{"id":38476,"date":"2025-08-30T20:51:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T12:51:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/209.50.255.244\/?p=38476"},"modified":"2025-08-30T20:51:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-30T12:51:23","slug":"11_metamorphosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=38476","title":{"rendered":"11_metamorphosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\nRobotech\uff1a\u3000Metamorphosis
\nBook\u300011\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Series
\nCopyright\u30001987\u3000by\u3000Jack\u3000McKinney
\n
\narranged\u3000by\u3000dayuan\u3000\uff07\u3000robotech\u3000zone\u3000\uff07
\n
\n
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\nCHAPTER\u3000ONE
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\nHow\u3000could\u3000so\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000principals\u3000in\u3000this\u3000vast\u3000struggle\u3000be\u3000so\u3000blind\u3000to\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000that\u3000one\u3000planet\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\uff1f\u3000That\u3000is\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000never\u3000know\u3002
\nOn\u3000blighted\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000arguably\u3000the\u3000most\u3000warlike\u3000planet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Universe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000root\u3000like\u3000nowhere\u3000else\u3000before\u2026except\u3000for\u3000Optera\u3000\uff08which\u3000may\u3000or\u3000may\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000its\u3000world\u3000of\u3000origin\uff09\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000so\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000set\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000for\u3000Act\u3000Ill\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3002
\nAnd\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000inventively\u3000oblivious\uff1b\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000Human\u3000alike\u3000attributed\u3000that\u3000to\u3000the\u3000vagaries\u3000of\u3000a\u3000plant\u3002
\nZeus\u3000Bellow\uff1b\u3000The\u3000Road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point
\n
\nNever\u3000has\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000wrought\u3000more\u3000strangely\uff01\u3000it\u3000occurred\u3000yet\u3000again\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000empress\/\u3000mother\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000species\u3002\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000your\u3000fate\u3000is\u3000wedded\u3000to\u3000ours\u3000now\uff01
\n
\nHow\u3000strange\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000poised\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stupendous\u3000mega\u2026hive\u3000know\u3000as\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000Or\uff1b\u3000more\u3000aptly\uff1b\u3000how\u3000well\u3000he\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000by\u3000sending\u3000his\u3000dimensional\u3000fortress\u3000to\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000so\u3000long\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000worlds\u3000that\u3000circled\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000what\u3000had\u3000made\u3000him\u3000pick\u3000this\u3000one\uff1f\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000Zor\u3000made\u3000her\u3000seethe\u3000with\u3000a\u3000passion\u3000that\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000austere\u3000hatred\u3002
\n
\nDid\u3000he\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000prove\u3000so\u3000fantastically\u3000fertile\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1b\u3000a\u3000garden\u3000second\u3000only\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000race’s\u3000native\u3000Optera\u3000in\u3000its\u3000receptivity\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Flowers\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000true\u3000that\u3000Protoculture\u3000could\u3000bestow\u3000powers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000so\uff1b\u3000what\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000Zor’s\u3000attention\u3000across\u3000the\u3000endless\u2026light\u3000years\u3000to\u3000the\u3000insignificant\u3000blue\u2026white\u3000globe\uff1f
\n
\nBut\u3000Zor’s\u3000decision\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000now\u3002\u3000All\u3000that\u3000was\u3000important\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000finally\u3000found\u3000a\u3000world\u3000where\u3000the\u3000all\u2026important\u3000Flower\u3000thrived\u3002\u3000At\u3000long\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000conquered\u3000their\u3000New\u3000Optera\u3002
\n
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000indigenous\u3000species\u2026the\u3000Human\u3000race\u2026but\u3000they\u3000did\u3000not\u3000present\u3000any\u3000problem\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000onslaught\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000left\u3000Human\u3000civilization\u3000in\u3000ruins\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000used\u3000many\u3000of\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000to\u3000farm\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000few\u3000Humans\u3000cowered\u3000in\u3000and\u3000around\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000their\u3000cities\u3000or\u3000prowled\u3000the\u3000wastelands\uff1b\u3000preying\u3000on\u3000one\u3000another\u3000and\u3000dreading\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000job\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000use\u3000in\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3000survive\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\u3000longer\u3000was\u3000to\u3000use\u3000them\u3000to\u3000further\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000master\u3000plan\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000would\u3000be\u3000sent\u3000into\u3000oblivion\u3000forever\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000room\u3000for\u3000them\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000And\u3000from\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race’s\u3000history\uff1b\u3000their\u3000absence\u3000would\u3000improve\u3000the\u3000universe\u3000as\u3000a\u3000whole\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000done\u3002\u3000After\u3000all\uff1b\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000real\u3000enemies\u3000were\u3000dead\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3000to\u3000oppose\u3000the\u3000might\u3000of\u3000the\u3000undefeated\u3000and\u3000remorseless\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Alpha\u3000Fighter\u3000bucked\u3000but\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000clean\u3000line\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000its\u3000drives\u3000flaring\u3000blue\u3002\u3000Wickedly\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000heavily\u3000armed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hugging\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000it\u3000arrowed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000snowcapped\u3000mountains\u3002
\n
\nLieutenant\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000eased\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000HOTAS\u2026the\u3000Hands\u2026on\u2026Throttle\u2026and\u2026Stick\u3000controls\u3002\u3000With\u3000so\u3000much\u3000power\u3000at\u3000his\u3000disposal\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000tempting\u3000to\u3000go\u3000for\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000to\u3000exercise\u3000the\u3000mand\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000fighter’s\u3000birthright\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000own\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000reason\u3000not\u3000to\u3000speed\u3000on\u3000ahead\u3000was\u3000that\u3000there\u3000were\u3000others\u3000below\uff1b\u3000following\u3000along\u3000in\u3000surface\u3000vehicles\u2026his\u3000team\u3000members\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000take\u3000them\u3000days\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000weeks\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000mountain\u3000terrain\u3000he\u3000could\u3000cross\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000minutes\u3002\u3000And\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\u3000leave\u3000them\u3000too\u3000far\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3000was\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000main\u3000edge\u3000against\u3000Invid\u3000hunter\/killer\u3000patrols\u3002\u3000The\u3000Alpha\u3000slowed\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000at\u3000near\u2026stalling\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000its\u3000thrusters\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000aloft\u3002
\n
\nAnother\u3000reason\u3000not\u3000to\u3000give\u3000in\u3000to\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000roar\u3000triumphantly\u3000across\u3000heaven\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Humans\u3000didn’t\u3000own\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000anymore\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3000mike\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000Alpha\u3000One\u3000to\u3000Scout\u3000Reconnaissance\u3002\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000young\u3000male\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000back\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000wry\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000impatient\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hear\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000on\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000controlled\u3000his\u3000temper\u3002\u3000No\u3000point\u3000in\u3000another\u3000argument\u3000with\u3000Rand\u3000about\u3000proper\u3000mo\u3000procedure\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000miles\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000never\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000make\u3000those\u3000mountains\u3000before\u3000nightfall\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000turning\u3000back\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000rendezvous\u3000and\u3000set\u3000up\u3000camp\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000wistfully\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000so\u3000far\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000perilous\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000between\u3000here\u3000and\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000And\u3000what\u3000would\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000there\uff1f\u3000The\u3000battle\u3000for\u3000Earth\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000showdown\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3002\u3000The\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000stronghold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000realm\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000this\u3000group\u3000of\u3000oddly\u3000met\u3000guerrillas\u3000and\u3000a\u3000stranded\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000fighter\u3000pilot\u3000were\u3000not\u3000the\u3000Earth’s\u3000sole\u3000saviors\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000hadn’t\u3000let\u3000his\u3000new\u3000panions\u3000in\u3000on\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Humanity\u3000had\u3000a\u3000much\u3000more\u3000formidable\u3000ace\u2026in\u2026the\u2026hole\u3000than\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000soon\uff1b\u3000soon\u3002\u3002\u3002the\u3000demonic\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000be\u3000swept\u3000away\u3000before\u3000a\u3000purging\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000increased\u3000speed\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000through\u3000a\u3000bank\uff1b\u3000watchful\u3000for\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000war\u3000mecha\u3000that\u3000might\u3000have\u3000detected\u3000the\u3000fighter’s\u3000Protoculture\u3000emissions\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighter\u3000plained\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000give\u3000its\u3000systems\u3000a\u3000thorough\u3000going\u2026over\u3000with\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000the\u3000band’s\u3000tech\u3000straw\u3000boss\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000less\u3000proficient\u3000at\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000atmosphere\u3000than\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000SDF\u20263\u3000expedition\uff1b\u3000and\u3000most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000piloting\u3000had\u3000been\u3000done\u3000in\u3000vacuum\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000an\u3000ineffable\u3000beauty\uff1b\u3000a\u3000rightness\uff1b\u3000to\u3000flying\u3000in\u3000Earth’s\u3000atmosphere\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000also\u3000hidden\u3000dangers\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bat\u3000flier\u3002
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000plain\u3002\u3000Things\u3000were\u3000going\u3000better\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000expected\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000the\u3000supplies\u3000of\u3000ordnance\u3000and\u3000Protoculture\u3000Scott’s\u3000team\u3000had\u3000lifted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000supply\u3000depot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000turncoat\u3000Colonel\u3000Wolff\u3000would\u3000last\u3000them\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000all\u3000they\u3000needed\u3000was\u3000some\u3000luck\u3002\u3000Somewhere\uff1b\u3000Scott’s\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000rades\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000the\u3000assault\u3002\u3000Telemetry\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000a\u3000good\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000had\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000orbital\u3000bat\u3000action\u3000and\u3000planetary\u3000approach\u3000in\u3000which\u3000his\u3000squadron\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shot\u3000to\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000him\u3000the\u3000only\u3000survivor\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000still\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sights\u3000and\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000those\u3000few\u3000horrible\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000memories\u3000even\u3000more\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000endure\u3002
\n
\nReflex\u3000Point\u3000waited\u3002\u3000There\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000be\u3000repaid\u3000a\u3000millionfold\u2026an\u3000eye\u3000for\u3000an\u3000eye\u3002
\n
\n
\nFrom\u3000high\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000monstrous\u3000spiderweb\u3000pattern\u3002\u3000The\u3000joining\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000yellow\u2026red\u3000as\u3000though\u3000they\u3000were\u3000canals\u3000of\u3000lava\uff1b\u3000were\u3000formed\u3000by\u3000Protoculture\u3000conduits\u3000and\u3000systemry\u3002\u3000The\u3000accessways\u3000were\u3000traveled\u3000by\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000other\u3000servants\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000center\u3000was\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000Hive\u3000Nucleus\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000proper\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000glowing\u3000hemisphere\u3000with\u3000a\u3000biological\u3000look\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000foam\u3000of\u3000bubblelike\u3000objects\u3000around\u3000its\u3000base\u3000like\u3000a\u3000concentric\u3000wave\u3000ing\u3000in\u3000from\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002\u3000The\u3000Nucleus\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000twelve\u3000miles\u3000in\u3000diameter\u3002\u3000To\u3000Human\u3000eyes\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000super\u2026high\u2026speed\u3000photograph\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000an\u3000exploding\u3000hydrogen\u3000bomb\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000various\u3000junctures\u3000were\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000domes\u3000and\u3000instrumentality\u3000nodes\uff1b\u3000though\u3000some\u3000of\u3000those\u3000were\u3000two\u3000miles\u3000across\u3002
\n
\nDeep\u3000within\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000at\u3000its\u3000center\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000globe\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000Protoculture\u3000instrumentality\u3002\u3000This\u3000veined\u3000bronze\u3000sphere\uff1b\u3000with\u3000darker\u3000shadows\u3000moving\u3000and\u3000Shaping\u3000within\u3000it\uff1b\u3000responded\u3000to\u3000the\u3000will\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002\u3000A\u3000bolt\u3000of\u3000blazing\u3000light\u3000broke\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000vastness\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000to\u3000create\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000Protoculture\u3000bonfire\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis\u3000spoke\u3000and\u3000her\u3000\u3003children\u3003\uff1b\u3000half\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000race\uff1b\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000incredible\u3000profusion\u3000of\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000provided\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000children\u3000had\u3000increased\u3000in\u3000number\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000newly\u3000quickened\u3000drone\u3000zygotes\u3000must\u3000be\u3000instructed\u3000in\u3000their\u3000destiny\u3002\u3000From\u3000within\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000globe\uff1b\u3000her\u3000will\u3000reached\u3000forth\u3000to\u3000manipulate\u3000the\u3000leaping\u3000Protoculture\u3000flames\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000living\u3000creatures\u3000of\u3000this\u3000world\u3000have\u3000evolved\u3000into\u3000a\u3000truly\u3000amazing\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000types\u3000and\u3000subtypes\u3002\u3003
\n
\nImages\u3000formed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1a\u3000spider\uff1b\u3000platypus\uff1b\u3000swan\uff1b\u3000rat\uff1b\u3000Human\u3000female\u3002\u3000\u3003Many\u3000of\u3000these\u3000are\u3000highly\u3000specialized\uff1b\u3000but\u3000extremely\u3000successful\u3002\u3000Others\u3000are\u3000generalized\u3000and\u3000adaptable\u3000and\u3000many\u3000of\u3000those\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000are\u3000successful\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Earth\u3000is\u3000the\u3000place\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000has\u3000chosen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000brooks\u3000no\u3000argument\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000it\u3000is\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000shall\u3000live\u3000forevermore\u3002\u3000For\u3000this\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000find\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000life\u2026form\u3000suitable\u3000to\u3000our\u3000existence\u3000here\u3000and\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000form\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAll\u3000across\u3000her\u3000planetary\u3000domain\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000stopped\u3000to\u3000listen\u3002\u3000A\u3000few\u3000could\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000days\u3000long\u3000ago\u3000on\u3000Optera\uff1b\u3000before\u3000Zor\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000lived\u3000contented\u3000and\u3000joyous\u3000lives\u3002\u3000Other\uff1b\u3000younger\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000access\u3000to\u3000those\u3000days\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000racial\u3000memory\u3000that\u3000was\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000power\u3002
\n
\nOn\u3000Optera\uff1b\u3000by\u3000ingesting\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000experimented\u3000with\u3000self\u2026transformation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000explorations\u3000in\u3000auto\u2026evolution\u3000that\u3000were\u3000part\u3000experiment\uff1b\u3000part\u3000religious\u3000rite\u3002\u3000And\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000its\u3000Shapings\uff1b\u3000they\u3000strove\u3000to\u3000peer\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000present\u3000and\u3000the\u3000visible\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000universe\u2026into\u3000transcendent\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000existence\u3002
\n
\nThose\u3000days\u3000were\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000would\u3000e\u3000again\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000New\u3000Optera\u2026Earth\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000though\uff1b\u3000evolution\u3000would\u3000be\u3000determined\u3000and\u3000enacted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\n\u3003In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000select\u3000the\u3000ultimate\u3000form\uff1b\u3000the\u3000form\u3000we\u3000will\u3000assume\u3000for\u3000our\u3000life\u3000here\uff1b\u3000we\u3000are\u3000utilizing\u3000Genesis\u3000P \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000Pits\u3000for\u3000our\u3000experiments\u3000in\u3000bioengineering\uff1b\u3000as\u3000we\u3000did\u3000on\u3000Praxis\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMore\u3000shadows\u3000formed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000otherworldly\u3000bonfire\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000have\u3000cloned\u3000creatures\u3000from\u3000all\u3000significant\u3000eras\u3000of\u3000this\u3000planet’s\u3000history\u3000and\u3000are\u3000studying\u3000them\u3000for\u3000useful\u3000traits\u3000at\u3000locations\u3000all\u3000across\u3000the\u3000globe\u3002\u3000We\u3000will\u3000also\u3000study\u3000their\u3000interaction\u3000with\u3000the\u3000once\u2026dominant\u3000species\uff1b\u3000Homo\u3000sapiens\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000disembodied\u3000voice\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000ringing\u3000like\u3000an\u3000anthem\uff1b\u3000stirring\u3000Invid\u3000on\u3000every\u3000rung\u3000of\u3000her\u3000species’\u3000developmental\u3000ladder\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000crudest\u3000amoeboid\u3000drone\u3000gamete\u3000to\u3000her\u3000most\u3000evolved\u3000Enforcer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000made\u3000the\u3000great\u3000mistake\u3000of\u3000believing\u3000alien\u3000lies\uff1b\u3000of\u3000believing\u3000in\u3000trust\uff1b\u3000of\u3000taking\u3000part\u3000in\u2026\u3003\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000faltered\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000this\u3000final\u3000sin\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000alone\u3002
\n
\n\u3003In\u3000love\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000love\u3000Zor\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000from\u3000her\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mirrored\u3000by\u3000her\u3000male\u3000mate\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regent\uff1b\u3000as\u3000psychotic\u3000hatred\u3000and\u3000loathing\u3002\u3000This\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000Regent\u3000to\u3000fling\u3000himself\u2026purposely\u3000and\u3000perversely\u2026down\u3000and\u3000down\u3000a\u3000de\u2026evolutionary\u3000path\u3000to\u3000monstrousness\u3000and\u3000mindlessness\uff1b\u3000to\u3000utter\u3000amorphous\u3000primeval\u3000wrath\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000species\uff1b\u3000his\u3000children\uff1b\u3000worshipped\u3000him\u3000nonetheless\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis\u3000steeled\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mind\u2026voice\u3000rang\u3000out\u3000again\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000have\u3000paid\u3000for\u3000those\u3000failures\u3000for\u3000an\u3000age\uff01\u3000For\u3000an\u3000age\u3000of\u3000wandering\uff1b\u3000warfare\uff1b\u3000death\uff1b\u3000and\u3000privation\uff01\u3000And\u3000once\u3000we\u3000have\u3000discovered\u3000the\u3000Ultimate\u3000Form\u3000appropriate\u3000to\u3000this\u3000planet\uff1b\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000assume\u3000that\u3000form\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000will\u3000secure\u3000our\u3000endless\u3000new\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002\u3000Our\u3000race\u3000will\u3000bee\u3000the\u3000supreme\u3000power\u3000it\u3000was\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000be\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000shielded\u3000from\u3000her\u3000universe\u3000of\u3000children\u3000the\u3000misgiving\u3000that\u3000was\u3000never\u3000far\u3000from\u3000her\u3000thoughts\u3002\u3000Here\u3000on\u3000Earth\u2026the\u3000planet\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000itself\u3000had\u3000chosen\u2026the\u3000once\u2026dominant\u3000life\u3000form\u3000was\u3000cast\u3000in\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Zor\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000again\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000felt\u3000herself\u3000fractured\u3000in\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000drawn\u3000in\u3000one\u3000direction\u3002\u3000What\u3000affliction\u3000is\u3000more\u3000accursed\u3000than\u3000love\uff1f
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000bent\u3000over\u3000the\u3000handlebars\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Cylone\u3000bat\u3000cycle\u3000as\u3000Annie\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000her\u3000face\u3000pressed\u3000close\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000roar\uff1b\u3000the\u3000passage\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dampening\u3000effect\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Robotech\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000at\u3000ten\u3000o’clock\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000had\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000hovering\u3000blue\u2026and\u2026white\u3000Alpha\u3000settling\u3000for\u3000a\u3000VTOL\u3000setdown\u3002\u3000There\u3000weren’t\u3000many\u3000useful\u2026size\u3000clearings\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000forest\u3000in\u3000this\u3000region\u3002\u3000Certainly\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000suitable\u3000airstrip\u3000for\u3000a\u3000conventional\u3000fighter\u3000craft\u3000within\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000miles\u3000or\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000designers\u3000who\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000Vertical\u3000Takeoff\u3000and\u3000Landing\u3000capability\u3000of\u3000course\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000important\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tactical\u3000situation\u3000in\u3000a\u3000conventional\u3000war\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000sometimes\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000foreseen\u3000how\u3000helpful\u3000the\u3000VTOL\u3000would\u3000be\u3000to\u3000a\u3000pack\u3000of\u3000exhausted\u3000guerrillas\u3000who\u3000were\u3000Earth’s\u3000last\u3000mitted\u3000fighting\u3000unit\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000see\u3000’im\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000pointing\u3000out\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tracking\u3000Scott\u3000both\u3000by\u3000eye\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc’s\u3000display\u3000screen\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000to\u3000admit\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000developed\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000for\u3000the\u3000winsome\uff1b\u3000infuriating\u3000bundle\u3000of\u3000adolescent\u3000energy\u3000who\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000being\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000ing\u3000along\u3000with\u3000him\u3000on\u3000point\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000do\u3000her\u3000share\uff1b\u3000take\u3000her\u3000risks\uff1b\u3000be\u3000considered\u3000an\u3000adult\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000her\u3000self\u2026esteem\u3000was\u3000riding\u3000on\u3000the\u3000oute\u3000and\u3000grumblingly\u3000admitted\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000mind\u3000some\u3000pany\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000had\u3000given\u3000in\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000for\u3000the\u3000same\u3000reason\u3000that\u3000they\u3000never\u3000questioned\u3000the\u3000pint\u2026size\u3000redhead’s\u3000outrageous\u3000claim\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000all\u3000of\u3000sixteen\u3002
\n
\nYou\u3000could\u3000either\u3000accept\u3000Annie\u3000for\u3000her\u3000feisty\u3000self\u3000or\u3000risk\u3000shattering\u3000the\u3000brave\u3000persona\u3000she\u3000had\u3000forged\uff1b\u3000with\u3000little\u3000help\u3000or\u3000support\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000way\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dangerous\uff1b\u3000despair\u2026making\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nNow\u3000she\u3000banged\u3000Rand’s\u3000armor\u3002\u3000\u3003Turn\u3000there\uff1b\u3000turn\u3000there\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Pillion\u2026seat\u3000driver\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000growled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000down\u3000the\u3000game\u3000path\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cycle\u3000rolling\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000homing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000Scott’s\u3000signal\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000about\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000back\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tactical\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u3002\u3000Still\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000can\u3000run\u3000a\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000the\u3000area\u3000before\u3000the\u3000others\u3000get\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNone\u3000of\u3000them\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000or\u3000registered\u3000it\u3000on\u3000their\u3000instruments\uff1b\u3000but\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000forest\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000massive\u3000ultratech\u3000shapes\u3000moved\u2026two\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000insectlike\u3000walking\u3000battleships\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000like\u3000armored\u3000monsters\u3000from\u3000a\u3000madman’s\u3000nightmare\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWO
\n
\nOh\uff1b\u3000great\uff01\u3000We\u3000been\u3000shanghaied\u3000aboard\u3000Charon’s\u3000Ark\uff01
\nRemark\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3000LaBelle\u3000by\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard
\n
\nFollowing\u3000the\u3000path\u3000their\u3000scout\u3000team\u3000had\u3000taken\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000rode\u3000down\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000dangerous\u3000road\u3000toward\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000riding\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000full\u3000techno\u2026armor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000masculine\uff1b\u3000warlike\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000divided\u3000personality\u3000clearly\u3000present\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000sure\u3000and\u3000confident\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000Bartley\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000a\u3000practiced\u3000mecha\u3000rider\u3000and\u3000a\u3000deadly\u3000warrior\u3002
\n
\nRook\uff1b\u3000also\u3000in\u3000full\u3000Robotech\u3000panoply\uff1b\u3000had\u3000just\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000on\u3000her\u3000red\u2026and\u2026white\u3000Cyc\uff1b\u3000having\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000team\u3000wasn’t\u3000being\u3000followed\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000safe\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000guard\u3002\u3000She\u3000let\u3000Lancer\u3000hold\u3000the\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000over\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000all\u3000was\u3000well\u3000with\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\nThings\u3000always\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000well\u3000with\u3000the\u3000big\uff1b\u3000burly\u3000ex\u2026soldier\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000in\u3000his\u3000beloved\u3000all\u2026terrain\u3000truck\u3002\u3000Taking\u3000one\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000to\u3000the\u3000conclusion\u3000that\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000going\u3000on\u3000upstairs\u3002\u3000His\u3000low\u3000forehead\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000sideburns\u3000that\u3000curled\u3000around\u3000and\u3000up\u3000under\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000ic\u2026strip\u3000caveman\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000or\u3000looked\u3000closely\u3000into\u3000those\u3000soulful\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000or\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000do\u3000the\u3000things\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000do\uff1b\u3000understood\u3000why\u3000conventional\u3000wisdom\u3000counsels\u3000against\u3000drawing\u3000quick\u3000conclusions\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000for\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000she\u3000still\u3000found\u3000it\u3000strange\u3000to\u3000be\u3000riding\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gang\u3000again\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000Scott\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000calling\u3000it\u3000a\u3000team\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everybody\u3000else\u3000kept\u3000insisting\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000their\u3000own\u3000agenda\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000alliance\u3000was\u3000temporary\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000how\u3000she\u3000had\u3000teamed\u3000up\u3000with\u3000them\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000too\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000shared\u3000danger\uff1b\u3000hardship\uff1b\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000and\u3000defeat\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000that\u3000with\u3000others\u3000before\u3002\u3000She\u3000kept\u3000looking\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000time\u3000when\u3000she\u3000could\u3000ride\u3000as\u3000a\u3000loner\u3000once\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000Rand\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nScrew\u3000Rand\uff01\u3000she\u3000snarled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\n
\nFrom\u3000their\u3000places\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000great\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000mecha\u3000kept\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000the\u3000right\u3000way\u3002\u3000So\u3000far\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000noted\uff1b\u3000these\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000hadn’t\u3000needed\u3000any\u3000herding\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000location\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nearest\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000was\u3000logical\uff1b\u3000situated\u3000along\u3000the\u3000easiest\u3000passageway\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000The\u3000Entrapments\u3000were\u3000well\u3000deployed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000routine\u3000specimen\u3000collection\u3000was\u3000going\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000mecha\u3000floated\u3000along\u3000quietly\u3000and\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000their\u3000thrusters\u3000muted\u3000as\u3000they\u3000awaited\u3000their\u3000moment\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Heads\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand’s\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000tinny\u3000through\u3000his\u3000helmet’s\u3000external\u3000speaker\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott’s\u3000right\u3000on\u3000schedule\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n
\nOf\u3000course\uff1b\u3000what\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Would\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rules\u2026and\u2026regs\u3000sole\u3000survivor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000massacre\u3000of\u3000his\u3000squadron\u3000be\u3000even\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000off\uff1f
\n
\nAnnie\u3000leaned\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Scott’s\u3000Alpha\u3000settling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000bill\u3000of\u3000her\u3000trademark\u3000baseball\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000huge\u3000emblem\u3000that\u3000read\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\uff1b\u3000lower\u3000\u3003Um\u2026hmm\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000relief\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000Although\u3000she\u3000had\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000at\u3000riding\u3000point\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000much\u3000more\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000riding\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000in\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000\uff08or\u3000APC\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000insisted\u3000on\u3000calling\u3000it\uff1b\u3000since\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Armored\u3000and\u3000was\u3000indisputably\u3000a\u3000Carrier\u3000of\u3000Personnel\uff09\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000armed\u3002\u3000Weapons\u3000made\u3000her\u3000a\u3000little\u3000queasy\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000now\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000have\uff1b\u3000to\u3000worry\uff1b\u3000because\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000going\u3000well\u3002\u3000The\u3000Alpha\u3000had\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3000for\u3000the\u3000VTOL\u3000landing\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000cockpit\u3000canopy\u3000slid\u3000back\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000armored\u3000in\u3000Robotechnology\uff1b\u3000stepped\u3000out\uff1b\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000swing\u2026wing’s\u3000fixed\u3000glove\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hopped\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000the\u3000darkness\u3000they\u3000shed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000waning\u3000light\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spray\u3000of\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000gravel\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000it\u3000rattling\u3000and\u3000hissing\u3000off\u3000Scott’s\u3000armor\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000this\u3000means\u3000we’re\u3000staying\u3000here\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000tough\u3000despite\u3000her\u3000age\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000surviving\u3000in\u3000settlements\u3000and\u3000cities\u3002\u3000The\u3000wilds\u3000unnerved\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000around\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Guardian’s\u3000portside\u3000leg\u3000to\u3000open\u3000a\u3000hidden\u3000partment\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000get\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000we’ll\u3000run\u3000a\u3000security\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000the\u3000area\u3000before\u3000the\u3000others\u3000get\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000pulled\u3000forth\u3000and\u3000activated\u3000the\u3000pact\u3000package\u3000that\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000unfolding\u3000and\u3000reconfiguring\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000ordering\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fighter\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000special\u3000gift\u3000for\u3000getting\u3000into\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000he\u3000discarded\u3000the\u3000notion\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000sped\u3000away\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000dry\u3000streambed\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000an\u3000opportunity\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000it\u3000and\u3000move\u3000cross\u2026country\u3002\u3000Scouts\u3000seldom\u3000learn\u3000anything\u3000worth\u3000knowing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000main\u3000road\uff1b\u3000except\u3000when\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000late\u3002
\n
\n
\nActing\u3000as\u3000a\u3000scout\u3000for\u3000its\u3000unit\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000done\u3000for\u3000his\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000its\u3000target\u3002
\n
\nNormally\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000slow\u3000to\u3000detect\u3000Humans\u3000unless\u3000the\u3000prey\u3000had\u3000been\u3000specifically\u3000targeted\uff1b\u3000or\u3000there\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000sizable\u3000expenditure\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000however\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000fearsome\u3000war\u3000machines\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000a\u3000specific\u3000area\u3000and\u3000herd\u3000specimens\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3002\u3000The\u3000Humans\u3000had\u3000e\u3000into\u3000their\u3000territory\u3002\u3000By\u3000some\u3000oversight\uff1b\u3000there\u3000w \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rd\u3000specimens\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3002\u3000The\u3000Humans\u3000had\u3000e\u3000into\u3000their\u3000territory\u3002\u3000By\u3000some\u3000oversight\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000specific\u3000orders\u3000of\u3000any\u3000kind\u3000concerning\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Troopers\u3000simply\u3000evaluated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000interlopers\u3000as\u3000they\u3000would\u3000any\u3000other\u3000life\u2026form\uff1b\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000they\u3000too\u3000would\u3000be\u3000worthwhile\u3000subjects\u3000of\u3000experimentation\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Trooper\u3000kept\u3000its\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000but\u3000some\u3000trick\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000filtering\u3000light\u3000of\u3000sunset\u3000piercing\u3000the\u3000dense\u3000trees\u3000betrayed\u3000it\u3002\u3000Or\u3000perhaps\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000just\u3000had\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000being\u3000followed\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000slid\u3000to\u3000a\u3000side\u2026on\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000trigger\u3000and\u3000image\u3000the\u3000change\u3000that\u3000would\u3000meld\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000and\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000into\u3000a\u3000Robotech\u3000killing\u3000machine\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000clinging\u3000close\uff1b\u3000white\u2026faced\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000moving\u3002\u3000Back\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000how\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000an\u3000Invid\uff1f\u3000Scout\u3000or\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\uff1b\u3000their\u3000instant\u3000reaction\u3000was\u3000to\u3000attack\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000we’re\u3000being\u3000watched\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000snapped\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000her\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3000trembling\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000everywhere\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000around\u3000Rand’s\u3000armored\u3000midsection\u3002
\n
\nContrary\u3000to\u3000its\u3000genetic\u3000programming\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000drew\u3000back\u2026in\u3000accordance\u3000with\u3000the\u3000special\u3000instructions\u3000given\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sentinels\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000Here\u3000were\u3000more\u3000samples\u3000from\u3000present\u2026day\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000to\u3000interact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000replicated\u3000marvels\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000an\u3000Entrapment\u3000intake\u3000waited\u3000near\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Calm\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000saying\u3000in\u3000that\u3000strangely\u3000relaxed\u3000tone\u3000he\u3000took\u3000on\u3000when\u3000other\u3000people’s\u3000neck\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000end\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000used\u3000Annie’s\u3000team\u3000nickname\u2026\u3003Mint\uff1b\u3003\u3000from\u3000her\u3000ongoing\u3000affair\u3000with\u3000peppermint\u3000candy\u2026to\u3000calm\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000area’s\u3000safe\u3000before\u3000the\u3000others\u3000get\u3000here\u3002\u3000Or\u3000d’you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000them\u3000ride\u3000into\u3000an\u3000ambush\uff1f\u3000No\uff1f\u3000Good\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000stay\u3000close\u3002\u3000And\u3000cover\u3000me\u3000on\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Cycs\u3000moved\u3000out\uff1b\u3000Protoculture\u3000engines\u3000gunning\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Trooper\u3000floated\u3000back\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000delicately\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000but\u3000leaving\u3000no\u3000print\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000circled\u3000it\u3000left\u3000its\u3000prey\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000path\u3002\u3000All\u3000through\u3000this\u3000area\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Entrapments\uff1b\u3000a\u3000living\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pits\uff1b\u3000were\u3000growing\u3000in\u3000profusion\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000gulp\u3000down\u3000specimens\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000suddenly\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000they\u3000should\u3000pull\u3000back\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000should\u3000send\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000hurrying\u3000for\u3000safety\u3000and\u3000cover\u3000their\u3000retreat\u3000with\u3000a\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000Cyclone\u3000firepower\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000and\u3000his\u3000panions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000led\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000Time\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000and\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000were\u3000already\u3000near\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000better\u3000to\u3000warn\u3000them\u3000first\u3000and\u3000then\u3000carefully\u3000withdraw\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000couldn’t\u3000raise\u3000the\u3000other\u3000three\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tactical\u3000munication\u3000net\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000position\u3000among\u3000the\u3000terrain\u3000features\u3000or\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000jamming\u3000the\u3000system\u3002\u3000He\u3000spied\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000of\u3000high\u3000ground\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000towards\u3000it\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000for\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000mo\u3000link\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000move\u3000across\u3000the\u3000hilltop\u2026a\u3000shadow\u3000much\u3000larger\u3000than\u3000a\u3000bear\u3000or\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000that\u3000walked\u3000Earth’s\u3000surface\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000going\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000scouts\u2026heading\u3000for\u3000a\u3000point\u3000that\u3000would\u3000intersect\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\nAmbush\uff01\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3002\u3000He\u3000revved\u3000his\u3000superbike\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000Rand\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000signal\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000could\u3000not\u3000intercept\u3000a\u3000transmission\u3002\u3000The\u3000sand\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000treacherous\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000under\u3000the\u3000circumstances\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Cycs\u3000were\u3000fully\u3000armed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000once\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000with\u3000their\u3000iron\u3000trousers\u3000at\u3000half\u2026mast\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000order\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000Annie\u3000off\u3000where\u3000she\u3000could\u3000take\u3000cover\uff1b\u3000then\u3000follow\u3000him\u3000on\u3000a\u3000stealthy\u3000approach\u2026for\u2026attack\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000then\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000opened\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000see\u3000was\u3000that\u3000a\u3000flap\u3000of\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000brown\u2026mauve\u3000stuff\u2026like\u3000a\u3000flap\u3000of\u3000canvas\u3000twenty\u3000yards\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000seven\u3000yards\u3000thick\u2026had\u3000been\u3000drawn\u3000back\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000thickly\u3000edged\u3000with\u3000long\u3000purple\u3000hairs\uff1b\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000they\u3000were\u3000feelers\u3000because\u3000in\u3000that\u3000horrible\u3000instant\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000different\u3000directions\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000though\u3000a\u3000monster’s\u3000mouth\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000although\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000extremely\u3000frightened\u3000and\u3000disgusted\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000this\u3000was\u3002\u3000A\u3000pit\uff01\u3000Oldest\u3000trap\u3000of\u3000’em\u3000all\uff01
\n
\nThe\u3000Entrapment’s\u3000mouth\u3000was\u3000gruesome\uff1b\u3000bending\u3000inward\u3000at\u3000all\u3000four\u3000midspans\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000thoughts\u3000of\u3000proper\u3000mo\u3000procedure\u3000faded\u3000like\u3000dew\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunshine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3000were\u3000one\u3000another’s\u3000terrified\u3000howls\uff1b\u3000all\u3000they\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000over\u3000their\u3000external\u3000pickups\u3000was\u3000Annie’s\u3000scream\u3002
\n
\nWe’re\u3000not\u3000fated\u3000to\u3000win\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000it\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000spun\u3000down\u3000into\u3000a\u3000deep\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000shaft\u3000that\u3000gleamed\u3000wetly\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gullet\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cyc\u3000riders\u3000kept\u3000their\u3000seats\u3000by\u3000sheer\u3000instinct\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000clutched\u3000Rand’s\u3000waist\u3002\u3000They\uff1b\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000blackness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000little\u3000light\u3000they\u3000had\u3000was\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000as\u3000the\u3000quadripartite\u3000Entrapment\u3000flaps\u3000above\u3000them\u3000closed\u3000serenely\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Switch\u3000to\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000hollered\uff1b\u3000too\u3000loudly\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000He\u3000operated\u3000the\u3000gross\u3000hand\u3000controls\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc\uff1b\u3000but\u3000more\u3000importantly\uff1b\u3000imaged\u3000the\u3000transition\u3000through\u3000the\u3000receptors\u3000in\u3000his\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000Rand\u3000would\u3000be\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000But\u3000just\u3000then\u3000Rand\u3000felt\u3000Annie\u3000lose\u3000her\u3000grip\u3000and\u3000drift\u3000free\u3000in\u3000the\u3000powerful\u3000air\u3000currents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pit\u3002
\n
\nMechamorphosis\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000name\u3000Dr\u3002\u3000Emil\u3000Lang\u3000had\u3000given\u3000these\u3000transitions\u3000so\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000even\u3000before\u3000the\u3000start\u3000of\u3000the\u3000First\u3000War\u2026that\u3000techno\u2026origami\u3000shifting\u3000of\u3000shape\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000two\u3000young\u3000men\u3000in\u3000armor\u3000tumbling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000moaning\u3000air\u3000currents\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Entrapment\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000going\u3000on\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000onlooker\u3000might\u3000have\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Cycs\u3000were\u3000leukocytes\u3000destroying\u3000their\u3000riders\uff1b\u3000sliding\u3000up\u3000around\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Cyclone\u3000ponents\u3000meshing\u3000with\u3000armor\u3000ponents\u3002\u3000The\u3000machines\u3000broke\u3000down\u3000into\u3000subunits\u3000to\u3000slide\u3000into\u3000their\u3000appointed\u3000places\u3000around\u3000the\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000as\u3000certain\u3000microorganisms\u3000might\u3000whip\u3000some\u3000critical\u3000hurt\u3000on\u3000certain\u3000other\u3000microorganisms\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Cycs’\u3000tires\u3000were\u3000up\u3000high\u3000and\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cycloners’\u3000backs\uff1b\u3000allowing\u3000them\u3000free\u3000play\u3000and\u3000unlimited\u3000fields\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000with\u3000their\u3000Robotech\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000But\u3000even\u3000the\u3000thrusters\u3000in\u3000their\u3000suits\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3000them\u3000against\u3000the\u3000enormous\u3000vacuum\u3000that\u3000drew\u3000them\u3000down\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000way\u3000back\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nTheir\u3000armor\u3000flared\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cushion\u3000the\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000somehow\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000small\uff1b\u3000plaintive\u3000cry\u3000and\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000not\u3000everybody\u3000was\u3000protected\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hold\u3000still\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000precision\u3000catch\uff1b\u3000possible\u3000only\u3000through\u3000Robotechnology\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000very\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000and\u3000simply\u3000rocketing\u3000armored\u3000arms\u3000under\u3000her\u3000would\u3000have\u3000only\u3000served\u3000to\u3000break\u3000the\u3000sweet\uff1b\u3000loudmouthed\uff1b\u3000red\u2026haired\u3000soul\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\u3000into\u3000three\u3000or\u2026more\u3000likely\u2026more\u3000pieces\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000matched\u3000velocities\u3000and\u3000made\u3000the\u3000save\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000helmet\uff1b\u3000careless\u3000of\u3000what\u3000might\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000Annie\u3000close\u2026her\u3000pale\u3000face\u3000against\u3000his\u3000so\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000breathe\u3000the\u3000air\u3000his\u3000suit\u3000was\u3000pumping\u3000up\u3000in\u3000an\u3000effort\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000positive\u3000pressure\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000small\u3000fingers\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000clasping\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000his\u3000helmet’s\u3000chinguard\u3002\u3002\u3002then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000breathing\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000hugged\u3000her\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000shielding\u3000her\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\u3002\u3000Neither\u3000Rand’s\u3000armor’s\u3000thrusters\u3000nor\u3000Scott’s\u3000could\u3000stop\u3000their\u3000fall\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000was\u3000pulling\u3000them\u3000down\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000just\u3000gravity\u3000and\u3000air\u3000currents\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000were\u3000being\u3000drawn\u3000straight\u3000downward\u3002
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000falling\u3000head\u3000first\uff1b\u3000was\u3000first\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff01\u3000Look\u3000down\u3000there\u3000at\u3000that\u3000red\u3000glow\u3000ing\u3000right\u3000at\u3000us\uff01\u3000Maybe\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000bottom\u3000floor\u3000after\u3000all\uff01\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000lighted\u3000area\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shaft’s\u3000floor\uff1f\u3000A\u3000lava\u3000pool\uff1f\u3000The\u3000light\u3000down\u3000there\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000and\u3000waver\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000had\u3000the\u3000glow\u3000of\u3000extreme\u3000heat\u3002
\n
\n\u3003A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000good\u3000that’ll\u3000do\u3000us\u3000if\u3000we\u3000go\u3000splat\uff01\u3000Hit\u3000your\u3000burners\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000simultaneously\u3000hit\u3000their\u3000burners\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Annie\u3000moaned\u3000and\u3000cried\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000retrothrusters\u3000did\u3000no\u3000good\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000plunged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hellish\u3000fire\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THREE
\n
\nKraneberg\uff1b\u3000an\u3000oldtime\u3000historian\u3000of\u3000\uff08North\uff09\u3000American\u3000technology\uff1b\u3000once\u3000said\u2026in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000a\u3000First\u3000Law\u2026\u3003Technology\u3000is\u3000neither\u3000positive\uff1b\u3000negative\uff1b\u3000nor\u3000neutral\u3002\u3003
\nIndeed\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000all\u3000three\u3002
\nAnd\u3000omnipresent\u3002
\nScott\u3000Bernard’s\u3000notes
\n
\n\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000amazed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000being\u3000boiled\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Instead\uff1b\u3000orange\u2026yellow\u3000light\u3000played\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000reflecting\u3000off\u3000their\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000helmet\u3000facebowls\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000light\u3000seemed\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000like\u3000writhing\u3000eels\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000knot\u3000together\u3000in\u3000places\u3000with\u3000its\u3000ends\u3000exposed\uff1b\u3000like\u3000twists\u3000in\u3000snarled\u3000barbed\u3000wire\u3002\u3000Elsewhere\u3000it\u3000had\u3000settled\u3000into\u3000layers\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sunset\u3002\u3000The\u3000radiance\u3000brightened\uff1b\u3000enveloping\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nTheir\u3000facebowls\u3000polarized\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000them\uff1b\u3000while\u3000poor\u3000little\u3000Annie\u3000squeezed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000buried\u3000her\u3000head\u3000against\u3000Rand’s\u3000armored\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000instruments\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sensors\u3000were\u3000not\u3000working\u3002\u3000\u3003I\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’re\u3000in\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000field\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Unbelievable\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000Then\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000the\u3000light\u3000was\u3000above\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000plummeting\u3000through\u3000utter\u3000blackness\u2026or\u3000so\u3000it\u3000seemed\uff1b\u3000their\u3000facebowls\u3000still\u3000darkened\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000went\u3000straight\u3000through\u3000it\uff01\u3000Are\u3000we\u3000near\u3000the\u3000bottom\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Y’got\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000straining\u3000to\u3000see\u3000as\u3000his\u3000facebowl\u3000slowly\u3000depolarized\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000looked\u3000pitch\u3000black\u3002\u3000The\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000a\u3000jagged\u3000rock\u3000floor\u3000racing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000filled\u3000him\u3000with\u3000a\u3000cold\u3000despair\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Emergency\u3000power\u3000to\u3000retros\u2026\u3003\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000warriors\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000water\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tremendous\u3000splash\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000when\u3000he\u3000came\u3000to\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000monstrous\u3000headache\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n s\u3000splash\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000when\u3000he\u3000came\u3000to\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000monstrous\u3000headache\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000that\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000wouldn’t\u3000focus\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000even\u3000taking\u3000into\u3000account\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000through\u3000a\u3000helmet\u3000facebowl\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sprawled\u3000out\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000Before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor’s\u3000gauntlet\u2026hand\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000flex\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000They\u3000barely\u3000moved\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000on\u3002\u3002\u3002on\u3000soil\u3002\u3000Dirt\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000see\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000trembling\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000it\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000responding\u3000a\u3000little\u3000better\uff1b\u3000but\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000made\u3000no\u3000sense\u3002
\n
