off\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000akimbo\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000I\u3000look\u3000like\uff1b\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000travel\u3000agent\uff1f\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000make\u3000a\u3000habit\u3000of\u3000asking\u3000them\u3000where\u3000they\u3000hail\u3000from\u2026you\u3000just\u3000look\u3000up\u3000and\u3000there\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3000I\u3000hate\u3000those\u3000things\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000easy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000him\u3000harshly\u3002\u3000He\u3000explained\u3000about\u3000the\u3000ill\u2026fated\u3000invasion\u3000force\u3000and\u3000their\u3000abortive\u3000attempts\u3000at\u3000securing\u3000a\u3000groundside\u3000front\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000you\u3000were\u3000from\u3000around\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000relieved\u3002\u3000\u3003Admiral\u3000Hunter\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000George\u3000Washington\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ancient\u3000history\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000either\u3002\u3000’Course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000mix\u3000much\u3000when\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000HQ\u3000is\u3000north\u3000of\u3000here\u2026way\u3000north\u3002\u3003\u3000Fascinated\uff1b\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000now\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000collapsed\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u2026wheeled\u3000backpack\uff1b\u3000returning\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000to\u3000Cyclone\u3000configuration\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000really\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000and\u3000find\u3000Reflex\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000here\u3000for\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000doffing\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chin\u3000strap\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000holo\u2026locket’s\u3000chain\u3000and\u3000took\u3000it\u3000along\u3002\u3000The\u3000heart\u3000fell\u3000and\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000replaying\u3000its\u3000brief\u3000message\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000his\u3000stunned\u3000panion\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002I’m\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000living\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000wait\u3000till\u3000this\u3000conflict\u3000is\u3000all\u3000behind\u3000us\u3002\u3000Till\u3000we\u3000meet\u3000again\uff1b\u3000my\u3000love\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nWordlessly\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000retrieve\u3000the\u3000heart\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000great\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000your\u3000girl\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Uh\u3002\u3002\u3002my\u3000girl\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000stammered\u3002\u3000He\u3000straightened\u3000up\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000against\u3000his\u3000pectoral\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THREE
\n
\nDolza’s\u3000annihilation\u3000bolts\u3000had\u3000devastated\u3000the\u3000South\u3000American\u3000coastal\u3000cities\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000interior\u3000forest\u3000into\u3000wasteland\u3002\u3000Ironically\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000repopulation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000area\u3000was\u3000largely\u3000the\u3000result\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000warships\u3000that\u3000crashed\u3000there\u3000after\u3000the\u3000firing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000even\u3000after\u3000Khyron’s\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000stage\u3000a\u3000full\u2026scale\u3000rebellion\u3000had\u3000failed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000region\u3000was\u3000still\u3000largely\u3000under\u3000Zentraedi\u3000domination\u3000\uff08the\u3000T’sentrati\u3000Control\u3000Zone\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000known\u3000to\u3000the\u3000indigenous\u3000peoples\uff09\uff1b\u3000up\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Malcontent\u3000uprisings\u3000of\u30002013\u202615\u3000and\u3000the\u3000subsequent\u3000events\u3000headed\u3000up\u3000by\u3000Captain\u3000Maxmillian\u3000Sterling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Defense\u3000Force\u3002\u3000But\u3000contrary\u3000to\u3000popular\u3000belief\uff1b\u3000Brazilas\u3000did\u3000not\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000lawless\u3000frontier\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000traversed\u3000until\u3000much\u3000later\uff1b\u3000specifically\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u2026year\u3000period\u3000between\u3000the\u3000fall\u3000of\u3000Chairman\u3000Moran’s\u3000Council\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000invasion\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\u3000the\u3000region\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000extensive\u3000changes\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3000and\u3000surely\u3000would\u3000have\u3000risen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fore\u3000had\u3000it\u3000not\u3000been\u3000for\u3000the\u3000disastrous\u3000end\u3000to\u3000that\u3000fifteen\u2026year\u3000epoch\u3002
\n\u3003Southlands\uff1b\u3003\u3000History\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Third\u3000Robotech\u3000War\uff1b\u3000Vol\u3002\u3000XXII
\n
\nCountless\u3000people\u3000found\u3000themselves\u3000homeless\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000preemptive\u3000strike\u3000against\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000waste\u3000was\u3000awash\u3000with\u3000wanderers\uff1b\u3000thieves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000madmen\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000children\uff1a\u3000lost\uff1b\u3000uprooted\uff1b\u3000orphaned\u3002\u3000They\u3000fared\u3000worse\u3000than\u3000the\u3000other\u3000groups\uff1b\u3000usually\u3000falling\u3000prey\u3000to\u3000illness\uff1b\u3000starvation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000marauding\u3000gangs\u3002\u3000Occasionally\uff1b\u3000one\u3000would\u3000stumble\u3000upon\u3000groups\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000devastated\u3000cities\u3000or\u3000natural\u3000shelters\u2026caves\uff1b\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000oases\u2026forty\u3000or\u3000fifty\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000banded\u3000together\u3000like\u3000some\u3000feral\u3000family\uff1b\u3000and\u3000God\u3000help\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000disturb\u3000their\u3000new\u3000order\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000this\u3000was\u3000the\u3000exception\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000rule\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000majority\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000their\u3000own\u3000way\u3000and\u3000fend\u3000for\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000attach\u3000themselves\u2026more\u3000often\uff1b\u3000enslave\u3000themselves\u2026to\u3000whomever\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000could\u3000provide\u3000them\u3000with\u3000some\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000protection\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000tomorrow\u3002
\n
\nLaako\u3000City\uff1b\u3000largest\u3000settlement\u3000in\u3000the\u3000southern\u3000wastes\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000its\u3000fair\u3000share\u3000of\u3000these\u3000nameless\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n row\u3002
\n
\nLaako\u3000City\uff1b\u3000largest\u3000settlement\u3000in\u3000the\u3000southern\u3000wastes\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000its\u3000fair\u3000share\u3000of\u3000these\u3000nameless\u3000drifters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Ken\u3000was\u3000usually\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000weled\u3000them\u3000with\u3000open\u3000arms\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000gangly\u3000streetwise\u3000eighteen\u2026year\u2026old\u3000with\u3000a\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000dirty\u3000tricks\uff1b\u3000mean\u2026spirited\u3000by\u3000nature\u3000but\u3000a\u3000charmer\u3000when\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000His\u3000long\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pewter\u3000color\uff1b\u3000save\u3000for\u3000the\u3000crimson\u3000forelock\u3000that\u3000was\u3000his\u3000trademark\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000most\u3000recent\u3000conquest\u3000was\u3000a\u3000young\u3000girl\u3000named\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000claimed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fifteen\u3002\u3000But\u3000Ken\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000bored\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000little\u3000dark\u2026haired\u3000urchin\u3000who\u3000had\u3000just\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000Laako\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000time\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000Annie\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000trouble\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000like\u3000this\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000was\u3000pleading\u3000with\u3000hum\u3000just\u3000now\uff1b\u3000alligator\u3000tears\u3000coursing\u3000down\u3000moon\u2026face\u3000cheeks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3000soothingly\uff1b\u3000disengaging\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000her\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000knew\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3000you’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000someday\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000was\u3000and\u3000was\u3000not\u3000true\uff1a\u3000Laako\u3000did\u3000maintain\u3000a\u3000policy\u3000of\u3000limiting\u3000the\u3000time\u3000outsiders\u3000were\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000in\u3000the\u3000city\uff1b\u3000but\u3000well\u2026connected\u3000Ken\u3000could\u3000easily\u3000have\u3000steered\u3000his\u3000way\u3000around\u3000the\u3000regs\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000inclined\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000albeit\u3000ruined\u3000towers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Laako’s\u3000twin\u3000islands\u3000visible\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3002\u3000Sundry\u3000trucks\u3000and\u3000tractors\u3000on\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000checkpoint\u3000were\u3000motoring\u3000by\uff1b\u3000kicking\u3000up\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000decibels\u3000alike\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000Ken\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000tried\uff1b\u3000emphatically\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000launching\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000pinion\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000with\u3000her\u3000small\u3000hands\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000push\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u2026Ken\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003Annie\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002Cut\u3000it\u3000out\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002Stop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000to\u3000Annie’s\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000won’t\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000can’t\uff01\u2026\u3003\u3000but\u3000ultimately\u3000he\u3000put\u3000a\u3000violent\u3000end\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000up\u3000with\u3000such\u3000force\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\nWhich\u3000was\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000foot\u3000shorter\u3000than\u3000Ken\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000large\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000long\uff1b\u3000straight\uff1b\u3000carrot\u2026colored\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000some\u3000might\u3000have\u3000termed\u3000a\u3000cherublike\u3000cuteness\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000single\u3000outfit\u3000consisted\u3000of\u3000an\u3000olive\u2026drab\u3000double\u2026breasted\u3000military\u3000jumpsuit\u3000she\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000along\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000set\u3000off\u3000by\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000frameless\u3000rucksack\u3000and\u3000a\u3000maroon\u3000visored\u3000cap\u3000emblazoned\u3000with\u3000the\u3000letters\u3000E\u3002T\uff1b\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000twentieth\u2026century\u3000nostalgia\u3000that\u3000dated\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000popular\u3000science\u2026fantasy\u3000film\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000tell\u2026as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000with\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lost\u2026whether\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000a\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000a\u3000father\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000lover\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000doubtful\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000answered\u3000the\u3000question\u3000either\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000her\u3000kneeling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000crying\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000out\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000what\u3000meager\u3000tenderness\u3000he\u3000still\u3000possessed\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000see\u3000I\u3000have\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000continued\u3000apologetically\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000placing\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000heaving\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000whole\u3000thing\u3000is\u3000just\u3000as\u3000hard\u3000for\u3000me\u3000as\u3000it\u3000is\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000Please\u3000try\u3000and\u3000understand\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000face\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000sobbing\u3000while\u3000he\u3000spoke\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nobody\u3000who\u3000es\u3000from\u3000the\u3000outside\u3000can\u3000stay\u3000for\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3000And\u3000if\u3000I\u3000left\u3000here\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000return\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000were\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000devious\u3000grin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000run\u3000away\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Ken\uff01\u3000We’ll\u3000start\u3000our\u3000own\u3000family\uff1b\u3000our\u3000own\u3000town\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000now\uff1b\u3000tugging\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Ken\u3000didn’t\u3000budge\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Quit\u3000giving\u3000me\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3000harshly\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000at\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000being\u3000taken\u3000in\u3000by\u3000her\u3000saltwater\u3000act\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000going\u3000anywhere\u2026you\u3000are\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000face\u3000contorted\u3000through\u3000sorrow\u3000to\u3000rage\u3002\u3000She\u3000cursed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000using\u3000everything\u3000her\u3000vocabulary\u3000had\u3000to\u3000offer\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000return\u3000he\u3000proffered\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000smile\u3000that\u3000undermined\u3000her\u3000anger\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000heartless\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000seethed\uff1b\u3000collapsing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000\u3003Heartless\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000had\u3000led\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000the\u3000downed\u3000transport\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000mander\u3000held\u3000little\u3000hope\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000but\u3000thought\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000an\u3000Armored\u3000Alpha\u3000Veritech\u3000still\u3000aboard\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000thankful\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000perhaps\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000miles\u3000separating\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000journey\u3000would\u3000be\u3000a\u3000long\u3000one\u3000indeed\u3002
\n
\nFearing\u3000a\u3000visit\u3000from\u3000Invid\u3000reinforcements\u2026Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000this\u3000time\u2026the\u3000two\u3000riders\u3000didn’t\u3000remain\u3000long\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000neither\u3000survivors\u3000nor\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000at\u3000least\u3000able\u3000to\u3000procure\u3000additional\u3000Scorpions\u3000for\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000launchers\uff1b\u3000several\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000fuel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000sensor\u2026studded\u3000helmet\u3000for\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000far\u3000the\u3000redheaded\u3000rebel\u3000had\u3000demonstrated\u3000no\u3000inclination\u3000to\u3000form\u3000even\u3000a\u3000temporary\u3000partnership\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000would\u3000entice\u3000him\u3000somewhat\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000his\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000helplessness\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000this\u3000world\u3000and\u3000its\u3000ways\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000the\u3000unthinkable\u3000had\u3000occurred\u2026if\u3000he\u3000alone\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000atmospheric\u3000plunge\u2026he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000need\u3000all\u3000the\u3000help\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000make\u3000of\u3000the\u3000offworlder\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000man\u3000to\u3000have\u3000on\u3000one’s\u3000side\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000and\u3000no\u3000doubt\u2026a\u3000capable\u3000enough\u3000officer\u3000in\u3000his\u3000own\u3000element\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fish\u3000out\u3000of\u3000water\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000relic\u3000besides\u2026a\u3000throwback\u3000to\u3000a\u3000time\u3000when\u3000humankind\u3000functioned\u3000hopefully\u3000and\u3000collectively\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000rider\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000You\u3000joined\u3000up\u3000with\u3000someone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000there\u3000were\u3000promises\u3000that\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000made\uff1b\u3000plans\u3000and\u3000decisions\u3000a\u3000single\u3000Forager\u3000wasn’t\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000lived\u3000for\u3000the\u3000open\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000the\u3000offworlder\u3000hadn’t\u3000lingered\u3000too\u3000long\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crash\u3000site\uff1b\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000have\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000had\u3000ridden\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hills\u3000together\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000waved\u3000Scott\u3000off\u3000and\u3000lit\u3000out\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000throbbing\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000enchanted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000a\u3000few\u3000other\u3000priorities\u3000that\u3000needed\u3000tending\u3000to\uff1a\u3000food\uff1b\u3000for\u3000starters\u3002\u3000The\u3000tasteless\u3000stuff\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000liberated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wreck\u3000might\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\u3000for\u3000spacemen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000on\u3000among\u3000down\u2026to\u2026earth\u3000Foragers\u3002
\n
\nOnce\u3000again\u3000he\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000Laako\u3000City\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000get\u3000something\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000there\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000results\u3000probably\u3000wouldn’t\u3000justify\u3000the\u3000paranoid\u3000garbage\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000put\u3000up\u3000with\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000never\u3000visited\u3000Laako\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000other\u3000Foragers\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3000second\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000general\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000island\u3000city\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000through\u3000the\u3000paces\u3000on\u3000the\u3000twisting\u3000mountain\u3000road\u3000that\u3000connected\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000grasslands\u3000and\u3000lakes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000central\u3000plateaus\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000such\u3000road\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000usually\u3000heavily\u3000trafficked\u3000and\u3000dangerous\u3000in\u3000spots\u2026little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000ledge\u3000with\u3000deep\u3000ruts\u3000and\u3000steep\u3000drop\u2026offs\u3002\u3000But\u3000most\u3000of\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000cruising\u3000along\uff1b\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000not\u3000far\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000right\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000offworlder\u3000scrambling\u3000along\u3000the\u3000embankment\u3000above\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000nod\u3000and\u3000piloted\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000through\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000jump\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000alongside\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000problem\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000got\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000Scott\u3000smile\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000helmet’s\u3000wraparound\u3000chin\u3000guard\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000head\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000that\u3000city\u3000you\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000called\u3000back\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000his\u3000speed\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000some\u3000information\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000this\u3000we\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000spaceman\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000barked\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000go\u3000my\u3000own\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000smiled\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000show\u3000you\u3000how\u3000to\u3000convert\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Or\u3000maybe\u3000you’re\u3000too\u3000frightened\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1b\u3000you\u3000go\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000wage\u3000your\u3000one\u2026man\u3000war\u3002\u3000This\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000fine\u3000as\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003See\u3000you\u3000around\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000a\u3000twist\u3000to\u3000the\u3000throttle\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Scott\u3000came\u3000up\u3000alongside\u3000again\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Make\u3000up\u3000your\u3000mind\u2026you\u3000headed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000or\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000made\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000nonchalance\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000just\u3000headed\u3000where\u3000I’m\u3000headed\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000get\u3000off\u3000my\u3000tail\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3002\u3000He\u3000popped\u3000the\u3000front\u3000wheel\u3000and\u3000accelerated\u3000out\u3000front\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000toyed\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\u3000for\u3000several\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000alternating\u3000the\u3000lead\u3002\u3000By\u3000now\u3000they\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000shoulderless\u3000downhill\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000highway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000nursing\u3000some\u3000misgivings\u3000about\u3000playing\u3000chicken\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dude\u3000who\u3000was\u3000decked\u3000out\u3000in\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stuck\u3000by\u3000the\u3000offworlder\uff1b\u3000racing\u3000him\u3000into\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000turn\u3000where\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3000disappeared\u3000around\u3000the\u3000shoulder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000convoy\u3000of\u3000trucks\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000The\u3000driver\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000vehicle\u2026an\u3000opencabbed\u3000eight\u2026wheeler\u2026leaned\u3000on\u3000his\u3000horn\u3000and\u3000locked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000brakes\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000the\u3000transport\u3000into\u3000zigzags\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000were\u3000also\u3000locked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000sideways\u3000down\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000road\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000collapsed\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000an\u3000earthen\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000went\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000ramping\u3000his\u3000bike\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000high\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000to\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000dangerously\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drop\u2026off\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000a\u3000meter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000front\u3000grille\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000driver\uff1b\u3000a\u3000long\u2026haired\u3000rube\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000brimmed\u3000hat\uff1b\u3000waved\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003Ya\u3000rogue\u2026somebody\u3000coulda\u3000got\u3000killed\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sorry\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000him\u3000offhandedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000we\u3000need\u3000some\u3000information\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000cut\u3000Scott\u3000off\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000him\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Sorry\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000him\u3000offhandedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000we\u3000need\u3000some\u3000information\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000cut\u3000Scott\u3000off\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000him\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000a\u3000soldier\uff01\u3000What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000out\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000revealed\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000curiosity\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000others\u3000who\u3000may\u3000have\u3000bailed\u3000out\u3002\u3000Have\u3000you\u3000e\u3000across\u3000anyone\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000man\u3000give\u3000a\u3000start\uff1b\u3000then\u3000avert\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nope\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000lemme\u3000give\u3000you\u3000a\u3000free\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000advice\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000answered\u3000him\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000into\u3000forward\u3000gear\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000gonna\u3000wish\u3000you\u3000never\u3000came\u3000back\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000legged\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000calling\u3000out\u3000for\u3000an\u3000explanation\u3000as\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000roared\u3000off\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000drivers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000convoy\u3000regarded\u3000Scott\u3000warily\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cabs\u3000of\u3000their\u3000trucks\u3000as\u3000they\u3000lumbered\u3000by\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000said\u3000a\u3000word\u3000until\u3000a\u3000young\u3000boy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000final\u3000one\u3000yelled\u3000out\uff1a\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000mister\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000tell\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000you\u3000are\u3000or\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000trouble\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000more\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000headbanded\u3000elder\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000that\u3000man\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000threatened\u3000the\u3000kid\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000convoy\u3000disappear\u3000around\u3000the\u3000bend\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Scott’s\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000puzzlement\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000ing\u3000or\u3000not\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000offworlder\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000All\u3000his\u3000instincts\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000trucks\uff1b\u3000but\u3000ultimately\u3000he\u3000coasted\u3000down\u3000the\u3000incline\u3000and\u3000set\u3000out\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000somebody\u3000had\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000guy\u3000from\u3000sticking\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000where\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000belong\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roadway\uff1b\u3000the\u3000red\u3000optic\u3000scanner\u3000of\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000Scout\u3000rotated\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000track\u3000the\u3000rider’s\u3000swift\u3000departure\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Ken\uff1b\u3000please\u3000e\u3000with\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000shouting\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000good\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\uff01\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\uff01\u3000You\u3000promised\u3000you’d\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000dragging\u3000her\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000now\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000underneath\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000a\u3000good\u3000half\u3000mile\u3000from\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000checkpoints\u3000already\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000still\u3000causing\u3000a\u3000scene\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000he\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000on\u3000her\u3000butt\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Whaddaya\u3000want\u3000from\u3000me\u2026you\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000my\u3000family\u3000and\u3000friends\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKen\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000eye\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000bad\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you’ll\u3000find\u3000somebody\u3000to\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000in\u3000his\u3000face\u3000as\u3000she\u3000got\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can\u3000find\u3000my\u3000own\u3000way\u3000around\u3002\u3000Men\u3000are\u3000a\u3000dime\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000for\u3000someone\u3000like\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000suddenly\u3000she\u3000was\u3000all\u3000over\u3000him\u3000again\uff1a\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000Ken\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKen\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000off\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000her\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3002\u3000Fed\u3000up\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000checkpoint\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000steps\u3000away\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000approaching\u3000vehicles\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000were\u3000just\u3000ing\u3000around\u3000a\u3000bend\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tree\u2026lined\u3000road\u3002\u3000They\u3000halted\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3000where\u3000Annie\u3000sat\u3000crying\u3002\u3000Ken\u3000took\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cycles\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000sweet\u3000deal\u3000in\u3000the\u3000making\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000over\u3000to\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gleam\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002
\n
\nClosest\u3000to\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000asking\uff1b\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000kid\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000hurt\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000and\u3000told\u3000him\u3000in\u3000no\u3000uncertain\u3000terms\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000kid\u3002\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000beat\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nKen\u3000ambled\u3000up\u3000and\u3000gestured\u3000appreciatively\u3000at\u3000Scott’s\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003Nice\u3000wheels\uff1b\u3000rogue\u3002\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003Where’d\u3000you\u3000forage\u3000’em\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000mander\u3000Bernard\u3000of\u3000Mars\u3000Division\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000when\u3000he\u3000had\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000faceshield\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000other\u3000survivors\u3000of\u3000my\u3000unit\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKen\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000for\u3000real\uff1b\u3000then\u2026soldiers\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mean\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000seen\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003e\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000already\u3000setting\u3000off\u3000for\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000full\u3000of\u3000hope\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000you\u3000can\u3000e\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000added\u3000without\u3000turning\u3000around\u3002
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000take\u3000back\u3000what\u3000I\u3000said\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000hurried\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3000and\u3000attached\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000lovingly\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000back\u3000to\u3000life\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000landing\u3000some\u3000belly\u3000timber\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000trade\u3000goods\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Follow\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000told\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000beamed\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000made\u3000me\u3000so\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000Ken\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000went\u3000up\u3000on\u3000tiptoe\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3002
\n
\nKen\u3000whisked\u3000them\u3000through\u3000the\u3000checkpoint\u3000and\u3000escorted\u3000them\u3000along\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000island\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000picturesque\u3000spot\u3000for\u3000a\u3000city\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\uff1a\u3000a\u3000crystal\u2026blue\u3000lake\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000forested\u3000hills\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000ample\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war’s\u3000hold\u3000over\u3000the\u3000place\u2026the\u3000scorched\u3000and\u3000rusted\u3000hulks\u3000of\u3000Zentraedi\u3000battlecruisers\uff1b\u3000downed\u3000Adventurers\uff1b\u3000Falcons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Bioroids\u3002\u3000He\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000second\u3000island\uff1b\u3000accessible\u3000only\u3000from\u3000the\u3000main\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000it\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000host\u3000to\u3000a\u3000densely\u3000packed\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000mostly\u3000ruined\u3000buildings\uff1b\u3000rubble\uff1b\u3000and\u3000debris\u3000heaped\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Up\u3000close\u3000the\u3000city\u3000was\u3000somewhat\u3000less\u3000than\u3000inspiring\uff1b\u3000literally\u3000a\u3000shell\u3000of\u3000its\u3000former\u3000self\uff1b\u3000but\u3000so\u3000far\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000searched\uff1b\u3000hassled\uff1b\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000bad\u2026vibed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000where\u3000all\u3000those\u3000rumors\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3002
\n
\n\u3003These\u3000are\u3000Robotech\u3000soldiers\uff01\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000announced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sullen\u2026faced\u3000people\u3000huddled\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000buildings\uff1b\u3000postapocalypse\u3000cave\u3000dwellers\u3000in\u3000high\u2026rise\u3000cliffs\u3000of\u3000slagged\u3000steel\u3000and\u3000fractured\u3000concrete\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000were\u3000with\u3000the\u3000forces\u3000who\u3000have\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000to\u3000rid\u3000us\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3003\u3000No\u3000one\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000returned\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000howling\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000the\u3000steady\u3000throb\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclones’\u3000engines\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000lost\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000assault\u3000group\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000island\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKen\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000wan\u3000smile\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\uff1b\u3000folks\u3000around\u3000here\u3000aren’t\u3000used\u3000to\u3000strangers\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000by\u3000way\u3000of\u3000apology\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000always\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000suspicious\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000but\u3000don’t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000They’ll\u3000soon\u3000get\u3000used\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000followed\u3000Ken’s\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000linking\u3000the\u3000main\u3000island\u3000with\u3000its\u3000twin\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003\u3000Ken\u3000pointed\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000any\u3000of\u3000your\u3000rades\u3000have\u3000e\u3000through\u3000here\uff1b\u3000they’ll\u3000have\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000island\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Thanks\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000for\u3000your\u3000help\uff1b\u3000Ken\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nKen\u3000disengaged\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000Annie’s\u3000two\u2026fisted\u3000lock\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000show\u3000them\u3000over\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000while\u3000I\u3000go\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Elders\u3000about\u3000your\u3000staying\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000walking\u3000away\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000impatiently\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000around\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Bye\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000sweet\u3000things\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000don’t\u3000forget\u3000that\u3000food\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000add\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000made\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000gesture\uff1b\u3000then\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000gentlemen\u3000will\u3000just\u3000follow\u3000me\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000chuckled\u3000and\u3000patted\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000\u3003Hop\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003It’ll\u3000be\u3000fun\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOUR
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000Regis\u3000ruled\u3000her\u3000empire\u3000from\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000\uff08located\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000once\u3000the\u3000United\u3000States\u3000of\u3000America\uff1b\u3000specifically\u3000the\u3000Indiana\u2026Ohio\u3000frontier\uff09\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000region\u3000without\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000large\u3000hives\u3000\uff08except\u3000the\u3000poles\u3000and\u3000vast\u3000uninhabited\u3000tracts\u3000in\u3000Asia\u3000and\u3000Africa\uff09\u3002\u3000In\u3000this\u3000way\u3000her\u3000Scouts\u3000were\u3000always\u3000about\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Enforcers\u3000\uff08a\u3002k\u3002a\u3002\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff09\u3000not\u3000far\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Brazilas\u3000was\u3000no\u3000different\u3000from\u3000other\u3000northern\u3000regions\u3000in\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000effectively\u3000an\u3000occupied\u3000zone\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Vichy\u3000France\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000World\u3000War\uff1b\u3000each\u3000town\u3000had\u3000its\u3000sympathizers\u3000and\u3000resistance\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000former\u3000far\u3000outnumbered\u3000the\u3000latter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000unmon\u3000to\u3000encounter\u3000gruesome\u3000and\u3000ghastly\u3000acts\u3000of\u3000betrayal\u3000and\u3000butchery\u3000undertaken\u3000in\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000self\u2026survival\u3002
\nBloom\u3000Nesterfig\uff1b\u3000Social\u3000Organization\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid
\n
\nAs\u3000Rand\u3000himself\u3000would\u3000later\u3000write\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000Ken’s\u3000telling\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000us\u3000across\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000that\u3000hit\u3000me\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000I\u3000just\u3000turned\u3000my\u3000back\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000innocent\u3000enthusiasm\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000this\u3002\u3000Psyched\u3000about\u3000seeing\u3000some\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000off\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000rear\u3000end\u3000chirping\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000good\u2026bye\u3000to\u3000me\u3000and\u3000the\u3000kid\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000on\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000Scott’s\u3000carefree\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000hanging\u3000on\u3000for\u3000dear\u3000life\u3000while\u3000I\u3000goosed\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000a\u3000long\u3000goldcard\u3000wheelie\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000bridge\u3000was\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000affair\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flat\u3000span\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000mile\u3000long\uff1b\u3000its\u3000plastar\u3000surface\u3000every\u3000bit\u3000as\u3000holed\u3000and\u3000bellied\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000Laako’s\u3000streets\u3002\u3000The\u3000causeway\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bisect\u3000the\u3000island’s\u3000stand\u3000of\u3000colorless\u3000truncated\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000which\u3000rose\u3000before\u3000us\u3000like\u3000some\u3000ruined\u3000vision\u3000of\u3000the\u3000future\uff1b\u3000an\u3000emerald\u3000without\u3000its\u3000shine\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000of\u3000green\u3000hills\u3000and\u3000a\u3000soft\u2026looking\u3000autumn\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000a\u3000block\u3000or\u3000two\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000me\u3000when\u3000we\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000and\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000your\u3000low\u2026rent\u3000downtown\u3002\u3002\u3002the\u3000place\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000some\u3000intense\u3000fighting\u3000with\u3000conventional\u3000weapons\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000Robo\u3000upgrades\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000slowed\u3000his\u3000cycle\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crawl\u3000and\u3000was\u3000using\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000externals\u3000to\u3000broadcast\u3000our\u3000arrival\u3002
\n
\n\u3003\u2018This\u3000is\u3000mander\u3000Bernard\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Twenty\u2026first\u3000Armored\u3000Tactical\u3000Assault\u3000Squadron\uff1b’\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000rang\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000any\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000survivors\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000can\u3000hear\u3000my\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000please\u3000respond\u3002\u3002\u3002Is\u3000anybody\u3000there\uff1f\u3000I\u3000just\u3000want\u3000to\u3000talk\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000and\u3000I\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000anyone\u3000moving\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000see\u3000some\u3000more\u3000of\u3000those\u3000sunken\u2026eyed\u3000citizens\u3000we\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\uff1b\u3000but\u3000suddenly\u3000even\u3000those\u3000shadowy\u3000cliff\u3000dwellers\u3000were\u3000in\u3000short\u3000supply\u3002\u3000Up\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000stopped\u3000near\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000trashed\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000a\u3000perverse\u3000war\u3000memorial\u3000plete\u3000with\u3000Veritechs\uff1b\u3000Battlepods\uff1b\u3000Hovertanks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Bioroids\uff1b\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cannon\u3000muzzles\u3000fused\u3000together\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000death\u2026affirming\u3000sculpture\u3002\u3000I\u3000came\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000toed\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000neutral\u3002\u3000We\u3000were\u3000on\u3000a\u3000small \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n lone\u3000into\u3000neutral\u3002\u3000We\u3000were\u3000on\u3000a\u3000small\u3000rise\u3000above\u3000the\u3000causeway\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000off\u3000to\u3000my\u3000left\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000junk\u3000heap\u3000with\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000morbid\u3000fascination\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000we\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000the\u3000bodies\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000couldn’t\u3000ride\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3000in\u3000those\u3000days\u3000and\u3000be\u3000a\u3000stranger\u3000to\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000like\u3000everyone\u3000I\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000my\u3000fair\u3000share\u3000of\u3000Human\u3000remains\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000fresh\u3000kills\u3000in\u3000the\u3000heap\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018This\u3000isn’t\u3000any\u3000junk\u3000pile\uff01’\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000Scott\u3000say\u3002\u3000\u2018It’s\u3000a\u3000goddamn\u3000graveyard\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000start\u3000and\u3000hugged\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000my\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u2018What’s\u3000it\u3000mean\uff1f’\u3000she\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000panic\u3000already\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000us\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000all\u3000twisted\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u2018It\u3000means\u3000I\u3000smell\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000got\u3000your\u3000boyfriend’s\u3000face\uff01’\u3003
\n
\nAll\u3000at\u3000once\u3000we\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000whirring\u3000noise\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000mechanical\u3000disengagement\u3002\u3000I\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3000give\u3000a\u3000shudder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000begin\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000retraction\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000main\u3000island\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000was\u3000more\u3000puzzled\u3000than\u3000alarmed\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000Scott\u3000leap\u3000that\u3000mecha\u3000of\u3000his\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000so\u3000our\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000off\u3000this\u3000one\u3000alive\u3000only\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000learning\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000Cyclone\u3000reconfiguration\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Moreover\uff1b\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000figure\u3000why\u3000Ken\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000resort\u3000to\u3000such\u3000elaborate\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000rid\u3000Laako\u3000of\u3000intruders\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000Scott\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000way\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000me\u3000on\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000at\u3000all\u3000surprised\u3000when\u3000two\u3000Invid\u3000suddenly\u3000surfaced\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000Annie’s\u3000pounding\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000shouting\uff1b\u3000\u2018We\u3000gotta\u3000get\u3000outta\u3000here\uff01’\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000is\u3000just\u3000sitting\u3000silently\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000like\u3000he’s\u3000got\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000always\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u2026and\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000it\u3000often\u3000during\u3000the\u3000following\u3000months\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000myself\uff1a\u3000The\u3000eye\u3000of\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Two\u3000more\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000now\u3000heading\u3000our\u3000way\u3000from\u3000up\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000looming\u3000over\u3000us\uff1b\u3000pincers\u3000gleaming\u3000like\u3000knives\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000shaking\u3000from\u3000their\u3000footfalls\u3002\u3000These\u3000weren’t\u3000Scouts\u3000but\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000larger\uff1b\u3000meaner\u3000version\u3000whose\u3000shoulder\u2026mounted\u3000organiclooking\u3000cannons\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3000amphibious\u3000look\u3002\u3000The\u3000lake\u3000creatures\u3000had\u3000submerged\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000reappear\u3000behind\u3000us\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000plastar\u3000streets\u3000and\u3000putting\u3000a\u3000radical\u3000end\u3000to\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000escape\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000four\u3000were\u3000joined\u3000by\u3000a\u3000fifth\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000also\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000subterranean\u3000route\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000felt\u3000pelled\u3000to\u3000point\u3000out\u3000that\u3000we\u3000were\u3000surrounded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018Take\u3000off\uff01’\u3000Which\u3000I\u3000was\u3000all\u3000for\u3002\u3000I\u3000spun\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000around\u3000my\u3000left\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000not\u3000two\u3000lengths\u3000behind\u3000me\uff1b\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3000by\u3000an\u3000overhead\u3000pincer\u3000slam\u3000that\u3000nearly\u3000flattened\u3000him\u3002\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000apologized\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fingernail\u3000prints\u3000she\u3000left\u3000in\u3000my\u3000upper\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000I\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000no\u3000pain\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000what\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000head\u3000for\u3000the\u3000narrower\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000have\u3000us\u3000for\u3000lunch\uff1b\u3000their\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000airborne\u3000now\uff1b\u3000simply\u3000used\u3000its\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000power\u3000a\u3000wider\u3000upper\u2026story\u3000path\u3000between\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018How’d\u3000they\u3000find\u3000us\uff01’\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3000into\u3000my\u3000left\u3000ear\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Your\u3000boyfriend\uff1b\u3000Ken\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u2018He\u3000delivered\u3000us\u3000right\u3000into\u3000their\u3000claws\u3002’\u3000But\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000Who\u2026Ken\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018He’d\u3000never\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000that\u2026never\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000a\u3000good\u3000time\u3000for\u3000an\u3000argument\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000The\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000sticking\u3000to\u3000us\u3000like\u3000magnets\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000off\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000plasma\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000I\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000what\u3000those\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Human\u3000body\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000the\u3000chancy\u3000moves\u3000I\u3000made\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000those\u3000liquid\u3000remains\u3000paid\u3000off\uff1b\u3000because\u3000I\u3000got\u3000us\u3000through\u3000the\u3000first\u3000stretch\u3000unscathed\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000after\u3000we\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000them\u3000around\u3000one\u3000block\uff1b\u3000down\u3000an\u3000alleyway\uff1b\u3000and\u3000through\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000more\u3000right\u3000angles\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000me\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000kid\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000to\u3000lure\u3000them\u3000away\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000if\u3000not\u3000noble\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000resist\u3000getting\u3000another\u3000look\u3000at\u3000that\u3000reconfiguration\u3000act\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000some\u3000flack\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018What’re\u3000you\u3000looking\u3000at\uff1f’\u3000Scott\u3000berated\u3000me\u3000over\u3000the\u3000externals\u3002\u3000\u2018Get\u3000moving\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000seconded\u3000this\u3000with\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000cleanly\u3000placed\u3000kidney\u3000shots\u3002\u3000So\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000I\u3000parted\u3000pany\u3000at\u3000a\u3000T\u3000intersection\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000was\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000exchange\u3000of\u3000cannonfire\u3000and\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000crippling\u3000explosions\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000done\u3000their\u3000part\u3000in\u3000sticking\u3000to\u3000Scott’s\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000bike\u3000over\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hop\u3000off\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000I\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Scott\u3000take\u3000all\u3000the\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000had\u3000to\u3000get\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000reconfigure\uff1b\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000Trouble\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000damn\u3000thing\u3000wouldn’t\u3000respond\u3002\u3000I\u3000thumbed\u3000the\u3000switch\u3000above\u3000the\u3000starter\u3000button\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000started\u3000flipping\u3000switches\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\uff1b\u3000cursing\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000for\u3000being\u3000so\u3000obstinate\u3002\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000little\u3000darling\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000by\u3000me\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000taunting\u3000me\u3000and\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000in\u3000no\u3000uncertain\u3000terms\u3000to\u3000hurry\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000up\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000since\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000that\u3000is\u3000precisely\u3000what\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000do\u3000with\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000did\u3000this\u3000basically\u3000backwoods\u3000loner\u3000know\u3000about\u3000mecha\u3000then\uff1f\u3000I\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000jiggling\u3000this\uff1b\u3000pounding\u3000that\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000I\u3000found\u3000myself\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000my\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000grotesquely\u3000reconfigured\uff1b\u3000with\u3000both\u3000wheels\u3000behind\u3000it\u3000now\uff1b\u3000its\u3000nose\u3000kissing\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Annie\u3000was\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000not\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3000in\u3000my\u3000face\uff1b\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000aside\u3000first\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000did\u3000something\u3000brilliant\u2026like\u3000leap\u3000off\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000place\u3000kick\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000lake\u2026which\u3000only\u3000resulted\u3000in\u3000an\u3000injury\u3000to\u3000my\u3000foot\u3000to\u3000match\u3000the\u3000one\u3000already\u3000sustained\u3000by\u3000my\u3000pride\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003But\u3000now\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000shouting\u3000and\u3000pointing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000something\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000in\u3000full\u3000battle\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000the\u3000buttressed\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000building\u3000a\u3000few\u3000blocks\u3000away\u3002\u3000One\u3000minute\u3000he\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000there\u3000like\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000rooftop\u3000Robostatue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000he\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000dodge\u2026the\u2026plasma\u2026Frisbees\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000drop\u3000into\u3000that\u3000annihilation\u3000disc\u3000storm\u3000and\u3000execute\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000Bernard\u3000bounces\u3000that\u3000carried\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000just\u3000short\u3000of\u3000the\u3000explosions\u3000that\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000building\u3000into\u3000a\u3000chimney\uff1b\u3000flames\u3000roaring\u3000up\u3000from\u3000its\u3000blasted\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000black\u3000parabolas\u3000of\u3000slagged\u3000stuff\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000through\u3000my\u3000frustration\u3000and\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000back\u3000into\u3000Cycle\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000still\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000why\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000wouldn’t\u3000change\u3002\u3000I\u3000started\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000about\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000\u2018thinking\u3000cap\uff1b’\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000running\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000causeway\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I’m\u3000gonna\u3000go\u3000and\u3000find\u3000Ken\u3000and\u3000get\u3000him\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\u3000why\u3000he\u3000went\u3000and\u3000sold\u3000us\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff01’\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000after\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000to\u3000stop\u3002\u3000’If\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000it\u2026tough\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000along\u3000those\u3000very\u3000same\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Annie’s\u3000timing\u3000left\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000be\u3000desired\u3002\u3000And\u3000since\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000relish\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000finding\u3000that\u3000pink\u3000backpack\u3000of\u3000hers\u3000dangling\u3000from\u3000a\u3000bloody\u3000pincer\uff1b\u3000I\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000went\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000reached\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000swatted\u3000my\u3000hand\u3000away\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000to\u3000get\u3000lost\u3002\u3000Angry\u3000now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000I\u3000would\u3000just\u3000scoop\u3000her\u3000up\u3000in\u3000my\u3000left\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000put\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000the\u3000foolishness\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000misjudged\u3000both\u3000my\u3000course\u3000and\u3000her\u3000weight\u3002\u3000No\u3000sooner\u3000did\u3000my\u3000arm\u3000go\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000than\u3000I\u3000was\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000Worse\u3000still\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000right\u3000alongside\u3000an\u3000open\u3000freight\u3000elevator\uff1b\u3000and\u3000down\u3000we\u3000went\uff1b\u3000eight\u3000feet\u3000or\u3000more\uff1b\u3000would\u2026be\u3000opponents\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000arms\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000blacked\u3000out\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000we\u3000both\u3000did\u3002\u3000But\u3000Annie\u3000came\u3000around\u3000first\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000into\u3000me\u3000as\u3000though\u3000I\u3000had\u3000just\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000maul\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000came\u3000to\u3000with\u3000her\u3000shouting\uff1a\u3000\u2018Get\u3000off\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000monster\uff01\u3000You\u3000dirty\u3000Forager\u3000sleaze\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000all\u3000alike\uff01’\u3000She\u3000heaved\u3000me\u3000off\u3000her\u3000and\u3000scrambled\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nimbleness\u3000and\u3000speed\u3000that\u3000surprised\u3000me\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000I\u3000poked\u3000my\u3000head\u3000out\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000in\u3000sight\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000rummaging\u3000around\u3000in\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000scrap\uff1b\u3000still\u3000cursing\u3000men\u3000in\u3000general\uff1b\u3000me\u3000in\u3000particular\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000an\u3000oldfashioned\u3000automatic\u3000rifle\uff1b\u3000I\u3000started\u3000having\u3000second\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000showing\u3000myself\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000only\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000emptying\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000clip\u3000against\u3000the\u3000already\u3000devastated\u3000facade\u3000of\u3000a\u3000building\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000depleted\u3000thing\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000dove\u3000back\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000scrap\u3000heap\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000home\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Annie’s\u3000gunfire\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000her\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wrestling\u3000an\u3000antitank\u3000weapon\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Watch\u3000where\u3000you\u3000point\u3000that\u3000thing\uff01’\u3000I\u3000started\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u2018It\u3000might\u3000be\u2026’\u3003
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\n\u3003And\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000small\u3000missile\u3000nearly\u3000put\u3000a\u3000center\u3000part\u3000in\u3000my\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000then\u3000changed\u3000trajectory\u3000and\u3000detonated\u3000against\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003A\u3000little\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000and\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000who\u3000was\u3000just\u3000stepping\u3000around\u3000that\u3000same\u3000corner\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000the\u3000overturned\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000hopped\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000darted\u3000over\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000now\u3000had\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000She\u3000located\u3000another\u3000missile\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000it\u3000against\u3000the\u3000approaching\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000I\u3000backed\u3000her\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Scorpions\u3000from\u3000the\u3000front\u2026end\u3000launch\u3000tubes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000us\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000connect\u3000with\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000shell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000kept\u3000up\u3000its\u3000menacing\u3000advance\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000screamed\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000second\u3000before\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000right\u3000claw\u3000came\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000its\u3000bladelike\u3000pincer\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000from\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000ripped\u3000open\u3000the\u3000jumpsuit\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000waist\u3000but\u3000left\u3000her\u3000otherwi \n
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\n \u3000pincer\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000from\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000ripped\u3000open\u3000the\u3000jumpsuit\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000waist\u3000but\u3000left\u3000her\u3000otherwise\u3000untouched\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000nearness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000paralyzed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000reach\u3000back\uff1b\u3000finger\u3000the\u3000tear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000collapse\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000problems\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000its\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000me\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000off\u3000several\u3000discs\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000which\u3000blew\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000me\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000me\u3000a\u3000good\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002\u3000My\u3000back\u3000was\u3000to\u3000its\u3000advance\u3000now\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Annie’s\u3000shocked\u3000face\u3000told\u3000me\u3000everything\u3000I\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Heeelp\uff01’\u3000she\u3000was\u3000screaming\u3002\u3000’Anyone\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000in\u3000my\u3000line\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000as\u3000well\uff1a\u3000a\u3000glint\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000sunshine\u3000on\u3000gleaming\u3000metal\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000as\u3000my\u3000head\u3000was\u3000going\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000street\u3000in\u3000a\u3000gesture\u3000of\u3000surrender\u3000and\u3000ultimate\u3000indifference\u2026some\u3000part\u3000of\u3000my\u3000warped\u3000mind\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000that\u3000giant\u3000cloven\u3000foot\u3000or\u3000pincer\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000like\u2026I\u3000knew\u3000Annie’s\u3000call\u3000had\u3000been\u3000heard\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003A\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000launched\u3000itself\u3000across\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000and\u3000came\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000hopping\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000rescue\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000one\uff1b\u3000two\uff1b\u3000then\u3000three\u3000explosive\u3000blasts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000return\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rifle\/cannon\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000armor’s\u3000right\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000take\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000hit\u3000and\u3000e\u3000apart\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000soldier\u3000put\u3000down\u3000behind\u3000me\u3000as\u3000I\u3000rolled\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000oohing\u3000and\u3000ahhing\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000just\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Scott\u3000appear\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000street\u3000with\u3000three\u3000Invid\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tail\u3002\u3000He\u3000dropped\u3000one\u3000for\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000took\u3000off\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000closing\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000got\u3000up\uff1b\u3000hand\u3000shielding\u3000my\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000the\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Overhead\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000blasted\u3000a\u3000second\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000then\u3000swooped\u3000in\u3000low\u3000and\u3000ass\u2026backward\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000off\u3000the\u3000last\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000sight\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Trooper\uff1b\u3000then\u3000loose\u3000the\u3000shot\u3002\u3000It\u3000tore\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000hemispheric\u3000cranial\u3000protrusions\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000smoke\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hole\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000backward\u3000by\u3000the\u3000missile’s\u3000kick\u3000and\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000butt\u3000not\u3000ten\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000us\u2026Annie\uff1b\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mysterious\u3000red\u3000Cycloner\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000came\u3000in\u3000on\u3000residuals\uff1b\u3000mimicking\u3000Scott’s\u3000undignified\u3000approach\u3000with\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000fell\u3000face\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sickly\u3000green\u3000fluid\u3000spewing\u3000from\u3000its\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000its\u3000outstretched\u3000pincer\u3000trapping\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000mincing\u3000poor\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fluid\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000nutrient\u3000derived\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000see\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000was\u3000keeping\u3000alive\uff01\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000his\u3000faceshield\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000thank\u3000the\u3000red\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000our\u3000aid\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000something\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000midsentence\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000questioning\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003And\u3000Red\u3000bounded\u3000off\u3000without\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000crying\u3000for\u3000help\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000went\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000the\u3000pincer\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000the\u3000pale\u3000and\u3000shaken\u3000kid\u3000to\u3000crawl\u3000free\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000picture\u3000she\u3000made\uff1b\u3000kneeling\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dirt\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000cascading\u3000down\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000her\u3000torn\u3000jumpsuit\u3000hanging\u3000off\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I’m\u3000so\u3000sorry\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000wailed\u3002\u3000\u2018This\u3000is\u3000all\u3000my\u3000fault\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Scott\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fallen\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000regarded\u3000it\u2026analytically\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000those\u3000things\u3000bleed\u3000before\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000engine\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000my\u3000overturned\u3000Cyclone\u3000feeling\u3000twenty\u3000years\u3000older\u3000and\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000solo\u3000riding\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018We\u3000did\u3000what\u3000we\u3000could\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u2018But\u3000it\u3000just\u3000wasn’t\u3000enough\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Annie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018Now\u3000what\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1f’\u3003