\nThose\u3000giant\u3000fern\u3000things\u3000we\u3000saw\u3000on\u3000Praxis\uff1f\u3000No\uff1b\u3000wait\u3000a\u3000second\u3002\u3002\u3002’S\u3000not\u3000it\u3002\u3002\u3002This’s\u3000a\u3000diffr’nt\u3000planet\u3002\u3002\u3002Earth\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000any\u3000place\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3000or\u3000heard\u3000about\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3002\u3002\u3002primeval\u3002\u3000Where\u3000are\u3000we\uff1b\u3000a\u3000swamp\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happened\uff1f
\n
\nScott\u3000saw\u3000Rand\u3000sprawled\u3000out\u3000a\u3000few\u3000feet\u3000away\uff1b\u3000along\u3000the\u3000little\u3000stretch\u3000of\u3000sandy\u3000bank\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000landed\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000crawled\u3000over\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000groaning\u3000and\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000in\u3000his\u3000side\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000cracked\u3000rib\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\uff01\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000Forager’s\u3000shoulder\u3000pauldron\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000fella\uff1b\u3000speak\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000began\u3000to\u3000stir\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000Through\u3000the\u3000external\u3000pickups\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000moan\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000beyond\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Annie\u3000lying\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3000along\u3000the\u3000bank\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000making\u3000feeble\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Annie\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000wide\u2026eyed\u3000but\u3000apparently\u3000unafraid\uff1b\u3000blinking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dawnworld\u3000landscape\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000me\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000must’ve\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pit\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000Just\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000started\u3000ing\u3000around\u3002\u3000\u3003Take\u3000it\u3000easy\uff1b\u3000pal\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Rand\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003What\uff1b\u3000d’we\u3000miss\u3000a\u3000turn\u3000somewhere\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000it\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000What\u3000he\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seedferns\u3002\u3000Cycads\uff1b\u3000club\u3000mosses\u3000and\u3000horsetails\u3002\u3000Big\u3000and\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000small\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000microscopic\u3002\u3000Off\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000what\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000conifers\uff1b\u3000ginkgoes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nWhat\u3000is\u3000this\uff1b\u3000a\u3000damn\u3000coal\u3000forest\uff1f
\n
\nAnnie\u3000heard\u3000something\u3000that\u3000sounded\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000like\u3000a\u3000heavy\u2026duty\u3000dentist’s\u3000drill\u3000and\u3000ducked\u3000instinctively\u3000as\u3000something\u3000flashed\u3000by\u3000her\u3000ear\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cloud\u3000of\u3000them\u3000going\u3000past\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000seemed\u3000uninterested\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3002\u3000Their\u3000double\u3000wingsets\u3000were\u3000making\u3000silver\u3000blurs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000light\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Dragonflies\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000burst\u3000out\u3002\u3000But\u3000these\u3000were\u3000dragonflies\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000his\u3000forearm\uff1b\u3000with\u3000enormous\u3000wings\u2026slower\u3000than\u3000their\u3000modern\u3000counterparts\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000that\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000hurt\u3000her\uff1b\u3000laughed\u3000with\u3000delight\u3000and\u3000skipped\u3000after\u3000them\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000water\u3000splashing\u3000around\u3000her\u3000ankles\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Ran\u3000had\u3000instinctively\u3000reconfigured\u3000their\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000bat\u3000bikes\u3000under\u3000them\u3000once\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000this\u3000water’s\u3000nice\u3000and\u3000warm\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000wrinkling\u3000her\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000the\u3000air\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000was\u3000thick\u3000and\u3000steamy\u2026the\u3000heaviness\u3000of\u3000rotting\u3000vegetation\uff1b\u3000of\u3000primitive\u3000life\u3002
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000mood\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000kicked\u3000up\u3000bright\u3000plumes\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000guys\u3000e\u3000in\u3000and\u3000give\u3000it\u3000a\u3000try\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000still\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000them\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3000when\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000broke\u3000behind\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000something\u3000huge\u3000began\u3000to\u3000rise\u3002\u3000\u3003Annie\uff01\u3000Behind\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000sounding\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000processed\u3000over\u3000his\u3000suit’s\u3000external\u3000speaker\u3002
\n
\nBoth\u3000men\u3000were\u3000off\u3000their\u3000cycles\uff1b\u3000groping\u3000for\u3000their\u3000sidearms\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000stood\u3000rooted\u3000as\u3000a\u3000plated\u3000head\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000fishing\u3000coracle\u3000reared\uff1b\u3000shedding\u3000water\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000It\u3000opened\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000revealed\u3000rows\u3000of\u3000teeth\u3000like\u3000thick\u3000pegs\u3002\u3000Rand’s\u3000mind\u3000threw\u3000up\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Eogyrinus\uff1f
\n
\nPieces\u3000of\u3000torn\u3000flesh\u3000still\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000reeked\u3000of\u3000death\u3000and\u3000the\u3000marshes\u3000it\u3000hunted\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000through\u3000their\u3000helmets\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000smell\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000were\u3000jockeying\u3000for\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000line\u3000of\u3000fire\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000seemingly\u3000hopeless\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3000standing\u3000frozen\u3000right\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000hypnotized\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mouse\u3000before\u3000a\u3000rattlesnake\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000both\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000MARS\u2026Gallant\u3000Type\u2026H90s\u2026the\u3000latest\u3000word\u3000in\u3000hip\u2026howitzers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000firepower\u3000was\u3000of\u3000little\u3000use\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crosshairs\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000very\u3000close\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000big\u3000croc\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bobbed\uff1b\u3000broad\u3000snout\u2026no\u3000doubt\u3000an\u3000experienced\u3000shore\u3000hunter\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000books\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000hollered\u3000at\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000She\u3000backpedaled\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000on\u3000her\u3000rump\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000sandy\u3000shore\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000into\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000merciless\u3000eyes\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000as\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000another\u3000morsel\u3000of\u3000food\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000flat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000reared\u3000up\u3000to\u3000lunge\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000neon\u2026blue\u3000blasterbolts\u3000flew\uff1b\u3000making\u3000a\u3000mewing\u3000sound\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000H90s\u3000spat\uff1b\u3000the\u3000torrid\u3000air\u3000got\u3000even\u3000hotter\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000fired\u3000with\u3000the\u3000modified\u3000two\u2026hand\u3000stance\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000heaved\u3000up\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dazzling\u3000hyphens\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000hit\u3000it\u3002\u3000Pieces\u3000exploded\u3000from\u3000it\u3000as\u3000the\u3000furious\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shots\u3000turned\u3000the\u3000moisture\u3000in\u3000its\u3000cells\u3000into\u3000superheated\u3000steam\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000it\u3000apart\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000blood\u3000from\u3000those\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gaping\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000broiled\u3000meat\u3002\u3000The\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000it\u3000made\u3000the\u3000atmosphere\u3000that\u3000much\u3000more\u3000repugnant\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000monster\u3000thrashed\u3000and\u3000twisted\u3002\u3000Roaring\u3000and\u3000bellowing\uff1b\u3000it\u3000swiped\u3000at\u3000the\u3000air\u3000with\u3000thick\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000its\u3000jaws\u3000at\u3000the\u3000radiant\u3000bolts\u3002\u3000Unable\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\uff1b\u3000it\u3000nevertheless\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dying\u3002\u3000Its\u3000rage\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000the\u3000primeval\u3000plant\u2026forest\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sluggish\u3000lake\u3000waters\u3002\u3000It\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000mighty\u3000splash\uff1b\u3000still\u3000quivering\u3000and\u3000contorting\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000kept\u3000screaming\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000dragged\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000shore\u3000by\u3000her\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000\u3003Mint\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000bite\u3000you\uff1b\u3000did\u3000he\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000asked\u3000anxiously\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000around\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000\u3003N\u2026no\uff1b\u3000but\u3000almost\u3002\u3000And\u3000don’t\u3000call\u3000me\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3000okay\u3000Scott\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000held\u3000out\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Sure\u3000thing\u3002\u3000e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000up\u3000you\u3000go\u3002\u3003\u3000But\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000scrambling\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3000and\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000sounding\u3000thoroughly\u3000rattled\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Here\u3000es\u3000more\u3000pany\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThree\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000things\u3000had\u3000surfaced\u3000and\u3000began\u3000ripping\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000while\u3000it\u3000spasmed\u3002\u3000They\u3000tore\u3000out\u3000huge\u3000gobbets\u3000of\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000and\u3000whistling\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000remembered\u3000hearing\u3000somewhere\u3000that\u3000real\u3000Earthly\u3000gators\u3000usually\u3000left\u3000their\u3000prey\u3000to\u3000rot\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000small\u3000to\u3000swallow\u3000in\u3000one\u3000gulp\u3002\u3000That\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000case\u3000with\u3000this\u3000lunch\u3000crowd\u3002\u3000In\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000flesh\uff1b\u3000bones\uff1b\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000viscera\u3000surged\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000oily\u3000waters\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000gulped\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000passed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000salad\u3000course\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000look\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000breathed\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000then\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000paused\u3000in\u3000its\u3000gorging\u3000to\u3000hiss\u3000a\u3000piercing\u3000whistle\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000them\u3000that\u3000same\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000pitiless\u3000stare\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000us\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000cried\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000we\u3000shoot\uff1b\u3000these\u3000three\uff1b\u3000do\u3000nine\u3000more\u3000show\u3000up\uff1f\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Robotech\u3000weapons\u3000had\u3000their\u3000limits\u3002\u3000He\u3000grabbed\u3000Annie’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3000Move\uff1b\u3000move\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIn\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000had\u3000mechamorphosed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Cyclones\u3000leapt\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tires\u3000automatically\u3000adjusting\u3000to\u3000travel\u3000over\u3000the\u3000soft\u3000soil\u3002\u3000The\u3000Eogyrinuses\u3000came\u3000swarming\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000moments\u3000too\u3000late\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Guess\u3000we\u3000lost\u3000’em\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000reported\uff1b\u3000glancing\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000they’re\u3000built\u3000for\u3000long\u2026distance\u3000events\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000where\u3000did\u3000they\u3000e\u3000from\uff1f\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000murmured\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000gazed\u3000upward\u3002\u3000The\u3000sky\u3000held\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000field\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000low\u3000gray\u3000haze\u3002\u3000They\u3000sped\u3000up\u3000another\u3000dry\u3000watercourse\uff1b\u3000past\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000odd\u2026looking\u3000conifers\u3000and\u3000cycads\u3000and\u3000some\u3000bennettitaleans\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Lost\u3000World\uff1b\u3000\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Rook\u3000hopefully\u3000as\u3000he\u3000hopped\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000abandoned\u3000Alpha\u3000fighter\u3002\u3000Let\u3000it\u3000be\u3000good\u3000news\uff01\u3000Let\u3000her\u3000have\u3000found\u3000something\uff01
\n
\nBut\u3000as\u3000Rook\u3000slid\u3000her\u3000cycle\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000already\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000negative\u3000results\u3000over\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000suits’\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000path\u3000north\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000circle\u3000for\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000around\u3002\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000trace\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000she\u3000finished\u3000her\u3000report\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3000olive\u2026drab\u3000APC\u3000truck\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000they\u3000circled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000leaving\u3000tracks\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000reported\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000left\u3000another\u3000question\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000Cyclone\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000tire\u3000marks\u3000anywhere\u3002\u3000But\u3000why\u3000would\u3000they\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000straight\u3000to\u3000full\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000flown\u3000away\uff1b\u3000without\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000message\u3000or\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000mo\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000their\u3000teammates\uff1f
\n
\nMaybe\u3000the\u3000tire\u3000tracks\u3000had\u3000been\u3000obliterated\u3000by\u3000someone\uff1f\u3000That\u3000would\u3000be\u3000easy\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000do\u3000in\u3000this\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000soil\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000yelled\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003They\u3000know\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000do\u3000this\u3000to\u3000us\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000impetuous\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000flighty\u3000to\u3000say\u3000the\u3000least\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000a\u3000trained\u3000officer\u3000and\u3000team\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000would\u3000never\u3000simply\u3000ignore\u3000his\u3000responsibilities\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000only\u3000one\u3000explanation\u3000that\u3000might\u3000make\u3000some\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n
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\n
\n\u3003We’ll\u3000stick\u3000together\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000ordered\u3002
\n
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\n
\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000But\u3000anywhere\u3000away\u3000from\u3000those\u3000reptiles\u3000will\u3000be\u3000fine\u3000with\u3000me\u2026hey\uff1b\u3000power\u3000down\uff01\u3000There’s\u3000something\u3000up\u3000ahead\u2026the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000an\u3000open\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000course\u3002\u3000What\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rampart\u3000of\u3000stone\u3000some\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000yards\u3000high\uff1b\u3000running\u3000away\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\u3000with\u3000no\u3000breaks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003A\u3000dead\u3000end\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000wailed\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n rds\u3000high\uff1b\u3000running\u3000away\u3000to\u3000the\u3000left\u3000and\u3000right\u3000with\u3000no\u3000breaks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003A\u3000dead\u3000end\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000wailed\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000the\u3000cliffs\u3000and\u3000ceiling\u3000e\u3000together\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000The\u3000overhead\u3000haze\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000downward\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gigantic\u3000cavern’s\u3000stone\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000which\u3000met\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000seal\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000exit\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000observed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000not\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000corrected\u3002\u3000\u3003See\u3000up\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000an\u3000opening\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tunnel\u3000or\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000set\u3000high\u3000above\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000could\u3000be\u3000our\u3000rabbit\u2026hole\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000worth\u3000a\u3000look\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000couldn’t\u3000argue\u3000with\u3000that\u3002\u3000Their\u3000engines\u3000howled\u3002
\n
\n
\nElsewhere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000amiss\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000Genesis\u3000Pits\u3002\u3000From\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000her\u3000consciousness\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000join\u3000with\u3000the\u3000evolved\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000who\u3000was\u3000following\u3000the\u3000movements\u3000of\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Humans\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Trooper’s\u3000single\uff1b\u3000cyclopean\u3000optic\u3000sensor\u3000flashed\u3000red\u3000as\u3000she\u3000mindspoke\u3002\u3000\/Contaminants\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pit\uff01\/\u3000her\u3000angry\u3000thought\u3000reverberated\u3000through\u3000that\u3000trooper\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000assigned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000\/Unless\u3000these\u3000intruders\u3000are\u3000contained\u3000ant\u3000neutralized\uff1b\u3000the\u3000experiment\u3000will\u3000be\u3000ruined\uff01\/
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000paused\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000reasoning\u3000of\u3000her\u3000guards\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000these\u3000were\u3000Earthly\u3000biota\uff1b\u3000and\u3000under\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000broad\u3000guidelines\u3000they\u3000were\u3000valid\u3000candidates\u3000for\u3000inclusion\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pits\u3002\u3000But\u3000these\u3000were\u3000Human\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000armed\u3000with\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000vehicles\u3002\u3000A\u3000counterproductive\u3000anachronism\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000of\u3000monsters\uff01
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000introduction\u3000of\u3000machines\u3000and\u3000weapons\u3000might\u3000provide\u3000some\u3000instructive\u3000insights\u3000about\u3000the\u3000capabilities\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000she\u3000had\u3000bred\u3000here\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000Their\u3000worth\u3000as\u3000contributors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000final\uff1b\u3000Evolved\u3000Form\u3000would\u3000be\u3000tested\u3002
\n
\nYes\uff1b\u3000let\u3000it\u3000continue\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000until\u3000more\u3000observations\u3000had\u3000been\u3000made\u3002\u3000The\u3000creatures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cavern\u3000would\u3000probably\u3000cleanse\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000outsiders\u3000by\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000most\u3000informative\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Or\u3000if\u3000not\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000other\u3000ways\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOUR
\n
\nFay\u3000Wray\u3000can\u3000have\u3000it\uff01
\nRemark\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3000LaBelle
\n
\nThere\u3000are\u3000important\u3000insights\u3000to\u3000the\u3000story\u3000in\u3000Rand’s\u3000recounting\u3000of\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000voluminous\u3000Notes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Run\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000got\u3000even\u3000more\u3000worried\u3000when\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000that\u3000tunnel\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bedrock\u3000was\u3000artificial\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000a\u3000low\u3000arc\u3000of\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000level\u3000floor\u3000made\u3000it\u3000easy\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000cycle\u3000mode\u3000and\u3000race\u3000along\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000obvious\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000drilled\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000made\u3000me\u3000nervous\uff1b\u3000but\u3000let’s\u3000face\u3000it\uff1a\u3000everything\u3000about\u3000that\u3000underground\u3000Lizard\u3000Lounge\u3000had\u3000me\u3000nervous\u3000by\u3000then\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000I\u3000assumed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000mention\u3000it\u3000because\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000Annie\u3000hysterical\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000we\u3000barreled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cycs’\u3000headlights\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000but\u3000only\u3000showed\u3000us\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000floor\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000even\u3000have\u3000weled\u3000some\u3000motel\u3000art\u3000by\u3000that\u3000time\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000outgrown\u3000my\u3000graffiti\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000was\u3000tempted\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000fibbed\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000\u2018Hang\u3000on\u3000tight\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000real\u3000strong\u3000feeling\u3000about\u3000this\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000it’s\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000our\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000place\uff01’\u3000If\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000was\u3000bulling\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000not\u3000to\u3000say\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000she\u3000did\u3000point\u3000to\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000light\u3000that\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000before\u3000us\u3002\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000look\u3000at\u3000that\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott’s\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000real\u3000relieved\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tat\u3000net\uff1b\u3000\u2018We\u3000made\u3000it\uff01’\u3000That\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000surprised\u3000me\uff1b\u3000I\u3000figured\u3000a\u3000guy\u3000raised\u3000in\u3000starships\u3000most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000wouldn’t\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000claustrophobia\u3000as\u3000badly\u3000as\u3000I\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000all\u3000those\u3000strata\u3000above\u3000us\u3000had\u3000been\u3000working\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tempting\u3000fate\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000\u2018I\u3000knew\u3000it\uff01\u3000Our\u3000troubles\u3000are\u3000over\u3000now\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000slope\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000we\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cycs\u3000were\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\u3000and\u3000falling\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000lush\u3000vegetation\u3000down\u3000below\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000were\u3000pretty\u3000used\u3000to\u3000our\u3000mecha\u3000by\u3000then\uff1b\u3000although\u3000it\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000me\u3000some\u3000time\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000the\u3000ropes\u3000on\u3000a\u3000Cyc\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000much\u3000practice\u3000operating\u3000in\u3000an\u3000environment\u3000like\u3000Earth\u3000until\u3000he\u3000had\u3000crash\u2026landed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000coupla\u3000weeks\u3000before\u3002\u3000Mox\u3000nix\uff1b\u3000we\u3000hit\u3000our\u3000burners\u3002\u3000I\u3000did\u3000my\u3000best\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000lose\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3000and\u3000somehow\u3000I\u3000made\u3000that\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000sky\u2026blue\uff1b\u3000umbrella\u2026shaped\u3000thruster\u3000flames\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000terrain\u3000we\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000seemed\u3000okay\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000with\u3000boulders\u3000and\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000fanlike\u3000growths\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000precarious\u3000but\u3000nothing\u3000those\u3000amazing\u3000Robotech\u3000scoots\u3000couldn’t\u3000handle\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000had\u3000my\u3000helmet\u3000open\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000smell\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\uff1b\u3000too\u3000strung\u3000out\u3000to\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000congratulating\u3000ourselves\u3000on\u3000making\u3000it\u3000When\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000beneath\u3000us\u3000began\u3000to\u3000move\u3002\u3000We\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000big\u3000sail\u2026backed\u3000things\uff01\u3000Just\u3000before\u3000we\u3000thruster\u2026jumped\u3000the\u3000hell\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000got\u3000a\u3000look\u3000down\u3000the\u3000maw\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000things\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000had\u3000two\u3000quite\u3000large\u3000front\u3000choppers\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Dimetrodon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000doing\u3000much\u3000note\u2026taking\u3000and\u3000really\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000for\u3000sure\u3000if\u3000you\u3000asked\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000howling\u3000something\u3000about\u3000\u2018more\u3000dinosaurs’\u3000but\u3000we\u3000were\u3000safe\u3002\u3000The\u3000herd\u3000had\u3000re\u2026settled\u3000for\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000all\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000a\u3000bedtime\u3000snack\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000just\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000when\u3000I\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000movement\u3002\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000Invid\uff01’\u3000I\u3000blurted\u3000out\u3002\u3000But\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3000had\u3000already\u3000ducked\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000was\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000got\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sore\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Being\u3000that\u3000far\u3000underground\u3000and\u3000in\u3000a\u3000situation\u3000so\u3000insane\u3000had\u3000him\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000frayed\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\u3000he\u3000backed\u3000off\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000thoughtfully\u3002\u3000\u2018Maybe\u3000they\u3000are\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000all\u3000this\u3002\u3000I\u3000suppose\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000interrupted\u3000his\u3000thought\u3000when\u3000he\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000off\u3000an\u3000another\u3000caper\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000to\u3000us\u3000from\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000balancing\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000windmilling\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hat\u3000and\u3000shuffling\u3000of\u3000shoes\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000big\uff1b\u3000mottled\uff1b\u3000offwhite\u3000ovoid\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000rolled\u3000under\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000giggling\u3000and\u3000yelling\uff1b\u3000\u2018Watch\u3000me\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000typical\u3000Mint\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000what\u3000we\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000through\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000it\u3000from\u3000her\u3000mind\u3000by\u3000clowning\u3000around\u3002\u3000When\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000I\u3000could\u3000only\u3000think\uff1b\u3000Oh\uff1b\u3000my\u3000god\uff01\u3000and\u3000I\u3000started\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000my\u3000’90\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000her\u3000to\u3000get\u3000down\u3000off\u3000of\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000laughed\u3000right\u3000up\u3000until\u3000the\u3000second\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000something\u3000big\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000her\u2026fast\uff01\u3000I\u3000got\u3000my\u3000gun\u3000out\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000that\u3000Daspletosaurus\u3000actually\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000two\u3000Battloids\u3000one\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000how\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000me\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Certainly\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Annie\u3000playing\u3000around\u3000with\u3000its\u3000eggs\u3002\u3000I\u3000can\u3000only\u3000surmise\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000just\u3000laid\u3000them\u3000and\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000over\u3000its\u3000nest\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000agile\u3000and\u3000brilliantly\u3000colored\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000oldtime\u3000revisionist\u3000paleontologists\u3000said\uff1a\u3000a\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000bone\u3000and\u3000muscle\u3000in\u3000metallic\u3000blues\u3000and\u3000reds\u3000and\u3000pinks\u3002\u3000Its\u3000teeth\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000sharpened\u3000baseball\u3000bats\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000opened\u3000fire\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000Scott\u3000did\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000lieutenant\u3000credit\uff1a\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000his\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000just\u3000kept\u3000shooting\u3000H90\u3000rounds\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000any\u3000damage\u3000to\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000sitting\u3000someplace\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000reading\u3000this\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\uff1a\u3000It\u3000feels\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000different\u3000when\u3000you’re\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000animal\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000mecha\u3000is\u3000bearing\u3000down\u3000on\u3000you\u3000and\u3000you\u3000can\u3000smell\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000best\u3000shots\u3000you\u3000can\u3000lay\u3000out\u3000don’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000making\u3000any\u3000difference\u3002\u3000It\u3000takes\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000not\u3000to\u3000bolt\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000choice\u3000because\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000was\u3000slightly\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000straddle\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000whamming\u3000away\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000stood\u3000my\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000live\u3000from\u3000microsecond\u3000to\u3000microsecond\uff1b\u3000and\u3000events\u3000all\u3000fuse\u3000together\uff1b\u3000because\u3000when\u3000you’re\u3000about\u3000to\u3000die\u3000your\u3000life\u3000is\u3000suddenly\u3000an\u3000infinitely\u3000precious\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000no\u3000matter\u3000how\u3000lousy\u3000it’s\u3000been\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000our\u3000good\u3000luck\u3000that\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000had\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000ground\u3000to\u3000cover\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000aiming\u3000for\u3000the\u3000skull\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000I\u3000might\u3000put\u3000its\u3000eyes\u3000out\u3000of\u3000mission\u3000or\u3000even\u3000get\u3000its\u3000brain\u3000somehow\u3002\u3000It\u3000roared\u3000and\u3000staggered\u3000at\u3000us\u3002\u3000But\u3000H90s\u3000were\u3000developed\u3000for\u3000use\u3000against\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000and\u3000no\u3000living\u3000organism\uff1b\u3000even\u3000one\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000that\u3000tyrannosaurid\uff1b\u3000could\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000punishment\u3000we\u3000were\u3000giving\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000chopped\u3000away\u3000at\u3000its\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000chest\u3000cavity\uff1b\u3000head\u2026all\u3000while\u3000it\u3000was\u3000shrieking\u3000and\u3000snapping\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000leap\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Daspletosaurus\u3000fell\u3000across\u3000its\u3000own\u3000eggs\uff1b\u3000crushing\u3000some\uff1b\u3000dying\u3000and\u3000charred\uff1b\u3000never\u3000understanding\u3000what\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000white\u3000faced\u3000and\u3000contrite\u3000and\u3000promising\u3000not\u3000to\u3000go\u3000running\u3000off\u3000ever\u3000again\uff1b\u3000when\u3000I\u3000spotted\u3000familiar\u3000shapes\uff1a\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000Invid\uff01’\u3003
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\n\u3003But\u3000they\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000back\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000before\u3000Scott\u3000turned\u3000from\u3000Annie\u3000or\u3000she\u3000could\u3000spin\u3000around\u3002\u3000And\u3000right\u3000away\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000arguing\u3000again\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000he\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000them\u3000up\u3000above\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000not\u3000believe\u3000I\u3000had\u3000done\u3000the\u3000same\u3000down\u3000below\uff1f\u3000Either\u3000you\u3000trust\u3000your\u3000teammates\u3000or\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Mint\u3000put\u3000in\u3000her\u3000two\u2026cents\u3000worth\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000say\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000scared\u3000enough\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000and\u3000wished\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000see\u3000Invids\u3000behind\u3000every\u3000tree\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003For\u3000maybe\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000time\u3000that\u3000day\u3000I\u3000bit\u3000back\u3000what\u3000I\u3000had\u3000been\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000Scott’s\u3000military\u3000training\u3000revolved\u3000around\u3000reports\u3000and\u3000evaluations\u3000and\u3000source\u2026dependability\u3000ratings\u3000and\u3000all\u3000that\u3000garbage\uff1b\u3000but\u3000either\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000teammate\u3000or\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3002\u3000I\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000subject\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000can’t\u3000help\u3000it\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000kid\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000defuse\u3000things\u3002\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000there\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000still\u3000ther \n
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000can’t\u3000help\u3000it\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000kid\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000defuse\u3000things\u3002\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000were\u3000there\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000still\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they’re\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000us\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000a\u3000handle\u3000on\u3000any\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000Prehistoric\u3000biota\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000attack\u3002\u3000It\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000make\u3000sense\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003But\u3000I\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000at\u3000least\u3000I\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Scott\u3000something\u3000to\u3000ponder\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000fire\u3000we\u3000built\u3000on\u3000the\u3000beach\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tepid\u3000lake\u3000made\u3000Annie\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000safer\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000was\u3000still\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000every\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000Godzilla\u3000and\u3000the\u3000gang\u3000to\u3000show\u3000up\u3000expecting\u3000hot\u3000hors\u3000d’oeuvres\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000coughed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000but\u3000agreed\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000cheery\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000stripped\u3000off\u3000my\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000put\u3000together\u3000a\u3000survival\u2026type\u3000circle\u3000trident\uff1b\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000some\u3000supper\u3002\u3000Up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000we\u3000could\u3000have\u3000just\u3000thrown\u3000some\u3000explosives\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000the\u3000catch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000to\u3000e\u3000floating\u3000to\u3000us\u3000belly\u2026up\u3002\u3000But\u3000around\u3000here\u3000those\u3000tactics\u3000might\u3000just\u3000make\u3000something\u3000mad\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000I\u3000crouched\u3000nervously\u3000on\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000on\u3000the\u3000beach\uff1b\u3000waiting\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000the\u3000deeper\u3000water\u3000every\u3000half\u3000second\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000country\u3000kid\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Forager\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000done\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000thing\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000times\u3000before\u3002\u3000Pretty\u3000soon\u3000I\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hit\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003What\u3000I\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000was\u3000all\u3000needle\u3000snout\u3000and\u3000kinked\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000freshwater\uff1b\u3000pygmy\u3000Ichthyosaurus\u3000whose\u3000grandmother\u3000had\u3000too\u3000many\u3000X\u2026rays\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3002\u3000I\u3000threw\u3000it\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sand\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000came\u3000over\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Everything\u3000just\u3000got\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000because\u3000I\u3000started\u3000waving\u3000my\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000and\u3000babbling\u3002\u3000The\u3000whole\u3000time\u3000scale\u3000had\u3000me\u3000going\u3000nuts\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018This\u3000fish\u3000should’ve\u3000been\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000I\u3000dunno\uff1b\u3000sixty\u2026five\u3000million\u3000years\u3000ago\u3002\u3000Those\u3000pterosaurs\u3000and\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000these\u3000critters\uff1b\u3000same\u3000thing\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000me\u3000with\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000round\u3000as\u3000full\u3000moons\u3002\u3000\u2018S\u2026so\u3000how\u3000can\u3000they\u3000still\u3000be\u3000alive\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u2018This\u3000is\u2026it’s\u3000beyond\u3000me\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000\u2018Well\u3000I’m\u3000just\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000else\u3000might\u3000be\u3000floating\u3000around\u3000out\u3000there\u3002’\u3000Somewhere\u3000far\u3000off\uff1b\u3000we\u3000heard\u3000something\u3000very\u3000heavy\u3000break\u3000the\u3000water\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dive\u3002\u3000It\u3000reminded\u3000me\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000whales\u3000made\u3000in\u3000those\u3000prewar\u3000nature\u3000shows\u3002\u3000Only\uff1b\u3000we\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000whale\uff1b\u3000because\u3000it\u3000honked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000horny\u3000tractor\u2026trailer\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018At\u3000least\u3000Annie\u3000can\u3000sleep\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000tiredly\u3000awhile\u3000later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000we\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\u3002\u3000We\u3000planned\u3000to\u3000take\u3000turns\u3000standing\u3000guard\u3000all\u3000night\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000in\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000Annie\u3000out\u3000of\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000watch\u3000with\u3000some\u3000excuse\u3000about\u3000needing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000help\u3000with\u3000the\u3000scouting\u3000the\u3000next\u3000day\u3002\u3000Actually\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000her\u3000up\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000trust\u3000her\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gun\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000in\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000She\u3000snored\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000cap\u3000bill\u3000pulled\u3000down\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000across\u3000her\u3000middle\u3000as\u3000she\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000her\u3000back\u3002\u3000I\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u2018Kids\uff1a\u3000nothing\u3000bothers\u3000’em\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000finishing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000my\u3000impossible\u3000fish\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000grinned\uff1b\u3000\u2018Your\u3000appetite\u3000hasn’t\u3000been\u3000bothered\u3000much\uff1b\u3000either\u3002’\u3000I\u3000kept\u3000on\u3000chewing\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000\u2018Hey\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01\u3000Anybody\u3000home\uff1f’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000hear\u3000ya\u3000perfectly\u3000well\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000just\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000piece\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3000together\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f’\u3003
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\n\u3003He\u3000took\u3000an\u3000unspoken\u3000offense\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000curl\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fire\u3002\u3000He\u3000probably\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000still\u3000upset\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000believe\u3000me\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000back\u3000to\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000since\u3000we\u3000fell\u3000into\u3000that\u3000pit\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000made\u3000it\u3000easier\u3000to\u3000visualize\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000screen\u3000we\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000through\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Scott\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000up\u3000out\u3000there\u3000in\u3000space\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lacked\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000knowledge\u3000about\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000And\u3000Annie\u2026she\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000But\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000main\u3000things\u3000that\u3000originally\u3000drew\u3000me\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Forager\u3000life\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000find\u3000books\u3002\u3000Books\uff1b\u3000films\u2026the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000the\u3000history\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000my\u3000being\u3000what\u3000I\u3000am\uff1b\u3000if\u3000that\u3000doesn’t\u3000sound\u3000uppity\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000knew\u3000next\u3000to\u3000nothing\u3000about\u3000Earth’s\u3000prehistory\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000had\u3000read\u3000a\u3000small\u3000library’s\u3000worth\u3002\u3000What\u3000kid\u3000doesn’t\u3000bee\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000dinosaurs\uff1f\u3000And\u3000I\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000know\u3000that\u3000what\u3000we\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thrown\u3000into\u3000was\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000potpourri\uff1a\u3000Paleozoic\u3000plants\uff1b\u3000Mesozoic\u3000reptiles\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000in\u3000and\u3000mixed\u3000around\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000somebody\u3000was\u3000waiting\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000floated\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003While\u3000there\u3000were\u3000a\u3000few\u3000swamp\u3000areas\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000which\u3000we\u3000had\u3000found\u3000ourselves\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outset\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hundreds\u3000or\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000square\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Lizard\u3000Lounge\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000flood\u3000plain\uff1b\u3000with\u3000seasonal\u3000bodies\u3000of\u3000water\u3002\u3000We\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000how\u3000the\u3000builders\u3000managed\u3000that\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000wonder\u3000the\u3000place\u3000was\u3000so\u3000enormous\uff1b\u3000the\u3000land\u3000creatures’\u3000lives\u3000revolved\u3000around\u3000the\u3000herbivores’\u3000need\u3000for\u3000a\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000constant\u3000feeding\u3000migration\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000carnivores’\u3000constant\u3000need\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000and\u3000hunt\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000dinos\u3000no\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000chipmunks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000real\u3000heavyweights\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000most\u3000or\u3000all\u3000of\u3000the\u3000biological\u3000niches\u3000were\u3000filled\uff1b\u3000including\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000for\u3000small\uff1b\u3000furtive\u3000mammals\u3002\u3003
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\nWe\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000things\u3000that\u3000verified\u3000the\u3000work\u3000of\u3000Ostrom\uff1b\u3000Horner\uff1b\u3000Bakker\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000last\u3000great\u3000paleontologists\u3002\u3000Stegosaurus\u3000actually\u3000did\u3000have\u3000a\u3000single\u3000row\u3000of\u3000bony\u3000plates\u3000on\u3000its\u3000back\u3002\u3000Do\u3000they\u3000know\uff1b\u3000I\u3000hope\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000we\u3000had\u3000stumbled\u3000into\u3000were\u3000warm\u2026blooded\u3000dinosaurs\u2026endotherms\uff01\u3000The\u3000Brontosauruses\u3000protected\u3000their\u3000young\u3000while\u3000on\u3000the\u3000move\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000herd\u3000of\u3000elephants\u3002\u3000I\u3000watched\u3000huge\u3000duckbill\u3000females\u3000exhibiting\u3000maternal\u3000behavior\uff1b\u3000feeding\u3000and\u3000protecting\u3000their\u3000hatchlings\u3002\u3000Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000time\u3000to\u3000witness\u3000live\u3000births\u3000among\u3000the\u3000brontos\uff1a\u3000we\u3000were\u3000sorta\u3000busy\u3000keeping\u3000away\u3000from\u3000hungry\u3000meat\u2026eaters\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000predators\u3000were\u3000warm\u2026blooded\uff1b\u3000and\u3000therefore\u3000had\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000a\u3000lot\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000fast\u2026moving\uff1b\u3000very\u3000aggressive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000always\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000a\u3000meal\u3002\u3000I\u3000watched\u3000a\u3000pack\u3000of\u3000swift\u3000Deinonychuses\uff1b\u3000running\u3000on\u3000bird\u2026hipped\u3000hind\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000drag\u3000down\u3000a\u3000much\u3000bigger\u3000Tenontosaurus\u3002\u3000The\u3000Deinoychuses\u3000tore\u3000the\u3000helpless\u3000giant\u3000to\u3000pieces\u3000and\u3000devoured\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\u3000hid\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000against\u3000my\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000while\u3000I\u3000was\u3000fascinated\u3000even\u3000though\u3000I\u3000was\u3000sickened\uff1b\u3000I\u3000made\u3000up\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000her\u3000any\u3000similar\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000if\u3000possible\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000had\u3000already\u3000had\u3000a\u3000few\u3000close\u3000encounters\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000may\u3000go\u3000down\u3000in\u3000history\u3000as\u3000the\u3000only\u3000human\u3000being\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000kill\u3000a\u3000T\u3002\u3000Rex\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rocket\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000Scorpions\u3000from\u3000his\u3000Cyc’s\u3000forward\u3000racks\u3002\u3000We\u3000were\u3000safe\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000but\u3000how\u3000long\u3000could\u3000we\u3000last\u3000once\u3000we\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000of\u3000power\u3000and\u3000ordnance\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000probably\u3000the\u3000last\u3000member\u3000of\u3000the\u3000legendary\u3000King\u3000Kong\u3000Klub\uff1b\u3000having\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000rigorous\u3000written\u3000and\u3000oral\u3000exams\u3000and\u3000proven\u3000my\u3000love\u3000for\u3000that\u3000movie\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000my\u3000avowed\u3000devotion\u3000to\u3000stop\u2026motion\u3000critters\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wished\u3000in\u3000those\u3000next\u3000hours\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Cycs\u3000were\u3000teleportation\u3000machines\u3002\u3000I\u3000suspect\u3000we\u3000all\u3000did\u3002\u3000You\u3000would\u3000have\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000that\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000blood\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000had\u3000a\u3000serious\u3000laceration\u3000or\u3000been\u3000around\u3000major\u3000trauma\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000talking\u3000about\u3002\u3000Fresh\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000spilled\uff1b\u3000lost\u3002\u3000That\u3000smell\u3000was\u3000so\u3000thick\u3000down\u3000there\u3000that\u3000I\u3000swear\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000snuffed\u3000a\u3000candle\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Still\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000what\u3000I\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000while\u3000I\u3000sat\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000night\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000Pachycephalosauruses\u3000batting\u3000heads\u3000like\u3000bighorn\u3000sheep\u3000and\u3000oinking\u3000and\u3000spitting\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000considering\u3000the\u3000awesome\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000artificial\u3000world\u3000around\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000even\u3000at\u3000its\u3000prewar\u3000height\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000the\u3000power\u3000or\u3000the\u3000knowledge\u3000to\u3000create\u3000this\u3000Lost\u3000World\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000obvious\u3000who\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000certainly\u3000had\u3000little\u3000motivation\u3000to\u3000build\u3000an\u3000Earth\u3000museum\u3002\u3000Then\u3000I\u3000stopped\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000I\u3000had\u3000been\u3000catching\u3000glimpses\u3000of\u3000in\u3000terms\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u3000and\u3000started\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000of\u3000them\u3000as\u3000some\u3000other\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000force\u2026say\uff1b\u3000park\u3000rangers\uff1f\u3000Guarding\u3000a\u3000sanctuary\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Clear\u3000enough\uff01’\u3000I\u3000was\u3000mumbling\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000me\u3002\u3000\u2018This\u3000place\u3000is\u3000one\u3000big\u3000lab\uff01’\u3000I\u3000cried\u3002\u3000\u2018Now\u3000I’m\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000incredible\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Well\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000understand\uff1b’\u3000he\u3000was\u3000grousing\u3002\u3000\u2018Back\u3000up\u3000and\u3000try\u3000again\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000was\u3000right\u3002\u3000I\u3000forced\u3000myself\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u2018I’m\u3000sure\u3000this\u3000is\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000test\u3000facility\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000playing\u3000around\u3000with\u3000the\u3000history\u3000of\u3000life\u3000on\u3000Earth\u2026evolution\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000start\u3000right\u3000down\u3000to\u3000today\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Were\u3000there\u3000other\u3000arenas\u3000where\u3000Tertiary\u3000organisms\u3000fought\u3000and\u3000strove\uff1b\u3000or\u3000basic\u3000Earth\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000had\u3000been\u3000mutated\u3000with\u3000coldly\u3000clinical\u3000intent\uff1b\u3000against\u3000some\u3000possible\u3000future\uff1f\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000any\u3000time\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000that\u3000now\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000trip\u3000over\u3000my\u3000own\u3000tongue\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u2018They’re\u3000doing\u3000evolution\u3000experiments\u2026cloning\uff1b\u3000genetic\u3000engineering\uff01\u3000Darwinism\u3000in\u3000the\u3000passing\u3000lane\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Are\u3000you\u3000drunk\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000wish\uff01\u3000Listen\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000intend\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Earth\u3000their\u3000home\uff1b\u3000because\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000grows\u3000best\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000before\u3000they\u3000choose\u3000the\u3000final\u3000physical\u3000form\u2026or\u3000forms\u2026they’ll\u3000take\u3000on\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000testing\uff1b\u3000studying\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000well\u2026now\u2026hold\u2026on\u2026a\u2026second\u2026there\u3000talk\u3000and\u3000flat\u2026handed\u3000calming\u3000gestures\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018And\u3000now\u3000we’re\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000experiment\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000yelled\u3000over\u3000him\uff1b\u3000sorry\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wake\u3000up\u3000to\u3000bad\u3000news\uff1b\u3000because\u3000I\u3000was\u3000shouting\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u2018They’re\u3000using\u3000us\u3000as\u3000guinea\u3000pigs\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000keep\u3000hidden\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000showing\u3000themselves\u3000and\u3000attacking\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shush\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000think\u3000I\u3000had\u3000had\u3000a\u3000hysterical\u3000episode\uff1b\u3000or\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000believe\u3000me\u3002\u3000\u2018Scott\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000get\u3000word\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\uff01\u3000This\u3000is\u3000more\u3000important\u3000than\u3000your\u3000damned\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff01\u3000Once\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000find\u3000a\u3000form\u3000that\u3000th \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000Once\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000find\u3000a\u3000form\u3000that\u3000they\u3000figure\u3000will\u3000let\u3000them\u3000dominate\u3000the\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000there’ll\u3000be\u3000no\u3000more\u3000need\u3000for\u2026uh\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003At\u3000least\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000I\u3000made\u3002\u3000We\u3000had\u3000both\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000midsyllable\uff1b\u3000mouths\u3000open\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000we\u3000heard\u3000then\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000e\u3000from\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000female\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000slightly\u3000familiar\u3000about\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000mostly\u3000alien\u3000and\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000with\u3000an\u3000arrogant\u3000undertone\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000also\u3000got\u3000the\u3000feeling\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000that\u3000its\u3000words\u3000were\u3000being\u3000transmitted\u3000to\u3000and\u3000echoed\u3000by\u3000some\u3000multitude\u3000that\u3000spoke\u3000with\u3000a\u3000single\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000subordinate\u3000to\u3000the\u3000main\u3000one\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000know\u3000this\u3000is\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000but\u2026it\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000stage\u3000voice\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000like\u3000somebody\u3000doing\u3000Lady\u3000Macbeth\u3000through\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000voice\u2026processing\u3000equipment\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018Humans\uff1b\u3000your\u3000time\u3000on\u3000this\u3000planet\u3000is\u3000almost\u3000spent\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000both\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000voice\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000I\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3000night\u3000air\u3000on\u3000my\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000there\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000up\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Annie\u3000came\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sitting\u3000position\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000folded\u3000across\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000was\u3000still\u3000facing\u3000away\u3000from\u3000us\uff1b\u3000the\u3000firelight\u3000playing\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000straggly\u3000after\u3000a\u3000day\u3000of\u3000roughing\u3000it\u3000in\u3000that\u3000sweaty\u3000theme\u3000park\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000began\uff1b\u3000\u2018Um\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000feeling\u3000all\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u2018The\u3000age\u3000of\u3000Humans\u3000is\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000an\u3000end\uff01’\u3000What\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000turned\u3000toward\u3000us\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000features\u3000we\u3000saw\u3000weren’t\u3000Annie’s\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000something\u3000old\u3000and\u3000malign\uff1b\u3000using\u3000her\u3000face\u3000and\u3000form\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Now\uff1b’\u3000it\u3000gloated\uff1b\u3000\u2018a\u3000new\u3000era\u3000begins\u3000on\u3000Earth\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018What’s\u3000she\u3000babbling\u3000about\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000Annie\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003’Rand\uff1b\u3000she\u2026sounds\u3000possessed\uff1b’\u3000Scott\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hoping\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000some\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000we\u3000should\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000thing\u3000using\u3000Annie’s\u3000body\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000camp\u3000fire\u3000from\u3000us\u3002\u3000\u2018Humans\uff1b\u3000you\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3000the\u3000extent\u3000of\u3000our\u3000power\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003With\u3000that\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000expanded\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000leapt\u3000high\u3000above\u3000our\u3000heads\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000I\u3000backed\u3000off\u3000a\u3000step\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000shielding\u3000our\u3000faces\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000saw\u3000Annie\u3000across\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000from\u3000us\u3000as\u3000she\u3000let\u3000them\u3000die\u3000down\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000floating\u3000as\u3000if\u3000windblown\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000making\u3000passes\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000were\u3000a\u3000sorceress\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Humans\u3000are\u3000merely\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3000in\u3000the\u3000great\u3000scheme\u3000of\u3000evolution\uff01’\u3000Annie\u3000gestured\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000so\u3000help\u3000me\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000seeing\u3000a\u3000moving\u3000form\u3000silhouetted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blaze\uff1b\u3000a\u3000female\u3000form\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000quite\u3000Human\u3002\u3000It\u3000threw\u3000its\u3000arms\u3000high\u3000in\u3000triumph\uff1b\u3000while\u3000that\u3000chilling\u3000voice\u3000went\u3000on\u3000exultantly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018The\u3000Earth\u3000is\u3000entering\u3000an\u3000era\u3000of\u3000domination\u3000by\u3000a\u3000different\u3000form\u3000of\u3000life\uff1b\u3000which\u3000has\u3000traveled\u3000a\u3000different\u3000evolutionary\u3000path\u3002’\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000laughed\u3000evilly\u3002\u3000\u2018Be\u3000warned\u3002\u3002\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000then\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000trailed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Annie’s\uff1b\u3000moaning\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000expression\u3000on\u3000the\u3000face\u3000was\u3000one\u3000we\u3000recognized\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000slumped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIVE
\n
\nThose\u3000which\u3000we\u3000call\u3000monsters\u3000are\u3000not\u3000so\u3000with\u3000God
\nMontaigne\uff1b\u3000Essays\uff1b\u3000Vol\u3002\u3000II\uff1b\u3000XXX
\n
\nThe\u3000team’s\u3000search\u3000patterns\u3000turned\u3000up\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000Exhausted\uff1b\u3000they\u3000stopped\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours’\u3000rest\u3000before\u3000they\u3000would\u3000continue\u3000with\u3000a\u3000night\u2026sweep\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000couldn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000repeating\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\uff1a\u3000\u3003What\u3000coulda\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000em\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000else\u3000to\u3000look\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000admitted\u3000tiredly\u3002\u3000\u3003Our\u3000best\u3000hope\u3000is\u3000that\u3000they\u3000just\u2026show\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000through\u3000his\u3000long\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000same\u3000boulder\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\u3002\u3000He\u3000gnawed\u3000noisily\u3000on\u3000a\u3000drumstick\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000scavenged\u3000from\u3000Wolff’s\u3000supply\u3000depot\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000suppose\u3000that’s\u3000all\u3000we\u3000can\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000curled\u3000up\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lithe\u3000form\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blanket\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000a\u3000single\u3000stray\u3000curl\u3000of\u3000strawberry\u2026blond\u3000hair\u3000showing\uff1b\u3000brilliant\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\u3002\u3000\u3003Isn’t\u3000she\u3000even\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000them\uff1f\u3000How\u3000can\u3000she\u3000sleep\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3000like\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nWithout\u3000turning\u3000over\uff1b\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000sit\u3000there\u3000blabbing\u3000and\u3000gorging\u3000yourself\u3000all\u3000night\u3002\u3000How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000eat\u3000at\u3000a\u3000time\u3000like\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000hurt\u3000look\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000told\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000real\u3000reason\u3000she’s\u3000awake\u3000is\u3000because\u3000she’s\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000lay\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000Lunk\u3000plain\u3000about\u3000how\u3000spooky\u3000it\u3000all\u3000was\u3002\u3000After\u3000riding\u3000as\u3000a\u3000loner\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000feeling\u3000again\u3000that\u3000special\u3000torment\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000herself\u3000she\u3000would\u3000always\u3000avoid\u2026fear\u3000that\u3000harm\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000a\u3000loved\u3000one\uff1b\u3000an\u3000all\u2026consuming\u3000concern\u3000for\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000bee\uff1b\u3000though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000let\u3000it\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000family\u3002
\n
\n
\nAnnie\u3000came\u3000around\u3000again\u3000in\u3000a\u3000second\u3000or\u3000two\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000her\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\uff1b\u3000she\u3000claimed\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000both\u3000imagining\u3000things\u3002\u3000As\u3000far\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000having\u3000some\u3000crazy\u3000dream\u3000in\u3000which\u3000she\u3000married\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000who\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000her\u3000old\u3000boyfriend\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000was\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000mind\u3000never\u3000too\u3000far\u3000from\u3000the\u3000marriage\u3000that\u3000would\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sure\uff1b\u3000let\u3000her\u3000live\u3000happily\u3000ever\u3000after\u3002\u3000What\u3000the\u3000two\u3000men\u3000were\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000was\u3000upsetting\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000wounded\u3000look\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000if\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000just\u3000drop\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000issue\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000backed\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000had\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000it\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000just\u3000about\u3000then\uff1b\u3000a\u3000battle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bipeds\u3000started\u3000up\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000nightlight\u3000glow\u3000from\u3000the\u3000haze\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000just\u3000make\u3000out\u3000some\u3000big\u3000meat\u2026eaters\u3000tangling\u3000with\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000probably\u3000over\u3000a\u3000kill\u3000or\u3000some\u3000carrion\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000between\u3000two\u3000Ceratosauruses\u3000and\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000Allosaurus\uff1b\u3000but\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000for\u3000sure\u3000and\u3000wasn’t\u3000interested\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000stick\u3000around\u3000and\u3000find\u3000out\u3002
\n
\nDangerous\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000traveling\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000the\u3000men\u3000snapped\u3000on\u3000their\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000started\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000moved\u3000out\u3002\u3000They\u3000found\u3000the\u3000dry\u3000water\u3000course\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000traveling\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000had\u3000no\u3000sooner\u3000increased\u3000their\u3000speed\u3000than\u3000the\u3000air\u3000was\u3000full\u3000of\u3000pterosaurs\u3000of\u3000all\u3000sizes\u3000and\u3000shapes\uff1b\u3000swooping\u3000and\u3000diving\uff1b\u3000beaks\u3000napping\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000couldn’t\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stirred\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000noise\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000somehow\u3000sending\u3000them\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3002
\n
\nLuckily\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000things\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000in\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000way\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000evasive\u3000maneuvers\u3000saved\u3000the\u3000Cyclone\u3000riders\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000And\u3000lucky\u3000was\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000a\u3000fifty\u2026foot\u3000wingspan\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000Rand’s\u3000helmet\u3000phones\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000and\u3000Mint\u3000find\u3000cover\uff01\u3000I’ll\u3000fight\u3000them\u3000off\u3000and\u3000catch\u3000up\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000couldn’t\u3000argue\uff1b\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000men\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000protection\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000pletely\u3000vulnerable\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000rogered\u3000and\u3000increased\u3000his\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000peeling\u3000away\u3000and\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000some\u3000tree\u3000cover\u3002\u3000The\u3000soaring\u3000hunters\u3000concentrated\u3000on\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000switched\u3000to\u3000full\u3000Battle\u3000Armor\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000on\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000Cyclone\u3000ponents\u3000being\u3000part\u3000of\u3000his\u3000powered\u3000suit\u3002\u3000One\u3000blast\u3000from\u3000the\u3000H90\u3000sent\u3000a\u3000small\u3000Pteranodon\u3000tumbling\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000flock\u3000hesitating\uff1b\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blast\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000blaring\u3000of\u3000backpack\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000blasted\u3000the\u3000wing\u3000off\u3000another\u3000as\u3000it\u3000stooped\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000had\u3000to\u3000duck\u3000and\u3000roll\u3000aside\u3000as\u3000a\u3000third\u3000came\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000the\u3000left\u3002\u3000Its\u3000beak\u3000and\u3000wicked\u3000teeth\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000off\u3000an\u3000unprotected\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000alloy\u3000saved\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000rolled\u3000onto\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000H90\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000at\u3000any\u3000pterosaur\u3000that\u3000came\u3000near\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000things\u3000shrieked\u3000as\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000bolts\u3000quartered\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000them\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scott’s\u3000doing\u3000okay\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000dividing\u3000his\u3000time\u3000between\u3000watching\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000keeping\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000out\u3000for\u3000strays\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000needs\u3000our\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3002\u3002\u3002I\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000feel\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000those\u3000creatures\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000confessed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Aw\uff1b\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3000gimme\u3000a\u3000break\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000back\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000again\uff1b\u3000shooting\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3000with\u3000a\u3000high\u3000degree\u3000of\u3000accuracy\u3002\u3000Dead\u3000and\u3000dying\u3000soarers\uff1b\u3000whole\u3000or\u3000in\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000lay\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000As\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000he\u3000nailed\u3000one\u3000that\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000folded\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000he\u3000got\u3000it\u3000dead\u3000center\u3000and\u3000its\u3000head\u3000exploded\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Rand\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000a\u3000glow\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000foot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000cliff\u2026wall\u3002\u3000It\u3000pulsed\u3000brightly\uff1b\u3000waned\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000brightened\u3000again\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hang\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000check\u3000something\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nHigh\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cliff\u3000ledge\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000savage\u3000battle\uff1b\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000mindspoke\u3000to\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000its\u3000panion\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000same\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000was\u3000heard\u3000through\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Human\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000are\u3000most\u3000determined\uff01\u3000Their\u3000will\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000is\u3000strong\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLike\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dinosaurs\u3000were\u3000discovering\u3000that\u3000Humans\u3000weren’t\u3000as\u3000easy\u3000prey\u3000as\u3000they\u3000looked\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000all\u3000this\u3000experimentation\u3000with\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000from\u3000Earth’s\u3000past\u3000and\u3000mutations\u3000of\u3000various\u3000ones\u3000from\u3000its\u3000present\u3000was\u3000pointless\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000further\u3000study\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000if\u3000their\u3000form\u3000would\u3000suit\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000despite\u3000its\u3000aberrant\u3000behavioral\u3000patterns\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000for\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000below\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000done\u3000enough\u3000damage\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000rid\u3000the\u3000place\u3000of\u3000contaminants\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000stopped\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000at\u3000ground\u3000level\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000light\u3000and\u3000heat\u3000pulsed\u3000so\u3000strongly\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000hid\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lee\u3000of\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000except\u3000for\u3000an\u3000occasional\u3000peek\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000knew\u3000something\u3000like\u3000this\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000here\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000cried\u3002\u3000Heat\uff1b\u3000light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000field\u2026perhaps\u3000even\u3000the\u3000force\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000stupendous\u3000stone\u3000ceiling\u3000up\u2026they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000powered\u3000by\u3000some\u3000source\u3002\u3000Some\u3000Invid\u3000source\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000armed\u3000his\u3000forward\u3000Scorpions\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000asked\u3000sharply\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000\u2018Last\u3000Call\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Lizard\u3000Lounge\uff1b\u3003’\u3000he\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n
\nEventually\u3000the\u3000pterosaurs\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000their\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3000having\u3000been\u3000too\u3000much\u3000even\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smoki \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nEventually\u3000the\u3000pterosaurs\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000their\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3000having\u3000been\u3000too\u3000much\u3000even\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000the\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000the\u3000smoking\u3000remains\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000fitting\u3000a\u3000fresh\u3000charge\u3000into\u3000his\u3000H90\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000rolled\u3000a\u3000body\u3000over\u3000with\u3000his\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000his\u3000work\u3002\u3000\u3003Must’ve\u3000been\u3000something\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000appeared\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000still\u3000clinging\u3000to\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000skidding\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3002\u3000\u3003Are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000gotta\u3000tell\u3000you\u2026\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000before\u3000Rand\u3000could\u3000get\u3000out\u3000his\u3000story\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000power\u3000source\uff1b\u3000or\u3000control\u3000center\uff1b\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000a\u3000new\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000sounds\u3000came\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000every\u3000possible\u3000flying\u3000creature\uff1a\u3000dragonflies\u3000and\u3000other\u3000insects\u3000as\u3000well\u3000as\u3000pterosaurs\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Something’s\u3000stirring\u3000them\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Something’s\u3000got\u3000’em\u3000all\u3000on\u3000the\u3000run\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000shouted\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000peered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000haze\u2026light\u3000and\uff1b\u3000sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000population\u3000of\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000sanctuary\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000headed\u3000their\u3000way\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Looks\u3000like\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000rush\u3000hour\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000began\u3000to\u3000tremble\u3000and\u3000dance\u3000beneath\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000they\u3000could\u3000do\u3000except\u3000lurch\u3000and\u3000teeter\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000balance\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Earthquake\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000yelled\u3002\u3000This\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Scott\u3000about\u3000the\u3000two\u3000rockets\u3000he\u3000put\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000cave\u3000installation\uff1b\u3000or\u3000of\u3000the\u3000terrific\u3000secondary\u3000blast\u3000they\u3000had\u3000set\u3000off\u2026or\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000silence\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000afterward\u3002\u3000They\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000grinding\u3000and\u3000cracking\u3000of\u3000uncountable\u3000tons\u3000of\u3000bedrock\u3000all\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000tree\u3000swayed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000giant\u3000flyswatter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000came\u3000down\u3000smack\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000Triceratops\u3000that\u3000just\u3000ignored\u3000it\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000bulldozing\u3000along\u3002\u3000A\u3000big\u3000conifer\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000a\u3000smallish\u3000Stegosaurus\uff1b\u3000passing\u3000meat\u2026eaters\u3000ignored\u3000it\uff1b\u3000continuing\u3000their\u3000flight\u3002\u3000A\u3000boulder\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bus\uff1b\u3000falling\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\uff1b\u3000squashed\u3000an\u3000Iguanodon\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000herd\u3000passed\u3000by\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000changed\u3000modes\u3000and\u3000soared\u3000overhead\u3000on\u3000thrusters\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000beasts\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000them\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000doesn’t\u3000it\u3000occur\u3000to\u3000you\u3000that\u3000being\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000dinosaur\u3000stampede\u3000could\u3000be\u3000bad\u3000for\u3000our\u3000health\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000where\u3000we’re\u3000going\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000do\u3002\u3000Any\u3000better\u3000ideas\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000brother\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nClouds\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000The\u3000haze\u3000began\u3000to\u3000grow\u3000dim\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000the\u3000energy\u3000field\u3000was\u3000losing\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000its\u3000power\u3002\u3000It\u3000took\u3000every\u3000ounce\u3000of\u3000their\u3000skill\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000Cycs\u3000going\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000they\u3000stay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000was\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000flying\u3000things\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000blinded\u3000them\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000knocked\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000big\u3000Tyrannosauruses\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000them\u3000simply\u3000disappeared\uff1b\u3000tails\u3000flailing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000barely\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000give\u3000a\u3000warning\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000brake\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Cyclones\u3000went\u3000off\u3000the\u3000edge\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000abyss\u3000that\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000All\u3000three\u3000howled\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000loudest\u3000of\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000armored\u3000men\u3000mechamorphosed\uff1b\u3000rising\u3000on\u3000their\u3000backpack\u3000thrusters\u3000again\u2026the\u3000Cyc\u3000wheels\u3000repositioning\u3000up\u3000on\u3000their\u3000backs\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u2026and\u3000Rand\u3000held\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000something\u3000rose\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000chasm\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000flashing\u3000past\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Invid\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000find\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000Toldja\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000incandescent\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000light\u3000suddenly\u3000stretched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000up\u3000to\u3000its\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000swept\u3000out\u3000and\u3000around\u3000for\u3000an\u3000attack\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000take\u3000’em\u3000on\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000grimly\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000zoomed\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000to\u3000drop\u3000Annie\u3000off\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000on\u3000some\u3000rocks\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000Scott\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000big\uff1b\u3000purple\u3000alien\u3000mecha\u3000came\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bulky\u3000cannon\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000either\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000leapt\u3000clear\u3000with\u3000an\u3000assist\u3000from\u3000his\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000rolled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000came\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000H90\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000firing\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000dodged\u3000his\u3000shots\u3000and\u3000came\u3000in\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000shoulder\u3000with\u3000Scott\u3000by\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000aim\u3000their\u3000shots\u3000while\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000heaved\u3000and\u3000jostled\u3000under\u3000them\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000jumped\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000launched\u3000himself\u3000high\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000eluding\u3000a\u3000swipe\u3000by\u3000a\u3000colossal\u3000metal\u3000pincer\u3000on\u3000a\u3000forearm\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ladybug\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000put\u3000more\u3000rounds\u3000into\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000trooper\u3000crouched\u3000in\u3000a\u3000defensive\u3000posture\u3000beneath\u3000him\uff1b\u3000shielding\u3000itself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000thickest\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000its\u3000panoply\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000screaming\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000look\uff01\u3000There’s\u3000the\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000disappearing\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000energy\u3000field\u3000that\u3000had\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000way\u3000out\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000opening\u3000was\u3000shrinking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000light\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000narrower\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000our\u3000only\u3000chance\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000called\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000so\u3000distracted\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000mashed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000by\u3000a\u3000blow\u3000from\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mighty\u3000forearm\u3000got\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000him\u3000sprawling\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000it\u3000back\u3000with\u3000wild\u3000shots\u3000from\u3000his\u3000sidearm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000second\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000angling\u3000for\u3000a\u3000shot\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000back\u2026flipped\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000rushed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trooper\u3000getting\u3000off\u3000near\u3000misses\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000both\u3000men\u3000reeling\u3000back\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000targeting\u3000module\u3000deployed\u3000from\u3000its\u3000external\u3000shoulder\u3000mount\u3000and\u3000swung\u3000into\u3000place\u3000before\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000through\u3000a\u3000sighting\u3000reticle\u3002\u3000He\u3000released\u3000a\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000Scorpions\u3000that\u3000missed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000drove\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000invaders\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000the\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000and\u3000zooming\u3000off\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3002\u3000\u3003They’re\u3000heading\u3000for\u3000the\u3000opening\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000gotta\u3000stop\u3000them\uff1b\u3000before\u3000they\u3000close\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000them\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000called\u3000back\uff1b\u3000already\u3000aloft\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000go\u3000after\u3000them\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000he\u3000rocketed\u3000after\u3000them\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000was\u3000closing\u3000quickly\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000apparently\u3000realized\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000outrun\u3000their\u3000pursuer\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000dodged\u3000another\u3000pincer\u3000swipe\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000caught\u3000up\uff1b\u3000having\u3000dropped\u3000Annie\u3000off\u3000again\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000evaded\u3000the\u3000swipe\u3000and\u3000vaulted\u3000to\u3000land\u3000atop\u3000the\u3000second\u3000Invid’s\u3000crablike\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000so\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000battle\u3000that\u3000it\u3000swung\u3000again\uff1b\u3000missing\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000who\u3000hurtled\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000but\u3000struck\u3000its\u3000rade\u3000instead\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000dispatched\u3000another\u3000missile\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000Trooper\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000unleash\u3000its\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3002\u3000He\u3000blasted\u3000it\u3000right\u3000through\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000that\u3000was\u3000its\u3000cyclops\u2026eye\u3002\u3000The\u3000warhead\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dud\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000penetrated\u3000the\u3000glassy\u3000circle\uff1b\u3000shattering\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nGreen\uff1b\u3000thick\u3000nutrient\u3000fluid\u3000poured\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000went\u3000flailing\u3000back\u3000like\u3000a\u3000falling\u3000scarecrow\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000Trooper\u3000charged\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000close\u3000pass\u3000on\u3000raving\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000lashed\u3000out\u3000with\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000smashed\u3000that\u3000one’s\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hurry\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000shrilled\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000exit’s\u3000almost\u3000closed\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000entire\u3000place\u3000was\u3000shaking\uff1b\u3000raining\u3000boulders\u3000and\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000as\u3000monsters\u3000roared\u3000and\u3000bleated\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000three\u3000blasted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000shrinking\u3000ray\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000entered\u3000it\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000seized\u3000by\u3000the\u3000force\u3000that\u3000had\u3000drawn\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000earlier\uff1b\u3000only\u3000this\u3000time\u3000it\u3000pulled\u3000them\u3000upward\u3002
\n
\nWithin\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000began\u3000to\u3000give\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000shallow\u3000waters\u3000churned\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000waves\u3000and\u3000living\u3000things\u3000that\u3000would\u3000soon\u3000be\u3000dead\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000beasts\u3000of\u3000land\u3000and\u3000sea\u3000threw\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000back\u3000and\u3000bellowed\u3000their\u3000agony\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u3000that\u3000had\u3000obliterated\u3000them\u3000once\u3000and\u3000was\u3000now\u3000doing\u3000it\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000cliffs\u3000and\u3000ceiling\u3000gave\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000fissured\u3000open\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000forth\u3000the\u3000magma\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000diverted\u3000to\u3000heat\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000A\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000molten\u3000fury\u3000gushed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000exit\u3000shaft\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000three\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000threatening\u3000to\u3000overtake\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000two\u3000armored\u3000figures\u3000and\u3000the\u3000little\u3000girl\u3000in\u3000her\u3000oversized\u3000battle\u3000jacket\u3000were\u3000flying\u3000upward\u3000under\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002\u3000The\u3000magma\u3000stopped\u3000its\u3000upward\u3000motion\u3000and\u3000spread\uff1b\u3000igniting\u3000fires\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000it\u3000began\u3000draining\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Pit\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000three\u3000Humans\u3000were\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000cheering\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000flew\u3000far\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000site\u3000to\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000hillside\u3002\u3000The\u3000moon\u3000was\u3000full\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000Rand\u3000as\u3000if\u3000rainclouds\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000in\u3002\u3000Good\uff1b\u3000those\u3000fires\u3000wouldn’t\u3000last\u3000long\u3002\u3000\u3003Isn’t\u3000that\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000moon\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000wonderingly\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Annie’s\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000elsewhere\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000whole\u3000mountain\u3000range\u3000is\u3000sinking\u3000into\u3000that\u3000Pit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000quietly\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000ground\u3000rumbled\u3000and\u3000moved\u3000again\uff1b\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000obscuring\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000area\u3000went\u3000into\u3000subsidence\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000one\u3000was\u3000close\u3003\u3000was\u3000all\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000find\u3000to\u3000say\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000said\u3000mournfully\uff1b\u3000\u3003But\u3000what\u3000about\u3000the\u3000poor\u3000dinosaurs\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000
\n\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000created\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000just\u3000as\u3000well\u3000that\u3000they\u3000left\u3000the\u3000dinosaurs\u3000down\u3000there\u3000to\u3000be\u3000destroyed\u3002\u3000Conditions\u3000up\u3000here\u3000aren’t\u3000right\u3000for\u3000them\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000just\u3000no\u3000place\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000Time\u3000simply\u3000passed\u3000them\u3000by\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000intertwined\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\u3000and\u3000scuffed\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000with\u3000one\u3000toe\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’mean\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000same\u3000as\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000being\u3000all\u3000finished\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000nod\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000interrupted\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3000Earth\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000us\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000who\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000extinct\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000sounded\u3000ferocious\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000knew\u3000all\u3000about\u3000Scott’s\u3000fierce\u3000hatred\u3000of\u3000the\u3000species\u3000that\u3000had\u3000killed\u3000his\u3000fianc\u9591\u3000and\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3000his\u3000unit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000propaganda\u3000speeches\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’hear\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000large\u3000engines\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000mecha\u3000came\u3000into\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000t \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’hear\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000large\u3000engines\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000mecha\u3000came\u3000into\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000the\u3000vast\u3000disturbances\u3000their\u3000instruments\u3000had\u3000detected\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000spotted\u3000an\u3000aircraft\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000Fighter\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000there’s\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000about\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000dancing\u3000from\u3000foot\u3000to\u3000foot\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait’ll\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000Rook\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3000Oboyoboy\uff01’
\n
\n\u3003Y’better\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000she’s\u3000sitting\u3000down\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000dryly\u3002\u3000He\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Rook\u3000would\u3000care\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000story\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000just\u3000no\u3000telling\u3000how\u3000the\u3000young\u3000lady\u3000would\u3000react\u3000sometimes\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000worth\u3000the\u3000risk\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SIX
\n
\nThe\u3000grand\u3000themes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3000are\u3000so\u3000dominant\u3000that\u3000the\u3000lesser\u3000ones\u3000are\u3000sometimes\u3000ignored\u3002\u3000But\u3000those\u3000lesser\u3000themes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000insist\uff1b\u3000are\u3000more\u3000instructive\u3002
\nThe\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000Marlene\u3000Foley’s\u3000ultimate\u3000destiny\u3000is\u3000a\u3000primary\u3000case\u3000in\u3000point\u3002\u3000Surely\u3000Protoculture\u3000is\u3000a\u3000force\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reckoned\u3000with\u3000in\u3000our\u3000every\u3000thought\u3002
\nJan\u3000Morris\uff1b\u3000Solar\u3000Seeds\uff1b\u3000Galactic\u3000Guardians
\n
\nThe\u3000five\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000cruised\u3000slowly\u3000across\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000navigating\u3000with\u3000care\uff1b\u3000surveying\u3000the\u3000terrain\u3000below\u3002\u3000They\u3000brought\u3000with\u3000them\u3000a\u3000sixth\u3000Robotech\u3000construct\u3002\u3000Within\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cargo\u3000of\u3000critical\u3000importance\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000partially\u3000evolved\u3000Invid\u3000in\u3000personal\u3000battle\u3000armor\u2026the\u3000so\u2026called\u3000\u3003Pincer\u3000Ship\u3003\u2026led\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000convoy\u3000were\u3000two\u3000more\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3002\u3000Between\u3000them\u3000they\u3000carried\u3000a\u3000hexagonal\u3000canister\u3002\u3000The\u3000canister\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Robotech\u3000setting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000cosmic\u3000gemstone\uff1b\u3000inside\u3000its\u3000crystal\u3000cocoon\u3000there\u3000throbbed\u3000and\u3000shone\u3000a\u3000fantastic\uff1b\u3000translucent\u3000egg\u3002\u3000The\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000luminous\u3000in\u3000deep\u3000corals\uff1b\u3000gentle\u3000reds\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flesh\u3000tones\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000must\u3000know\u3000more\u3000about\u3000these\u3000new\u3000enemies\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000decreed\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000catastrophe\u3002\u3000Her\u3000servants\u3000had\u3000been\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000act\u3002\u3000Soon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Simulagent\uff1b\u3000a\u3000triumph\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000biogenetic\u3000engineering\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000midst\u3002\u3000And\u3000before\u3000obliterating\u3000them\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000would\u3000know\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000posed\u3000any\u3000possible\u3000danger\u3000to\u3000her\u3000grand\u3000scheme\u3000for\u3000her\u3000race\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Simulagent\u3000was\u3000code\u2026named\u3000\u3003Ariel\u3002\u3003\u3000Ariel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000replicated\uff1b\u3000with\u3000certain\u3000alterations\uff1b\u3000from\u3000a\u3000Human\u3000tissue\u3000sample\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000recovered\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000examining\u3000the\u3000debris\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000strikeforce\u3000they\u3000had\u3000destroyed\u3000weeks\u3000before\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000inconceivable\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000would\u3000recognize\u3000Ariel\u3000as\u3000a\u3000clone\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000source\u3000of\u3000most\u3000of\u3000her\u3000genetic\u3000design\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000woman\u3000from\u3000the\u3000long\u2026gone\u3000SDF\u20263\u3000expedition\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000flight\u3000leader’s\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000area\u3000for\u3000any\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Human\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000none\u3002\u3000The\u3000timing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000drop\u3000was\u3000important\u3002\u3000The\u3000Simulagent’s\u3000placement\u3000must\u3000be\u3000unseen\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000its\u3000origin\u3000would\u3000remain\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000Ariel\u3000must\u3000not\u3000be\u3000left\u3000unprotected\u3000for\u3000long\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000a\u3000recent\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Humans’\u3000route\uff1b\u3000which\u3000made\u3000things\u3000easier\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000formation\u3000neared\u3000its\u3000dropoff\u3000point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000cocoon\u3000began\u3000to\u3000crack\u3000like\u3000an\u3000eggshell\u3000being\u3000pushed\u3000open\u3000from\u3000within\u3002\u3000The\u3000strobing\u3000light\u3000from\u3000its\u3000center\u3000shone\u3000brighter\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000as\u3000the\u3000formation\u3000flew\u3000low\u3000over\u3000a\u3000deserted\uff1b\u3000devastated\u3000village\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crystal\u3000shattered\u3002\u3000The\u3000egg\u3000fell\uff1b\u3000lighting\u3000the\u3000night\u3000and\u3000the\u3000landscape\u3000below\u3002\u3000It\u3000bounced\u3000from\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000branch\u3000to\u3000a\u3000half\u2026demolished\u3000roof\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Light\u3000and\u3000resilient\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000astonishingly\u3000strong\uff1b\u3000it\u3000suffered\u3000no\u3000injury\u3002\u3000The\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000alien\u3000mecha\u3000turned\u3000around\u3000and\u3000started\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000egg\u3000rested\u3000under\u3000a\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000its\u3000flesh\u2026tone\u3000light\u3000all\u3000around\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000it\u3000sensed\u3000the\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000its\u3000targets\u3002\u3000Its\u3000glare\u3000grew\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000pulsed\u3000with\u3000the\u3000rhythm\u3000and\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000quickened\u3000heartbeat\u3002\u3000Darker\u3000colors\u3000swirled\u3000among\u3000the\u3000lighter\u3000ones\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000egg\u3000stretched\u3000against\u3000the\u3000confines\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000skin\u3000with\u3000each\u3000beat\u3002
\n
\n
\nThis\u3000time\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000flying\u3000directly\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000team\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000close\u3000in\u3000case\u3000of\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000easing\u3000along\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3002\u3000The\u3000Veritech\u3000fighter\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000cross\u3000between\u3000an\u3000armored\u3000knight\u3000and\u3000a\u3000robotic\u3000eagle\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000subsidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000and\u3000the\u3000aftershocks\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000terrain\u3000dangerous\u3000and\u3000their\u3000maps\u3000useless\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000days\u3000to\u3000blaze\u3000a\u3000new\u3000trail\u3000through\u3002\u3000They\u3000traveled\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000both\u3000to\u3000make\u3000up\u3000for\u3000lost\u3000time\u3000and\u3000because\uff1b\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000major\u3000highway\u3002
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000were\u3000all\u3000riding\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000riders\u3000had\u3000shed\u3000their\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000they\u3000all\u3000needed\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000its\u3000confinement\u3000after\u3000days\u3000of\u3000travel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000scans\u3000and\u3000scouts\u3000indicated\u3000no\u3000Invid\u3000presence\u3000anywhere\u3000nearby\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000flew\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3000without\u3000his\u3000control\u3000helmet\u2026the\u3000\u3003thinking\u3000cap\uff1b\u3003\u3000in\u3000Robotech\u3000jargon\u2026controlling\u3000it\u3000with\u3000the\u3000manuals\u3000alone\u3002
\n
\nFurthermore\uff1b\u3000it\u3000took\u3000Protoculture\u3000to\u3000power\u3000the\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000used\u3000up\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000their\u3000reserves\u3000in\u3000traveling\u3000the\u3000difficult\u3000mountain\u3000terrain\u3002\u3000Several\u3000times\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000ferry\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000across\u3000unavoidable\u3000gaps\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000something\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000By\u3000acting\u3000as\u3000a\u3000transport\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000was\u3000left\u3000highly\u3000vulnerable\u3000to\u3000sudden\u3000Invid\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Also\uff1b\u3000since\u3000this\u3000task\u3000demanded\u3000very\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000deliberate\uff1b\u3000painstaking\u3000maneuvering\uff1b\u3000it\u3000ate\u3000up\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000workhorse\u3000role\u3000the\u3000fighter\u3000wasn’t\u3000built\u3000for\uff1b\u3000and\u3000one\u3000that\u3000strained\u3000its\u3000autosystems\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000times\u3000like\u3000those\u3000Scott\u3000cursed\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000land\u3000and\u3000replenish\u3000his\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000ordnance\u3000and\u3000service\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000he\u3000blessed\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000battered\u3000old\u3000APC\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000keyed\u3000his\u3000headset\u3000by\u3000chinning\u3000a\u3000button\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mike\u3000mouthpiece\uff1b\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000being\u3000occupied\u3000steering\u3000his\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000Don’tcha\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000a\u3000rest\uff1f\u3000It’s\u3000almost\u3000dawn\uff1b\u3000y’know\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000well\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000rays\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000were\u3000already\u3000lighting\u3000the\u3000surrounding\u3000mountain\u3000peaks\uff1b\u3000gleaming\u3000off\u3000granite\u3000and\u3000snow\u3002\u3000They\u3000would\u3000shine\u3000through\u3000his\u3000cockpit\u3000well\u3000before\u3000they\u3000warmed\u3000his\u3000teammates\u3000below\u3002\u3000\u3003Quit\u3000griping\uff01\u3000Point\u3000K\u3000is\u3000just\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000miles\u3000ahead\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Say\u3000again\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000broke\u3000in\u3000sharply\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Point\u3000K\u2026as\u2026in\u2026king\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000came\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000where\u3000all\u3000units\u3000from\u3000the\u3000invasion\u3000force\u3000I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000are\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000rendezvous\u3002\u3000They’ve\u3000probably\u3000already\u3000prepared\u3000an\u3000offensive\u3000aimed\u3000at\u3000wiping\u3000out\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook’s\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000unsure\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000this\u3000Admiral\u3000Hunter\u3000of\u3000yours\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Negative\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000who\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000was\uff1b\u3000exactly\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000something\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3000back\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000ask\u3000me\u3000how\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000hush\u2026hush\u3000stuff\u3002\u3003
\n
\nEven\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000truck’s\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\u3000and\u3000resting\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000forearms\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000ask\u3000Scott\u3000why\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000told\u3000them\u3000all\u3000that\u3000before\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000capture\u3000or\u3000even\u3000desertion\u2026\u2018going\u3000my\u3000own\u3000way\uff1b\u3003\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000or\u3000Rook\u3000would\u3000have\u3000called\u3000it\u2026ever\u3000present\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000simply\u3000couldn’t\u3000take\u3000the\u3000chance\u3002
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000she\u3000kicked\u3000the\u3000glove\u3000partment\u3000a\u3000little\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\u3000hat\u3000down\u3000lower\u3000on\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000sticking\u3000out\u3000her\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000quick\u3000look\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000his\u3000driving\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000way\u3000I\u3000figure\u3000it\uff1b\u3000there\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000Veritechs\u3000there\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000or\u3000more\u3002\u3000And\u3000ground\u3000units\uff1b\u3000assault\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ammo\u2026the\u3000works\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000whooped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003Awright\uff01\u3000Now\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000show\u3000’em\u3000how\u3000it’s\u3000done\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Wait\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000sounded\u3000edgy\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000can\u3000you\u3000hide\u3000an\u3000army\u3000that\u3000size\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000all\u3000confidence\u3000and\u3000can\u2026do\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000more\u3000hiding\u3002\u3000There’s\u3000a\u3000secure\u3000base\u3000of\u3000operations\u3000there\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3000From\u3000there\u3000we\u3000go\u3000island\u2026hopping\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000the\u3000links\u3000between\u3000Invid\u3000bases\uff1b\u3000until\u3000Reflex\u3000Point’s\u3000isolated\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000can\u3000smash\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nJust\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Scott’s\u3000displays\u3000began\u3000flashing\u3000and\u3000beeping\u3000for\u3000his\u3000attention\u3002\u3000puters\u3000sorted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000sensor\u3000information\u3000and\u3000flashed\u3000order\u2026of\u2026battle\u3000information\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000large\uff1b\u3000friendly\u3000force\u3000just\u3000over\u3000the\u3000next\u3000ridge\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000caught\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000bright\u3000metal\u3000off\u3000fighter\u3000tailerons\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000below\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000ranked\u3000mecha\u3000in\u3000the\u3000predawn\u3000mist\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000boys\u3000and\u3000girls\uff01\u3000There\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000just\u3000ahead\uff01\u3003\u3000
\n
\nHe\u3000increased\u3000power\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Guardian’s\u3000foot\u2026thrusters\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3000ahead\u3000and\u3000report\u3000in\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Guardian\u3000flashed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rise\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Can’t\u3000wait\u3000to\u3000see\u3000his\u3000playmates\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000grumbled\u3002\u3000This\u3000business\u3000about\u3000reporting\u3000in\u3000had\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000on\u3000any\u3000army\u3000roster\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000just\u3000an\u3000irregular\u3000who\u3000had\u3000joined\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000do\u3000his\u3000bit\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000obviously\u3000had\u3000no\u3000place\u3000in\u3000a\u3000regulation\u3000strikeforce\u3002
\n
\nSo\uff1b\u3000what\u3000happens\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000now\uff1f\u3000\u3003Thanks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don’t\u3000let\u3000the\u3000door\u3000hit\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000butt\u3000as\u3000you\u3000leave\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000mists\u3000still\u3000swirled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000many\u3000hectares\u3000of\u3000grounded\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000figured\u3000the\u3000base\u3000was\u3000operating\u3000under\u3000blackout\u3000conditions\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000no\u3000lights\u3000or\u3000movement\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000receive\u3000any\u3000warn\u2026offs\u3000or\u3000challenges\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000get\u3000any\u3000indications\u3000that\u3000radar\u3000or\u3000sensors\u3000were\u3000checking\u3000him\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000land\u3000on\u3000the\u3000hillside\u3000and\u3000go\u3000in\u3000on\u3000foot\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000The\u3000base\u3000might\u3000be\u3000using\u3000new\u3000mo\u3000procedures\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000desire\u3000to\u3000be\u3000shot\u3000down\u3000as\u3000a\u3000bogie\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Guardian\u3000bowed\u3000its\u3000radome\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000hopped\u3000down\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000breathing\u3000Earth’s\u3000air\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000deep\u3000breaths\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000From\u3000this\u3000beachhead\uff1b\u3000we\u3000take\u3000our\u3000homeworld\u3000back\uff01