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\n\u3003And\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000I\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000remembering\u3000Ken\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000island\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000found\u3000Annie’s\u3000knapsack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000did\u3000what\u3000I\u3000could\u3000to\u3000sew\u3000up\u3000the\u3000tear\u3000in\u3000her\u3000jumpsuit\u3002\u3000The\u3000causeway\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reextended\u3000to\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000span\u3000between\u3000the\u3000islands\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000Ken\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000explosions\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000us\u3000one\u3000way\u3000or\u3000another\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000much\u3000the\u3000case\u3002\u3000Ken\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000made\u3000it\uff1b’\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000us\u3000cycle\u3000in\u3002\u3000But\u3000Annie\u3000wasn’t\u3000buying\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leaped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000even\u3000before\u3000I\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whacked\u3000Ken\u3000across\u3000the\u3000face\u3000forcefully\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000spin\u3000him\u3000around\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000us\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000over\u2026the\u2026shoulder\u3000look\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000had\u3000better\u3000take\u3000it\u3000or\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000us\u3000ing\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000asked\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000forgive\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000frankly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sincerity\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000dredge\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000only\u3000did\u3000it\u3000to\u3000save\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000explained\u3002\u3000’If\u3000we\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\u3000in\u3000Laako\u3000would\u3000suffer\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000way\u3000things\u3000are\uff1b\u3000we\u3000get\u3000by\u3000all\u3000right\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Fire\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000dismounted\uff1b\u3000took\u3000off\u3000his\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Ken\u3002\u3000\u2018So\u3000you\u3000feed\u3000potential\u3000troublemakers\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000to\u3000save\u3000your\u3000own\u3000skins\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000growled\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000would\u3000have\u3000happened\u3000next\u3000if\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000Laako’s\u3000citizenry\u3000hadn’t\u3000appeared\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018You\u3000got\u3000that\u3000right\uff1b\u3000soldier\uff01’\u3000their\u3000leader\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000were\u3000only\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000men\uff1b\u3000women\uff1b\u3000and\u3000children\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000unarmed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000attitude\u3000of\u3000defiance\u3000about\u3000them\u3000that\u3000rattled\u3000us\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000was\u3000glaring\u3000down\u3000at\u3000us\u3000from\u3000their\u3000cells\u3000in\u3000those\u3000shells\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018You’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000here\uff01’\u3000the\u3000man\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000any\u3000soldiers\u3000in\u3000this\u3000town\u3002\u3000So\u3000get\u3000out\u2026now\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000guy\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000especially\u3000large\u3000or\u3000well\u3000built\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000workman’s\u3000blues\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000paternal\u3000look\uff1b\u3000but\u3000here\u3000he\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000to\u3000an\u3000offworlder\u3000in\u3000Cyclone\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000Scott\u3000would\u3000take\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000man\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000laugh\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Well\uff1b\u3000was\u3000it\u3000something\u3000we\u3000said\uff1f’\u3000Scott\u3000asked\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018There\u3000is\u3000nothing\u3000funny\u3000about\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000young\u3000man\uff1b’\u3000the\u3000man\u3000responded\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000am\u3000in\u3000deadly\u3000earnest\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000here\u3000even\u3000wanted\u3000your\u3000Robotech\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Mission\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000with\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000for\u3000you\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000this\u3000planet\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000living\u3000in\u3000peace\uff01\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000get\u3000out\uff01\u3000Save\u3000your\u3000rescues\u3000for\u3000somewhere\u3000else\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000winced\u3000at\u3000hearing\u3000this\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000the\u3000man\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000too\u3000far\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000guy’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000shouting\u3000back\uff1a\u3000\u2018Why\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002Don’t\u3000you\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000without\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000no\u3000hope\uff1f\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018We\u3000know\uff1b’\u3000Ken\u3000chimed\u3000in\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u2018But\u3000we\u3000still\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Terrific\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000\u2018You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000back\u3000and\u3000relax\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000rule\u3000over\u3000you\u3000and\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000planet\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003’Fighting\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000will\u3000aggravate\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000situation\uff01’\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000leader\u3000interrupted\u3002\u3000\u2018All\u3000we\u3000want\u3000is\u3000a\u3000peaceful\u3000life\u3002\u3000What\u3000difference\u3000does\u3000it\u3000make\u3000who’s\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u2026some\u3000corrupt\u3000Council\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1f\u3000There’s\u3000no\u3000such\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000freedom\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000man\u3000must\u3000have\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000whiff\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000words\uff1b\u3000because\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000he\u3000was\u3000soft\u2026spoken\u3000and\u3000rational\u3002\u3000\u2018Look\uff1b\u3000anybody\u3000who\u3000hasn’t\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000our\u3000way\u3000has\u3000already\u3000left\u3002\u3000So\u3000will\u3000you\u3000please\u3000go\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000same\u3000speech\u3000so\u3000often\u3000that\u3000I\u3000hardly\u3000paid\u3000any\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000go\u3000throwing\u3000the\u3000reality\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000into\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000a\u3000guy\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000halfway\u3000across\u3000the\u3000galaxy\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000your\u3000battles\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000Before\u3000I\u3000could\u3000open\u3000my\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000guy\u3000by\u3000the\u3000shirtfront\u3000and\u3000was\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000split\u3000his\u3000head\u3000open\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000him\u3000alone\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000in\u3000their\u3000own\u3000way\u3000they\u3000were\u3000right\uff1a\u3000They\u3000had\u3000peaceful\u3000lives\uff1b\u3000even\u3000without\u3000the\u3000so\u2026called\u3000freedoms\u3000that\u3000were\u3000so\u3000important\u3000thirty\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000Scott\u3000or\u3000I\u3000could\u3000say\u3000or\u3000do\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000change\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000felt\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Look\u3000around\u3000you\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000of\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sink\u3000in\u3000some\u3002\u3000He\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000man\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000spat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000witnessing\u3000here\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000rebuked\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000people\u3000make\u3000me\u3000sick\uff01\u3000You\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000others\u3002\u3000People\u3000who\u3000aren’t\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000roll\u3000over\u3000and\u3000play\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000understand\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000crowd\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000pityingly\u3002\u3000He\u3000donned\u3000his\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000mounted\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000took\u3000off\u3000without\u3000a\u3000word\u3000to\u3000any\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000back\u3000Scott\u3000up\u3000and\u3000made\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000silly\u3000speech\u3000about\u3000selling\u3000out\u3000strangers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000all\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000deaf\u3000ears\u3002\u3000Except\u3000Annie’s\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018That\u3000goes\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000live\u3000in\u3000this\u3000rotten\u3000town\u3000anyway\u3002’\u3000With\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000cycle’s\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000told\u3000me\u3000to\u3000\u2018let\u3000’er\u3000rip\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000hugged\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000me\u3000for\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000tears\u3000through\u3000my\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000okay\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\u3000she\u3000would\u3000make\u3000it\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000she\u3000had\u3000known\u3000worse\u3000moments\u3000in\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003When\u3000we\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000about\u3000his\u3000plans\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Somehow\u3000or\u3000other\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000yelled\u3000without\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000look\u3000over\u3000at\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000had\u3000mentioned\u3000this\u3000when\u3000we\u3000first\u3000met\u3000and\u3000once\u3000or\u3000twice\u3000since\u3000but\u3000had\u3000never\u3000explained\u3000its\u3000meaning\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000keep\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000this\u3000place\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000most\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018It\u3000is\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000threw\u3000back\u3000sternly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000accelerated\u3000out\u3000front\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000his\u3000attitude\u3000that\u3000put\u3000me\u3000off\uff1b\u3000or\u3000maybe\u3000I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000an\u3000argument\u3000that\u3000would\u3000split\u3000us\u3000up\u3000and\u3000return\u3000me\u3000to\u3000my\u3000solo\u3000riding\u3002\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018You\u3000know\u3000what\u3000your\u3000problem\u3000is\uff1f\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000municate\u3000with\u3000people\uff01\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000you’ve\u3000had\u3000a\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000homeworld\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you’d\u3000be\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000happier\u3000back\u3000in\u3000space\u3000with\u3000your\u3000girlfriend\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003His\u3000silence\u3000told\u3000me\u3000I’d\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Lay\u3000off\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000accelerating\u3000again\u3002\u3000’Marlene’s\u3000dead\u3002’\u3003
\n \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003His\u3000silence\u3000told\u3000me\u3000I’d\u3000gotten\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Lay\u3000off\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000accelerating\u3000again\u3002\u3000’Marlene’s\u3000dead\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000literally\u3000stopped\u3000me\u3000cold\u3000in\u3000my\u3000tracks\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018He\u3000never\u3000told\u3000you\uff1f’\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000as\u3000we\u3000watched\u3000Scott\u3000disappear\u3000over\u3000a\u3000rise\u3000up\u3000ahead\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Not\u3000one\u3000word\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000mumbled\u3002\u3000It\u3000explained\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000about\u3000Scott’s\u3000behavior\uff1b\u3000his\u3000obsession\u3000with\u3000waging\u3000this\u3000one\u2026man\u3000war\u3000of\u3000his\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000know\u3000how\u3000he\u3000feels\uff1b’\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u2018Being\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000so\u3000many\u3000men\u3000dream\u3000of\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000so\u3000unlucky\u3000in\u3000love\uff1b\u3000has\u3000made\u3000me\u3000very\u3000sensitive\u3000to\u3000this\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000thing\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000she\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000laugh\u3000or\u3000what\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000ment\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000lightening\u3000my\u3000spirits\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000slammed\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000back\uff1a\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000e\u3000on\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000gonna\u3000lose\u3000Scott\u3000if\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000move\u3000on\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000asked\u3000her\u3000if\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000about\u3000leaving\u3000Ken\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Uh\u2026huh\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000my\u3000next\u3000lover’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000my\u3000last\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000pounded\u3000her\u3000tiny\u3000fists\u3000against\u3000my\u3000back\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000were\u3000gone\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIVE
\n
\nMom\u3000was\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000used\u3000to\u3000say\u3000at\u3000the\u3000turn\u3000of\u3000the\u3000century\uff1b\u3000one\u3000tough\u3000broad\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000the\u3000most\u3000respected\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Blue\u3000Angels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000after\u3000her\u3000falling\u3000out\u3000with\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000her\u3000flight\u3000from\u3000Cavern\u3000City\uff1b\u3000her\u3000name\u3000was\u3000adopted\u3000by\u3000only\u3000those\u3000riders\u3000who\u3000shot\u3000for\u3000the\u3000narrows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000scrawled\u3000on\u3000many\u3000a\u3000wall\u3002
\nMaria\u3000Bartley\u2026Rand\uff1b\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Protoculture
\n
\nIt\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000town\u2026strictly\u3000Main\u2026Street\u3000frontier\uff1b\u3000run\u2026down\u3000and\u3000dirty\u2026and\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000the\u3000place\u3000offered\u3000cold\u3000beer\u3000\uff08even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000locally\u3000brewed\u3000and\u3000bitter\u2026tasting\uff09\uff1b\u3000shade\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000singer\u3000backed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000decent\u3000pickup\u3000band\u3002
\n
\nAfter\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000battles\u3000are\u3000over
\nAfter\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighting\u3000is\u3000done
\nWill\u3000you\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one
\nTo\u3000find\u3000yourself\u3000alone\u3000with\u3000your\u3000heart
\nLooking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000answer\uff1f
\n
\n
\nRook\u3000Bartley\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000glass\u3000and\u3000toasted\u3000the\u3000singer\u3002\u3000The\u3000song\u3000was\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000downbeat\uff1b\u3000just\u3000what\u3000she\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blues\uff1b\u3000trip\u3000through\u3000memories\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000about\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000took\u3000a\u3000look\u3000around\u3000the\u3000place\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mug\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000and\u3000poorly\u3000ventilated\u3000but\u3000surprisingly\u3000clean\u3000and\u3000tidy\u3000for\u3000a\u3000joint\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000the\u3000usual\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000types\uff1b\u3000Foragers\u3000mostly\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000to\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corners\uff1b\u3000nursing\u3000drinks\u3000and\u3000private\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000A\u3000couple\u3000or\u3000two\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000each\u3000other\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cleared\u3000space\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000dance\u3000floor\u3002\u3000And\u3000several\u3000bad\u3000boys\u3000on\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000tier\uff1b\u3000boots\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000midnight\u3000shades\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000judged\u3000they\u3000were\u3000locals\u3000from\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000were\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000room\u3000for\u3000action\uff1b\u3000your\u3000basic\u3000rough\u3000trade\u3000feeling\u3000safe\u3000on\u3000the\u3000barren\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000turf\u3000they\u3000had\u3000secured\u3000for\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000drink\uff1b\u3000unimpressed\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000a\u3000petite\u3000and\u3000shapely\u3000eighteen\u2026year\u2026old\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mane\u3000of\u3000strawberry\u2026blond\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000a\u3000face\u3000that\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000man\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000red\u3000and\u3000white\u3000short\u2026sleeved\u3000bodysuit\u3000that\u3000hugged\u3000her\u3000in\u3000all\u3000the\u3000right\u3000places\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000set\u3000off\u3000by\u3000forearm\u3000sheaths\uff1b\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000utility\u3000belt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000an\u3000outfit\u3000styled\u3000to\u3000match\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000she\u3000rode\uff1b\u3000a\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000she\u3000had\u3000liberated\u3000from\u3000an\u3000armory\u3000just\u3000after\u3000her\u3000split\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Blue\u3000Angels\uff1b\u3000the\u3000assault\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000it\u3000feels\u3000like\u3000tomorrow\u3000will\u3000never\u3000e
\nWhen\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000like\u3000the\u3000night\u3000will\u3000not\u3000end
\nCan\u3000you\u3000pretend\u3000
\nThat\u3000you’re\u3000really\u3000not\u3000alone\uff1f
\nYou’re\u3000out\u3000here\u3000on\u3000your\u3000own\u3000\uff08Lonely\u3000soldier\u3000boy\uff09
\nYou’re\u3000out\u3000here\u3000on\u3000your\u3000own\u3000\uff08Lonely\u3000soldier\u3000boy\uff09
\n
\n
\nRook\u3000settled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000her\u3000chair\u3000to\u3000study\u3000the\u3000group’s\u3000lead\u3000singer\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rocker\u3000well\u3000known\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wastes\u3000who\u3000called\u3000herself\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000The\u3000song\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000an\u3000unanticipated\u3000leap\u3000to\u3000four\u2026four\uff1b\u3000guitar\u3000and\u3000keyboards\u3000wailing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000low\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000clapping\u3000in\u3000time\u3000and\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000band\u3000their\u3000moment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spots\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000tall\u3000and\u3000rather\u3000broad\u2026shouldered\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000attractive\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000appealed\u3000to\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000both\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000long\u3000but\u3000shagged\uff1b\u3000tinted\u3000slightly\u3000lavender\u3000and\u3000held\u3000by\u3000a\u3000green\u3000leather\u3000band\u3000that\u3000chevroned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000her\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000Yellow’s\u3000stage\u3000clothes\u3000were\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3000elaborate\u2026pumps\uff1b\u3000tight\u2026fitting\u3000slacks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000strapless\u3000top\u3000trimmed\u3000in\u3000purple\u2026but\u3000were\u3000well\u3000suited\u3000to\u3000her\u3000tall\u3000frame\u3000and\u3000flattering\u3000to\u3000her\u3000figure\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000the\u3000applause\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000modest\u3000and\u3000smiling\u3000until\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bad\u3000boys\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000change\u3000the\u3000tempo\u3000somewhat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000baby\u3000face\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002\u3000\u3003Me\u3000and\u3000my\u3000friends\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000your\u3000music\u3002\u3000It\u3000stinks\uff1b\u3000y’\u3000hear\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000as\u3000much\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pointed\u3000chin\u3000and\u3000wraparound\u3000sunglasses\uff1b\u3000the\u3000apparent\u3000gang\u3000leader\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000tight\u3000jeans\u3000tucked\u3000into\u3000suede\u3000shin\u3000boots\u3000and\u3000a\u3000short\u2026sleeve\u3000shirt\u3000left\u3000unbuttoned\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000garbage\uff1b\u3000it\u3000ain’t\u3000music\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000insulted\u3000the\u3000singer\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000Yellow\u3000would\u3000handle\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pickup\u3000band\u3000were\u3000locals\uff1b\u3000as\u3000was\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000rising\u3000to\u3000her\u3000defense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000was\u3000she\u3000showing\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000concern\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000just\u3000give\u3000these\u3000people\u3000a\u3000sample\u3000of\u3000what\u3000you\u3000consider\u3000music\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000taunted\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nSome\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000found\u3000the\u3000eback\u3000amusing\uff1b\u3000which\u3000only\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000put\u3000Yellow’s\u3000critic\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000risk\u3000making\u3000a\u3000fool\u3000of\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000her\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000lesson\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000swinging\u3000a\u3000lightning\u3000right\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000give\u3000’em\u3000a\u3000sample\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000even\u3000faster\uff1b\u3000still\u3000maintaining\u3000her\u3000place\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ducked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000vacuum\u3000in\u3000her\u3000wake\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogue’s\u3000arm\u3000sailed\u3000clean\u3000through\u3000nothingness\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000itself\u3000around\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000him\u3000pletely\u3000off\u3000balance\u3002\u3000The\u3000crowd\u3000howled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Yellow\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000that\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000her\u3000assailant\u3000recollected\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000face\u3000with\u3000an\u3000open\u2026hand\u3000left\u3002
\n
\nYellow’s\u3000head\u3000snapped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3000She\u3000countered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000right\uff1b\u3000open\u2026hand\u3000also\u3000but\u3000hooked\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000nails\u3000into\u3000play\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000took\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000full\u3000force\u3000to\u3000his\u3000temple\u3000and\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000his\u3000glasses\u3000were\u3000knocked\u3000askew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000blood\u3000had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000we’re\u3000even\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000back\u3000was\u3000still\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000now\u3000had\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000left\u3000their\u3000tables\u3000and\u3000were\u3000approaching\u3000her\u3000threateningly\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000calling\u3000it\u3000quits\uff1b\u3000fellahs\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Tag\u2026team\u3000wrestling\u3000isn’t\u3000scheduled\u3000until\u3000Saturday\u3000night\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000mess\u3000up\u3000the\u3000program\uff1b\u3000would\u3000we\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000had\u3000to\u3000laugh\uff1b\u3000either\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000or\u3000she\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000who\u3000got\u3000her\u3000kicks\u3000facedown\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000former\uff1b\u3000however\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000set\u3000like\u3000an\u3000upsprung\u3000trap\uff1b\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000slightly\u3000bent\uff1b\u3000her\u3000fists\u3000clawed\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000keeping\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she\u3000had\u3000already\u3000wounded\u3000and\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000him\u3000when\u3000he\u3000pounced\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000little\u3000witch\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000kill\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000a\u3000roundhouse\u3000left\u3000with\u3000little\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lightning\u3000that\u3000had\u3000characterized\u3000his\u3000first\u3000swing\u3000and\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ambivalence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u3002\u3000But\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000left\u3000untouched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000momentum\u3000carried\u3000the\u3000man\u3000off\u3000the\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000practically\u3000into\u3000the\u3000arms\u3000of\u3000his\u3000henchmen\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000enjoyed\u3000our\u3000little\u3000dancing\u3000lesson\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000joked\uff1b\u3000backing\u3000away\u3000somewhat\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000all\u3000the\u3000same\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000this\u3000place\u3000is\u3000paying\u3000me\u3000to\u3000sing\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000darted\u3000right\u3000and\u3000left\uff1b\u3000plotting\u3000an\u3000escape\u3000if\u3000needed\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000where\u3000we\u3000left\u3000off\u3000after\u3000the\u3000show\u2026you\u3000could\u3000sure\u3000use\u3000some\u3000work\u3000on\u3000your\u3000fox\u2026trot\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u2026and\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000all\u3000nice\u3000boys\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000teach\u3000you\u3000to\u3000rumba\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000gang\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000rethink\u3000her\u3000earlier\u3000evaluation\u3000of\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000Whatever\u3000happened\u3000now\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000some\u3000of\u3000it\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\u3000the\u3000club\u3000owner\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000to\u3000intercede\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3000again\uff1b\u3000grog\u3000making\u3000it\u3000up\u3000into\u3000her\u3000nose\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000was\u3000the\u3000dude\u3000pushing\u3000seventy\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000began\u3000his\u3000little\u3000speech\u3000by\u3000referring\u3000to\u3000Yellow’s\u3000opponents\u3000as\u3000gentlemen\uff01
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000control\u3000yourselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000his\u3000white\u3000mustache\u3000twitching\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000all\u3000to\u3000leave\uff01\u3003
\n
\nYou\u3000and\u3000what\u3000army\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000to\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000quoting\u3000the\u3000punch\u3000line\u3000of\u3000an\u3000old\u3000T’sentrati\u3000joke\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000toughs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mean\u2026looking\u3000little\u3000guy\u3000in\u3000a\u3000muscle\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000had\u3000whipped\u3000out\u3000a\u3000throwing\u3000knife\u3000during\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man’s\u3000attempted\u3000reprimand\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000a\u3000backhand\u3000toss\u3000now\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000it\u3000whizzing\u3000past\u3000the\u3000owner’s\u3000head\u3000and\u3000straight\u3000into\u3000the\u3000plywood\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Mind\u3000your\u3000manners\uff1b\u3000Gramps\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000youth\u3000cautioned\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000sighed\u3000tiredly\uff1b\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000last\u3000two\u3000drops\u3000of\u3000her\u3000drink\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000table\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Boy\uff1b\u3000you\u3000guys\u3000sure\u3000have\u3000guts\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000the\u3000gathered\u3000gang\u3000members\u3002\u3000They\u3000turned\u3000slowly\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000would\uff1b\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000disbelief\u3000on\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002\u3000\u3003Think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000handle\u3000her\u3000all\u3000by\u3000yourselves\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThis\u3000brought\u3000immediate\u3000catcalls\u3000and\u3000challenges\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000smiled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000audience’s\u3000benefit\u3000and\u3000winked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000leader\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000through\u3000scenes\u3000like\u3000this\u3000too\u3000often\u3000to\u3000count\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000leader’s\u3000type\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000confident\u3000she\u3000could\u3000take\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000would\u3000eliminate\u3000the\u3000need\u3000to\u3000go\u3000one\u3000on\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000All\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000go\u3000after\u3000the\u3000leader’s\u3000pride\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000had\u3000already\u3000made\u3000a\u3000good\u3000start\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Blondie\uff1b\u3000take\u3000my\u3000advice\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000or\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000next\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000warned\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000looked\u3000away\u3000nonchalantly\u3002\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Blondie\uff1b\u3000take\u3000my\u3000advice\u3000and\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000or\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000next\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000warned\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000looked\u3000away\u3000nonchalantly\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000if\u3000two\u3000of\u3000you\u3000held\u3000her\u3000down\u3000while\u3000the\u3000others\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000reinforcements\u3002\u3002\u3002Then\u3000you\u3000might\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000catcalls\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000volume\u3000and\u3000originality\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000cracked\u3000an\u3000appreciative\u3000smile\u3002\u3000He\u3000steadied\u3000his\u3000shades\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000Rook\u3000the\u3000once\u2026over\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000edian\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003Too\u3000bad\u3000for\u3000you\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000such\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000humor\uff1b\u3000’cause\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000make\u3000you\u3000sorry\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000walked\u3000in\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000nasty\u3000little\u3000knife\u3000thrower\u3000produced\u3000a\u3000second\u3000shiv\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000motioned\u3000him\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000mine\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000his\u3000boys\uff1b\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000charge\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000had\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000time\u3000to\u3000prepare\u3000and\u3000position\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000plus\u3000she\u3000had\u3000already\u3000sized\u3000up\u3000the\u3000guy’s\u3000strengths\u3000and\u3000weaknesses\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000at\u3000her\u3000full\u3000force\uff1b\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lungs\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000at\u3000shoulder\u3000height\u3000slightly\u3000out\u3000front\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000balls\u3000of\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000dropped\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000right\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000elbow\u3000pointed\u3000outward\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000was\u3000within\u3000range\uff1b\u3000she\u3000twisted\u3000back\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sprang\u3000up\u3000and\u3000took\u3000her\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000man\u3000square\u3000in\u3000the\u3000larynx\u3002
\n
\nInstantly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000went\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000almost\u3000killed\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000rasp\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000e\u3000at\u3000me\u3000again\u3000and\u3000let’s\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000it\u3000right\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000answered\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000room\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000applause\u3000and\u3000cheers\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3000even\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000members\u3000were\u3000laughing\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000heard\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000baboon’s\u3000overmatched\uff1b\u3003\u3000just\u3000before\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000growled\u3000and\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000\u3003Stop\u3000laughing\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000wielder\u3000started\u3000to\u3000move\u3000in\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nOutside\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000two\u3000Cyclones\u3000were\u3000added\u3000to\u3000the\u3000long\u3000row\u3000of\u3000cycles\u3000and\u3000various\u3000hybrid\u3000vehicles\u3000that\u3000lined\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000main\u3000street\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cycles\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000and\u3000traded\u3000questioning\u3000looks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Shall\u3000we\u3000go\u3000in\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000\u3003What’ve\u3000we\u3000got\u3000to\u3000lose\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000not\u3000what\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000already\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000dry\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000spit\u3000cotton\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000exhaled\u3000forcibly\u3000and\u3000dismounted\u3000wondering\u3000just\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000let\u3000things\u3000get\u3000so\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Just\u3000one\u3000more\u3000town\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000A\u3000place\u3000where\u3000he\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000all\u3000right\u3000about\u3000leaving\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000saying\u3000a\u3000final\u3000farewell\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000Then\u3000it\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000back\u3000to\u3000solo\u3000riding\u3000and\u3000the\u3000open\u3000road\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000three\u3000days\u3000and\u3000several\u3000towns\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000which\u3000suited\u3000his\u3000needs\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000did\u3000he\u3000have\u3000especially\u3000good\u3000feelings\u3000about\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000Two\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000ruined\u3000high\u2026tech\u3000prefabs\u3000split\u3000by\u3000the\u3000northern\u3000highway\u3000and\u3000squeezed\u3000between\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000an\u3000arid\u3000canyon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000place\u3000had\u3000a\u3000filthy\uff1b\u3000forlorn\u3000look\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000town\u3000had\u3000surrendered\u3000long\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000arrival\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000could\u3000at\u3000least\u3000clean\u3000the\u3000place\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003Bunch\u3000of\u3000lazy\u3000slobs\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000country\u3000boys\u3000do\u3000things\u3000differently\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000patronizing\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000we\u3000have\u3000enough\u3000self\u2026respect\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000our\u3000homes\u3000from\u3000being\u3000pigsties\u3002\u3000You\u3000wonder\u3000why\u3000I’d\u3000rather\u3000five\u3000off\u3000the\u3000land\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000look\u3000around\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000quit\u3000arguing\uff1b\u3000you\u3000two\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000barroom’s\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000dump\u3000isn’t\u3000so\u3000bad\u3002\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000they\u3000do\u3000for\u3000fun\u3000around\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nInside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000greeted\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3000was\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000fight\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000attractive\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000a\u3000red\u3000bodysuit\u3000was\u3000squaring\u3000off\u3000against\u3000a\u3000mean\u2026looking\u3000youth\u3000wielding\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000hunting\u3000knife\u3002\u3000Onlookers\u3000were\u3000cheering\u3000and\u3000offering\u3000words\u3000of\u3000encouragement\u3000to\u3000both\u3000parties\u3002\u3000On\u3000the\u3000room’s\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000lean\u3000female\u3000and\u3000a\u3000white\u2026haired\u3000old\u3000man\u3000yelled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000to\u3000stop\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000stopped\u3000short\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000her\uff01\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Who\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\n\u3003She’s\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000helped\u3000us\u3000out\u3000the\u3000other\u3000day\u2026the\u3000girl\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand’s\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000girl\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1f\u3000Now\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002Well\u3000what\u3000are\u3000we\u3000waiting\u3000for\uff1f\u3000Let’s\u3000go\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000hold\u3000up\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000put\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000out\u3000to\u3000restrain\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000she\u3000can\u3000handle\u3000herself\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000they’ll\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000might\u3000be\u3000right\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000moved\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dancer\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000the\u3000youth’s\u3000every\u3000thrust\u3000and\u3000overhand\uff1b\u3000her\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000twirling\u3000about\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000was\u3000urging\u3000the\u3000knifer\u3000on\u3000with\u3000threats\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Stop\u3000your\u3000prancin’\u3000around\uff01\u3000Stick\u3000her\uff1b\u3000man\uff01\u3000Stick\u3000her\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000let\u3000that\u3000happen\u3002\u3000She\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000with\u3000calculated\u3000deliberation\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000folding\u3000at\u3000just\u3000the\u3000right\u3000moments\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rogue\u3000was\u3000losing\u3000patience\u3000and\u3000getting\u3000sloppy\u3000with\u3000his\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000he\u3000also\u3000noted\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000not\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000red\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000legs\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3002\u3000Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000youth\u3000tried\u3000an\u3000over\u2026the\u2026top\u3000reverse\u3000and\u3000left\u3000himself\u3000wide\u3000open\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000spun\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000it\u3000and\u3000pleted\u3000her\u3000turn\u3000with\u3000a\u3000roundhouse\u3000kick\u3000that\u3000nailed\u3000him\u3000across\u3000the\u3000face\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000him\u3000against\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tables\u3002\u3000The\u3000knifer\u3000went\u3000down\u3000as\u3000the\u3000table\u3000collapsed\u3000under\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000second\u3000man\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000dark\u2026skinned\u3000tough\u3000wearing\u3000an\u3000earflapped\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000in\u3000a\u3000full\u3000nelson\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000free\u3000but\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000overpowered\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000a\u3000third\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000sauntered\u3000in\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fallen\u3000rade\u3002\u3000He\u3000tapped\u3000the\u3000tip\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000menacingly\u3000against\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000cheek\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000say\u3000good\u2026bye\u3000to\u3000that\u3000pretty\u3000face\u3000of\u3000yours\uff1b\u3000sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000man\u3000say\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000already\u3000stepping\u3000in\uff1b\u3000as\u3000was\u3000the\u3000female\u3000singer\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000started\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000for\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000moved\u3000quicker\u3000than\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000swept\u3000up\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000half\u2026empty\u3000goblet\u3000from\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000table\u3000and\u3000hurled\u3000it\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000leader’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000youth\u3000screamed\u3000and\u3000dropped\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000struck\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Duck\uff01\u3003\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000a\u3000second\u3000glass\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000saw\u3000this\u3000one\u3000headed\u3000her\u3000way\u3000and\u3000stretched\u3000herself\u3000thin\u3000in\u3000the\u3000larger\u3000man’s\u3000hold\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000fully\u3000extended\u3000as\u3000she\u3000slithered\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000glass\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000man\u3000in\u3000the\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000her\u3000collapsed\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000moaning\u3000when\u3000Rook\u3000brought\u3000her\u3000boot\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000instep\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000gonna\u3000kill\u3000you\u3000for\u3000that\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000yelled\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000he\u3000took\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000away\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Scott’s\u3000drawn\u3000blaster\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Get\u3000moving\u2026all\u3000of\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nWeapons\u3000were\u3000a\u3000mon\u3000enough\u3000sight\u3000in\u3000the\u3000waste\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000blaster\u3000was\u3000seldom\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Taken\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000members\u3000began\u3000to\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000win\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000threw\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000war’s\u3000not\u3000over\u3000yet\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000revving\u3000and\u3000departing\u3000cycles\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000looked\u3000disdainfully\u3000at\u3000her\u3000rescuers\uff1b\u3000she\u3000recognized\u3000them\u3000as\u3000the\u3000three\u3000she\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000from\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000setup\u3000in\u3000Laako\u3000three\u3000days\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000redheaded\u3000one\u3000named\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000eyeing\u3000her\u3000appreciatively\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Why’d\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000butt\u3000in\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000harshly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000bar\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Guess\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000pleasing\u3000some\u3000people\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000threw\u3000after\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Swelled\u3000head\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000face\u3000and\u3000gesturing\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000grateful\u3000for\u3000your\u3000help\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000lilting\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000fell\u3000over\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff01\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000recognized\u3000her\u3000before\u3000and\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000believe\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000control\u3000his\u3000excitement\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000seen\u3000you\u3000at\u3000least\u3000twenty\u3000times\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000get\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000lunge\u3000for\u3000a\u3000napkin\u3000and\u3000shoved\u3000it\u3000toward\u3000Yellow\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000it’s\u3000silly\uff1b\u3000but\u3002\u3002\u3002it’s\u3000for\u3000my\u3000kid\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000smiled\u3000knowingly\u3002\u3000The\u3000bar\u3000owner\u3000took\u3000a\u3000pen\u3000from\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000passed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000your\u3000kid\u3000sister\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Yellow\uff1b\u3000chuckling\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000always\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000saw\u3000Scott’s\u3000look\u3000of\u3000bewilderment\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000Haven’t\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000her\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000smiled\u3000thinly\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Boy\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000really\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000ment\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000owner\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000gang\uff1b\u3000who\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000usual\u3000riffraff\u3002\u3000Their\u3000kind\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000just\u3000about\u3000everywhere\u3000nowadays\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000local\u3000authorities\u2026have\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000asking\u3000them\u3000to\u3000do\u3000something\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dramatic\u3000gesture\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000embarrassed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000manager\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Scott\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Mister\uff1b\u3000those\u3000are\u3000the\u3000local\u3000authorities\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SIX
\n
\nTirolian\u3000society\u2026that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000the\u3000generation\u3000of\u3000Terrans\u3000that\u3000grew\u3000to\u3000manhood\u3000and\u3000womanhood\u3000under\u3000T\u3002R\u3002\u3000Edwards\uff1b\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Emil\u3000Lang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000some\u3000extent\u3000\uff08by\u3000proxy\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000were\uff09\uff1b\u3000Admiral\u3000Rick\u3000and\u3000mander\u3000Lisa\u3000Hunter\u2026took\u3000a\u3000decidedly\u3000different\u3000course\u3000than\u3000its\u3000counterpart\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000\uff08under\u3000Chairman\u3000Moran\uff1b\u3000Supreme\u3000mander\u3000Leonard\uff1b\u3000et\u3000al\u3002\uff09\u3002\u3000Thanks\u3000to\u3000Edwards’s\u3000chauvinism\uff1b\u3000bigotry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000undisguised\u3000misogyny\uff1b\u3000one\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000have\u3000been\u3000hard\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000encounter\u3000the\u3000likes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Dana\u3000Sterling\u3000or\u3000a\u3000Marie\u3000Crystal\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Tirolian\u3000contingent\u3002\u3002\u3002Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000had\u3000been\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000milieu\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000things\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000attitudes\uff1b\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000dreamed\u3000possible\u3002
\nXandu\u3000Reem\uff1b\u3000A\u3000Stranger\u3000at\u3000Home\uff1a\u3000A\u3000Biography\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard
\n
\nRingo\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000roared\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000and\u3000regrouped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000town\u3002\u3000Their\u3000cycles\uff1b\u3000one\u3000outfitted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sidecar\uff1b\u3000we \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nRingo\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000roared\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000and\u3000regrouped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000town\u3002\u3000Their\u3000cycles\uff1b\u3000one\u3000outfitted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sidecar\uff1b\u3000were\u3000well\u3000equipped\u3000with\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000simple\u3000to\u3000blast\u3000and\u3000torch\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000an\u3000option\uff1a\u3000Pops’\u3000had\u3000the\u3000coldest\u3000beer\u3000within\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3002\u3000So\u3000they\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000their\u3000frustrations\u3000against\u3000any\u3000newers\u3000who\u3000might\u3000wander\u3000into\u3000town\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000ultraviolence\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000called\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000they\u3000soon\u3000found\u3000an\u3000even\u3000more\u3000suitable\u3000target\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ex\u2026soldier\u3000named\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000in\u3000town\u3000on\u3000and\u3000off\u3000for\u3000the\u3000past\u3000two\u3000months\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000once\u3000Ringo\u3000had\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000goad\u3000the\u3000man\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fight\u3000with\u3000less\u3000than\u3000satisfying\u3000results\u3002\u3000The\u3000attempts\u3000had\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000frequency\u3000once\u3000Ringo\u3000found\u3000out\u3000something\u3000about\u3000Lunk’s\u3000recent\u3000military\u3000past\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000he\u3000was\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000push\u3000the\u3000man\u3000into\u3000a\u3000hand\u2026to\u2026hand\u3000confrontation\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000now\uff1b\u3000after\u3000his\u3000humiliating\u3000run\u2026in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000strangers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000Ringo\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000subtlety\u3000or\u3000verbal\u3000provocation\u3002\u3000No\u3000sooner\u3000had\u3000Lunk’s\u3000battered\u3000six\u2026wheel\u3000personnel\u3000carrier\u3000lumbered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000gang’s\u3000edge\u2026of\u2026town\u3000position\u3000than\u3000Ringo\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000men\u3000into\u3000pursuit\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000little\u3000manhunting\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000you\u3000up\u3000when\u3000you\u3000were\u3000feeling\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000twenty\u2026five\uff1b\u3000a\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000barrel\u2026chested\u3000man\u3000with\u3000almost\u3000brutish\u3000facial\u3000features\uff1a\u3000a\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000prominent\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000heavy\u2026lidded\uff1b\u3000soulful\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broad\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000nose\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000let\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000grow\u3000long\u3000these\u3000past\u3000few\u3000months\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000face\u3000with\u3000a\u3000yellow\u3000elastic\u3000headband\u3002\u3000His\u3000size\u3000alone\u3000would\u3000have\u3000given\u3000most\u3000men\u3000pause\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000secretive\u3000about\u3000him\u3000that\u3000often\u3000allowed\u3000smaller\u3000aggressive\u3000types\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000they\u3000could\u3000have\u3000a\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Ringo’s\u3000impromptu\u3000roadside\u3000gathering\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000his\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000Kevin\uff1b\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000on\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000push\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000APC\u3000along\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000main\u3000street\u3000for\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worth\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000could\u3000see\u3000four\u3000cycles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000carrier’s\u3000circular\u3000outboard\u3000rearview\u3000mirrors\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Ringo’s\u3000men\u3000were\u3000opening\u3000up\u3000with\u3000handlebar\u3000and\u3000faring\u2026mounted\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000toying\u3000with\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000swerved\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000vehicle\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000are\u3000there\uff1f\uff01\u3003\u3000Kevin\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000panic\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Too\u3000many\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000yelled\u3000back\u3000as\u3000machine\u2026gun\u3000rounds\u3000fractured\u3000the\u3000mirrors\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000rockets\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000APC\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000braked\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000control\u3002\u3000The\u3000vehicle\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3000and\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000debris\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000’dozed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000a\u3000fallen\u3000storefront\u3002\u3000The\u3000impact\u3000left\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Kevin\u3000momentarily\u3000stunned\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000quickly\u3000shook\u3000themselves\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\u3000and\u3000scampered\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carrier’s\u3000open\u3000top\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000careless\u3000and\u3000crazed\u3000giant\u3000strides\u3000down\u3000the\u3000back\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heap\u3002
\n
\nRingo\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000threw\u3000their\u3000bikes\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pile\u3000with\u3000equal\u3000abandon\uff1b\u3000launching\u3000themselves\u3000over\u3000the\u3000top\u3000only\u3000to\u3000careen\u3000down\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000face\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000maniacally\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Kevin\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000an\u3000alleyway\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000street\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Ringo\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000gang\u3000to\u3000split\u3000up\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000the\u3000sidecar\u3000cyclist\u3000one\u3000way\u3000and\u3000instructing\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000form\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lead\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000wasn’t\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trap\u3000until\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000sidecar\u3000skid\u3000around\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000head\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Ringo\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bikes\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000shoved\u3000Kevin\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000debris\u2026strewn\u3000sidewalk\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abandoned\u3000buildings\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000sidecar\u3000driver\u3000gunned\u3000it\u3000and\u3000came\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000Ringo’s\u3000gang\u2026a\u3000dark\u2026skinned\u3000dude\u3000every\u3000inch\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u2026leaned\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sidecar\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000grab\u3000for\u3000Kevin\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000flattened\u3000himself\u3000against\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Kevin\u3000sidestepped\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Ringo’s\u3000man\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000shirt\u3000and\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Lunk\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Kevin\u3000was\u3000being\u3000dragged\u3000down\u3000the\u3000street\u3000by\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000scream\u3000for\u3000help\u3000but\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000Ringo’s\u3000men\u3000were\u3000accelerating\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000shouting\u3000and\u3000yahooing\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000toward\u3000Pops’\u3000bar\u3002\u3000Halfway\u3000there\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cycles\u3000ringing\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000were\u3000gathered\u3000out\u3000front\u3002\u3000And\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000raising\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000dropped\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000tuck\u2026and\u2026roll\u3000seconds\u3000before\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000fired\u3002\u3000The\u3000round\u3000impacted\u3000against\u3000an\u3000unbraced\u3000section\u3000of\u3000heaped\u2026up\u3000vehicles\u3000and\u3000mecha\u3000parts\u3000and\u3000loosed\u3000some\u3000of\u3000it\u3000into\u3000a\u3000slide\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000heard\u3000shouts\u3000and\u3000the\u3000squeal\u3000of\u3000brakes\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bikes\u3000went\u3000down\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000uncontrolled\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rasping\uff1b\u3000scraping\u3000sound\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000reached\u3000Pops’\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Ringo’s\u3000cycle\u3000pulled\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000leader\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000confronting\u3000the\u3000man\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000heard\u3000Ringo\u3000seethe\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000really\u3000pressing\u3000your\u3000luck\uff1b\u3000robby\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHearing\u3000Ringo\u3000use\u3000the\u3000derisive\u3000slang\u3000term\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Robotech\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000study\u3000his\u3000rescuer\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000straddling\u3000a\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000uniform\u3000with\u3000patches\u3000Lunk\u3000couldn’t\u3000identify\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000was\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000familiar\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Put\u3000your\u3000hands\u3000where\u3000I\u3000can\u3000see\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000told\u3000Ringo\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000turn\u3000your\u3000cycles\u3000around\u3000and\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3000The\u3000party’s\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRingo\u3000adjusted\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000flashed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000infamous\u3000grins\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000it\u3000your\u3000way\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000wanna\u3000see\u3000your\u3000friend\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000e\u3000on\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ranch\u2026if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000the\u3000guts\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000cycles\u3000roared\u3000off\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000asked\u3000about\u3000Lunk’s\u3000friend\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000quickly\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1a\u3000mostly\u3000locals\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000before\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000recognize\u3002\u3000Two\u3000attractive\u3000women\u3000and\u3000some\u3000carrot\u2026topped\u3000kid\u3002\u3000Another\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000him\u3000expectantly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nSpider\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000ridden\u3000together\u3000previously\uff1b\u3000Spider\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Kevin\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000just\u3000walk\u3000away\uff1f\u3003\u3000Spider\u3000said\u3000to\u3000him\u3000questioningly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000gotta\u3000go\u3000get\u3000’im\uff1b\u3000man\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000leave\u3000him\u3000with\u3000Ringo\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000then\u3000resumed\u3000his\u3000heavy\u3000steps\u3002
\n
\n\u3003With\u3000a\u3000friend\u3000like\u3000you\uff1b\u3000a\u3000guy\u3000doesn’t\u3000need\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000delight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000ashamed\u3000but\u3000angry\uff1b\u3000Spider\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000still\u3000waiting\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000soldier\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000strapping\u3000on\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000pectoral\u3000armor\u3002\u3000\u3003Where’s\u3000this\u3000ranch\uff1f\u3000How\u3000far\u3000is\u3000it\u3000from\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003About\u3000five\u3000miles\u2026\u3003\u3000Pops\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000soldier’s\u3000younger\u3000panion\u3000interrupted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hang\u3000on\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000redhead\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can’t\u3000keep\u3000fighting\u3000everybody’s\u3000battles\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000You\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000whip\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000planet\u3000back\u3000into\u3000shape\u3000single\u2026handed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000nuts\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000advise\u3000tangling\u3000with\u3000Ringo\uff1b\u3000stranger\uff1b\u3003’\u3000Pops\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000take\u3000our\u3000thanks\u3000and\u3000ride\u3000on\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Scott\u3000didn’t\u3000answer\u3000either\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000put\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000on\uff1b\u3000started\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wheelied\u3000off\u3002\u3000A\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000similar\u3000armor\u3000riding\u3000a\u3000red\u3000mecha\u3000followed\u3000him\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000soldier’s\u3000panion\u3000mutter\u3000a\u3000curse\u3000and\u3000yell\u3000for\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000down\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000angrily\u3000straddled\u3000his\u3000own\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Spider\u3000said\u3000leadingly\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000spun\u3000around\uff1b\u3000a\u3000determined\u3000look\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Really\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000those\u3000bums\u3000make\u3000a\u3000chump\u3000outta\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Spider\u3002\u3000Kevin’s\u3000our\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000leave\u3000him\u3000out\u3000there\u3002\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000need\u3000some\u3000wheels\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000scrip\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000rent\u3000’em\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000mine\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pops\uff1b\u3000fishing\u3000keys\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000don’t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000paying\u3000me\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000tossed\u3000chain\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000a\u3000thanks\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Pops’\u3000olive\u2026drab\u3000tri\u2026wheel\u3002\u3000Spider\u3000straddled\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000woman\u3000singer\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000once\u3000or\u3000twice\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000was\u3000also\u3000headed\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000vehicle\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000little\u3000kid\u3000with\u3000the\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\u3000cap\u3000was\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000introducing\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000married\u3000by\u3000any\u3000chance\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000face\u3000twisted\u3000up\u3000in\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000kiddin’\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000lucky\u3000boy\uff01\u3003\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000rode\u3000off\uff1b\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000bewilderment\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000man\u3000of\u3000my\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000added\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000into\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000pink\u3000roll\u2026barred\u3000jeep\u3002