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000raced\u3000ahead\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000their\u3000Cycs\u3000came\u3000leaping\u3000over\u3000the\u3000hill\u3000with\u3000a\u3000winding\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000engines\u3002\u3000The\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000top\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000decided\u3000he\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000wait\u3000and\u3000ride\u3000down\u3000with\u3000h \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ell\u3000wait\u3000and\u3000ride\u3000down\u3000with\u3000his\u3000panions\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000painfully\u3000aware\u3000that\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000no\u3000place\u3000in\u3000this\u3000regular\u2026army\u3000campaign\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000came\u3000to\u3000side\u2026on\u3000stops\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000up\u3000their\u3000goggles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000moments\u3000later\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Lunk\u3000not\u3000far\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000checked\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000mauve\u2026and\u2026purple\u3000flightsuit\u3000with\u3000its\u3000unit\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000his\u3000division\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000Division\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000knee\u2026length\uff1b\u3000rust\u2026red\u3000boots\u3000were\u3000all\u3000in\u3000order\u3002\u3000Insignia\uff1b\u3000buttons\uff1b\u3000sidearm\u2026he\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000strac\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000looking\u3000too\u3000bad\u3000for\u3000somebody\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stranded\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000his\u3000teammates\u3000were\u3000exchanging\u3000a\u3000few\u3000mild\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000self\u2026conscious\u3000congratulations\u2026when\u3000Annie\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000dismayed\u3000yelp\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000base\uff01\u3000Look\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000base\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000crested\u3000the\u3000ridge\u3000and\u3000its\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000off\u3000the\u3000snowy\u3000hills\uff1b\u3000brightening\u3000the\u3000little\u3000valley\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000home\u3000of\u3000Earth’s\u3000liberation\u3000army\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000what\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000wasn’t\u3000a\u3000home\u3000but\u3000rather\u3000a\u3000graveyard\u3002\u3000Attack\u2026transport\u3000spacecraft\u3000lay\u3000gutted\u3000like\u3000crushed\u3000eggs\u3002\u3000Broken\u3000and\u3000burned\u2026out\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Ranks\u3000of\u3000parked\u3000Veritech\u3000Alphas\u3000had\u3000been\u3000holed\u3000and\u3000eliminated\u3000before\u3000ground\u3000crews\u3000and\u3000pilots\u3000could\u3000even\u3000reach\u3000them\u3002\u3000Battloids\u3000and\u3000Hovertanks\u3000and\u3000MACs\u3000and\u3000logistical\u3000vehicles\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000like\u3000shattered\u3000toys\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000death\u3000wafted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000warming\u3000breeze\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000valley\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000jutting\uff1b\u3000broken\uff1b\u3000blackened\u3000fuselages\u3000and\u3000skeletal\uff1b\u3000burned\u2026off\u3000airframes\u3000and\u3000hulls\u3002\u3000Barely\u3000keeping\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000stumbled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\uff1b\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000buried\u3000in\u3000his\u3000dark\u3000hair\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000clearing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000only\u3000made\u3000it\u3000worse\u3000by\u3000the\u3000second\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000it\uff1b\u3000this\uff1b\u3000this\u3000can’t\u3000be\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000howled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000survivors\u3000would\u3000answer\u3002\u3000He\u3000fired\u3000his\u3000H90\u3000aimlessly\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000others\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000their\u3000vehicles\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000one\u3000another\u3000in\u3000despair\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000pistol\uff1b\u3000sank\u3000to\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wept\u3002
\n
\nEarth’s\u3000liberating\u3000army\uff01\u3000The\u3000mist\u3000for\u3000its\u3000shroud\uff1b\u3000the\u3000vultures\u3000to\u3000caw\u3000taps\u3000over\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000by\u3000one\u3000his\u3000friends\u3000dismounted\u3000and\u3000gathered\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nThey\u3000went\u3000down\u3000among\u3000the\u3000monolithic\u3000wrecks\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000place\u3000else\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000opened\u3000up\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000their\u3000rations\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000built\u3000a\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000wandered\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shade\u3000of\u3000a\u3000three\u2026tube\u3000pumpedlaser\u3000turret\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000off\u3000at\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000unfocused\u3002\u3000Eventually\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000came\u3000over\u3000with\u3000a\u3000plate\u3000of\u3000food\u3000and\u3000a\u3000cup\u3000of\u3000ersatz\u3000ration\u3000coffee\uff1b\u3000nudging\u3000them\u3000up\u3000against\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000\u3003Enough\u3000is\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Time\u3000to\u3000eat\uff1b\u3000before\u3000you\u3000keel\u3000over\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000got\u3000the\u3000team\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\uff1b\u3000y’know\u3002\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000walked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000soles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000desert\u3000boots\u3000gritting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sand\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000stared\u3000blankly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000field\u3000of\u3000carnage\u3002
\n
\nBack\u3000at\u3000the\u3000campfire\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000positive\uff1b\u3000although\u3000cheerleading\u3000wasn’t\u3000usually\u3000in\u3000her\u3000line\u3000of\u3000work\uff1b\u3000but\u3000everybody\u3000else\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000falling\u3000apart\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000here’s\u3000a\u3000good\u3000idea\uff1a\u3000Why\u3000don’t\u3000we\u3000get\u3000outta\u3000this\u3000dump\u3000right\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000studied\u3000his\u3000ration\u3000can’s\u3000contents\uff1b\u3000stirring\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000until\u3000we\u3000collect\u3000everything\u3000of\u3000use\u3002\u3000Ordnance\uff1b\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000all\u3000shivered\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000how\u3000grisly\u3000that\u3000search\u3000would\u3000be\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000blew\u3000out\u3000smoke\u3000from\u3000a\u3000ration\u2026pak\u3000cigarette\uff1b\u3000unsteadily\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000returned\u3002
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000is\u3000he\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000figure\u3000sitting\u3000with\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000knees\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000the\u3000hood\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sweatshirtlike\u3000windbreaker\u3002\u3000\u3003Catatonic\u3002\u3000I\u3000dunno\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000set\u3000down\u3000his\u3000ration\u3000can\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000wasting\u3000time\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000caught\u3000Lancer’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Uh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000go\u3000forage\u3000over\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Scott\u3000can\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000mo\u3000base\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLike\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000caught\u3000what\u3000was\u3000in\u3000Rand’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000they\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000move\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000replenish\u3000their\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3002\u3000As\u3000Rand\u3000sped\u3000off\u3000in\u3000a\u3000plume\u3000of\u3000soil\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000raced\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Robotech\u3000graveyard\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000place\u3000for\u3000a\u3000two\u2026ride\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rand\u3000weled\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000came\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000was\u3000pointless\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000onetime\u3000biker\u3000queen\u3002\u3000By\u3000her\u3000city\u3000lights\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000hick\uff1b\u3000a\u3000wilderness\u3000Forager\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000clear\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wasn’t\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bad\u3000Boys\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000show\u3000his\u3000astonishment\u3000as\u3000she\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000their\u3000tires\u3000stenciling\u3000parallel\u3000tread\u3000patterns\u3000among\u3000the\u3000looming\u3000derelicts\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000moving\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000searching\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000his\u3000hood\u3000down\u3000and\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000He\u3000glanced\u3000over\u3000at\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000the\u3000lissome\u3000grace\u3000her\u3000red\u2026and\u2026blue\u3000racer’s\u3000bodysuit\u3000showed\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003Why’d\u3000you\u3000e\u3000along\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000yell\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000key\u3000his\u3000headset\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000that\u3000it\u3000bothers\u3000me\u3000or\u3000anything\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000fair\u3000brows\u3000knit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000strawberry\u2026blond\u3000hair\u3000blew\u3000around\u3000her\u3000freckled\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Too\u3000depressing\u3000back\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000came\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000turn\u3000round\u3000a\u3000smashed\u3000tanker\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you\u2026heyyyyy\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000dug\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000a\u3000drop\u2026off\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000into\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000arroyo\u3000ledge\u3000protected\u3000by\u3000drainage\u3000ditches\u3002\u3000There\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000village\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000a\u3000village\uff1b\u3000its\u3000caved\u2026in\u3000tile\u3000roofs\u3000and\u3000beaten\u2026down\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000the\u3000general\u3000lifelessness\u3000of\u3000it\u3000somehow\u3000let\u3000them\u3000know\u3000it\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fate\u3000as\u3000the\u3000strikeforce\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Two\u3000transgressors\u3000approach\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000said\u3000to\u3000her\u3000mecha\u3000warriors\u3002\u3000\u3003Remain\u3000in\u3000concealment\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000war\u3000machines\u3000hunkered\u3000down\uff1b\u3000Scouts\u3000and\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000in\u3000personal\u3000battle\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000through\u3000optic\u3000sensors\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000wound\u3000their\u3000way\u3000down\u3000the\u3000narrow\u3000lane\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000rode\u3000through\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000calling\u3000for\u3000any\u3000survivors\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000might\u3000attract\u3000dangerous\u3000attention\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000little\u3000time\u3000to\u3000search\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000leaving\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000a\u3000child\u3000or\u3000someone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000injured\uff1b\u3000behind\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000impressed\u3000with\u3000Rand’s\u3000nerve\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000that\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000joined\u3000in\u3000the\u3000yelling\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000dismounted\u3000near\u3000the\u3000only\u3000building\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\uff1b\u3000a\u3000large\u3000hacienda\u3002\u3000Obviously\u3000the\u3000place\u3000had\u3000been\u3000too\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000strikeforce’s\u3000rendezvous\u3000point\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000included\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3002\u3000More\u3000carnage\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000two\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000callous\u3000to\u3000such\u3000scenes\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000the\u3000hacienda\uff1b\u3000not\u3000talking\u3000or\u3000meeting\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000gaze\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Rook\u3000smelled\u3000something\u3000strange\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000a\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000most\u3000of\u3000an\u3000adobe\u3000wall\u3000had\u3000been\u3000blown\u3000away\u3002\u3000She\u3000stepped\u3000through\u3000into\u3000a\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000and\u3000knelt\u3000next\u3000to\u3000something\u3000jellylike\u3000and\u3000translucent\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dying\u3000man\u2026o’\u2026war\uff1b\u3000draped\u3000across\u3000the\u3000swordleafed\u3000plants\u3000there\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000three\u3000or\u3000four\u3000inches\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000perhaps\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000area\u3000of\u3000a\u3000table\u3000cloth\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000knelt\u3000by\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Careful\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000grated\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000uncertainly\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000touched\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000snatched\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000pain\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Damn\u3000thing\u3000burned\u3000my\u3000hand\uff01\u3000And\u3000it’s\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000smirk\u3000about\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\u3000I\u3000said\u3000watch\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000as\u3000alert\u3000as\u3000a\u3000doe\u3002\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000more\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000so\u3000intimate\u3000that\u3000it\u3000made\u3000him\u3000a\u3000little\u3000lightheaded\u3002\u3000She\u3000practically\u3000mouthed\u3000it\uff1b\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000still\u3000around\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000up\u3000and\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000staring\uff1b\u3000fascinated\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blob\u3000of\u3000protoplasmic\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000take\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000the\u3000fit\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bodysuit\uff1b\u3000the\u3000shape\u3000of\u3000those\u3000slender\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000the\u3000swirl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000seemingly\u3000weightless\u3000cascade\u3000of\u3000hair\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000look\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000you\u3000check\u3000in\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000her\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000brought\u3000him\u3000back\u3000to\u3000reality\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\u3000gun\u3000was\u3000in\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000fitted\u3000with\u3000its\u3000attachable\u3000stock\u3000and\u3000barrel\u3000extension\uff1b\u3000in\u3000submachine\u3000gun\u3000configuration\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rift\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000and\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000the\u3000blob\u3000of\u3000clear\u3000jelly\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000brief\u3000sensation\u3000of\u3000expanded\u3000awareness\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000had\u3000been\u3000touched\u3000by\u3000another\uff1b\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000him\u3002\u3000Why\u3000do\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000through\u3000all\u3000this\u3000before\uff1f\u3000The\u3000thought\u3000came\u3000unbidden\u3000and\u3000bemused\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000from\u3000back\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vaulted\u3000darkness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hacienda\u3002\u3000It\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000some\u3000debris\u3000falling\u3000as\u3000easily\u3000as\u3000it\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000some\u3000living\u3000thing\u3000blundering\u3000into\u3000a\u3000pile\u3000of\u3000rubble\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000warily\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000raised\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000courtyard\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000another\u3000sheet\u3000of\u3000the\u3000glistening\uff1b\u3000deposing\u3000man\u2026o’\u2026war\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000shrinking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000it\u3002\u3000Its\u3000highlights\u3000twinkled\u3000like\u3000stars\u3002\u3000He\u3000strained\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000what\u3000it\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000moved\u3000on\uff1b\u3000footsteps\u3000echoing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000darkened\u3000hallways\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000looked\u3000almost\u3002\u3002\u3002almost\u3002\u3002\u3002But\u3000the\u3000image\u3000eluded\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000sound\u3002\u3000He\u3000whipped\u3000around\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000with\u3000his\u3000weapon\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000braced\u3000to\u3000do\u3000battle\u3002\u3000\u3003FREEZE\uff01\u3000Just\u3000fr\u2026just\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SEVEN
\n
\nNot\u3000even\u3000Zand\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000his\u3000PSI\u3000Sinsemilla\uff1b\u3000his\u3000Flower\u3000ingestion\uff1b\u3000had\u3000foreseen\u3000anything\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000And\u3000on\u3000and\u3000on\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000Shaped\u3000events\u3002
\nXandu\u3000Reem\uff1b\u3000A\u3000Stranger\u3000at\u3000Home\uff1a\u3000A\u3000Biography\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard
\n
\nShe\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000poured\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000benediction\u3000from\u3000above\u3002\u3000Her\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000crossed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000bosom\uff1b\u3000long\uff1b\u3000slim\u3000fingers\u3000clutching\u3000opposite\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000aimlessly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000light\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000red\uff1b\u3000like\u3000his\u3000own\u3000but\u3000waist\u2026length\uff1b\u3000and\u3000luxuriant\u3000as\u3000some\u3000rare\u3000pelt\u3002\u3000Her\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000so\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000her\u3000body\u3000so\u3000frail\u2026looking\u2026and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000woman’s\u3002\u3000Highlights\u3000glistened\u3000from\u3000her
\n
\nLike\u3000the\u3000twinkling\u3000of\u3000stars\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000realized\u3000how\u3000close\u3000he\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000shooting\u3000by\u3000blind\u3000instinct\u3002\u3000He\u3000also\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000naked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000how\u3000beautiful\u3000she\u3000was\u3000there\u3000under\u3000the\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000loving\u3000sunlight\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ooo\uff01\u3000That\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002excuse\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000th \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n l\u3000she\u3000was\u3000there\u3000under\u3000the\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000loving\u3000sunlight\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ooo\uff01\u3000That\u3000is\u3002\u3002\u3002excuse\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000up\u3000and\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000it\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000whirled\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000country\u3000Forager’s\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000propriety\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000is\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000her\u3000long\u3000distraction\u3000broken\u3002\u3000\u3003Uh\u2026mm\u2026ahh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000distraught\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000collect\u3000his\u3000wits\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000outlands\u3000where\u3000he\u3000came\u3000from\uff1b\u3000being\u3000found\u3000with\u3000a\u3000naked\u3000woman\u3000could\u3000have\u3000all\u3000sorts\u3000of\u3000horrible\u3000repercussions\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000if\u3000one\u3000were\u3000found\u3000with\u3000her\u3000by\u3000her\u3000male\u3000kin\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000jittered\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pockmarked\u3000stucco\u3000wall\u3002\u3000\u3003Didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000surprise\u3000you\uff01\u3000But\u2026won’t\u3000you\u3000catch\u3000cold\u3000just\u3000sitting\u3000there\u3000like\u3000that\uff1f\u3000You\u3000know\u2026Heh\uff1b\u3000umm\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000have\u3000any\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003\u2026any\u3000clothes\u3000you\u3000could\u3000put\u3000on\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000who\u3000or\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000creature\u3000or\u3000object\u3000that\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000and\u3000made\u3000noises\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000Following\u3000an\u3000ingrained\u3000program\uff1b\u3000she\u3000emulated\uff1a\u3000\u3003Clothes\u3002\u3002\u3002put\u3002\u3002\u3002on\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\uff1a\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000w\u2026woo\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000spitting\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000having\u3000even\u3000more\u3000trouble\u3000keeping\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000ogling\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000any\u3000thing\u3000w\u2026wwoo\u2026\u3003\u3000she\u3000mimicked\uff1b\u3000pletely\u3000baffled\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000dashed\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\uff01\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000voices\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000she\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000already\u3000waving\u3000his\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000from\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000e\u3000any\u3000closer\uff01\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\uff1b\u3000er\u2026maybe\u3000we\u3000should\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Cycl\u2026\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000had\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000naked\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000open\u2026mouthed\u3000surprise\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000anger\u3002\u3000\u3003Stop\u3000being\u3000an\u3000idiot\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000elbowed\u3000him\u3000aside\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000both\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000in\u3000a\u3000state\u3000of\u3000shock\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000and\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Rand’s\u3000pullover\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000animal\uff01\u3000How\u3000could\u3000you\u3000do\u3000something\u3000like\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000honest\uff01\u3000I\u3000found\u3000her\u3000like\u3000that\uff01\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000single\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000anything\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000astounded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000astounded\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000think\u3000he\u3000would\u3000assault\u3000someone\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000even\u3000more\u3000astonished\u3000by\u3000something\u3000else\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000there\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000partially\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000despair\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000betrayed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000betrayed\u3000some\u3000emotional\u3000investment\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000in\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000released\u3000him\u3000and\u3000began\u3000taking\u3000off\u3000her\u3000faded\u3000yellow\u3000hunting\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000just\u3000bet\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\uff1b\u3000you\u3000scuzzwad\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000knelt\u3000to\u3000drape\u3000her\u3000jacket\u3000gently\u3000around\u3000the\u3000woman’s\u3000shoulders\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Tell\u3000me\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000kindly\uff1b\u3000\u3003why\u3000are\u3000you\u3000here\u3000all\u3000by\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Here\u3000all\u3000by\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3003\u3000Ariel\u3000repeated\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000told\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000she\u3000does\uff1b\u3000repeat\u3000what\u3000you\u3000say\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000slow\u3000down\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000babbling\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000memory\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000considered\u3000that\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000like\u3000through\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000trauma\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000staring\u3000down\u3000blankly\u3000at\u3000the\u3000straw\u3000on\u3000which\u3000she\u3000sat\u3002\u3000The\u3000scintillating\u3000lights\u3000playing\u3000off\u3000her\u3000were\u3000fewer\u3000now\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000rode\u3000point\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Rook\u3000followed\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000frightened\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000her\u3000jacket\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000observed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000sensors\u3000of\u3000a\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000and\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Simulagent\u3000has\u3000been\u3000accepted\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000rang\u3000among\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Follow\u3000and\u3000observe\uff01\u3000Make\u3000no\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000contact\u2026as\u3000yet\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nAnnie\uff1b\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000stayed\u3000behind\u3000when\u3000the\u3000others\u3000went\u3000out\u3000foraging\u3002\u3000Her\u3000few\u3000attempts\u3000to\u3000get\u3000him\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000met\u3000with\u3000utter\u3000failure\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000climbed\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000she\u3000idly\u3000inspected\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000hulk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000move\u3000but\u3000sat\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000gun\u3000turret\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000off\u3000into\u3000space\u3002
\n
\nSomething\u3000bright\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000caught\u3000her\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000look\u3000what\u3000I\u3000found\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000swung\u3000it\u3000from\u3000its\u3000chain\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000pendant\uff01\u3000Isn’t\u3000it\u3000beautiful\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000never\u3000even\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000way\u3002\u3000Annie’s\u3000feelings\u3000were\u3000so\u3000hurt\u3000that\u3000she\u3000threw\u3000the\u3000glittering\u3000thing\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000found\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000squatted\u3000miserably\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000brimming\u3000with\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000she\u3000was\u3000distracted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000still\u3000in\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000and\u3000smiling\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Veritech\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff01\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000leapt\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000trotted\u3000over\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000everything\u3000go\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3000Didja\u3000find\u3000any\u3000Protoculture\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000beamed\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000back\u3000the\u3000long\u3000purple\u3000tresses\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000found\u3000something\u3000even\u3000better\uff01\u3000e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000while\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000dashed\u3000after\uff1b\u3000thrilled\u3000without\u3000even\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000the\u3000news\u3000was\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff01\u3000Wait’ll\u3000you\u3000hear\u3000this\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000young\u3000lieutenant\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000listen\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000stopped\u3000because\u3000Scott\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000bothered\u3000to\u3000look\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000sighed\u3000listlessly\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\uff1b\u3000still\u3000looking\u3000down\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000before\u3000Lancer\u3000could\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000Lunk\u3000returning\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000beeping\u3000the\u3000horn\u3000of\u3000his\u3000truck\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000everybody\uff01\u3000Wait’ll\u3000you\u3000see\u3000this\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000terrific\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000still\u3000carrying\u3000on\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shower\u3000of\u3000gravel\u3000and\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000hopped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cab\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000wasn’t\u3000any\u3000more\u3000curious\u3000about\u3000Lunk’s\u3000find\u3000than\u3000about\u3000Lancer’s\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000were\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000hear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000won’t\u3000believe\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000chortled\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000new\u3000type\u3000of\u3000Veritech\u3000fighter\u3000I’ve\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000before\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000waving\u3000a\u3000manual\u3002\u3000\u3003See\uff1f\u3000It\u3000attaches\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it’ll\u3000double\u3000or\u3000triple\u3000the\u3000range\u3000and\u3000firepower\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000called\uff1b\u3000uhh\u2026\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000paused\u3000to\u3000thumb\u3000through\u3000the\u3000manual\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000surprised\u3000everyone\u3000by\u3000saying\u3000quietly\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000Beta\u3000Fighter\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000other\u3000three\u3000went\u3000\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000in\u3000concert\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Lunk\u3000continued\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000a\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Beta\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000already\u3000repaired\u3000the\u3000slight\u3000damage\u3000there\u3000was\u3002\u3000He\u3000unfolded\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000manual’s\u3000diagrams\u3000and\u3000showed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Beta\u3000was\u3000bigger\u3000and\u3000more\u3000burly\u3000looking\u3000than\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mecha\u3000of\u3000raw\u3000power\u3000that\u3000could\u3000also\u3000assume\u3000Battloid\u3000form\u3000and\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000modified\u3000Guardian\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Lancer’s\u3000turn\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000located\u3000two\u3000more\u3000Alphas\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000made\u3000bat\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000given\u3000the\u3000surplus\u3000of\u3000spare\u3000parts\u3000lying\u3000around\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000still\u3000giddy\u3002\u3000\u3003With\u3000four\u3000fighters\u3000and\u3000four\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000just\u3000plain\u3000knock\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000clear\u3000off\u3000this\u3000old\u3000world\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000picturing\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000victory\u3000parade\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000so\u3000exciting\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000enough\u3000firepower\u3000to\u3000make\u3000us\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000army\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000angrily\u3002\u3000\u3003Four\u3000lousy\u3000fighters\uff1f\u3000What\u3000difference\u3000will\u3000that\u3000make\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1f\u3000The\u3000people\u3000who\u3000died\u3000here\u3000were\u3000an\u3000army\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000understand\u3000that\uff1b\u3000any\u3000of\u3000you\uff1f\u3000This\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000Admiral\u3000Hunter’s\u3000handpicked\u3000force\uff01\u3000And\u3000all\u3000we\u3000can\u3000do\u3000is\u3000end\u3000up\u3000just\u3000like\u3000them\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000slammed\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000against\u3000the\u3000torn\u3000hull\u3000furiously\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000hated\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000saying\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000spent\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000hating\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000a\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000reasons\uff1a\u3000for\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fianc\u9591\u3000Marlene\u3000in\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000attack\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000survivor\u3000from\u3000his\u3000entire\u3000squadron\u3002\u3000For\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000others\u3000along\u3000on\u3000this\u3000quixotic\u3000quest\u3000across\u3000a\u3000ruined\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000lunatic\u3000vision\u3000of\u3000defeating\u3000the\u3000beings\u3000who\u3000had\u3000conquered\u3000an\u3000entire\u3000world\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000despair\u3000that\u3000had\u3000enveloped\u3000and\u3000disabled\u3000him\u3000pletely\uff1b\u3000now\u3000that\u3000all\u3000his\u3000hopes\u3000were\u3000shattered\u3002\u3000For\u3000the\u3000sad\u3000necessity\u3000of\u3000telling\u3000them\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000all\u3000been\u3000a\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000their\u3000own\u3000way\u3000from\u3000here\u3000on\uff1b\u3000as\u3000best\u3000they\u3000could\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000in\u3000tears\u3000and\u3000Lunk’s\u3000big\u3000fists\u3000were\u3000balled\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000gorilla\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000does\u3000it\u3002\u3000Bernard\uff01\u3000All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000bad\u3000about\u3000your\u3000buddies\uff1b\u3000we\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000do\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000But\u3000is\u3000that\u3000any\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000take\u3000it\u3000out\u3000on\u3000Annie\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000took\u3000a\u3000step\u3000closer\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000ham\u2026size\uff1b\u3000scarred\u3000fists\u3000were\u3000raised\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Lancer\u3000intervened\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000frail\u3000and\u3000insubstantial\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000though\u3000they\u3000had\u3000all\u3000seen\u3000Lancer\u3000fight\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000differently\u3002\u3000\u3003Lunk\uff1b\u3000stop\u3002\u3000Take\u3000care\u3000of\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\uff1f\u3000I’ll\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000then\u3000obeyed\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000went\u3000to\u3000squat\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000who\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000asleep\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000say\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3000just\u3000listen\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000all\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we’re\u3000still\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000you\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000because\u3000you\u2026and\u3000we\u2026are\u3000the\u3000last\u3000chance\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000has\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000you\u3000give\u3000up\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000falls\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000because\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000know\u2026how\u3000to\u3000tackle\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000I\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000what\u3000you\u3000told\u3000us\uff1a\u3000we’re\u3000all\u3000soldiers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000our\u3000duty\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000the\u3000cost\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000happens\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott’s\u3000eyes\u3000had\u3000slowly\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000still\u3000stared\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000aftermath\u3000of\u3000the\u3000slaughter\u3002\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000disgusted\uff1b\u3000led\u3000Annie\u3000off\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000work\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Alphas\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000found\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Lancer\u3000followed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Scott\u3000alone\u3000and\u3000silent\u3000once\u3000more\u3002
\n
\nThere’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000to\u3000defeat\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000insane\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000you’ve\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000insanity\u3000on\u3000to\u3000others\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000time\u3000until\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000glint\u3000of\u3000light\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000shining\u3000off\u3000the\u3000pendant\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000tossed\u3000aside\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cheap\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000jewelry\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000people\u3000in\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000units\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000it\u3000or\u3000something\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3000That\u3000made\u3000him\u3000remember\u3000something\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000dug\u3000out\u3000the\u3000locket\u3000Marlene\u3000had\u3000given\u3000him\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000parted\u2026unknowingly\u2026for\u3000the\u3000final\u3000time\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000flat\uff1b\u3000heart\u2026shaped\u3000metallic\u3000green\u3000locket\u3000with\u3000a\u3000blood\u2026red\u3000holo\u2026bead\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\uff1b\u3000not\u3000very\u3000expensive\u3000but\u3000unutterably\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000activated\u3000it\u3000and\u3000it\u3000opened\u3000like\u3000a\u3000triptych\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000above\u3000the\u3000holo\u2026bead\u3000was\u3000shot\u3000through\u3000with\u3000distortions\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Marlene\u3000hung\u3000there\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Marlene\u3000perhaps\u3000six\u3000inches\u3000tall\u3002\u3000Her\u3000uniform\u3000with\u3000its\u3000sh \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ns\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000Marlene\u3000hung\u3000there\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Marlene\u3000perhaps\u3000six\u3000inches\u3000tall\u3002\u3000Her\u3000uniform\u3000with\u3000its\u3000short\u3000skirt\u3000and\u3000boots\u3000showed\u3000off\u3000coltish\u3000legs\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000gamine\u3000and\u3000graceful\uff1b\u3000pale\uff1b\u3000wide\u2026eyed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000long\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Not\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000but\u3000very\u3000attractive\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000brief\u3000loop\u3000began\u3000playing\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026message\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000love\uff1b\u3000I\u3000accept\u3000your\u3000marriage\u3000proposal\u3000with\u3000all\u3000my\u3000heart\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000what\u3000this\u3000means\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000or\u3000how\u3000long\u3000I’ve\u3000dreamt\u3000you\u3000would\u3000ask\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1a\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000proud\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000my\u3000life\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000it\u3000once\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000just\u3000after\u3000she\u3000had\u3000given\u3000it\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000with\u3000nova\u2026bright\u3000joy\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000countless\u3000other\u3000times\u3000he\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000superimposed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000scene\u3000of\u3000a\u3000flaming\uff1b\u3000plunging\u3000warcraft\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000clamped\u3000the\u3000locket\u3000shut\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000off\u3000the\u3000loop\u3002\u3000Marlene\uff01\u3000Suddenly\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000powerful\u3000engines\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000APC\u3000was\u3000returning\u3000with\u3000Rook\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000crouched\u3000nervously\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000seat\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000outrider\u3000on\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000The\u3000Alpha\u3000was\u3000playing\u3000mother\u3000hen\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bulky\u3000Beta\u3000Fighter\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000figured\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000babying\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000along\uff1b\u3000the\u3000big\u3000ex\u2026soldier\u3000had\u3000some\u3000flight\u3000time\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000preferred\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000But\u3000who\u3000was\u3000that\u3000in\u3000the\u3000APC’s\u3000shotgun\u3000seat\uff1f
\n
\nHe\u3000got\u3000a\u3000better\u3000look\u3000and\u3000leapt\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000without\u3000realizing\u3000it\u3002\u3000Marlene\uff01
\n
\nThe\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000different\u3000color\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000face\uff1b\u3000the\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000the\u3000eyes\u2026the\u3000very\u3000posture\u3000of\u3000her\u2026these\u3000things\u3000were\u3000those\u3000of\u3000his\u3000dead\u3000fianc\u9591\u3002
\n
\nIt’s\u3000finally\u3000happened\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000driven\u3000myself\u3000mad\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000like\u3000she’s\u3000just\u3000learning\u3000to\u3000talk\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000finished\u3000her\u3000story\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000she\u3000learns\u3000very\u3000quickly\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003How\u3000terrible\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000her\u3000must\u3000have\u3000been\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\u3000somberly\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000sniffling\u3002\u3000She\u3000wiped\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floppy\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000her\u3000battle\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000awful\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000looked\u3000grim\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000did\u3000this\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000bet\u3000on\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000assured\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000obviously\u3000wrong\u3000with\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000bruises\uff1b\u3000wounds\uff1b\u3000or\u3000sexual\u3000assault\u3002\u3000\u3003We’d\u3000better\u3000get\u3000her\u3000to\u3000a\u3000town\uff1b\u3000somewhere\u3000where\u3000she\u3000can\u3000be\u3000helped\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Simulagent\u3000had\u3000been\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000unnerving\u3000him\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000stole\u3000only\u3000intermittent\u3000glances\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000Now\u3000though\uff1b\u3000still\u3000watching\u3000him\uff1b\u3000she\u3000shivered\u3000and\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000then\u3000went\u3000down\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000couldn’t\u3000escape\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000Or\u3000maybe\u3000I\u3000just\u3000want\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000that\uff1f
\n
\nIt\u3000seemed\u3000impossible\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000could\u3000be\u3000such\u3000a\u3000close\u3000match\u3000of\u3000another\u3000Human\u3000being\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000miracles\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000think\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000change\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000because\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000other\u3000logical\u3000explanation\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000time\u3000for\u3000insights\uff1b\u3000seconds\u3000later\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000thrumming\u3000vibrated\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000whirled\u3000to\u3000see\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000heave\u3000into\u3000sight\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000crashed\u3000battlecruiser\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000war\u3000machines\u3000spread\u3000out\u3000into\u3000a\u3000skirmishing\u3000line\u3000and\u3000began\u3000their\u3000slow\u3000approach\uff1b\u3000gliding\u3000some\u3000thirty\u3000feet\u3000above\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000sprinted\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment’s\u3000confusion\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000knelt\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000up\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Lancer\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000his\u3000Robotech\u3000bike\u3000as\u3000well\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000halted\u3000to\u3000look\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000who\u3000still\u3000stood\u3000rooted\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000Hurry\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000seized\u3000Rand’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Forget\u3000about\u3000him\u3000and\u3000get\u3000to\u3000your\u3000Cyclone\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000gave\u3000Scott\u3000a\u3000brief\uff1b\u3000bitter\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Big\u3000talker\u3002\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000got\u3000Ariel\u3000to\u3000take\u3000cover\u3000behind\u3000an\u3000exploded\u3000cruiser’s\u3000hull\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000Cyclones\u3000raced\u3000out\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000lucky\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000simply\u3000open\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000thought\u3002\u3000With\u3000all\u3000of\u3000us\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000been\u3000a\u3000turkey\u3000shoot\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000and\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000an\u3000advancing\u3000barrage\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000patterning\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000oning\u3000riders\u3002\u3000The\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000from\u3000their\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3000streamed\u3000down\uff1b\u3000fountaining\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000debris\u3000wherever\u3000they\u3000hit\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000numbly\u3002\u3000Part\u3000of\u3000him\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000and\u3000part\u3000of\u3000him\u3000simply\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000end\u3000it\u3000all\u3002\u3000He\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000give\u3000in\u3000to\u3000the\u3000seemingly\u3000endless\u3000weariness\u3000and\u3000bloodshed\u3000and\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000accept\u3000his\u3000fate\u3000then\u3000and\u3000there\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000about\u3000to\u3000break\u3000down\u3000into\u3000tears\u3002\u3000She\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cover\u3000into\u3000which\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000carried\u3000her\u3000and\u3000strode\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sleepwalker\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000sand\u3002\u3000She\u3000stared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000oning\u3000Invid\u3000sortie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000whimpered\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000started\u3000to\u3000go\u3000after\u3000her\u3000and\u3000drag\u3000her\u3000back\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000impact\u3000of\u3000two\u3000discs\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000falling\u3000backward\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000get\u3000killed\uff1f\u3003\u3000It\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\u3000that\u3000someone\u3000else\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000ask\u3000the\u3000same\u3000question\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000out\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000braved\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000volleys\u3000to\u3000reach\u3000her\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000safety\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000closed\u3000in\uff1b\u3000their\u3000fire\u3000sending\u3000up\u3000columns\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000to\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000her\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000screamed\uff1b\u3000screamed\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000Scott\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000though\u3000Marlene\u3000were\u3000screaming\u3002\u3000The\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000through\u3000every\u3000cell\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000he\u3000had\u3000imagined\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\u2026her\u3000last\u3000scream\u3000as\u3000she\u3000died\u3000in\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000onslaught\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\uff01
\n
\nBefore\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000vaulting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Alpha’s\u3000cockpit\u3002\u3000He\u3000howled\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thinking\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000and\u3000buckled\u3000his\u3000harness\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000Alpha\u3000to\u3000Veritech\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000wings\u3000swept\u3000back\u3000for\u3000high\u2026speed\u3000atmospheric\u3000dogfighting\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000remembered\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000fighting\u3000for\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000EIGHT
\n
\nPeople\u3000are\u3000mostly\u3000stupid\u3000and\u3000hateful\u3000and\u3000cruel\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3000but\u2026hell\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000save\u3000the\u3000world’s\u3000ass\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000better\u3000than\u3000being\u3000bored\u3002
\nRook
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000pincer\u3000ships\u3000came\u3000at\u3000scott\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000V\u3000formation\u3002\u3000He\u3000tagged\u3000the\u3000starboard\u3000wingmate\u3000with\u3000an\u3000air\u2026to\u2026air\u3000missile\u3000and\u3000banked\u3000past\u3000the\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000bits\u3000of\u3000it\u3000as\u3000the\u3000surviving\u3000two\u3000broke\u3000to\u3000either\u3000side\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000read\u3000the\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000the\u3000target\u3000acquisition\u3000puters\u3000were\u3000working\u3000overtime\u3002\u3000He\u3000launched\u3000another\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Pincer\u3000dodged\u3000one\u3000only\u3000to\u3000be\u3000skeeted\u3000head\u2026on\u3000by\u3000another\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000who’s\u3000next\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000third\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000Pincer\u3000was\u3000the\u3000next\u3000one\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Frisbeeing\u3000the\u3000white\u2026hot\u3000discs\u3002\u3000Its\u3000claws\u3000were\u3000bent\u3000close\u3000to\u3000it\u3000to\u3000decrease\u3000wind\u3000resistance\u3000and\u3000increase\u3000airspeed\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000missed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000his\u3000wing\u3000cannon\u3002
\n
\nHow\u3000the\u3000blazes\u3000do\u3000they\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000maneuver\u3000so\u3000fast\uff1f
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lucky\uff1b\u3000his\u3000whole\u3000team\u3000had\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000miraculous\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000them\u3000unprepared\u3000and\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000open\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000hadn’t\u3000incinerated\u3000them\u3002\u3000
\n
\nHe\u3000looped\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Invid’s\u3000six\u3000o’clock\u3000position\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000Cyc\u3000through\u3000a\u3000skidding\u3000180\uff1fturn\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000shower\u3000of\u3000grit\uff1b\u3000as\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000registered\u3000hits\u3000to\u3000all\u3000sides\u3002\u3000The\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000stumped\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000its\u3000immense\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000its\u3000two\u3000shoulder\u3000cannons\u3000pointing\u3000in\u3000his\u3000direction\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000got\u3000off\u3000one\u3000round\u3000from\u3000the\u3000front\u2026hub\u2026mounted\u3000gun\uff1b\u3000cursing\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000don\u3000his\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000flung\u3000back\u3000as\u3000a\u3000near\u3000miss\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Trooper’s\u3000heavy\u3000guns\u3000blew\u3000him\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3000backward\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000landed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shallow\u3000pit\uff1b\u3000stunned\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000an\u3000alloy\u3000claw\u3000to\u3000close\u3000around\u3000him\u3000and\u3000snip\u3000him\u3000in\u3000two\u3000or\u3000for\u3000a\u3000disc\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000him\u3000to\u3000ash\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000he\u3000regained\u3000full\u3000consciousness\u3000in\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000spitting\u3000out\u3000sand\u3000and\u3000swearing\u3002\u3000A\u3000thunder\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000up\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000roared\u3000by\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Scott\u3000rocking\u3000it\u3000with\u3000cannon\u3000salvos\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000lost\u3000track\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Trooper\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000last\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\u3000got\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tail\u3000and\u3000raked\u3000him\u3000with\u3000near\u2026miss\u3000fire\u3002
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pit\uff1b\u3000wiped\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000off\u3000his\u3000face\u3000and\u3000invoked\u3000an\u3000all\u2026embracing\u3000line\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000favorite\u3000prewar\u3000motion\u3000pictures\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000fist\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000mad\u3000as\u3000hell\u3000and\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000gonna\u3000take\u3000it\u3000anymore\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000grounded\u3000Beta\u3002
\n
\n
\nLunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000the\u3000young\u3000amnesiac\u3000back\u3000under\u3000cover\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000worry\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000told\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000won’t\u3000hurt\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\uff01\u3000We\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000them\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Simulagent’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000warm\u3000and\u3000slick\u3000with\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000studying\u3000the\u3000manual\u3000while\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thinking\u3000cap\u3000and\u3000warmed\u3000up\u3000the\u3000ship\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000under\u3000Scott’s\u3000tutelage\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000flown\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000engines\u3000came\u3000up\uff1b\u3000deeper\u3000and\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000any\u3000Alpha’s\u3000engine\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000was\u3000light\u3000on\u3000sensor\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000countermeasures\u3000equipment\u3000and\u3000certainly\u3000less\u3000maneuverable\u3000than\u3000an\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000fearsomely\u3000armed\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000debating\u3000the\u3000best\u3000way\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000off\u3000when\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000fighter\u3000rocked\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000overturned\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000through\u3000a\u3000stern\u3000monitor\u3000that\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000had\u3000landed\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000swipe\u3000at\u3000it\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000Beta’s\u3000reinforced\u3000Robotech\u3000alloy\u3000armor\u3000had\u3000saved\u3000it\u2026and\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000control\u3000grips\uff1b\u3000wrenched\u3000the\u3000stem\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000imaged\u3000the\u3000move\u3000to\u3000the\u3000receptors\u3000in\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000helmet\u3002\u3000The\u3000Beta’s\u3000engines\u3000erupted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000knocked\u3000backward\u3000tumbling\uff1b\u3000cracking\u3000open\uff1b\u3000being\u3000a\u3000pinwheel\u3000of\u3000flame\u3002\u3000The\u3000Beta\u3000arrowed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000standing\u3000start\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000a\u3000column\u3000of\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ground\u2026shaking\u3000thunder\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000laughed\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000nervously\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000what\u3000I\u3000call\u2026huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000last\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\u3000dove\u3000in\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000skimming\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000from\u3000both\u3000shoulder\u3000mounts\u3002\u3000He\u3000juked\u3000his\u3000ship\u3000inexpertly\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000the\u3000Pincer\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000briefest\u3000solo\u3000on\u3000record\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ly\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000the\u3000Pincer\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000this\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000briefest\u3000solo\u3000on\u3000record\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000Scott’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hold\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01\u3003\u3000These\u3000were\u3000the\u3000most\u3000wele\u3000words\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000in\u3000his\u3000life\u3002\u3000Above\u3000and\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000launching\u3000a\u3000spread\u3000of\u3000missiles\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\u3000dodged\u3000and\u3000juked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000demon\uff1b\u3000but\u3000one\u3000air\u2026to\u2026air\u3000got\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000knee\u3000juncture\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000monstrous\uff1b\u3000crablike\u3000legs\u3000exploded\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pincer\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000all\u3000thrusters\u3000and\u3000went\u3000off\uff1b\u3000tumbling\u3000and\u3000blasting\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000like\u3000some\u3000erratic\u3000et\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000let\u3000it\u3000go\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000with\u3000Rand\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000him\u3000down\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000wasn’t\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000Beta\u3000was\u3000flying\u3000upside\u3000down\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000held\u3000his\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000fought\u3000off\u3000the\u3000impulse\u3000to\u3000close\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000landing\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000rightside\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000about\u3000all\u3002\u3000The\u3000massive\u3000armor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000got\u3000him\u3000through\u3000a\u3000landing\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000demolished\u3000on\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000or\u3000almost\u3000any\u3000other\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000ship\u3000skidded\uff1b\u3000punched\u3000pletely\u3000through\u3000an\u3000empty\u3000troop\u3000carrier\uff1b\u3000skidded\u3000some\u3000more\u3000\uff08while\u3000Rand\u3000recalled\u3000prayers\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000in\u3000years\uff09\u3000and\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000penetrating\u3000the\u3000hull\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tanker\u3002\u3000She\u3000finally\u3000came\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000shadowy\u3000main\u3000hold\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000the\u3000few\u3000rays\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000found\u3000their\u3000way\u3000in\u3000through\u3000hull\u3000punctures\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000nose\u2026down\u3000but\u3000intact\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000lay\u3000with\u3000his\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000instrument\u3000panel\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000body\u3000piled\u3000up\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000the\u3000operating\u3000manual\u3000on\u3000his\u3000head\u3000like\u3000an\u3000A\u2026frame\u3000roof\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000perfect\u3000landing\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000that\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000away\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000Or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000be\u3000carried\u3002