\n
\n
\nScott’s\u3000improvised\u3000posse\u3000of\u3000seven\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000road\u3000out\u3000of\u3000town\u3000to\u3000a\u3000turnoff\u3000that\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hills\u3002\u3000They\u3000stopped\u3000once\u3000so\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000could\u3000suit\u3000Rand\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000run\u3000him\u3000quickly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000basics\u3000of\u3000mechamorphosis\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ranch\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000crest\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000rise\u3000near\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000stream\u3000that\u3000made\u3000it\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000choicest\u3000spots\u3000in\u3000the\u3000district\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000enclosed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000rustic\u3000post\u2026and\u2026rail\u3000fence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000beautiful\u3000old\u3000trees\u3000that\u3000had\u3000weathered\u3000more\u3000storms\uff1b\u3000natural\u3000and\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000than\u3000anyone\u3000cared\u3000to\u3000guess\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000pany\u3000rode\u3000in\u3000without\u3000ceremony\u3000and\u3000found\u3000Ringo’s\u3000gang\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shade\u3000of\u3000an\u3000immense\u3000oak\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000five\u3000of\u3000them\uff1a\u3000the\u3000knife\u2026wielding\u3000punk\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hulk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000two\u3000others\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000with\u3000Ringo\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000earlier\u3000that\u3000day\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000all\u3000astride\u3000their\u3000bikes\u2026the\u3000hulk\u3000in\u3000his\u3000usual\u3000sidecar\u3000seat\u2026grouped\u3000close\u3000together\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shallow\u3000arc\uff1b\u3000cycle\u3000weapons\u3000pointed\u3000outward\u3002\u3000Kevin\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000lashed\u3000by\u3000thick\u3000rope\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000trunk\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000ordered\u3000his\u3000group\u3000to\u3000a\u3000haft\u3000two\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002\u3000Ringo’s\u3000group\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000against\u3000the\u3000firepower\u3000of\u3000one\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000let\u3000alone\u3000three\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000from\u3000the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000alone\u3000three\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3000that\u3000Ringo\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3000one\u3000on\u3000one\u3000with\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000Kevin’s\u3000precarious\u3000position\u3000guaranteed\u3000against\u3000any\u3000Cyclone\u3000fireworks\uff1b\u3000so\u3000in\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000sense\u3000\uff08as\u3000was\u3000always\u3000the\u3000case\u3000when\u3000hostages\u3000were\u3000involved\uff09\u3000Scott’s\u3000position\u3000was\u3000the\u3000more\u3000vulnerable\u3000one\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000down\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000Spider\u3000to\u3000climb\u3000off\u3000the\u3000triple\u2026wheeler\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000given\u3000Ringo’s\u3000flair\u3000for\u3000dramatics\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000begin\u3000the\u3000festivities\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bike\u3000joust\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000figured\u3000he\u3000could\u3000handle\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000better\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000alone\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000but\u3000be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3003\u3000Spider\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sick\u3000to\u3000death\u3000of\u3000being\u3000careful\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000were\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Scott\u3000slightly\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000why\u3000you\u3000came\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000to\u3000the\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3000through\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000got\u3000no\u3000stake\u3000in\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000just\u3000as\u3000much\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\u3000as\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000harshly\u3000without\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Everybody\u3000stay\u3000loose\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000warned\u3002\u3000\u3003Keep\u3000your\u3000fingers\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000triggers\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000anyone\u3000getting\u3000hurt\u3000unless\u3000it\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000helped\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\u3000great\u3000loss\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000ask\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000muttered\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Reminds\u3000me\u3000of\u3000a\u3000movie\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000once\u3002\u3000Gunfight\u3000at\u3000the\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000can’t\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000title\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000is\u3000that\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003People\u3000die\u3000in\u3000real\u3000life\uff1b\u3000pal\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000that\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBefore\u3000Rand\u3000could\u3000say\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000Ringo\u3000called\u3000out\uff1a\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Lunky\u2026boy\u2026I\u3000can\u3000hear\u3000your\u3000knees\u3000knockin’\u3000together\uff01\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000just\u3000you\u3000and\u3000me\uff1b\u3000or\u3000do\u3000you\u3000need\u3000the\u3000army\u3000behind\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Ringo’s\u3000gang\u3000hooted\u3000and\u3000howled\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000use\u3000for\u3000the\u3000army\u3000a\u3000while\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000did\u3000ya\uff1f\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000you\u3000got\u3000a\u3000history\u3000of\u3000runnin’\u3000away\u3000from\u3000fights\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000Ain’t\u3000that\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Sweat\u3000was\u3000beading\u3000up\u3000across\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000were\u3000knocking\u3000against\u3000the\u3000valve\u3000covers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cycle’s\u3000engine\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000nothin’\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000ya\u3000little\u3000shit\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000bite\u3000out\u3002
\n
\nRingo\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000his\u3000knee\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\u3000if\u3000I\u3000blew\u3000your\u3000cover\u3002\u3000I\u3000keep\u3000forgettin’\u3000you’re\u3000too\u3000modest\u3000to\u3000brag\u3000about\u3000your\u3000military\u3000record\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000prove\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000muscles\u3000and\u3000veins\u3000standing\u3000out\u3000like\u3000cords\u3000in\u3000his\u3000beefy\u3000neck\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nothin’\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ringo\u3000returned\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothin’\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000’Cept\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000hate\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000since\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000use\u3000for\u3000them\u3000ourselves\uff1b\u3000we\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000help\u3000them\u3000along\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000began\u3000to\u3000rev\u3000his\u3000cycle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000his\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003Hand\u3000over\u3000your\u3000hostage\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000demanded\u3000of\u3000Ringo\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000gang\u3000leader\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000men\u3000and\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000might\u3000just\u3000make\u3000you\u3000part\u3000of\u3000today’s\u3000quota\uff1b\u3000robby\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000we\u3000ain’t\u3000picky\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000knifer\u3000threw\u3000in\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000we’re\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000your\u3000firepower\uff1b\u3000neither\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000hulk\u3000yelled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sidecar\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000a\u3000bazooka\u2026type\u3000weapon\u3000into\u3000view\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000psyching\u3000themselves\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000cautioned\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003Be\u3000ready\uff01\u3003
\n
\nOn\u3000Ringo’s\u3000word\u3000the\u3000four\u3000cycles\u3000leapt\u3000forward\u3000in\u3000a\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000a\u3000round\u3000detonated\u3000in\u3000their\u3000midst\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000off\u3000their\u3000machines\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fired\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000Spider\u3000and\u3000Annie’s\u3000simultaneous\u3000screams\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1a\u3000Three\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000over\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oak\u3000tree\u3002\u3000Ringo\u3000and\u3000his\u3000boys\u3000were\u3000bolting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ranch\u3000house\u3000as\u3000continued\u3000flashes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Troopers’\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000their\u3000cycles\u3000apart\u3002\u3000Kevin\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000desperately\u3000to\u3000free\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000trunk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000shouting\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000something\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000took\u3000the\u3000initiative\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000engaging\u3000the\u3000thrusters\u3000and\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000left\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000went\u3000after\u3000him\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000third\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000low\u3000toward\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000working\u3000the\u3000system\u3000switches\u3000frantically\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000to\u3000reconfigure\u3002
\n
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff01\u3000e\u3000on\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002What\u3000the\u3000heck’s\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000this\u3000thing\uff01\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000calm\u3000down\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Remember\u3000what\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000you\u2026your\u3000thoughts\u3000have\u3000to\u3000help\u3000it\u3000along\u3002\u3000Relax\u3000and\u3000stop\u3000bashing\u3000away\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000lowered\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000thumb\u3000switch\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000watched\u3000amazed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000restructured\uff1b\u3000wrapping\u3000itself\u3000around\u3000her\u3000and\u3000integrating\u3000with\u3000her\u3000armor\u3002\u3000\u3003Treat\u3000it\u3000gently\u2026like\u3000it’s\u3000alive\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000added\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000meanwhile\u3000was\u3000off\u3000in\u3000another\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000fields\u3000dancing\u3000between\u3000the\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000sent\u3000his\u3000way\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000put\u3000down\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000lift\u3000off\u3000after\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000agile\u3000leaps\u3000and\u3000bounces\u3000and\u3000return\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000the\u3000suit’s\u3000forearm\u3000rocket\u3000launchers\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000escape\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000yelled\u3000to\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000particular\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000never\u3000be\u3000fighting\u3000again\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000was\u3000engaging\u3000the\u3000third\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Rand\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000with\u3000reconfiguration\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000give\u3000up\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000reciprocal\u3000vibe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000the\u3000damned\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000actually\u3000conforming\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000armor\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000disbelief\u3000under\u3000the\u3000helmet’s\u3000faceplate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gently\u3000engaged\u3000the\u3000system’s\u3000hoverthrusters\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000the\u3000skies\u3000for\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000Rook\u3000or\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000powering\u3000up\u3000through\u3000a\u3000backflip\u3000one\u3000minute\u3000and\u3000dropping\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stiff\u2026legged\u3000bomb\u3000the\u3000next\u3002\u3000But\u3000her\u3000Invid\u3000target\u3000leapt\u3000away\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000hooking\u3000itself\u3000overhead\u3000and\u3000dishing\u3000out\u3000a\u3000blast\u3000that\u3000nearly\u3000caught\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000avoided\u3000the\u3000explosion\u3000by\u3000launching\u3000straight\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000sticking\u3000close\uff1b\u3000discharging\u3000two\u3000more\u3000bolts\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000which\u3000nicked\u3000her\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000into\u3000a\u3000spinning\u3000descent\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000of\u3000trees\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000handling\u3000himself\u3000well\u3000against\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000Troopers\u3000but\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000land\u3000a\u3000Scorpion\u3000on\u3000either\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000now\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000off\u3000another\u3000shot\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000surrounded\u3000him\uff1b\u3000pincers\u3000swinging\uff1b\u3000discs\u3000cratering\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000earth\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000joined\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000together\u3000they\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000chase\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000off\u3000momentarily\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000congratulating\u3000Rand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mechamorphosis\u3000when\u3000Lunk\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000alongside\u3000on\u3000the\u3000triplewheeler\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000weren’t\u3000ever\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000space\u3000battalion\uff1b\u3000were\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000asked\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1f\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000can\u3000fly\u3000a\u3000Veritech\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000I\u3000can\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000excitedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000have\u3000one\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Follow\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000watched\u3000them\u3000zoom\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000running\u3000alongside\u3000Lunk’s\u3000cycle\u3002\u3000He\u3000dodged\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000that\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000flatten\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000forearm\u3000up\u3000to\u3000fire\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000already\u3000flying\u3000off\u3000to\u3000link\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\uff1b\u3000all\u3000three\u3000headed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000general\u3000direction\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000I\u3000hang\u3000around\u3000with\u3000this\u3000guy\u3000long\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000get\u3000myself\u3000killed\u3000for\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000upright\u3000in\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000hovering\u3000two\u3000feet\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000matter\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000\u3003your\u3000joints\u3000rusting\u3000up\u3000on\u3000you\u3000or\u3000something\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000trying\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000really\u3000aren’t\u3000much\u3000use\u3000in\u3000bat\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3000as\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000hover\u3000off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000configuration\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000like\u3000I’m\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000technically\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000nonbatant\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000know\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Did\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000about\u3000the\u3000time\u3000I\u3000fought\u3000off\u3000three\u3000Invid\u3000patrols\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nFrom\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ranch\u3000house\uff1b\u3000Ringo\u3000watched\u3000Spider\u3000set\u3000Kevin\u3000free\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ropes\u3000that\u3000held\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002\u3000Knifer\u3000was\u3000kneeling\u3000by\u3000the\u3000window\uff1b\u3000peering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000stool\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hulk\u3000was\u3000cowering\u3000in\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000under\u3000a\u3000shelf\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Stop\u3000your\u3000whinin’\uff1b\u3000you\u3000lily\u2026livered\u3000rogue\uff01\u3003\u3000Ringo\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\u3002
\n
\nKnifer\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Ringo\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000can\u3000hear\u3000your\u3000knees\u3000knockin’\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRingo\u3000made\u3000an\u3000exasperated\u3000face\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000down\u3000on\u3000Knifer’s\u3000skull\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000because\u3000I’m\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000bonehead\u3002\u3000Mad\uff1b\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000mad\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000punctuated\u3000each\u3000word\u3000with\u3000a\u3000follow\u2026up\u3000blow\u3002
\n
\nElsewhere\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000asking\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000why\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hanging\u3000around\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000singer’s\u3000pink\u3000armored\u3000vehicle\uff1b\u3000parked\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000of\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000fighting\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000from\u3000them\uff1f\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000warning\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000get\u3000very\u3000jealous\u3002\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000seat\u3000with\u3000an\u3000enigmatic\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000assured\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000\u3003there’s\u3000absolutely\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000jealous\u3000of\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000then\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000okay\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000perking\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000hang\u3000around\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000you\u3000want\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Veritech\u3000hangar\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dilapidated\u3000circular\u3000building\uff1b\u3000holed\u3000in\u3000numerous\u3000places\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hemispherical\u3000red\u3000roof\u3000sectioned\u3000off\u3000and\u3000reinforced\u3000by\u3000curved\u3000trusses\u3002\u3000A\u3000mostly\u3000ruined\u3000solar\u3000windmill\u3000rose\u3000alongside\u3000the\u3000structure\uff1b\u3000which\u3000Scott\u3000guessed\u3000was\u3000a\u3000barn\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000Up\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Lunk\u3000give\u3000a\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000jump\u3000the\u3000triple\u2026wheeler\u3000from\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000grassy\u3000embankment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000accelerate\u3000through\u3000the\u3000fallow\u3000fields\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000makeshift\u3000hangar\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000in\u3000hot\u3000pursuit\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000their\u3000gleaming\u3000crablike\u3000bodies\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hurry\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000Lunk\u3000shout\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000been\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000rusting\u3000shell\u3000of\u3000a\u3000first\u2026generation\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000building\u3000his\u3000hopes\u3000took\u3000a\u3000leap\u3000forward\u3002\u3000Carefully\u3000positioned\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spacious\u3000loft\u3000was\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000well\u2026maintained\u3000Alpha\u3000Fighter\uff1b\u3000sans\u3000augmentation\u3000pack\u3000and\u3000boosters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000a\u3000leftover\u3000from\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000stages\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Climb\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Who’s\u3000been\u3000maintaining\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000asked\u3000as \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000War\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Climb\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Who’s\u3000been\u3000maintaining\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000asked\u3000as\u3000he\u3000struggled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reconfigured\u3000Cyclone\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000as\u3000stupid\u3000as\u3000you\u3000might\u3000think\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000above\u3000explosive\u3000volleys\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000Discs\u3000were\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000loosening\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000debris\u3000from\u3000the\u3000exposed\u3000rafters\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000certified\u3000bio\u2026maintenance\u3000engineer\u3002\u3000Trust\u3000me\uff1b\u3000this\u3000baby\u3000will\u3000fly\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000climbed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000barn\u3000loft\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000Veritech’s\u3000radome\u3000an\u3000affectionate\u3000pat\u3002\u3000He\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000open\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3000got\u3000a\u3000good\u3000handhold\uff1b\u3000and\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000bothered\u3000to\u3000change\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000he\u3000exchanged\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Veritech’s\u3000own\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\u3003\u3000and\u3000began\u3000a\u3000run\u2026through\u3000of\u3000the\u3000systems\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000so\u3000long\u3000since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000piloted\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000in\u3000atmosphere\uff1b\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000off\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Everything\u3000seems\u3000in\u3000order\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000down\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000as\u3000an\u3000explosion\u3000tore\u3000out\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000section\u3000of\u3000wall\u3002
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000hands\u3000went\u3000to\u3000his\u3000ears\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000breach\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000glimpsed\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Troopers\u3000land\u3000and\u3000begin\u3000their\u3000approach\u3000on\u3000the\u3000barn\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000never\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000power\u3000up\u3000fast\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000just\u3000then\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000arrived\u3000to\u3000check\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000advance\u3002\u3000The\u3000red\u3000Cycloner\u3000launched\u3000herself\u3000like\u3000a\u3000projectile\u3000straight\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Trooper’s\u3000optic\u3000sensors\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Rand\u3000fired\u3000two\u3000Scorpions\u3000against\u3000a\u3000second\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Scott\u3000needed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000levels\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000much\u3000to\u3000Rand’s\u3000consternation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000radome\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000was\u3000punching\u3000through\u3000the\u3000barn’s\u3000roof\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000into\u3000a\u3000steep\u3000climb\uff1b\u3000luring\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000away\u3000from\u3000their\u3000swipe\u3000attacks\u3000against\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000accelerate\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sweeping\u3000arc\u3000and\u3000head\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000its\u3000pursuers\uff1b\u3000destroying\u3000one\u3000with\u3000a\u3000missile\u3000too\u3000swift\u3000for\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000track\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000beginning\u3002\u3000Now\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000was\u3000reconfiguring\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000two\u3000remaining\u3000Invid\u3000on\u3000a\u3000high\u2026speed\u3000chase\u3000over\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000upright\u2026a\u3000techno\u2026knight\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000thin\u3000air\u2026while\u3000salvos\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000beamed\u3000past\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000out\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000levers\u3000that\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000partments\u3000built\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000forearm\uff1b\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lower\u2026leg\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000systems\u3000through\u3000to\u3000launch\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000ing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000now\u2026it\u3000had\u3000to\uff01\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000techno\u2026knight\u3000was\u3000enpassed\u3000in\u3000energy\u3000balloons\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000missiles\u3000tore\u3000from\u3000their\u3000launch\u3000racks\u3000like\u3000so\u3000many\u3000red\u2026tipped\u3000arrows\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000The\u3000Troopers\u3000took\u3000the\u3000full\u3000storm\u3000and\u3000were\u3000all\u3000but\u3000disintegrated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blasts\u3002
\n
\n
\nDown\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Kevin\u3000and\u3000Spider\u3000were\u3000running\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000barn\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000just\u3000leapt\u3000from\u3000Yellow’s\u3000jeep\u3000and\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000out\u3000for\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000already\u3000reconfigured\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3000and\u3000were\u3000doffing\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000and\u3000cumbersome\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000down\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000engines\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000barn\u3000unharmed\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000Annie\u3000midair\u3000as\u3000she\u3000jumped\u3000up\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000you\u3000are\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000gushed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000get\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you’d\u3000e\u3000back\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000held\u3000her\u3000away\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000miffed\u3000but\u3000understanding\u3000grin\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000decided\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000for\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000thanks\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000could\u3000say\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000tolerantly\u3000and\u3000gently\u3000lowered\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000a\u3000little\u3000young\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000other\u3000plans\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000despondent\uff1b\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000what\u3000those\u3000other\u3000plans\u3000might\u3000be\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000shoulders\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Join\u3000the\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003See\u3000if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000make\u3000up\u3000for\u3000past\u3000mistakes\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000join\u3000forces\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000mean\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKevin\u3000looked\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000not\u3000serious\uff1b\u3000robby\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000sneakin’\u3000around\u3000like\u3000a\u3000frightened\u3000little\u3000weasel\u3002\u3000Face\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Kevin\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000soldier\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3000And\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000I\u3000started\u3000acting\u3000like\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Use\u3000your\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Kevin\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000war’s\u3000a\u3000lost\u3000cause\u3002\u3000What\u3000can\u3000two\uff1b\u3000ten\uff1b\u3000or\u3000even\u3000two\u3000hundred\u3000do\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000can\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000made\u3000a\u3000disappointed\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000were\u3000special\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000bent\u3000down\uff1b\u3000perplexed\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ask\uff1a\u3000\u3003But\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000ago\u3000I\u3000was\u3000the\u3000man\u3000of\u3000your\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000lips\u3000tightened\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000I’d\u3000never\u3000marry\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3002\u3000They\u3000don’t\u3000last\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000nowadays\u3002\u3003
\n
\nKevin\u3000and\u3000Spider\u3000laughed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000kid’s\u3000no\u3000dummy\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000for\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000offered\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000stepped\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000jeep\u3000and\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000VT\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000sign\u3000up\u3000for\u3000the\u3000team\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000knowing\u3000elbow\u3000into\u3000Rand’s\u3000ribs\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000Kevin\u3000sent\u3000one\u3000into\u3000Spider’s\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott’s\u3000answer\u3000disappointed\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thanks\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000enough\u3000troops\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000hire\u3000an\u3000entertainer\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000to\u3000me\u3000than\u3000meets\u3000the\u3000eye\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Yellow\u3002
\n
\n\u3003As\u3000if\u3000that\u3000isn’t\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000mented\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000but\u3000loudly\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000Rook\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000I\u3000see\u3000is\u3000an\u3000attractive\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rather\u3000slinky\u3000outfit\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wrong\u3000on\u3000both\u3000counts\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000answered\u3000him\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jeep\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000something\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000buzz\u3000of\u3000general\u3000puzzlement\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000the\u3000would\u2026be\u3000team\u3000as\u3000Yellow\u3000sauntered\u3000off\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000undo\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000buttons\u3000of\u3000her\u3000strapless\u3000top\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000w\u2026wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000stammered\u3000in\u3000protest\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000appreciate\u3000your\u3000wanting\u3000to\uff1b\u3000er\u2026show\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000that’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000change\u3000my\u3000mind\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Is\u3000she\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000what\u3000I\u3000think\u3000she’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000gulping\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sure\u3000looks\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000in\u3000an\u3000interested\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000meanwhile\u3000had\u3000removed\u3000her\u3000top\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3000jeep\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000had\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000long\u3000lavender\u3000hair\u3000falling\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000band\u3000of\u3000her\u3000brassiere\u3002
\n
\n\u3003H\u2026hey\uff1b\u3000now\u3000hold\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000desperate\u3000tone\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000she’s\u3000right\u3000about\u3000one\u3000thing\u2026she’s\u3000not\u3000wearin’\u3000no\u3000slinky\u3000outfit\u3000anymore\u3002\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000them\u3000a\u3000wink\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000reached\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000only\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000can\u3000and\u3000unfastened\u3000the\u3000bra\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000slip\u3000from\u3000her\u3000breasts\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000had\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000them\u3000when\u3000she\u3000undid\u3000her\u3000trousers\u3000and\u3000let\u3000them\u3000fall\u3002\u3000The\u3000pink\u3000jeep\u3000concealed\u3000whatever\u3000treasures\u3000these\u3000moments\u3000might\u3000have\u3000held\u3000for\u3000the\u3000red\u2026faced\u3000team\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000what’s\u3000she\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000as\u3000Dancer\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000towel\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000scrub\u3000her\u3000face\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000responded\u3000sternly\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000want\u3000an\u3000end\u3000to\u3000it\u3000right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000hear\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Yellow\uff1f\u3000You\u3000can\u3000stop\u3000this\u3000little\u3000game\uff1b\u3000because\u3000we’re\u3000not\u3000taking\u3000you\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000final\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000Yellow\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000something\u3000was\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000very\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000indeed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000laugh\u3000hysterically\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Y\u2026yellow\u3000Dancer\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000tentatively\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000Kevin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Spider\u3000drew\u3000in\u3000stunned\u3000but\u3000disappointed\u3000intakes\u3000of\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000confused\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000wordless\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000plain\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000was\u3000a\u3000man\u2026a\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000hairless\uff1b\u3000lean\u3000and\u3000attractive\u3000man\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000start\u3000by\u3000calling\u3000me\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000his\u3000stunned\u3000audience\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000deeper\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000name\u3000suits\u3000me\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000there\u3000are\u3000no\u3000further\u3000objections\u3000to\u3000my\u3000tagging\u3000along\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000Woman\u3000or\u3000cross\u2026dresser\uff1b\u3000what\u3000was\u3000the\u3000difference\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000himself\u3002\u3000But\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000have\u3000second\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fascinating\u3000but\u3000bizarre\u3000place\u3000where\u3000women\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000want\u3000to\u3000mix\u3000it\u3000up\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000men\u3002\u3000So\u3000maybe\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000place\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000er\uff1b\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000meanwhile\u3000was\u3000beside\u3000himself\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000all\u3000those\u3000dreams\u3000of\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000for\u3000months\u2026all\u3000those\u3000fantasies\uff01\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000do\u3000this\u3000to\u3000me\u2026your\u3000biggest\u3000fan\uff1f\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wasn’t\u3000exactly\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000chimed\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nEveryone\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000except\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000how\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Captain\uff1f\u3000Do\u3000I\u3000make\u3000the\u3000team\u3000or\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\u3000and\u3000shrugs\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000you\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SEVEN
\n
\nMom\uff1b\u3000who\u3000thrived\u3000on\u3000adversity\uff1b\u3000had\u3000met\u3000her\u3000perfect\u3000foil\u3000in\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000Fortunately\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000they\u3000eventually\u3000worked\u3000it\u3000through\u3002
\nMaria\u3000Bartley\u2026Rand\uff1b\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Protoculture
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000had\u3000been\u3000formed\uff1a\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000\uff08although\u3000Scott\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000singer\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000counted\u3000twice\uff09\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000them\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000acpany\u3000Scott\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u2026if\u3000such\u3000a\u3000place\u3000actually\u3000existed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000a\u3000loose\u3000agreement\u3000among\u3000six\u3000people\u3000headed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000general\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000each\u3000with\u3000a\u3000separate\u3000purpose\u3000in\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000defeated\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\u3000he\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000link\u3000up\u3000with\u3000other\u3000downed\u3000fighters\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000and\u3000establish\u3000an\u3000organized\u3000resistance\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000a\u3000redemption\u3000of\u3000sorts\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000for\u3000a\u3000family\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000aims\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000less\u3000clear\u2026cut\uff1b\u3000their\u3000pasts\u3000remained\u3000unrevealed\uff1b\u3000their\u3000motives\u3000somewhat\u3000suspect\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000team\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000now\u3000was\u3000an\u3000a \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n heir\u3000motives\u3000somewhat\u3000suspect\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000team\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000now\u3000was\u3000an\u3000adequate\u3000plan\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000present\u3000one\u3000wasn’t\u3000working\u3000well\u3000at\u3000all\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000risk\u3000calling\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000their\u3000latest\u3000acquisition\u2026the\u3000Alpha\u3000Fighter\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000so\u3000reverently\u3000maintained\u3000after\u3000his\u3000rather\u3000hasty\u3000departure\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u2026Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000flown\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000north\u3000under\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000night\u3000and\u3000secluded\u3000it\u3000along\u3000the\u3000river\u3000that\u3000marked\u3000the\u3000border\u3000of\u3000the\u3000neighboring\u3000territory\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000rode\u3000back\u3000to\u3000town\u3000on\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000meantime\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000gathering\u3000up\u3000what\u3000they\u3000could\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000foodstuffs\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000would\u3000secure\u3000a\u3000safe\u3000route\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000loaded\u3000APC\u3002
\n
\nThings\u3000went\u3000smoothly\u3000enough\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000to\u3000his\u3000assignment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000rendezvoused\u3000with\u3000the\u3000APC\/Cyclone\u3000convoy\u3000on\u3000schedule\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000their\u3000trek\u3000north\u3000and\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000highlands\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000It\u3000hadn’t\u3000paid\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000enemies\u3000the\u3000likes\u3000of\u3000Ringo\u3000behind\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000held\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rugged\u3000mountain\u3000road\uff1b\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000were\u3000a\u3000few\u3000lengths\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000then\u3000came\u3000Lunk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000on\u3000her\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000five\u3000Troopers\u3000in\u3000pursuit\uff1b\u3000with\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000striking\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000faces\u3000above\u3000and\u3000below\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000waved\u3000for\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000pour\u3000it\u3000on\u3000and\u3000accelerated\u3000along\u3000the\u3000arid\u3000slope\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000pulled\u3000alongside\u3000him\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000above\u3000the\u3000deafening\u3000explosions\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000gaining\u3000on\u3000us\uff01\u3003\u3000To\u3000maintain\u3000their\u3000low\u3000profile\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000against\u3000suiting\u3000up\u3000in\u3000helmets\u3000or\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000haven’t\u3000got\u3000a\u3000prayer\u3000unless\u3000we\u3000can\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000and\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000lead\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000would\u3000stay\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000armor\u3000up\u3000and\u3000reconfigure\u3000for\u3000bat\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000signaled\u3000his\u3000assent\uff1b\u3000cautioned\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000tight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000out\u3000front\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000sooner\u3000had\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000crest\u3000than\u3000two\u3000Invid\u3000rose\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000engaged\u3000the\u3000brakes\uff1b\u3000pivoting\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000through\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000180\uff1b\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hill\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000dismounted\u3000yet\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000turning\u3000around\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’ve\u3000got\u3000us\u3000surrounded\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000reported\u3002\u3000\u3003We’d\u3000better\u3000go\u3000cross\u2026country\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000indicated\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000grade\u3000above\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\u3002\u3000No\u3000detours\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000argued\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Alpha’s\u3000only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u2026we’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000break\u3000through\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000snorted\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000break\u3000through\uff1b\u3000Captain\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hills\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000stomped\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000took\u3000off\uff1b\u3000scrambling\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rutted\u3000incline\uff1b\u3000heedless\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000shouts\u3000to\u3000stop\u3002\u3000But\u3000not\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000ascending\u3000into\u3000view\u3000at\u3000both\u3000ends\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000logic\u3000of\u3000Rand’s\u3000choice\u3002\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000screeched\u3000off\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hill\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000barren\u3000stretch\u3000of\u3000plateau\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slope\uff1b\u3000separated\u3000from\u3000twin\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000pine\u3000forest\u3000by\u3000steep\u3000crevices\u3000too\u3000wide\u3000to\u3000jump\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\u3000realized\u3000their\u3000advantage\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000loose\u3000disc\u3000storms\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000from\u3000their\u3000cannons\u3002\u3000As\u3000always\uff1b\u3000there\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000made\u3000to\u3000incapacitate\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000humans\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000could\u3000just\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000have\u3000been\u3000poor\u3000marksmanship\u3000on\u3000their\u3000part\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000the\u3000plateau\u2026great\u3000swirls\u3000of\u3000weathered\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000shale\u2026was\u3000being\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000and\u3000superheated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Troopers’\u3000fusillades\u3002\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\uff1b\u3000slower\u3000and\u3000far\u3000less\u3000maneuverable\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000provided\u3000the\u3000best\u3000target\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000soon\u3000concentrating\u3000their\u3000bursts\u3000against\u3000it\u3002\u3000Inside\u3000the\u3000cab\uff1b\u3000the\u3000big\u3000man\u3000was\u3000bouncing\u3000around\u3000like\u3000a\u3000featherweight\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000in\u3000control\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000When\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000disc\u3000streaked\u3000by\u3000inches\u3000from\u3000the\u3000carrier\uff1b\u3000he\u3000lost\u3000it\u3000pletely\uff1b\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000crashed\u3000into\u3000a\u3000boulder\u3000and\u3000overturned\uff1b\u3000hurling\u3000Lunk\u3000twenty\u3000feet\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000landing\u3000facedown\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shale\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000last\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000grabbed\u3000two\u3000sacks\u3000of\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000to\u3000them\u3000during\u3000his\u3000brief\u3000airborne\u3000journey\u3002\u3000The\u3000sacks\u3000cushioned\u3000his\u3000fall\u3000somewhat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000blacked\u3000out\u3000momentarily\u3000nevertheless\u3002\u3000ing\u3000to\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Rook’s\u3000voice\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000warning\u3000him\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000his\u3000head\u3000down\u3002\u3000He\u3000did\u3000as\u3000instructed\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000streak\u3000over\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000witnessed\u3000the\u3000collision\u3000and\u3000stopped\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3000to\u3000return\u3000fire\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000rear\u3000weapons\u3000into\u3000play\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000together\u3000and\u3000rebag\u3000items\u3000spilled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sacks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\uff01\u3000Forget\u3000that\u3000stuff\u3000and\u3000e\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000shouted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000need\u3000these\u3000Protoculture\u3000energy\u3000cells\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mecha\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000countered\uff1b\u3000ducking\u3000as\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000Frisbeed\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000close\u3000at\u3000hand\u3000now\uff1b\u3000upright\u3000and\u3000laying\u3000out\u3000salvo\u3000after\u3000salvo\u3000of\u3000white\u2026hot\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Explosions\u3000began\u3000to\u3000erupt\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000orange\u3000blossoms\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shale\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000supplies\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000a\u3000beeline\u3000for\u3000Scott’s\u3000idling\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000straddling\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3000not\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000too\u3000soon\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000toothbrush\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000moaned\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wrecked\u3000APC\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000gunned\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000a\u3000wheelie\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000your\u3000teeth\u3000will\u3000fall\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000better\u3000than\u3000having\u3000your\u3000head\u3000blown\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000headed\u3000downhill\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000across\u3000a\u3000smooth\u3000flow\u3000of\u3000solid\u3000rock\u3000with\u3000an\u3000inviting\u3000forest\u3000of\u3000tall\u3000firs\u3000and\u3000eucalyptus\u3000at\u3000its\u3000base\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000spied\u3000an\u3000unpaved\u3000road\u3000and\u3000made\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000signaling\u3000the\u3000others\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000his\u3000lead\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000track\u3000them\u3000but\u3000eventually\u3000gave\u3000up\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000widely\u3000believed\u3000\uff08but\u3000certainly\u3000unproven\uff09\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000fearsome\u3000respect\u3000for\u3000forests\u3000in\u3000general\u3002\u3000The\u3000Troopers\u3000circled\u3000overhead\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000while\uff1b\u3000then\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fan\u3000out\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000all\u3000possible\u3000points\u3000of\u3000egress\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000directed\u3000his\u3000band\u3000north\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000By\u3000his\u3000reckoning\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000now\u3000somewhat\u3000west\u3000of\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000but\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000river\u3000would\u3000put\u3000them\u3000in\u3000good\u3000position\u3000for\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000eastward\u3000swing\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000forest\u3000thinned\u3000as\u3000they\u3000worked\u3000their\u3000way\u3000north\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000tall\u3000grass\u3000terraces\u3000that\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000measured\u3000steps\u3000to\u3000the\u3000river\u3000gorge\u3000itself\u3002\u3000The\u3000grass\u3000was\u3000deep\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000places\u3000of\u3000concealment\u3000for\u3000themselves\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000continued\u3000their\u3000cautious\u3000advance\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000we\u3000lost\u3000’em\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000poking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000above\u3000the\u3000grass\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000tall\u3000buttes\u3000and\u3000stone\u3000tors\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000answered\u3000him\u3000from\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000must\u3000have\u2026there’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000those\u3000things\u3000can\u3000follow\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000’bout\u3000some\u3000food\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000showed\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000really\u3000take\u3000the\u3000cake\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000could\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003First\u3000you\u3000nearly\u3000get\u3000us\u3000all\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000all\u3000you\u3000can\u3000think\u3000about\u3000is\u3000that\u3000selfish\u3000stomach\u3000of\u3000yours\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Drop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000more\u3000harshly\u3000than\u3000was\u3000necessary\u3002\u3000He\u3000switched\u3000on\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000briefly\u3000to\u3000read\u3000the\u3000system\u3000indicator\u3000displays\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000right\u3000about\u3000those\u3000Protoculture\u3000cells\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000imperative\u3000that\u3000I\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000Someone’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000off\u3000in\u3000case\u3000I’m\u3000spotted\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000let\u3000them\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000suddenly\u3000shushed\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000ing\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000dropped\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000weapons\u3000as\u3000they\u3000did\u3000so\u3002\u3000Minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000three\u3000Troopers\u3000could\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000patrolling\u3000the\u3000gorge\uff1b\u3000their\u3000scanners\u3000alert\u3000for\u3000movement\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cliffs\u3000above\u3000the\u3000river\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Everybody\u3000hold\u3000your\u3000fire\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000did\u3000they\u3000find\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000to\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000particular\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000her\u3000breast\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000betcha\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000my\u3000heart\u3000pounding\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Mars\u2026galant\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u2026barreled\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sidearm\u3000blaster\u3000the\u3000offworlder\u3000wore\uff1b\u3000shaped\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000like\u3000an\u3000elongated\u3000closed\u2026topped\u3000Y\u3000Time\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u2026line\u3000with\u3000this\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000sooner\u3000did\u3000he\u3000flip\u3000the\u3000switch\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000stopped\u3000their\u3000bipedal\u3000patrol\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Open\u3000fire\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000yelled\u3000as\u3000globes\u3000of\u3000fulgent\u3000energy\u3000formed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000muzzles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Troopers’\u3000cannons\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000their\u3000H\u202690’s\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000against\u3000the\u3000invaders\u3002\u3000Phased\u2026laser\u3000fire\u3000seared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Troopers’\u3000armored\u3000bodies\uff1b\u3000while\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000ripped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cliff’s\u3000grassy\u3000terrace\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000off\u3000violent\u3000fires\u3000and\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000dense\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000Two\u3000more\u3000Invid\u3000appeared\u3000above\u3000the\u3000cliffs\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000team\uff1b\u3000adding\u3000their\u3000own\u3000volleys\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arena\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000gotta\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trees\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3000above\u3000the\u3000angry\u3000buzz\u3000of\u3000disc\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000concussive\u3000detonations\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lead\u3000them\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000gone\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAbandoning\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000broke\u3000ranks\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000belly\u2026crawl\u3000their\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000line\u3002\u3000They\u3000scaled\u3000slope\u3000after\u3000slope\uff1b\u3000beating\u3000a\u3000circuitous\u3000retreat\u3000across\u3000each\u3000terrace\u3002\u3000The\u3000closest\u3000call\u3000came\u3000when\u3000Rook\u3000miscalculated\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000slipped\u3000into\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000ravine\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000there\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000hauling\u3000her\u3000up\u3000and\u3000supporting\u3000her\u3000while\u3000they\u3000ran\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000they\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000hid\u3000themselves\u3000high\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000branches\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000walking\u3000sweeping\u3000patrols\u3000along\u3000the\u3000perimeter\uff1b\u3000two\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000braving\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000and\u3000dark\u3000mystery\u3000to\u3000probe\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000flicked\u3000his\u3000gallant\u3000on\u2026line\u3000again\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000group\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002\u3000Curiously\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000stopped\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n lant\u3000on\u2026line\u3000again\u3000as\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000group\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000beneath\u3000him\u3002\u3000Curiously\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000stopped\u3000short\uff1b\u3000its\u3000would\u2026be\u3000head\u3000rotating\u3000upward\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000took\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000sharp\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u2026not\u3000out\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000but\u3000from\u3000realization\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff01\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000river\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3000when\u3000I\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000power\u3000cell\u3000on\u3000my\u3000blaster\u3002\u3000And\u3000just\u3000now\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000made\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000try\u3000an\u3000experiment\u3000to\u3000validate\u3000his\u3000findings\u3002\u3000He\u3000disarmed\u3000the\u3000power\u3000cell\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000lost\u3000interest\u3000and\u3000stomped\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000gotta\u3000be\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000exhaling\u3000pent\u2026up\u3000fear\u3000when\u3000something\u3000orange\u3000and\u3000menacing\u3000suddenly\u3000dropped\u3000on\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000branch\u3000above\u3002\u3000His\u3000throat\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000utter\u3000the\u3000scream\u3000his\u3000guts\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000start\u3000nonetheless\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000like\u3000a\u3000club\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000upside\u3000down\u3000and\u3000dangling\u3000from\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000carrot\u2026colored\u3000hair\u3000like\u3000an\u3000unfurled\u3000flag\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Were\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000\u3003Were\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000ever\u3000sneak\u3000up\u3000on\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000seethed\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000now\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000Rand\u3000that\u3000the\u3000coast\u3000was\u3000clear\u3002\u3000Excitedly\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000scrambled\u3000down\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000know\u3000why\u3000we’ve\u3000been\u3000having\u3000so\u3000much\u3000trouble\u3000getting\u3000these\u3000blasted\u3000walking\u3000lobsters\u3000off\u3000our\u3000trail\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000announced\u3002\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000weapon’s\u3000on\u2026line\u3000switch\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000giving\u3000ourselves\u3000away\u3000every\u3000time\u3000we\u3000switch\u3000on\u3000our\u3000Cyclones\u3000or\u3000our\u3000blasters\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000so\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000can\u3000detect\u3000the\u3000bio\u2026energy\u3000given\u3000off\u3000by\u3000our\u3000Robotech\u3000mecha\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000helped\u3000Annie\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000could\u3000be\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003Back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000river\u3000Scott\u3000left\u3000the\u3000panel\u3000gauges\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000on\u3002\u3000They\u3000could’ve\u3000homed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Right\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000agreed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000makes\u3000sense\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000an\u3000issue\u3000on\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000things\u3000about\u3000Earth\u3000that\u3000separated\u3000it\u3000from\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Of\u3000course\u3000it\u3000makes\u3000sense\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000continuing\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000thrive\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000like\u3000they\u3000can\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000a\u3000shark\u3000is\u3000able\u3000to\u3000smell\u3000blood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Charming\u3000thought\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000distastefully\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Wizard\uff01\u3000You\u3000really\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000out\u3000by\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000smiled\u3000with\u3000elaborate\u3000modesty\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sure\u3000doesn’t\u3000happen\u3000very\u3000often\uff1b\u3000does\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000scoffed\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1f\u3000Besides\u3000your\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000what\u3000have\u3000you\u3000contributed\u3000lately\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook’s\u3000nostrils\u3000flared\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000that\u3000does\u3000it\uff01\u3000Let’s\u3000step\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000settle\u3000this\u3000once\u3000and\u3000for\u3000all\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000just\u3000want\u3000to\u3000get\u3000me\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bushes\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000and\u3000stroking\u3000his\u3000chin\u3002\u3000\u3003Admit\u3000it\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Stop\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000broke\u3000in\uff1b\u3000silencing\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Arguing\u3000among\u3000ourselves\u3000isn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000help\u3000matters\u3000any\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000in\u3000case\u3000you’ve\u3000forgotten\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000is\u3000that\u3000so\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000akimbo\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000remember\u3000him\u3000ever\u3000being\u3000a\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000mine\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000what\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000here\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000barked\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000along\uff01\u3000We\u3000don’t\u3000need\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000nonsense\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000faced\u3000off\u3000defensively\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Cool\u3000off\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000told\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000\u3003There’ll\u3000be\u3000plenty\u3000of\u3000time\u3000to\u3000scream\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000later\u3002\u3000But\u3000right\u3000now\u3000we\u3000gotta\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Kiss\u3000and\u3000make\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000walked\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000shake\u3000hands\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Fine\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shrugged\u3000and\u3000glared\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000maybe\u3000you\u3000should\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000lady\u3000with\u3000the\u3000chip\u3000on\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff01\u3003
\n