\n
\n
\nExtraction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000and\u3000reactivation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Alphas\u3000took\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000that\u3000long\u3000day\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000longer\u3000to\u3000get\u3000everything\u3000they\u3000could\u3000from\u3000the\u3000battlefield\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000telling\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000be\u3000back\u3002\u3000They\u3000gathered\u3000what\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000ordnance\uff1b\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000and\u3000equipment\u3000they\u3000could\u3000and\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000move\u3000out\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Good\u3000fight\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000meeting\u3000everyone’s\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000But\u3000something\u3000showed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000that\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000there\u3000before\uff1a\u3000an\u3000awareness\u3000that\u3000people\u3000had\u3000their\u3000limits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000those\u3000limits\u3000were\u3000not\u3000so\u3000confining\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\nAround\u3000them\u3000the\u3000Alphas\u3000were\u3000poised\uff1b\u3000noses\u3000almost\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000The\u3000lower\u3000half\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Beta’s\u3000nose\u3000was\u3000swung\u3000open\u3000like\u3000a\u3000trapdoor\uff1b\u3000its\u3000pilot’s\u3000seat\u3000lowered\u3000for\u3000boarding\u3002\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000loaded\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000watched\u3000Scott\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000short\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000continued\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000risk\u3000another\u3000tangle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000now\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we\u3000can\u3000possibly\u3000help\u3000it\u3002\u3000Remember\u3000that\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000can\u3000fly\u3000that\u3000thing\u3000without\u3000killing\u3000yourself\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000pointed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000white\u2026and\u2026olive\u2026drab\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000scratched\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3000near\u3000one\u3000of\u3000his\u3000numerous\u3000bandages\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000long\u3000as\u3000we\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000right\u3000or\u3000left\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000allowed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Improvise\u3002\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000Fighter’s\u3000yours\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000okay\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000VT\u3000with\u3000red\u2026and\u2026white\u3000markings\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000feline\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000leave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000split\u3000up\u3000to\u3000get\u3000going\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000put\u3000Ariel\u3000into\u3000the\u3000truck\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000took\u3000off\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000gunned\u3000his\u3000engine\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lone\u3000figure\u3000stood\u3000watching\u3000them\u3000from\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000ridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\uff1b\u3000its\u3000right\u3000leg\u3000blown\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000knee\uff1b\u3000relayed\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000wind\u3000whipped\u3000the\u3000Simulagent’s\u3000scarlet\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000rode\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000\u3003Reception\u3000is\u3000perfect\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mutilated\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\u3002\u3000\u3003Maintain\u3000surveillance\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000subsidence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000around\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000and\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000increased\u3000Invid\u3000patrol\u3000activity\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wake\u3000of\u3000events\u3000at\u3000rendezvous\u3000point\u3000K\u3000made\u3000Scott\u3000wary\uff1b\u3000progress\u3000was\u3000slow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000next\u3000few\u3000days\u3002\u3000Roads\u3000and\u3000bridges\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mountain\u3000passes\u3000were\u3000filled\u3000by\u3000quake\u3000and\u3000avalanche\u3002
\n
\nTime\u3000and\u3000again\u3000the\u3000Veritechs\u3000were\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000airlift\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000its\u3000stores\uff1b\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000supply\u3000became\u3000critically\u3000low\u3002\u3000Long\u2026range\u3000aerial\u3000scouting\u3000missions\u3000were\u3000impossible\uff1b\u3000Invid\u3000patrol\u3000activity\u3000was\u3000too\u3000intense\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000reached\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000a\u3000shifting\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000had\u3000permanently\u3000sealed\u3002
\n
\nWith\u3000the\u3000Veritechs’\u3000remaining\u3000operating\u3000time\u3000drastically\u3000restricted\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000to\u3000do\u3000but\u3000try\u3000to\u3000find\u3000a\u3000detour\u3002\u3000A\u3000small\u3000town\u3000lay\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000team\u3000members\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000check\u3000it\u3000out\u3000as\u3000a\u3000first\u3000step\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000first\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000aircraft\u3000were\u3000safe\u3002\u3000They\u3000parked\u3000the\u3000fighters\u3000in\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000was\u3000undamaged\uff1b\u3000near\u3000the\u3000entrance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000donned\u3000Cyclone\u3000armor\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000used\u3000the\u3000power\u2026assisted\u3000metal\u3000suits\u3000to\u3000move\u3000boulders\u3000and\u3000wall\u3000in\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000for\u3000safekeeping\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000sight\u2026seven\u2026plus\u2026feet\u2026tall\u3000gleaming\u3000giants\u3000lifting\u3000huge\u3000stones\uff1b\u3000in\u3000teams\u3000when\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000was\u3000extreme\uff1b\u3000but\u3000often\u3000alone\uff1b\u3000tossing\u3000them\u3000like\u3000medicine\u3000balls\u3002\u3000After\u3000the\u3000task\u3000was\u3000pleted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000shed\u3000their\u3000armor\u3000so\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000attract\u3000any\u3000attention\u3000from\u3000possible\u3000Invid\u3000patrols\u3000or\u3000from\u3000informers\u3002\u3000They\u3000set\u3000off\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000town\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000one\u3000thing\u3000the\u3000team\u3000hadn’t\u3000brought\u3000was\u3000extreme\u3000cold\u2026climate\u3000clothing\uff1b\u3000they\u3000hadn’t\u3000counted\u3000on\u3000being\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000go\u3000so\u3000high\u3000into\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000sped\u3000along\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\u3000bringing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000shivered\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000s\u2026stand\u3000it\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000so\u3000cold\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000the\u3000more\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000before\u3000the\u3000real\u3000winter\u3000weather\u3000hits\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000shot\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000town\u3000lay\u3000in\u3000a\u3000valley\u3000at\u3000the\u3000confluence\u3000of\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000different\u3000mountain\u3000tracks\u3000and\u3000streams\u3000that\u3000might\u3000promise\u3000a\u3000path\u3000through\u3002\u3000Two\u3000other\u3000roads\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lowlands\u3000ended\u3000there\uff1b\u3000reinforcing\u3000Lancer’s\u3000contention\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000jumping\u2026off\u3000point\u3002
\n
\nOnce\u3000they\u3000were\u3000down\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heights\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000fortable\u3002\u3000The\u3000town\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000named\u3000Deguello\u3000according\u3000to\u3000a\u3000hand\u2026lettered\u3000sign\u3000on\u3000weather\u2026silvered\u3000wood\u3000at\u3000its\u3000outskirts\uff1b\u3000was\u3000more\u3000prosperous\u3000than\u3000Rand\u3000would\u3000have\u3000expected\u3002\u3000Apparently\u3000there\u3000was\u3000some\u3000hidden\u3000resource\u3002\u3000A\u3000hidden\u3000prewar\u3000supply\u3000depot\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1f\u3000His\u3000Forager\u3000instincts\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fore\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000town\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000others\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000had\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000a\u3000type\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000to\u3000know\u3002\u3000Stucco\uff1b\u3000tiled\u3000roofs\uff1b\u3000wrought\u2026iron\u3000window\u3000bars\uff1b\u3000whitewash\u3000that\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000faded\u3002\u3000Cracked\u3000plaster\uff1b\u3000drainage\u3000ditches\u3000that\u3000were\u3000mostly\u3000clogged\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000some\u3000crops\u3000and\u3000meat\u3000and\u3000wares\u3000under\u3000the\u3000tattered\u3000awnings\u3000of\u3000the\u3000market\u3000stalls\u3002\u3000Deguello\u3000was\u3000better\u3000off\u3000than\u3000many\u3000other\u3000places\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000seen\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000evident\u3000that\u3000medical\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000available\uff1b\u3000but\u3000none\u3000too\u3000sophisticated\u3002\u3000Most\u3000clothing\u3000was\u3000patched\u3000and\u3000frayed\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\u3000a\u3000typical\u3000post\u2026Invid\u3000settlement\u3000where\u3000virtually\u3000nothing\u3000was\u3000discarded\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000repaired\uff1b\u3000reused\uff1b\u3000recycled\uff1b\u3000cannibalized\uff1b\u3000or\u3000traded\u3000for\u3000something\u3000else\u3002\u3000The\u3000day\u3000of\u3000the\u3000use\u2026and\u2026discard\u3000consumer\u3000society\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000galling\u3000memory\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000normal\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000people\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000their\u3000lives\u3000together\u3000and\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000function\u3000in\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000way\uff1b\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000with\u3000seedy\u3000types\u3002\u3000The\u3000townspeople\u3000eyed\u3000the\u3000newers\u3000and\u3000their\u3000Cycs\u3000with\u3000cold\u3000interest\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000automatically\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000she\u3000saw\uff1a\u3000knives\u3000and\u3000chains\u3000and\u3000conventional\u3000firearms\uff1b\u3000prewar\u3000military\u3000and\u3000hunting\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000some\u3000police\u3000and\u3000homemade\u2026type\u3000stuff\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3000any\u3000energy\u3000guns\uff1b\u3000which\u3000meant\u3000the\u3000team\u3000would\u3000have\u3000a\u3000tremendous\u3000edge\u3000if\u3000they\u3000ran\u3000into\u3000trouble\u3002
\n
\nLet’s\u3000hope\u3000there’s\u3000no\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000They\u3000look\u3000like\u3000they’ve\u3000been\u3000through\u3000enough\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000like\u3000everybody\u3000else\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000group\u3000pulled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000main\u3000plaza\uff1b\u3000a\u3000man\u3000stirred\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000smeared\u3000plastic\u3000cocktail\u3000glass\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000them\u3000over\uff1b\u3000adjusting\u3000his\u3000much\u2026worn\u3000wraparound\u3000shades\u3002\u3000The\u3000grungy\u3000kerchief\u3000tied\u3000around\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000black\u3000beard\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pirate\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000ratty\u3000brown\u3000shoes\u3000with\u3000no\u3000socks\uff1b\u3000threadbare\u3000khaki\u3000pants\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000grimy\u3000camouflage\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000same\u3000fabric\u3000as\u3000his\u3000headband\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000dismounted\u3000first\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000the\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000to\u3000look\u3000the\u3000town\u3000over\u3000and\u3000get\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000handle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000local\u3000situation\u3002\u3000They\u3000parked\u3000their\u3000cyclones\u3000and\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000without\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000in\u3000this\u3000postwar\u3000world\uff1b\u3000anyone\u3000with\u3000a\u3000vehicle\u3000had\u3000the\u3000sense\u3000to\u3000boobytrap\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000nonchalance\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000most\u3000eloquent\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000proof\u3000that\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000wise\u3000not\u3000to\u3000meddle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gleaming\u3000mecha\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000pressing\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000they\u3000all\u3000go\u3000shopping\u3000at\u3000the\u3000market\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000approve\u3000her\u3000expedition\u2026it\u3000was\u3000as\u3000good\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000misdirect\u3000any\u3000watchers’\u3000attention\u3000as\u3000anything\u3000else\u3000he\u3000could\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u2026when\u3000the\u3000man\u3000who\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000their\u3000arrival\u3000approached\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000howdy\u3000there\uff1b\u3000folks\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\u3000wise\u3000to\u3000do\u3000in\u3000greeting\u3000new\u3000people\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000odor\u3000from\u3000his\u3000body\u3000and\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000of\u3000broken\u3000yellow\u2026and\u2026black\u3000teeth\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000days\u3000of\u3000cosmetic\u3000dentistry\u3000and\u3000TV\u2026hyped\uff1b\u3000brandname\u3000personal\u3000hygiene\u3000were\u3000all\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beaten\u2026down\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000was\u3000showing\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000people\u3000could\u3000be\u3000divided\u3000between\u3000those\u3000who\u3000still\u3000made\u3000the\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000with\u3000homemade\u3000soaps\u3000and\u3000pig\u2026bristle\u3000toothbrushes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000those\u3000who\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000reverted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000medieval\u3000way\u3000of\u3000life\u3000and\u3000thought\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thinkin’\u3000about\u3000takin’\u3000a\u3000trip\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000man\u3000said\u3002\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000on\uff1b\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Scott\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000convince\u3000people\u3000that\u3000the\u3000team\u3000just\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000be\u3000up\u3000here\u3000on\u3000a\u3000pleasure\u3000jaunt\u3002\u3000Or\u3000perhaps\u3000gathering\u3000daisies\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Them\u3000mountains\u3000is\u3000crawlin’\u3000with\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000y’know\u3002\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000there’s\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000fortress\u3000smack\u2026dab\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000that\u3000range\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000could\u3000get\u3000through\u3002\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000there’s\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000fortress\u3000smack\u2026dab\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000that\u3000range\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000rat\u3000could\u3000get\u3000through\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that’ll\u3000show\u3000you\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000route\u3002\u3000And\u3000it’ll\u3000only\u3000cost\u3000you\u2026\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000pulled\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000pocket\u3000calculator\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000solarpowered\u3000model\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000novelty\u3000than\u3000a\u3000work\u3000tool\u3000before\u3000the\u3000wars\uff1b\u3000but\u3000was\u3000very\u3000dear\u3000in\u3000these\u3000days\u3000when\u3000batteries\u3000were\u3000scarce\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000squinted\u3000at\u3000their\u3000Cyclones\uff1b\u3000keying\u3000buttons\u3002\u3000The\u3000calculator\u3000beeped\u3000with\u3000a\u3000final\u3000sum\u3000which\u3000he\u3000showed\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003\u2026this\u3000much\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000recoiled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000figure\uff1b\u3000payable\u3000in\u3000gold\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000we\u3000haven’t\u3000got\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000money\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000the\u3000Cycs\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000there’re\u3000those\u3000in\u3000this\u3000town\u3000who’ve\u3000been\u3000known\u3000to\u3000do\u3000some\u3000barterin’\u3000and\u3000tradin’\u3002\u3000Them\u3000fancy\u3000machines\u3000might\u3000do\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Forget\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000flatly\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000man\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000argue\uff1b\u3000but\u3000stopped\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Forager’s\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000it\u3000your\u3000way\uff1b\u3000m’friend\u3002\u3000But\u3000all\u3000the\u3000high\u2026tone\u3000highway\u3000hardware\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000ain’t\u3000gonna\u3000do\u3000you\u3000no\u3000good\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000stuck\u3000here\u3002\u3000And\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000one\u3000thing\uff1a\u3000Paradise\u3000is\u3000waitin’\u3000fer\u3000you\uff1b\u3000right\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000them\u3000mountains\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000\u3003Look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000the\u3000straight\u3000gospel\u3002\u3000If’n\u3000you\u3000change\u3000your\u3000minds\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000find\u3000me\u3000right\u3000over\u3000there\uff1b\u3000most\u3000any\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Without\u3000that\u3000map\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000never\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000stranded\u3000here\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Within\u3000arm’s\u3000reach\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000you\u3000shouldn’t\u3000have\u3000been\u3000so\u3000quick\u3000to\u3000refuse\u3000to\u3000bargain\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000made\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000lucky\u3000for\u3000you\u3000you’ve\u3000got\u3000a\u3000Forager\u3000along\uff1b\u3000Lieutenant\u3000Bernard\u3002\u3000You\u3000think\u3000somebody\u3000with\u3000a\u3000map\u3000that\u3000valuable\u3000would\u3000be\u3000lounging\u3000around\u3000in\u3000the\u3000street\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000like\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rand’s\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000map\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000very\u3000likely\u3000that\u3000that\u3000pig\u3000has\u3000it\u3002\u3000Why\u3000d’you\u3000think\u3000he\u3000was\u3000so\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000cut\u3000a\u3000deal\u3000right\u3000away\uff1b\u3000before\u3000some\u3000other\u3000con\u3000artist\u3000could\u3000get\u3000to\u3000us\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000bet\u3000that\u3000this\u3000friendly\u3000little\u3000munity\u3000is\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000every\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000sharpie\u3000there\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000way\u3000I\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000our\u3000best\u3000bet\u3000is\u3000to\u3000split\u3000up\uff1b\u3000take\u3000a\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000feel\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000nodded\u3000in\u3000agreement\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000of\u3000you\u3000be\u3000careful\u3002\u3000Is\u3000everyone\u3000armed\uff1f\u3000Lunk\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000here\u3000and\u3000guard\u3000the\u3000vehicles\u3002\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000you\u3000stick\u3000close\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000got\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000heard\u3000one\u3000or\u3000two\u3000things\u3000about\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000removing\u3000a\u3000pack\u3000from\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000check\u3000them\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000something\u3000I’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000alone\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSoon\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000off\u3000in\u3000various\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000Deguello\u3000held\u3000some\u3000hope\u3000for\u3000their\u3000survival\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000NINE
\n
\nMom\u3000wasn’t\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000the\u3000way\u3000things\u3000were\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000she\u3000found\u3000grim\u3000irony\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000one\u2026percenters\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000majority\u3000at\u3000last\u3002
\nMaria\u3000Bartley\u2026Rand\uff1b\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Protoculture
\n
\nLunk\u3000was\u3000deeply\u3000engrossed\u3000in\u3000his\u3000gearhead\u3000window\u3000shopping\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000great\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000some\u3000leftover\u3000war\u3000machinery\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000put\u3000up\u3000with\u3000it\u3000for\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mechanic’s\u3000creeper\u3000under\u3000an\u3000APC\u3000like\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000she\u3000slipped\u3000away\u3000to\u3000check\u3000out\u3000Deguello\u3000for\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000how\u3000much\u3000lowland\u3000food\u3000and\u3000other\u3000goods\u3000were\u3000available\u3000in\u3000this\u3000mountain\u3000outpost\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000somebody\u3000had\u3000discovered\u3000an\u3000emerald\u3000mine\u3000or\u3000something\uff1f
\n
\nThe\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000people\u3000living\u3000in\u3000Deguello\u3000were\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000else\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000unusual\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000two\u3000Robotech\u3000wars\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000conquest\u3000had\u3000set\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000adrift\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000in\u3000what\u3000had\u3000once\u3000been\u3000South\u3000America\u3000didn’t\u3000really\u3000mean\u3000that\u3000much\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000either\u3002\u3000All\u3000nations\u3000were\u3000long\u3000since\u3000extinct\uff1b\u3000all\u3000cultures\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thrown\u3000together\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000struggle\u3000for\u3000survival\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000what\u3000struck\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000strange\u3000was\u3000that\u3000so\u3000many\u3000folks\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000something\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000people\u3000holding\u3000furtive\u3000negotiations\u3000in\u3000taverns\u3000and\u3000alleys\uff1b\u3000and\u3000others\u3000marking\u3000time\u3000in\u3000the\u3000square\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3000as\u3000if\u3000expecting\u3000someone\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000also\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000people\u3000were\u3000selling\u3000or\u3000trading\u3000their\u3000personal\u3000possessions\u3000in\u3000return\u3000for\u3000gold\u3000or\u3000gems\u2026apparently\u3000the\u3000only\u3000currency\u3000that\u3000counted\u3000here\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000some\u3000ways\uff1b\u3000it\u3000reminded\u3000her\u3000of\u3000a\u3000romantic\u3000oldtime\u3000motion\u3000picture\u3000that\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000favorites\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000Rick’s\u3000Cafe\u3000in\u3000Deguello\uff1b\u3000although\u3000she\u3000prided\u3000herself\u3000on\u3000looking\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000a\u3000young\u3000Ingrid\u3000Bergman\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000light\u3000hit\u3000her\u3000just\u3000right\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000scoffed\u3002
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000nice\u3000to\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000her\u3000dreams\u3000were\u3000the\u3000only\u3000things\u3000she\u3000really\u3000owned\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000scuffed\u3000her\u3000sneaker\u3000at\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000garbage\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pitted\u3000cobblestone\u3000sidestreet\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000many\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000following\u3000her\u3002\u3000Brother\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000in\u3000some\u3000creepy\u3000places\u3000in\u3000my\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000one\u3000takes\u3000the\u3000booby\u3000prize\u3002\u3000What\u3000a\u3000slimebucket\u3000zoo\uff01
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000that\u3000while\u3000watching\u3000a\u3000coughing\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000tubercular\u3000man\u3000shuffling\u3000along\u3000and\u3000gagging\u3000in\u3000to\u3000a\u3000disgusting\u2026looking\u3000rag\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000so\u3000distracted\u3000that\u3000she\u3000bumped\u3000right\u3000into\u3000somebody\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000ya\u3000little\u3000geek\uff1b\u3000why’n’cha\u3000watch\u3000where\u3000yer\u3000goin’\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000definitely\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bad\u3000Boys\uff1b\u3000a\u3000snake\u2026lean\uff1b\u3000rat\u2026faced\u3000guy\u3000in\u3000a\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000greasy\u3000jumpsuit\u3000open\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shrunken\u3000waist\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000scorpion\u3000tattoo\u3000on\u3000his\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000He\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000chain\u3000belt\u3000of\u3000massive\u3000links\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000Chi\u3000Army\u2026style\u3000cap\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000red\u3000bandanna\u3000tied\u3000around\u3000his\u3000thin\u3000left\u3000bicep\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000werewolf\u3000sideburns\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sawed\u2026off\u300012gauge\u3000side\u2026by\u2026side\u3000\uff08a\u3000popular\u3000weapon\u3000in\u3000Deguello\uff09\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shoulder\u3000rig\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000were\u3000fishhooks\u3000stitched\u3000to\u3000the\u3000knuckles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fingerless\u3000black\u3000leather\u3000gloves\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000street\u3000instincts\u3000resurfaced\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000traveling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000charmed\u3000pany\u3000of\u3000Robotech\u3000heroes\u3000for\u3000so\u3000long\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000how\u3000vulnerable\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000was\u3002
\n
\nUh\u2026oh\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000thought\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000her\u3000considerable\u3000luck\u3000that\u3000he\u3000merely\u3000clapped\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000cap\u3000and\u3000shoved\uff1b\u3000to\u3000send\u3000her\u3000stumbling\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000thrashing\u3002\u3000But\u3000quick\u3000hands\u3000caught\u3000her\uff1b\u3000saving\u3000her\u3000from\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000her\u3000derriere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000gutter\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000should\u3000be\u3000more\u3000careful\uff1b\u3000little\u3000boy\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000found\u3000herself\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000clean\u2026cut\uff1b\u3000handsome\u3000face\u2026a\u3000young\u3000man\u3000who\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000more\u3000than\u3000eighteen\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000big\u3000blue\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000wavy\u3000black\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000blinding\u3000smile\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000squirmed\u3000to\u3000break\u3000free\u3000of\u3000his\u3000grip\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000a\u3000little\u3000boy\uff01\u3000What’re\u3000you\uff1b\u3000blind\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000woman\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000let\u3000her\u3000go\uff1b\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000plainly\u3000upset\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000her\u3000feelings\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000terribly\u3000sorry\uff01\u3000Forgive\u3000me\u3002\u3000Um\uff1b\u3000my\u3000name\u3000is\u3000Eddie\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000took\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000resembled\u2026let’s\u3000see\u3002\u3002\u3002James\u3000Dean\uff01\u3000Only\u3000nicer\uff01\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000dreamboat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000white\u3000T\u2026shirt\u3000and\u3000a\u3000leather\u3000jacket\uff01
\n
\nShe\u3000swayed\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000melting\u3002\u3000\u3003Oboy\uff01\u3000I\uff1b\u3000I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000Annie\uff01\u3000Eddie’s\u3000my\u3000favorite\u3000name\uff01\u3000You\u3000can\u3000call\u3000me\u3000Mint\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000vaguely\u3000recalled\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mission\u3000of\u3000espionage\u3000and\u3000derring\u2026do\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000d’you\u3000live\u3000up\u3000in\u3000those\u3000mountains\uff1b\u3000by\u3000any\u3000chance\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000chuckled\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000Only\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000live\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3000But\u3000beyond\u3000them\u3000is\u3000Paradise\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000poker\u3000chips\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000mean\u3000all\u3000that\u3000stuff\u3000is\u3000true\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000was\u3000as\u3000beautiful\u3000as\u3000a\u3000hood\u3000ornament\uff1b\u3000\u3003Paradise\u3000is\u3000a\u3000city\u3000that\u3000was\u3000set\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000old\u3000United\u3000Earth\u3000Government\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000Army\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000if\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000invasion\u3000or\u3000a\u3000catastrophe\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3002\u3000A\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000New\u3000Macross\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000you\u3000could\u3000say\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Paradise\u3000is\u3000like\u3000Earth\u3000used\u3000to\u3000be\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff01\u3000People\u3000are\u3000free\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000felt\u3000faint\u3002\u3000A\u3000place\u3000where\u3000people\u3000were\u3000safe\u3000and\u3000free\u3000and\u3000happy\uff01\u3000But\u3000what\u3000was\u3000Eddie\u3000saying\uff1f
\n
\n\u3003\u2026the\u3000place\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000taken\u3000us\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000my\u3000family’s\u3000going\u3002\u3000I\u2026I\u3000wish\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000world\u3000could\u3000be\u3000like\u3000Paradise\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000launched\u3000herself\u3000straight\u3002\u3000up\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000clinging\u3000there\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Eddie\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000so\u3000beautiful\uff01\u3000I\u3000love\u3000you\uff01\u3000Please\u3000take\u3000me\u3000with\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Pleasepleaseplease\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000mayor\u3000of\u3000Deguello’s\u3000mansion\u3000was\u3000as\u3000grand\u3000as\u3000a\u3000small\u3000palace\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000into\u3000extreme\u3000disrepair\u3000in\u3000the\u3000latter\u3000twentieth\u3000century\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000with\u3000the\u3000privations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000First\u3000and\u3000Second\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000there\u3000were\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000a\u3000revivification\u3002\u3000The\u3000reflecting\u3000pool\u3000and\u3000formal\u3000gardens\u3000had\u3000regained\u3000much\u3000of\u3000their\u3000glory\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mansion\u3000shone\u3000with\u3000light\u3000and\u3000elegance\u3002
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\nThe\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3000son\u3000of\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000mayor\u3000and\u3000descendent\u3000of\u3000many\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ballroom\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000of\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000owned\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Donald\u3000Maxwell\uff1b\u3000so\u3000used\u3000to\u3000manding\u3000the\u3000obedience\u3000of\u3000others\uff1b\u3000of\u3000navigating\u3000his\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000treacherous\u3000political\u3000waters\u3000of\u3000Deguello\u3000and\u3000the\u3000post\u2026invasion\u3000world\uff1b\u3000thought\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cosmic\u3000symmetry\u3000to\u3000it\uff1a\u3000everyone\u3000had\u3000their\u3000Achilles’\u3000heel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000was\u3000love\u3002
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\nUnder\u3000the\u3000ballroom’s\u3000chandeliers\uff1b\u3000brilliant\u3000even\u3000in\u3000daytime\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000paintings\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000barn\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000portraits\u3000of\u3000a\u3000score\u3000of\u3000ancestors\uff1b\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000his\u3000Louis\u3000XIV\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000she\u3000in\u3000hers\u3002\u3000In\u3000its\u3000time\u3000the\u3000ballroom\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000most\u3000splendid\u3000and\u3000celebrated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000mile\u3000radius\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000its\u3000decor\u3000was\u3000stranger\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000its\u3000original\u3000builders\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000have\u3000envisioned\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000we\u3000must\u3000talk\u3000about\u3000our\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000Carla\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000long\u3000past\u3000time\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Have\u3000you\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000my\u3000lovetalk\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000think\u3000about\u3000what\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000gain\u3000if\u3000you\u3000marry\u3000me\uff01\u3000I’ve\u3000always\u3000given\u3000you\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000I\u3000need\u3000from\u3000you\uff01\u3000And\u3000when\u3000you’re\u3000my\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000my\u3000only \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n iven\u3000you\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3002\u3000But\u3000this\u3000I\u3000need\u3000from\u3000you\uff01\u3000And\u3000when\u3000you’re\u3000my\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000my\u3000only\u3000thought\u3000will\u3000be\u3000to\u3000make\u3000you\u3000happy\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell’s\u3000Northern\u3000European\u3000and\u3000North\u3000American\u3000bloodlines\u3000were\u3000evident\u3000in\u3000his\u3000blond\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000pale\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Anglo\u3000features\u3002\u3000His\u3000meticulously\u3000tailored\u3000three\u2026piece\u3000pinstripe\u3000suit\u2026a\u3000traditional\u3000costume\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000regarded\u3000it\u2026only\u3000served\u3000to\u3000set\u3000them\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nCarla\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000fair\u2026skinned\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000slim\u3000and\u3000willowy\uff1b\u3000a\u3000brown\u2026haired\uff1b\u3000angel\u2026faced\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000a\u3000permanent\u3000air\u3000of\u3000sadness\u3000and\u3000a\u3000far\u2026away\u3000look\u3000in\u3000her\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000about\u3000to\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000hesitant\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000servant\u3000entered\u3000and\u3000spoke\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000pardon\uff1b\u3000sir\uff1b\u3000but\u3000your\u3000visitor\u3000has\u3000arrived\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell’s\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000Carla’s\u3000hand\u3000loosened\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3000Without\u3000turning\u3000he\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000\u3003Show\u3000her\u3000in\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000servant\u3000bowed\u3000and\u3000left\u3002\u3000To\u3000Carla\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Please\uff01\u3000I\u3000need\u3000you\u3000so\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000steeled\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\uff1f\u3000Donald\uff1b\u3000why\u3000do\u3000you\u3000insist\u3000on\u3000possessing\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000can’t\u3000you\u3000just\u3000accept\u3000what\u3000I’m\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000give\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000door\u3000open\u3000again\uff1b\u3000releasing\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000you\u3000can\u3000be\u3000much\u3000more\u3000than\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000again\uff1b\u3000more\u3000harshly\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000handmade\u3000shoes\u3000clicked\u3000on\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000dance\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\uff01\u3000The\u3000famous\u3000Miss\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff01\u3000You\u3000honor\u3000us\uff01\u3000Please\u3000do\u3000e\u3000in\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000Donald\u3000Maxwell\uff1b\u3000Mayor\u3000of\u3000Deguello\uff1b\u3000very\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000make\u3000your\u3000acquaintance\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000are\u3000so\u3000very\u3000kind\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000with\u3000a\u3000shy\u3000lowering\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chin\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000melodious\u3000and\u3000soft\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ballroom\u3000in\u3000some\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000through\u3000thick\u3000lashes\u3002
\n
\nParked\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000fighter\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\u3000vintage\uff1a\u3000a\u3000red\u3000Vampire\u3000jumpjet\uff1b\u3000a\u3000needle\u2026nose\u3000Vandal\u3000all\u2026weather\u3000fighter\u2026bomber\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000Peregrine\u3000interceptor\u3000wearing\u3000the\u3000famous\u3000skull\u2026and\u2026crossbones\u3000insignia\u3000of\u3000the\u3000American\u3000VF\u202684\u3000Squadron\u2026the\u3000Jolly\u3000Rogers\u3002
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000look\uff1b\u3000was\u3000expecting\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000find\u3000my\u3000old\u3000relics\u3000interesting\uff1f\u3000Maintaining\u3000them\u3000is\u3000something\u3000of\u3000an\u3000extravagance\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000but\u2026it’s\u3000something\u3000of\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000family\u3000pride\uff1b\u3000you\u3000see\u3002\u3003
\n
\nNo\u3000visitor\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000astounded\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Maxwell\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000sensual\u3000pleasure\u3000from\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000sculpted\u3000brows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000renowned\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000raised\u3000high\u3002\u3000\u3003Mr\u3002\u3000Mayor\u2026these\u3000planes\u3000still\u3000fly\uff1b\u3000then\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000basked\u3000in\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000his\u3000collection\u3000had\u3000made\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000haven’t\u3000in\u3000many\uff1b\u3000many\u3000years\uff1b\u3000but\u2026of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000having\u3000them\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000indicated\u3000the\u3000way\u3000with\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3000fell\u3000in\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000between\u3000the\u3000gleaming\uff1b\u3000sleek\u2026lined\u3000sky\u3000hunters\u3000while\u3000he\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000no\u3000aviator\uff1b\u3000you\u3000see\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000refitted\u3000to\u3000fly\u3000by\u3000auto\u2026pilot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000last\u3000word\u3000in\u3000Human\u3000guidance\u3000systemry\uff1b\u3000before\u3000Robotechnology\u3000changed\u3000all\u3000that\u3000forever\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000walked\u3000beneath\u3000the\u3000open\u3000landing\u3000gear\u3000bays\uff1b\u3000the\u3000poised\u3000wings\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000external\u3000hardpoints\u3000and\u3000pylons\u3000were\u3000loaded\u3000with\u3000what\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000real\uff1b\u3000functioning\u3000ordnance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000jets\u3000looked\u3000fully\u3000operational\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000planes\u3000basically\u3000flew\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000were\u3000my\u3000father’s\u3000prized\u3000possessions\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000me\u3000as\u3000he\u3000was\u3000dear\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000all\u3000I\u3000really\u3000have\u3000left\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000really\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000two\u3000easy\u3000chairs\u3000over\u3000by\u3000the\u3000high\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000where\u3000Carla\u3000sat\u3002\u3000Maxwell\u3000pointedly\u3000made\u3000no\u3000introductions\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000sit\u3000down\u3002\u3000Your\u3000note\u3000said\u3000that\u3000you’re\u3000seeking\u3000employment\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000a\u3000purple\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000hair\u3000falling\u3000across\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000hear\u3000you\u3000are\u3000the\u3000owner\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fabulous\u3000nightspot\u3000here\u3000in\u3000town\uff1b\u3000correct\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000searching\u3000Yellow’s\uff1b\u3000drinking\u3000her\u3000in\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000through\u3000resistance\u3000sources\u3000that\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000a\u3000collector\u3000of\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000performance\u3000tapes\u3000and\u3000sound\u3000recordings\u3002\u3000In\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000had\u3000made\u3000tentative\u3000inquiries\u3000with\u3000an\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000legendary\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mountain\u3000domain\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000am\u3000indeed\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000the\u3000magnificent\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000were\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000there\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000help\u3000my\u3000people\u3000by\u3000boosting\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000economy\u2026and\u3000my\u3000own\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000chuckled\u3000slyly\u3002\u3000Unnoticed\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000suddenly\u3000broke\u3000her\u3000sad\u3000reverie\uff1b\u3000her\u3000head\u3000snapping\u3000up\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000going\u3000toward\u3000where\u3000the\u3000two\u3000sat\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000be\u3000thrilled\u3000to\uff1b\u3000Mayor\u3000Maxwell\uff1b\u3003\u3000beamed\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000Carla’s\u3000breath\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000put\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000of\u3000her\u3000chair\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000faint\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000can’t\u3000be\uff01\u3000But\u2026I’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000be\u3000sure\uff01\u3000She\u3000forced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000mayor\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003A\u3000bravura\u3000performance\u3000by\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000will\u3000lift\u3000people’s\u3000spirits\u3002\u3000Certainly\u3000it\u3000will\u3000help\u3000in\u3000my\u3000reelection\u3000campaign\u3002\u3003\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000or\u3000sound\u3000like\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000very\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000being\u3000unseated\uff1b\u3000though\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000amiably\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3000fianc\u9591\u3002\u3000A\u3000sudden\u3000astonishment\u3000came\u3000across\u3000the\u3000fine\u2026boned\uff1b\u3000androgynous\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000could\u3000only\u3000stare\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Yellow\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000Lancer\uff01
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000hadn’t\u3000noticed\u3000Yellow’s\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000was\u3000reaching\u3000up\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Carla’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000made\u3000the\u3000introductions\u3000and\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000a\u3000splendid\u3000idea\uff01\u3000We’ll\u3000have\u3000ourselves\u3000a\u3000deal\uff1b\u3000Yellow\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000promise\u3000to\u3000sing\u3000a\u3000ballad\u3000for\u3000our\u3000wedding\uff01\u3000And\u3000I’ll\u3000move\u3000the\u3000date\u3000up\u3000to\u3000tomorrow\u3000afternoon\u3002\u3000Now\u3000how’s\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nYellow\u3000barely\u3000heard\u3000what\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002\u3000Like\u3000Carla\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3000had\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sunset\u3000had\u3000engulfed\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000room\uff1b\u3000whisking\u3000them\u3000to\u3000some\u3000other\u3000time\u3000and\u3000place\u3002
\n
\n
\nMaxwell’s\u3000Club\u3000Inca\u3000was\u3000the\u3000finest\u3000spot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000region\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000sad\u3000place\uff1b\u3000more\u3000of\u3000an\u3000echo\u3000of\u3000a\u3000bygone\u3000era\u3000than\u3000an\u3000evocation\u3000of\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000sat\u3000watching\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000move\u3000across\u3000the\u3000stage\uff1b\u3000dedicating\u3000the\u3000first\u3000number\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bride\u3000and\u3000groom\u3002\u3000The\u3000groom\u3000was\u3000off\u3000somewhere\u3000attending\u3000to\u3000more\u3000of\u3000his\u3000seemingly\u3000endless\u3000business\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bride\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000back\u3000her\u3000tears\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000noontime\u3000wedding\uff1b\u3000at\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000mansion\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000joyless\u3000affair\u3000attended\u3000mostly\u3000by\u3000his\u3000attendants\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000local\u3000notables\u3002\u3000Carla\u3000had\u3000refused\u3000an\u3000elaborate\u3000wedding\u3000gown\uff1b\u3000insisting\u3000on\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000blue\u3000frock\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000through\u3000the\u3000motions\u3000like\u3000a\u3000zombie\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000aware\u3000of\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000only\u3000that\u3000Lancer\u3000hadn’t\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000would\u3000seek\u3000her\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000save\u3000her\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000in\u3000time\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000that\uff1b\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000going\u3000to\u3000happen\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000now\uff1b\u3000alone\u3000at\u3000her\u3000table\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Club\u3000Inca\uff1b\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000every\u3000move\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000wrong\uff01\u3000Lancer\u3000must\u3000have\u3000e\u3000back\u3000for\u3000her\u3000at\u3000last\uff01
\n
\nYellow\u3000wore\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000most\u3000stylish\u3000outfits\uff1b\u3000a\u3000feminized\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Cabaret\u3000MC’s\u3000costume\uff1b\u3000plete\u3000with\u3000vest\uff1b\u3000bowtie\uff1b\u3000derby\u3000hat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spats\u3002\u3000Very\u3000Marlene\u3000Dietrich\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000promised\uff1b\u3000the\u3000song\u3000was\u3000an\u3000old\u3000Minmei\u3000number\uff1b\u3000sung\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000and\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Maxwell\u3002\u3000The\u3000alluring\u3000chanteuse\u3000broke\u3000into\u3000song\uff1b\u3000acpanied\u3000by\u3000recorded\u3000music\u3000because\u3000the\u3000house\u3000band\u3000just\u3000wasn’t\u3000up\u3000to\u3000her\u3000level\u3000of\u3000performance\u3002
\n
\nHow\u3000could\u3000it\u3000all\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000this\u3000way\uff1f\u3000Carla\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000into\u3000her\u3000champagne\u3000glass\u3000as\u3000though\u3000the\u3000answer\u3000were\u3000there\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000memory\u3000strayed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000time\u3000just\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000destroyed\u3000the\u3000planet\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000conquest\u3000was\u3000over\u3000in\u3000hours\u3002\u3000Striking\u3000with\u3000beam\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000energy\u3000effects\u3000that\u3000humanity\u3000still\u3000could\u3000not\u3000prehend\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000exterminated\u3000over\u3000eighty\u3000percent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3002\u3000Many\u3000more\u3000died\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000descended\u3000to\u3000ravage\u3000and\u3000slay\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000remnants\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Army\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000rose\u3000to\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000were\u3000thrown\u3000back\u3000in\u3000defeat\uff1b\u3000regrouped\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000again\u3000against\u3000any\u3000sane\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000were\u3000shattered\u3000beyond\u3000repair\u3002
\n
\nStill\u3000there\u3000were\u3000those\u3000who\u3000refused\u3000to\u3000surrender\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000established\u3000themselves\u3000and\u3000began\u3000their\u3000pacification\u3000of\u3000the\u3000planet\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000these\u3000was\u3000a\u3000young\u3000aviator\u3000reservist\u3000named\u3000Lancer\u3000who\u3000had\u3000just\u3000begun\u3000to\u3000explore\u3000his\u3000love\u3000with\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000named\u3000Carla\u3000when\u3000the\u3000hordes\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stars\u3000struck\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000established\u3000their\u3000network\u3000of\u3000quislings\uff1b\u3000informers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000assassination\u3000squads\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000others\u3000were\u3000plotting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000final\u3000attempt\u3000to\u3000strike\u3000at\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000beachhead\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000raid\u3000was\u3000a\u3000final\u3000disaster\u3002\u3000Wounded\uff1b\u3000attempting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000crash\u2026landed\u3000his\u3000Veritech\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000mile\u3000from\u3000her\u3000door\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000him\u3000to\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000her\u3000home\u3002
\n
\nBy\u3000then\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000people\u3000still\u3000alive\u3000were\u3000those\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000submit\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000Some\u3000even\u3000served\u3000them\u2026hunted\u3000down\u3000their\u3000enemies\u3000and\u3000offered\u3000them\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000triumphant\u3000invaders\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000e\u3000to\u3000in\u3000Carla’s\u3000bed\u3000when\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hue\u3000and\u3000cry\u3000drifted\u3000up\u3000from\u3000the\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Rifle\u3000butts\u3000were\u3000bashing\u3000at\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000hounds\u3000bayed\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000manhunt\u3000came\u3000to\u3000Carla’s\u3000house\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TEN
\n
\nIf\u3000you\u3000hold\u3000it\u3000against\u3000me\u3000that\u3000I\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000theatrical\u3000in\u3000what\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000The\u3000Scarlet\u3000Pimpernel\u3000or\u3000Zorro\uff1b\u3000be\u3000kind\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000in\u3000mind\u3000what\u3000I\u3000acplished\uff1b\u3000and\u3000let\u3000the\u3000record\u3000speak\u3000for\u3000itself\u3002
\nOf\u3000if\u3000not\uff1b\u3000either\u3000walk\u3000on\u3000by\u3000or\u3000step\u3000out\u3000back\u3002
\nRemark\u3000attributed\u3000to\u3000Lancer
\n
\nThat\u3000time\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000remote\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000it\u3000remained\u3000so\u3000crystal\u2026clear\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mind\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000record\u3000as\u3000a\u3000military\u3000officer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000sometime\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000attack\u3000because\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000performer\u3002\u3000His\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000intimate\u3000way\u3000with\u3000some\u3000songs\uff1b\u3000his\u3000brassy\uff1b\u3000crowd\u2026pleasing\u3000style\u3000with\u3000others\uff1b\u3000made\u3000him\u3000a\u3000natural\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000another\u3000side\u3000to\u3000his\u3000art\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000theater\u3000had\u3000led\u3000him\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000Japanese\u3000traditions\u3000of\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Bunraku\uff1b\u3000Bugaku\uff1b\u3000and\u3000especially\u3000Kabuki\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000that\u3000he\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000c \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nAn\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000theater\u3000had\u3000led\u3000him\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3000the\u3000Japanese\u3000traditions\u3000of\u3000No\uff1b\u3000Bunraku\uff1b\u3000Bugaku\uff1b\u3000and\u3000especially\u3000Kabuki\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000that\u3000he\u3000loved\u3000to\u3000perform\u3000clownish\u3000Saruwaka\u3000antics\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000liked\u3000any\u3000Aragoto\u3000swaggering\u3000heroic\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000somewhat\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\uff1b\u3000the\u3000martial\u3000juggling\/acrobatics\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hoka\u3000possessed\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000he\u3000came\uff1b\u3000in\u3000time\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000against\u3000his\u3000will\uff1b\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fascination\u3000with\u3000the\u3000revered\u3000craft\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Onna\u2026gata\u2026the\u3000tradition\u3000of\u3000female\u3000roles\u3000portrayed\u3000by\u3000specializing\u3000male\u3000actors\u2026and\u3000the\u3000gentle\u3000Wagoto\u3000style\u3000of\u3000acting\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000found\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000understanding\u3000of\u3000himself\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Musume\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ingenue\u3000role\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dramatic\u3000masters\u3000encouraged\u3000him\u3000to\u3000study\u3000the\u3000art\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000West\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\uff1b\u3000in\u3000many\u3000quarters\uff1b\u3000a\u3000horror\u3000at\u3000the\u3000blurring\u3000of\u3000gender\u3000lines\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Kabuki\u3000his\u3000talent\u3000was\u3000applauded\uff1b\u3000by\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u3000both\uff1b\u3000for\u3000its\u3000triumph\u3000of\u3000art\u3000over\u3000stereotype\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000its\u3000submersion\u3000of\u3000self\u3000in\u3000role\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Americas\u3000with\u3000new\u3000thoughts\u3000in\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000He\u3000began\u3000to\u3000revive\u3000the\u3000type\u3000of\u3000gender\u2026blending\u3000pop\u3000music\u3000figure\u3000that\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3000with\u3000the\u3000outbreak\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000he\u3000met\u3000Carla\uff1b\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000immediately\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000everything\u3002\u3000Carla\u3000became\u3000his\u3000co\u2026conspirator\uff1b\u3000his\u3000lover\uff1b\u3000his\u3000confidant\uff1b\u3000his\u3000fianc\u9591\u3002\u3000She\u3000became\u3000a\u3000mainstay\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000her\u3000affection\u3000for\u3000his\u3000Musume\u3000persona\uff1b\u3000joining\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000world\u3000where\u3000conventions\u3000and\u3000Western\u3000narrowness\u3000had\u3000no\u3000hold\u3002
\n
\nEverything\u3000was\u3000fine\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000came\u3002\u3000While\u3000Earth\u3000passed\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flames\uff1b\u3000a\u3000young\u3000reserve\u3000aviator\u3000named\u3000Lancer\u3000lay\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tread\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000rifle\u3000butts\u3000and\u3000hobnailed\u3000boots\u3000breaking\u3000down\u3000doors\u3000in\u3000the\u3000alley\u3000outside\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000was\u3000already\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000adept\u3000at\u3000some\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000his\u3000craft\u3000as\u3000he\u3002\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000only\u3000one\u3000way\u3000you\u3000can\u3000survive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000as\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000even\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000out\u3000makeup\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000manhunters\u3000came\u3000in\u3000they\u3000found\u3000only\u3000two\u3000frightened\u3000women\u3002\u3000Their\u3000insistent\u3000search\u3000turned\u3000up\u3000nothing\u2026Lancer’s\u3000VT\u3000armor\u3000having\u3000been\u3000left\u3000behind\u2026and\u3000they\u3000went\u3000away\u3000grumbling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper’s\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000indicating\u3000nothing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000war\u3000machine\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000leaned\u3000to\u3000kiss\u3000her\u3000lover\u3000longingly\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000now\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000be\uff1b\u3000every\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000or\u3000we’re\u3000dead\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000retrospect\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000happy\u3000time\u3000but\u3000sitting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Club\u3000Inca\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000travail\u3002\u3000By\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000ox\u3000cart\u3000and\u3000stolen\u3000bike\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000other\u3000means\u3000that\u3000they\u3000took\u3000as\u3000the\u3000occasion\u3000arose\uff1b\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000moved\u3000toward\u3000some\u3000hoped\u2026for\u3000safety\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000even\u3000began\u3000singing\u3000for\u3000their\u3000supper\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000opportunity\u3000came\u3000up\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000did\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer’s\u3000persona\u3000submerge\u3000Lancer’s\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3000and\u3000Carla\u3000came\u3000to\u3000meld\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000there\u3000came\u3000a\u3000day\u3000in\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000rail\u3000terminal\uff1b\u3000both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000clutching\u3000forged\u3000documents\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Resistance\u3000that\u3000would\u3000get\u3000them\u3000to\u3000a\u3000possible\u3000place\u3000of\u3000safety\u3002\u3000The\u3000region\u3000they\u3000were\u3000in\u3000was\u3000somewhat\u3000neutral\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Carla’s\u3000lover\u3000was\u3000Lancer\u3000once\u3000more\u3002\u3000Dark\u3000thoughts\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000overtaken\u3000him\u3000once\u3000his\u3000male\u3000persona\u3000reasserted\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000the\u3000halcyon\u3000days\u3000of\u3000the\u3000escape\u3000were\u3000over\uff1b\u3000and\u3000aliens\u3000strode\u3000the\u3000Earth\uff1b\u3000exterminating\u3000Human\u3000beings\u3000at\u3000will\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000as\u3000the\u3000bullet\u3000train\u3000began\u3000moving\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000leapt\u3000from\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000doors\u3000shut\u3000and\u3000secured\u3000automatically\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000crouched\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000train\u3000platform\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000train\u3000take\u3000Carla\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000so\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000join\u3000the\u3000Resistance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fight\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n
\nCarla\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sad\u3000little\u3000bridal\u3000party\u3000table\u3000by\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000finished\u3000her\u3000encore\u3000set\u3002\u3000Yellow\u3000went\u3000downstairs\u3000to\u3000her\u3000makeshift\u3000dressing\u3000room\u3002\u3000What\u3000point\u3000would\u3000there\u3000have\u3000been\u3000in\u3000seeing\u3000Carla\u3000alone\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000two\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000no\u3000less\u3000today\u3000than\u3000on\u3000that\u3000day\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rail\u3000station\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000sat\u3000waiting\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000Dancer\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000surged\u3000and\u3000vied\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000mind\u3002\u3000Carla\u3000seemed\u3000small\u3000and\u3000frail\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000her\u3000lap\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000only\u3000for\u3000Yellow’s\u3000return\u3002\u3000\u3003After\u3000three\u3000years\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003You’ve\u3000e\u3000back\u3000for\u3000me\u3000at\u3000last\uff01\u3003
\n
\nTears\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000her\u3000cheeks\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000Yellow\u3000sit\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003Time\u3000stopped\u3000having\u3000any\u3000meaning\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000that\u3000feels\u3000like\uff1f\u3000What\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000you\uff1f\u3000I’ve\u3000felt\u2026my\u3000life\u3000has\u3000been\u3000so\u3000empty\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWhat\u3000Yellow\u3000might\u3000have\u3000said\u3000will\u3000never\u3000be\u3000known\uff1b\u3000at\u3000that\u3000moment\u3000the\u3000door\u3000slammed\u3000open\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000rushed\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff01\u3000Oops\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000interrupt\uff1b\u3000but\u2026I’m\u3000in\u3000love\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000replied\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000on\u3000Carla\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000love\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000her\u3000now\uff1b\u3000not\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u2026I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000love\u3000with\u3000someone\u3000once\uff1b\u3003\u3000Carla\u3000told\u3000Annie\u3000haltingly\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000if\u3000she\u3000sounded\u3000deranged\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000appeared\u3000not\u3000to\u3000notice\u3000Carla’s\u3000despair\u3002\u3000\u3003Fall\u3000in\u3000love\u3000again\uff1b\u3000okay\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000just\u3000as\u3000happy\u3000as\u3000l\u3000am\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000gripped\u3000Lancer’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Eddie\u3000and\u3000his\u3000folks\u3000are\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000map\uff1b\u3000an\u3000honest\u3000one\uff1b\u3000that’ll\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000how\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000to\u3000Paradise\u3002\u3000And\u3000they’re\u3000taking\u3000me\u3000along\uff01\u3000They’re\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000my\u3000family\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000dawned\u3000on\u3000her\u3000that\u3000neither\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000nor\u3000Carla\u3000seemed\u3000very\u3000happy\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000jumped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000couch\u3000and\u3000resettled\u3000her\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\u3000cap\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000couldn’t\u3000leave\u3000without\u3000saying\u3000good\u2026bye\u3002\u3000Um\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dreamboat’s\u3000waiting\u2026g’bye\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000skipped\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000tra\u2026la\u2026la\u2026ing\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Good\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000said\u3000softly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Love\uff1b\u3003\u3000Carla\u3000mused\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000Lancer’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000ours\u3000is\u3000gone\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000what\u3000you\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000say\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nAnnie\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Eddie\u3000where\u3000he\u3000was\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000his\u3000father\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Central\u3000Deguello\u3000Bank\u3002\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000came\u3000down\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bank\u3000with\u3000a\u3000briefcase\u3000under\u3000one\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000as\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000son\u3000call\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nEddie’s\u3000father\u3000had\u3000been\u3000away\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3000so\u3000Eddie\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000like\u3000you\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000a\u3000very\u3000special\u3000friend\u3000of\u3000mine\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hi\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\uff01\u3000My\u3000name’s\u3000Annie\u3000LaBelle\uff01\u3003
\n
\nTruman\uff1b\u3000a\u3000lean\uff1b\u3000stoop\u2026shouldered\u3000man\u3000with\u3000salt\u2026and\u2026pepper\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000mustache\uff1b\u3000had\u3000a\u3000careworn\u3000face\u3000and\u3000wore\u3000much\u2026repaired\u3000wire\u2026rim\u3000glasses\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000weary\u3000but\u3000friendly\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000LaBelle\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000very\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000make\u3000your\u3000acquaintance\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000why\u3000Eddie\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000liking\u3000to\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000much\u3000like\u3000Eddie’s\u3000little\u3000sister\uff1b\u3000Aly\u2026Aly\uff1b\u3000dead\u3000these\u3000eighteen\u3000months\u3000since\u3000the\u3000White\u3000Virus\u3000cut\u3000its\u3000swath\u3000through\u3000the\u3000region\u3002
\n
\nTo\u3000his\u3000son\uff1b\u3000Truman\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Eddie\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000leaving\u3000soon\u2026just\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000I\u3000wrap\u3000up\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3002\u3000I\u3000found\u3000a\u3000buyer\u3000who\u3000wants\u3000the\u3000shop\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Mrs\u3002\u3000Perio\u3000upped\u3000her\u3000offer\u3000for\u3000the\u3000house\u3002\u3000Make\u3000sure\u3000everything’s\u3000packed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000I\u3000get\u3000home\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000be\u3000on\u3000our\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n
\nEddie\u3000shifted\u3000from\u3000foot\u3000to\u3000foot\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pockets\u3000of\u3000his\u3000leather\u3000jacket\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000Dad\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Annie\u3000she\u3000could\u3000e\u3000with\u3000us\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n
\nTruman\u3000let\u3000show\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3000you\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Son\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000leave\u3000anything\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000getting\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000for\u3000good\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000walked\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Eddie\u3000whooped\u3000and\u3000did\u3000a\u3000little\u3000war\u3000dance\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000pirouetted\uff1b\u3000giggling\u3000deliriously\u3002\u3000\u3003Paradise\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000on\u3000our\u3000way\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000ten\u2026ounce\u3000gold\u3000bars\uff1b\u3000flat\u3000and\u3000wide\u3000as\u3000candy\u3000bars\u3000but\u3000much\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000insignificant\u3000there\u3000on\u3000the\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000thought\u3002\u3000And\u3000yet\u3000they\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000so\u3000much\u3000time\u3000and\u3000sacrifice\u3000and\u3000work\u3000to\u3000accumulate\u3002\u3000The\u3000sunlight\u3000streaming\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000windows\u3000made\u3000them\u3000so\u3000bright\u3000that\u3000they\u3000made\u3000him\u3000squint\u3002
\n
\nAcross\u3000the\u3000wide\u3000desk\uff1b\u3000Mayor\u3000Maxwell\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000should\u3000be\u3000proud\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000you\u3000had\u3000to\u3000go\u3000through\u3000to\u3000get\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000one\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000succeeds\u3000like\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\nTruman\u3000nodded\u3000tiredly\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000been\u3000explained\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000long\u3000since\uff1b\u3000why\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000map\u3000cost\u3000so\u3000much\u3002\u3000Certain\u3000parts\u3000of\u3000the\u3000route\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000changed\u3000constantly\uff1b\u3000to\u3000reflect\u3000new\u3000Invid\u3000activities\u3000and\u3000patrolling\u3000patterns\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000Lurp\u3000teams\u3000to\u3000set\u3000up\u3000safe\u3000resting\u3000places\u3000and\u3000resupply\u3000caches\u3000along\u3000the\u3000route\u3002\u3000The\u3000cost\u3000of\u3000maintaining\u3000the\u3000teams\u3000was\u3000high\uff1b\u3000not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000a\u3000cut\u3000of\u3000all\u3000proceeds\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Resistance\u3000effort\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nOr\u3000so\u3000Maxwell\u3000insisted\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000rumors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000contrary\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000rumors\u3000about\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000Deguello\u3002\u3000Reliable\u3000people\u3000swore\u3000they\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000from\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000relatives\u3000who\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Paradise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trustworthy\u3000man\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000was\u3000too\u3000tired\u3000to\u3000hesitate\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000too\u3000ground\u3000down\u3000by\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000a\u3000daughter\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dead\u2026end\u3000of\u3000life\u3000in\u3000Deguello\u3002\u3000He\u3000just\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000be\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000family\u3000to\u3000the\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000Paradise\u3002
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000handed\u3000over\u3000a\u3000folded\uff1b\u3000waterproofed\u3000bundle\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000here’s\u3000a\u3000current\u3000map\u3000showing\u3000the\u3000safe\u3000route\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000updated\u3000by\u3000my\u3000Lurps\u3000just\u3000this\u3000week\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000safe\u3000with\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\nTruman\u3000accepted\u3000it\u3000with\u3000a\u3000trembling\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000sir\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003In\u3000Paradise\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000live\u3000a\u3000better\u3000life\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maxwell\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000you’re\u3000the\u3000one\u3000getting\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Truman\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000what\u3000some\u3000people\u3000think\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000all\u3000the\u3000market\u3000will\u3000bear\u3000for\u3000these\u3000maps\uff1b\u3000but\u2026the\u3000traffic\u3000along\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000route\u3000has\u3000to\u3000be\u3000kept\u3000to\u3000a\u3000minimum\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there’s\u3000still\u3000the\u3000Resistance\u3000to\u3000finance\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000I\u3000sleep\u3000better\u3000when\u3000the\u3000people\u3000I\u3000help\u3000deserve\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCarla\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ballroom\uff1b\u3000stared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000big\u3000tropical\u3000fishtank\u3000there\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000scene\u3000played\u3000out\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000it\u3000played\u3000out\u3000dozens\u3000of\u3000times\u3000before\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000map\u3000Truman\u3000held\uff1b\u3000wishing\u2026struggling\u3000with\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nTruman\u3000was\u3000quickly\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nTruman\u3000was\u3000quickly\u3000on\u3000his\u3000way\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000start\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3002\u3000Carla\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wing\u3000chair\u3000near\u3000a\u3000window\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000nearby\u3000mountains\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000team\uff1b\u3000minus\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000was\u3000making\u3000a\u3000poor\u3000afternoon\u3000snack\u3000of\u3000a\u3000few\u3000canned\u3000party\u3000tidbits\u2026salted\u3000nuts\u3000and\u3000the\u3000like\u2026of\u3000prewar\u3000vintage\uff1b\u3000at\u3000an\u3000outdoor\u3000table\u3002\u3000Buying\u3000local\u3000food\uff1b\u3000even\u3000at\u3000high\u3000prices\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000wiser\u3000than\u3000eating\u3000current\u2026dated\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000rations\u3000out\u3000where\u3000people\u3000might\u3000take\u3000notice\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000their\u3000inquiries\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000them\u3000nowhere\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000other\u3000people\u3000with\u3000mysterious\u3000maps\u2026in\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000town’s\u3000major\u3000industries\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000little\u3000reliable\u3000advice\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000get\u3000said\u3000that\u3000none\u3000were\u3000to\u3000be\u3000trusted\u2026except\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000price\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3000help\uff1b\u3000payable\u3000in\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000reach\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000team\u3000about\u3000his\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Maxwell\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000told\u3000them\u3000nothing\u3000of\u3000his\u3000old\u3000ties\u3000with\u3000Carla\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000there\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000no\u3000avenue\u3000of\u3000map\u2026acquisition\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000all\u3000business\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000seriously\u3000considering\u3000letting\u3000Maxwell\u3000know\u3000who\u3000and\u3000what\u3000the\u3000team\u3000members\u3000were\uff1b\u3000but\u3000held\u3000off\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000one\u3000purported\u3000Resistance\u3000sympathizer\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000stoolie\u3002
\n
\nMeanwhile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000concerned\u3000about\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000her\u3000new\u3000adopted\u3000family\u3002\u3000They\u3000couldn’t\u3000blame\u3000her\u3000for\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000restore\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000stability\u3000to\u3000her\u3000life\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000her\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000Paradise\u3000did\u3000sound\u3000like\u3000a\u3000pipe\u3000dream\u3002\u3000But\u3000Scott\u3000worried\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000inadvertently\u3000tell\u3000more\u3000than\u3000she\u3000should\u3002\u3000However\u3000much\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000always\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000betray\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000secrets\u3002
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000chasing\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000few\u3000surviving\u3000pistachios\u3000around\u3000the\u3000dish\uff1b\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003They’ll\u3000be\u3000serving\u3000free\u3000buffets\u3000in\u3000Deguello\u3000before\u3000we\u3000can\u3000ever\u3000scrape\u3000together\u3000the\u3000money\u3000for\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000map\uff01\u3000So\u3000what’re\u3000we\u3000gonna\u3000do\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000stared\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000coffee\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000a\u3000plan\u3000to\u3000fall\u3000back\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he\u3000regretted\u3000using\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000only\u3000hope\u3000now\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000plan\u3000was\u3000to\u3000pay\u3000a\u3000call\u3000on\u3000Maxwell\uff1b\u3000in\u3000full\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000with\u3000VTs\u3000in\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000and\u3000force\u3000the\u3000man\u3000to\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000would\u3000make\u3000a\u3000break\u3000for\u3000the\u3000mountains\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000mayor\u3000inmunicado\u3002\u3000Hopefully\u3000they\u3000would\u3000get\u3000through\u3000before\u3000anybody\u3000could\u3000alert\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rook\u3000spoke\u3000first\u3002\u3000\u3003Hell\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000like\u3000this\u3000one\u3000never\u3000worries\u3000about\u3000anything\u3002\u3003\u3000By\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000meant\u3000Ariel\uff1b\u3000who\u3000still\u3000wore\u3000Rook’s\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000and\u3000who\u3000still\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000world\u3000with\u3000the\u3000lost\u3000expression\u3000of\u3000a\u3000total\u3000stranger\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000yet\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000really\u3000irritation\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000showing\u3002\u3000Instead\u3000it\u3000was\u3000concern\u3002\u3000Most\u3000traumatic\u2026amnesia\u3000cases\u3000recovered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000blank\u3000for\u3000a\u3000week\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000sighed\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000you\u3000brought\u3000that\u3000up\u3002\u3000Isn’t\u3000it\u3000about\u3000time\u3000we\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000name\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Simulagent\u3000made\u3000a\u3000little\u3000questioning\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000aware\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000smirked\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hey\u3000Lunk\uff01\u3000How\u3000’bout\u3000you\u3000giving\u3000us\u3000a\u3000few\u3000suggestions\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000looked\u3000upset\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000always\u3000did\u3000when\u3000anyone\u3000asked\u3000him\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000lead\u3002\u3000\u3003I\uff1b\u3000ah\uff1b\u3000I\u3000bet\u3000Scott\u3000could\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000name\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000else\uff1b\u3000but\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000asking\uff1b\u3000\u3003Why\u3000don’t\u3000we\u3000call\u3000her\u3000Marlene\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook’s\u3000brows\u3000knit\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000story\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000fianc\u9591’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000broke\u3000in\uff1b\u3000\u3003Why\u3000don’t\u3000we\u3000just\u3000let\u3000her\u3000tell\u3000us\u3000when\u3000she’s\u3000good\u3000and\u3000ready\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Until\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Marlene’s\u3000as\u3000good\u3000a\u3000name\u3000as\u3000any\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000none\u3000of\u3000that\u3000solved\u3000the\u3000map\u3000problem\u3002\u3000They\u3000discussed\u3000the\u3000situation\u3000again\uff1b\u3000until\u3000Lancer\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000table\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000look\u3000into\u3000a\u3000few\u3000more\u3000things\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000you\u3000later\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000go\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000Why\u3000do\u3000I\u3000get\u3000the\u3000impression\u3000he\u3000just\u3000made\u3000a\u3000decision\uff1f\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000murmuring\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000was\u3000repeating\u3000the\u3000name\u3000Marlene\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000was\u3000away\u3000on\u3000more\u3000of\u3000his\u3000unnamed\u3000business\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Carla\u3000invited\u3000Lancer\u3000in\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000balcony\u3000overlooking\u3000the\u3000ballroom\u3002\u3000She\u3000poured\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000green\u3000tea\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000loved\uff1b\u3000a\u3000true\u3000rarity\u3000in\u3000that\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3000nowadays\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000him\u3000sit\u3000by\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000piano\u3000Maxwell\u3000had\u3000bought\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000played\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000Minmei\u3000melody\uff1b\u3000her\u3000touch\u3000much\u3000more\u3000deft\u3000than\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000two\u3000years\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000open\u3000French\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000the\u3000snowcapped\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000\u3003Carla\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\uff1a\u3000how\u3000does\u3000Donald\u3000Maxwell\u3000make\u3000his\u3000money\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000smile\u3000slipped\uff1b\u3000then\u3000was\u3000back\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000know\u3000the\u3000lyrics\u3000to\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000would\u3000you\u3000like\u3000to\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000is\u3000Donald\u3000doing\u3000that\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000talk\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000tell\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000went\u3000and\u3000held\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000down\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000music\u3000stopped\u3000on\u3000a\u3000discordant\u3000note\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000me\uff1a\u3000there’s\u3000something\u3000terribly\u3000wrong\u3000about\u3000this\u3000map\u3000business\u3002\u3000Won’t\u3000you\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000what\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000before\u3000somebody\u3000gets\u3000hurt\uff1f\u3000And\u3000then\u3000we\u3000can\u3000leave\u3000this\u3000place\u3000together\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3002\u3000Carla\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000hesitated\uff1b\u3000but\u3000swayed\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000his\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000some\u3000greater\u3000gravity\u3000had\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000find\u3000us\u3000a\u3000place\u3000that\u3000will\u3000be\u3000much\u3000better\u3000for\u3000both\u3000of\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000promised\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000stood\u3000to\u3000look\u3000across\u3000at\u3000the\u3000balcony’s\u3000opposite\u3000windows\uff1b\u3000to\u3000look\u3000west\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff1b\u3000let’s\u3000go\u3000that\u3000way\uff01\u3000To\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000sea\u3000breezes\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff01\u3000I’ll\u3000make\u3000you\u3000happy\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000swear\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ve\u3000been\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000being\u3000hunted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000are\u3000the\u3000people\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000And\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000job\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000out\u3000for\u3000us\u3000is\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000eyes\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000very\u3000small\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000she\u3000confessed\uff1b\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000way\u3000across\u3000those\u3000mountains\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000control\u3000everything\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000who\u3000tries\u3000it\u3000dies\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000of\u3000that\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000a\u3000copy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000in\u3000secret\u2026agent\u3000tones\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\uff1b\u3000slapping\u3000it\u3000into\u3000Scott’s\u3000gloved\u3000palm\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000real\u3000map\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000hitching\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pink\u3000brushed\u2026suede\u3000rucksack\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wearing\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000first\u3000met\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000contained\u3000everything\u3000she\u3000had\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000gaped\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\uff1b\u3000um\uff1b\u3000borrowed\u3000it\u3000from\u3000Eddie’s\u3000father\u3000and\u3000photocopied\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000gushed\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000off\u3000now\u3000to\u3000Paradise\u3000with\u3000my\u3000new\u3000family\u3002\u3000Eddie’s\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000father\u3000are\u3000so\u2026ooo\u3000nice\uff01\u3000You\u3000guys\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000follow\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000okay\uff1f\u3000The\u3000route’ll\u3000probably\u3000change\u3000again\u3000in\u3000a\u3000coupla\u3000days\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000always\u3000changing\u3000their\u3000surveillance\u3002\u3000Bye\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000Bye\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff01\u3000Bye\uff1b\u3000everyone\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000frolicked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000giddily\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000go\uff1b\u3000unfolded\u3000the\u3000map\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000were\u3000ecstatic\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000team\u3000members\u3000went\u3000off\u3000to\u3000see\u3000to\u3000their\u3000vehicles\u3002
\n
\nReflex\u3000Point\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000much\u3000nearer\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000matching\u3000it\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000held\u3000display\u3000that\u3000showed\u3000aerial\u3000survey\u3000records\u3000from\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000banks\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3000for\u3000his\u3000face\u3000to\u3000go\u3000from\u3000elation\u3000to\u3000scowling\u3000anger\u3002\u3000A\u3000fake\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000ELEVEN
\n
\nWho\u3000will\u3000ride\uff1f
\nWho\u3000will\u3000fall\uff1f
\nCyclone\u3000Psychos\uff01
\nDeguello\u3000ballad
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000his\u3000business\uff1b\u3000selling\u3000fake\u3000maps\uff1b\u3003\u3000Carla\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000Lancer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000nobody\u3000knows\u3000because\u3000nobody\u3000es\u3000back\u3002\u3000Did\u3000he\u3000start\u3000the\u3000rumors\u3000about\u3000Paradise\uff1b\u3000too\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000gulped\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000pays\u3000for\u3000all\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3000Sheer\u3000dumb\uff1b\u3000stubborn\u3000Human\u3000hope\u3000and\u3000longing\u3002\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000pay\u2026\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000stopped\u3000as\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000an\u3000engine\u3000roar\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000town\u3002\u3000From\u3000his\u3000vantage\u3000point\u3000high\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000could\u3000see\u3000over\u3000the\u3000mansion\u3000wall\u3000to\u3000the\u3000street\u3000where\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Eddie\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Truman\u3000family’s\u3000all\u2026terrain\u3000truck\u3002
\n
\nMost\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000bed\u3000was\u3000taken\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Trumans’\u3000good\u3000and\u3000baggage\uff1b\u3000lashed\u3000under\u3000tarps\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000ATT\u3000pulled\u3000away\uff1b\u3000Maxwell\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Lurp\u3000scouts\u3000waved\u3002\u3000Near\u3000them\u3000were\u3000two\u3000all\u2026terrain\u3000jeeps\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Annie\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000dashed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n
\n
\nArmored\u3000and\u3000mounted\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000made\u3000final\u3000checks\uff1b\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000begin\u3000the\u3000pursuit\u3002\u3000Cycs\u3000were\u3000tested\u3000for\u3000battle\u2026readiness\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000made\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000the\u3000ammo\u3000well\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Stinger\u3000autocannon\u3000mounted\u3000in\u3000his\u3000APC’s\u3000prow\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000brim\u3000with\u3000linked\u3000ammunition\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000sat\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000more\u3000bewildered\u3000than\u3000ever\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000ripping\u3000up\u3000the\u3000map\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000already\u3000entered\u3000its\u3000directions\u3000in\u3000the\u3000displays\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000trail\u3000the\u3000Trumans\u3002\u3000\u3003When\u3000I\u3000get\u3000my\u3000hands\u3000on\u3000Maxwell\u2026\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000snapped\uff1b\u3000\u3003There’s\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000Maxwell\u3000now\uff01\u3000We’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000Annie\u3000before\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000late\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAll\u3000four\u3000Cycs\u3000went\u3000into\u3000wheelies\uff1b\u3000a\u3000way\u3000of\u3000releasing\u3000energy\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000not\u3000getting\u3000too\u3000far\u3000ahead\u3000while\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000accelerated\u3002\u3000They\u3000streaked\u3000away\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002
\n
\n
\nCarla\u3000had\u3000watched\u3000from\u3000her\u3000vantage\u3000point\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mansion\u3002\u3000Now\u3000she\u3000raced\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000past\u3000the\u3000three\u3000silent\u3000fighter\u3000planes\uff1b\u3000flinging\u3000herself\u3000at\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000a\u3000car\u3000or\u3000do\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000took\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000go\u3000on\u3000with\u3000him\u3000or\u3000die\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000determined\u3000not\u3000to\u3000be\u3000left\u3000behind\u3000ever\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Maxwell\u3000came\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff01\u3000What’re\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000Carla\uff1f\u3000What’ve\u3000you\u3000been\u3000up\u3000to\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000Donald\uff01\u3000I\u3000told\u3000them\u3000everything\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000roared\u3000up\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000roads\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyclones\u3000taking\u3000curves\u3000as\u3000only\u3000Robotech\u3000mecha\u3000could\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000doing\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000falling\u3000behind\u3002\u3000\u3003We’re\u3000in’\uff1b\u3000Mint\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000suddenly\u3000cried\u3000out\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000head\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hit\u3000by\u3000a\u3000migraine\u3002\u3000\u3003I\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000them\u3002\u3000Something\u3002\u3002\u3002there’s\u3000trouble\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nTruman\u3000slowed\u3000down\u3000his\u3000all\u2026terrain\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000adjusting\u3000his\u3000glasses\uff1b\u3000squinting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000map\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000understand\u3000it\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000orient\u3000this\u3000map\uff1b\u3000it\u3000doesn’t\u3000make\u3000any\u3000sense\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kindly\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000an\u3000open\uff1b\u3000fleshy\u3000face\u3000and\u3000hair\u3000pulled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000a\u3000black\u3000bun\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000dishearte \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nHis\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kindly\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000an\u3000open\uff1b\u3000fleshy\u3000face\u3000and\u3000hair\u3000pulled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000a\u3000black\u3000bun\uff1b\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000disheartenedly\uff1b\u3000doing\u3000her\u3000best\u3000not\u3000to\u3000distract\u3000him\u3002\u3000
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000in\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000as\u3000shadows\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000Eddie\u3000was\u3000joking\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000She\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000he\u3000regarded\u3000her\u3000as\u3000a\u3000kid\u3000sister\u3000and\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000she\u3000got\u3000to\u3000Paradise\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000move\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000little\u3000makeup\u3000could\u3000work\u3000wonders\u3000for\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000it\u3000could\u3000do\u3000for\u3000Annie\u3000LaBelle\uff01
\n
\nThen\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000roaring\u3000of\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000bulky\u3000mecha\u3000heliographed\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000in\u3000a\u3000close\u3000pass\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Invid\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\u3000four\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\uff1b\u3000claws\u3000folded\u3000close\u3000to\u3000them\u3000while\u3000they\u3000made\u3000their\u3000attack\u3000dives\u3002\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000them\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000swerving\u3000as\u3000the\u3000first\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000hit\u3002\u3000The\u3000all\u2026terrain\u3000truck\u3000wove\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000drive\u3000it\u3000almost\u3000playfully\uff1b\u3000until\u3000at\u3000last\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000swerved\u3000sidelong\u3000into\u3000a\u3000boulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Eddie\u3000were\u3000thrown\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cargo\u3000bed\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000strafing\u3000Pincer\u3000chopped\u3000a\u3000line\u3000of\u3000explosions\u3000along\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Eddie\u3000rolled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ditch\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000his\u3000arms\u3002\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000and\u3000his\u3000wife\u3000fell\u3000along\u3000after\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pincer’s\u3000wingmates\u3000held\u3000back\u3000while\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000came\u3000in\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000additional\u3000explosion\u3000and\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000leader\u3000was\u3000wobbling\u3000and\u3000tumbling\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000like\u3000an\u3000unstrung\uff1b\u3000burning\u3000puppet\u3002\u3000It\u3000erupted\u3000into\u3000a\u3000balloon\u3000of\u3000energy\uff1b\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shrapnel\u3000just\u3000before\u3000it\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000cliff\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000dazed\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000there\u3000were\u3000Cyclone\u3000knights\u3000everywhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000All\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000costly\u3000lesson\u3000in\u3000dogfight\u3000tactics\u3000and\u3000learning\u3000that\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000hotly\u3000contested\u3000killing\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000pulled\u3000up\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000still\u3000on\u3000his\u3000Cyc\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000in\u3000his\u3000truck\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000them\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000while\u3000we\u3000cover\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nRook’s\u3000red\u2026and\u2026silver\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000sleeker\uff1b\u3000more\u3000maneuverable\u3000than\u3000the\u3000others’\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000that\u3000wide\u2026bore\u3000long\u2026gun\u3000that\u3000was\u3000unique\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000blue\u2026and\u2026silver\u3000was\u3000more\u3000heavily\u3000armed\u3000than\u3000before\uff1b\u3000with\u3000an\u3000assault\u2026rifle\u3000module\u3000acquired\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wreckage\u3000of\u3000his\u3000strikeforce’s\u3000graveyard\uff1b\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000straddle\u2026legged\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000e\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nRand’s\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000light\u2026blue\u2026and\u2026silver\uff1b\u3000seemed\u3000more\u3000specialized\u3000for\u3000handgun\u2026firing\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000suited\u3000him\u3000just\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000wielding\u3000a\u3000bigger\uff1b\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000version\u3000of\u3000the\u3000H90\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Lancer\u3000scooped\u3000up\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000dismounted\u3000in\u3000a\u3000numbed\u3000astonishment\uff1b\u3000set\u3000her\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000off\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Eddie\u3000helped\u3000his\u3000parents\u3000into\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000accelerated\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000Cycs\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000in\u3000good\u3000order\uff1b\u3000firing\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000came\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000split\u3000up\u3000as\u3000the\u3000firing\u3000became\u3000too\u3000intense\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000jetted\u3000backward\u3000on\u3000thrusters\u3000that\u3000set\u3000the\u3000brush\u3000among\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000afire\uff1b\u3000awaiting\u3000his\u3000chance\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Trees\u3000and\u3000mounds\u3000of\u3000soil\u3000and\u3000rock\u3000exploded\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000lashing\u3000out\u3000at\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000their\u3000frustration\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000last\u3000the\u3000defenders\u3000were\u3000driven\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lowermost\u3000verge\u3002\u3000From\u3000that\u3000spot\u3000they\u3000could\u3000either\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000open\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000shot\u3000like\u3000clay\u3000pigeons\uff1b\u3000or\u3000to\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000that\u3000lay\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000below\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000fire\u3000turned\u3000nearby\u3000trees\u3000into\u3000Roman\u3000candles\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000to\u3000make\u3000them\u3000think\u3000they’ve\u3000won\u3002\u3003\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000far\u3000enough\u3000away\uff01\u3000He\u3000dismounted\u3000two\u3000missiles\u3000from\u3000a\u3000forearm\u3000pod\uff1b\u3000twisted\u3000their\u3000warheads\u3000to\u3000adjust\uff1b\u3000and\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000rushed\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003On\u3000three\uff01\u3000One\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000armored\u3000Cycriders\u3000set\u3000up\u3000a\u3000network\u3000of\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000crisscrossing\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000with\u3000brilliant\u3000bursts\uff1b\u3000jostling\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000came\u3000within\u3000range\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000warheads\u3000a\u3000final\u3000twist\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000missiles\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000took\u3000up\u3000firing\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Two\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000were\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000furious\u3000barrage\uff1b\u3000heels\u3000hanging\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cliff\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000gravel\u3000they\u3000had\u3000scuffed\u3000loose\u3000falling\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid’s\u3000attack\u2026pass\u3000cut\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Three\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Cycs\u3000jumped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000dropped\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000ledge\u3000where\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000raising\u3000huge\u3000gouts\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000debris\u3000and\u3000smoke\u3002
\n
\n
\nAlthough\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000awareness\u3000was\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000there\uff1b\u3000they\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000one\u3000another\u3000with\u3000her\u3000voice\u3002\u3000They\u3000did\u3000not\u3000know\u3000that\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000among\u3000the\u3000prey\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000part\u3000of\u3000a\u3000greater\u3000plan\u3002
\n
\nInstead\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000standing\u3000orders\u3000in\u3000their\u3000minds\uff1b\u3000Eliminate\u3000all\u3000resistance\uff01\u3000Neutralize\u3000rebel\u3000forces\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000not\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000escape\uff01\u3000Kill\u3000them\u3000all\uff01
\n
\n
\nClinging\u3000to\u3000Lancer’s\u3000armored\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3000suddenly\u3000cringed\u3002\u3000\u3003The\uff1b\u3000the\u3000voices\u3000again\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000about\u3000to\u3000faint\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u2026they\u3000ran\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000full\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pitched\u3000descent\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000road\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000Does\u3000she\u3000mean\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\uff1f\u3000And\u3000how\u3000does\u3000she\u3000know\uff1f
\n
\nThen\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000rounded\u3000a\u3000corner\u3000and\u3000had\u3000to\u3000stop\u3002\u3000The\u3000way\u3000was\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000Maxwell\u3000and\u3000a\u3000score\u3000of\u3000armed\u3000men\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000equipped\u3000to\u3000tackle\u3000even\u3000Cyc\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000with\u3000old\u3000LAW\u3000rockets\uff1b\u3000RPGs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000Manville\u3000X\u202618s\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000truck\u3000mounted\u3000with\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000machine\u3000gun\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000fought\u3000off\u3000the\u3000urge\u3000to\u3000break\u3000away\u3000and\u3000e\u3000back\u3000later\u3002\u3000But\u3000Maxwell\u3000might\u3000not\u3000let\u3000the\u3000others\u3000live\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000be\u3000rescued\uff1b\u3000and\u3000above\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000was\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mayor\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000staff\u3000car\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000in\u3000his\u3002
\n
\nTruman\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000of\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000the\u3000cab\u3000frame\u3002\u3000\u3003Maxwell\uff1b\u3000you\u3000lied\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000good\u3000businessman\u3000and\u3000you’re\u3000not\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000e\u3000crying\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000way\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000Congratulations\u3000on\u3000being\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000e\u3000back\u3002\u3000However\u2026\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000showed\u3000a\u3000thin\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000that\u3000you\u3000know\u3000my\u3000secret\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000return\u3002\u3000You\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000please\u3000step\u3000down\u3000and\u3000line\u3000up\u3000over\u3000there\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell’s\u3000men\u3000had\u3000the\u3000angle\u3000on\u3000them\u3000from\u3000all\u3000sides\u3000with\u3000high\u2026powered\u3000rifles\uff1b\u3000pump\u3000shotguns\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000Galil\u3000heavy\u3000assault\u3000pieces\u3000loaded\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000with\u3000armor\u2026piercing\u3000rounds\u3002\u3000The\u3000Trumans\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000dismounted\u3000and\u3000did\u3000as\u3000they\u3000were\u3000told\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000read\u3000his\u3000displays\u3000and\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3002
\n
\nCarla\u3000caught\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000must\u3000be\u3000eliminated\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000wrestled\u3000against\u3000him\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000back\u3000against\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000of\u3000the\u3000converted\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000husked\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Donald\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000blue\u2026and\u2026silver\u3000Cyclone\u3000rider\u3000had\u3000gathered\u3000the\u3000captives\u3000back\u3000some\u3000distance\u3000from\u3000the\u3000trucks\uff1b\u3000Maxwell\u3000noticed\uff1b\u3000most\u3000of\u3000them\u3000sheltering\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000But\u3000Maxwell\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000is\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000folks\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000for\u3000the\u3000signal\u3002
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000you\u3000move\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000burn\u3000it\u3000off\uff1b\u3003\u3000an\u3000amplified\u3000voice\u3000promised\u3002\u3000Maxwell\u3000spun\u3000around\u3000just\u3000as\u3000Robotech\u3000weapons\u3000opened\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Many\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3000dropped\u3000their\u3000guns\u3000and\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000cringed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dazzling\u3000rays\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000around\u3000them\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000novaflame\u3000curling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000wide\u3000and\u3000sang\uff1b\u3000\u3003Good\u3000work\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000his\u3000men\u3000to\u3000throw\u3000down\u3000their\u3000guns\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000dismounted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000gaping\u3000at\u3000Lancer’s\u3000H90\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Lancer\u3000advanced\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u2026if\u3000you\u3000fire\u3000that\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000will\u3000be\u3000down\u3000on\u3000us\u3000immediately\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000a\u3000little\u3000busy\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000We\u3000killed\u3000all\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000that\u3000came\u3000after\u3000us\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000you’ve\u3000been\u3000feeding\u3000innocent\u3000people\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000for\u3000years\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000that\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000gun\u3002\u3000\u3003Time\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000your\u3000own\u3000medicine\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000pull\u3000that\u3000trigger\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000never\u3000find\u3000out\u3000how\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000these\u3000mountains\u3000alive\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000swarming\u3000after\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000mayor\u3000met\u3000Lancer’s\u3000gaze\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000precise\u3000map\u3000isn’t\u3000just\u3000some\u3000children’s\u3000story\u3002\u3000It\u3000shows\u3000the\u3000way\u3000through\u3000underground\u3000warrens\u3000dating\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Global\u3000Civil\u3000War\u3002\u3000It\u3000leads\u3000into\u3000a\u3000camouflaged\u3000road\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3002\u3000You\u3000see\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000serve\u3000the\u3000Resistance\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000they\u3000pay\u3000me\u3000well\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000ask\u3000any\u3000underground\u3000contacts\u3000you\u3000want\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000believe\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000frisking\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000henchmen\u3002\u3000They\u3000rearmed\u3000their\u3000friends\u3000and\u3000armed\u3000the\u3000others\u3000with\u3000captured\u3000weapons\uff1a\u3000Eddie\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Manville\uff1b\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Truman\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000shotgun\uff1b\u3000Carla\u3000with\u3000an\u3000Ingram\u3000MAC\u30009\u3002\u3000They\u3000tossed\u3000the\u3000other\u3000weapons\u3000into\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000spare\u3000my\u3000life\u3000and\u3000we\u3000all\u3000leave\u3000here\u3000alive\uff1b\u3003\u3000Maxwell\u3000was\u3000saying\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000H\u202690\u3000and\u3000fired\u3002\u3000The\u3000adjusted\u3000threadfine\u3000beam\u3000burned\u3000away\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000left\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000cauterizing\u3000what\u3000was\u3000left\u3002\u3000His\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000singed\u3000but\u3000it\u3000did\u3000not\u3000catch\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Maxwell\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000wound\u3000and\u3000swearing\u3000in\u3000a\u3000monotone\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Donald\u3000Maxwell\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000take\u3000you\u3000up\u3000on\u3000your\u3000offer\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000goes\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCarla\u3000ran\u3000after\u3000Lancer\u3000as\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000lurched\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003Carla\uff1b\u3000where\u3000are\u3000you\u3000going\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000her\u3000lip\u3000curled\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000protests\u2026that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000done\u3000it\u3000all\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000that\u3000his\u3000wealth\u3000meant\u3000nothing\u3000without\u3000her\u2026couldn’t\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nWith\u3000Veritechs\u3000looming\u3000around\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Eddie\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3000to\u3000Annie’s\u3000cries\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000won’t\u3000you\u3000e\u3000on\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3000Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000whined\u3002