\nGradually\uff1b\u3000in\u3000single\u3000file\uff1b\u3000they\u3000began\u3000to\u3000work\u3000their\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000second\u3000front\u3000in\u3000their\u3000war\u3000when\u3000Rook\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000following\u3000them\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000called\u3000her\u3000paranoid\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000came\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3000again\u3000and\u3000ordered\u3000Lunk\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000between\u3000them\u3000as\u3000a\u3000buffer\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000in\u3000this\u3000way\u3000that\u3000the\u3000three\u3000men\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000the\u3000leeches\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000Annie’s\u3000scream\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000around\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000descent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mutant\u3000worm\u3000rain\u3002\u3000They\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3000instantly\u3000attaching\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000girls\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000made\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000disgust\u3000and\u3000backed\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000millions\u3000of\u3000them\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000crying\u3000and\u3000stamping\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Rook’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000contorted\uff1b\u3000her\u3000body\u3000shaking\u3000all\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000something\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000screamed\u3000to\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000only\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000creep\uff01\u3000Get\u3000these\u3000things\u3000off\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000paralyzed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000where\u3000to\u3000begin\u2026on\u3000her\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3002\u3002Just\u3000then\u3000another\u3000leech\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000screamed\u3000and\u3000collapsed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000wailing\u3000and\u3000kicking\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hold\u3000still\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000kneeling\u3000alongside\u3000her\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000leeches\u3000off\u3000Rook’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000stopped\u3000him\u3000before\u3000he\u3000had\u3000detached\u3000more\u3000than\u3000two\u3000or\u3000three\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000Lunk’s\u3000lit\u3000cigarette\u3000and\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000lighted\u3000end\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Make\u3000things\u3000hot\u3000for\u3000them\u3000and\u3000they’ll\u3000pop\u3000out\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000explained\u3000as\u3000the\u3000leech\u3000dropped\u3000off\uff1b\u3000sizzling\u3002\u3000\u3003Pull\u3000them\u3000off\u3000and\u3000you\u3000end\u3000up\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000sucker\u3000intact\u3002\u3003\u3000Methodically\uff1b\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000cigarette\u3000from\u3000leech\u3000to\u3000leech\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000get\u3000a\u3000real\u3000kick\u3000seeing\u3000city\u3000girls\u3000in\u3000the\u3000country\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000while\u3000he\u3000labored\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000look\u3000so\u3000darn\u3000cute\u3000when\u3000they\u3000start\u3000screaming\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000should’ve\u3000seen\u3000yourself\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\uff1b\u3000averting\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000from\u3000Rand’s\u3000handiwork\u3002\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000blame\u3000me\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000disgusting\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000shuddered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hate\u3000to\u3000break\u3000this\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Daniel\u3000Boone\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there’s\u3000something\u3000called\u3000civilization\u3000out\u3000there\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000you’ve\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000where\u3000you\u3000have\u3000crime\u3000and\u3000filth\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Better\u3000than\u3000slimy\u3000little\u3000blood\u2026sucking\u3000tree\u3000leeches\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sourpuss\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000over\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000\u3003Any\u3000leech\u3000that\u3000gets\u3000a\u3000good\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000you\u3000is\u3000gonna\u3000swear\u3000off\u3000human\u3000beings\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000angry\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000then\u3000flashing\u3000an\u3000enigmatic\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000seductive\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000see\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000off\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bushes\u3000to\u3000check\u3000for\u3000leeches\u3000off\u3000limits\u3000to\u3000Rand’s\u3000search\u3002
\n
\n
\nThey\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000this\u3000time\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000risk\u3000showing\u3000themselves\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000ground\u3000that\u3000bordered\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Two\u3000hours\u3000along\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000below\u3000the\u3000small\u3000falls\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tributary\u3000that\u3000fed\u3000the\u3000gorge\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000stripped\u3000a\u3000sapling\u3000of\u3000twigs\u3000and\u3000fashioned\u3000a\u3000fishing\u3000rod\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000waded\u3000out\u3000to\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000midstream\u3000and\u3000cast\u3000in\u3000his\u3000line\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000sat\u3000under\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000along\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000taunted\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000really\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000catch\u3000anything\u3000with\u3000that\u3000funny\u2026looking\u3000stick\u3000of\u3000yours\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000frowned\u3000while\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000you\u3000wait\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000an\u3000expert\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000trout\u3000anywhere\u3000in\u3000this\u3000river\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000mine\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pleasant\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000water\u3000sounds\uff1b\u3000animal\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cool\u3000shade\u3000stirred\u3000by\u3000a\u3000gentle\u3000breeze\u3002\u3000\u3003Almost\u3000makes\u3000you\u3000forget\u3000where\u3000you\u3000are\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000mused\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000nodded\u3000absently\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000we’re\u3000at\u3000a\u3000Boy\u3000Scout\u3000picnic\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000meanwhile\u3000was\u3000addressing\u3000his\u3000would\u2026be\u3000catch\uff1b\u3000when\u3000something\u3000small\u3000and\u3000mean\u3000hit\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000and\u3000found\u3000Lunk\u3000crouched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000limb\u3000of\u3000an\u3000overhanging\u3000tree\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000started\u3000to\u3000ask\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Invid\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000cupping\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brush\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000when\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000line\u3000stretched\u3000taut\u3002\u3000He\u3000grabbed\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000anchored\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000Scott’s\u3000orders\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000fish\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000five\u2026pounder\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\u3002\u3000Even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000the\u3000ground\u2026shaking\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000hard\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000rainbow\u3000break\u3000water\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid’s\u3000cloven\u3000footfalls\u3000were\u3000increasing\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000mighty\u3000tug\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000fish\u3000up\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000then\u3000the\u3000line\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000appeared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002
\n
\nDeciding\u3000it\u3000might\u3000behoove\u3000him\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000got\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000pole\u3000and\u3000dived\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000now\uff1b\u3000his\u3000back\u3000flattened\u3000against\u3000the\u3000trunk\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000passed\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000Trooper\u3000lumbered\u3000into\u3000view\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3002\u3000Peering\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bushes\uff1b\u3000his\u3000H\u202690\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000were\u3000headed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000falls\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\n
\nUnless\u3000one\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000fish\u3002
\n
\nRunning\u3000short\u3000on\u3000breath\u3000when\u3000the\u3000first\u3000Invid\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000propelled\u3000himself\u3000downstream\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000the\u3000rocky\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000run\u3000into\u3000another\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000armored\u3000legs\u3002\u3000His\u3000lungs\u3000were\u3000on\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000implode\uff1b\u3000but\u3000surfacing\u3000wouldn’t\u3000necessarily\u3000improve\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000any\u3002\u3000He\u3000swallowed\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000sensing\u3000a\u3000darkness\u3000creeping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000his\u3000vision\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000Troopers\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000their\u3000sensors\u3000through\u3000a\u3000360\u2026degree\u3000scan\u3002\u3000Concerned\u3000for\u3000Rand’s\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000off\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000on\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000bank\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000dived\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000his\u3000panion\u3000unconscious\u3000on\u3000the\u3000river\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000still\u3000locked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000boulder\u3000he\u3000had\u3000hugged\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000himself\u3000submerged\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000up\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000him\u3000facedown\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000then\u3000straddled\u3000him\u3000and\u3000carefully\u3000began\u3000to\u3000use\u3000his\u3000big\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000pump\u3000water\u3000from\u3000Rand’s\u3000lungs\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Is\u3000he\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000just\u3000passed\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand’s\u3000color\u3000started\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000coughed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000few\u3000mouthfuls\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000Softly\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000called\u3000his\u3000name\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000with\u3000an\u3000energy\u3000that\u3000surprised\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000an\u3000unsuspecting \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nRand’s\u3000color\u3000started\u3000to\u3000return\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000coughed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000few\u3000mouthfuls\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000Softly\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000called\u3000his\u3000name\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000with\u3000an\u3000energy\u3000that\u3000surprised\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000an\u3000unsuspecting\u3000Lunk\u3000backward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000dazedly\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\u3000exhausted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000all\u3000gone\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000calm\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Superman\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000added\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000smiled\u3000thinly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000extending\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000helping\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000they’re\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000too\u3000far\u2026\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000saw\u3000Scott’s\u3000eyes\u3000go\u3000wide\u3002\u3000She\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000it\uff1a\u3000An\u3000enormous\u3000black\u3000bear\uff1b\u3000frightened\u3000and\u3000up\u3000on\u3000its\u3000hind\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000was\u3000breaking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000brush\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000raised\u3000but\u3000froze\u3000as\u3000a\u3000bizarre\u3000giant\u3000tiger\u2026striped\u3000spider\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000weapon’s\u3000barrel\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000winced\u3000and\u3000uttered\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000reflexively\u3000loosing\u3000a\u3000bolt\u3000from\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000whizzed\u3000past\u3000the\u3000bear’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000lunged\u3000for\u3000Annie\u3000as\u3000the\u3000animal’s\u3000huge\u3000claw\u3000came\u3000down\uff1b\u3000narrowly\u3000missing\u3000her\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000almost\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000backlash\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000missed\u3000with\u3000two\u3000shots\u3000from\u3000his\u3000own\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bear’s\u3000right\u3000paw\u3000connected\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blaster\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000him\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000opposite\u3000directions\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000into\u3000bared\u3000teeth\u3000and\u3000sharp\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000furry\u3000black\u3000death\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000his\u3000peace\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Creator\u3000and\u3000glimpsed\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000white\u3000light\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000when\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000cleared\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000still\u3000alive\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bear\u3000gone\u2026vaporized\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000only\u3000problem\u3000was\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000now\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000ship\u3000overhead\u2026and\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000either\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rust\u2026brown\u3000Pincer\u3000units\uff01
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000see\u3000you\u3000guys\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000as\u3000he\u3000got\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000roasted\u3000meat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000He\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3000in\u3000a\u3000jog\u3000for\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000rained\u3000fire\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3000as\u3000they\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000steering\u3000them\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000bringing\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000patrolling\u3000Troopers\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000action\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000soon\u3000found\u3000itself\u3000cornered\uff1b\u3000fenced\u3000in\u3000on\u3000open\u3000ground\u3000by\u3000high\u2026energy\u3000beams\u3000and\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000sound\u3000cutting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tumultuous\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000death\u2026rays\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000abandoned\u3000Cyclones\u3002
\n
\nLavender\u3000hair\u3000trailing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000he\u3000leapt\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000over\u3000a\u3000surprised\u3000Invid\u3000Trooper\u3000and\u3000landed\u3000it\u3000not\u3000more\u3000than\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000where\u3000the\u3000team\u3000stood\u3000huddled\u3000together\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000ride\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guns\uff01\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000yelled\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000had\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3002\u3000\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000waiting\u3000for\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3000Climb\u3000on\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000offered\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000prayer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gods\u3000who\u3000governed\u3000silver\u3000linings\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000popped\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000a\u3000long\u3000wheelie\u3000that\u3000shot\u3000them\u3000through\u3000the\u3000legs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bewildered\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000ship\u3000chased\u3000them\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000continuous\u3000disc\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000its\u3000treetop\u3000course\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000nearing\u3000the\u3000river\u3000gorge\u3000now\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000himself\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000pegs\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000spot\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000took\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000the\u3000controls\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000on\u3000the\u3000right\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000land\u3000dropped\u3000away\u3000sharply\u3000up\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000discern\u3000just\u3000how\u3000high\u3000they\u3000were\u3000above\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000terrace\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000cutting\u3000their\u3000forward\u3000speed\u3000as\u3000they\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000leaned\u3000in\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000him\u3000how\u3000he\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000negotiate\u3000the\u3000jump\u3002\u3000But\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000Lancer\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n
\nInstinctively\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000grabbed\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000handlebar\u3000controls\u3000and\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000from\u3000overturning\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Lancer\u3000squatting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000overhanging\u3000branch\u3000he\u3000had\u3000swung\u3000himself\u3000to\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3000and\u3000waving\u3000Scott\u3000off\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000one\u3000heck\u3000of\u3000a\u3000gymnastic\u3000feat\u3002\u3000But\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000yet\u3002\u3000An\u3000Invid\u3000Trooper\u3000broke\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000open\u3000up\u3000with\u3000disc\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000executed\u3000a\u3000Tarzan\u3000leap\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000undergrowth\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rush\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000and\u3000goosed\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000face\u3000was\u3000close\u3000now\uff1b\u3000closer\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000realized\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sailing\u3000into\u3000blue\u3000skies\u3000above\u3000the\u3000treetops\u3002\u3000He\u3000lost\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000plummeted\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000him\u3000or\u3000take\u3000note\u3000of\u3000his\u3000alarmed\u3000cry\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nElsewhere\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000worked\u3000his\u3000way\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000He\u3000literally\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000them\u3000not\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000from\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000put\u3000Scott\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000three\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000devastating\u3000the\u3000forests\u3000with\u3000sporadic\u3000sprays\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000took\u3000the\u3000point\u3000and\u3000led\u3000them\u3000along\u3000the\u3000same\u3000path\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000Cycloned\u3000not\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000before\u3002\u3000Twilight\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000way\u3000to\u3000darkness\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000cannon\u3000sounds\u3000and\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000lent\u3000a\u3000hellish\u3000atmosphere\u3000to\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002
\n
\nOnce\u3000again\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000boxing\u3000them\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000once\u3000again\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3000good\u2026byes\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3000while\u3000explosions\u3000rained\u3000leaves\u3000and\u3000forest\u3000carpet\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000tide\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000his\u3000plunge\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000concealed\u3000Veritech\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000Pincer\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000explained\u3000later\uff1b\u3000was\u3000history\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000came\u3000tearing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000took\u3000out\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000whose\u3000cannons\u3000were\u3000ranging\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Scott\u3000launched\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000starry\u3000skies\uff1b\u3000reconfiguring\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000booster\u3000climb\u3000and\u3000bringing\u3000out\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000rifle\/cannon\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000his\u3000pursuers\u3002\u3000Two\u3000more\u3000Troopers\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Alpha’s\u3000storm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000a\u3000third\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000work\u3000its\u3000way\u3000in\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000inflict\u3000a\u3000pincer\u3000swipe\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000Scott\u3000tumbling\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Trooper\u3000roared\u3000into\u3000a\u3000long\u3000sweeping\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000back\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000downed\u3000Battloid\u3002\u3000Inside\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000shook\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000a\u3000rapid\u3000assessment\u3000of\u3000his\u3000options\u3000as\u3000he\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000techno\u2026knight\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000mecha’s\u3000external\u3000pickups\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000cries\u3000of\u3000warning\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000Annie’s\u3000high\u2026pitched\uff1a\u3000\u3003Behind\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000Behind\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000through\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000about\u2026face\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000approaching\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000launch\u2026tube\u3000cover\u3000levers\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000fired\u3000first\uff1b\u3000blazing\u3000discs\u3000spinning\u3000and\u3000twisting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cannon\u3000muzzles\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott’s\u3000aim\u3000was\u3000surer\uff1a\u3000Red\u2026tipped\u3000heat\u2026seeking\u3000missiles\u3000ripped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000shoulder\u3000partments\u3000and\u3000homed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000dark\u3000form\uff1b\u3000detonating\u3000against\u3000pincers\u3000and\u3000torso\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000and\u3000giving\u3000brief\u3000life\u3000to\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000fireball\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000orange\u3000midnight\u3000sun\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000EIGHT
\n
\nMost\u3000mentators\u3000overlook\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000a\u3000singer\u3000long\u3000before\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000freedom\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000crossdresser\u3000long\u3000before\u3000a\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000first\u3000and\u3000foremost\u3000an\u3000actor\u2026malleable\uff1b\u3000dramatic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000narcissistic\u3002\u3000And\u3000while\u3000it’s\u3000true\u3000that\u3000he\u3000can\u3000be\u3000linked\u3000to\u3000certain\u3000literary\u3000traditions\u3000wherein\u3000heroes\u3000carried\u3000out\u3000their\u3000crusades\u3000under\u3000the\u3000guise\u3000of\u3000fops\u3000and\u3000other\u3000fabulous\u3000fools\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000no\u3000Scarlet\u3000Pimpernel\u3000or\u3000ic\u3000Zorro\uff1a\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fox\u3000of\u3000an\u3000entirety\u3000different\u3000order\u3002
\nZeus\u3000Bellow\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point
\n
\nPrior\u3000to\u3000Zor’s\u3000arrival\u3000on\u3000Optera\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000that\u3000held\u3000the\u3000central\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000naturalistic\u3000pantheon\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000the\u3000case\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000aggressive\u3000species\u3000now\u3000every\u3000bit\u3000as\u3000warlike\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Tirolian\u3000Masters\u3000who\u3000defoliated\u3000Optera\u3002\u3000And\u3000they\u3000worshipped\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bio\u2026energetic\u3000by\u2026product\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000coaxed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000They\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000subsist\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000their\u3000captive\u3000Human\u3000population\u3000planted\u3000and\u3000harvested\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Protoculture\u3000that\u3000fueled\u3000the\u3000army\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000which\u3000kept\u3000that\u3000enterprise\u3000running\u3000smoothly\u3000and\u3000without\u3000incident\u3002\u3000Indeed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000said\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000themselves\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000more\u3000dependent\u3000on\u3000Zor’s\u3000discovery\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3000ever\u3000were\u3002
\n
\nEnormous\u3000amounts\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000were\u3000required\u3000to\u3000oversee\u3000and\u3000maintain\u3000Earth’s\u3000diverse\u3000population\u3000centers\u3000and\u3000to\u3000put\u3000down\u3000uprisings\u3000and\u3000revolts\u3000in\u3000the\u3000farms\u3000and\u3000factories\u3002\u3000\uff08Exedore\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000chagrinned\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000found\u3000their\u3000own\u3000way\u3000to\u3000manufacture\u3000Protoculture\u3000without\u3000having\u3000to\u3000resort\u3000to\u3000the\u3000matrix\u3000device\u3000that\u3000had\u3000figured\u3000so\u3000prominently\u3000in\u3000the\u3000First\u3000and\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3002\uff09\u3000These\u3000reserves\uff1b\u3000fashioned\u3000by\u3000Human\u3000hands\u3000into\u3000individual\u3000energy\u3000canisters\u3000suitable\u3000for\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000Terran\u3000mecha\u3000alike\uff1b\u3000were\u3000stored\u3000in\u3000scores\u3000of\u3000warehouses\u3000across\u3000the\u3000globe\u3000and\u3000guarded\u3000by\u3000Humans\u3000\u3003sympathetic\u3003\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000The\u3000privileges\u3000enjoyed\u3000by\u3000these\u3000sympathizers\u3000varied\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000hostages\u3000were\u3000taken\u3000to\u3000assure\u3000allegiance\uff1b\u3000while\u3000on\u3000other\u3000occasions\u3000outlaws\u3000and\u3000petty\u3000powerbrokers\u3000were\u3000given\u3000charge\u3002\u3000Towns\u3000and\u3000cities\u3000bartered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000overlords\u3000for\u3000simple\u3000freedoms\uff1a\u3000the\u3000right\u3000to\u3000enjoy\u3000a\u3000semblance\u3000of\u3000normal\u3000life\u3000in\u3000exchange\u3000for\u3000snooping\u3000out\u3000resistance\u3000groups\u3000or\u3000seeing\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000Protoculture\u3000cells\u3000did\u3000not\u3000fall\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000hands\u3002\u3000Often\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000allowed\u3000those\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000before\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000lofty\u3000positions\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000new\u3000authority\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000to\u2026the\u3000Regis\u3000and\u3000her\u3000legions\u3000of\u3000territorial\u3000supervisors\u3000who\u3000dealt\u3000directly\u3000with\u3000their\u3000underlings\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000explained\u3000some\u3000of\u3000this\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000while\u3000the\u3000team\u3000licked\u3000its\u3000wounds\u3000after\u3000their\u3000encounter\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000episode\u3000had\u3000consisted\u3000largely\u3000in\u3000their\u3000outrunning\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000nevertheless\u3000served\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000to\u3000unite\u3000the\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3000and\u3000instill\u3000in\u3000each\u3000of\u3000them\u3000a\u3000confidence\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000there\u3000two\u3000days\u3000before\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000now\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000and\u3000accept\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000strengths\u3000and\u3000weaknesses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000learning\u3000to\u3000trust\u3000one\u3000another\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Without\u3000any\u3000formal\u3000vote\u3000or\u3000voiced\u3000acknowledgment\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000surfaced\u3000as\u3000the\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000only\u3000right\u3000given\u3000his\u3000training\u3000and\u3000resoluteness\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sergeant\u3000to\u3000Scott’s\u3000lieutenant\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000from\u3000den\u3000mother\u3000to\u3000mascot\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000still\u3000held\u3000herself\u3000separate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000could\u3000always\u3000be\u3000counted\u3000on\u3000for\u3000her\u3000instinctive\u3000bat\u3000sense\u3002\u3000And\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000their\u3000backwoods\u3000provider\uff1b\u3000fishing\u3000and\u3000hunting\u3000when\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000sitting\u3000under\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000scribbling\u3000notes\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000That\u3000left\u3000only\u3000Lancer\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000still\u3000had\u3000misgivings\u3000about\u3000the\u3000man\uff1b\u3000but\u3000as\u3000he\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000Lancer’s\u3000detailed\u3000account\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000infrastructure\u3000and\u3000occupation\u3000techniques\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000see\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000new\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000female\u2026singer\u3000ploy\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000from\u3000Lancer’s\u3000report\u3000that\u3000the\u3000adopted\u3000persona\u3000of\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000many\u3000doors\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000discuss\u3000his\u3000former\u3000ties\u3000with\u3000the\u3000resistance\u3000only\u3000in\u3000a\u3000vague\u3000way\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000his\u3000contacts\u3000were\u3000as\u3000numerous\u3000as\u3000his\u3000information\u3000was\u3000exhaustive\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000had\u3000retrieved\u3000the\u3000two\u3000other\u3000Cyclones\u3000from\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000left\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000and\u3000spent\u3000three\u3000days\u3000in\u3000the\u3000river\u3000gorge\u3000dining\u3000on\u3000pit\u3000roasted\u3000fish\uff1b\u3000recuperating\uff1b\u3000and\u3000planning\u3000the\u3000next\u3000move\u3000in\u3000their\u3000northward\u3000journey\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000careful\u3000about\u3000using\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000now\uff1b\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000Rand’s\u3000theory\u3000was\u3000correct\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Scouts\u3000and\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000operating\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000background\u3000net\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000emanations\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000home\u3000in\u3000on\u3000any\u3000one\u3000source\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000particular\u3000search\uff1b\u3000their\u3000senses\u3000were\u3000more\u3000acute\u3000at\u3000screening\u3000out\u3000the\u3000random\u3000waves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000usually\u3000nearby\u3000active\u3000ones\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000moot\u3000point\u3000at\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000was\u3000depleted\u3000of\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000scarcely\u3000enough\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000to\u3000power\u3000them\uff1b\u3000let\u3000alone\u3000reconfigure\u3000or\u3000fire\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThat’s\u3000where\u3000Norristown\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000picture\u3002\u3000Located\u3000somewhat\u3000east\u3000of\u3000their\u3000present\u3000route\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southland’s\u3000largest\u3000cities\uff1b\u3000transplanted\u3000like\u3000so\u3000many\u3000others\u3000from\u3000the\u3000devastated\u3000north\u3000during\u3000the\u3000reign\u3000of\u3000Chairman\u3000Moran\u3000and\u3000the\u3000formation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000had\u3000prospered\u3000throughout\u3000and\u3000boasted\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000continent’s\u3000few\u3000surviving\u3000sports\u3000arenas\u3002\u3000But\u3000most\u3000important\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000site\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000Protoculture\u3000storage\u3000facilities\uff1b\u3000a\u3000heavily\u3000fortified\u3000castle\u3000\uff08constructed\u3000years\u3000ago\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Hollywood\u3000style\uff09\u3000that\u3000overlooked\u3000the\u3000city\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000a\u3000map\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000a\u3000rather\u3000ingenious\u3000plan\u3002
\n
\n
\nLess\u3000than\u3000a\u3000week\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000were\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roads\u3000leading\u3000into\u3000Norristown\u3002\u3000They\u3000made\u3000an\u3000interesting\u3000picture\u2026the\u3000blonde\u3000in\u3000her\u3000red\u3000and\u3000white\u3000bodysuit\u3000leaning\u3000almost\u3000casually\u3000against\u3000the\u3000parked\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000her\u3000military\u3000greens\u3000and\u3000ever\u2026present\u3000cap\u3000perched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000like\u3000some\u3000diminutive\u3000ornament\u3002\u3000Not\u3000five\u3000miles\u3000away\u3000was\u3000the\u3000city\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000forest\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Drumstick\u3000Butte\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hulks\u3000of\u3000two\u3000Zentraedi\u3000ships\u3000casting\u3000their\u3000giant\u3000shadows\u3000from\u3000behind\u3002\u3000The\u3000Protoculture\u3000storage\u3000facility\u3000could\u3000be\u3000discerned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000oddly\u3000shaped\uff1b\u3000topheavy\u3000butte\uff1b\u3000linked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3000a\u3000well\u2026maintained\u3000switchbacked\u3000roadway\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000an\u3000approaching\u3000vehicle\u3000and\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000youngster\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000hopped\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000seat\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000alongside\u3000her\u3000traffic\u2026stopping\u3000teammate\u3002\u3000Up\u3000the\u3000road\u3000a\u3000truck\u3000came\u3000into\u3000view\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000a\u3000playful\u3000wink\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000her\u3000thumb\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hitchhiker’s\u3000gesture\u3002\u3000Innocently\u3000and\u3000with\u3000well\u2026rehearsed\u3000bashfulness\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000pressed\u3000her\u3000forefingers\u3000together\u3000and\u3000called\u3000for\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000and\u3000lend\u3000a\u3000hand\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000halted\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cab\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000in\u3000a\u3000long\u3000eyeful\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000marooned\u3000girls\u3000and\u3000their\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000He\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000plimenting\u3000them\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fine\u3000condition\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000was\u3000sad\u3000to\u3000report\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000fuel\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000so\u3000mon\u3000an\u3000occurrence\u3000that\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000scarcely\u3000gave\u3000it\u3000a\u3000second\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000anyone\u3000might\u3000stumble\u3000upon\u3000some\u3000wonderful\u3000specimen\u3000of\u3000aged\u3000Robotechnology\u3000only\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000worthless\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000junk\u3000when\u3000the\u3000all\u3000but\u3000irreplaceable\u3000Protoculture\u3000energy\u3000cells\u3000were\u3000depleted\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000black\u3000market\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000that\u3000few\u3000people\u3000had\u3000access\u3000to\u3002\u3000Between\u3000the\u3000needs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000the\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000your\u3000everyday\u3000’Culture\u3000hounds\uff1b\u3000Protoculture\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000priceless\u3000modity\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000hoping\u3000you\u3000could\u3000fix\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000driver\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000on\u3000our\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000concert\u3000in\u3000Norristown\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000driver\u3000smiled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000without\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000nothing\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000mister\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000noticing\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000Invid\u2026occupation\u3000double\u2026C\u3000hard\u2026hat\u3000emblem\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000from\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000facility\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000you\u3000\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000answered\uff1b\u3000wary\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Couldn’t\u3000you\u3000spare\u3000us\u3000some\uff1f\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000seat\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003What’re\u3000you\uff1b\u3000nuts\uff1b\u3000kid\uff1f\u3000If\u3000anyone\u3000found\u3000out\u3000I’d\u3000shared\u3000my\u3000rations\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000head\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mechanical\u3000click\u3000and\u3000buzz\u3000and\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000the\u3000laser\u3000muzzle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000strange\u2026looking\u3000disc\u2026shaped\u3000weapon\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000gestured\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3002\u3000\u3003Know\u3000what\uff1f\u3000You’re\u3000already\u3000in\u3000big\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000buddy\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nFive\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000had\u3000been\u3000dragged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000His\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000were\u3000bound\u3000with\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000sealed\u3000by\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000wide\u3000tape\u3002\u3000He\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000struggle\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000secured\u3000the\u3000final\u3000knots\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Relax\uff1b\u3000buddy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000just\u3000going\u3000to\u3000borrow\u3000your\u3000truck\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000hastened\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3002\u3000Her\u3000teammates\u3000had\u3000the\u3000back\u3000doors\u3000opened\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000stage\u3000went\u3000pretty\u3000well\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000menting\u3000as\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000trailer\u3000with\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000crossed\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000soldiers\u3000also\u3000doubled\u3000as\u3000hijackers\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000impatiently\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000guys\u3000going\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000here\u3000and\u3000argue\uff1b\u3000or\u3000are\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000move\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000they\u3000said\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3002
\n
\n
\nA\u3000short\u3000while\u3000later\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000roared\u3000into\u3000town\u3000with\u3000Lunk\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000former\u3000driver’s\u3000hard\u3000hat\u3000and\u3000permits\u3000now\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000disguise\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000in\u3000what\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000their\u3000hiding\u3000place\u3002\u3000Originally\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000had\u3000called\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000underneath\u3000the\u3000chassis\u3000while\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000cleared\u3000through\u3000to\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000facility\uff1b\u3000but\u3000good\u3000fortune\u3000was\u3000on\u3000their\u3000side\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000loft\u3000partment\u3000built\u3000into\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000trailer\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000only\u3000speculate\u3000on\u3000what\u3000the\u3000partment\u3000had\u3000been\u3000used\u3000for\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000perfectly\u3000suited\u3000to\u3000their\u3000present\u3000needs\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000made\u3000one\u3000stop\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000gate\u2026just\u3000brief\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000hop\u3000out\u3000and\u3000work\u3000her\u3000way\u3000into\u3000the\u3000crowds\u3000that\u3000were\u3000already\u3000gathering\u3000for\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000concert\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Be\u3000sure\u3000to\u3000make\u3000lots\u3000of\u3000noise\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000as\u3000though\u3000insulted\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000suppose\u3000I\u3000got\u3000the\u3000reputation\u3000for\u3000being\u3000such\u3000a\u3000loudmouth\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000doors\u3000closed\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000crowds\u3000and\u3000recalled\u3000what\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000earlier\uff1a\u3000When\u3000people\u3000find\u3000out\u3000Yellow’s\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000town\uff1b\u3000they\u3000go\u3000pletely\u3000berserk\u3002\u3000When\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000jumped\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000glimpsed\u3000a\u3000poster\u3000of\u3000the\u3000singer\u3000pasted\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000a\u3000building\uff1a\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spaghetti\u2026strapped\u3000sundress\uff1b\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000matching\u3000turban\uff1b\u3000low\u3000heels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pearl\u3000collar\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000left\u3000for\u3000Norristown\u3000three\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000The\u3000plan\u3000called\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000put\u3000a\u3000pickup\u3000band\u3000together\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000a\u3000local\u3000promoter\uff1b\u3000who\u3000would\u3000secure\u3000the\u3000sports\u3000arena\u3000and\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000publicity\u3000and\u3000logistics\u3002\u3000The\u3000promoter\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000named\u3000Woods\uff1b\u3000was\u3000an\u3000old\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000Lancer’s\u3000and\u3000a\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000resistance\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000thought\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Lancer’s\u3000departure\u2026Lancer\u3000in\u3000his\u3000alter\u2026ego\u3000guise\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000wasn’t\u3000just\u3000Lancer\u3000in\u3000female\u3000attire\u3000but\u3000an\u3000entirely\u3000different\u3000personality\u3002\u3000Lancer’s\u3000demeanor\u3000changed\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000carriage\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000a\u3000real\u3000entity\u3000living\u3000alongside\u3000Lancer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000body\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000found\u3000it\u3000inprehensible\u3000and\u3000just\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000unsettling\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000detract\u3000from\u3000the\u3000trust\u3000he\u3000had\u3000in\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000wondering\u3000how\u3000the\u3000second\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Lancer’s\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000succeeding\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Lunk’s\u3000fist\u3000pounding\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u2026the\u3000signal\u3000for\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000to\u3000take\u3000to\u3000the\u3000overhead\u3000partment\u3002\u3000That\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000nearing\u3000the\u3000twin\u2026towered\u3000security\u3000gate\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000below\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000facility\u3002
\n
\n
\nFarther\u3000along\u3000the\u3000road\u3000that\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000Drumstick\u3000Butte\u3000was\u3000the\u3000barracks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000security\u3000force\u3000that\u3000staffed\u3000and\u3000guarded\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000facility\u3002\u3000The\u3000chief\u3000of\u3000station\uff1b\u3000Colonel\u3000Briggs\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000beefy\u3000man\u3000with\u3000salt\u2026and\u2026pepper\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000mustache\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000in\u3000his\u3000office\u3000in\u3000the\u3000barracks\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000daydreaming\u3000over\u3000a\u3000color\u3000photo\u3000of\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000that\u3000had\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000edition\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000newspaper\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000arrived\u3000with\u3000good\u3000news\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000asked\u3000to\u3000supply\u3000s \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000newspaper\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000arrived\u3000with\u3000good\u3000news\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000been\u3000asked\u3000to\u3000supply\u3000security\u3000at\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000concert\u3000this\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000staffer\u3000reported\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000blue\u2026gray\u3000uniform\u3000with\u3000a\u3000red\u3000upturned\u3000collar\uff1b\u3000similar\u3000in\u3000cut\u3000and\u3000design\u3000to\u3000that\u3000worn\u3000by\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3002\u3000A\u3000single\u3000red\u3000star\u3000adorned\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000brimmed\u3000cap\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000point\u3000of\u3000allowing\u3000local\u3000customs\u3000and\u3000garb\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000unchanged\u3000in\u3000Norristown\u3000and\u3000numerous\u3000other\u3000strongholds\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000Southlands\u3002\u3000\u3003Shall\u3000I\u3000refuse\u3000the\u3000request\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000staffer\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3002
\n
\nBriggs\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000lower\u3000the\u3000newspaper\uff1b\u3000which\u3000effectively\u3000concealed\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000staffer\u3002\u3000He\u3000hummed\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000finishing\u3000up\u3000his\u3000fanciful\u3000daydream\u3000scenario\u3000before\u3000replying\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000something\u3000should\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000our\u3000reputation\u3000that\u3000will\u3000suffer\u3002\u3000Send\u3000every\u3000available\u3000man\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000arena\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000the’\u3000staffer\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3000haltingly\uff1b\u3000\u3003we\u3000can’t\u3000risk\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000unguarded\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Nonsense\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000said\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000paper\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000time\u3000is\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000scheduled\u3000to\u3000end\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Around\u3000three\u2026thirty\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000what\u3000time\u3000are\u3000the\u3000Intercessors\u3000arriving\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000shipment\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Four\u3000o’clock\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000problem\u3002\u3003\u3000Briggs\u3000set\u3000the\u3000paper\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000got\u3000up\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000office\u3000window\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000can\u3000happen\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000half\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000switchbacked\u3000access\u3000road\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000facility’s\u3000impregnable\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000oversee\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000security\u3000personally\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000to\u3000his\u3000lieutenant\u3002\u3000\u3003See\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000she\u3000expects\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nRumor\u3000had\u3000it\u3000that\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000facility\u3000was\u3000originally\u3000a\u3000castle\u3000imported\u3000stone\u3000by\u3000stone\u3000from\u3000Europe\u3000during\u3000the\u3000mid\u20261800s\u3000by\u3000a\u3000renegade\u3000nobleman\u3000from\u3000Transylvania\u3002\u3000It\u3000saw\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000years\u3000of\u3000alteration\u3000and\u3000modernization\u3000before\u3000being\u3000substantially\u3000renovated\u3000\uff08in\u3000the\u3000Hollywood\u3000style\uff09\u3000by\u3000a\u3000sports\u3000event\u3000promoter\u3000who\u3000fell\u3000heir\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3000in\u30002015\u3002\u3000Much\u3000of\u3000Norristown\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000arena\uff1b\u3000owed\u3000its\u3000existence\u3000to\u3000the\u3000same\u3000man\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000building\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000mansard\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000numerous\u3000spires\uff1b\u3000still\u3000retained\u3000a\u3000Proven\u93f0l\u3000look\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000overshadowed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fantastical\u3000elements\u3000added\u3000on\u3000during\u3000the\u3000last\u3000twenty\u2026five\u3000years\uff1b\u3000primarily\u3000the\u3000east\u3000wing’s\u3000crenellated\u3000tower\u3002\u3000Three\u2026quarters\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000was\u3000the\u3000twin\u2026towered\u3000main\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000presently\u3000stopped\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000here\u3000to\u3000run\u3000a\u3000check\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cooling\u3000systems\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000helmeted\u3000guard\u3000who\u3000approached\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3000window\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Your\u3000permit\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000said\u3000nastily\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000papers\u3000down\u3000for\u3000the\u3000man\u3000to\u3000read\uff1b\u3000while\u3000a\u3000second\u3000guard\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\u3000inside\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000Fred\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000man\u3000call\u3000out\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000later\u3002\u3000The\u3000guard\u3000perused\u3000the\u3000permit\u3000a\u3000while\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000then\u3000returned\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003You’d\u3000better\u3000be\u3000clean\u3000on\u3000the\u3000way\u3000out\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000warned\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000saw\u3000sentries\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000tower\u3000frisking\u3000a\u3000white\u2026coveralled\u3000driver\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000got\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000guard\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000guard\u3000waved\u3000him\u3000through\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000fence\u3000that\u3000spanned\u3000the\u3000roadway\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000drove\u3000off\uff1b\u3000removing\u3000his\u3000hat\u3000and\u3000wiping\u3000away\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000that\u3000had\u3000collected\u3000on\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000Two\u3000trucks\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000security\u3000personnel\u3000passed\u3000him\u3000going\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000that\u3000Lancer’s\u3000request\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000granted\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000switchbacks\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000backed\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000shipping\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000only\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000guards\u3000on\u3000patrol\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000even\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000Lunk\u3000while\u3000he\u3000climbed\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000open\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000doors\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000in\uff1b\u3000gang\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000loudly\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002
\n
\nRook\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000lowered\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000the\u3000loft\u3000partment\u3000and\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000facility\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000unfolded\u3000Lancer’s\u3000map\u3000and\u3000checked\u3000it\u3000against\u3000their\u3000location\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000an\u3000air\u3000duct\u3000grate\u3000along\u3000one\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000helped\u3000them\u3000move\u3000several\u3000crates\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000first\uff1b\u3000rechecked\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000and\u3000peered\u3000through\u3000the\u3000grate\u3002\u3000Satisfied\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000joined\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000men\u3000went\u3000to\u3000work\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000that\u3000held\u3000the\u3000grating\u3000to\u3000its\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000were\u3000able\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000the\u3000panel\u3000free\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000crawled\u3000in\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000handed\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tool\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000aluminum\u3000carry\u3000case\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000She\u3000waved\u3000him\u3000good\u3000luck\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000Scott’s\u3000lead\u3000into\u3000the\u3000horizontal\u3000duct\u3002
\n
\nLess\u3000than\u3000fifteen\u3000feet\u3000into\u3000the\u3000duct\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1a\u3000\u3003The\u3000control\u3000room\u3000is\u3000on\u3000the\u3000third\u3000floor\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000take\u3000us\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000get\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000could\u3000barely\u3000discern\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Ten\u3000minutes\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eternity\u3002
\n
\n
\nDown\u3000below\uff1b\u3000the\u3000arena\u3000was\u3000rapidly\u3000filling\u3000to\u3000capacity\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000circulating\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000doing\u3000what\u3000she\u3000did\u3000best\uff1a\u3000inciting\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3002
\n
\n\u3003\u3002\u3002\u3002At\u3000her\u3000last\u3000concert\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000people\u3000got\u3000up\u3000on\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everybody\u3000started\u3000partying\u3000and\u3000having\u3000a\u3000good\u3000ole\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000everyone\u3000within\u3000earshot\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000of\u3000us\u3000even\u3000got\u3000to\u3000go\u3000backstage\u3000with\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000after\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000and\u3000party\u3000some\u3000more\uff01\u3000But\u3000this\u3000one’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000best\uff01\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000she\u3000might\u3000not\u3000perform\u3000like\u3000this\u3000again\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000better\u3000make\u3000this\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000remember\u3002\u3000Right\uff1f\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff01\u3003\u3000several\u3000people\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Party\u3000time\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMeanwhile\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000was\u3000entertaining\u3000guests\u3000in\u3000her\u3000backstage\u3000dressing\u3000room\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sleeveless\u3000pink\u3000and\u3000burgundy\u3000pants\u3000outfit\u3000with\u3000a\u3000matching\u3000bowed\u3000headband\uff1b\u3000which\u3000held\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000up\u3000and\u3000off\u3000her\u3000neck\u3002
\n
\n\u3003At\u3000the\u3000last\u3000concert\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000my\u3000fans\u3000came\u3000up\u3000on\u3000stage\u3000and\u3000really\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mess\u3000of\u3000things\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000was\u3000explaining\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3000while\u3000she\u3000applied\u3000eye\u3000liner\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000rather\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000happen\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000won’t\u3000allow\u3000that\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Briggs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000security\u3000chief\uff1b\u3000said\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000do\u3000our\u3000job\u3000and\u3000guarantee\u3000you\u3000plete\u3000security\u3002\u3000As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000nothing\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000down\u3000on\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Those\u3000horrible\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000said\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000up\u3000her\u3000face\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Aah\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000not\u3000so\u3000bad\u3000once\u3000you\u3000get\u3000to\u3000know\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3002
\n
\nLancer’s\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000Woods\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000him\u3000a\u3000conspiratorial\u3000wink\u3000from\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000handsome\u3000young\u3000man\u3000with\u3000a\u3000pencil\u2026thin\u3000mustache\u3000whose\u3000taste\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000calfskin\u3000jackets\u3000and\u3000black\u3000leather\u3000ties\u3002\u3000Just\u3000now\u3000he\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000large\u3000bouquet\u3000of\u3000flowers\u3000Briggs\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000along\u3000for\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000know\u3000you’ll\u3000do\u3000your\u3000best\uff1b\u3000Colonel\uff1b\u3003\u3000Woods\u3000said\u3000encouragingly\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000chief’s\u3000puffy\u3000face\u3000turn\u3000red\u3000with\u3000embarrassment\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000damn\u3000right\u3000we\u3000will\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000so\u3000much\u3000for\u3000the\u3000flowers\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000gushed\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3000now\u3000to\u3000flash\u3000Briggs\u3000a\u3000painted\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000lovely\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBriggs\u3000leered\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Anything\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Yellow\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000you\u3000want\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000third\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000facility\u3002\u3000The\u3000duct\u3000opened\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000small\u3000area\u3000that\u3000served\u3000as\u3000the\u3000relay\u3000center\u3000for\u3000the\u3000facility’s\u3000security\u3000systems\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tangle\u3000of\u3000wires\u3000and\u3000switches\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000two\u3000full\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000several\u3000minutes\u3000to\u3000locate\u3000the\u3000feeds\u3000from\u3000the\u3000security\u3000cameras\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000was\u3000child’s\u3000play\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000unsnapped\u3000the\u3000clasps\u3000on\u3000the\u3000carry\u3000case\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000devices\u3000Lunk\u3000assured\u3000them\u3000would\u3000scramble\u3000the\u3000a\/v\u3000signals\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000quickly\u3000attached\u3000these\u3000to\u3000the\u3000feeder\u3000cables\u3000and\u3000set\u3000off\u3000on\u3000the\u3000next\u3000leg\u3000of\u3000their\u3000cramped\u3000journey\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000map\u3000called\u3000for\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000return\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\u3000duct\u3000system\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000enter\u3000the\u3000actual\u3000storage\u3000area\u3002\u3000But\u3000once\u3000through\u3000this\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000free\u3000to\u3000move\u3000about\u3000at\u3000will\u2026assuming\u3000Lunk’s\u3000devices\u3000did\u3000the\u3000trick\u3002\u3000They\u3000dropped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000duct\u3000into\u3000a\u3000maintenance\u3000corridor\u3000that\u3000encircled\u3000the\u3000supply\u3000room\u3000but\u3000had\u3000no\u3000access\u3000to\u3000it\u3000except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000single\u3000elbow\u3000conduit\u3000located\u3000clear\u3000around\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000volunteered\u3000to\u3000test\u3000the\u3000effectiveness\u3000of\u3000Lunk’s\u3000scramblers\u3000by\u3000making\u3000faces\u3000at\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000surveillance\u3000cameras\u3002\u3000When\u3000no\u3000sirens\u3000went\u3000off\u3000and\u3000no\u3000guards\u3000came\u3000running\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trio\u3000figured\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000use\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000maintenance\u3000carts\u3000to\u3000convey\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conduit\u2026an\u3000open\u2026topped\u3000electric\u3000affair\u3000with\u3000two\u3000seats\u3000and\u3000a\u3000single\u3000headlamp\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000them\u3000around\u3000back\u3000in\u3000a\u3000quarter\u3000the\u3000time\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000them\u3000to\u3000walk\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000stopped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000first\u3000elbow\u3000conduit\u3000and\u3000menced\u3000a\u3000careful\u3000count\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000noting\u3000their\u3000position\u3000relative\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000main\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Under\u3000the\u3000main\u3000line\uff1b\u3000thirteenth\u3000from\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000the\u3000scrawled\u3000notation\u3000on\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000an\u3000elbow\u3000up\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000must\u3000be\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000conduit\u3000was\u3000made\u3000of\u3000light\u2026gauge\u3000metal\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000four\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000circumference\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000least\u3000six\u3000feet\u3000high\u3000from\u3000floor\u3000to\u3000right\u2026angle\u3000bend\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000held\u3000in\u3000place\u3000by\u3000a\u3000circular\u3000flange\uff1b\u3000but\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000be\u3000flexible\u3000enough\u3000once\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000securing\u3000the\u3000flange\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000were\u3000undone\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000box\u3000wrenches\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tool\u3000pouch\u3000and\u3000immediately\u3000set\u3000to\u3000work\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000took\u3000a\u3000coil\u3000of\u3000rope\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cart\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tie\u3000it\u3000fast\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000adjacent\u3000elbows\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000had\u3000been\u3000loosened\u3000and\u3000removed\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000conduit\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000and\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shaft\u3000below\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000squinted\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000fixed\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000objects\u3000of\u3000their\u3000search\uff1a\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000below\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000squinted\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000fixed\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000objects\u3000of\u3000their\u3000search\uff1a\u3000crate\u3000after\u3000crate\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000canisters\uff1b\u3000each\u3000the\u3000size\u3000and\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000squat\u3000thermos\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000of\u3000it\u3000down\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000reported\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000tug\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rope\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conduit\u3002\u3000\u3003Feels\u3000strong\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000mented\u3000while\u3000Rook\u3000tied\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000security\u3000system\u3000down\u3000there\u3000is\u3000still\u3000operative\u3002\u3000You\u3000touch\u3000anything\u2026the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000floor\u2026and\u3000you’ll\u3000trigger\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000and\u3000let\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000dangle\u3000through\u3000the\u3000opening\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rope\u3000and\u3000signaled\u3000their\u3000readiness\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000over\u3000with\u3000before\u3000I\u3000change\u3000my\u3000mind\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000concert\u3000was\u3000under\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u3000streaked\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000like\u3000a\u3000et\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000band\u3000already\u3000laying\u3000down\u3000the\u3000intro\u3000to\u3000\u3003Look\u3000Up\uff01\u3003\u3000and\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000of\u3000several\u3000thousand\u3000roaring\u3000their\u3000appreciation\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000message\u3000number\u3000that\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000something\u3000of\u3000an\u3000anthem\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Southlands\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Yellow\u3000loved\u3000singing\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000spread\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hip\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000like\u3000an\u3000upturned\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000her\u3000body\u3000accenting\u3000the\u3000beat\u3002
\n
\nAnother\u3000winter’s\u3000day
\nAnother\u3000gray\u3000reminder\u3000that\u3000what\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be
\nHas\u3000gone\u3000away\u3002
\nIt’s\u3000really\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b
\nHow\u3000long\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000live\u3000with\u3000our\u3000insanity\uff1b
\nWe\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000all\u3000we\u3000use\uff1b
\nWe\u3000never\u3000think\u3000before\u3000we\u3000light\u3000the\u3000fuse\u3002\u3002\u3002
\nLook\u3000up\uff1b\u3000look\u3000up\uff1b\u3000look\u3000up\uff01
\nThe\u3000sky\u3000is\u3000fall\u2026ing\uff01
\nLook\u3000up\uff1b
\nThere’s\u3000something\u3000up\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000know\u3002
\nBefore\u3000you\u3000try\u3000to\u3000go\u3000outside\uff1b
\nTo\u3000take\u3000in\u3000the\u3000view\uff1b
\nLook\u3000up\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000sky
\nCould\u3000fall\u3000on\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nYellow\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000was\u3000eagerly\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000stomp\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000to\u3000the\u3000music\uff1b\u3000an\u3000ear\u2026to\u2026ear\u3000grin\u3000on\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000his\u3000men\u3000vigilant\u3000throughout\u3000the\u3000arena\u3002
\n
\n