\n
\nEddie\u3000heaved\u3000a\u3000long\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Because\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000where\u3000there’s\u3000more\u3000fighting\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that’s\u3000not\u3000what\u3000I\u3000want\uff1b\u3000Mint\u3002\u3000Paradise\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002\u3000My\u3000dad’s\u3000brother\u3000has\u3000a\u3000ranch\u3000down\u3000south\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000w \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ant\uff1b\u3000Mint\u3002\u3000Paradise\u3000was\u3000just\u3000a\u3000lie\u3002\u3000My\u3000dad’s\u3000brother\u3000has\u3000a\u3000ranch\u3000down\u3000south\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000where\u3000we’ll\u3000go\u3002\u3000You\u3000can\u3000e\u3000with\u3000us\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000getting\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000any\u3000war\uff01\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000my\u3000family\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000run\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000into\u3000the\u3000passenger\u3000seat\u3000next\u3000to\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000and\u3000father\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000long\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000Good\u3000luck\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Eddie\uff01\u3000Good\u2026bye\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000called\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000move\u3002\u3000The\u3000truck\u3000pulled\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dusk\u3002\u3000\u3003l\u3000love\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000whirled\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000herself\u3000into\u3000Lunk’s\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000wept\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000held\u3000her\u3000and\u3000wept\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000and\u3000patting\u3000the\u3000crates\u3000of\u3000ordnance\u3000and\u3000the\u3000few\u3000precious\u3000Protoculture\u3000cells\u3000Maxwell\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000give\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000we\u3000got\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000ammunition\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000still\u3000had\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fist\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3000against\u3000a\u3000few\u3000supplies\uff1f\u3000I\u3000still\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000trade\u3002\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000knew\u3000better\u3000than\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000reason\u3000with\u3000her\u3000in\u3000a\u3000mood\u3000like\u3000this\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000of\u3000dust\uff1b\u3000speeding\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Deguello\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000move\u3000out\u3000as\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000Lancer\u3000es\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000borrowed\u3000APC\u3000bounced\u3000up\u3000the\u3000road\u3000from\u3000the\u3000town\uff1b\u3000Carla’s\u3000suitcase\u3000loaded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000somehow\u3000felt\u3000stiff\u3000and\u3000absurd\u3000sitting\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Carla\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000simply\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000you\u3000mixed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000all\u3000this\uff1b\u3000same\u3000reason\u3000as\u3000before\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000across\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000then\u3000ahead\u3000through\u3000the\u3000windshield\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000know\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Lancer\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000sure\u3000Maxwell\u3000would\u3000let\u3000her\u3000go\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000all\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3000assurances\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000subject\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000abstract\u3000to\u3000the\u3000immediate\uff1b\u3000dashboard\u3000displays\u3000bleeped\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000three\u3000flights\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000cresting\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000nearby\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000stepped\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000the\u3000accelerator\uff1b\u3000ignoring\u3000the\u3000danger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000curves\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000coldness\u3000right\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000center\u3002
\n
\nGood\u3000try\uff1b\u3000but\u2026they’ve\u3000got\u3000us\u3000this\u3000time\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWELVE
\n
\nHow\u3000did\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000lose\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000Ariel\uff1b\u3000such\u3000an\u3000important\u3000agent\uff1f\u3000The\u3000technically\u3000minded\u3000hindsighters\u3000will\u3000point\u3000out\u3000several\u3000reasons\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000have\u3000learned\u3000better\u3000by\u3000now\u3002
\nNichols\uff1b\u3000Zeitgeist\u3000Reconsidered\uff1a\u3000Alien\u3000Psychology\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Third\u3000Robotech\u3000War
\n
\nThe\u3000pincer\u3000ships\u3000swept\u3000in\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000were\u3000abruptly\u3000three\u3000new\u3000blips\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dashboard’s\u3000scanners\u3002
\n
\nMaxwell’s\u3000trio\u3000of\u3000prized\u3000autofighters\u3000swooped\u3000in\u3000hard\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000armor\u2026piercing\u3000cannon\u3000rounds\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000missiles\u3000and\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000left\uff1b\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u3000upward\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000aero\u2026maneuvering\u3000programs\u3000in\u3000their\u3000memories\u2026maneuvers\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000hadn’t\u3000had\u3000the\u3000time\u3000or\u3000necessity\u3000to\u3000learn\u3002\u3002\u3002until\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000stopped\u3000for\u3000only\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000warplanes\u3000fighting\u3000their\u3000last\u3000battle\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000fireglobes\u3000of\u3000exploding\u3000Pincer\u3000mecha\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000whirling\uff1b\u3000flaring\u3000wreckage\u3000of\u3000enemy\u3000war\u3000machines\u3002
\n
\nGo\u3000get\u3000’em\uff01\u3000Lancer\u3000tromped\u3000his\u3000foot\u3000down\u3000hard\u3000on\u3000the\u3000accelerator\u3002
\n
\n
\nMaxwell\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000tech\u2026pit\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000his\u3000fighters\u3000roll\u3000up\u3000a\u3000score\u3000and\u3000then\uff1b\u3000one\u3000by\u3000one\uff1b\u3000be\u3000overwhelmed\u3000and\u3000sent\u3000down\u3000in\u3000flames\u3002\u3000He\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000think\u3000that\u3000his\u3000father\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000at\u3000this\u3000last\u3000stand\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000it\u3000came\u3000late\u3000in\u3000the\u3000game\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000least\u3000Carla\u3000will\u3000be\u3000safe\u3002\u3000So\u3000much\u3000for\u3000the\u3000jets\u3002\u3000What\u3000does\u3000it\u3000matter\uff1f\u3000Not\u3000much\uff1b\u3000without\u3000Carla\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000leaned\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000control\u3000center\u3000chair\u3000and\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000that\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000to\u3000open\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n
\nSnow\u3000had\u3000begun\u3000drifting\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000Carla’s\u3000waist\u3002\u3000\u3003Donald\u3000sacrificed\u3000all\u3000three\u3000of\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000fighters\u3000to\u3000save\u3000us\u2026no\uff1b\u3000to\u3000save\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000could\u3000see\u3000that\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Deguello\u3000rather\u3000than\u3000at\u3000the\u3000smoking\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000warplanes\u3000and\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000wrap\u3000her\u3000in\u3000her\u3000coat\u3000and\u3000take\u3000her\u3000along\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Why\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000was\u3000trembling\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000core\u3000of\u3000honesty\u3000made\u3000him\u3000answer\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000save\u3000your\u3000life\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000shiver\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flakes\u3000melting\u3000on\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000the\u3000thin\u3000bodysuit\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000now\uff1b\u3000Carla\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000gripped\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000in\u3000strong\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000use\u3000you\u3000again\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff01\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u2026I’m\u3000going\u3000back\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000the\u3000satchel\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000APC\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000time\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000I’m\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who’s\u3000jumping\u3000the\u3000train\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000reached\u3000up\uff1b\u3000held\u3000him\u3000close\uff1b\u3000kissed\u3000him\u3000with\u3000hopeless\u3000passion\u3002\u3000\u3003Good\u2026bye\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000good\u2026bye\uff1b\u3000Yellow\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000to\u3000the\u3000lights\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mayor’s\u3000mansion\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000walked\u3000slowly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000truck\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000automatically\u3000checked\u3000for\u3000the\u3000weapons\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000Maxwell’s\u3000goons\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000pile\u3000was\u3000one\u3000gun\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000little\u3000palm\u2026size\u3000shooter\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002
\n
\nLove\u3000or\u3000death\uff1b\u3000what\u3000will\u3000it\u3000be\uff1f
\n
\nLancer\u3000took\u3000a\u3000last\u3000look\u3000down\u3000the\u3000road\u3000at\u3000Deguello\u3002\u3000As\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\uff1b\u3000he\u3000blew\u3000a\u3000last\u3000kiss\u3000to\u3000Carla\u3002\u3000Then\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Lancer\u3000once\u3000more\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000parka\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000left\u3000on\u3000the\u3000seat\uff1b\u3000hardened\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000to\u3000all\u3000that\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000on\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000floored\u3000the\u3000accelerator\uff1b\u3000to\u3000go\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000to\u3000take\u3000them\u3000on\u3000on\u3000their\u3000own\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\n
\nMaxwell\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000in\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000matter\uff1a\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000fortress\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000only\u3000usable\u3000pass\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000had\u3000hoped\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hidden\u3000road\u3000was\u3000perilous\u3000but\u3000had\u3000served\u3000for\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000A\u3000recent\u3000quake\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000side\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000down\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000making\u3000further\u3000progress\u3000impossible\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000tackle\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3002
\n
\nWatching\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000patrol\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000and\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000return\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000not\u3000the\u3000hear\u3000Annie’s\u3000teeth\u3000chattering\u3000and\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000the\u3000silent\u3000shivering\u3000of\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000a\u3000pattern\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000still\u3000grave\u3000after\u3000days\u3000journeying\u3000from\u3000Deguello\u3002\u3000His\u3000skin\u3000was\u3000paler\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000from\u3000the\u3000high\u2026country\u3000snow\u3000and\u3000chill\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000bulk\u3000of\u3000their\u3000mecha\u3000goes\u3000out\u3000at\u3000sunrise\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000the\u3000best\u3000time\u3000to\u3000make\u3000our\u3000move\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000our\u3000move\u3000is\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000still\u3000bickering\u3000about\u3000the\u3000best\u3000way\u3000to\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000stronghold\u3000when\u3000they\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000cracking\u3000and\u3000splintering\u3000of\u3000wood\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand’s\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000\u3003Tim\u2026ber\u2026rrrr\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBy\u3000nightfall\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000sitting\u3000around\u3000Rand’s\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000wearing\u3000every\u3000stitch\u3000of\u3000clothing\u3000they\u3000had\uff1b\u3000and\u3000huddling\u3000under\u3000cargo\u3000pads\u3000from\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Under\u3000the\u3000draperied\u3000shelter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rock\u3000overhang\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000used\u3000the\u3000molecule\u2026thin\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000survival\u3000knife\u3000to\u3000carve\u3000skis\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000them\u3000up\u3000every\u3000so\u3000often\u3000to\u3000sight\u3000down\u3000their\u3000lengths\u3000critically\uff1b\u3000while\u3000he\u3000explained\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can’t\u3000get\u3000our\u3000mecha\u3000anywhere\u3000near\u3000that\u3000fortress\u3000without\u3000being\u3000detected\uff1b\u3000right\uff1f\u3000So\u3000one\u3000of\u3000us\u3000has\u3000to\u3000get\u3000cross\u2026country\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000and\u3000knock\u3000out\u3000their\u3000Protoculture\u3000detection\u3000gear\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000so\u3000you’ll\u3000just\u3000ski\u3000on\u3000in\u3000there\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000asked\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tug\u3000of\u3000a\u3000grin\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Scott\u3000admitted\uff1b\u3000\u3003It\u3000might\u3000work\u3002\u3000What\u3000other\u3000chance\u3000do\u3000we\u3000have\uff1f\u3000When\u3000Rand\u3000signals\u3000us\u3000that\uff1b\u3000he’s\u3000knocked\u3000out\u3000their\u3000sensors\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000run\u3000the\u3000gauntlet\u3000and\u3000hope\u3000nobody\u3000notices\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003There’s\u3000only\u3000one\u3000hangup\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000look\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000quite\u3000read\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000what\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000sensor\u3000looks\u3000like\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’ll\u3000know\u3000it\u3000when\u3000I\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000grumbled\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000grabbed\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000skis\u3000and\u3000began\u3000sighting\u3000along\u3000it\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000gonna\u3000let\u3000me\u3000e\u3000along\uff1b\u3000aren’t’cha\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000shaved\u3000another\u3000paper\u2026fine\u3000layer\u3000off\u3000the\u3000ski\u3000he\u3000was\u3000working\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003Actually\uff1b\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000cut\u3000these\u3000for\u3000somebody\u3000a\u3000little\u3000older\u3000and\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000you\u3002\u3000With\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000long\uff1b\u3000strawberry\u2026blond\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000a\u3000shape\u3000that\u2026\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000snowball\u3000hit\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000head\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000a\u3000team\u3000spirit\u3000that\u3000we\u3000all\u3000admire\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000amended\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can\u3000count\u3000me\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000told\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000dame\u3000isn’t\u3000wandering\u3000around\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wilderness\u3000with\u3000you\uff1b\u3000country\u3000boy\u2026\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000just\u3000then\u3000that\u3000Marlene\u3000went\u3000into\u3000another\u3000seizure\u3002\u3000Nobody\u3000but\u3000Rook\u3000saw\u3000how\u3000hurt\u3000Rand\u3000looked\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000but\u3000Rand\u3000saw\u3000how\u3000confused\u3000Rook\u3000seemed\u3000by\u3000what\u3000she\u3000herself\u3000had\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000kneeling\u3000near\u3000Marlene\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000be\u3000of\u3000much\u3000help\u3000and\u3000she\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000e\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fit\u3000by\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she’s\u3000got\u3000some\u3000horrible\u3000memory\u3000locked\u3000up\u3000deep\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000push\u3000her\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edge\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Rook’s\u3000profile\u3000in\u3000the\u3000firelight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000how\u3000much\u3000of\u3000that\u3000was\u3000something\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000projecting\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000fortress\u3000was\u3000cut\u3000into\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000face\u3000that\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000Matterhorn\u3000pockmarked\u3000with\u3000hemispherical\u3000openings\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Look\uff1a\u3000I\u3000cut\u3000those\u3000skis\u3000down\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Mint\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000told\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000don’t\u3000get\u3000cocky\u3002\u3000Practice\u3000runs\u3000are\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000different\u3000from\u3000what\u3000we’re\u3000gonna\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000today\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000call\u3000me\u3000\u2018Mint’\uff01\u3003\u3000was\u3000all\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000adjusted\u3000her\u3000improvised\u3000bindings\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000others\u3000looked\u3000on\u3000from\u3000the\u3000treeline\u3002\u3000Watches\u3000had\u3000been\u3000synchronized\uff1b\u3000explosives\u3000packed\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000charged\u2026all\u3000of\u3000it\u3000checked\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000times\u3000over\u3000and\u3000then\u3000checked\u3000again\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000snatch\u3000a\u3000little\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000doubted\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000at\u3000all\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000Annie\u3000should\u3000acpany\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000less\u3000and\u3000less\u3000of\u3000a\u3000surprise\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000Aside\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Forager\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000with\u3000cross\u2026country\u3000experience\u3000\uff08she\u3000insisted\u3000that\u3000some\u3000undyingly\u3000devoted\u3000boyfriend\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000her\uff09\u3002\u3000And\u3000aside\u3000from\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000who\u3000could\u3000hope\u3000to\u3000cross\u3000the\u3000open\u3000country\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000in\u3000a\u3000reasonable\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000time\u3002\u3000The\u3000snow\u3000was\u3000so\u3000chancy\u3000that\u3000even\u3000snowshoeing\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000question\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000five\u3000A\u3002M\u3002\uff1b\u3000when\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000light\u3000the\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000moved\u3000out\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000Rand\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000snatching\u3000his\u3000makeshift\u3000ski\u3000poles\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000or\u3000eve \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nAs\u3000Rand\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000snatching\u3000his\u3000makeshift\u3000ski\u3000poles\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000about\u3000to\u3000say\u3000something\u3000or\u3000even\u3000grab\u3000his\u3000arm\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000he\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000abruptly\u3000turned\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000better\u3000skier\u3000than\u3000Rand\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000though\u3000neither\u3000of\u3000them\u3000was\u3000very\u3000good\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Annie\u3000got\u3000fancy\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000chastise\u3000her\u2026a\u3000bad\u3000move\u3000while\u3000skiing\u2026and\u3000they\u3000both\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000snowbank\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000proved\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000heaven\u2026sent\u3000spill\uff1b\u3000shadows\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000landed\u3000to\u3000examine\u3000things\u3000that\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000from\u3000Annie’s\u3000pink\u3000rucksack\u3002\u3000Somehow\uff1b\u3000the\u3000skiers’\u3000tracks\u3000had\u3000been\u3000obliterated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000drift\u3000of\u3000snow\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slope\u3002
\n
\n\u3003That’s\u3000my\u3000bikini\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000yelped\uff1b\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000take\u3000on\u3000the\u3000entire\u3000Invid\u3000horde\u3000by\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000pushed\u3000her\u3000face\u3000down\u3000further\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000stifling\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000hooked\u3000the\u3000bikini\u3000bottom\u3000in\u3000question\u3000\uff08Why\u3000was\u3000she\u3000carrying\u3000it\u3000on\u3000a\u3000ski\u3000run\uff1f\u3000Rand\u3000wondered\uff09\u3000in\u3000its\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000raised\u3000it\u3000close\u3000to\u3000its\u3000optic\u3000sensor\u3000for\u3000examination\u3002\u3000The\u3000mini\u2026panty\u3000had\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000hooked\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000metallic\u3000submarine\u2026sandwich\u2026like\u3000charges\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000job\u3002
\n
\nSeeing\u3000it\u3000tottering\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000seat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bikini\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000struggling\u3000Annie\u3000even\u3000further\u3000into\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002\u3000The\u3000sapper\u3000charge\u3000tottered\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000exhaled\u3000in\u3000relief\u3000when\u3000the\u3000charge\u3000proved\u3000inert\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000personal\u3000armor\u3000mecha\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000bikini\u3000bottom\u3000and\u3000rocketed\u3000away\u3000on\u3000a\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000thruster\u2026fire\u3002
\n
\nSkiing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000base\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000mountain\u3000held\u3000no\u3000other\u3000terrors\uff1b\u3000they\u3000kicked\u3000off\u3000their\u3000improvised\u3000bindings\u3002\u3000A\u3000modified\u3000grenade\u3000launcher\u3000got\u3000a\u3000grapnel\u3000up\u3000to\u3000an\u3000opening\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000terror\u3000in\u3000the\u3000climb\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000watched\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000cruise\u3000by\u3000below\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3000the\u3000climbing\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000pulled\u3000themselves\u3000up\u3000near\u3000the\u3000topmost\u3000access\u3000tunnel\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000nearly\u3000fainted\u3000back\u3000into\u3000Rand’s\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000mecha\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000there\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000shoved\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000Annie’s\u3000mouth\u3000and\u3000she\u3000bit\u3000down\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000that\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000blood\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000surrounding\u3000peaks\u3000with\u3000no\u3000more\u3000interest\u3000than\u3000an\u3000Alpine\u3000sightseer\u3002\u3000It\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000each\u3000step\u3000sounding\u3000like\u3000a\u3000boiler\u3000being\u3000thrown\u3000down\u3000on\u3000a\u3000concrete\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000arched\u3000tunnel\u3000from\u3000which\u3000it\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000rubbed\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000had\u3000her\u3000shots\u3000lately\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000pushed\u3000their\u3000goggles\u3000back\u3000and\u3000went\u3000in\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000The\u3000tunnel\u3000was\u3000a\u3000place\u3000of\u3000heat\u3000gradients\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\u3000being\u3000almost\u3000womblike\u3000in\u3000its\u3000warmth\u3000and\u3000moisture\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bizarre\u3000landscape\u3000of\u3000structures\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000neurons\u3000and\u3000axons\u3000\uff08or\u3000were\u3000they\u3000stalactites\u3000and\u3000stalagmites\uff1f\uff09\u3002\u3000Dendrites\u3000bent\u3000and\u3000arched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000undulating\u3000ceiling\u3000resembled\u3000Liver\u3000Surprise\u3002\u3000Cable\u2026thick\u3000creepers\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000the\u3000squishy\u2026looking\u3000support\u3000members\u3002\u3000A\u3000knee\u2026high\u3000mist\u3000obscured\u3000everything\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000this\u3000place\u3000needs\u3000is\u3000bats\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000whispered\u3002
\n
\nBela\u3000Lugosi\uff1b\u3000where\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f
\n
\nThey\u3000sprinted\u3000through\u3000the\u3000echoing\uff1b\u3000gutlike\u3000halls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000breath\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000banished\u3000all\u3000rational\u3000thought\u3000from\u3000her\u3000brain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000she\u3000was\u3000surprised\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000hauled\u3000her\u3000behind\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sticky\u2026looking\u3000dendrite\u3000pillars\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000echo\u3000as\u3000the\u3000three\u3000smaller\u3000mecha\u3000stumped\u3000by\uff1b\u3000these\u3000ones\u3000only\u3000eight\u3000or\u3000nine\u3000feet\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000their\u3000optical\u3000sensors\u3000set\u3000in\u3000long\u3000snouts\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000metallic\u3000archer\u2026fish\u3002\u3000Even\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Humans\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000resonating\u3000message\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000very\u3000armor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000reverberating\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000my\u3000outlying\u3000units\uff1b\u3000report\u3000to\u3000transmutation\u3000chamber\u3000at\u3000once\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000watched\u3000them\u3000lumber\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000harder\u3000than\u3000we\u3000figured\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000had\u3000pushed\u3000Annie\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000a\u3000doorway\u3000of\u3000some\u3000kind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000began\u3000experimenting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000wet\u2026looking\uff1b\u3000illuminated\u3000membranes\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000buttons\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000door\u2026size\u3000sphincter\u3000opened\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000what\u3000lay\u3000beyond\uff1b\u3000then\u3000giggled\u3002\u3000\u3003Open\u3000Sesame\uff01\u3003\u3000Words\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000using\uff1b\u3000so\u3000appropriate\u3000now\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000certainly\u3000more\u3000than\u3000forty\u3000bad\u3000guys\u3000in\u3000this\u3000cave\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000two\u3000stepped\u3000into\u3000the\u3000next\u3000chamber\uff1b\u3000awestruck\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000around\u3000them\u3002\u3000Their\u3000stage\u3000whispers\u3000were\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Wouldja\u3000look\u3000at\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Holy\u2026\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000indoor\u3000arena\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000in\u3000the\u3000radiation\u2026glazed\u3000deathtown\u3000they\u3000used\u3000to\u3000call\u3000Houston\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000gantrylike\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000which\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000suspended\u3000arm\u3000with\u3000dangling\u3000Robotech\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nRinging\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000dome\u3000were\u3000concentric\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000egg\u2026shaped\u3000objects\uff1a\u3000motionless\u3000protoplasmic\u3000things\uff1b\u3000with\u3000untenanted\u3000mecha\u3000sleeping\u3000inside\u3000like\u3000hunkered\u3000fetuses\u3002\u3000And\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000that\u3000vast\u3000place\u3000was\u3000a\u3000brilliant\uff1b\u3000shining\u3000dome\u3002\u3000To\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000it\u3000resembled\u3000those\u3000twentieth\u2026century\u3000pictures\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000nanoseconds\u3000of\u3000a\u3000thermonuclear\u3000explosion\u3002\u3000Around\u3000it\u3000grew\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000irregular\u3000palisade\u3000of\u3000things\u3000like\u3000budding\u3000mushrooms\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000stood\u3000ten\u3000yards\u3000high\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000embryonic\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’think\u3000they’re\u3000all\u3000asleep\uff1b\u3000or\u3000something\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’got\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000they\u3000are\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000we\u3000can\u3000wake\u3000’em\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000patented\u3000grin\u3000showed\u3000itself\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000riot\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000Incubator\u3000Room\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000gotta\u3000be\u3000some\u3000diversion\u3002\u3003
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ranks\u3000of\u3000huge\u3000eggs\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000unfortably\u3000of\u3000an\u3000old\u2026time\u3000space\u3000flick\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000as\u3000a\u3000kid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000having\u3000something\u3000leap\u3000up\u3000and\u3000give\u3000him\u3000some\u3000interspecies\u3000mouth\u2026to\u2026mouth\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000Annie\u3000back\u3000and\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000level\u3000as\u3000he\u3000pulled\u3000a\u3000coin\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000slit\u3000pocket\u3000over\u3000his\u3000midsection\u3000and\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000coin\u3000glittered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000red\u2026orange\u2026yellow\u3000light\u3000and\u3000bounced\u3000off\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000one\u3000egg\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000expecting\u3000a\u3000gelatinous\u3000quiver\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000the\u3000coin\u3000bounced\u3000with\u3000a\u3000metallic\u3000bonk\uff01\u3000and\u3000skipped\uff1b\u3000to\u3000land\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000a\u3000faint\u3000chiming\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000happened\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000last\u3000quarter\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000ruefully\u3002\u3000A\u30001\/4\u2026Cid\u3000piece\u3000from\u3000the\u3000city\u2026state\u3000of\u3000Espana\u3000Nueva\u3000back\u3000down\u3000south\u3002\u3000True\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000much\u3000good\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000they’re\u3000in\u3000suspended\u3000animation\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000considered\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000won’t\u3000wake\u3000up\u3000until\u3000they’re\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000disregarded\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000using\u3000his\u3000gun\u3000to\u3000experiment\u3000further\uff1b\u3000most\u3000likely\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000set\u3000off\u3000alarms\u3000and\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000straight\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000crooning\uff1b\u3000\u3003Uhohh\u2026hh\u3002\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000saucer\u2026shaped\u3000air\u2026vehicle\u3000whose\u3000underside\u3000was\u3000all\u3000glowing\u3000honeyb\u2026hexagons\u3000had\u3000e\u3000floating\u3000silently\u3000from\u3000among\u3000distant\u3000dendrites\u3002\u3000Its\u3000curved\uff1b\u3000mirrorlike\u3000upper\u3000surface\u3000showed\u3000four\u3000equidistant\u3000projections\u3000like\u3000knobbed\u3000horns\u3002\u3000It\u3000came\u3000directly\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000THIRTEEN
\n
\nSo\uff1f\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000you\u3000country\u3000boys\u3000could\u3000rub\u3000your\u3000psoriasis\u3000together\u3000and\u3000start\u3000a\u3000fire\uff1f\u3000Where’s\u3000that\u3000pioneer\u3000spirit\uff1f
\nRook\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Rand
\n
\nThe\u3000flying\u3000saucer\u3000was\u3000fifty\u3000feet\u3000wide\u3002\u3000When\u3000it\u3000had\u3000covered\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000separating\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000intruders\uff1b\u3000it\u3000halted\u3002\u3000It\u3000remained\u3000motionless\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000dead\u3000still\u3000without\u3000sound\u3000or\u3000motion\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000the\u3000honeyb\u2026cells\u3000began\u3000shedding\u3000harsh\u3000light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000saucer’s\u3000underside\u3000solid\u3000convex\u3000of\u3000brilliance\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000embryo\u2026mecha\u3000began\u3000to\u3000glow\u3002\u3000Its\u3000egg\u3000expanded\u3000and\u3000rose\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000saucer\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000stopped\u3000their\u3000withdrawal\u3000and\u3000watched\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3002
\n
\nAgain\u3000there\u3000was\u3000the\u3000regal\u3000female\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000reverberating\u3000from\u3000the\u3000saucer\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cross\u2026echoes\u3000making\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000understand\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000heard\uff1b\u3000\u3003Nine\u2026X\u2026Nineteen\u3000has\u3000been\u3000selected\u3000for\u3000transmutation\u3002\u3000The\u3000quickening\u3000will\u3000begin\u3002\u3000Retrieve\u3000a\u3000Scout\u3000pod\u3000and\u3000transfer\u3000it\u3000to\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000egg\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3000and\u3000the\u3000unborn\u3000Scout\u3000was\u3000enclosed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000larger\u3000globe\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000lifting\u3000field\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000fought\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000slowly\u3000unlimbering\uff1b\u3000its\u3000contours\u3000still\u3000curved\u3000to\u3000its\u3000confinement\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000a\u3000baby\u3000bird’s\u3000are\u3000to\u3000its\u3000shell\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000few\u3000moments\u3000after\u3000it\u3000breaks\u3000free\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000borne\u3000away\u3000by\u3000the\u3000saucer\u3002\u3000He’s\u3000being\u3000promoted\uff1f\u3000Rand\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000puzzle\u3000out\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000much\u3000about\u3000how\u3000Invid\u3000society\u3000really\u3000functioned\uff1b\u3000nobody\u3000did\uff1b\u3000or\u3000at\u3000least\u3000nobody\u3000who\u3000was\u3000talking\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000shook\u3000him\u3000and\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000time\u3000was\u3000wasting\u3000away\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000lay\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bio\u2026constructs\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000direct\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000each\u3000installation\u3000and\u3000every\u3000individual\u3000of\u3000her\u3000far\u2026flung\u3000realm\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hive’s\u3000reverence\uff1b\u3000obedience\u3002\u3002\u3002adoration\u3002\u3000It\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hive\u3000members\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000situated\u3000in\u3000a\u3000shallow\u3000nutrient\u3000pool\u3000about\u3000five\u3000or\u3000six\u3000yards\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000two\u2026thirds\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000mature\u3000light\u2026stalks\u3000blossomed\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000beaming\u3000down\u3000nourishing\u3000rays\u2026radiating\u3000flowers\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000unlike\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000darker\u3000chocolate\u2026orange\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center’s\u3000floor\u3000was\u3000broken\u3000across\u3000its\u3000entire\u3000span\u3000by\u3000large\u3000and\u3000small\u3000dark\u3000pink\u3000circles\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000spotlights\u3000of\u3000various\u3000sizes\u3000shone\u3000there\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000only\u3000visible\u3000path\u3000of\u3000light\u3000was\u3000the\u3000incandescent\u3000beam\u3000that\u3000shone\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000coordinating\u3000intellect\u2026clearinghouse\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hive\u3002
\n
\nMecha\u3000stood\u3000by\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000Listening\u3000to\u3000her\u3000were\u3000a\u3000single\u3000looming\u3000Scout\u3000unit\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000and\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000more\u3000highly\u3000evolved\uff1b\u3000trumpet\u2026snouted\u3000Controllers\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000proliferation\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000on\u3000Earth\u3000has\u3000reached\u3000a\u3000critical\u3000phase\uff1b\u3000a\u3000triggerpoint\uff1b\u3003\u3000it\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Soon\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000thriving\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000will\u3000be\u3000assured\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000will\u3000need\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000no\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Earth\u3000will\u3000be \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000will\u3000be\u3000assured\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000will\u3000need\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\u3000no\u3000more\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Earth\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000homeworld\u3000that\u3000will\u3000replace\u3000our\u3000beloved\u3000Optera\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000must\u3000pass\u3000that\u3000triggerpoint\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000have\u3000more\u3000Human\u3000slaves\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000to\u3000every\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000to\u3000increase\u3000our\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000slaves\uff1b\u3000we\u3000must\u3000have\u3000more\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000as\u3000rapidly\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Evolving\u3000makes\u3000that\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Prepare\u3000now\u3000for\u3000the\u3000arrival\u3000of\u3000the\u3000retrieval\u3000droid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000quickening\u3000of\u3000a\u3000new\u3000Scout\u3000ship\uff01\u3003
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Controllers\u3000began\u3000making\u3000stiff\u2026armed\u3000gestures\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\uff1b\u3000like\u3000some\u3000ancient\u3000Roman\u3000military\u3000salute\u3000sequence\u3002\u3000The\u3000other\u3000Controllers\u3000moved\u3000to\u3000their\u3000places\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000moments\u3000the\u3000hulking\u3000Scout\u3000ship\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000immobile\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lighted\u3000circles\uff1b\u3000began\u3000descending\u3000into\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000the\u3000aperture\u3000closed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000that\u3000thing\u3000there\u3000is\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outfit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000poised\u3000in\u3000concealment\u3000behind\u3000two\u3000fibrous\u3000columns\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000it\u3000may\u3000have\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brains\u3000department\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003\u3000She\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Ugh\uff01\u3000It\u3000gives\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000new\u3000meaning\u3000to\u3000\u2018ugly’\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000Rand\u3000thought\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Sensor\u3000was\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000wetly\u3000glistening\uff1b\u3000sickly\u3000pink\u3000coils\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000knotted\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000enormous\u3000small\u3000intestine\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000unsnarling\u3002\u3000Its\u3000stench\u3000clogged\u3000the\u3000warm\uff1b\u3000humid\u3000air\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hive\u3000center\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000retrieval\u3000pod\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000bearing\u3000aloft\u3000the\u3000hatchling\u3000it\u3000had\u3000fetched\u3002\u3000\u3003Scout\u3000Trooper\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000quickening\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000announced\u3002\u3000The\u3000saucer\u3000set\u3000its\u3000burden\u3000down\u3000exactly\u3000where\u3000the\u3000previous\u3000one\u3000had\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hatchling\u3000booming\u3000as\u3000it\u3000landed\u3002\u3000The\u3000lifting\u3000field\u3000disappeared\u3000as\u3000the\u3000saucer’s\u3000underside\u3000dimmed\u3002\u3000The\u3000retrieval\u3000pod\u3000whisked\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000hatchling’s\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000the\u3000vertical\u3000row\u3000of\u3000three\u3000lenses\u3002\u3000\u3003Activate\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000manded\u3002\u3000Long\u3000segmented\u3000metal\u3000tentacles\u3000extended\u3000from\u3000somewhere\u3000above\uff1b\u3000their\u3000articulated\u3000fingers\u3000working\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000The\u3000Scout’s\u3000cranial\u3000area\u3000was\u3000opened\u3000and\u3000a\u3000broad\u3000plate\u3000or\u3000hatch\u3000swung\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000could\u3000see\u3000a\u3000softly\u3000lighted\u3000area\u3000within\u3000the\u3000cranial\u3000partment\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000tell\u3000much\u3000more\u3000about\u3000what\u3000was\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000\u3003Insert\u3000drone\u3000Nine\u2026X\u2026Nineteen\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000eldritch\u3000voice\u3000said\u3002
\n
\nFrom\u3000a\u3000conduit\u3000high\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000there\u3000came\u3000another\u3000egg\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000far\u3000smaller\u3000than\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3002\u3000Clusters\u3000of\u3000gracefully\u2026waving\u3000tendrils\uff1b\u3000like\u3000undersea\u3000plants\uff1b\u3000floated\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000and\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000embryo\u3002
\n
\nWithin\u3000the\u3000embryo\u3000was\u3000something\u3000curled\u3000up\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000shrunken\u3000and\u3000wizened\u3000even\u3000though\u3000its\u3000skin\u3000had\u3000the\u3000moist\uff1b\u3000hairless\u3000look\u3000of\u3000the\u3000unborn\u3002\u3000It\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mostly\u3000head\uff1b\u3000its\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000legs\u3000degenerated\u3000and\u3000vestigial\u3002\u3000Its\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000bottomless\uff1b\u3000liquid\u3000black\u3000slits\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000couldn’t\u3000decide\u3000whether\u3000they\u3000were\u3000as\u3000unseeing\u3000as\u3000a\u3000seconds\u2026old\u3000kitten’s\uff1b\u3000or\u3000windows\u3000to\u3000some\u3000all\u2026observing\u3000intellect\u3002\u3000Drone\u3000Nine\u2026X\u2026Nineteen’s\u3000nose\u3000was\u3000a\u3000bony\u3000button\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000crest\u3000of\u3000hard\u3000plate\u3000made\u3000a\u3000ridge\u3000from\u3000its\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000convoluted\u3000brow\u3000back\u3000across\u3000its\u3000skull\u3002\u3000Its\u3000skin\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000lusterless\u3000gray\u2026green\uff1b\u3000its\u3000brow\u3000and\u3000skull\u3000mapped\u3000by\u3000a\u3000craniological\u3000nightmare\u3000of\u3000bulges\u3000and\u3000eminences\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000all\u3000but\u3000chinless\uff1b\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000seemingly\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000bud\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3002
\n
\nDrone\u3000Nine\u2026X\u2026Nineteen\uff1b\u3000still\u3000in\u3000its\u3000egg\uff1b\u3000was\u3000wafted\u3000by\u3000unseen\u3000forces\uff1b\u3000to\u3000nestle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dimly\u3000lit\u3000womb\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Scout’s\u3000head\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Drone\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000reported\u3000to\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Bad\u3000place\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000muttered\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000nodded\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000tentacles\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000quickened\u3000Scout\uff1b\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000scanner\u3000came\u3000alight\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000red\u3002\u3000\u3003Transmutation\u3000pleted\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000declared\u3002\u3000\u3003Prepare\u3000next\u3000Scout\u3000Trooper\u3000for\u3000quickening\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000Scout\u3000that\u3000carried\u2026or\u3000had\u3000bee\u2026Nine\u2026X\u2026Nineteen\u3000sank\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3000like\u3000its\u3000predecessor\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000said\u3000plaintively\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000scared\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So’m\u3000I\uff1b\u3000Mint\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000thing\u3000over\u3000with\u3000and\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000A\u3000retrieval\u3000pod\u3000was\u3000bringing\u3000in\u3000another\u3000Scout\u3002\u3000\u3003Dammit\uff01\u3000We\u3000must’ve\u3000gotten\u3000here\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000Motherhood\u3000Week\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000let’s\u3000blow\u3000that\u3000Sensor\u3000thing\u3000and\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Fine\u3000with\u3000me\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3000first\uff1b\u3000remember\uff1f\u3000And\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\u3000anywhere\u3000in\u3000this\u3000maggot\u3000factory\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000means\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000for\u3000Contingency\u3000Plan\u3000B\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000checking\u3000his\u3000own\u3000watch\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000aren’t\u3000napping\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’d\u3000hate\u3000to\u3000be\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000this\u3000neighborhood\u3000at\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000wide\u3000awake\u3000and\u3000swearing\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000his\u3000military\u3000chronometer\u3002\u3000He\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000gathered\u3000under\u3000snow\u2026covered\u3000firs\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000line\u3000of\u3000drifts\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000pass\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’re\u3000late\u3000with\u3000their\u3000signal\uff01\u3003\u3000And\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000whether\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000were\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3000or\u3000had\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000in\u3000their\u3000sloppy\u3000civilian\u3000way\uff1b\u3000forgotten\u3000the\u3000timetable\u3002
\n
\nIf\u3000they’re\u3000goofing\u3000around\u3000up\u3000there\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Lancer\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000armored\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3002
\n
\nThree\u3000quarters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000up\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000peaks\u3000that\u3000flanked\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000light\u3000was\u3000flashing\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000many\u3000niches\u3000or\u3000tunnel\u3000openings\u3000or\u3000launch\u3000bays\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000they\u3000were\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000trained\u3000their\u3000puter\u2026coupled\u3000binocular\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3002\u3000The\u3000binocular\u3000showed\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000niches\uff1b\u3000angling\u3000a\u3000mirror\u3000from\u3000her\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000using\u3000it\u3000as\u3000a\u3000crude\u3000heliograph\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000be\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000answer\u3000by\u3000the\u3000same\u3000code\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000might\u3000have\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000flashes\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Just\u3000as\u3000I\u3000figured\uff1a\u3000they\u3000need\u3000a\u3000decoy\u3002\u3000Okay\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000get\u3000moving\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000snowflakes\u3000glistening\u3000in\u3000her\u3000long\uff1b\u3000strawberry\u2026blond\u3000waves\u3002\u3000\u3003Wish\u3000me\u3000luck\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nAnnie\u3000continued\u3000her\u3000signaling\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000only\u3000made\u3000sense\u3000not\u3000to\u3000use\u3000a\u3000radio\u3000inside\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000felt\u3000better\u3000hearing\u3000Scott\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003Affirmative\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000heavy\u3000tread\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000round\u3000a\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000her\u3000way\u3000unexpectedly\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000fumbled\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3000and\u3000lost\u3000it\u3000as\u3000she\u3000dove\u3000for\u3000cover\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000hang\u3000from\u3000the\u3000brink\u3000by\u3000her\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000as\u3000two\u3000towering\u3000Controllers\u3000marched\u3000by\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Unidentified\u3000intrusions\u3000registered\u3000along\u3000Perimeter\u3000Sixteen\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000warned\u3002\u3000\u3003Investigate\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAfter\u3000they\u3000had\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000hauled\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000up\u3000again\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000sinking\u3000unease\u3002\u3000Suppose\u3000her\u3000signal\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000seen\uff1f\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000for\u3000some\u3000other\u3000reflective\u3000surface\u3000that\u3000would\u3000serve\uff1b\u3000but\u3000could\u3000find\u3000none\u3002
\n
\nMaybe\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000I\u3000are\u3000on\u3000our\u3000own\uff1f\u3000Maybe\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000start\u3000improvising\uff1f
\n
\n
\nRook\u3000activated\u3000a\u3000control\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000Cyc’s\u3000tires\u3000extruded\u3000heavy\u3000snow\u3000studs\u3002\u3000She\u3000left\u3000her\u3000thinking\u3000cap\u3000off\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000blow\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000on\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000might\u3000think\u3000her\u3000less\u3000of\u3000a\u3000military\u3000threat\u3000if\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Cyclone\u3000warrior\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000jumped\u3000from\u3000ridges\u3000and\u3000traveled\u3000under\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000canopy\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000couldn’t\u3000follow\u3000her\u3000back\u2026trail\u3000through\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000and\u3000find\u3000signs\u3000of\u3000her\u3000teammates’\u3000presence\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000howled\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000treacherous\u3000approach\u3000uphill\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000long\u3000before\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000dove\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000their\u3000shadows\u3000flickering\u3000across\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000wild\uff1b\u3000scornful\u3000laugh\uff1b\u3000elated\u3000by\u3000the\u3000thrill\u3000and\u3000risk\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000race\u3000you\u3000to\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000top\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Pincers\u3000swooped\u3000close\u3000but\u3000held\u3000fire\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000just\u3000what\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000threat\u3000they\u3000faced\u3002\u3000Their\u3000scanners\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000racing\u3000cyclist\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\uff1b\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000light\u3000and\u3000electrical\u3000discharges\u3000raced\u3000across\u3000the\u3000heaving\uff1b\u3000visceral\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3002\u3000\u3003Patrol\u3000reports\u3000bio\u2026energetic\u3000activity\u3000in\u3000the\u3000approaching\u3000vehicle\u3002\u3000Protoculture\u3000emanations\u3000registered\uff01\u3000All\u3000available\u3000units\u3000converge\u3000and\u3000intercept\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000from\u3000concealment\uff1b\u3000held\u3000Annie\u3000well\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Keep\u3000your\u3000head\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u2026what’s\u3000happening\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000watch\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000all\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000fan\u3000just\u3000at\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000start\u3000her\u3000diversionary\u3000run\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000hit\u3000a\u3000switch\u3000on\u3000her\u3000right\u3000handlebar\u3000and\u3000tensed\u3000herself\u3000like\u3000a\u3000coiled\u3000spring\u3002
\n
\n
\nA\u3000change\u3000in\u3000the\u3000din\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Saint\u3000Elmo’s\u3000fire\u3000along\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000made\u3000Annie\u3000point\u3000and\u3000tug\u3000Rand’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000stopping\uff01\u3000Is\u3000that\u3000bad\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\uff01\u3000he\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000stab\u3000of\u3000despair\u3000and\u3000loss\u3000so\u3000powerful\u3000that\u3000it\u3000nearly\u3000staggered\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Intercept\u3000and\u3000neutralize\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000manded\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Pincers\u3000raced\u3000to\u3000obey\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000concentrated\u3000everything\u3000on\u3000her\u3000timing\u3002\u3000Calculations\u3000meant\u3000less\u3000now\u3000than\u3000instincts\u3000and\u3000years\u3000of\u3000experience\u3000in\u3000evading\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000At\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000slewed\u3000around\u3000a\u3000stand\u3000of\u3000pine\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000down\u3000the\u3000bike\u3000in\u3000a\u3000spume\u3000of\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000herself\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000the\u3000on\u2026purpose\u3000grounding\uff1b\u3000diving\u3000into\u3000a\u3000snow\u3000bank\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Cyc\u3000lay\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000its\u3000Protoculture\u3000engine\u3000off\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000lay\u3000doggo\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Pincers\u3000rounded\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000and\u3000went\u3000on\u3000past\uff1b\u3000following\u3000their\u3000Protoculture\u3000detectors\uff1b\u3000suddenly\u3000confused\u3002\u3000They\u3000raced\u3000on\uff1b\u3000splitting\u3000up\uff1b\u3000casting\u3000about\u3000like\u3000bloodhounds\u3000for\u3000a\u3000scent\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000pulled\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\u3000and\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000receding\u3000Invid\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003Ciao\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAn\u3000instant\u3000later\u3000the\u3000smile\u3000disappeared\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000get\u3000busy\uff01\u3000Get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000there\uff01\u3000She\u3000was\u3000frowning\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000worrying\u3000so\u3000much\u3000over\u3000him\u2026and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000hadn’t\u3000let\u3000anybody\u3000mean\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000her\u3000since\u3000she\u3000had\u3000quit\u3000her\u3000old\u3000biker\u3000gang\u3002\u3000This\u3000caring\u3000for\u3000someone\u2026especially\u3000a\u3000dumb\u3000country\u3000boy\u2026was\u3000making\u3000her\u3000angry\u3000with\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000tightly\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000heap\u3000o’\u3000guts\u3000out\u3000there\u2026that\u3000thin \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n im\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000a\u3000coincidence\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000tightly\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000heap\u3000o’\u3000guts\u3000out\u3000there\u2026that\u3000thing\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000we’re\u3000looking\u3000for\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000gripped\u3000his\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000\u3003D\u2026d’you\u3000think\u3000it\u3000knows\u3000we’re\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003If\u3000it\u3000does\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000bigger\u3000trouble\u3000than\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000obscene\u3000loops\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000were\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000quickening\u3000of\u3000Scouts\u3000went\u3000on\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000more\u3000Controllers\u3000went\u3000to\u3000take\u3000up\u3000positions\u3000near\u3000the\u3000stinking\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000local\u3000embodiment\u3002