\nLoaded\u3000down\u3000with\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000fished\u3000from\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000room\uff1b\u3000the\u3000electric\u3000cart\u3000sped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000maintenance\u3000corridor\u3000and\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000stone\u3000serviceway\uff1b\u3000damp\uff1b\u3000foul\u2026smelling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seemingly\u3000unused\u3000for\u3000centuries\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000still\u3000dizzy\u3000from\u3000her\u3000upside\u2026down\u3000descent\u3000into\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000room\uff1b\u3000had\u3000the\u3000map\u3000spread\u3000open\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000drove\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000ambient\u3000light\uff1b\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000match\u3000juncture\u3000points\u3000in\u3000the\u3000serviceway\u3000with\u3000the\u3000vague\u3000scrawls\u3000indicated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000cart\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000out\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000stones\u3000at\u3000eye\u3000level\u3000along\u3000the\u3000right\u2026hand\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corridor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Should\u3000be\u3000over\u3000here\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000say\u3002\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000lay\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000against\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stones\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000was\u3000opening\u3002\u3000Another\u3000corridor\u3000was\u3000revealed\uff1b\u3000perpendicular\u3000to\u3000the\u3000first\u3000and\u3000decidedly\u3000downhill\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000this\u3000is\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000to\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000hall\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000uncertainly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Looks\u3000to\u3000me\u3000like\u3000it\u3000leads\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dungeon\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nBack\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000edged\u3000the\u3000cart\u3000forward\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000passageway\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000an\u3000escape\u3000route\u3000constructed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000originally\u3000had\u3000this\u3000place\u3000built\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000hope\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000answered\u3000him\u3000as\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000wall\u3000reassembled\u3000itself\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ramp\u3000dropped\u3000at\u3000a\u3000steep\u3000angle\u3000that\u3000sorely\u3000tested\u3000the\u3000electric\u3000cart’s\u3000brakes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000important\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000encouraged\u3002\u3000According\u3000to\u3000his\u3000own\u3000calculations\u3000the\u3000passageway\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000leading\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000arena\u3002\u3000\u3003Piece\u3000of\u3000cake\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000from\u3000his\u3000unfortable\u3000position\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000canisters\u3000stacked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cart\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000should\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000more\u3000while\u3000we\u3000had\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000so\u3000smart\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000stiffly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000not\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000yet\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000between\u3000the\u3000front\u3000seats\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000there\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000now\uff1f\u3000The\u3000concert’s\u3000on\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000got\u3000the\u3000’Culture\uff1b\u3000Lunk’ll\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000us\u3000with\u3000open\u3000arms\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Confidence\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000snorted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000easing\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000brakes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cart\u3000was\u3000traveling\u3000along\u3000at\u3000a\u3000good\u3000clip\u3000now\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000place\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000when\u3000the\u3000cart’s\u3000headlamp\u3000revealed\u3000a\u3000solid\u3000wall\u3000blocking\u3000their\u3000exit\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000brake\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000rear\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cart\u3000bounced\u3000and\u3000swerved\u3000as\u3000the\u3000brakes\u3000locked\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000in\u3000control\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000with\u3000room\u3000to\u3000spare\u3002\u3000The\u3000trio\u3000regarded\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000might\u3000have\u3000missed\u3000a\u3000turnoff\u3000earlier\u3000on\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000side\u3000tunnels\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000according\u3000to\u3000Lancer’s\u3000map\u3000there’s\u3000only\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000this\u3000one\u3000passageway\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000map’s\u3000been\u3000accurate\u3000up\u3000to\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000added\uff1b\u3000running\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000through\u3000her\u3000tangled\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003Where’d\u3000we\u3000go\u3000wrong\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000a\u3000push\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3000like\u3000up\u3000top\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000suggested\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000to\u3000step\u3000out\u3000and\u3000have\u3000a\u3000look\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000rumbling\u3000sound\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000trio\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000helplessly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000stone\u3000partition\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel’s\u3000ceiling\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000what\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000must\u3000be\u3000on\u3000to\u3000us\u3000somehow\uff01\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000disagreed\u3002\u3000\u3003Those\u3000a\/v\u3000scramblers\u3000still\u3000have\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3000of\u3000life\u3000left\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000must\u3000have\u2026\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000cut\u3000himself\u3000off\u3000as\u3000a\u3000new\u3000sound\u3000began\u3000to\u3000infiltrate\u3000their\u3000silent\u3000tomb\u3002\u3000It\u3000began\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grating\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000moving\u3000against\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000then\u3000softened\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sibilance\u3000before\u3000gushing\u3000loud\u3000and\u3000clear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Water\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000being\u3000flooded\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000NINE
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000case\u3000of\u3000overpensation\u3000again\uff1a\u3000We\u3000went\u3000from\u3000having\u3000no\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000too\u3000much\u3000plan\uff01
\nRand\uff1b\u3000Notes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Run
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000pranced\u3000across\u3000the\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000and\u3000gesturing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crowd\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000the\u3000microphone\u3000over\u3000her\u3000head\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000were\u3000a\u3000lariat\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000driving\u3000number\u3000now\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flat\u2026out\u3000rocker\u3000that\u3000had\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000dancing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000aisles\u3000and\u3000pressing\u3000forward\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000helping\u3000this\u3000along\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000party\u3000under\u3000way\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000her\u3000cramped\u3000space\u3000near\u3000the\u3000front\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000up\u3000on\u3000stage\uff01\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000spied\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000while\u3000she\u3000sang\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000an\u3000impromptu\u3000spin\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000hips\u3000and\u3000urging\u3000the\u3000band\u3000to\u3000kick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000volume\u3000somewhat\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000again\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000herself\u3000across\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000in\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000Jagger\u3000strut\uff1b\u3000inching\u3000her\u3000way\u3000to\u3000ward\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000with\u3000each\u3000pass\u3000and\u3000beckoning\u3000the\u3000fans\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nWoods\u3000and\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wings\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000an\u3000incredible\u3000performer\uff1b\u3003\u3000Briggs\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000Woods\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000glint\u3000in\u3000the\u3000colonel’s\u3000eye\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000Yellow\u3000twirl\u3000herself\u3000like\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000singing\u3000acrobat\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000amazing\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000these\u3000kids\u3000look\u3000like\u3000they’re\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000out\u3000of\u3000their\u3000socks\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000is\u3000practically\u3000drooling\u3002\u3000Woods\u3000laughed\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000are\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000out\u3000of\u3000hand\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Briggs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000forced\u3000note\u3000of\u3000concern\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000audience\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000crowds\u3000were\u3000pushing\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000the\u3000security\u3000force’s\u3000arm\u2026link\u3000cordon\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000think\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wise\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000a\u3000van\u3000ready\u3000out\u3000back\u3000just\u3000in\u3000case\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hurry\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWoods\u3000saw\u3000Briggs\u3000blanch\u3002\u3000He\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000guarding\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000entrance\u3000and\u3000told\u3000him\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000van\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000door\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Woods\u3000suppressed\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000Yellow\u3000strut\u3000her\u3000stuff\u3002
\n
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000stone\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000seldom\u2026used\u3000room\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000sat\u3000cross\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000up\u3000balloons\u3002\u3000Several\u3000hundred\u3000of\u3000these\u3000helium\u2026filled\u3000colored\u3000globes\u3000had\u3000already\u3000been\u3000inflated\u3000and\u3000secreted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000partment\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000bandshell\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000busy\u3000preparing\u3000had\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000a\u3000special\u3000purpose\u3002\u3000To\u3000each\u3000grouping\u3000of\u3000four\u3000balloons\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000added\u3000a\u3000carefully\u3000concealed\u3000propellant\u3000device\u3000in\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sensor\u3000that\u3000would\u3000allow\u3000the\u3000four\u2026color\u3000group\u3000to\u3000home\u3000in\u3000on\u3000a\u3000prearranged\u3000beacon\u3000signal\u3000transmitted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000Norristown\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000balloons\uff1b\u3000he\u3000crawled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000shut\u3000down\u3000the\u3000helium\u3000tanks\uff1b\u3000only\u3000then\u3000realizing\u3000how\u3000spaced\u3000out\u3000he\u3000was\u3000from\u3000inhaling\u3000the\u3000gas\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000at\u3000the\u3000room’s\u3000brick\u3000rear\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000over\u3000to\u3000it\u3000now\uff1b\u3000running\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000over\u3000the\u3000stones\u3000and\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000any\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000indicated\u3000on\u3000Lancer’s\u3000map\u3000of\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000and\u3000linking\u3000passageway\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000could\u3000find\u3000no\u3000evidence\u3000of\u3000seams\u3000or\u3000fractures\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mortar\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000opened\u3000only\u3000from\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000his\u3000watch\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000know\u3000soon\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000in\u3000any\u3000case\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000cart\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000watertight\u3002\u3000Not\u3000that\u3000this\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000some\u3000wondrous\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000news\u3000under\u3000normal\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000but\u3000given\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000trio’s\u3000present\u3000condition\u3000it\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000small\u3000miracles\u3000to\u3000be\u3000thankful\u3000for\u3002\u3000It\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000able\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000seated\u3000while\u3000the\u3000water\u3000rose\u3000around\u3000them\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000have\u3000to\u3000exhaust\u3000themselves\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000afloat\u3000in\u3000water\u3000that\u3000was\u3000well\u3000over\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000this\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000consolation\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000few\u3000four\u2026pack\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000were\u3000bobbing\u3000about\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000water\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000bumper\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cart\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000the\u3000world\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000end\u3002
\n
\nWhich\u3000was\u3000certainly\u3000an\u3000appropriate\u3000enough\u3000response\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000how\u3000the\u3000water\u3000was\u3000still\u3000pouring\u3000into\u3000their\u3000tomb\u3000with\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000ceiling\u3000was\u3000only\u3000four\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000them\u3000now\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000seldom\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000word\u3000to\u3000say\u3000about\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000Rand\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n\u3003C’ \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n now\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000seldom\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000word\u3000to\u3000say\u3000about\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000cheer\u3000Rand\u3000up\u3002
\n
\n\u3003C’mon\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1b\u3000try\u3000not\u3000to\u3000get\u3000so\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dumps\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3000\u3003Down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dumps\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000their\u3000situation\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000d’ya\u3000think\uff1b\u3000I\u3000should\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000about\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000up\u3000before\u3000I\u3000die\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000my\u3000fault\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000should\u3000have\u3000considered\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000older\u3000defensive\u3000systems\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000operational\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000blame\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Let\u3000’im\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000argued\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000not\uff1f\u3000He\u3000got\u3000us\u3000into\u3000this\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000he\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000got\u3000us\u3000into\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000told\u3000them\u3000both\u3000to\u3000shut\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Besides\uff1b\u3000we\u3000might\u3000get\u3000a\u3000lucky\u3000break\u3000yet\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000an\u3000explanation\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000the\u3000a\/v\u3000scramblers\u3000fade\u3000before\u3000the\u3000water\u3000gets\u3000much\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000probably\u3000get\u3000to\u3000face\u3000a\u3000firing\u3000squad\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000drowning\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000Yellow’s\u3000screaming\u3000audience\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000harshly\u3000to\u3000Woods\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000this\u3000mob\u3000gets\u3000any\u3000more\u3000unruly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000to\u3000going\u3000to\u3000send\u3000a\u3000few\u3000Troopers\u3000in\u3000here\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000all\u3000hell\u3000to\u3000pay\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWoods\u3000had\u3000to\u3000agree\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000finished\u3000up\u3000already\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000into\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000encore\u3002\u3000The\u3000crowds\u3000were\u3000whipped\u3000up\u3000into\u3000such\u3000a\u3000frenzy\u3000that\u3000the\u3000arena\u3000seemed\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000sensed\u3000Woods’s\u3000concern\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3000briefly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000gyrated\u3000around\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002\u3000Where\u3000is\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000the\u3000band\u3000revved\u3000up\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000several\u3000giant\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000wings\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000flash\u3000her\u3000acplice\u3000a\u3000signal\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000her\u3000earring\u3000and\u3000shaking\u3000her\u3000head\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000indicate\u3000that\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000Lunk\u3000yet\u3002
\n
\nWoods\u3000acknowledged\u3000his\u3000understanding\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shrug\u3000and\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000gesture\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000chief\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000pacing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wings\u3000like\u3000a\u3000nervous\u3000animal\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000up\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000if\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000out\u3000to\u3000them\u3000as\u3000they\u3000screamed\u3000replies\u3002\u3000Again\u3000they\u3000strained\u3000at\u3000the\u3000security\u3000cordon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000several\u3000kids\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000making\u3000it\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000before\u3000being\u3000scooped\u3000up\u3000by\u3000guards\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000off\u3002\u3000Something\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000done\u3000quickly\uff01
\n
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000scarcely\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000breathing\u3000space\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000water\u3000level\u3000was\u3000still\u3000rising\u3002\u3000Things\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000desperate\u3000stage\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000pushing\u3000up\u3000against\u3000each\u3000and\u3000every\u3000ceiling\u3000stone\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000that\u3000one\u3000would\u3000give\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That\u3000story\u3000about\u3000the\u3000hero\u3000escaping\u3000through\u3000a\u3000loose\u3000stone\u3000is\u3000just\u3000a\u3000fairy\u3000tale\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000when\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000budge\u3002\u3000For\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000he\u3000was\u3000speechless\uff1b\u3000but\u3000finally\u3000he\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000gulp\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\uff1a\u3000\u3003It\u3000moved\uff01\u3000The\u3000stone\u3000moved\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003She’s\u3000already\u3000gone\u3000a\u3000half\u3000hour\u3000overtime\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000Woods\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000wrapped\u3000up\u2026and\u3000I\u3000mean\u3000now\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000kids\uff1b\u3003\u3000Woods\u3000tried\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000having\u3000the\u3000time\u3000of\u3000their\u3000lives\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000when\u3000do\u3000they\u3000ever\u3000get\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000let\u3000off\u3000a\u3000little\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Now\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003Or\u3000this\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000last\u3000chance\u3000they\u3000ever\u3000get\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWoods\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000a\u3000signal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000control\u3000booth\uff1a\u3000They\u3000were\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000power\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Yellow\u3000finished\u3000her\u3000song\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000was\u3000pacing\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000in\u3000the\u3000small\u3000area\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000way\u3000overdue\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000contingency\u3000plans\u3000other\u3000than\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Norristown\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000would\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Lunk\u3000could\u3000be\u3000identified\u3000by\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000at\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000tower\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000resigning\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000this\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000movement\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000his\u3000waterlogged\u3000friends\u3000step\u3000through\u3000the\u3000parted\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Each\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000toting\u3000Protoculture\u3000canister\u3000packs\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000about\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000their\u3000soaked\u3000clothing\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000you\u3000guys\u2026you\u3000e\u3000by\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000explain\u3000later\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000hurriedly\uff1b\u3000already\u3000fastening\u3000the\u3000packs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000balloon\u3000clusters\u3002\u3000\u3003Signal\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000show\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nYellow\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000the\u3000control\u3000room\u3000and\u3000sound\u3000personnel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000power\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000was\u3000milking\u3000the\u3000final\u3000song\u3000for\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worth\uff1b\u3000extending\u3000the\u3000chorus\u3000and\u3000encouraging\u3000the\u3000audience\u3000to\u3000join\u3000in\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000hopes\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000would\u3000appear\u3000in\u3000time\u3002\u3000But\u3000by\u3000now\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000all\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000the\u3000band\u3000was\u3000finishing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000an\u3000interminable\u3000one\u2026chord\u3000wrap\u2026up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000leap\u3000that\u3000would\u3000cut\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000small\u3000but\u3000unmistakable\u3000flashing\u3000tone\u3000emitted\u3000by\u3000her\u3000left\u3000earring\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Lunk’s\u3000signal\uff1a\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\uff01
\n
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff01\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000yelled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000microphone\u3000over\u3000deafening\u3000applause\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000she\u3000began\u3000to\u3000worm\u3000her\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000cordon\uff1b\u3000readying\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000that\u3000would\u3000admit\u3000her\u3000backstage\u3002
\n
\nPeople\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000were\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000something\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000got\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000a\u3000skyful\u3000of\u3000balloons\u3000before\u3000she\u3000disappeared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000wings\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000love\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000added\u3000as\u3000she\u3000left\u3000the\u3000stage\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000plan\u3000called\u3000for\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000infiltrate\u3000themselves\u3000among\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000retinue\u3000of\u3000sidemen\u3000and\u3000bodyguards\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000had\u3000been\u3000handpicked\u3000by\u3000Woods\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Lunk’s\u3000role\u3000was\u3000to\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3000police\u3000van\u3000was\u3000rendered\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000secure\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000acplished\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000was\u3000napping\u3000when\u3000Lunk\u3000stole\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3000door\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000pummeled\u3000the\u3000man\u3000into\u3000a\u3000more\u3000lasting\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000canvas\u2026backed\u3000van\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000dragged\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000and\u3000began\u3000to\u3000change\u3000into\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000police\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000trousers\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000appeared\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000Yellow\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000clutching\u3000two\u3000wardrobe\u3000suitcases\u3000under\u3000her\u3000arms\u3002\u3000The\u3000colonel\u3000was\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000arena\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000patiently\u3000at\u3000Yellow’s\u3000dressing\u2026room\u3000door\u3000for\u3000the\u3000singer\u3000to\u3000arrive\u3002\u3000Woods’s\u3000team\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000had\u3000spirited\u3000her\u3000out\u3000a\u3000rear\u3000entry\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000doing\u3000its\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000things\u3000backstage\u3000suitably\u3000chaotic\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000alive\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000said\u3000breathlessly\uff1b\u3000running\u3000to\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000passing\u3000her\u3000valises\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Never\u3000underestimate\u3000the\u3000best\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000full\u3000of\u3000importance\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000gave\u3000Rand\u3000the\u3000once\u2026over\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000bemusedly\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000so\u3000wet\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000get\u3000in\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000broke\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003It’ll\u3000be\u3000your\u3000bedtime\u3000story\u3002\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000already\u3000pulling\u3000off\u3000the\u3000clothes\u3000that\u3000separated\u3000her\u3000from\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000and\u3000unfurled\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000canvas\u3000drape\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000ran\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000settled\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000while\u3000a\u3000smiling\u3000Lunk\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000how\uff1b\u3000ridiculous\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000man’s\u3000uniform\u3000and\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000laughing\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000screeching\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000just\u3000short\u3000of\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3000of\u3000fans\u3000who\u3000had\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000back\u3000there\u3002\u3000Woods\u3000stood\u3000pleased\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\uff1b\u3000silently\u3000wishing\u3000Yellow\u3000and\u3000her\u3000friends\u3000a\u3000smooth\u3000getaway\u3002
\n
\n
\nBack\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000dressing\u2026room\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Colonel\u3000Briggs\u3000was\u3000glancing\u3000impatiently\u3000at\u3000his\u3000watch\u3000and\u3000plaining\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3000about\u3000how\u3000much\u3000time\u3000women\u3000required\u3000to\u3000change\u3000outfits\u3002\u3000He\u3000contemplated\u3000walking\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Yellow\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000her\u3000at\u3000a\u3000vulnerable\u3000moment\u3002\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000blossoming\u3000into\u3000a\u3000Technicolor\u3000fantasy\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000guards\u3000ran\u3000up\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000saluted\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000been\u3000a\u3000break\u2026in\u3000at\u3000the\u3000facility\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000staffer\u3000reported\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\u3002\u3000\u3003Thirty\u2026eight\u3000cases\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000are\u3000missing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000colonel’s\u3000mouth\u3000fell\u3000open\u3002\u3000\u3003B\u2026but\u3002\u3002\u3002how\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000used\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000scramblers\u3000to\u3000disrupt\u3000the\u3000surveillance\u3000cameras\u3000and\u3000apparently\u3000lowered\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000storage\u3000room\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000overhead\u3000maintenance\u3000corridors\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBriggs\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000man\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lapels\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000him\u3000close\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000they\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000towers\uff1f\u3000Were\u3000all\u3000vehicles\u3000searched\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000chief\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000searched\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000must\u3000have\u3000found\u3000another\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000colonel\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000man\uff1b\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000then\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000him\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Search\u3000the\u3000city\uff01\u3000Set\u3000up\u3000roadblocks\uff01\u3000I\u3000want\u3000them\u3000found\u2026alive\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000staffer\u3000saluted\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000do\u3000what\u3000we\u3000can\u3002\u3000But\u3000most\u3000of\u3000our\u3000units\u3000are\u3000still\u3000working\u3000crowd\u3000control\u3000outside\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Forget\u3000the\u3000crowds\uff01\u3003\u3000Briggs\u3000barked\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000every\u3000man\u3000on\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000city’s\u3000streets\u3000were\u3000soon\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000police\u3000vans\u2026sirens\u3000hooting\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000around\u3000corners\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000a\u3000team\u3000of\u3000sneak\u3000thieves\u3002\u3000But\u3000by\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000edging\u3000the\u3000van\u3000out\u3000of\u3000town\uff1b\u3000way\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roadblocks\u3000the\u3000colonel’s\u3000currently\u3000understaffed\u3000security\u3000force\u3000were\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000set\u3000up\u3000at\u3000all\u3000possible\u3000points\u3000of\u3000egress\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000colonel’s\u3000own\u3000van\u3000screeched\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cobblestone\u3000square\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000rendezvoused\u3000with\u3000three\u3000others\u3000that\u3000were\u3000returning\u3000from\u3000various\u3000checkpoints\u3002\u3000Briggs\u3000leapt\u3000out\u3000and\u3000approached\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lieutenants\uff1b\u3000demanding\u3000all\u3000pertinent\u3000information\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000don’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000they’ve\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000warned\u3000the\u3000already\u3000shaking\u3000staffer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000they\u3000made\u3000their\u3000getaway\u3000in\u3000a\u3000police\u3000van\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000updated\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000we’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3000of\u3000having\u3000our\u3000men\u3000check\u3000each\u3000van\u3000they\u3000e\u3000across\u3000to\u3000ascertain\u3000the\u3000identity\u3000of\u3000those\u3000inside\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000said\u3000haltingly\u3002\u3000Then\uff1a\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000that\u3000your\u3000men\u3000are\u3000out\u3000there\u3000searching\u3000each\u3000other\uff1f\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3000more\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000small\u3000crash\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000so \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Good\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000said\u3000haltingly\u3002\u3000Then\uff1a\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000that\u3000your\u3000men\u3000are\u3000out\u3000there\u3000searching\u3000each\u3000other\uff1f\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3000more\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000small\u3000crash\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000something\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rooftop\u3002\u3000Turning\uff1b\u3000Briggs\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000red\uff1b\u3000yellow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000green\u3000balloons\u3000weighted\u3000down\u3000by\u3000something\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000until\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000three\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Protoculture\u3000canisters\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000kneeling\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000helium\u3000balloons\u3000and\u3000their\u3000precious\u3000cargo\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000scores\u3000more\u3000drifting\u3000high\u3000over\u3000the\u3000city\u3000on\u3000a\u3000northeast\u3000wind\u3002\u3000\u3003Gather\u3000up\u3000all\u3000those\u3000balloons\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3002\u3000\u3003Shoot\u3000them\u3000down\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\uff01\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000bring\u3000me\u3000that\u3000singer\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000hastened\u3000to\u3000add\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000concert\u3000and\u3000its\u3000colorful\u3000finale\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nBriggs\u3000was\u3000hurrying\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000van\u3000when\u3000a\u3000vehicle\u3000from\u3000the\u3000facility\u3000pulled\u3000alongside\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000found\u3000them\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000eagerly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Intercessors\u3000have\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000facility\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000they\u3000wanna\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000getaway\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rigged\u3000balloon\u3000clusters\u3000arrived\u3000at\u3000the\u3000transmitter\u3000site\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000that\u3000fringed\u3000the\u3000northeastern\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000Norristown\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000hopped\u3000out\u3000and\u3000began\u3000gathering\u3000up\u3000the\u3000canisters\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000were\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000when\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000Annie\u3000yell\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000point
\nto\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Invid\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000we\u3000a\u3000five\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000fast\u3000from\u3000the\u3000southwest\u3000but\u3000still\u3000several\u3000miles\u3000off\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000everyone\u3000to\u3000grab\u3000whatever\u3000canister\u3000packs\u3000they\u3000could\u3000carry\u3000and\u3000run\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000already\u3000suited\u3000up\u3000in\u3000battle\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000headed\u3000directly\u3000for\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000and\u3000inserted\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000canister\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cylinderlike\u3000fuel\u3000cell\u3000below\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000engine\u3002\u3000He\u3000straddled\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000and\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000ignition\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000with\u3000delight\u3000as\u3000the\u3000power\u3000displays\u3000came\u3000to\u3000life\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unprecedented\u3000brightness\u3002\u3000Nearby\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000attending\u3000to\u3000the\u3000refueling\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000was\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000power\u3000up\u3000her\u3000red\u3000Cyclone\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Lancer\u3000lift\u3000off\u3000and\u3000reconfigure\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Beside\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000strapping\u3000on\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000did\u3000you\u3000remember\u3000to\u3000put\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000canister\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stooped\u3000ego\u3000insert\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000pack\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Dimwit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000scolded\u3000him\u3000as\u3000she\u3000roared\u3000off\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000followed\u3000her\u3000up\u3000and\u3000through\u3000to\u3000reconfiguration\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000streaked\u3000off\u3000to\u3000assist\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000going\u3000head\u3000to\u3000head\u3000with\u3000two\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000coaxed\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000was\u3000executing\u3000leaps\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000pincer\u3000swipes\u3002\u3000Frustrated\u3000now\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000was\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000its\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3000into\u3000play\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000muzzles\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000glow\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000set\u3000down\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000charge\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000not\u3000push\u3000our\u3000luck\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000arrives\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000tactical\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000Troopers\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000then\u3000swooped\u3000down\u3000for\u3000strafing\u3000runs\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000tailed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000shoulder\u2026tubed\u3000Scorpions\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000could\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trooper\u3000took\u3000two\u3000missiles\u3000to\u3000the\u3000face\u3000and\u3000went\u3000down\uff1b\u3000leaking\u3000a\u3000thick\u3000green\u3000fluid\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000took\u3000out\u3000a\u3000second\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000dispatched\u3000a\u3000third\u3000that\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000Rand\u3000a\u3000hard\u3000time\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000more\u3000to\u3000everyone’s\u3000liking\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Scott\u3000got\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000remaining\u3000Troopers\u3000kept\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000dishing\u3000out\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000against\u3000the\u3000ining\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000flew\u3000undaunted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000own\u3000brand\u3000of\u3000vengeful\u3000energy\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000last\u2026minute\u3000leap\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000narrowly\u3000escaped\u3000the\u3000Alpha’s\u3000angry\u3000red\u2026tipped\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000second\u3000stood\u3000its\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000suffered\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000continued\u3000his\u3000power\u3000dive\u3000against\u3000the\u3000fifth\u3000and\u3000final\u3000Invid\u3000now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000put\u3000down\u3000again\uff1b\u3000emptying\u3000its\u3000upturned\u3000cannons\u3000against\u3000him\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000dropped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000like\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000slalom\u3000flyer\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000off\u3000one\u3000shot\u3000before\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dive\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000one\u3000connected\uff1b\u3000impacting\u3000the\u3000Trooper’s\u3000midsection\u3000and\u3000splitting\u3000it\u3000in\u3000half\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000banked\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000climb\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000toward\u3000Norristown\u3000and\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000buttes\u3000which\u3000overshadowed\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Down\u3000below\u3000he\u3000could\u3000discern\u3000a\u3000long\u3000line\u3000of\u3000police\u3000vehicles\u3000speeding\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000somewhat\u3000ravaged\u3000forest\u3000clearing\u3002
\n
\nHearing\u3000Scott’s\u3000warning\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000landed\u3000their\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000reconfigured\u3000to\u3000Cyclone\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000were\u3000running\u3000around\u3000gathering\u3000up\u3000late\u2026arrival\u3000balloonloads\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000canisters\u3002\u3000They\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000police\u3000van\u3000at\u3000Scott’s\u3000amplified\u3000insistence\u3000and\u3000sped\u3000off\u3000following\u3000the\u3000Cyclones’\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000setting\u3000sun\u3000huge\u3000and\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000at\u3000their\u3000backs\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TEN
\n
\nRook’s\u3000hometown\u3000\uff07Trenchtown\uff1b\u3000formerly\u3000Cavern\u3000City\uff07\u3000typified\u3000an\u3000offbeat\u3000trend\u3000in\u3000city\u3000planning\u3000that\u3000was\u3000popular\u3000between\u3000the\u3000\uff07First\u3000and\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\uff07\u3000Wars\u3002\u3000This\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000called\u3000the\u3000Obscuro\u3000Movement\uff1b\u3000was\u3000formed\u3000as\u3000a\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000threats\u3000of\u3000invasion\uff1b\u3000real\u3000and\u3000imaginary\uff1b\u3000by\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000Tirolian\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000Invid\u3000\uff1b\u3000or\u3000any\u3000of\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000self\u2026styled\u3000conquerors\u3000and\u3000terrestrial\u3000invaders\u3002\u3000Cities\u3000were\u3000constructed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000most\u3000unlikely\u3000places\u2026on\u3000the\u3000tops\u3000of\u3000mesas\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000ravines\uff1b\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000darkness\u2026anywhere\u3000deemed\u3000unassailable\u3000by\u3000founders\u3000and\u3000would\u2026be\u3000leaders\u3002
\n\u3003Southlands\uff1b\u3003\u3000History\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Third\u3000Robotech\u3000War\uff1b\u3000Vol\u3002\u3000XXII
\n
\nRands\u3000journal\u3000picks\u3000up\u3000the\u3000story\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000a\u3000good\u3000enough\u3000jump\u3000on\u3000Norristown’s\u3000police\u3000force\u3000to\u3000lose\u3000them\u3000without\u3000too\u3000much\u3000hassle\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000our\u3000escape\u3000route\u3000was\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3000behind\u3000us\u3000with\u3000a\u3000few\u3000well\u2026placed\u3000missiles\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000Chances\u3000are\u3000that\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vans\u3000turned\u3000tail\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000they\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000We\u3000could\u3000only\u3000guess\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000retribution\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000very\u3000least\u3000some\u3000heads\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000roll\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000all\u3000feeling\u3000great\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyclones\u3000practically\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reigned\u3000in\uff1b\u3000thanks\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fresh\u3000infusion\u3000of\u3000’Culture\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u2026manufactured\u3000batch\u3000was\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000the\u3000’Culture\u3000Earth\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000been\u3000operating\u3000on\u3000during\u3000the\u3000last\u3000twenty\u3000years\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000held\u3000us\u3000back\u3000was\u3000the\u3000police\u3000van\u3000we\u3000had\u3000mandeered\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000wiser\u3000idea\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000limitations\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000carry\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000or\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3002\u3000It\u3000continued\u3000to\u3000puzzle\u3000us\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000didn’t\u3000simply\u3000overwhelm\u3000us\u3000with\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000with\u3000three\u3000Cycs\u3000running\u3000at\u3000high\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000track\u3000us\u3000down\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000demonstrated\u3000the\u3000same\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000tactical\u3000shortings\u3000in\u3000previous\u3000encounters\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000always\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000press\u3000him\u3000to\u3000elaborate\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000reticent\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000Tirol\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000worlds\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000traveled\u3000north\u3000for\u3000two\u3000days\u3000almost\u3000without\u3000letup\uff1b\u3000using\u3000the\u3000scrip\u3000Woods\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Lancer\u3000to\u3000barter\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000bedrolls\u3000in\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000settlements\u3000we\u3000passed\u3000through\u3002\u3000The\u3000terrain\u3000was\u3000arid\u3000and\u3000rugged\uff1b\u3000characterized\u3000by\u3000buttes\u3000and\u3000tors\u3000and\u3000mesas\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000those\u3000around\u3000Norristown\u3000but\u3000softened\u3000by\u3000small\u3000skyblue\u3000lakes\u3000and\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000hardwood\u3000forest\u3002\u3000We\u3000made\u3000our\u3000first\u3000real\u3000camp\u3000alongside\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000cold\u3000water\u3000lakes\u3002\u3000We\u3000had\u3000e\u3000across\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000wild\u3000cattle\u3000earlier\u3000on\u3000and\u3000shot\u3000one\u3000for\u3000provisions\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000were\u3000eating\u3000well\u3000and\u3000getting\u3000good\u3000rest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sleeping\u3000bags\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000ran\u3000us\u3000through\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000mutual\u2026appreciation\u3000debriefing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Norristown\u3000raid\u3002\u3000More\u3000and\u3000more\u3000we\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000an\u3000actual\u3000team\u3000and\u3000not\u3000just\u3000six\u3000individuals\u3000on\u3000the\u3000run\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000insist\u3000that\u3000we\u3000make\u3000camp\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000but\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000was\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000I\u3000put\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000gathering\u3000firewood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000with\u3000nearly\u3000petrified\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000hardwood\u3002\u3000\uff08Not\u3000that\u3000we\u3000really\u3000even\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000fire\u2026I\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cooking\u3000over\u3000a\u3000propane\u3000stove\u3000anyway\u2026but\u3000a\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000their\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000camping\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000into\u3000spoiling\u3000anyone’s\u3000fun\u3002\uff09\u3000Lunk\u3000whittled\u3000when\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000VT\u3000systems\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000cleaned\u3000and\u3000maintained\u3000the\u3000ordnance\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000finding\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000and\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000relax\u3000around\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000would\u3000often\u3000fall\u3000quite\u3000naturally\u3000into\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000midway\u3000mode\u3000that\u3000was\u3000part\u3000Lancer\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighter\u3000and\u3000part\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000fashioned\u3000a\u3000shower\u3000for\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000punching\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000our\u3000old\u3000cook\u3000pots\u3002\u3000He\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000in\u3000water\u3000heated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000pour\u3000this\u3000into\u3000the\u3000holed\u3000pot\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fastened\u3000to\u3000an\u3000overhead\u3000branch\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000got\u3000a\u3000big\u3000charge\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000and\u3000once\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000interrupt\u3000Lancer\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000showering\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000ical\u3000exchange\u3000that\u3000ended\u3000with\u3000Lancer\u3000calling\u3000Lunk\u3000\u3003a\u3000mindless\u3000brute\uff1b\u3003\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000amazed\u3000that\u3000Lancer\u3000of\u3000all\u3000people\u3000should\u3000be\u3000modest\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rook\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000keeping\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000see\u3000her\u3000standing\u3000alone\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000absently\u3000skimming\u3000stones\u3000across\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000something\u3000disturbing\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000share\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000also\u3000sensed\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000since\u3000learned\u3000what\u3000the\u3000brooding\u3000was\u3000all\u3000about\uff1b\u3000but\u3000back\u3000then\u3000all\u3000I\u3000could\u3000sense\u3000was\u3000Rook’s\u3000uneasiness\u3000and\u3000an\u3000inexplicable\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000helplessness\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000time\u3000the\u3000team\u3000discussed\u3000it\u3000was\u3000after\u3000she\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000only\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000entice\u3000her\u3000to\u3000join\u3000us\u3000around\u3000the\u3000fire\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018What\u3000d’ya\u3000thinks\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000her\uff1f’\u3000L \n
\n \n
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\n\u3003\u2018What\u3000d’ya\u3000thinks\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000her\uff1f’\u3000Lunk\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Women’s\u3000mood\u3000changes\u3000are\u3000unpredictable\uff1b’\u3000Lancer\u3000said\u3000knowledgeably\u3000in\u3000Yellow’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000just\u3000stepped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shower\u3000and\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000long\u3000yellow\u3000terry\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000had\u3000his\u3000hair\u3000up\u3000under\u3000a\u3000towel\u3000wrapped\u3000turban\u2026style\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Just\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000alone\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000suggested\u3002\u3000\u2018She’ll\u3000e\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\u3002’\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000issue\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018No\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000different\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Let\u3000it\u3000go\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000already\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000off\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000her\u3000out\u3002\u3000I\u3000felt\u3000pelled\u3000to\u3000tag\u3000along\u3000at\u3000a\u3000discreet\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000because\u3000I\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000scoring\u3000points\u3000where\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000near\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000respond\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000called\u3000her\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000give\u3000a\u3000small\u3000shrug\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000that\u3000holo\u2026locket\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u2026the\u3000one\u3000Marlene\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000shortly\u3000before\u3000she\u3000went\u3000down\u3000with\u3000her\u3000ship\u3002\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000just\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000bothered\u3000me\u3000most\u3000was\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000Rook’s\u3000moodiness\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000contagious\u3000effect\u3000on\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003In\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000we\u3000all\u3000had\u3000bigger\u3000problems\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000turn\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000something\u3000off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000telltale\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000ship\u3000even\u3000before\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000appear\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000buttes\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\u3000patrol\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rust\u2026brown\u3000number\u3000boasting\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000firepower\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000started\u3000stomping\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invids\u3000hadn’t\u3000spotted\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000campfire\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000down\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000all\u3000we\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000ships\u3000had\u3000now\u3000been\u3000ordered\u3000to\u3000incinerate\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000moved\u3002\u3000Rook’s\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000my\u3000main\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000thoughtlessly\u3000left\u3000it\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000view\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000patrol\u3000ship\u3000swept\u3000along\u3000the\u3000shore\u3000directly\u3000over\u3000our\u3000smoldering\u3000campfire\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000out\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000but\u3000suddenly\u3000it\u3000swung\u3000about\uff1b\u3000its\u3000optic\u3000sensor\u3000scanning\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000I\u3000voiced\u3000a\u3000silent\u3000prayer\u3000that\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000wouldn’t\u3000spot\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000an\u3000eternity\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000blasted\u3000up\u3000and\u3000away\u3000from\u3000our\u3000small\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000tranquillity\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Close\u3000one\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000said\u3000when\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000\u2018But\u3000it\u3000looks\u3000like\u3000we’re\u3000safe\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Uh\u3000uh\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000worriedly\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u2018We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000they\u3000found\u3000us\u3002’\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000chagrined\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000my\u3000face\u3000and\u3000hastened\u3000to\u3000add\uff1a\u3000\u2018It\u3000might\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000for\u3000reinforcements\u2026we’d\u3000be\u3000foolish\u3000to\u3000remain\u3000here\u3000any\u3000longer\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Lunk\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000our\u3000surroundings\u3002\u3000\u2018Bad\u3000place\u3000to\u3000get\u3000caught\u3000if\u3000they\u3000mean\u3000business\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000for\u3000splitting\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Then\u3000let’s\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000knelt\u3000down\u3000by\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000our\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000poked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000coals\u3002\u3000\u2018So\u3000much\u3000for\u3000dinner\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\u3000sauntered\u3000by\u3000me\uff1b\u3000dangling\u3000an\u3000outstretched\u3000limp\u3000wrist\u3000from\u3000the\u3000robe’s\u3000broad\u3000sleeve\u3000and\u3000feigning\u3000a\u3000bored\u3000yawn\u3002\u3000\u2018Well\uff1b\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000very\u3000appetizing\u3000anyway\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000minced\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Movement\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000to\u3000make\u3000matters\u3000worse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000high\u3000ground\u3000nearby\u3000that\u3000provided\u3000substantially\u3000more\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000cover\u3002\u3000We\u3000rode\u3000out\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000afternoon\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000our\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Scott’s\u3000warnings\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000Invid\u3000appeared\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000look\u3000as\u3000though\u3000we\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000seen\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000was\u3000making\u3000an\u3000issue\u3000of\u3000having\u3000abandoned\u3000our\u3000campsite\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000in\u3000the\u3000highlands\u3000was\u3000invigorating\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000found\u3000an\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000conifer\u3000forest\u3000to\u3000call\u3000home\u3000for\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000the\u3000steaks\u3000were\u3000tasty\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sullen\u3000and\u3000lone\u2026riding\u3000all\u3000day\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000around\u3000some\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000woke\u3000up\u3000sometime\u3000during\u3000the\u3000night\u3000and\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Rook\u3000wasn’t\u3000in\u3000her\u3000bag\u3002\u3000I\u3000took\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000counting\u3000heads\u3000and\u3000quickly\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000the\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\uff08Actually\uff1b\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000on\u3000watch\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000imagined\u3000him\u3000absent\uff1b\u3000once\u3000again\u3000falling\u3000victim\u3000to\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000irrational\u3000jealousy\u3002\uff09\u3000I\u3000unzippered\u3000myself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bag\uff1b\u3000egged\u3000on\u3000by\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000cozying\u3000it\u3000up\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Just\u3000lean\u3000on\u3000my\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000all\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000hear\u3000Scott\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000my\u3000shoulder\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000leaning\u3000on\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000moon\u3000was\u3000full\u3000and\u3000low\u3000in\u3000the\u3000west\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000long\u3000shadows\u3000across\u3000ground\u3000cushioned\u3000with\u3000pine\u3000needles\u3002\u3000To\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000track\u3000of\u3000insect\u3000songs\uff1b\u3000I\u3000stole\u3000silently\u3000through\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000spied\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000dominated\u3000by\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000oak\u3002\u3000Her\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000parked\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000she\u3000had\u3000wheeled\u3000it\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000while\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000slept\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000staring\u3000transfixed\u3000at\u3000something\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trunk\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000was\u3000too\u3000far\u3000back\u3000to\u3000make\u3000out\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u2018Why\u2026why\u3000did\u3000it\u3000happen\uff1f’\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000hopping\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000off\u3002\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000after\u3000her\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000calling\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000word\u3000or\u3000name\u3000ROMY\u3000was\u3000carved\u3000into\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000trunk\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000touched\u3000off\u3000something\u3000in\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000I\u3000went\u3000back\u3000for\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3000it\u3000a\u3000good\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000from\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000before\u3000starting\u3000it\u3000up\u3000and\u3000going\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000her\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000enough\u3000ambient\u3000moonlight\u3000for\u3000me\u3000to\u3000tail\u3000her\u3000without\u3000bringing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000headlamp\u3002\u3000Straight\u3000off\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000apparent\u3000that\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000where\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3002\u3000She\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000road\uff1b\u3000headed\u3000north\u3000for\u3000several\u3000miles\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000east\u3000along\u3000a\u3000rutted\u3000track\u3000that\u3000coursed\u3000over\u3000a\u3000barren\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000endless\u3000stretch\u3000of\u3000land\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000half\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000me\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000suddenly\u3000veer\u3000off\u3000sharply\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000for\u3000no\u3000apparent\u3000reason\u3002\u3000Fortunately\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000my\u3000speed\u3000some\uff1b\u3000because\u3000just\u3000short\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000her\u3000turn\u3000I\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000land\u3000dropped\u3000steeply\u3000away\u3002\u3000I\u3000braked\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000turn\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000me\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000narrow\u3000chasm\uff1b\u3000scarcely\u3000the\u3000width\u3000of\u3000a\u3000city\u3000block\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000below\u3000I\u3000could\u3000discern\u3000two\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000ruined\u3000buildings\u3000backed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000canyon’s\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000tall\u3000as\u3000the\u3000chasm\u3000was\u3000deep\u3000and\u3000facing\u3000each\u3000other\u3000across\u3000a\u3000single\u3000potholed\u3000street\u3002\u3000Still\u3000a\u3000good\u3000distance\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000disappearing\u3000into\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000open\u2026faced\u3000bunker\u3000that\u3000projected\u3000from\u3000the\u3000land\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000were\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000outcropping\u3002\u3000Nearby\u3000were\u3000the\u3000tops\u3000of\u3000two\u3000massive\u3000circular\u3000shafts\u3000I\u3000guessed\u3000were\u3000exhaust\u3000ports\u3000for\u3000the\u3000city\u3000below\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000twisted\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000throttle\u3000and\u3000accelerated\u3000into\u3000the\u3000unlit\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000to\u3000expect\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000city\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000deserted\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000claustrophobic\u3000due\u3000to\u3000the\u3000closeness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000canyon\u3000walls\u3000but\u3000threatening\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000had\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000uniqueness\u3000of\u3000its\u3000location\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000still\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000my\u3000presence\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000parked\u3000her\u3000Cyclone\u3000halfway\u3000along\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000dismounted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000peering\u3000into\u3000the\u3000permaplas\u3000window\u3000of\u3000alighted\u3000and\u3000apparently\u3000occupied\u3000ground\u2026floor\u3000apartment\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000came\u3000close\u3000to\u3000abandoning\u3000my\u3000little\u3000game\u3000just\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000Rook\u3000eavesdropping\u3000on\u3000someone\u3000called\u3000into\u3000question\u3000my\u3000own\u3000position\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000in\uff1b\u3000rationalizing\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000keeping\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000out\u3000in\u3000case\u3000anyone\u3000came\u3000wandering\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Rook’s\u3000scene\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000too\u3000far\u3000away\u3000to\u3000make\u3000out\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1a\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000Rook\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u2018Romy\uff1b’\u3000as\u3000a\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000yellow\u3000shirt\u3000passed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3000That\u3000at\u3000least\u3000explained\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000trunk\u3000carving\u3000and\u3000Rook’s\u3000knowledge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000area\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000here\u3000before\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000was\u3000native\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000Rook’s\u3000sharp\u3000intake\u3000of\u3000breath\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000window\u3000as\u3000if\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018My\u3000sister\u3000Lilly\uff1f’\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000softly\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000backward\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000straddled\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000roared\u3000off\u3002\u3000I\u3000stomped\u3000my\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000followed\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000all\u3000intentions\u3000of\u3000catching\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000now\u3000and\u3000having\u3000a\u3000heart\u2026to\u2026heart\uff1b\u3000but\u3000suddenly\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000more\u3000vehicles\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Rook\u3000from\u3000an\u3000alleyway\u3000that\u3000ended\u3000at\u3000the\u3000canyon\u3000wall\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000solid\u2026hubbed\u3000Harley\u3000choppers\u3000with\u3000twin\u3000front\u3000headlights\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000down\u3000for\u3000rough\u3000and\u3000ready\u3000street\u3000riding\u3002\u3000The\u3000riders\u3000were\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000ilk\u2026Mohawked\uff1b\u3000shaved\u2026skulled\uff1b\u3000maniacal\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000chasing\u3000down\u3000two\u3000young\u3000women\uff1b\u3000taunting\uff1b\u3000gesturing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000otherwise\u3000cat\u2026and\u2026mousing\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Mohawked\u3000rider\u3000e\u3000alongside\u3000and\u3000douse\u3000them\u3000with\u3000beer\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000he\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000women\u3000fell\u2026a\u3000cute\u3000brunette\u3000in\u3000knee\u3000boots\u3000and\u3000a\u3000full\u3000skirt\u2026the\u3000riders\u3000began\u3000to\u3000circle\u3000her\uff1b\u3000revving\u3000their\u3000bikes\u3000and\u3000promising\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000injustices\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000helmeted\u3000rider\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000second\u3000woman\u3000and\u3000was\u3000grabbing\u3000what\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000heedless\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fury\u3000of\u3000her\u3000fists\u3002
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\n\u3003Rook\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000had\u3000edged\u3000her\u3000bike\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000riders’\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000making\u3000grabs\u3000for\u3000the\u3000downed\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000she\u3000switched\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000headlight\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000it\u3000to\u3000bear\u3000on\u3000the\u3000group\u3002\u3000Stunned\uff1b\u3000the\u3000riders\u3000brought\u3000hands\u3000up\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000their\u3000eyes\u3002
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\n\u3003\u2018You\u3000Snakes\u3000haven’t\u3000changed\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b’\u3000Rook\u3000growled\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000front\u3000wheel\u3000aside\u3000so\u3000the\u3000bikers\u3000could\u3000get\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000blaster\u3000she\u3000had\u3000trained\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u2018Well\uff1b\u3000now\u3000don’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000you’ve\u3000forgotten\u3000my\u3000face\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000Mohawked\u3000rider\uff1b\u3000who\u3000I\u3000now\u3000noticed\u3000had\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000heart\u3000tattooed\u3000on\u3000his\u3000left\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000squinted\u3000and\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u2018Why\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000Rook\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000two\u3000women\u3000broke\u3000free\u3000of\u3000their\u3000pursuers\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000by\u3000Rook’s\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000crying\u3000hysterically\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000degenerates\u3000 \n
\n \n
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\n\u3003The\u3000two\u3000women\u3000broke\u3000free\u3000of\u3000their\u3000pursuers\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000by\u3000Rook’s\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000crying\u3000hysterically\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000degenerates\u3000have\u3000overrun\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000place\u3000since\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000gone\uff1b’\u3000Rook\u3000continued\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000outlaw\u3000riders\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\u3000and\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000they\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000took\u3000off\uff1b\u3000warning\u3000Rook\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000big\u3000mistake\u3000in\u3000ing\u3000back\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Skull’s\u3000right\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000women\u3000say\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000better\u3000split\u3002\u3000The\u3000wars\u3000aren’t\u3000like\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000Red\u3000Snakes\u3000have\u3000five\u3000times\u3000as\u3000many\u3000members\u3000now\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Five\u3000times\uff1f\u3002\u3002\u3002Is\u3000Romy\u3000doing\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000the\u3000Blue\u3000Angels\u3000still\u3000around\uff1f’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Broken\u3000up\uff1b’\u3000the\u3000other\u3000woman\u3000said\u3000between\u3000sobs\u3002\u3000\u2018They’ve\u3000fallen\u3000apart\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000spends\u3000all\u3000his\u3000time\u3000with\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Say\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Sue\u2026I\u3000already\u3000know\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Your\u3000sister\uff1b’\u3000Sue\u3000said\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u2018He\u3000can’t\u3000fight\u3000them\u3000alone\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000can\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000canyon\u3000widened\u3000some\u3000at\u3000its\u3000eastern\u3000end\uff1b\u3000where\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000surprisingly\u3000well\u3000kept\u3000park\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3000there\u2026what\u3000little\u3000there\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000it\u2026still\u3000unaware\u3000that\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000a\u3000small\u3000van\u3000drove\u3000into\u3000the\u3000park\uff1b\u3000a\u3000nondescript\u2026looking\u3000guy\u3000and\u3000a\u3000girl\u3000who\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000more\u3000than\u3000fifteen\u3000stepped\u3000out\uff1b\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\uff1b\u3000for\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000sold\u3000and\u3000refilled\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000propane\u3000gas\u3000for\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000steady\u3000customers\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000watched\u3000for\u3000some\u3000time\u3000without\u3000revealing\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000last\u3000customer\u3000had\u3000been\u3000served\u3000and\u3000the\u3000duo\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000pack\u3000up\u3000and\u3000leave\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\u3000it\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000these\u3000two\u3000might\u3000be\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000Rook’s\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000Lilly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000being\u3000sure\u3000until\u3000Rook\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003On\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000her\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000stone\u3000staircase\u3000that\u3000overlooked\u3000the\u3000couple’s\u3000business\u3000area\u3000and\u3000signaled\u3000her\u3000presence\u3000by\u3000starting\u3000up\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018Who\u3000the\u3000heck\u3002\u3002\u3002\uff1f’\u3000then\uff1b\u3000\u2018Rook\uff01’\u3000full\u3000of\u3000excitement\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000she\u3000returned\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000sneer\u3002\u3000\u2018Romy\uff1b\u3000how\u3000the\u3000heck\u3000could\u3000you\u3000just\u3000let\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000take\u3000control\u3000of\u3000this\u3000place\uff1f’\u3000she\u3000demanded\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Wele\u3000back\uff1b’\u3000Romy\u3000said\uff1b\u3000nonplussed\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Sue\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000there’s\u3000five\u3000times\u3000as\u3000many\u3000of\u3000them\u3000as\u3000there\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Liar\uff01’\u3000she\u3000shot\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u2018I’ll\u3000bet\u3000you\u3000were\u3000real\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000me\u3000when\u3000Atilla\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Snakes\u3000were\u3000stomping\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000out\u3000of\u3000me\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rumble\u3000you\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Angels\u3000never\u3000attended\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Rook\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000have\u3000done\u3000that\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Romy\uff1f’\u3000Rook\u3000said\uff1b\u3000sobbing\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u2018If\u3000you\u3000only\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000they\u3000did\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3002\u3002there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000I\u3000could\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000after\u3000that\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003While\u3000all\u3000this\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000girl\u3000walk\u3000out\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000van\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000in\u3000a\u3000startled\u3000gesture\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3000through\u3000sobs\u3000of\u3000her\u3000own\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018You\u3000don’t\u3000understand\u2026it\u3000wasn’t\u3000like\u3000that\u3000at\u3000all\uff01’\u3000she\u3000began\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rook’s\u3000younger\u3000sister\uff01\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3000She\u3000bore\u3000almost\u3000no\u3000resemblance\u3000to\u3000her\u3000blond\u3000sibling\u3002\u3000Lilly\u3000was\u3000raven\u2026haired\u3000and\u3000petite\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pleated\u3000white\u3000skirt\u3000and\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000burgundy\u2026colored\u3000sweater\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Romy\u3000didn’t\u3000run\u3000away\u2026he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000ambushed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Red\u3000Snakes\u3002\u3000They\u3000beat\u3000him\u3000up\u3000so\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000walk\u3000for\u3000a\u3000month\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Snakes’\u3000plan\u3000all\u3000along\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000seem\u3000like\u3000Romy\u3000deserted\u3000you\u3002\u3000They\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000Angels\uff1b\u3000and\u3000without\u3000you\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Angels\u3000were\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000So\u3000when\u3000you\u3000left\uff1b\u3000everything\u3000fell\u3000apart\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000confused\u3000look\u3000now\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018That’s\u3000enough\uff1b’\u3000Romy\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000Lilly\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Please\u3000don’t\u3000blame\u3000him\uff1b’\u3000said\u3000Lilly\u3002\u3000\u2018He\u3000searched\u3000all\u3000over\u3000for\u3000you\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000looked\u3000from\u3000one\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000former\u3000lover\u3000to\u3000sister\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Why\u3000should\u3000I\u3000believe\u3000you\uff1f’\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u2018Either\u3000of\u3000you\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003Lilly\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000closer\u3002\u3000\u2018Besides\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000expect\u3000Romy\u3000to\u3000take\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000alone\u3002’\u3000She\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000delivery\u3000van\u3000and\u3000to\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000tight\u2026lipped\u3000and\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\uff1b\u3000embarrassed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002\u3000\u2018We’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000build\u3000a\u3000life\u3000for\u3000ourselves\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000isn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000stupid\u3000things\u3000he\u3000used\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000He’s\u3002\u3002\u3002he’s\u3000grown\u3000up\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000offense\u3000at\u3000the\u3000remark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000angry\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Sure\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000are\u3000an\u3000evil\u3000bunch\uff1b’\u3000Lilly\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u2018But\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000give\u3000them\u3000a\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000they\u3000mind\u3000their\u3000own\u3000turf\u3002\u3000Romy’s\u3000not\u3000holding\u3000back\u3000because\u3000he’s\u3000a\u3000coward\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000the\u3000good\u3000of\u3000everyone\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u2018So\u3000you’re\u3000holding\u3000back\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Romy\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000just\u3000what\u3000was\u3000on\u3000Rook’s\u3000mind\u2026maybe\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000Romy\u3000was\u3000also\u3000holding\u3000back\u3000the\u3000affection\u3000he\u3000still\u3000had\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000Lilly\u3000answered\u3000yes\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000took\u3000a\u3000bookworm\u3000to\u3000make\u3000him\u3000see\u3000the\u3000light\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000directed\u3000at\u3000Lilly\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Lilly\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\uff1b\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000girls\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000rescued\u3000appeared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3002\u3000Sue\uff1b\u3000if\u3000I\u3000recall\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018You’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff01’\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u2018The\u3000Red\u3000Snakes\u3000are\u3000all\u3000over\u3000Trenchtown\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000you\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000saw\u3000Rook\u3000grin\u3002\u3000\u2018Great\uff01’\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000engaging\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000She\u3000asked\u3000Romy\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000still\u3000hung\u3000out\u3000at\u3000something\u3000she\u3000named\u3000\u2018Highways\u3002’\u3000Romy\u3000nodded\u3000warily\u3002\u3000\u2018Rook\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000thinking\u3000of\u2026’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018It’s\u3000what\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000waiting\u3000for\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000’Revenge\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003She\u3000stomped\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000raced\u3000off\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000we\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3003
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\nCHAPTER\u3000ELEVEN
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\n\u3003No\u3000one\u3000can\u3000dispute\u3000the\u3000acplishment\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they\u3000undertook\u3000the\u3000journey\u3000\uff01to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff07\u3000is\u3000in\u3000and\u3000of\u3000itself\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000their\u3000courage\u3000and\u3000mitment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they\u3000journeyed\u3000so\u3000far\u3000through\u3000such\u3000hostile\u3000territory\u3000a\u3000testament\u3000to\u3000their\u3000skills\u3002\u3000But\u3000someone\u3000needs\u3000to\u3000point\u3000out\u3000the\u3000troubles\u3000the\u3000journey\u3000stirred\u3000up\u3000for\u3000those\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000Can\u3000anyone\u3000name\u3000one\u3000Southlands\u3000settlement\u3000that\u3000survived\u3000their\u3000\uff07the\u3000Bernard\u3000team’s\uff07\u3000wake\uff1f\u3003
\nBreetai\u3000Tul\uff1b\u3000as\u3000quoted\u3000in\u3000Zeus\u3000Bellow\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point
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\n\u3003I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000show\u3000myself\u3000after\u3000Rook\u3000split\u3002\u3000I\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000to\u3000life\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000from\u3000my\u3000place\u3000of\u3000concealment\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bushes\uff1b\u3000surprising\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000Lilly\u3002\u3000I\u3000popped\u3000a\u3000small\u3000wheelie\u3000for\u3000effect\u3000and\u3000screeched\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000end\u3000to\u3000slide\u3000around\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Romy\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000half\u2026open\u3002
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\n\u3003’Well\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000just\u3000stand\u3000there\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000flies\u3000to\u3000land\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000said\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000’Hop\u3000on\u3000and\u3000let’s\u3000give\u3000her\u3000some\u3000backup\u3000support\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Romy\u3000flashed\u3000Lilly\u3000a\u3000look\u3000that\u3000municated\u3000several\u3000dozen\u3000things\u3000at\u3000once\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000on\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000tell\u3000that\u3000Lilly\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000him\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000try\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000had\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000system\u3000for\u3000his\u3000sake\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000Rook’s\u3002\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000likes\u3000to\u3000be\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Khyron\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000a\u3000misunderstanding\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Cavalierly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000Lilly\u3000and\u3000powered\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000up\u3000the\u3000staircase\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000rise\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Romy\u3000was\u3000white\u2026knuckling\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000grips\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000I\u3000liked\u3000impressing\u3000would\u2026be\u3000motorcycle\u3000toughs\u3000like\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000an\u3000all\u3000too\u3000frequently\u3000encountered\u3000breed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wastes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000bored\u3000to\u3000tears\u3000by\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Once\u3000up\u3000top\uff1b\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000Romy\u3000about\u3000this\u3000\u2018Highways’\u3000place\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000mentioned\uff1b\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000directions\u3000into\u3000my\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000wristed\u3000the\u3000Cyc’s\u3000throttle\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000open\u3000up\u3000along\u3000the\u3000undamaged\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000roadway\u3000that\u3000led\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003It\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000about\u3000this\u3000time\u3000that\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Invid\u3000paid\u3000a\u3000call\u3000on\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000made\u3000of\u3000our\u3000disappearance\u3000from\u3000camp\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000figured\u3000we\u3000had\u3000run\u3000off\u3000together\u3000or\u3000just\u3000decided\u3000that\u3000individually\u3000we\u3000had\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000search\u3000for\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000came\u3000out\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000all\u3000for\u3000going\u3000out\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000felt\u3000differently\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000prefer\u3000not\u3000to\u3000meddle\u3000in\u3000people’s\u3000private\u3000affairs\uff1b’\u3000is\u3000how\u3000Annie\u3000told\u3000me\u3000he\u3000had\u3000put\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000guessed\u3000correctly\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000in\u3000for\u3000another\u3000day\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000we\u3000would\u3000find\u3000our\u3000way\u3000back\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000chance\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000literally\u3000passed\u3000right\u3000over\u3000Trenchtown\u3000on\u3000their\u3000way\u3000north\uff1b\u3000but\u3000strangely\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000found\u3000his\u3000own\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000in\u3000the\u3000canyon\u2026with\u3000a\u3000little\u3000help\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003They\u3000came\u3000swooping\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000camp\u3000early\u3000in\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000waste\u3000to\u3000that\u3000beautiful\u3000patch\u3000of\u3000forest\u3002\u3000Whoever\u3000was\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000had\u3000elected\u3000to\u3000send\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000guns\u3000again\uff1a\u3000bat\u3000ships\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000we\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000after\u3000our\u3000run\u2026in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000black\u3000bear\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000had\u3000no\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000hit\u3000back\uff1b\u3000only\u3000take\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000learned\u3000afterward\u3000was\u3000that\u3000neither\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000nor\u3000Lancer’s\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000activated\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000engaged\u3000before\u3000the\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000which\u3000suggested\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bat\u3000units\u3000had\u3000a\u3000means\u3000of\u3000zeroing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\u3000even\u3000when\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000being\u3000tapped\u3000for\u3000energy\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Scott\u3000did\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000power\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000reduced\u3000the\u3000camp\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fiery\u3000ruin\uff1b\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000that\u3000was\u3000only\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000his\u3000woes\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000aliens\u3000formed\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000went\u3000after\u3000him\u3000with\u3000an\u3000unprecedented\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000layering\u3000the\u3000zone\u3000above\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000with\u3000unforgiving\u3000streams\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\uff1a\u3000When\u3000Scott\u3000glimpsed\u3000Trenchtown’s\u3000canyon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000out\uff1b\u3000he\u3000led\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000seemingly\u3000deserted\u3000city\uff1b\u3000intent\u3000on\u3000battling\u3000them\u3000there\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Closing\u3000on\u3000Highways\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000what\u3000I\u3000then\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000thunder\u3000but\u3000later\u3000learned\u3000were\u3000the\u3000detonations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000eight\u3000heat\u2026seekers\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000dumped\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000ships\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Highways\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000head \n
\n \n
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\n\u3003Highways\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000headquarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Red\u3000Snakes\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000a\u3000skeletal\u3000fifteen\u2026story\u3000building\uff1b\u3000reached\u3000by\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000jerry\u2026rigged\u3000ramps\u3000that\u3000connected\u3000it\u3000with\u3000an\u3000adjacent\u3000\uff08and\u3000equally\u3000devastated\uff09\u3000ten\u2026story\u3000parking\u3000garage\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000I\u3000arrived\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000after\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000braving\u3000it\u3000out\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000against\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000outlaw\u3000bikers\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3000stood\u3000the\u3000Snakes’\u3000main\u3000man\uff1b\u3000a\u3000mean\u2026looking\u3000hulk\u3000named\u3000Atilla\u3002\u3000He\u3000must\u3000have\u3000stood\u3000six\u3000six\u3000and\u3000weighed\u3000in\u3000at\u3000two\u3000eighty\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000which\u3000was\u3000pure\u3000muscle\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000pot\uff1b\u3000like\u3000most\u3000of\u3000these\u3000rogue\u3000leaders\u3000do\uff1b\u3000and\u3000affected\u3000a\u3000getup\u3000that\u3000was\u3000part\u3000street\uff1b\u3000part\u3000costume\uff1b\u3000including\u3000armless\u3000goggles\u3000no\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000bottlecaps\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000stitched\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eye\u3000sockets\uff1b\u3000black\u3000leather\u3000wristbands\uff1b\u3000shin\u3000guards\u3000and\u3000knee\u3000pads\u3000fashioned\u3000to\u3000resemble\u3000poised\u3000cobras\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000twin\u2026horned\u3000Vikinglike\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000cowl\u3000bination\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\u3000S\u3000emblazoned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sleeveless\u3000T\u2026shirt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000face\u3000not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000mother\u3000could\u3000love\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nose\u3000that\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000flattened\u3000from\u3000countless\u3000breaks\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I’ve\u3000gotta\u3000admit\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000as\u3000we\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000got\u3000a\u3000lotta\u3000guts\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000just\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000you\u3000ain’t\u3000got\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000that\u3000go\u3000along\u3000with\u3000it\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003At\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Atilla\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000his\u3000assembled\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000responded\u3000with\u3000the\u3000appropriate\u3000litany\u3000of\u3000hoots\u3000and\u3000hollers\u3002\u3000The\u3000implication\u3000was\u3000clear\u3000enough\uff1a\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000a\u3000stomping\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000the\u3000first\u3000seem\u3000like\u3000a\u3000love\u3000fest\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003’I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000you\u3000had\u3000it\u3000in\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b’\u3000Atilla\u3000added\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003But\u3000if\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000at\u3000all\u3000worried\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000me\u3000fooled\u3002\u3000Somewhere\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000had\u3000suited\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Cyclone\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000vulnerable\uff1b\u3000straddling\u3000her\u3000bike\uff1b\u3000glaring\u3000right\u3000back\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000her\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000mussed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003’I’d\u3000say\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who’s\u3000the\u3000coward\u3002\u3000Snake\u3000Eyes\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000fired\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u2018You’re\u3000nothing\u3000without\u3000this\u3000army\u3000of\u3000slugs\u3000you\u3000call\u3000a\u3000tribe\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003During\u3000this\u3000little\u3000exchange\u3000we\u3000were\u3000parked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000a\u3000roof\u3000balcony\uff1b\u3000above\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000was\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000go\u3000down\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000told\u3000him\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000back\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000more\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000until\u3000the\u3000rules\u3000were\u3000laid\u3000down\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018You’re\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Mean\uff1b’\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000’only\u3000because\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000the\u3000odds\u3000on\u3000your\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000rogues\u3000has\u3000the\u3000balls\u3000to\u3000challenge\u3000your\u3000position\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000think\u3000you’re\u3000hollow\u3000to\u3000the\u3000core\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000came\u3000back\u3000here\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000that\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003This\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000Rook\u3000I\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000that\u3000day\u3000in\u3000Pops’s\u3000biker\u3000bar\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000unless\u3000Atilla\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000quicker\u3000than\u3000the\u3000scuz\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000to\u3000there\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000soon\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000sorry\u3000rogue\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003To\u3000Rook’s\u3000taunts\uff1b\u3000Atilla\u3000returned\u3000something\u3000befitting\u3000his\u3000intellect\u2026something\u3000like\uff1a\u3000’Oh\u3000yeah\uff1f\u3000Prove\u3000it\uff01’\u2026before\u3000she\u3000got\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Just\u3000you\u3000and\u3000me\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u2018One\u3000on\u3000one\uff1b\u3000right\u3000here\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000all\u3000your\u3000boys\u3002\u3000And\u3000I’ll\u3000even\u3000make\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000We\u3000won’t\u3000even\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000just\u3000have\u3000a\u3000chicken\u3000race\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018A\u3000race\uff1f’\u3000Atilla\u3000roared\u3000laughingly\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000thought\u3000we\u3000were\u3000gonna\u3000have\u3000some\u3000fun\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018The\u3000beam\uff1b’\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000something\u3000off\u3000to\u3000her\u3000left\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003This\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000real\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000cheers\u3000from\u3000the\u3000spectators\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000until\u3000Romy\u3000showed\u3000me\u3000what\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000was\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000either\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bridge\u3000that\u3000had\u3000once\u3000linked\u3000Highways\u3000with\u3000the\u3000building\u3000across\u3000the\u3000street\u3000or\u3000a\u3000collapsed\u3000structural\u3000member\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000buildings\u3002\u3000In\u3000any\u3000case\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000more\u3000than\u3000foot\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000now\u3000ran\u3000roof\u3000to\u3000roof\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000hundred\u3000and\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000main\u3000street\u3002\u3000But\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000all\uff1a\u3000The\u3000beam\u3000was\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3000straight\u3002\u3000Midway\u3000along\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bend\u3000and\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000dip\u2026from\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000what\u2026to\u3000test\u3000the\u3000mettle\u3000of\u3000any\u3000rider\u3002\u3000Reaching\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000first\u3000was\u3000only\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000game\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000the\u3000other\u3000roof\u3000was\u3000something\u3000else\u3000again\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000from\u3000everyone’s\u3000reactions\u3000that\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Trenchtown’s\u3000rites\u3000of\u3000passage\uff1b\u3000an\u3000initiation\u3000that\u3000had\u3000certainly\u3000ended\u3000in\u3000more\u3000than\u3000one\u3000death\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003While\u3000I\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3000in\uff1b\u3000Romy\u3000was\u3000dismounting\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000’\u3000We\u3000can’t\u3000let\u3000her\u3000go\u3000through\u3000with\u3000this\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000told\u3000me\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000an\u3000intense\u3000anger\u3000that\u3000almost\u3000led\u3000me\u3000to\u3000reevaluate\u3000my\u3000initial\u3000impression\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Atilla\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000back\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3000without\u3000losing\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3000to\u3000his\u3000assembled\u3000buddies\u3000that\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000envisioned\u3000was\u3000a\u3000genuine\u3000physical\u3000mix\u2026up\u3000with\u3000Rook\u2026winner\u3000taking\u3000all\uff1b\u3000so\u3000to\u3000speak\u2026and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000buying\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Let’s\u3000pluck\u3000this\u3000chicken\u3000now\uff01’\u3000he\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000leering\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000could\u3000understand\u3000his\u3000misgivings\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000I\u3000were\u3000him\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000pointing\u3000out\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Rook’s\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000not\u3000only\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000his\u3000old\u3000Kamikaze\u3000but\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000reconfiguring\u3000and\u3000actually\u3000flying\u3000across\u3000to\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000roof\u3000should\u3000Rook\u3000misjudge\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000itself\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000Cyclone\u3000before\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Romy\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000on\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000balcony\u3000now\u3002\u3000Below\uff1b\u3000Atilla\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Huns\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000fancy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000jumping\u3000Rook’s\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000show\u3000our\u3000colors\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000H\u202690\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000off\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000vertical\u3000burst\u3000for\u3000the\u3000boys\u3000that\u3000stopped\u3000them\u3000dead\u3000in\u3000their\u3000tracks\u3002
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\n\u3003\u2018Stay\u3000where\u3000you\u3000are\uff01’\u3000I\u3000warned\u3000them\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000Atilla\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000backing\u3000up\u3000my\u3000threats\u3002\u3000\u2018The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000fight\u3000it\u3000out\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000lady\u3000says\u3002’\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000more\u3000surprised\u3000by\u3000my\u3000sudden\u3000appearance\u3000than\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000I\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000by\u3000backing\u3000her\u3000I\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\u3000than\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000now\u3000urging\u3000her\u3000to\u3000give\u3000up\u3000the\u3000idea\u3002\u3000His\u3000presence\u3000elicited\u3000as\u3000many\u3000ments\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000as\u3000Rook’s\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000riding\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000had\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000former\u3000leader\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Blue\u3000Angels\u3000was\u3000not\u3000very\u3000well\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Snakes’\u3000side\u3000of\u3000town\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000blow\u3000it\uff1b’\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000not\u3000entirely\u3000successful\u3000at\u3000hiding\u3000her\u3000concern\u3002\u3000\u2018Let’s\u3000just\u3000say\u3000my\u3000riding\u3000skills\u3000have\u3000improved\u3000a\u3000lot\u3002’\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000thanked\u3000him\u3000for\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u2018ing\u3000back\u3000here\u3000was\u3000a\u3000good\u3000thing\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000smiling\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000think\u3000it\u3000cleared\u3000my\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\uff1b\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000bad\u3000memories\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000you’ll\u3000ever\u3000know\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Rook\uff1b’\u3000Romy\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I’m\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000you\u3000to\u3000take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000Lilly\uff1b’\u3000Rook\u3000added\uff1b\u3000activating\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000walked\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000casually\u3000aimed\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000in\u3000Atilla’s\u3000direction\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000gonna\u3000run\u3000this\u3000race\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000him\uff1b\u3000unsure\u3000about\u3000my\u3000next\u3000move\u3000should\u3000he\u3000refuse\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000Snakes\u3000threw\u3000words\u3000of\u3000encouragement\u3000to\u3000their\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Atilla\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000challenge\u3002\u3000Romy\u3000ceremoniously\u3000handed\u3000Rook\u3000her\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000for\u3000a\u3000better\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000race\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Things\u3000got\u3000under\u3000way\u3000without\u3000the\u3000preliminaries\u3000and\u3000fanfare\u3000that\u3000usually\u3000characterize\u3000such\u3000events\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Atilla\u3000positioned\u3000their\u3000machines\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flag\u3000bearer\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beam\u3002\u3000The\u3000starter\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shaved\u2026skull\u3000Snake\u3000in\u3000T\u2026shirt\u3000and\u3000fatigues\uff1b\u3000jumped\u3000up\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000flag\u3000down\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shout\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000machines\u3000patched\u3000out\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000beam\u3002\u3000Again\uff1b\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000distant\u3000thunder\u3000but\u3000made\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000Atilla\u3000give\u3000the\u3000red\u3000Cyc\u3000a\u3000dismissive\u3000once\u2026over\u3000before\u3000the\u3000flag\u3000dropped\u3000and\u3000figured\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000surprised\uff1a\u3000The\u3000old\u3000Kami\u3000was\u3000a\u3000real\u3000sleeper\u3000and\u3000must\u3000have\u3000concealed\u3000a\u3000turbocharger\u3000somewhere\u3000within\u3000its\u3000works\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Atilla\u3000beat\u3000Rook\u3000off\u3000the\u3000line\u3000and\u3000stayed\u3000a\u3000half\u3000length\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000her\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000pretty\u3000sure\u3000Snake\u3000Eyes\u3000would\u3000have\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000Rook\u3000if\u3000fear\u3000hadn’t\u3000revealed\u3000his\u3000own\u3000true\u3000colors\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Just\u3000shy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000he\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000yield\u3000an\u3000inch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bailed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000bouncing\u3000and\u3000sliding\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000his\u3000cycle\u3000plummeting\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000and\u3000exploding\u3000when\u3000it\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000rode\u3000the\u3000beam\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pro\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000me\u3000later\u3000that\u3000at\u3000no\u3000time\u3000did\u3000she\u3000even\u3000consider\u3000using\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000capabilities\u3000to\u3000save\u3000herself\u3000from\u3000wiping\u3000out\u3002\u3000I\u3000ran\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000who\u3000was\u3000applauding\u3000her\u3000feat\uff1b\u3000including\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000few\u3000Snakes\u3002\u3000The\u3000loyal\u3000members\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000were\u3000ministering\u3000to\u3000their\u3000bruised\u3000and\u3000road\u2026cashed\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000who\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\uff1b\u3000that\u3000many\u3000more\u3000challenges\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000ing\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000had\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000faceshield\u3000of\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000and\u3000was\u3000waving\u3000back\u3000to\u3000us\u3000when\u3000I\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000that\u3000distant\u3000thunder\u3000was\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000either\u3000distant\u3000or\u3000thunder\u3002\u3000And\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000we\u3000saw\u3000Scott\u3000streak\u3000overhead\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000pursued\u3000by\u3000two\u3000Invid\u3000bat\u3000ships\u3002\u3000The\u3000Snakes\u3000began\u3000to\u3000freak\u3000and\u3000scatter\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002\u3000I\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000heard\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000shout\uff1a\u3000\u2018They\u3000found\u3000out\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000I\u3000stole\uff01\u3000They’re\u3000gonna\u3000blow\u3000us\u3000apart\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000her\u3000spin\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000through\u3000a\u3000360\uff1b\u3000accelerate\u3000along\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000and\u3000launch\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000on\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Snakes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000noticed\u3000Atilla\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000transformed\u3000Cyclone\u3000like\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000witnessed\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000miracle\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000put\u3000down\u3000on\u3000a\u3000roof\u3000a\u3000few\u3000blocks\u3000down\u3000the\u3000canyon\uff1b\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000cannon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000took\u3000out\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ships\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000into\u3000a\u3000booster\u3000climb\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000falling\u3000back\u3000down\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000second\uff1b\u3000unleashing\u3000a\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000six\u3000missiles\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000dropped\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000street\u3000level\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000as\u3000best\u3000it\u3000could\uff1b\u3000but\u3000ultimately\u3000took\u3000one\u3000of \n
\n \n
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\n
\n d\u3000dropped\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000street\u3000level\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000as\u3000best\u3000it\u3000could\uff1b\u3000but\u3000ultimately\u3000took\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heat\u2026seekers\u3000full\u3000force\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000out\u3000of\u3000control\uff1b\u3000impaling\u3000itself\u3000on\u3000a\u3000spiked\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000construction\u3000infrastructure\u3002\u3000You\u3000would\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000planned\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003After\u3000the\u3000action\u3000died\u3000down\uff1b\u3000I\u3000used\u3000the\u3000Cyc’s\u3000tac\u3000net\u3000to\u3000notify\u3000Scott\u3000that\u3000his\u3000errant\u3000troops\u3000would\u3000be\u3000home\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000we\u3000made\u3000plans\u3000to\u3000rendezvous\u3000on\u3000the\u3000north\u3000road\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000doubts\u3000about\u3000Rook’s\u3000bidding\u3000a\u3000swift\u3000good\u2026bye\u3000to\u3000Trenchtown\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000some\u3000wrongs\u3000had\u3000now\u3000been\u3000redressed\u3000and\u3000some\u3000old\u3000worries\u3000laid\u3000to\u3000rest\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000also\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000scene\u3000that\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000played\u3000out\u3000with\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000four\u3000of\u3000us\u2026me\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lilly\u2026got\u3000together\u3000for\u3000eats\u3000at\u3000his\u3000place\u3002\u3000Small\u3000talk\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000Romy\u3000made\u3000no\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000Rook’s\u3000staying\u3000on\u3000in\u3000Trenchtown\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000made\u3000no\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Rook\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000so\u3000good\u3000seeing\u3000you\u3000again\uff1b’\u3000Lilly\u3000said\u3000as\u3000we\u3000were\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000shove\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u2018I\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002If\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000for\u3000your\u3000courage\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Snakes\u3000would\u3000still\u3000be\u3000ruling\u3000this\u3000city\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3000She\u3000started\u3000getting\u3000weepy\u3000about\u3000then\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000made\u3000Rook\u3000angry\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018What\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000are\u3000you\u3000crying\u3000about\uff1f’\u3000Rook\u3000said\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000the\u3000smaller\u3000woman’s\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000When\u3000Lilly\u3000exchanged\u3000looks\u3000with\u3000Romy\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000caught\u3000on\u3000and\u3000lightened\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000worry\u3000about\u3000me\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Lilly\u3002\u3000\u2018There’s\u3000a\u3000person\u3000in\u3000my\u3000life\u3000now\u3000who\u3000means\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000building\u3000with\u3000my\u3000hands\u3000behind\u3000my\u3000head\u3000when\u3000she\u3000suddenly\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000’Rand\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leadingly\u3000and\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sweetness\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000fit\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000came\u3000over\u3000and\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000my\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000a\u3000pressure\u3000point\u3000in\u3000my\u3000wrist\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000\u2018e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000kiss\u3000like\u3000you\u3000always\u3000do\u3002’\u3000Under\u3000her\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\u3000to\u3000pretend\u3000to\u3000be\u3000her\u3000honey\u3000or\u3000else\u3002\u3000\u2018Kiss\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cheek\u2026and\u3000make\u3000it\u3000look\u3000good\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000added\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Romy\u3000and\u3000Lilly\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mixture\u3000of\u3000bemusement\u3000and\u3000anticipation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000there\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000me\u3000her\u3000left\u3000cheek\u3000like\u3000she\u3000was\u3000my\u3000aunt\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000did\u3000what\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000look\u3000good\uff01\u3000I\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000her\u3000upper\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000to\u3000me\u3000before\u3000she\u3000even\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000close\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000hold\u3000her\u3000long\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000wide\u3000for\u3000the\u3000duration\uff1b\u3000not\u3000returning\u3000the\u3000favor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000a\u3000scarlet\u3000blush\u3000to\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Rook\u3000is\u3000my\u3000baby\u3000and\u3000always\u3000will\u3000be\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Romy\u3000over\u3000Rook’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000some\u3000bass\u3000in\u3000my\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u2018e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000honey\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ranch\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000said\u3000as\u3000I\u3000mounted\u3000my\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rook\u3000climbed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000mecha\u3000without\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000me\u3002\u3000Lilly\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rook\u3000just\u3000said\u3000goodbye\u3000and\u3000motored\u3000off\u3002\u3000I\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Romy\u3000and\u3000Lilly\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000draped\u3000over\u3000her\u3000narrow\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003When\u3000I\u3000came\u3000alongside\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000she\u3000flashed\u3000me\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000show\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000fun\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u2018You\u3000kiss\u3000pretty\u3000well\u3000for\u3000such\u3000a\u3000tough\u3000gal\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000ribbed\u3000her\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018That\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000cheek\uff1b\u3000dirtbag\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Jeez\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000must\u3000have\u3000misunderstood\u3000or\u3000something\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003’Pea\u3000brain\uff01\u3000Degenerate\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000laughed\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000switch\u3000tracks\u3002\u3000\u2018What\u3000about\u3000your\u3000folks\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000asked\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u2018Are\u3000they\u3000still\u3000living\u3000in\u3000this\u3000hole\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000was\u3000sincere\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Rook’s\u3000past\u3000was\u3000my\u3000way\u3000into\u3000her\u3000present\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000she\u3000just\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000and\u3000made\u3000for\u3000the\u3000conduit\uff1b\u3000not\u3000bothering\u3000to\u3000look\u3000behind\u3002\u3003
\n
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\nCHAPTER\u3000TWELVE
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\nThe\u3000book\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3000was\u3000called\u3000Inherit\u3000the\u3000Stars\uff1b\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000speculative\u3000fiction\u3000written\u3000by\u3000the\u3000noted\u3000twentieth\u2026century\u3000British\u3000author\u3000and\u3000inventor\u3000James\u3000P\u3002\u3000Hogan\u3000and\u3000first\u3000published\u3000in\u30001977\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000in\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000novels\u3000that\u3000dealt\u3000with\u3000humankind’s\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000an\u3000alien\u3000race\u3000indigenous\u3000to\u3000Ganymede\u3000\uff08the\u3000Ganymeans\uff09\uff1b\u3000who\u3000in\u3000many\u3000ways\u3000were\u3000the\u3000antithesis\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Opteran\u3000Invid\u3002
\nFootnote\u3000in\u3000Xandu\u3000Reem\uff1b\u3000A\u3000Stranger\u3000at\u3000Home\uff1a\u3000A\u3000Biography\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard
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\nWhen\u3000they\u3000were\u3000reunited\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000north\u3000once\u3000again\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000business\u3000as\u3000usual\u3002\u3000Four\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000north\u3000of\u3000Trenchtown\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000attacked\u3000by\u3000five\u3000Invid\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000which\u3000they\u3000disposed\u3000of\u3000almost\u3000without\u3000breaking\u3000stride\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000out\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000and\u3000left\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000work\u3000to\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000piloted\u3000by\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000by\u3000now\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000finely\u3000honed\u3000unit\u3002\u3000There\u3000had\u3000been\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000ships\u3000for\u3000several\u3000days\uff1b\u3000and\u3000though\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000bothersome\uff1b\u3000they\u3000posed\u3000no\u3000real\u3000threat\u3000provided\u3000that\u3000each\u3000one\u3000glimpsed\u3000was\u3000accounted\u3000for\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battlefield\u3002
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\nThe\u3000desert\u3000terrain\u3000helped\u3000them\u3000to\u3000easily\u3000spot\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000highlands\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Gone\u3000were\u3000the\u3000forests\u3000and\u3000misshapen\u3000buttes\u3000of\u3000those\u3000plateaus\uff1b\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cool\u3000air\u3000and\u3000sparkling\u3000rivers\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000take\u3000for\u3000granted\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000was\u3000not\u3000true\u3000desert\uff1b\u3000waterless\u3000and\u3000unforgiving\uff1b\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000expanse\u3000of\u3000arid\u3000lowland\uff1b\u3000with\u3000solitary\u3000flat\u2026topped\u3000mesas\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000monotony\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000and\u3000enough\u3000spring\u2026fed\u3000lakes\u3000to\u3000support\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000settlements\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000demanding\u3000equal\u2026time\u3000benefits\u3000after\u3000Rook’s\u3000\u3003dalliance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Trench\u3003\u2026Rand’s\u3000words\u2026was\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000shots\u3000on\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000detour\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000group\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000toward\u3000a\u3000town\u3000called\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\uff1b\u3000sixty\u3000miles\u3000west\u3000of\u3000the\u3000north\u3000road\u3000and\u3000said\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000munity\u3000that\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000retain\u3000an\u3000old\u2026world\u3000charm\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000had\u3000an\u3000overview\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000now\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tableland\u3000a\u3000few\u3000miles\u3000east\u3002\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000looked\u3000neat\u3000and\u3000pact\uff1b\u3000enlivened\u3000by\u3000groupings\u3000of\u3000cottonwood\u3000and\u3000eucalyptus\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lent\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000drama\u3000by\u3000the\u3000mesa\u3000and\u3000rounded\u3000peaks\u3000that\u3000all\u3000but\u3000overshadowed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000made\u3000a\u3000pass\u3000over\u3000the\u3000town\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VT’s\u3000deltalike\u3000shadow\u3000paralleling\u3000the\u3000course\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000reported\u3000his\u3000sightings\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\u3000circular\u3000fountain\u3000and\u3000plaza\u3000central\u3000to\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000with\u3000an\u3000assortment\u3000of\u3000rustic\u2026style\u3000buildings\u3000grouped\u3000around\u3000it\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000streets\u3000that\u3000radiated\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hub\u3000like\u3000the\u3000spokes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000make\u3000out\u3000tile\u3000roofs\u3000and\u3000cobblestone\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000a\u3000church\u3000steeple\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000people\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000were\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Veritech\uff1b\u3000while\u3000others\u3000ran\u3000off\u3000to\u3000inform\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000townsfolk\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000and\u3000urged\u3000the\u3000van\u3000along\u3000with\u3000added\u3000throttle\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000police\u3000van\u3000they\u3000had\u3000mandeered\u3000in\u3000Norristown\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000canvas\u3000top\u3000and\u3000given\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000an\u3000olive\u2026drab\u3000onceover\u3000in\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000beloved\u3000APC\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000blown\u3000out\u3000from\u3000under\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000highlands\u3002\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000flanked\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000on\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000sure\u3000hope\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000some\u3000food\u3000in\u3000this\u3000town\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000after\u3000Scott’s\u3000message\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000starved\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000flashed\u3000her\u3000a\u3000bright\u2026eyed\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000not\u3000to\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000alongside\u3000on\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000van\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000so\u3000special\u3000’bout\u3000this\u3000place\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000been\u3000here\u3000before\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000smile\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000are\u3000we\u3000stopping\u3000here\uff1f\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000demanded\uff1b\u3000joining\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000reached\u3000back\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000worn\u3000paperback\u3000book\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fatigues\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3000for\u3000Rand’s\u3000inspection\u3002
\n
\n\u3003To\u3000make\u3000good\u3000a\u3000promise\u3000I\u3000made\u3000to\u3000a\u3000friend\u3000a\u3000year\u3000ago\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000to\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000deliver\u3000this\u3000book\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000but\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000much\uff1b\u3000except\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000aged\uff1b\u3000yellowed\uff1b\u3000dog\u2026eared\uff1b\u3000and\u3000smudged\u3002\u3000Someone\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000wrap\u3000the\u3000book\u3000in\u3000protective\u3000plastic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000too\u3000late\u3000to\u3000preserve\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000illustration\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000book\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000book\u3000in\u3000and\u3000regarded\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000really\u3000don’t\u3000know\u2026I\u3000haven’t\u3000read\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000important\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000my\u3000buddy\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000to\u3000his\u3000father\u3000if\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000got\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000why\u3000didn’t\u3000your\u3000buddy\u3000deliver\u3000it\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it’s\u3000so\u3000important\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000saw\u3000Lunk’s\u3000smile\u3000fade\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000about\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000invasion\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000began\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000friend\u3000was\u3000on\u3000recon\u3000patrol\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000detailed\u3000to\u3000rendezvous\u3000with\u3000him\u3000for\u3000the\u3000extraction\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000found\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000could\u3000see\u3000he\u3000was\u3000wounded\u3002\u3000They\u3000blasted\u3000him\u3000again\u3000while\u3000I\u3002\u3002\u3002sat\u3000and\u3000watched\u3002\u3000How\u3000he\u3000could\u3000get\u3000up\u3000and\u3000run\u3000after\u3000that\u3000I’ll\u3000never\u3000know\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000APC\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000there\u3000might\u3000still\u3000be\u3000a\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3000before\u3000I\u3000could\u3000move\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000a\u3000prayer\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000torturing\u3000himself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000but\u3000kept\u3000still\u3000and\u3000allowed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000finish\u3002\u3000Was\u3000this\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000run\u3000from\uff1f\u3000Annie\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000recalling\u3000ments\u3000uttered\u3000months\u3000ago\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000first\u3000met\u3002
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003Calling\u3000me\u3000to\u3000e\u3000get\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000and\u3000started\u3000after\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000even\u3000remember\u3000how\u3000I\u3000got\u3000away\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000I\u3000can\u3000still\u3000hear\u3000my\u3000buddy’s\u3000voice\u3000ing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000net\uff1b\u3000as\u3000loud\u3000and\u3000clear\u3000today\u3000as\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000then\uff1b\u3000calling\u3000me\u3000to\u3000help\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000forget\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000beaded\u3000with\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000fought\u3000down\u3000an\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000through\u3000it\u3000now\u3000and\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000shaking\u3000himself\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000present\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000the\u3000book\u3000again\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000had\u3000some\u3000special\u3000meaning\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000most\u3000was\u3000for\u3000his\u3000old\u3000man \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000had\u3000some\u3000special\u3000meaning\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000most\u3000was\u3000for\u3000his\u3000old\u3000man\u3000to\u3000have\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000promised\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000he\u3000went\u3000out\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000broke\u3000in\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000lightly\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000been\u3000carrying\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\u3000book\u3000around\uff1b\u3000haven’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000so\u3000bad\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3000and\u3000noticed\u3000Annie\u3000crying\u3002\u3000\u3003Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000book\u3000to\u3000deliver\u3002\u3000So\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000on\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000saw\u3000Rand\u3000wrist\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000throttle\u3000to\u3000wheelie\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000lead\u3000position\u3002\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000thankful\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000his\u3000friends\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pressed\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000van’s\u3000accelerator\u3000pedal\u3002
\n
\n
\nRoca\u3000Negra\u3000had\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\uff1b\u3000a\u3000dirty\u3000little\u3000secret\u3000pared\u3000to\u3000the\u3000one\u3000Lunk\u3000wore\u3000like\u3000a\u3000scarlet\u3000letter\u3002\u3000But\u3000no\u3000one\u3000on\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000this\u3000just\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000the\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000immediately\u3000obvious\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000town\u3000seemed\u3000deserted\u3000despite\u3000Scott’s\u3000recent\u3000claims\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000everybody\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000as\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Cyclones\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000empty\u3000plaza\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’d\u3000you\u3000expect\u2026the\u3000wele\u3000wagon\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000asked\u3000sarcastically\u3002\u3000\u3003After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000town\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000probably\u3000just\u3000siesta\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000took\u3000a\u3000look\u3000around\u3000the\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000people\u3000ducking\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000open\u3000windows\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000shutters\u3000closed\u3000on\u3000others\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000central\u3000fountain\u3000was\u3000deserted\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000damp\u3000earth\u3000around\u3000it\u3000suggested\u3000that\u3000people\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\u3000ago\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000find\u3000this\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000strange\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000Rook\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000both\u3000imagining\u3000things\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000not\u3000like\u3000this\u3000hasn’t\u3000happened\u3000before\u3002\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000there\u3000are\u3000two\u3000kids\u3000right\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000added\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000two\u3000young\u3000boys\u3000munching\u3000on\u3000apples\u3000nearby\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000relaxed\u3000somewhat\u3000at\u3000that\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000mecha\u3000into\u3000a\u3000second\u3000lap\u3000around\u3000the\u3000well\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000take\u3000stock\u3000of\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000now\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000his\u3000expectations\u3000had\u3000been\u3000way\u3000off\u3000base\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stucco\u3000and\u3000terra\u2026cotta\u3000village\u3000he\u3000had\u3000envisioned\uff1b\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000was\u3000like\u3000something\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000what\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3000called\u3000England\u3002\u3000The\u3000architecture\u3000was\u3000of\u3000a\u3000style\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000referred\u3000to\u3000as\u3000Tudor\uff1b\u3000with\u3000mullioned\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000tall\u3000gables\uff1b\u3000nogging\u3000and\u3000timber\u3000facades\uff1b\u3000and\u3000steeply\u3000pitched\u3000tiled\u3000roofs\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000about\u3000giving\u3000me\u3000a\u3000bite\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Annie\u3000shout\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kids\u3000as\u3000the\u3000van\u3000drove\u3000past\u3000them\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000restaurant\uff1a\u3000Josh’s\u3000Caf\uff1f\u3000according\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sign\u3000above\u3000the\u3000curved\u3000entryway\u3002
\n
\nRook\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000followed\u3000Rand’s\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000Lunk\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000tables\u3000and\u3000chairs\u3000set\u3000up\u3000out\u3000front\u3000but\u3000no\u3000one\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000to\u3000serve\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Bring\u3000me\u3000some\u3000peppermint\u3000candies\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000turned\u3000briefly\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000he\u3000swung\u3000around\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mustachioed\u3000man\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000restaurant’s\u3000barroom\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000restaurant\u3000is\u3000closed\u3000during\u3000the\u3000emergency\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000began\u3002\u3000He\u3000spoke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Spanish\u3000accent\u3000and\u3000wore\u3000an\u3000apron\u3000and\u3000work\u3000shirt\u3000more\u3000suited\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trades\u3000than\u3000to\u3000the\u3000food\u3000biz\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000gesturing\u3000Lunk\u3000to\u3000halt\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000suggested\u3000he\u3000owned\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000munications\u3000have\u3000been\u3000cut\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’re\u3000short\u3000on\u3000supplies\u3000of\u3000all\u3000kinds\u3002\u3000The\u3000indications\u3000right\u3000now\u3000are\u3000that\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000closed\u3000for\u3000about\u3000a\u3000month\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we’ve\u3000traveled\u3000such\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000shouted\u3000out\u3000the\u3000open\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000van\uff1b\u3000disappointment\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000haven’t\u3000had\u3000a\u3000decent\u3000meal\u3000in\u3000weeks\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000what\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000fired\u3000back\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000fist\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000taken\u3000aback\u3000by\u3000the\u3000gesture\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000slight\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000flashing\u3000with\u3000an\u3000anger\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000add\u3000to\u3000his\u3000aspect\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000nothing\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000We\u3000have\u3000no\u3000food\u3000to\u3000feed\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000suggest\u3000that\u3000you\u3000try\u3000the\u3000next\u3000town\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000past\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000overturning\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1fchairs\u3000and\u3000placing\u3000them\u3000legs\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000followed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000deciding\u3000to\u3000steer\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000food\u3000issue\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000inquire\u3000as\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whereabouts\u3000of\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader\uff1b\u3000his\u3000dead\u3000friend’s\u3000father\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000simple\u3000question\u3002\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000unhinge\u3000the\u3000restaurant\u3000owner\uff1b\u3000who\u3000dropped\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chairs\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000name\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000getting\u3000so\u3000upset\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000concerned\u3000but\u3000not\u3000yet\u3000suspicious\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000only\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000how\u3000I\u3000can\u3000find\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader’s\u3000house\u3002\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000too\u3000much\u3000to\u3000ask\uff1b\u3000or\u3000are\u3000you\u3000as\u3000short\u3000on\u3000information\u3000as\u3000you\u3000are\u3000on\u3000food\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000owner\u3000averted\u3000Lunk’s\u3000penetrating\u3000gaze\u3000and\u3000busied\u3000himself\u3000righting\u3000the\u3000chair\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000must\u3000have\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000town\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000distractedly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000everyone\u3000in\u3000town\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there’s\u3000nobody\u3000named\u3000Nader\u3000living\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000you\u3000must\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000pressed\u3002\u3000\u3003Alfred\u3000Nader\uff1f\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000I\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000moving\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000go\u3000away\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000alone\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000is\u3000weird\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000around\u3000to\u3000face\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000guy\u3000tells\u3000me\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader\u3000doesn’t\u3000live\u3000here\u3002\u3000But\u3000he’s\u3000lying\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000took\u3000a\u3000look\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000the\u3000heck\u3000would\u3000he\u3000lie\u3000like\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Something\u3000stinks\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000\u3003Nader’s\u3000here\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000just\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000find\u3000him\u3000on\u3000our\u3000own\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000split\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000suggested\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000go\u3000with\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000already\u3000climbing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000van’s\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000meet\u3000in\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000by\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000outside\u3000town\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000thanked\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000for\u3000their\u3000support\u3000and\u3000got\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002\u3000He\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000van\u3000around\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000closely\u3000by\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000who\u3000both\u3000ignored\u3000Annie’s\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000team\u3000up\u3000with\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000screw\u3000you\u3000guys\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000as\u3000they\u3000roared\u3000off\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000spied\u3000Rand’s\u3000untended\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000broadly\u3002
\n
\n
\nLunk\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000headed\u3000up\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000leading\u3000from\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000a\u3000few\u3000people\u3000about\uff1b\u3000but\u3000without\u3000exception\u3000they\u3000disappeared\u3000as\u3000the\u3000van\u3000approached\u3002\u3000Shutters\u3000slammed\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000women\u3000carried\u3000their\u3000children\u3000indoors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000men\u3000shouted\u3000threats\u3000from\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000interior\u3000spaces\u3002\u3000Much\u3000to\u3000Rand’s\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000know\u3000his\u3000way\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000friend\u3000used\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000all\u3000about\u3000this\u3000place\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000explained\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000nostalgic\u3002\u3000\u3003He’d\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000all\u3000about\u3000his\u3000father\uff1b\u3000about\u3000how\u3000his\u3000old\u3000man\u3000was\u3000a\u3000big\u3000shot\u3000in\u3000town\u2026a\u3000politician\u3000or\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000the\u3000restaurant\u3000owner\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000knowingly\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000they\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000up\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000bakery\u3000somewhere\u3000along\u3000this\u3000street\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Rand’s\u3000question\u3000unanswered\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000few\u3000more\u3000landmarks\u3000and\u3000I\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000find\u3000my\u3000way\u3000to\u3000Nader’s\u3000house\u3000without\u3000anybody’s\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000took\u3000one\u3000turn\u3000after\u3000another\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000disappearances\u3000and\u3000threats\u3000unbroken\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\uff1b\u3000something\u3000just\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000outskirts\u3000of\u3000town\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000they’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000Nader\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000do\u3000you\u3000mean\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000van\u3000over\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000people\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000us\u3002\u3000For\u3000all\u3000they\u3000know\u3000we\u3000could\u3000be\u3000sympathizers\u3002\u3000If\u3000Nader\u3000was\u3000a\u3000politico\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003With\u3000who\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000for\u3000starters\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\uff1b\u3000having\u3000met\u3000with\u3000the\u3000same\u3000reception\uff1b\u3000had\u3000abandoned\u3000their\u3000search\u3000and\u3000were\u3000killing\u3000time\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000town\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000show\u3000up\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000almost\u3000casually\u3000against\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000were\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000embankment\u3000above\u3000the\u3000stream\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000have\u3000got\u3000to\u3000pass\u3000by\u3000here\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000agreed\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000better\u3000off\u3000just\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\u3000is\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000find\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000Where\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000he\u3000put\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000down\uff1f\u3002\u3002\u3002Hey\uff01\u3000A\u3000truck\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000can\u3000shed\u3000some\u3000light\u3000on\u3000this\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000glance\u3000at\u3000the\u3000truck\u3002\u3000\u3003Looks\u3000like\u3000they’re\u3000stopping\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNo\u3000one\u3000moved\u3000as\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000two\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000and\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000there\uff1b\u3000when\u3000without\u3000warning\u3000a\u3000third\u3000man\u3000jumped\u3000from\u3000the\u3000canvased\u3000rear\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000them\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000gas\u3000mask\u3000and\u3000what\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000twin\u2026tanked\u3000oxyacetylene\u3000rig\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000And\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000they\u3000had\u3000made\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000this\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\uff1a\u3000The\u3000man\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000rig’s\u3000torch\u3000out\u3000front\u3000and\u3000released\u3000a\u3000foul\u2026smelling\uff1b\u3000eye\u2026smarting\u3000gas\u3000into\u3000their\u3000midst\u3002
\n
\nAlmost\u3000immediately\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000began\u3000to\u3000cough\u3000uncontrollably\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000cloud\u3000and\u3000consequently\u3000somewhat\u3000less\u3000affected\u3000by\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000slide\u3000down\u3000the\u3000embankment\u3000and\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000stream\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000gas’s\u3000effects\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000searing\u3000pain\u3000work\u3000its\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000lungs\u3000and\u3000doubled\u3000up\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fit\u3000of\u3000coughing\u3002\u3000The\u3000cloud\u3000was\u3000as\u3000dense\u3000as\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000could\u3000discern\u3000that\u3000several\u3000other\u3000men\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000man\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u3002\u3000They\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000had\u3000gas\u3000masks\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000also\u3000earned\u3000bats\u3000and\u3000clubs\u3002\u3000Just\u3000before\u3000Annie\u3000went\u3000under\uff1b\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000fall\u3000as\u3000roundhouse\u3000blows\u3000were\u3000directed\u3000against\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000an\u3000olive\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000a\u3000small\u3000circular\u3000well\u3000where\u3000there\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000house\u3002\u3000Otherwise\u3000the\u3000lot\u3000was\u3000empty\uff1b\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000that\u3000surrounded\u3000it\u3000on\u3000three\u3000sides\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000Puzzled\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000stood\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000scene\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000place\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000former\u3000police\u3000vehicle’s\u3000air\u2026cooled\u3000autopistols\u3000and\u3000was\u3000resting\u3000it\u3000up\u3000against\u3000his\u3000collarbone\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yep\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000his\u3000dad\u3000had\u3000a\u3000well\u3000and\u3000an\u3000olive\u3000tr \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n as\u3000resting\u3000it\u3000up\u3000against\u3000his\u3000collarbone\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yep\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000his\u3000dad\u3000had\u3000a\u3000well\u3000and\u3000an\u3000olive\u3000tree\u3000in\u3000his\u3000backyard\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3000Now\u3000all\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000find\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000frowned\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000van\u3000to\u3000join\u3000his\u3000friend\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000be\u3000twenty\u3000houses\u3000in\u3000this\u3000town\u3000with\u3000an\u3000olive\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000a\u3000well\u3000in\u3000the\u3000backyard\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000Nader’s\u3000place\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000obviously\u3000not\u3000here\u3000now\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000added\u3000skeptically\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000he’s\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000everybody’s\u3000acting\u3000so\u3000strange\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000reply\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000footsteps\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000facing\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000angry\u2026looking\u3000men\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000whom\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000backpacked\u3000welding\u3000torch\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000swung\u3000back\u3000around\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000all\u3000he\u3000had\u3000into\u3000knocking\u3000Lunk\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000while\u3000he\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000took\u3000the\u3000full\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gas\u3000cloud\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000the\u3000men\u3000could\u3000move\u3000in\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000through\u3000his\u3000roll\u3000and\u3000taking\u3000aim\u3000at\u3000the\u3000torch\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000off\u3000one\u3000quick\u3000shot\u3000that\u3000effectively\u3000decapitated\u3000the\u3000twin\u2026spouted\u3000rod\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000men\u3000pause\u3002\u3000They\u3000began\u3000to\u3000scatter\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000squeezed\u3000off\u3000three\u3000more\u3000shots\uff1b\u3000one\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000feet\u3000of\u3000each\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000who\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000guard\u3000by\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000leapt\u3000through\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000impromptu\u3000dance\u3000and\u3000fled\u3000along\u3000with\u3000their\u3000rades\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000called\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000beeline\u3000for\u3000the\u3000van\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3000through\u3000the\u3000passenger\u2026side\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000just\u3000steps\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nOff\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000the\u3000men\u3000were\u3000rallying\u3000for\u3000another\u3000attack\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Make\u3000tracks\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000pounding\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000against\u3000the\u3000dash\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000make\u3000good\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000buddy\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000yelled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000putting\u3000the\u3000pedal\u3000to\u3000the\u3000metal\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THIRTEEN
\n
\nIt\u3000has\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000be\u3000demonstrated\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Regis\u3000was\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000direct\u3000dealings\u3000with\u3000each\u3000of\u3000her\u3000remote\u3000drones\u2026Scouts\uff1b\u3000Troopers\u3000and\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u2026prior\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard’s\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000so\u3000to\u3000speak\u3002\u3000mentators\u3000have\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000incident\u3000at\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000as\u3000an\u3000example\u3000of\u3000changes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000hierarchical\u3000organization\uff1b\u3000in\u3000which\u3000each\u3000hive\u3000queen\u3000\uff08sic\uff09\u3000was\u3000made\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000her\u3000own\u3000soldiers\u3002
\nBloom\u3000Nesterfig\uff1b\u3000Social\u3000Organization\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid
\n
\nIn\u3000Jos\uff1fs\u3000Caf\uff1fthe\u3000churlish\u3000mayor\u3000of\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000mustachioed\u3000man\u3000named\u3000Pedro\uff1b\u3000received\u3000word\u3000of\u3000the\u3000brutal\u3000attack\u3000on\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000beat\u3000them\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000bellowed\u3000now\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000his\u3000big\u3000fist\u3000down\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tables\u3000and\u3000rising\u3000to\u3000his\u3000full\u3000height\u3000of\u3000six\u3000foot\u3000four\u3002\u3000His\u3000English\uff1b\u3000like\u3000Jos\uff1fs\uff1b\u3000had\u3000a\u3000Spanish\u3000accent\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jos\uff1fs\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000Maria\uff1b\u3000continued\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000pretty\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000usually\u3000wore\u3000her\u3000auburn\u3000hair\u3000in\u3000a\u3000loose\u3000braid\u3000over\u3000one\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000put\u3000the\u3000three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000they\u3000sped\u3000off\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000two\u3000others\u3000got\u3000away\u3002\u3003
\n
\nJos\uff1fwatched\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000but\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000It\u3000worried\u3000him\u3000to\u3000have\u3000her\u3000interfere\u3000in\u3000these\u3000matters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000adamant\u3000about\u3000reporting\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000decided\u3000about\u3000something\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000Jos\uff1fcould\u3000do\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000only\u3000hoped\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rogues\u3000who\u3000captured\u3000the\u3000three\u3000strangers\u3000would\u3000not\u3000learn\u3000of\u3000her\u3000statements\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Those\u3000no\u2026good\u3000bums\u3000have\u3000done\u3000it\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Pedro\uff1b\u3000starting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\nMaria’s\u3000thin\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000clutched\u3000at\u3000her\u3000breast\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000them\u3000hurt\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003When\u3000I\u3000get\u3000my\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000them\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000show\u3000them\u3000who\u3000runs\u3000this\u3000town\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000said\u3000without\u3000looking\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nJosh\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000swing\u3000to\u3000and\u3000fro\u3002\u3000Who\u3000would\u3000he\u3000show\uff1f\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000rogues\u3000or\u3000the\u3000strangers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000in\u3000search\u3000of\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader\uff1f\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000could\u3000so\u3000easily\u3000fall\u3000victim\u3000to\u3000violence\u3000from\u3000either\u3000side\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nMeanwhile\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000bunk\u3000were\u3000speeding\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000to\u3000rendezvous\u3000with\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000unaware\u3000that\u3000the\u3000bad\u3000part\u3000of\u3000town\u3000had\u3000already\u3000e\u3000calling\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000attack\u3000us\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000town\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\uff1f\u3000And\u3000where\u3000the\u3000heck\u3000is\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000anyway\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000has\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000disappearance\u3000of\u3000old\u3000man\u3000Nader\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000the\u3000book\u3000out\u3000again\u3000and\u3000was\u3000regarding\u3000it\u3000while\u3000he\u3000drove\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000that’s\u3000true\uff1b\u3000we\u3000oughta\u3000rethink\u3000your\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000that\u3000book\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000suggested\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000big\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Uh\u3000uh\uff1b\u3000buddy\uff1b\u3000no\u3000way\u3002\u3000I\u3000said\u3000I’d\u3000deliver\u3000this\u3000thing\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000what\u3000the\u3000odds\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000Nader’s\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000find\u3000’im\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Bravo\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000crossing\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000us\u3000both\u3000killed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000process\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000van\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\u3002\u3000Where\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000either\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000added\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000van\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3000and\u3000climbing\u3000out\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000embankment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000down\u3000at\u3000tire\u3000marks\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000road\u2026marks\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000\u3003Check\u3000this\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003Something’s\u3000been\u3000by\u3000here\u3000earlier\u3000on\u2026a\u3000truck\u3000by\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000bent\u3000down\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000the\u3000tracks\u3000and\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\u3000took\u3000no\u3000notice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000who\u3000climbed\u3000up\u3000from\u3000under\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000autopistol\u3000with\u3000him\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000threateningly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000men\u3000advanced\u3002\u3000However\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000group\u3000joined\u3000the\u3000first\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000although\u3000underarmed\u3000with\u3000clubs\uff1b\u3000axes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000farm\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000fourteen\u3000strong\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Some\u3000of\u3000you\u3000are\u3000gonna\u3000go\u3000down\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000warned\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000back\u3000with\u3000Lunk\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000circle\u3000that\u3000was\u3000forming\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Get\u3000a\u3000load\u3000of\u3000this\u3000big\u3000bruiser\u3000with\u3000the\u3000knife\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000Lunk\u3000say\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000turning\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000look\u3000but\u3000had\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000about\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3000if\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000him\u3000big\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000ever\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000hombre\u3000with\u3000no\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000humor\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000this\u3000character\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ax\u3000isn’t\u3000exactly\u3000my\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000a\u3000edian\u3000either\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000answered\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Lunk\u3000know\u3000how\u3000things\u3000were\u3000on\u3000his\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ugly\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000gorillas\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000crouch\u3000and\u3000beckoning\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000they\u3000waiting\u3000for\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000when\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000your\u3000friends\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000felt\u3000Lunk\u3000straighten\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Throw\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000down\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000told\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000just\u3000going\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000take\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000already\u3000had\u3000his\u3000massive\u3000arms\u3000raised\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000easy\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000guess\u3000is\u3000they’ll\u3000take\u3000us\u3000to\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000girls\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we’ll\u3000make\u3000our\u3000getaway\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000gulped\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000autopistol\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dirt\uff1b\u3000much\u3000to\u3000the\u3000amazement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000circle\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000your\u3000party\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000shrugged\u3000as\u3000the\u3000men\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000bind\u3000his\u3000wrists\u3002
\n
\n
\nA\u3000short\u3000while\u3000later\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000truck\u3000that\u3000had\u3000surprised\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000a\u3000change\u3000of\u3000heart\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\u3000had\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000plaza\u3000and\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000slowly\u3000past\u3000Jos\uff1fs\u3000Caf\uff1f\u3000Lunk\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000owner\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3000and\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000that\u3000bird\u3000Jos\uff1f\u3000I\u3000bet\u3000he\u3000knows\u3000where\u3000our\u3000friends\u3000are\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000Rand\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000and\u3000shouldering\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000jumped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000was\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000rolled\uff1b\u3000got\u3000to\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mad\u3000dash\u3000for\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1fentrance\uff1b\u3000propelled\u3000by\u3000blasts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000very\u3000weapon\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000surrendered\u3000only\u3000moments\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000crashed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3000at\u3000full\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000frail\u2026looking\u3000Jos\uff1fhalfway\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000sometimes\u3000have\u3000my\u3000doubts\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b\u3000partner\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000dodging\u3000blasts\u3000that\u3000were\u3000entering\u3000the\u3000bar\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000backing\u3000up\uff1b\u3000disgorging\u3000men\u3000who\u3000were\u3000already\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1f\u3000\u3003Hope\u3000you\u3000have\u3000another\u3000plan\u3000ready\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000added\uff1b\u3000noticing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000the\u3000cords\u3000that\u3000bound\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000with\u3000a\u3000knife\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gripped\u3000between\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000Jos\uff1fwas\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000as\u3000if\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000consciousness\u3002\u3000The\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000kneeling\u3000beside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000freed\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000to\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000it\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000duplicate\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000Houdini\u3000act\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000what’s\u3000next\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000managed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000full\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000grinned\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000blaster\u3000from\u3000beneath\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000\u3003Surprise\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000shoving\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000into\u3000Jos\uff1fs\u3000ribs\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000my\u3000closed\u2026mouthed\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000a\u3000little\u3000talking\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000took\u3000a\u3000cautious\u3000look\u3000out\u3000the\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hate\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000up\u3000an\u3000unpleasant\u3000subject\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there’s\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000crowd\u3000gathering\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000since\u3000we’ve\u3000only\u3000got\u3000one\u3000blast\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003In\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000cut\u3000him\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Start\u3000talking\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Jos\uff1f\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000pleas\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000wife\u3002
\n
\nJos\uff1fswallowed\u3000hard\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\uff1f\u3000It\u3000isn’t\u3000my\u3000problem\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000begin\u3000with\u3000where\u3000our\u3000friends\u3000are\u2026and\u3000no\u3000stalling\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Maria\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000imploringly\u3000at\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000should\u3000I\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Please\u3000believe\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Lunk\u3000from\u3000her\u3000husband’s\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000became\u3000of\u3000your\u3000friends\u3002\u3000Only\u3000Pedro\u3000knows\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Fine\u3002\u3000So\u3000produce\u3000Pedro\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000is\u3000the\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maria\u3000continued\u3002\u3000\u3003He’s\u3000giving\u3000all\u3000the\u3000orders\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Maria\uff01\u3003\u3000Jos\uff1fyelled\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000take\u3000us\u3000to\u3000him\u2026now\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000how\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Jos\uff1f\u3000\u3003We\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000past\u3000that\u3000mob\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Jos\uff1f\u3000you’ve\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000act\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000some\u3000acting\u3000on\u3000our\u3000behalf\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Jos\uff1f\u3000you’ve\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000act\u3000so\u3000far\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000some\u3000acting\u3000on\u3000our\u3000behalf\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nJos\uff1fpulled\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000through\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1fs\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3000later\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000them\u3000along\u3000on\u3000a\u3000leather\u3000leash\u3002\u3000Their\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000now\u3000bound\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3000with\u3000white\u3000cloth\u3000napkins\u3000Maria\u3000had\u3000helped\u3000to\u3000knot\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000which\u3000dutifully\u3000concealed\u3000Lunk’s\u3000blaster\u3002\u3000The\u3000townsmen\u3000were\u3000suitably\u3000impressed\u3000\uff08if\u3000somewhat\u3000bewildered\uff09\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000retake\u3000custody\u3000of\u3000their\u3000prisoners\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Jos\uff1fwaved\u3000them\u3000off\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Pedro\u3000has\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000wants\u3000you\u3000men\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000capture\u3000their\u3000panion\u3000when\u3000he\u3000shows\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000doing\u3000fine\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000plimented\u3000him\u3000under\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000just\u3000keep\u3000walking\u3002\u3000Get\u3000us\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000and\u3000you’ll\u3000save\u3000your\u3000skin\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000to\u3000take\u3000us\u3000to\u3000Pedro\u3002\u3003
\n
\nJos\uff1fmotioned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000idling\u3000van\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000villagers\u3000had\u3000driven\u3000in\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000their\u3000vehicle\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Jos\uff1fshoved\u3000his\u3000prisoners\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000seats\u3000and\u3000joined\u3000them\u3000there\u3002\u3000Maria\u3000rode\u3000shotgun\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Be\u3000alert\u3000for\u3000their\u3000rade\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jos\uff1freminded\u3000the\u3000men\u3000as\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000van\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nAway\u3000from\u3000the\u3000caf\uff1f\u3000Lunk\u3000loosed\u3000the\u3000cloth\u3000knot\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000to\u3000see\u3002\u3000He\u3000ordered\u3000Jos\uff1fand\u3000the\u3000driver\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000van\u3000when\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3000offices\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000any\u3000funny\u3000ideas\u3000when\u3000we\u3000get\u3000inside\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000advised\u3000them\uff1b\u3000making\u3000his\u3000point\u3000with\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000anybody\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ll\u3000do\u3000what’s\u3000necessary\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000want\u3000me\uff1b\u3000too\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000the\u3000driver\uff1b\u3000Gomez\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000light\u3000shove\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000building\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wooden\u3000two\u2026story\u3000structure\u3000with\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000curved\u2026top\u3000entry\u3000doors\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000stayed\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000as\u3000they\u3000climbed\u3000the\u3000staircase\u3000to\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000once\u3000at\u3000the\u3000office\uff1b\u3000Jos\uff1fand\u3000Gomez\u3000burst\u3000through\u3000the\u3000doors\u3000shouting\u3000warnings\u3000to\u3000their\u3000friends\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000step\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fired\u3000a\u3000shot\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3000to\u3000quiet\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000or\u3000so\u3000townspeople\u3000in\u3000the\u3000office\uff1b\u3000not\u3000counting\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000bound\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000foot\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spacious\u3000room\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hands\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000bellowed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000hello\uff1b\u3000boys\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rook\u3000as\u3000plaster\u3000rained\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000from\u3000Lunk’s\u3000ceiling\u3000shot\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Where’s\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000to\u3000free\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000threatened\u3000to\u3000air\u2026condition\u3000the\u3000room\u3000unless\u3000someone\u3000directed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000a\u3000large\u3000man\u3000seated\u3000at\u3000a\u3000table\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3000Pedro\uff1b\u3003\u3000Josh\u3000warned\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000leveled\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000few\u3000questions\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Like\u3000where\u3000you\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000to\u3000Lunk’s\u3000side\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000some\u3000nasty\u3000bruises\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000new\u3000anger\u3000was\u3000evident\u3000in\u3000Rand’s\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000wasn’t\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000people\u3000are\u3000free\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000machines\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000showed\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003Hear\u3000me\uff1b\u3000mister\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000me\u3000good\uff1a\u3000We’re\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000now\uff1b\u3000not\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Give\u3000all\u3000the\u3000orders\u3000you\u3000want\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’ll\u3000do\u3000what\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000made\u3000an\u3000impatient\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000from\u3000Lunk’s\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003Talk\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000before\u3000I\u3000do\u3000something\u3000I\u3000might\u3000regret\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000big\u3000man\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Mayor\uff1b\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000What\u3000I\u3000want\u3000now\u3000is\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000anyone\u3000named\u3000Nader\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pedro\u3000said\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000Lunk’s\u3000glare\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000stifled\u3000gasps\u3000from\u3000others\u3000in\u3000the\u3000room\u3000told\u3000a\u3000different\u3000story\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000slammed\u3000his\u3000fists\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000pal\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000friend’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000But\u3000suddenly\u3000the\u3000building\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000window\uff1a\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000flashes\u3000of\u3000brilliant\u3000orange\u3000light\u3000in\u3000the\u3000skies\u3000above\u3000the\u3000mesa\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Annihilation\u3000discs\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003Invid\u3000patrol\u3000ships\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000at\u3000least\u3000we\u3000know\u3000where\u3000Scott’s\u3000been\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000chimed\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3000furious\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Your\u3000time\u3000is\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Pedro\uff01\u3000We\u3000need\u3000those\u3000Cyclones\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000mayor\u3000remained\u3000tight\u2026lipped\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000any\u3000more\u3000fighting\u3000in\u3000our\u3000village\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000out\u3000there\u3000and\u3000help\u3000our\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000there\u3000won’t\u3000be\u3000any\u3000more\u3000village\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000pointed\u3000out\u3002
\n
\nPedro\u3000scoffed\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000imagine\u3000you\u3000heroes\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000repel\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000attack\u3000by\u3000yourselves\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000better\u3000let\u3000us\u3000try\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000distant\u3000explosions\u3000infiltrated\u3000the\u3000room\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000mustn’t\u3000endanger\u3000the\u3000town\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000help\u3000your\u3000town\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000told\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000took\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000back\u3000from\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000tears\u3000it\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000while\u3000my\u3000friend\u3000dies\u3000for\u3000this\u3000stinking\u3000excuse\u3000for\u3000a\u3000town\u3002\u3000Pedro\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000ten\u3000seconds\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Jos\uff1fsaid\uff1b\u3000stepping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000projected\u3000line\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Gomez\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000them\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000are\u3000hidden\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You’re\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Jos\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000anything\u3000should\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000our\u3000village\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000take\u3000the\u3000responsibility\u3000then\uff1b\u3003\u3000Jos\uff1fanswered\uff1b\u3000whirling\u3000on\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warehouse\uff1b\u3003\u3000Gomez\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000warehouse\u3000was\u3000a\u3000barn\u3000situated\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bridge\uff1b\u3000an\u3000odds\u2026and\u2026ends\u3000storage\u3000facility\u3000for\u3000grain\uff1b\u3000farming\u3000tools\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rusting\u3000examples\u3000of\u3000early\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyclones\u3000had\u3000been\u3000rolled\u3000into\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000over\u3000with\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000mildewed\u3000canvas\u3000tarps\u3002
\n
\nLancer\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000headed\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000their\u3000machines\uff1b\u3000activated\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rode\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guns\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000wished\u3000them\u3000luck\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000reconfigured\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000heading\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000van\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000name\u3000called\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Pedro\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000somewhat\u3000sheepish\u3000and\u3000conciliatory\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000go\u3000through\u3000with\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000by\u2026now\u2026distant\u3000Cyclones\u3000and\u3000said\u3000harshly\uff1b\u3000\u3003That\u3000oughta\u3000answer\u3000your\u3000question\u3002\u3003
\n
\nPedro\u3000nodded\u3000sullenly\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000there’s\u3000something\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000Lunk\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000barn\u3002\u3000Inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000motioned\u3000to\u3000an\u3000object\u3000concealed\u3000under\u3000a\u3000nylon\u3000cloth\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000away\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000have\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000by\u3000its\u3000slang\u3000term\u2026a\u3000\u3003Stinger\u3003\u2026a\u3000lightweight\u3000autocannon\u3000no\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000a\u3000turn\u2026of\u2026the\u2026century\u3000M\u202670\u3000machine\u3000gun\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000delivered\u3000piercing\u3000bursts\u3000of\u3000Reflex\u3000firepower\u3002\u3000Stingers\u3000were\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000of\u3000choice\u3000for\u3000the\u3000resistance\u3000early\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000control\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000quickly\u3000into\u3000disuse\u3002\u3000This\u3000one\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000well\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000either\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000was\u3000given\u3000to\u3000our\u3000town\u3000by\u3000a\u3000group\u3000of\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3003\u3000Pedro\u3000began\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000gun\u3002\u3000\u3003Before\u3000I\u3000was\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3000when\u3002\u3002\u3002Nader\u3000was\u3000alive\u3002\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000name\u3002
\n
\nPedro’s\u3000voice\u3000took\u3000on\u3000a\u3000harder\u3000edge\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000Nader\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000it\u3000used\u3002\u3000He\u3000actually\u3000believed\u3000we\u3000could\u3000make\u3000a\u3000separate\u3000peace\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000hid\u3000the\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000afraid\u3000that\u3000fighting\u3000back\u3000would\u3000end\u3000in\u3000death\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000But\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000townspeople\u3000misinterpreted\u3000his\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000they\u3000accused\u3000him\u3000of\u3000cowardice\u3000and\u3000worse\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000still\u3000wouldn’t\u3000reveal\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000hidden\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002\u3002\u3002they\u3000beat\u3000him\u3000to\u3000death\u3002\u3000They\u3000burned\u3000his\u3000home\uff1b\u3000they\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Pedro\u3000was\u3000sobbing\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000your\u3000dirty\u3000little\u3000secret\u3002\u3002\u3002the\u3000reason\u3000why\u3000those\u3000men\u3000attacked\u3000us\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000all\u3000ashamed\u3000of\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nPedro\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003May\u3000God\u3000have\u3000mercy\u3000on\u3000us\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000we\u3000found\u3000the\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3000to\u3000do\u3000anything\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000overrun\u3000everything\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000now\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000feels\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000inherited\u3000Nader’s\u3000legacy\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000could\u3000say\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000hard\u3000look\u3000softened\u3002\u3000\u3003Pedro\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000I’ve\u3000misjudged\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000I\uff1b\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000mon\u3000enough\u3000mistake\u3000these\u3000days\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nOut\u3000on\u3000the\u3000flats\u3000things\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000grim\u3000for\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000The\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000pressure\u3000off\u3000him\u3000to\u3000some\u3000extent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000still\u3000outnumbered\u3000them\u3000three\u3000to\u3000one\u3002
\n
\nShock\u3000Troopers\u3000again\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000why\u3000they\u3000had\u3000showed\u3000up\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000possible\u3000that\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Scouts\u3000they\u3000had\u3000tangled\u3000with\u3000earlier\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000away\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000been\u3000entering\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000and\u3000had\u3000doubled\u3000back\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000came\u3000a\u3000second\uff1b\u3000then\u3000a\u3000third\u3000and\u3000a\u3000fourth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000before\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000a\u3000full\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000units\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000release\u3000run\u3000now\uff1b\u3000going\u3000after\u3000three\u3000grounded\u3000Invid\u3000who\u3000had\u3000pinned\u3000down\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000with\u3000cannon\u3000fire\u3002\u3000The\u3000already\u3000cratered\u3000and\u3000fused\u3000terrain\u3000was\u3000being\u3000torn\u3000up\u3000by\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000air\u3000above\u3000superheated\u3000and\u3000crosshatched\u3000by\u3000missile\u3000tracks\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Cyclones’\u3000forearm\u3000tubes\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000loosed\u3000a\u3000flock\u3000of\u3000heat\u2026seekers\u3000at\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dive\u3000and\u3000climbed\u3000sharply\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000right\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000a\u3000glimpse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000results\u3000of\u3000his\u3000run\u3002\u3000Two\u3000Invid\u3000ships\u3000were\u3000flaming\u3000wrecks\uff1b\u3000collapsed\u3000and\u3000bleeding\u3000green\u3000nutrient\u3002\u3000Another\u3000was\u3000badly\u3000damaged\u3000but\u3000still\u3000on\u3000its\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000pincers\u3000blown\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000swung\u3000his\u3000head\u3000as\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000through\u3000a\u3000roll\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Lunk’s\u3000van\u3000streaking\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sands\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000on\u3000a\u3000collision\u3000course\u3000with\u3000three\u3000more\u3000Invid\u3000ships\u3002\u3000Alert\u3000to\u3000the\u3000van’s\u3000approach\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000lifted\u3000off\uff1b\u3000forming\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000triangular\u3000pattern\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000misjudged\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000flash\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fr \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nBut\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000misjudged\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000flash\u3000at\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000van\u3000an\u3000instant\u3000before\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ships\u3000exploded\u3000in\u3000midair\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000flash\u3000and\u3000another\u3000Invid\u3000was\u3000blown\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000mounted\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000cannon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000also\u3000recognized\u3000the\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000because\u3000they\u3000were\u3000suddenly\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000van\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000berth\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000took\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000out\u3000death\u3000blows\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\uff1b\u3000managing\u3000to\u3000fell\u3000two\u3000additional\u3000Troopers\u3000with\u3000precision\u3000shots\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ships’\u3000optic\u3000scanners\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000smiled\u3000broadly\u3000and\u3000uttered\u3000a\u3000short\uff1b\u3000triumphant\u3000cry\u3000to\u3000the\u3000skies\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000Alpha’s\u3000canopy\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000had\u3000they\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000odds\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000won\u3000the\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000remaining\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000actually\u3000turning\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000fleeing\u3000the\u3000area\uff01
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000them\u3000retreat\u3002
\n
\n
\nLunk\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3000alone\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000longer\u3000talk\u3000with\u3000Pedro\u3000and\u3000Josh\u3000about\u3000Alfred\u3000Nader\u3002\u3000Both\u3000men\u3000had\u3000known\u3000Nader’s\u3000son\uff1b\u3000Lunk’s\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000and\u3000were\u3000sorry\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000killed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000battle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000flats\u3000hadn’t\u3000affected\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000attitude\u3000toward\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000understood\u3000this\u3000and\u3000pitied\u3000them\u3000the\u3000cross\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000bear\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000emotional\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000lessened\u3000any\u3000by\u3000this\u3000brief\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000Roca\u3000Negra\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000even\u3000more\u3000confused\u3000than\u3000before\u3002\u3000Would\u3000Nader\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000sympathizer\u3000in\u3000the\u3000end\uff1f\u3000Would\u3000his\u3000town\u3000have\u3000been\u3000just\u3000another\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000people\u3000were\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000maintaining\u3000their\u3000separate\u3000peace\u3000to\u3000rally\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000a\u3000greater\u3000one\uff1f
\n
\nLunk\u3000spent\u3000some\u3000private\u3000time\u3000at\u3000what\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000Nader’s\u3000ranch\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000ripened\u3000olives\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000drinking\u3000cool\u3000water\u3000from\u3000the\u3000well\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000book\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000a\u3000promise\u3000now\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000symbol\u3000of\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000of\u3000mistrust\u3000and\u3000treachery\u3002\u3002\u3002markings\u3000engraved\u3000upon\u3000Earth’s\u3000tortured\u3000and\u3000embattled\u3000landscape\u3000and\u3000upon\u3000the\u3000very\u3000fabric\u3000of\u3000Human\u3000life\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOURTEEN
\n
\nPsychohistorian\u3000Adler\u3000Ripple\u3000traces\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff’s\u3000treachery\u3000to\u3000his\u3000illicit\u3000affair\u3000with\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000met\u3000her\u3000on\u3000Little\u3000Luna\u3000\uff08the\u3000Robotech\u3000factory\u3000satellite\uff09\uff1b\u3000during\u3000the\u3000Hunters’\u3000wedding\u3000and\u3000fallen\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000her\u3000while\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000intents\u3000and\u3000purposes\uff1b\u3000stranded\u3000on\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000likely\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000married\u3000had\u3000the\u3000Sentinels\u3000not\u3000e\u3000between\u3000them\u3002\u3000\uff08Minmei\u3000had\u3000vowed\u3000to\u3000steer\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u3000after\u3000her\u3000brief\u3000and\u3000disastrous\u3000fling\u3000with\u3000Rick\u3000Hunter\u3002\u3000Ironically\uff1b\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000bridal\u3000bouquet\u3000at\u3000Hunter’s\u3000wedding\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sense\u3000felt\u3000destined\u3000to\u3000marry\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000The\u3000subsequent\u3000degradation\u3000she\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000can\u3000be\u3000attributed\u3000in\u3000part\u3000to\u3000her\u3000learning\u3000about\u3000the\u3000wife\u3000and\u3000child\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\uff09\u3000Ripple\u3000asserts\u3000that\u3000Wolff’s\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000was\u3000motivated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000broken\u3000engagement\u3000with\u3000Lynn\u2026Minmei\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000convinced\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000take\u3000up\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000off\u3000with\u3000the\u3000family\u3000he\u3000had\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000When\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000occur\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000drink\u3000and\u3000drugs\u3000and\u3000embarked\u3000on\u3000a\u3000campaign\u3000of\u3000self\u2026destruction\u3002\u3000\uff08Information\u3000that\u3000has\u3000only\u3000recently\u3000e\u3000to\u3000light\u3000suggests\u3000that\u3000Wolff\u3000also\u3000had\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000affair\u3000with\u3000Dana\u3000Sterling\u2026the\u3000daughter\u3000of\u3000Max\u3000and\u3000Miriya\uff1b\u3000who\u3000took\u3000Wolff’s\u3000ship\u3000back\u3000into\u3000space\u3000with\u3000the\u3000hyperdrive\u3000perfected\u3000by\u3000her\u3000former\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000rade\uff1b\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Louie\u3000Nichols\u2026and\u3000that\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000learned\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000holding\u3000hostage\u3000both\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000Catherine\u3000and\u3000his\u3000son\u3000Johnny\u3002\uff09
\nSelig\u3000Kahler\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Tirolian\u3000Campaign
\n
\nA\u3000week\u3000of\u3000hard\u3000riding\u3000brought\u3000dramatic\u3000changes\u3000in\u3000both\u3000the\u3000terrain\u3000and\u3000the\u3000social\u3000climate\u3000of\u3000the\u3000settlements\u3000the\u3000team\u3000passed\u3000through\u3002\u3000The\u3000land\u3000was\u3000thickly\u3000forested\u3000except\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000cleared\u3000for\u3000farm\u3000cooperatives\u3000and\u3000villages\u3002\u3000The\u3000road\u3000system\u3000was\u3000well\u3000maintained\uff1b\u3000and\u3000food\u3000and\u3000supplies\u3000were\u3000readily\u3000available\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000this\uff1a\u3000They\u3000were\u3000approaching\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000so\u2026called\u3000Protoculture\u3000farms\uff1b\u3000where\u3000Human\u3000laborers\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000toil\u3000endlessly\u3000in\u3000vast\u3000gardens\uff1b\u3000maintaining\u3000and\u3000harvesting\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000nutrient\u3000plant\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002\u3000But\u3000where\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000expected\u3000to\u3000encounter\u3000armies\u3000of\u3000Scouts\u3000and\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000found\u3000none\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000place\u3000of\u3000a\u3000downtrodden\u3000populace\uff1b\u3000they\u3000found\u3000people\u3000in\u3000a\u3000celebratory\u3000mood\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000said\u3000to\u3000have\u3000stopped\u3000their\u3000patrols\u3000a\u3000little\u3000over\u3000a\u3000month\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000rumors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000effect\u3000that\u3000this\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000a\u3000platoon\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000soldiers\u3000who\u3000were\u3000currently\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000an\u3000assault\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000farm\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000certain\u3000this\u3000unit\u3000was\u3000posed\u3000of\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000attack\u3000wing\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000predesignated\u3000rendezvous\u3000points\u3000set\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000mander\u3000was\u3000located\u3000some\u3000five\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000north\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000present\u3000coordinates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000a\u3000splinter\u3000group\u3000from\u3000the\u3000main\u3000force\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000south\u3000to\u3000engage\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000at\u3000the\u3000farm\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000north\u3000to\u3000see\u3000for\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000loyalty\u3000wouldn’t\u3000permit\u3000leaving\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000not\u3000until\u3000each\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000peace\u3000of\u3000sorts\u3000or\uff1b\u3000better\u3000still\uff1b\u3000a\u3000home\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000no\u3000secret\u3000to\u3000any\u3000of\u3000them\u3000that\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000more\u3000like\u3000a\u3000family\u3000than\u3000the\u3000invincible\u3000military\u3000machine\u3000each\u3000member\u3000sometimes\u3000imagined\u3000it\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000something\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000took\u3000for\u3000granted\uff1b\u3000least\u3000of\u3000all\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000recent\u3000victim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000war’s\u3000dispassionate\u3000savagery\u3002
\n
\nSo\u3000they\u3000stayed\u3000together\u3000and\u3000eventually\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000city\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000soldiers\u3000were\u3000supposedly\u3000garrisoned\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000immense\u3000place\uff1b\u3000far\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000places\u3000they\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000through\u3000thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000a\u3000former\u3000military\u3000base\u3000\uff08whose\u3000buildings\u3000had\u3000been\u3000adapted\u3000for\u3000civilian\u3000use\uff09\u3000that\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000within\u3000the\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000depression\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Earth’s\u3000denuded\u3000crust\uff1b\u3000enclosed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000severe\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000an\u3000unnatural\u3000escarpment\u3002\u3000The\u3000city\u3000now\u3000had\u3000hotels\uff1b\u3000restaurants\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thriving\u3000population\u3000of\u3000five\u3000thousand\u3000or\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000concealed\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000city\u3000and\u3000rode\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3000with\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000As\u3000newers\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000questioned\u3000and\u3000searched\u3000at\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gate\u2026an\u3000immense\u3000security\u3000fence\u3000watched\u3000over\u3000by\u3000armed\u3000guards\u3000stationed\u3000in\u3000nearby\u3000ultratech\u3000towers\u2026but\u3000ultimately\u3000permitted\u3000to\u3000enter\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000already\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000familiar\u3000faces\uff1b\u3000was\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000more\u3000hopeful\u3000than\u3000the\u3000others\u3000if\u3000no\u3000less\u3000puzzled\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000indeed\u3000soldiers\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000hardly\u3000the\u3000strac\u3000troops\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000convinced\u3000himself\u3000he\u3000would\u3000find\u3002\u3000Nor\u3000were\u3000they\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3002\u3000Their\u3000high\u2026collared\uff1b\u3000belted\u3000jumpsuits\u3000were\u3000the\u3000same\u3000iceblue\u3000color\u3000as\u3000Scott’s\u3000own\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000unit\u3000patches\u3000were\u3000unlike\u3000any\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000some\u3000more\uff1b\u3000certain\u3000he\u3000would\u3000find\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000after\u3002\u3000Here\u3000were\u3000three\u3000soldiers\u3000stumbling\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bar\uff1b\u3000there\uff1b\u3000three\u3000more\u3000drinking\u3000on\u3000a\u3000street\u3000corner\u3002\u3000Other\u3000troops\u3000in\u3000jeeps\u3000and\u3000personnel\u3000carriers\u3000were\u3000joyriding\u3000through\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000trash\u3000and\u3000empty\u3000liquor\u3000bottles\u3000in\u3000their\u3000wake\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000stunned\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What’s\u3000with\u3000this\u3000place\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000from\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000back\uff1b\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000draped\u3000over\u3000the\u3000vehicle’s\u3000roll\u3000bar\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000shortage\u3000of\u3000’Culture\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000for\u3000sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000observed\uff1b\u3000motioning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cruising\u3000jeeps\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000tuned\u3000in\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000conversation\u2026soldiers\uff1b\u3000new\u3000arrivals\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000them\uff1a\u3000\u3003This\u3000town’s\u3000a\u3000gas\uff01\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Unbelievable\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000another\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000I\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000feel\u3000this\u3000way\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000heard\u3000tires\u3000squeal\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000around\u3002\u3000A\u3000jeep\u3000was\u3000accelerating\u3000drunkenly\u3000from\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000slaloming\u3000its\u3000way\u3000up\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000four\u3000soldiers\u3000laughing\u3000it\u3000up\u3000inside\u3002\u3000It\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000shortly\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000offering\u3000a\u3000bottle\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000top\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000Scott\u3000refused\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000your\u3000problem\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000glazed\u3000eyes\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000guys\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000war’s\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000soldier\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000snarled\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000couple\u3000hits\u3000of\u3000that\u3000stuff\u3000and\u3000you\u3000forget\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000soldiers\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\uff1b\u3000speechless\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Where\u3000you\u3000been\uff1b\u3000Colonel\uff1f\u3003\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000driver\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000history\u3002\u3000We’ve\u3000been\u3000kickin’\u3000ass\u3000and\u3000takin’\u3000names\u3000all\u3000over\u3000this\u3000sector\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000no\u3000lie\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000another\u3002\u3000\u3003Long\u3000as\u3000ya\u3000stick\u3000’round\u3000here\uff1b\u3000ya\u3000got\u3000nothin’\u3000to\u3000worry\u3000’bout\u3002\u3000So\uff1b\u3000enjoy\u3002\u3000The\u3000man’s\u3000got\u3000it\u3000covered\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000can\u3000get\u3000anything\u3000you\u3000want\u3000here\uff1b\u3000get\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000man\uff1f\u3000What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000yelled\u3000as\u3000the\u3000jeep\u3000screeched\u3000off\u3002
\n
\n\u3003At\u3000ease\uff1b\u3000Colonel\uff01\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000eliciting\u3000laughter\u3000from\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000same\u3000scene\u3000wherever\u3000they\u3000went\uff1a\u3000everyone\u3000talking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000town\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000paradise\u3002\u3000Drunken\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000hookers\uff1b\u3000scammers\uff1b\u3000Foragers\uff1b\u3000rogues\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hustlers\uff1b\u3000all\u3000thrown\u3000together\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000pot\uff1b\u3000reveling\u3000and\u3000lifting\u3000their\u3000glasses\u3000in\u3000toasts\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mystery\u3000man\u3000who\u3000secured\u3000all\u3000this\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000search\u3000for\u3000food\u3000and\u3000drink\u3000led\u3000the\u3000team\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000many\u3000bars\u3000along\u3000the\u3000strip\u3002\u3000Annie’s\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000flirt\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sideburned\u3000bartender\u3000ended\u3000with\u3000his\u3000walking\u3000off\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000order\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000something\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000at\u3000the\u3000guy\uff1b\u3000when\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000burst\u3000in\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bar’s\u3000swinging\u3000doors\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wolff’s\u3000back\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000yelled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3002
\n
\nAlmost\u3000everyone\u3000got\u3000the\u3000message\u2026out\u3000of\u3000sheer\u3000volume\u3000or\u3000at\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000name\u3000itself\u2026and\u3000many\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Others\uff1b\u3000too\u3000drunk\u3000to\u3000move\uff1b\u3000got\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000lifting\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000from\u3000various\u3000tabletops\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000withi \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000Scott\u3000took\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000within\u3000reach\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000him\u3000around\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Who’s\u3000Wolff\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000demanded\u3000of\u3000the\u3000man\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000bro\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000slurred\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Jonathan\u3000Wolff\uff1f\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000snapped\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000winked\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000then\u3000shuffled\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000disbelief\u3000surface\u3000on\u3000Scott’s\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000ask\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000shoving\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000exiting\u3000crowd\u3000and\u3000making\u3000for\u3000the\u3000street\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000followed\u3000Scott\u3000out\u3000and\u3000found\u3000him\u3000amid\u3000a\u3000mob\u3000that\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000a\u3000jeep\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000rigidly\u3000by\u3000the\u3000curb\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000half\u2026open\u3000in\u3000amazement\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000was\u3000climbing\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000driver’s\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vehicle\u3002\u3000A\u3000celebrity\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Either\u3000that\u3000or\u3000a\u3000Robo\u3000officer\u3000who\u3000fancied\u3000himself\u3000one\u3002\u3000The\u3000man\u3000was\u3000of\u3000medium\u3000build\u3000but\u3000square\u2026shouldered\u3000and\u3000muscular\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000brown\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000and\u3000bed\u3000straight\u3000back\uff1b\u3000well\u2026defined\u3000eyebrows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000mustache\uff1b\u3000clipped\u3000clear\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000a\u3000gray\u3000uniform\u3000offset\u3000by\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000black\u3000belt\u3000and\u3000a\u3000red\u3000ascot\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000something\u3000stern\u3000and\u3000humorless\u3000about\u3000him\u3000that\u3000made\u3000Rand\u3000wonder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000reception\u3000he\u3000was\u3000getting\u3002
\n
\nPeople\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crowd\u3000were\u3000firing\u3000questions\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000which\u3000Wolff\u3000took\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000and\u3000others\u3000he\u3000ignored\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wounded\u3000soldier\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jeep\u3000was\u3000singing\u3000Wolff’s\u3000praises\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000saved\u3000my\u3000life\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000bit\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003Picked\u3000me\u3000up\u3000and\u3000carried\u3000me\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000fines\u3002\u3002\u3002then\u3000went\u3000back\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000canisters\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000we\u3000needed\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Celebration\u3000time\uff01\u3003\u3000yelled\u3000a\u3000black\u3000man\u3000behind\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003Drinks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000house\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000mutter\uff1a\u3000\u3003Wolff’s\u3000a\u3000damn\u3000hero\u3000every\u3000time\u3000he\u3000es\u3000back\u3002\u3000How\u3000d’\u3000ya\u3000figure\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ment\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000angry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Until\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000him\u3000say\uff1a\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000he’s\u3000alive\u2026alive\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nColonel\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3002\u3002Graduated\u3000first\u3000in\u3000his\u3000class\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Academy\u3000on\u3000Macross\u3000Island\u3000but\u3000missed\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20261’s\u3000inadvertent\u3000jump\u3000to\u3000Pluto\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u2026year\u3000odyssey\u3000that\u3000followed\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000distinguished\u3000himself\u3000during\u3000that\u3000period\u3000by\u3000openly\u3000criticizing\u3000the\u3000Council’s\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000its\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000fortress’s\u3000crew\u3000and\u3000unwitting\u3000civilian\u3000population\u3000and\u3000was\u3000resolute\u3000in\u3000his\u3000opposition\u3000to\u3000Russo\uff1b\u3000Hayes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Edwards\u3000and\u3000their\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000Grand\u3000Cannon\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3002\u3000He\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fore\u3000again\u3000during\u3000the\u3000planet’s\u3000two\u2026year\u3000period\u3000of\u3000reconstruction\u3000and\u3000was\u3000finally\u3000handpicked\u3000by\u3000Admiral\u3000Hunter\u3000to\u3000head\u3000up\u3000the\u3000ground\u2026base\u3000division\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000it\u3000was\u3000on\u3000Tirol\u3000that\u3000Wolff’s\u3000name\u3000became\u3000legend\u3000and\u3000his\u3000special\u3000forces\u2026known\u3000by\u3000then\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Wolff\u3000Pack\u2026rode\u3000to\u3000glory\u3002\u3000Throughout\u3000the\u3000Tirolian\u3000campaign\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Wolff’s\u3000forces\u3000who\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000tide\u3000of\u3000battle\u3000time\u3000and\u3000time\u3000again\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Wolff\u3000who\u3000came\u3000to\u3000play\u3000a\u3000crucial\u3000part\u3000in\u3000the\u3000schism\u3000that\u3000all\u3000but\u3000destroyed\u3000the\u3000Pioneer\u3000Mission\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000man\u3002\u3000Leaving\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Saturn\u3000group\u3000in\u3000charge\u3000of\u3000things\u3000on\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000off\u3000with\u3000Hunter\u3000and\u3000that\u3000group\u3000of\u3000galactic\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000who\u3000called\u3000themselves\u3000the\u3000Sentinels\u3002\u3000To\u3000Spheris\uff1b\u3000Garuda\uff1b\u3000Haydon\u3000IV\uff1b\u3000to\u3000every\u3000world\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000to\u3000every\u3000world\u3000reduced\u3000to\u3000slave\u3000colonies\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Regent\u3000and\u3000his\u3000limitless\u3000army\u3000of\u3000Inorganics\u3002
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000for\u3000reasons\u3000few\u3000understood\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000volunteered\u3000for\u3000a\u3000more\u3000hazardous\u3000assignment\uff1a\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tracks\u3000of\u3000Major\u3000John\u3000Carpenter\u3000in\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000return\u3000a\u3000warship\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000left\u3000behind\u3002\u3000An\u3000Earth\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ravaged\u3000by\u3000the\u3000very\u3000Tirolian\u3000Masters\u3000the\u3000Pioneer\u3000Mission\u3000had\u3000aimed\u3000to\u3000disempower\u3000and\u3000now\u3000faced\u3000an\u3000even\u3000greater\u3000threat\u3000from\u3000the\u3000race\u3000those\u3000same\u3000Masters\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000savage\u3000and\u3000indomitable\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000left\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000before\u3000he\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000life\u3000of\u3000a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000who\u3000idolized\u3000him\u3000from\u3000afar\u3002\u3002\u3002an\u3000assistant\u3000to\u3000the\u3000celebrated\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3000named\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nSilently\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000ran\u3000over\u3000the\u3000facts\u3000and\u3000memories\u3000while\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000speak\u3000with\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000incredible\u3000enough\u3000that\u3000the\u3000man\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000back\u3000from\u3000Tirol\uff1b\u3000given\u3000the\u3000then\u3000primitive\u3000state\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hyperdrive\u3000units\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000find\u3000him\u3000now\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\u3000these\u3000years\uff1b\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000less\u3000than\u3000miraculous\u3002
\n
\nFrom\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000piece\u3000together\u3000since\u3000first\u3000seeing\u3000Wolff\u3000earlier\u3000in\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000learned\u3000that\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000arrived\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000shortly\u3000after\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters’\u3000fleet\uff1b\u3000approximately\u3000two\u3000years\u3000before\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000His\u3000Wolff\u3000Pack\u3000had\u3000led\u3000the\u3000counteroffensive\u3000but\u3000had\u3000been\u3000decimated\u3000along\u3000with\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3002\u3000But\u3000Wolff\u3000himself\u3000had\u3000survived\u3002\u3000Driven\u3000underground\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spearheaded\u3000the\u3000resistance\u3000and\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000had\u3000been\u3000on\u3000the\u3000go\u3000continually\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000from\u3000place\u3000to\u3000place\u3000to\u3000recruit\u3000and\u3000reconnoiter\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000wage\u3000the\u3000final\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boisterous\u3000atmosphere\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town\u3000disturbed\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000Where\u3000was\u3000the\u3000discipline\u3000that\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Pack\u3000such\u3000a\u3000respected\u3000outfit\uff1f\u3000And\u3000why\u3000weren’t\u3000the\u3000troops\u3000being\u3000organized\u3000for\u3000a\u3000coordinated\u3000assault\u3000against\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000was\u3000Wolff\u3000here\uff1b\u3000so\u3000far\u3000south\u3000of\u3000the\u3000central\u3000hive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000where\u3000were\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000of\u3000Mars\u3000Division\uff1f
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000all\u3000these\u3000things\u3000on\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000when\u3000he\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000Wolff’s\u3000personal\u3000quarters\u3000that\u3000night\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000salute\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lieutenant\u3000mander\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\uff1b\u3000Robotech\u3000Expeditionary\u3000Force\uff1b\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000his\u3000shirt\u2026sleeves\u3000rolled\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Mars\u3000Division\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000glasses\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000laughed\u3000shortly\uff1a\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000you\u3000made\u3000it\u3000through\u3000after\u3000all\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000his\u3000forehead\uff1b\u3000somewhat\u3000stunned\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000rendezvoused\u3000with\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000survivors\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000got\u3000off\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bureau\u3002\u3000\u3003Lieutenant\u2026Bernard\uff1b\u3000you\u3000said\uff1f\u2026you’re\u3000the\u3000first\u3000I’ve\u3000seen\u3002\u3003\u3000When\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Scott\u3000agape\uff1b\u3000he\u3000laughed\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Wele\u3000to\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3002\u3000Care\u3000for\u3000a\u3000drink\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000declined\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000Wolff\u3000pour\u3000a\u3000tall\u3000one\u3000for\u3000himself\u3002\u3000The\u3000small\u3000room\u3000reeked\u3000of\u3000stale\u3000sweat\u3000and\u3000liquor\u3000and\u3000was\u3000littered\u3000with\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000half\u2026eaten\u3000meals\u3000and\u3000empty\u3000bottles\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Wolff’s\u3000hand\u3000shook\u3000as\u3000he\u3000downed\u3000the\u3000drink\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000not\u3000stand\u3000on\u3000ceremony\uff1b\u3000Bernard\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3000exuberantly\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000a\u3000seat\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000about\u3000your\u3000ill\u2026fated\u3000offensive\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000about\u3000mine\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000really\u3000here\u3000to\u3000socialize\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000see\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000couch\uff1b\u3000with\u3000mock\u3000seriousness\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000this\u3000about\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000man\u3000before\u3000replying\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000an\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000around\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000room\u3000before\u3000matters\u3000got\u3000worse\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000remember\u3000me\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1f\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000on\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Saturn\u3000group\uff1b\u3000an\u3000assistant\u3000to\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Lang\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff’s\u3000grin\u3000straightened\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000face\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000And\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000miles\u3000from\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000put\u3000the\u3000drink\u3000glass\u3000aside\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000We\u3000lost\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000few\u3000good\u3000men\u3000today\u3002\u3000And\u3000there’s\u3000damn\u3000few\u3000left\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sir\uff1b\u3000about\u3000this\u3000town\u3002\u3002\u3002The\u3000Wolff\u3000Pack\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000isn’t\u3000the\u3000Wolff\u3000Pack\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\uff01\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000barked\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Wolff\u3000Pack\u3000is\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000every\u3000last\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000got\u3000up\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000That\u3000the\u3000noble\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3000is\u3000but\u3000a\u3000ghost\u3000of\u3000his\u3000former\u3000self\u3000and\u3000that\u3000he\u3000can’t\u3000even\u3000control\u3000his\u3000troops\u3002\u3000But\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000full\u3000story\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000Not\u3000the\u3000half\u3000of\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000scowled\u3000and\u3000set\u3000the\u3000drink\u3000aside\u3000without\u3000tasting\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000men\u3000aren’t\u3000soldiers\u2026they’re\u3000rogues\u3000and\u3000thieves\u3000and\u3000Foragers\u3000and\u3000every\u3000other\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000riffraff\u3000this\u3000planet\u3000has\u3000spawned\u3000during\u3000the\u3000past\u3000fifteen\u3000years\u3002\u3000I\u3000do\u3000what\u3000I\u3000can\u3000with\u3000the\u3000few\u3000real\u3000soldiers\u3000I\u3000cross\u3000paths\u3000with\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000is\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000not\u3000Tirol\u3002\u3000And\u3000our\u3000enemy\u3000behaves\u3000differently\u3000here\u3002\u3002\u3002As\u3000we\u3000all\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000simply\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000be\u3000part\u3000of\u3000your\u3000team\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNow\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Wolff’s\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000stare\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000obviously\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000in\u3000for\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000fought\u3000my\u3000way\u3000through\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000miles\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000you\u3000mean\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff’s\u3000eyebrows\u3000went\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000\u3003Impressive\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000excitedly\uff1b\u3000\u3003if\u3000it’s\u3000good\u3000troops\u3000you’re\u3000looking\u3000for\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000cut\u3000him\u3000off\u3000firmly\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000how\u3000good\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3000If\u3000they’re\u3000not\u3000Robotech\u2026trained\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\uff1b\u3000sir\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That\u3000will\u3000be\u3000all\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000buttoned\u3000his\u3000lip\u3000and\u3000saluted\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000orders\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\u2026five\u2026hundred\u3000sharp\u3000at\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gate\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3000without\u3000turning\u3000around\u3002
\n
\n
\nFour\u3000Cyclone\u3000riders\u3000suited\u3000up\u3000in\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000left\u3000the\u3000basin\u3000base\u3000at\u3000sunrise\uff1b\u3000ascended\u3000the\u3000escarpment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000lush\u3000forests\u3000an\u3000hour’s\u3000ride\u3000east\u3002\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000Todd\uff1b\u3000Wilson\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000made\u3000no\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000his\u3000meeting\u3000with\u3000Wolff\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000or\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000as\u3000far\u3000as\u3000bunking\u3000with\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000room\u3000they\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000secure\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base’s\u3000barracks\u3000turned\u3000hotels\u3000and\u3000had\u3000crept\u3000out\u3000under\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000of\u3000darkness\u3000after\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000scrawled\u3000note\u3000of\u3000explanation\u3000on\u3000his\u3000bedroll\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000disforting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000without\u3000them\uff1b\u3000his\u3000surrogate\u3000family\u3000and\u3000personal\u3000\u3003wolf\u3000pack\u3002\u3003\u3000But\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000distancing\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000them\uff1b\u3000his\u3000new\u3000loyalties\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000with\u3000W \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n imself\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000distancing\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000them\uff1b\u3000his\u3000new\u3000loyalties\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000with\u3000Wolff\u3000and\u3000whatever\u3000missions\u3000lay\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000four\u3000men\u3000left\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000followed\u3000Wolff’s\u3000lead\u3000along\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000trail\u3000that\u3000coursed\u3000over\u3000low\u3000hills\u3000to\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000foliage\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000caught\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000a\u3000massive\u3000red\u3000hemisphere\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sort\u3002\u3000It\u3000troubled\u3000him\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000behind\u3000and\u3000were\u3000closing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Protoculture\u3000farm\u3000armed\u3000only\u3000with\u3000hand\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000Wolff’s\u3000explanation\u3000made\u3000sense\u2026that\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000near\u3000the\u3000place\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\u2026fueled\u3000mocha\u2026but\u3000even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000that\u3000simple\u3000H\u202690’s\u3000could\u3000effect\u3000much\u3000damage\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000only\u3000when\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3000that\u3000Wolff\u3000made\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000clear\uff1a\u3000It\u3000was\u3000imperative\u3000that\u3000they\u3000make\u3000off\u3000with\u3000enough\u3000Protoculture\u3000to\u3000fuel\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000rescue\u3000operation\u3000Wolff\u3000was\u3000planning\u3002\u3000Each\u3000previous\u3000mission\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000this\u3000goal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000today’s\u3000could\u3000plete\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3000team’s\u3000requirements\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000four\u3000of\u3000them\u3000simply\u3000had\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000themselves\u3000from\u3000being\u3000fried\u3000by\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000farm\u3000now\u3000and\u3000understood\u3000why\u3000Wolff\u3000hadn’t\u3000attempted\u3000to\u3000describe\u3000the\u3000place\u3000earlier\u2026it\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3000to\u3000be\u3000believed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000hemisphere\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000more\u3000than\u3000three\u3000hundred\u3000feet\u3000high\u3000and\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000in\u3000circumference\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000blood\u2026red\uff1b\u3000organic\u2026looking\u3000geodesic\u3000dome\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000from\u3000within\u3000by\u3000a\u3000pulsing\u3000light\u3002\u3000And\u3000from\u3000its\u3000techno\u2026system\u3000base\u3000extended\u3000ten\u3000tentaclelike\u3000projections\uff1b\u3000each\u3000a\u3000good\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000around\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000imagined\u3000that\u3000it\u3000must\u3000have\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000jellyfish\u3000creature\u3000from\u3000above\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000whispered\u3000a\u3000warning\u3000to\u3000his\u3000men\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000be\u3000fooled\u3000just\u3000because\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000around\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000the\u3000faceshield\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000helmet\u3000raised\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000that\u3000the\u3000man\u3000was\u3000cool\u3000and\u3000alert\uff1b\u3000not\u3000the\u3000boozing\uff1b\u3000self\u2026pitying\u3000Wolff\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000night\u3000before\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Wolff\u3000who\u3000had\u3000led\u3000the\u3000Pack\u3000up\u3000the\u3000glory\u3000road\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000are\u3000two\u3000entry\u3000points\u3000above\u3000the\u3000foundation\u3002\u3000The\u3000Protoculture\u3000is\u3000stored\u3000just\u3000inside\u3000these\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\uff1b\u3000gesturing\u3000to\u3000two\u3000arched\u3000portals\u3000in\u3000the\u3000membranous\u3000portion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hemisphere\u3000wall\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000Todd\u3000and\u3000Wilson\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000south\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003Bernard\u3000and\u3000I\u3000will\u3000take\u3000the\u3000other\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000men\u3000nodded\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000overburden\u3000yourselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000take\u3000what\u3000you\u3000can\u3000carry\u3000without\u3000weighing\u3000yourselves\u3000down\u3002\u3000Remember\uff1b\u3000you\u3000might\u3000need\u3000a\u3000free\u3000hand\u3000for\u3000those\u3000blasters\u3002\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000grinned\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000it\u3000won’t\u3000e\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWilson\u3000and\u3000Todd\u3000moved\u3000off\uff1b\u3000using\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tentacles\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000waved\u3000Scott\u3000forward\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002
\n
\nHalfway\u3000along\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000segmented\u3000tentacles\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000huddling\u3000down\u3000with\u3000their\u3000backs\u3000against\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Wilson\u3000and\u3000Todd\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000south\u3000portal\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000something\u3000unexpected\u3000occurred\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Wilson\u3000was\u3000stepping\u3000through\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wolff\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000heard\u3000Todd\u3000shout\u3000over\u3000the\u3000suit’s\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000force\u3000field\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Wolff\u3000turned\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000moment\uff1a\u3000Wilson\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000suspended\u3000in\u3000the\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000up\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000his\u3000body\u3000shaking\u3000as\u3000energy\u3000coursed\u3000through\u3000his\u3000suit\u3002\u3000The\u3000ground\u3000was\u3000rumbling\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000and\u3000before\u3000they\u3000could\u3000take\u3000a\u3000step\u3000toward\u3000their\u3000two\u3000rades\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000Trooper\u3000erupted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000not\u3000twenty\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shock\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000charge\u3000that\u3000held\u3000Wilson\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000guessed\uff1b\u3000because\u3000now\u3000both\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Todd\u3000were\u3000heading\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000at\u3000a\u3000run\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000a\u3000pincer\u3000swipe\u3000along\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Wolff\u3000adopted\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000tactic\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000find\u3000their\u3000route\u3000back\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000a\u3000second\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trooper\u3000emerged\u3000with\u3000enough\u3000force\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000Scott\u3000off\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000third\u3000Trooper\u3000had\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000Wilson\u3000and\u3000Todd’s\u3000retreat\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000were\u3000depleting\u3000their\u3000blaster\u3000charges\u3000against\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000was\u3000shouting\u3000for\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000get\u3000up\uff1b\u3000all\u3000the\u3000while\u3000pouring\u3000energy\u3000from\u3000his\u3000handgun\u3000into\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alien\u3002\u3000Peripherally\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000white\u3000light\u3000and\u3000experienced\u3000a\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000searing\u3000heat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Wilson\u3000and\u3000Todd\u3000disintegrate\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\uff1b\u3000their\u3000depth\u3000screams\u3000a\u3000piercing\u3000sound\u3000track\u3000through\u3000the\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nWolff\uff1b\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000chase\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000looming\u3000over\u3000them\u3000only\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000before\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000couldn’t\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000how\u3000he\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000off\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000stop\u3000to\u3000question\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Wolff’s\u3000mands\u3000to\u3000run\u3000for\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002\u3000The\u3000tree\u3000line\u3000was\u3000only\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mad\u3000dash\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIFTEEN
\n
\nThe\u3000incident\u3000with\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3000dealt\u3000a\u3000severe\u3000blow\u3000to\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000because\u3000the\u3000episode\u3000touched\u3000them\u3000more\u3000deeply\u3000than\u3000they\u3000thought\u3000possible\u2026they\u3000were\u3000not\u3000as\u3000inured\u3000as\u3000they\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000think\u2026but\u3000primarily\u3000because\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000the\u3000burden\u3000of\u3000responsibility\u3000entirely\u3000onto\u3000their\u3000shoulders\uff1a\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000resistance\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000their\u3000own\u3000meager\u3000efforts\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000would\u3000get\u3000over\u3000Wolff’s\u3000treachery\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000they\u3000not\uff1b\u3000once\u3000confronted\u3000with\u3000the\u3000disillusionments\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000ahead\uff1f
\nZeus\u3000Bellow\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point
\n
\nThe\u3000note\u3000Scott\u3000left\u3000for\u3000the\u3000team\u3000only\u3000made\u3000matters\u3000worse\u3002\u3000It\u3000read\uff1a\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000anyone\u3000worry\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000where\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000or\u3000what\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3000around\u3000sunset\u3002\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000secrecy\u3000that\u3000troubled\u3000Rand\u3000most\u3002\u3000If\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000disappeared\u3000for\u3000the\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000might\u3000not\u3000have\u3000given\u3000his\u3000absence\u3000a\u3000second\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000return\u3000with\u3000Colonel\u3000Wolff\u3000that\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000take\u3000matters\u3000into\u3000their\u3000own\u3000hands\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000with\u3000the\u3000formalities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000mand\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3000insulated\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000rabble\uff1b\u3000they\u3000simply\u3000made\u3000their\u3000own\u3000way\u3000to\u3000his\u3000room\u3000and\u3000burst\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000man\u3000uninvited\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Where’s\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000Colonel\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000breath\u3000from\u3000his\u3000run\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000turned\u3000puffy\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000seated\u3000at\u3000a\u3000table\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fetid\u3000room\uff1b\u3000a\u3000half\u2026empty\u3000bottle\u3000of\u3000vodka\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000moved\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000thrown\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000regarding\u3000them\u3000tiredly\uff1b\u3000with\u3000little\u3000concern\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000who\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000refilling\u3000his\u3000glass\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Bernard\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000know\u3000he\u3000was\u3000with\u3000you\u3000this\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hasn’t\u3000returned\u3000since\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000made\u3000a\u3000dejected\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000put\u3000down\u3000his\u3000glass\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000them\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003Bernard\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nTight\u2026lipped\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000gaze\u3000from\u3000them\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000gasped\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000say\u3000for\u3000sure\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000surprised\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000confusion\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000if\u3000he\u3000made\u3000it\u3000out\u3000or\u3000not\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000were\u3000overmatched\u3002\u3000What\u3000more\u3000can\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nStruggling\u3000with\u3000the\u3000possible\u3000truth\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000But\u3000a\u3000suspicious\u3000look\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000surface\u3000on\u3000Rook’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000whole\u3000lot\u3000more\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000did\u3000you\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000Colonel\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000luckier\u3000than\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000it\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000snorted\u3002\u3000\u3003From\u3000what\u3000I\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000it\u3000always\u3000is\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000insinuating\uff1f\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000seethed\uff1b\u3000flashing\u3000her\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000look\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000gestured\u3000Rook\u3000to\u3000back\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000two\u3000steps\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000table\u3000and\u3000slammed\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000where\u3000you\u3000were\u3000attacked\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff’s\u3000hand\u3000went\u3000out\u3000to\u3000steady\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000go\u3000out\u3000there\u3000and\u3000find\u3000him\uff1b\u3000forget\u3000it\u3002\u3000You\u3000won’t\u3000make\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000showed\u3000his\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000then\u3000relaxed\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000Alpha\u3000fighter\u3000hidden\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000If\u3000there’s\u3000even\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000Scott’s\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000you\u3000better\u3000believe\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000out\u3000there\u3000to\u3000find\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000Wolff\u3000around\u3000somewhat\u3002\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000bottle\u3000but\u3000set\u3000it\u3000down\u3000without\u3000pouring\u3002\u3000\u3003Even\u3000a\u3000fighter\u3000might\u3000not\u3000be\u3000enough\u3002\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000gave\u3000Rand\u3000an\u3000appraising\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000me\u3000that\u3000you’d\u3000seen\u3000action\u3000together\u3002\u3000But\u3000we’re\u3000up\u3000against\u3000a\u3000hive\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000Scout\u3000patrol\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000still\u3000worth\u3000a\u3000try\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000said\uff1a\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000lead\u3000you\u3000out\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Great\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000stood\u3000up\u3000and\u3000went\u3000for\u3000his\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000leave\u3000immediately\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000swung\u3000around\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000the\u3000others\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000up\u3000to\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000get\u3000Scott\u3000back\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWith\u3000that\u3000he\u3000rushed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000a\u3000few\u3000paces\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000stood\u3000dumbfounded\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000doorway\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000am\u3000I\u2026your\u3000personal\u3000messenger\u3000or\u3000something\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000turn\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000shouted\u3000again\uff1b\u3000fuming\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000showed\u3000Wolff\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000was\u3000hidden\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000colonel\u3000insisted\u3000they\u3000recon\u3000the\u3000area\u3000on\u3000Cyclones\u3000before\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3000into\u3000play\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000insisted\uff1b\u3000would\u3000stir\u3000up\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000hive\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000too\u3000precious\u3000a\u3000modity\u3000to\u3000risk\uff1b\u3000even\u3000for\u3000the\u3000life\u3000of\u3000a\u3000valued\u3000friend\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000logic\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000disturbing\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000after\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000led\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hive\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000place\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fortress\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000exclaimed\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000low\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000regarded\u3000him\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000glasses\uff1b\u3000obviously\u3000pleased\u3000by\u3000Rand’s\u3000shocked\u3000reaction\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3000now\uff1b\u3000suited\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000hand\u3000blasters\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000one\u3000of\u3000many\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000these\u3000things\u3000that\u3000runs\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000swallowed\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000discouraged\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000around\u3000here\u3000that\u3000you\u3000last\u3000saw\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000l \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000swallowed\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000discouraged\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000around\u3000here\u3000that\u3000you\u3000last\u3000saw\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000helmet’s\u3000faceshield\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000search\u3000the\u3000perimeter\u3000first\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000motioned\u3000Rand\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3002\u3000\u3003Stick\u3000to\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000meet\u3000you\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3002\u3000I\u3000only\u3000hope\u3000there’s\u3000something\u3000left\u3000of\u3000Bernard\u3000to\u3000find\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000register\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000move\u3000off\u3000when\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tremble\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000blaster\u3000and\u3000pivoted\u3000through\u3000a\u3000360\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000egress\u3000point\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000blaster\u3000unholstered\u3000and\u3000aimed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000general\u3000direction\u3000as\u3000Wolff\u3000’s\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Trooper\u3000showed\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000up\u3000through\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000underbrush\u3000just\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000hit\u3000it\u3000full\u3000power\uff1b\u3000but\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000successful\u3000at\u3000directing\u3000a\u3000charge\u3000to\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creature’s\u3000vulnerable\u3000points\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trooper\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000sense\u3000their\u3000helplessness\u3000and\u3000opted\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000them\u3000with\u3000its\u3000claw\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000cannon\u3000fire\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000pincers\u3000raised\u3000for\u3000a\u3000downward\u3000strike\uff1b\u3000when\u3000someone\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000stunned\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Scorpion\u3000delivered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000head\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000turned\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Rook’s\u3000red\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000rearwheel\u3000landing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000She\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000around\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000externals\u3000for\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000on\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000you\u3000weren’t\u3000leaving\u3000me\u3000behind\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000as\u3000he\u3000raced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000lucky\u3000thing\u3000for\u3000you\u3000two\u3000that\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000follow\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000Rand\u3000straddled\u3000the\u3000Cyclone’s\u3000rear\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Wolff\u3000wasn’t\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000he\u3000glimpsed\u3000Wolff\u3000waving\u3000Rook\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000going\uff01\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000make\u3000it\u3000back\u3000to\u3000my\u3000mecha\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000wasn’t\u3000about\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000around\u3000and\u3000argue\u3002\u3000She\u3000toed\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000into\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000sped\u3000off\u3000almost\u3000before\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000secured\u3000an\u3000adequate\u3000handhold\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000Meanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stunned\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000life\u3000and\u3000was\u3000spewing\u3000a\u3000horizontal\u3000hail\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trooper\u3000pursued\u3000them\uff1b\u3000its\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3000blazing\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000through\u3000a\u3000series\u3000of\u3000twists\u3000and\u3000turns\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000explosions\uff1b\u3000plumes\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000dirt\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000when\u3000the\u3000carapaced\u3000head\u3000of\u3000a\u3000second\u3000Invid\u3000appeared\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000itself\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000forest\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000an\u3000unearthly\u3000land\u3000crab\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000launch\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000over\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000before\u3000it\u3000pleted\u3000its\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000got\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000pincers\u3000free\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000was\u3000directly\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000jolt\u3000as\u3000the\u3000alien’s\u3000claw\u3000impacted\u3000the\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000butt\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000dazed\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000similarly\u3000postured\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000nowhere\u3000in\u3000sight\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000the\u3000helmet\u3000faceshield\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000gotta\u3000find\u3000the\u3000Cyc\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000shouted\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000\u3003Split\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000got\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000the\u3000okay\u3000sign\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000brush\u3002
\n
\n
\nSplitting\u3000up\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000fifteen\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3002\u3000The\u3000woods\u3000were\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000impenetrable\u3000in\u3000places\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000started\u3000working\u3000circles\u3000to\u3000fix\u3000his\u3000location\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000soon\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000center\u2026along\u3000with\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000Cyclone\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hive\u3000clearing\u3000again\uff1b\u3000removing\u3000his\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000movement\u3000close\u3000by\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000glimpsed\u3000Colonel\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000something\u3000made\u3000him\u3000pull\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000concealment\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000holstered\u3000his\u3000blaster\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000though\u3000he\u3000were\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000delivery\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\u3002\u3000A\u3000Human\u2026size\u3000figure\u3000was\u3000walking\u3000toward\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000too\u3000far\u3000off\u3000for\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000good\u3000look\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000when\u3000it\u3000finally\u3000approached\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000make\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000had\u3000his\u3000H\u202690\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000now\uff1a\u3000It\u3000was\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000it\u3000had\u3000first\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000eight\u3000feet\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000bipedal\u3000and\u3000suited\u3000up\u3000in\u3000bulky\u3000dark\u2026colored\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3002\u3000The\u3000creature’s\u3000head\u2026if\u3000that\u3000was\u3000indeed\u3000its\u3000head\u3000and\u3000not\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000helmet\u2026reminded\u3000Rand\u3000of\u3000a\u3000snail’s\u3000foot\u3002\u3000He\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000It\u3000certainly\u3000matched\u3000Scott’s\u3000description\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3000e\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aliens’\u3000ships\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000themselves\u3000that\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000idea\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000soldier\u3000hand\u3000Wolff\u3000a\u3000carry\u3000pack\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000canisters\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000them\u3000both\u2026alien\u3000and\u3000traitor\u2026but\u3000knew\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rage\u3000spread\u3000through\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000Wolff\u3000to\u3000know\u3000who\u3000was\u3000taking\u3000him\u3000out\u3000when\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000came\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000and\u3000silently\u3000began\u3000to\u3000work\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000conspirators\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000outcropping\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000behind\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000made\u3000his\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000this\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000walked\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hive\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000return\u3000to\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000surprised\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000the\u3000hero’s\u3000a\u3000traitor\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000from\u3000the\u3000outcropping\uff1b\u3000his\u3000blaster\u3000aimed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000had\u3000been\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000raise\u3000his\u3000own\u3000weapon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rand\u3000went\u3000on\uff1b\u3000undaunted\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000wonder\u3000the\u3000city’s\u3000full\u3000of\u3000laughing\u3000soldiers\u2026it’s\u3000so\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000secure\u3000now\u3000that\u3000you’ve\u3000arrived\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000risked\u3000a\u3000leap\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000face\u3000to\u3000face\u3000with\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000yet\u3000to\u3000say\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Robotech\u3000hero’s\u3000made\u3000a\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff01\u3000For\u3000a\u3000few\u3000measly\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Jonathan\u3000Wolff\u3000leads\u3000his\u3000own\u3000soldiers\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000doorstep\u3002\u3000Isn’t\u3000that\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000fired\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000low\u2026charge\u3000blast\u3000caught\u3000Rand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000right\u3000forearm\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000from\u3000his\u3000grip\u3000and\u3000sending\u3000a\u3000jolt\u3000of\u3000searing\u3000heat\u3000to\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000down\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000as\u3000much\u3000from\u3000surprise\u3000as\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Wolff\u3000in\u3000disbelief\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Go\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000finish\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000be\u3000Invid\u3000bait\u3000anyway\u3002\u3002\u3002Just\u3000like\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3002\u3002It’s\u3000how\u3000you\u3000always\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000return\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\u3000and\u3000well\u3000stocked\u3000with\u3000’Culture\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000put\u3000the\u3000short\u3000muzzle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3000to\u3000Rand’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Easy\uff1b\u3000boy\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000warned\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000uncontrollably\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000his\u3000best\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000contain\u3000his\u3000fear\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000do\u3000it\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000Wolff\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\u3000idolized\u3000you\u3002\u3002\u3002He\u3000told\u3000me\u3000you’d\u3000saved\u3000his\u3000life\u3000once\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000you\u3000know\u3000about\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000side\u3000of\u3000heroism\uff1b\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3000flatly\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000blaster’s\u3000priming\u3000charge\u3000grounding\u3000on\u3000his\u3000skull\u3002\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000know\u3000just\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000before\u2026everyone\u3000out\u3000to\u3000save\u3000their\u3000own\u3000necks\uff1b\u3000trading\u3000lives\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000why\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Wolff\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000retracted\u3000the\u3000blaster\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000they\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000beaten\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000it’s\u3000better\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000few\u3000safe\u3000towns\u3000than\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000planet\u3000of\u3000slaves\u3002\u3002\u3002And\u3000because\u3002\u3002\u3002because\u3000of\u3000things\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000kid\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000scowled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000better\u3000kill\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Wolff\uff1b\u3000because\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000stopped\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000and\u3000holstered\u3000his\u3000sidearm\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000town\u3002\u3000See\u3000if\u3000they\u3000believe\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000hurried\u3000off\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000unfastened\u3000the\u3000scorched\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000from\u3000his\u3000forearm\u3000while\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000Wolff\u3000leave\u3002\u3000Relieved\u3000that\u3000his\u3000burns\u3000weren’t\u3000as\u3000serious\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000feared\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000grass\u3000and\u3000brush\u3000for\u3000his\u3000blaster\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Wolff\u3000before\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3002
\n
\nGo\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000recalled\u3000Wolff\u3000telling\u3000him\u3002\u3000See\u3000if\u3000they\u3000believe\u3000you\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Rook’s\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000draped\u3000over\u3000Rook’s\u3000shoulders\u3000for\u3000support\u3002\u3000His\u3000battle\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000blackened\u3000in\u3000places\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000otherwise\u3000intact\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000believe\u3000my\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000extending\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000really\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Barely\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000returned\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000found\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000laughed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000I\u3000miss\u3000it\u3000already\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000disengaged\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000about\u3000a\u3000prehistoric\u2026looking\u3000creature\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000while\u3000in\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000spied\u3000Wolff\u3000several\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000a\u3000shaky\u3000step\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3000and\u3000said\u3000to\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000Colonel\u3000Wolff\uff1f\u3000He\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000put\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000out\u3000to\u3000restrain\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000him\u3000go\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000puzzled\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000got\u3000something\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002Wolff\u3002\u3002\u3002Wolff’s\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000got\u3000an\u3000arrangement\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\u2026he’s\u3000been\u3000trading\u3000soldiers’\u3000lives\u3000for\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott’s\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000flashing\u3002
\n
\n\u3003He’s\u3000a\u3000traitor\uff01\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000with\u3000my\u3000own\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000And\u3000an\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000ship\u3000but\u2026\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000the\u3000punch\u3000ing\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000facedown\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000remember\u3000feeling\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000lying\uff1b\u3000you\u3000little\u3000coward\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000rolled\u3000over\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000numbness\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000across\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000confronted\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000deny\u3000it\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000telling\u3000you\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000both\u3000led\u3000out\u3000here\u3000to\u3000be\u3000killed\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000roared\u3000something\u3000and\u3000launched\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rook\u3000stepped\u3000in\u3000his\u3000way\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000weakened\u3000state\u3000he\u3000was\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000was\u3000easily\u3000held\u3000back\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000the\u3000curses\u3000he\u3000was\u3000hurling\u3000Rand’s\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000at\u3000once\u3000a\u3000fiery\u3000explosion\u3000effectively\u3000erased\u3000all\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000struggle\uff1b\u3000the\u3000concussive\u3000force\u3000of\u3000it\u3000flattening\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000on\u3000either\u3000side\u3000of\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000the\u3000three\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Trooper\u3000after\u3000Trooper\u3000issuing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000around\u3000them\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000globes\u3000of\u3000incipient\u3000fire\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000were\u3000zipping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000area\uff1b\u3000pulverizing\u3000rocks\u3000and\u3000roots\u3000and\u3000whatever\u3000else\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000their\u3000path\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000were\u3000zipping\u3000into\u3000the\u3000area\uff1b\u3000pulverizing\u3000rocks\u3000and\u3000roots\u3000and\u3000whatever\u3000else\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000their\u3000path\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000helped\u3000Scott\u3000make\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000outcropping\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Rook\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000cover\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000blaster\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Cyclones\u2026where\u3000are\u3000they\uff1f\uff01\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000indicated\u3000a\u3000direction\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I\u3000can\u3000slow\u3000these\u3000things\u3000down\u3000some\u3002\u3000Swing\u3000back\u3000around\u3000and\u3000pick\u3000me\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000signaled\u3000their\u3000assent\u3000and\u3000rushed\u3000off\uff1b\u3000crouching\u3000as\u3000they\u3000ran\u3002
\n
\nJonathan\u3000Wolff\u3000watched\u3000them\u3000from\u3000another\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000Bernard\u3000had\u3000lived\u3000and\u3000was\u3000strangely\u3000relieved\u3002\u3000Nevertheless\uff1b\u3000his\u3000escape\u3000had\u3000been\u3000but\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000stay\u3000of\u3000execution\uff1b\u3000for\u3000there\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000six\u3000Troopers\u3000going\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000three\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000remaining\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000buy\u3000time\u3000for\u3000her\u3000rades\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000if\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000were\u3000fortunate\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000to\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000just\u3000be\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000time\u3002
\n
\nUnless\u3000someone\u3000came\u3000to\u3000their\u3000aid\u3000with\u3000the\u3000appropriate\u3000firepower\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000Alpha\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000for\u3000instance\uff1b\u3000Wolff\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000got\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000first\u3000and\u3000doubled\u3000back\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000convey\u3000her\u3000to\u3000the\u3000waiting\u3000red\u3002\u3000Afterward\u3000he\u3000launched\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000neatly\u3000disposing\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thing’s\u3000sensor\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000were\u3000similarly\u3000reconfigured\u3000now\u3000and\u3000going\u3000after\u3000a\u3000second\u3000alien\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000dazzled\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000with\u3000in\u2026close\u3000fancy\u3000flying\uff1b\u3000then\u3000boostered\u3000up\u3000and\u3000away\u3000from\u3000its\u3000pincer\u3000swipes\u3000to\u3000loose\u3000a\u3000Scorpion\uff1b\u3000which\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000blocked\u3000with\u3000its\u3000claw\u3000armor\u3002\u3000In\u3000return\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000pilot\u3000loosed\u3000a\u3000volley\u3000of\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000against\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\u3000had\u3000overlooked\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000she\u3000launched\u3000straight\u3000to\u3000its\u3000vulnerable\u3000scanner\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000blown\u3000to\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000teammates\u3000regrouped\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000woods\u3000around\u3000them\u3000were\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000surrounded\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000point\u3000out\uff1b\u3000his\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000what\u3000do\u3000we\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000we\u3000always\u3000do\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000\u3003Fight\u3000our\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000look\u3000alive\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000launched\u3000first\uff1b\u3000but\u3000critically\u3000misjudged\u3000his\u3000trajectory\u3000and\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000snagged\u3000by\u3000a\u3000Trooper’s\u3000claw\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000desperate\u3000cry\u3000through\u3000the\u3000net\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000about\u3000how\u3000to\u3000free\u3000his\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bolt\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000took\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000pincer\u3000off\u3000at\u3000the\u3000elbow\u3002\u3000An\u3000instant\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000streak\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000confused\u3000until\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Rand\u3000yell\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wolff\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000gotta\u3000be\u3000him\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000had\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Missiles\u3000tore\u3000from\u3000undercarriage\u3000launch\u3000tubes\uff1b\u3000detonating\u3000like\u3000geysers\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000around\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000storm\u3000and\u3000struck\u3000back\u3002\u3000Wolff\u3000rolled\u3000and\u3000tumbled\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000through\u3000a\u3000steady\u3000stream\u3000of\u3000discs\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000in\u3000to\u3000knock\u3000the\u3000troublemaker\u3000off\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002\u3000He\u3000then\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000came\u3000back\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rifle\/cannon\u3000discharging\u3000white\u3000death\u3000from\u3000its\u3000high\u2026port\u3000position\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000two\u3000Pincer\u3000ships\u3000in\u3000the\u3000skies\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Wolff\u3000propelled\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000up\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000arrived\u3000in\u3000the\u3000arena\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000disintegrated\u3000by\u3000a\u3000flock\u3000of\u3000heat\u2026seekers\u3000Wolff\u3000launched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000shoulder\u3000racks\u3002
\n
\nOn\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000traitor\u3000wouldn’t\u3000handle\u3000an\u3000Alpha\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000had\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000and\u3000were\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000arid\u3000heights\u3000west\u3000of\u3000the\u3000base\u3000escarpment\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000came\u3000on\u3000the\u3000net\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000give\u3000you\u3000a\u3000few\u3000pointers\uff1b\u3000flyboy\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Be\u3000my\u3000guest\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000enthused\u3002
\n
\nWolff\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000VT\u3000in\u3000Battloid\u3000configuration\u3000to\u3000take\u3000out\u3000the\u3000second\u3000Pincer\u3000ship\u3000before\u3000moving\u3000against\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000He\u3000literally\u3000stomped\u3000one\u3000of\u3000these\u3000senseless\u3000by\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000down\u3000full\u3000force\u3000on\u3000the\u3000alien’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000acrobatic\u3000act\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000costing\u3000him\u3000a\u3000precious\u3000few\u3000seconds\uff1a\u3000Wolff\u3000pivoted\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000in\u3000time\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000final\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000succeeded\u3000in\u3000holing\u3000the\u3000techno\u2026knight\u3000with\u3000an\u3000energy\u3000bolt\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000clear\u3000through\u3000it\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flaming\u3000spear\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000crippled\u3000Battloid\u3000go\u3000down\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000then\u3000reconfigure\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000seemingly\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000accord\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Colonel\u3000Wolff\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000running\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000canopy\u3000went\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Wolff\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000clamber\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000side\u3000wound\u3002\u3000He\u3000lowered\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000collapsing\u3000into\u3000Scott’s\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Gently\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000laid\u3000Wolff\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000his\u3000own\u3000hands\u3000now\u3000awash\u3000in\u3000the\u3000colonel’s\u3000blood\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000bleeding\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Wolff\u3000hurriedly\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000you\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000base\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000and\u3000removed\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000\u3003Too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000Bernard\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000weakly\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000closed\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000yourselves\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000on\u3000the\u3000double\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000you\u3000die\u3000like\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000objected\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000ing\u3000back\u3000with\u3000us\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWolff\u3000forced\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000open\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000hard\u3000into\u3000Scott’s\u3000own\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000traitor\uff1b\u3000mander\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Colonel\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000a\u3000traitor\u3000should\u3000be\u3000left\u3000to\u3000die\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000shivered\u3000from\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000that\u3000began\u3000deep\u3000down\u3000in\u3000his\u3000guts\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000think\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lives\u3000I\u3000traded\u3000to\u3000save\u3000my\u3000own\u3000skin\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000screamed\u3000as\u3000something\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000e\u3000loose\u3000inside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000blanch\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000man’s\u3000grip\u3000tighten\u3000on\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Colonel\uff1b\u3000hang\u3000on\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Catherine\u3002\u3002\u3002Johnny\u3002\u3002\u3002Minmei\uff01\u3003\u3000Wolff\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000died\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000shut\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000man’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000saluted\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000bounding\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000in\u3000the\u3000van\u3002\u3000Alongside\u3000them\u3000rode\u3000Lancer\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Cyclone\u3000he\u3000had\u3000probably\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3000blankly\uff1b\u3000drained\u3000of\u3000emotion\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000wondered\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000same\u3000confusion\u3000he\u3000did\u3002\u3000Gazing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Wolff’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000smoldering\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000half\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000Invid\u3000ships\uff1b\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000himself\u3000how\u3000this\u3000war\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000be\u3000won\u3002
\n
\nOr\u3000if\u3000indeed\u3000a\u3000war\u3000like\u3000this\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000have\u3000winners\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000the\u3000long\u3000road\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\u2026his\u3000team\uff1b\u3000his\u3000family\u3002\u3000Would\u3000it\u3000be\u3000as\u3000bloodstained\u3000a\u3000journey\u3000as\u3000these\u3000past\u3000few\u3000months\uff1f\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000reflexively\u3000reaching\u3000for\u3000the\u3000holo\u2026locket\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002
\n
\nTo\u3000go\u3000through\u3000all\u3000this\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000never\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000win\u3000back\u3000your\u3000life\uff01
\n
\n
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Robotech\uff1a\u3000Invid\u3000Inva<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[12],"class_list":["post-23924","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-12","comments-off"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23924","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=23924"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23924\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=23924"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=23924"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=23924"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}