\n
\nSomething\u3000occurred\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000gazed\u3000at\u3000Annie\u3000apprehensively\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000been\u3000possessed\u3000by\u3000an\u3000alien\u3000intelligence\u3000once\u3000before\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3002\u3000What\u3000if\u3000it\u3000should\u3000happen\u3000again\uff1f\u3000But\u3000no\uff1b\u3000she\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000behaving\u3000normally\u2026quaking\u3000with\u3000fear\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000calm\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000take\u3000in\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000place\u3000is\u3000crawling\u3000with\u3000guards\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003M\u2026my\u3000skin’s\u3000crawling\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000picked\u3000a\u3000route\u3000and\u3000led\u3000the\u3000way\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000to\u3000cover\u3002\u3000The\u3000Controllers\u3000were\u3000all\u3000concentrating\u3000on\u3000the\u3000quickening\uff1b\u3000gathered\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000two\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000monstrous\u3000mound\u3000of\u3000alien\u3000bowels\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000skittered\u3000after\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000quiet\u3000as\u3000a\u3000mouse\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000footing\u3000and\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000go\u3000sprawling\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000caught\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000descent\u3000of\u3000yet\u3000another\u3000Scout\u3000ship\u3000into\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000had\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000noise\u3002\u3000\u3003Watch\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000doing\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000fiercely\uff1b\u3000turning\u3000her\u3000around\u3000and\u3000rooting\u3000through\u3000the\u3000pink\u3000rucksack\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000was\u3000puffing\uff1b\u3000wiping\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000from\u3000her\u3000brow\uff1b\u3000fanning\u3000herself\u3000with\u3000the\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\u3000cap\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000mumbled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Where\u3000is\u3000it\u2026ah\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000drew\u3000out\u3000an\u3000instrumented\u3000cylinder\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000a\u3000pint\u3000beercan\u3002\u3000A\u3000shaped\u2026charge\u3000cobalt\u3000limpet\u3000mine\uff1b\u3000something\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000been\u3000saving\u3000ever\u3000since\u3000the\u3000raid\u3000on\u3000Colonel\u3000Wolff’s\u3000goodies\u3000warehouse\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000should\u3000do\u3000the\u3000trick\u3002\u3003\u3000And\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000not\u3000be\u3000hanging\u3000around\u3000when\u3000it\u3000does\uff01
\n
\nAnnie\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hey\uff01\u3000I\u3000carried\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000ought\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000one\u3000to\u3000plant\u3000it\u2026\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000dropped\u3000her\u3000cap\u3000and\u3000stifled\u3000a\u3000squeal\u3000as\u3000she\u3000reached\u3000frantically\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000the\u3000bomb\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000having\u3000casually\u3000tossed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000while\u3000the\u3000Controllers\u3000inserted\u3000another\u3000drone\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000totally\u3000inert\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000armed\uff1b\u3000but\u2026\u3003Talk\u3000about\u3000dumb\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000a\u3000venomous\u3000look\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000attach\u3000the\u3000limpet\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor’s\u3000pool\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000the\u3000timer’s\u3000blinking\u3000numerals\u3002\u3000\u3003One\u3000minute\u3000enough\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000setting\u3000a\u3000second\u3000sapper\u3000charge\u3000for\u3000sixty\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000hope\u3000so\u3002\u3003\u3000They\u3000couldn’t\u3000take\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000on\u3000a\u3000longer\u3000setting\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\u3000might\u3000decide\u3000to\u3000take\u3000a\u3000stroll\u3000at\u3000any\u3000second\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000No\u3000going\u3000back\u3000now\uff01\u3000They\u3000stole\u3000off\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000halfway\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000when\u3000Annie\u3000realized\u3000her\u3000head\u3000felt\u3000cold\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000instinctively\u3000for\u3000her\u3000treasured\u3000cap\u3002\u3000It\u3000still\u3000lay\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000dropped\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThen\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000had\u3000tangled\u3000up\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000cracking\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000From\u3000her\u3000loosened\u3000pack\u3000jounced\u3000an\u3000adjustable\u3000ordnance\u3000tool\uff1b\u3000ringing\u3000like\u3000an\u3000alarm\u3000bell\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Disturbance\u3000in\u3000Hive\u3000Center\uff01\u3003\u3000thundered\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FOURTEEN
\n
\nPlutarch\u3000said\u3000courage\u3000stands\u3000halfway\u3000between\u3000cowardice\u3000and\u3000rashness\u3002\u3000Shakespeare\u3000said\u3000it\u3000mounteth\u3000with\u3000occasion\u3002\u3000What\u3000we’ve\u3000got\u3000here\u3000is\u3000living\u3000proof\u3002
\nScott\u3000Bernard’s\u3000mission\u3000notes
\n
\nRand\u3000skidded\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\uff1b\u3000spun\uff1b\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002\u3000\u3003Typical\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000went\u3000dashing\u3000back\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Controllers\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000converge\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3000where\u3000Annie\u3000lay\u3002\u3000Their\u3000bulging\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000raised\u3000and\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000their\u3000built\u2026in\u3000weapons\u3000were\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fire\u3002\u3000\u3003Intruders\u3002\u3000Two\u3000in\u3000number\u3002\u3000Neutralize\u3000them\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000exhorted\u3000her\u3000troops\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000levered\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000miserably\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000please\u3000don’t\uff01\u3000We\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000anything\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000calculated\u3000time\u3000and\u3000angles\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000hang\u3000tough\uff1b\u3000Mint\u3002\u3000These\u3000jerks\u3000won’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000hit\u3000them\u3000in\u3000a\u3000coupla’\u3000seconds\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Surrender\uff1b\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000or\u3000be\u3000destroyed\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000demanded\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000Controllers\u3000close\u3000in\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000his\u3000H90\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000holstered\u3000it\u3000and\u3000put\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000over\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000to\u3000lessen\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000terrified\uff1b\u3000did\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000\u3003Humans\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000your\u3000final\u3000warn\u2026\u3003
\n
\nMost\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000from\u3000the\u3000limpets’\u3000shaped\u3000charges\u3000was\u3000directed\u3000inward\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000grotesque\u3000coils\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000backwash\u3000was\u3000more\u3000than\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000knock\u3000the\u3000leading\u3000three\u3000Controllers\u3000sideways\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Sensor\u3000bore\u3000the\u3000brunt\u3000of\u3000a\u3000stupendous\u3000blast\u3002
\n
\n
\nMarlene\u3000gasped\u3002
\n
\nScott\uff1b\u3000too\u3000busy\u3000to\u3000notice\uff1b\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000through\u3000his\u3000binocular\u3000as\u3000smoke\u3000roiled\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snowpeak’s\u3000upper\u3000openings\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000did\u3000it\uff01\u3000Isn’t\u3000that\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u2026\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000binocular\u3000and\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000Marlene\u3000cry\u3000out\u3000and\u3000then\u3000collapse\u3000into\u3000racking\u3000sobs\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000it\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\u3000as\u3000last\u3000time\uff1f\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000gently\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000quiet\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003She’s\u3000screaming\u3000at\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000Marlene\u3000managed\uff1b\u3000through\u3000convulsing\u3000shudders\u3002
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000low\u3000brows\u3000met\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000is\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000tore\u3000her\u3000gaze\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000smoking\u3000fortress\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000Rand\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hurt\u3000or\u3000killed\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000there\u3000any\u3000way\u3000we\u3000can\u3000help\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1f\u3000Tell\u3000us\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000her\u3000head\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000it\u3000no\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000swinging\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let’s\u3000get\u3000moving\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000barked\uff1b\u3000to\u3000snap\u3000his\u3000team\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000might\u3000need\u3000help\u3000even\u3000more\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003I\u3002\u3002\u3002don’t\u3002\u3002\u3002believe\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000stammered\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000upward\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000stood\u3000tranfixed\u3000near\u3000where\u3000she\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u2026that\u3000thing\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Controllers\u3000were\u3000all\u3000down\uff1b\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000either\u3000from\u3000the\u3000initial\u3000blast\u3000or\u3000from\u3000secondary\u3000explosions\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000had\u3000vanished\u3000from\u3000its\u3000nutrient\u3000bath\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000But\u3000now\u3000sickly\u3000pinkish\u3000blobs\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000in\u3000various\u3000sizes\uff1b\u3000bobbed\u3000and\u3000drifted\u3000around\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3002\u3000They\u3000tumbled\u3000like\u3000slow\u2026moving\u3000meteors\uff1b\u3000drifting\uff1b\u3000caroming\u3000off\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000like\u3000floating\u3000amoebas\u3000to\u3000fill\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nMy\u3000god\uff01\u3000We\u3000hit\u3000it\u3000with\u3000enough\u3000wallop\u3000to\u3000knock\u3000off\u3000a\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u2026\u3003It’s\u3000dissolved\u3000into\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\uff1b\u3000of\u3000protoplasmic\u3000flesh\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000even\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000the\u3000phrase\u3000meant\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Perhaps\uff1b\u3000he\u3000babbled\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000\u3003Protoculture\u3000ectoplasm\u3003\u3000would\u3000be\u3000more\u3000the\u3000term\uff1f
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000ing\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000us\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000deploying\u3000blobs\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000located\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000were\u3000homing\u3000in\u3000from\u3000all\u3000over\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3000like\u3000evil\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000murderous\u3000jelly\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000Rand’s\u3000waist\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000g\u2026gonna\u3000eat\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000had\u3000his\u3000H90\u3000out\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000it\u3000in\u3000both\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003Eat\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000the\u3000remains\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000began\u3000firing\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000bolts\u3000just\u3000split\u3000the\u3000flying\u3000lumps\u3000into\u3000smaller\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000firing\u3000somehow\u3000made\u3000them\u3000charge\u3000at\u3000high\u3000speed\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000from\u3000every\u3000doughy\u3000lump\uff1b\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000least\u3000globule\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000from\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000chorus\uff1b\u3000\u3003Attack\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000fired\u3000hopelessly\u3000as\u3000Annie\u3000screamed\u3002
\n
\n
\nOne\u3000pilot\u3000short\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000still\u3000got\u3000all\u3000VTs\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000Beta\u3000was\u3000linked\u3000to\u3000Scott’s\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000which\u3000increased\u3000its\u3000firepower\u3000and\u3000speed\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighters\u3000moved\u3000forward\u3000on\u3000thrusters\u3000that\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000earth\u3000and\u3000started\u3000minor\u3000avalanches\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Down\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\uff1b\u3000rigged\u3000for\u3000cold\u2026weather\u3000work\uff1b\u3000moved\u3000cross\u2026country\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000nimbly\u3000as\u3000a\u3000snow\u2026mobile\uff1b\u3000bound\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fortress’s\u3000main\u3000portal\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000they\u3000jumped\u3000off\u3000a\u3000snowbank\u3000and\u3000roared\u3000on\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000said\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000your\u3000stomach’s\u3000stronger\u3000than\u3000your\u3000head\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3002\u3003\u3000But\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000hugging\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000unfocused\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000the\u3000outpouring\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heaters\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000retch\uff1b\u3000as\u3000wad\u3000after\u3000wad\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000splattered\u3000into\u3000him\uff1b\u3000coating\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000stuff\u3000had\u3000the\u3000consistency\u3000of\u3000runny\u3000putty\u3000but\u3000was\u3000warm\u3000to\u3000the\u3000touch\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000horrible\u3000thing\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000it\u3000moved\u3000by\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000snaillike\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000wherever\u3000it\u3000hit\u3002\u3000And\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000e\u3000off\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Sensor\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000its\u3000dispersed\u3000state\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dying\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000who\u3000its\u3000enemies\u2026its\u3000slayers\u2026were\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000have\u3000its\u3000revenge\u3002
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000mind\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000snap\u3002\u3000She\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000she\u3000rubbed\u3000and\u3000brushed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000uselessly\u3000tore\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\u3000nails\uff1b\u3000batted\u3000it\u3000and\u3000shrilled\uff1b\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000no\uff1b\u3000no\uff01\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000flung\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000at\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000clear\u3000the\u3000plugged\u3000muzzle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000H90\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000already\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000mantle\u3000that\u3000was\u3000surging\u3000to\u3000cover\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000waist\u2026high\u3000pile\u3000all\u3000around\u3000them\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000impossible\u3000to\u3000run\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000beat\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000shield\u3000Annie\u3000\u3003Annie\uff1b\u3000listen\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Auff\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000getting\u3000in\u3000my\u3000mouth\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000amorphous\u3000clots\u3000of\u3000residue\u3000streamed\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\u3000from\u3000every\u3000quarter\u3002\u3000He\u3000heaved\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Hang\u3000onto\u3000me\u3000and\u3000try\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000head\u3000above\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000muffled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000mask\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000breathe\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000arms\u3000were\u3000all\u3000but\u3000paralyzed\u3002\u3000\u3003Annie\uff1b\u3000listen\uff01\u3000Check\u3000the\u3000emergency\u3000tracking\u3000beam\uff01\u3000Is\u3000it\u3000still\u3000flashing\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000crud\u3000was\u3000surging\u3000up\u3000around\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000gathered\u3000all\u3000her\u3000courage\u3000and\u3000forced\u3000down\u3000her\u3000panic\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000supreme\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000she\u3000got\u3000her\u3000head\u3000around\u3000and\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000glance\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000like\u3000a\u3000silvery\u3000fountain\u3000pen\u3000with\u3000a\u3000flashing\u3000tip\u3000that\u3000was\u3000clipped\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000pockets\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000forced\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000get\u3000out\u3000the\u3000words\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000so\u2026yes\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000still\u3000casting\u3000about\u3000for\u3000Rook’s\u3000trail\u3000weren’t\u3000prepared\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000a\u3000vengeful\u3000trio\u3000of\u3000Veritechs\u3002\u3000The\u3000dogfight\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000begun\u3000when\u3000four\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000in\u3000whirling\uff1b\u3000flaming\u3000fragments\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000spent\u3000its \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ur\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000falling\u3000in\u3000whirling\uff1b\u3000flaming\u3000fragments\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000spent\u3000its\u3000missiles\u3000prodigally\uff1b\u3000their\u3000kill\u3000score\u3000climbed\u3002
\n
\nLunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000bounding\u3000and\u3000slewing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000open\u3000snowfield\uff1b\u3000attracted\u3000other\u3000attention\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000cannons\u3000in\u3000a\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000niches\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cliff\u3000face\u3000open\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000began\u3000dodging\u3000and\u3000juking\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3000began\u3000Frisbeeing\u3000all\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000Snow\u3000was\u3000melted\u3000and\u3000earth\u3000blown\u3000high\u3000in\u3000fountains\u3000of\u3000flame\u3000and\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000As\u3000was\u3000his\u3000habit\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000froze\u3000from\u3000his\u3000thoughts\u3000the\u3000image\u3000of\u3000what\u3000even\u3000one\u3000hit\u3000would\u3000do\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000in\u3000view\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ordnance\u3000and\u3000Protoculture\u3000they\u3000were\u3000hauling\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dove\u3000in\uff1b\u3000loosing\u3000more\u3000missiles\u3002\u3000The\u3000gun\u3000emplacements\u3000were\u3000knocked\u3000out\u3000in\u3000cascades\u3000of\u3000snow\u3000and\u3000broken\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000only\u3000smoking\u3000holes\u3000like\u3000horizontal\u3000chimneys\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000vanquished\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000opposition\uff1b\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000made\u3000an\u3000attack\u3000run\u3000and\u3000blew\u3000open\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gate\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighters\u3000slowed\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000on\u3000hoverthrusters\uff1b\u3000sailing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000colossal\u3000main\u3000corridor\u3002\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rear\uff1b\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000on\u3000the\u3000autocannon’s\u3000steering\u3000wheel\u3000trigger\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000little\u3000time\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000with\u3000its\u3000bizarre\u3000and\u3000unnerving\u3000bination\u3000of\u3000alien\u3000technology\u3000and\u3000XT\u3000organics\u3002\u3000Following\u3000Annie’s\u3000tracer\u3000beam\uff1b\u3000they\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000The\u3000aircraft\u3000had\u3000been\u3000forced\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000maze\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000Lunk\u3000pulled\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000just\u3000as\u3000they\u3000grounded\u3000VTOL\u3000style\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000knelt\u3000in\u3000a\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000of\u3000twisting\uff1b\u3000still\u2026burning\u3000Controller\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000was\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000thick\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stench\u3000of\u3000incinerated\u3000organic\u3000material\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000reek\u3000of\u3000the\u3000disintegrating\u3000matter\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3002\u3000The\u3000pilots\u3000jumped\u3000down\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000both\u3000coughed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000foulness\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000last\u3000they\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000mound\u3000of\u3000pinkish\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000dim\u3000flashing\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000its\u3000summit\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000dashed\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Gimme\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Sensor\u2026stuff\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000melt\uff1b\u3000in\u3000another\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000pulled\u3000two\u3000bodies\u3000free\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000barely\u3000breathing\u3000when\u3000they\u3000got\u3000him\u3000out\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000shielded\u3000Annie\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000air\u3000pocket\u3000he\u3000had\u3000formed\u3000with\u3000his\u3000own\u3000body\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000stood\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000down\uff1b\u3000not\u3000moving\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000about\u3000to\u3000speak\uff1b\u3000then\u3000was\u3000silent\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000never\u3000took\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000of\u3000Rand\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000last\u3000Rand’s\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3002\u3000\u3003W\u2026what\u3000took\u3000you\u3000so\u3000long\uff1b\u3000pal\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000features\u3000back\u3000into\u3000their\u3000normal\u3000unconcerned\uff1b\u3000uncaring\u3000expression\u3002\u3000And\u3000so\u3000when\u3000Rand\u3000eagerly\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000casual\u3000look\u3002\u3000He\u3000still\u3000managed\u3000a\u3000smile\uff1b\u3000grateful\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000crawled\u3000back\u3000in\u3000under\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000offal\u3000before\u3000admitting\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000called\u3000over\uff1b\u3000\u3003Annie\u3000sez\u3000she’ll\u3000be\u3000all\u3000right\u3000once\u3000she\u3000brushes\u3000her\u3000teeth\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000already\u3000pushing\u3000Scott\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000clearing\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000goo\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000H90\uff1b\u3000weaving\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ve\u3000had\u3000it\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000gonna\u3000slaughter\u3000those\u3000walking\u3000tin\u3000latrines\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000steadied\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000lurched\u3000away\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000Scott\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000at\u3000a\u3000lower\u3000entrance\u3000to\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000dome\u3000where\u3000empty\u3000mecha\u3000waited\u3000in\u3000fetal\u3000repose\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000whistled\u3000low\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000an\u3000incubator\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000his\u3000pistol\u3002\u3000\u3003Whatever\u3000it\u3000is\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000history\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSomething\u3000inside\u3000him\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000should\u3000be\u3000off\u3000somewhere\u3000ferreting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000the\u3000drones\u3000themselves\u3000were\u3000created\u2026that\u3000he\u3000should\u3000be\u3000wiring\u3000that\u3000place\u3000up\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000explosives\u3000in\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000he\u3000just\u3000wasn’t\u3000made\u3000that\u3000way\u3002\u3000The\u3000drones\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000their\u3000grotesqueness\uff1b\u3000were\u3000living\u3000things\u3002\u3000And\u3000without\u3000their\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000nothing\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000fired\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hemisphere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dome\u2026the\u3000thing\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000so\u3000much\u3000like\u3000the\u3000first\u3000instant\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nuclear\u3000explosion\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000quite\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000that\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000was\u3000fragile\u3000as\u3000stained\u3000glass\u3002\u3000Sections\u3000of\u3000it\u3000geysered\uff1b\u3000then\u3000caved\u3000in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3000roiled\u3000forth\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000it\u3000in\u3000stonefaced\u3000satisfaction\u3000when\uff1b\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000Marlene’s\u3000screech\u3000echoed\u3000to\u3000them\u3000down\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000halls\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000raced\u3000back\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000others\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000help\uff1b\u3000without\u3000any\u3000effect\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Marlene\u3000knelt\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000She\u3000wept\u3000that\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000stand\u3000it\u2026though\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000Lunk\u3000wondered\u3000aloud\u3000what\u3000could\u3000be\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000Marlene’s\u3000seizures\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000answered\u3000until\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000wish\u3000I\u3000knew\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Bad\u3000news\uff1b\u3000guys\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000their\u3000unease\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000by\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000examining\u3000its\u3000beeping\u3000displays\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000Invid\u3000patrol\u3000that\u3000left\u3000the\u3000hive\u3000this\u3000morning\u3000is\u3000on\u3000its\u3000way\u3000home\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000the\u3000time\u3000to\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000the\u3000raid\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000too\u3000long\u3000or\u3000because\u3000the\u3000destruction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000had\u3000alerted\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000people\uff1a\u3000let’s\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000on\u3000the\u3000double\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000take\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000Fighter\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000already\u3000off\u3000and\u3000running\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000hovered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000racing\u3000his\u3000engine\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000\u3003Listen\u3000up\uff1a\u3000you\u3000either\u3000break\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000rat’s\u3000nest\u3000now\uff1b\u3000or\u3000you\u3000spend\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000your\u3000lives\u3000as\u3000sharecroppers\u3000on\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000Protoculture\u3000farm\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000d’you\u3000mean\u3000\u2018you’\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000challenged\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000Bernard\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000doing\u3000while\u3000we’re\u3000busting\u3000out\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sound\u3000matter\u2026of\u2026fact\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000got\u3000us\u3000into\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Nobody’s\u3000arguing\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shot\u3000back\u3002
\n
\n\u3003As\u3000you\u3000were\uff01\u3000So\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000my\u3000place\u3000to\u3000take\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000off\u3000you\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000block\u3000the\u3000front\u3000door\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000lollygag\u3000getting\u3000out\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000thrusters\u3000lit\u3000like\u3000blue\u3000novas\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3000sprang\u3000away\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000elevated\u3000conduit\u2026passageways\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\uff1b\u3000we\u3000should\u3000back\u3000him\u3000up\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000on\u3000his\u3000thinking\u3000cap\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Let\u3000him\u3000go\uff1b\u3000country\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000he’ll\u3000be\u3000fine\uff01\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ve\u3000got\u3000enough\u3000problems\u3000of\u3000our\u3000own\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000mechamorphosed\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3000mode\u3000as\u3000he\u3000zoomed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000shattered\u3000main\u3000gate\u3002\u3000He\u3000met\u3000the\u3000first\u3000of\u3000the\u3000returning\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000with\u3000blasts\u3000from\u3000the\u3000mecha’s\u3000massive\u3000rifle\/cannon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000weapon\u3000with\u3000a\u3000muzzle\u3000as\u3000wide\u3000as\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000drain\u3002\u3000The\u3000enemy\u3000flight\u3000was\u3000ing\u3000head\u2026on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000little\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000blasted\u3000the\u3000first\u3000ship\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000scattered\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000near\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000they\u3000came\u3000at\u3000him\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000Frisbeeing\u3000their\u3000annihilation\u3000discs\u3002\u3000He\u3000ducked\u3000into\u3000a\u3000side\u3000passageway\uff1b\u3000an\u3000upright\u3000Battloid\uff1b\u3000back\u3000and\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000gushing\u3000blue\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000dove\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000game\u3000of\u3000evade\u3000and\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000ambush\u3000and\u3000run\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000unrelenting\uff1b\u3000attacking\u3000him\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000advantage\u3000of\u3000standing\u3000or\u3000fleeing\u3000as\u3000he\u3000chose\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000last\u3000he\u3000darted\u3000like\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000wasp\u3000into\u3000a\u3000corridor\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000an\u3000intense\u3000light\u3002\u3000At\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3000stood\u3000two\u3000Scout\u3000guards\uff1b\u3000so\u3000surprised\u3000at\u3000his\u3000appearance\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000slow\u3000to\u3000react\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000knocked\u3000them\u3000off\u3000their\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000plunged\u3000backward\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000attain\u3000a\u3000useful\u3000flying\u3000attitude\u3002\u3000They\u3000tumbled\u3000and\u3000thrashed\u3000to\u3000their\u3000doom\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000place\u3000that\u3000was\u3000miles\u3000wide\u3002\u3000In\u3000its\u3000center\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tremendous\u3000globe\u3000that\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ancient\u3000ones\u3000in\u3000dance\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000that\u3000reflected\u3000light\u3002\u3000Only\uff1b\u3000this\u3000one\u3000was\u3000wired\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Invid\u3000Robotech\u3000hardware\u3000and\u3000organic\u3000wetware\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000central\u3000power\u3000core\u3000for\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff01
\n
\nPincer\u3000Ships\u3000entered\u3000the\u3000spherical\u3000vastness\u3000from\u3000three\u3000different\u3000conduits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000run\u3000down\u3000his\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000eyeballed\u3000the\u3000power\u3000core\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000spotting\u3000a\u3000glowing\u3000circular\u3000opening\u3000or\u3000access\u3000port\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000across\u3002\u3000Through\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000scintillating\u3000mysteries\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000Protoculture\u3000technology\u3002\u3000His\u3000puters\u3000told\u3000him\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000equivalent\u3000of\u3000a\u3000main\u3000control\u3000matrix\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000made\u3000his\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000roared\u3000toward\u3000it\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000noted\u3000his\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000drove\u3000toward\u3000him\u3000at\u3000full\u3000acceleration\uff1b\u3000claws\u3000outstretched\u3000to\u3000grip\u3000and\u3000rend\uff1b\u3000since\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\u3000fire\u3000there\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000fooled\u3000them\u3000by\u3000hitting\u3000the\u3000core’s\u3000outer\u3000hull\uff1b\u3000absorbing\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000mighty\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000springing\u3000away\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000mecha\u3000couldn’t\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000felt\u3000no\u3000such\u3000punctions\u3002\u3000He\u3000whirled\u3000in\u3000midair\u3000and\u3000dispatched\u3000six\u3000air\u2026to\u2026ground\u3000Bludgeon\u3000missiles\u3000from\u3000his\u3000right\u3000and\u3000left\u3000shoulder\u3000pods\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pincers\u3000dodged\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000missiles\u3000were\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000them\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Bludgeons\u3000detonated\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000access\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000lanced\u3000through\u3000into\u3000the\u3000power\u3000core’s\u3000innards\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000already\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000Battloid\u3000on\u3000its\u3000heel\u3000to\u3000run\u3000like\u3000all\u3000hell\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000FIFTEEN
\n
\nHomer\u3000posited\u3000two\u3000kinds\u3000of\u3000dreams\uff1b\u3000the\u3000\u3003honest\u3003\u3000one\u3000of\u3000Horn\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000\u3003glimmering\u3000illusion\u3003\u3000of\u3000Ivory\u3002\u3000So\u3000Dad\u3000shot\u3000for\u3000Ivory\uff1b\u3000what\u3000else\uff1f
\nMaria\u3000Bartley\u2026Rand\uff1b\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Protoculture
\n
\nThe\u3000core’s\u3000vitals\u3000suddenly\u3000turned\u3000white\u2026hot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000miles\u2026wide\u3000spherical\u3000chamber\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000like\u3000the\u3000interior\u3000of\u3000an\u3000arc\u3000furnace\u3002
\n
\nAlthough\u3000her\u3000Sensor\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000her\u3000remaining\u3000children\u3002\u3000\u3003Control\u3000Matrix\u3000breeched\uff01\u3000Reflex\u3000furnace\u3000overload\uff01\u3003\u3000All\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000all\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000they\u3000would\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000in\u3000their\u3000final\u3000moments\u3002\u3000Gargantuan\u3000sheets\u3000of\u3000electrical\u3000discharge\u3000played\u3000all\u3000through\u3000the\u3000place\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000core\u3000came\u3000apart\u3000at\u3000its\u3000seams\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000soccer\u3000ball\u3000full\u3000of\u3000Tango\u20269\u3000explosive\u3002\u3000The\u3000Pincers\u3000were\u3000vaporized\uff1b\u3000the\u3000explosion\u3000raced\u3000outward\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000again\uff1b\u3000hurtling\u3000along\u3000at\u3000max\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000turns\u3000would\u3000muffle\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Beta\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000Alphas\uff1b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000again\uff1b\u3000hurtling\u3000along\u3000at\u3000max\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000praying\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000turns\u3000would\u3000muffle\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blast\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Beta\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000Alphas\uff1b\u3000shepherding\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000arrowed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000titanic\u3000triangle\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000stronghold’s\u3000rear\u3000gate\u3002\u3000Beyond\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000snowy\u3000Earth\u3000shone\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Nice\u3000of\u3000’em\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000back\u3000door\u3000open\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000felt\u3000her\u3000flesh\u3000goosebump\u3000as\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000the\u3000light\u3000was\u3000dwindling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000halves\u3000of\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000triangle’s\u3000door\u3000were\u3000sliding\u3000in\u3000from\u3000either\u3000side\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000not\u3000for\u3000long\uff01\u3003\u3000cried\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000\u3003Lunk\uff1b\u3000hurry\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000floored\u3000the\u3000accelerator\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000a\u3000few\u3000buttons\u3002\u3000\u3003Can’t\u3000make\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000leapt\u3000ahead\u3000in\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000disputed\u3000that\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000to\u3000e\u3000through\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000one\u3000wingtip\uff1b\u3000the\u3000APC\u3000almost\u3000got\u3000its\u3000tailpipe\u3000caught\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000all\u3000made\u3000it\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000massive\u3000door\u3000halves\u3000ground\u3000shut\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000think\u3000that\u3000one\u3000took\u3000some\u3000paint\u3000off\u3000my\u3000baby\uff1b\u3000here\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000cheerily\uff1b\u3000patting\u3000her\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000just\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000control\u3000his\u3000trembling\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000either\u3000meditating\uff1b\u3000praying\uff1b\u3000or\u3000passed\u3000out\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000looked\u3000atose\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000glanced\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3002
\n
\nC’mon\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01
\n
\n
\nSomehow\uff1b\u3000being\u3000slammed\u3000against\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000dribbled\u3000along\u3000the\u3000deck\u3000for\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000hadn’t\u3000destroyed\u3000the\u3000superstrong\u3000Battloid\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000from\u3000the\u3000reflex\u3000furnace\u3000had\u3000shaken\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000mountain\u3000and\u3000had\u3000fissured\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000floors\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ceilings\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000been\u3000relatively\u3000contained\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000was\u3000registering\u3000secondary\u3000explosions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000every\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000the\u3000core\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000explode\u3000again\u3000with\u3000an\u3000even\u3000more\u3000spectacular\u3000Big\u3000Bang\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000tail\uff1b\u3000a\u3000fireball\u3000even\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000the\u3000first\u3002\u3000His\u3000sensors\u3000picked\u3000it\u3000up\u3000even\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000jetting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000secondary\u3000reargate\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000find\u3000the\u3000main\u3002\u3000Fast\u3000as\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000had\u3000no\u3000chance\u3000of\u3000outrunning\u3000the\u3000flashflood\u3000of\u3000utter\u3000destruction\u3000for\u3000long\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000the\u3000bad\u3000news\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000he\u3000was\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000was\u3000closed\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000let\u3000the\u3000gate\u3000have\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\uff1b\u3000his\u3000only\u3000hope\u3000being\u3000to\u3000break\u3000through\u3002\u3000No\u3000room\u3000for\u3000explosives\uff1b\u3000he\u3000fired\u3000pumped\u2026lasers\u3002
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1a\u3000make\u2026it\u2026or\u2026break\u2026it\u3000time\uff01\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000all\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000valve\u3000before\u3000him\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wash\u3000of\u3000demonfire\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000was\u3000through\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Battloid\u3000thrown\u3000into\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000like\u3000a\u3000marionette\u3000fired\u3000out\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mortar\u3002\u3000But\u3000somehow\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000colossus\u3000held\u3000together\uff1b\u3000straightened\u3000itself\uff1b\u3000and\u3000regained\u3000flying\u3000posture\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000core\u3000explosion\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000open\u3000air\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000as\u3000if\u3000somebody\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000floodgate\u3000into\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000a\u3000star\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000dazedly\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000image\u3000his\u3000mecha\u3000along\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000him\u3000wonderingly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tasting\u3000the\u3000special\u3000sweetness\u3000of\u3000being\u3000alive\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000what\u3002\u3002\u3002do\u3002\u3002\u3002you\u3002\u3002\u3002know\uff01\u3000He\u3000went\u3000down\u3000to\u3000join\u3000the\u3000others\u3002
\n
\n
\nDown\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000cheered\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000shook\u3000to\u3000its\u3000roots\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000but\u3000even\u3000he\u3000nodded\u3000approval\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Marlene\u3000only\u3000watched\u3000dully\uff1b\u3000hearing\u3000the\u3000distant\u3000wailing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000to\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000somewhere\u3000thousands\u3000upon\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000drones\u3000had\u3000been\u3000consumed\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000the\u3000horrible\u3000things\u3000their\u3000quickening\u3000would\u3000have\u3000meant\u3000for\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000feel\u3000pity\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000stronghold\u3000itself\u3000began\u3000to\u3000sink\uff1b\u3000subsiding\u3000into\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000the\u3000way\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000above\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\u3000had\u3000subsided\u3002\u3000Passes\u3000everywhere\u3000were\u3000blocked\u3000with\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000shaken\u3000down\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fortress’s\u3000passing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000now\u3000the\u3000way\u3000was\u3000open\u3000for\u3000any\u3000who\u3000might\u3000want\u3000to\u3000e\u3000after\uff1b\u3000for\u3000anyone\u3000who\u3000had\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000the\u3000south\u3000and\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000try\u3000a\u3000new\u3000life\u3002
\n
\nWho\u3000knows\uff1f\u3000Annie\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000there\u3000is\u3000a\u3000Paradise\uff01
\n
\nFar\u3000below\u3000the\u3000snow\u3000line\u3000they\u3000found\u3000a\u3000lake\u3000that\uff1b\u3000though\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000wele\u3000place\u3000of\u3000respite\u3002\u3000In\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000her\u3000much\u2026touted\u3000bikini\u3000covered\u3000by\u3000a\u3000T\u2026shirt\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000in\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000in\u3000bra\u3000and\u3000panties\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000wash\u3000off\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000and\u3000the\u3000deaths\u3000and\u3000the\u3000killing\u3002\u3000In\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000her\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000a\u3000splash\u2026fight\u3002\u3000Both\u3000of\u3000them\u3000loved\u3000it\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000their\u3000lips\u3000were\u3000turning\u3000purple\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000grassy\u3000shore\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000in\u3000bewilderment\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000if\u3000she\u3000could\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000this\u3000inprehensible\u3000behavior\u3000it\u3000would\u3000help\u3000her\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000all\u3000the\u3000other\u3000enigmas\u3000that\u3000were\u3000her\u3000life\u3002\u3000Thus\u3000far\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000simply\u3000gone\u3000along\u3000with\u3000the\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000found\u3000her\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spore\u3000borne\u3000on\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000But\u3000was\u3000that\u3000what\u3000she\u3000should\u3000be\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000even\u3000if\u3000it\u3000did\u3000feel\u3000appropriate\uff1f\u3000Nothing\u3000made\u3000any\u3000sense\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000men\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000ease\u3000after\u3000setting\u3000up\u3000camp\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000pointedly\u3000informed\u3000them\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000ladies\u3000first\u3000in\u3000the\u3000bath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000their\u3000turn\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\uff1b\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000\u3003Poor\u3000Marlene\u3002\u3000All\u3000those\u3000attacks\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000they\u3000are\u3002\u3000And\u3000she\u3000still\u3000hasn’t\u3000pulled\u3000out\u3000of\u3000that\u3000amnesia\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000we\u3000could\u3000do\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000in\u3000her\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000also\u3000easy\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000focus\u3000just\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000and\u3000watch\u3000Rook\u3000splashing\u3000around\u3000in\u3000that\u3000skimpy\u3000outfit\uff1b\u3000which\uff1b\u3000drenched\u3000in\u3000water\uff1b\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000transparent\u3002\u3000His\u3000breathing\u3000became\u3000a\u3000little\u3000ragged\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Don’t\u3000push\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000been\u3000through\u3000some\u3000pretty\u3000rough\u3000times\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000got\u3000problems\u3000she’s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000work\u3000through\uff1b\u3000who\u3000doesn’t\uff1f\u3000She’ll\u3000open\u3000up\u3000when\u3000she’s\u3000ready\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000was\u3000eyeing\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000the\u3000matter\u3000of\u3000Marlene’s\u3000naming\uff1b\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000things\u3000the\u3000team\u3000leader\u3000was\u3000working\u3000through\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000hollering\u3000for\u3000Marlene\u3000to\u3000e\u3000in\u3000and\u3000join\u3000the\u3000fun\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000c’mon\u3000girl\u3002\u3000It’ll\u3000do\u3000you\u3000good\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCold\u3000water\u3000immersion\u3000therapy\uff1f\u3000Rand\u3000wondered\u3002\u3000I\u3000could\u3000use\u3000some\u3000right\u3000about\u3000now\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000his\u3000predicament\u3000got\u3000even\u3000worse\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000to\u3000Annie’s\u3000invitation\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hesitant\uff1b\u3000unsure\u3000voice\u2026as\u3000if\u3000plying\u3000came\u3000more\u3000easily\u3000than\u3000deciding\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000began\u3000shedding\u3000clothes\u3000as\u3000innocently\u3000as\u3000a\u3000child\u3002\u3000All\u3000four\u3000men\u3000stared\uff1b\u3000bug\u2026eyed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Rand\u3000who\u3000choked\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003Marlene\uff1b\u3000stop\u3000that\uff01\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000give\u3000me\u3000a\u3000cardiac\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000she\u3000was\u3000already\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hear\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000on\u3000her\u3000skin\uff1b\u3000her\u3000fine\uff1b\u3000waistlength\u3000red\u3000hair\u3000stirred\u3000by\u3000the\u3000breeze\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000slim\u2026but\u3000full\uff1b\u3000flawless\u3000female\u3000body\u3000Rand\u3000remembered\u3000so\u3000well\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000at\u3002
\n
\nFramed\u3000there\u3000against\u3000the\u3000mountains\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000gleaming\u3000from\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000thought\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000somehow\u3000a\u3000higher\u3000being\u3002\u3000She\u3000seemed\u3000finer\u3000than\u3000other\u3000Humans\u2026a\u3000creature\u3000possessed\u3000by\u3000an\u3000unconscious\u3000beauty\u3000and\u3000a\u3000natural\u3000grace\u3000so\u3000overwhelming\u3000that\u3000it\u3000caused\u3000an\u3000ache\u3000in\u3000your\u3000heart\u3000just\u3000to\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000left\u3000you\u3000changed\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000gently\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000Rand\u3000by\u3000the\u3000earlobe\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000his\u3000raving\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000you\u3000know\u3000it’s\u3000not\u3000polite\u3000to\u3000stare\u3000at\u3000a\u3000lady\uff1f\u3000You\u3000might\u3000make\u3000her\u3000feel\u3000self\u2026conscious\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000who’d\u3000know\u3000better\u3000than\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Lunk\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000unkindly\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ow\uff01\u3000Okay\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000yelping\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000squirm\u3000out\u3000of\u3000Lancer’s\u3000hold\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\uff01\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3000again\uff01\u3000Uh\uff1b\u3000but\u3000maybe\u3000what\u3000I\u3000need’s\u3000a\u3000swim\u2026\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000shoved\u3000him\u3000over\u3000in\u3000mock\u3000disgust\u3002\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000having\u3000watched\u3000from\u3000the\u3000lake\uff1b\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000scowling\u3002
\n
\nGawdamn\u3000hick\uff01
\n
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000all\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000interlude\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lake\u3000wistfully\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3000Their\u3000route\u3000soon\u3000descended\u3000to\u3000a\u3000sandblown\u3000desert\u3000region\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000appear\u3000on\u3000twentieth\u2026century\u3000maps\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000desert\u3000more\u3000resembling\u3000those\u3000of\u3000North\u3000America\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000that\u3000had\u3000existed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000South\u3000before\u3000the\u3000devastations\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\uff1b\u3000Robotech\u3000Master\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000terrain\u3000and\u3000climate\u3000hampered\u3000their\u3000rate\u3000of\u3000travel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000activity\u3000was\u3000much\u3000more\u3000of\u3000a\u3000problem\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000wake\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3000raid\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000saturation\u3000patrols\u3000scouring\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000for\u3000them\u2026consisting\u3000mainly\u3000of\u3000immense\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000now\uff1b\u3000with\u3000Pincers\u3000and\u3000Scouts\u3000in\u3000support\u3000roles\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000were\u3000concentrating\u3000a\u3000great\u3000deal\u3000of\u3000their\u3000resources\u3000on\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000began\u3000to\u3000fear\u3000the\u3000team\u3000had\u3000attracted\u3000a\u3000fatal\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000itself\u3002\u3000What\u3000none\u3000of\u3000them\u3000could\u3000know\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000was\u3000also\u3000enraged\u3000and\u3000frustrated\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000contact\u3000with\u3000her\u3000Simulagent\u2026Marlene\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000came\u3000a\u3000time\u3000when\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000held\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000cave\u3000as\u3000a\u3000sandstorm\u3000raged\u3000outside\u3000and\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000paced\u3000the\u3000desert\u3000outside\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000their\u3000trail\u3002\u3000Though\u3000it\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000broad\u3000daylight\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sand\u2026red\u3000dusk\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000that\u3000tinted\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000layered\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000making\u3000their\u3000world\u3000monochrome\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000ill\u3000once\u3000they\u3000had\u3000e\u3000down\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000desert\uff1b\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000in\u3000a\u3000a\uff1b\u3000shivering\u3000in\u3000her\u3000sleeping\u3000bag\u3002\u3000In\u3000reality\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000suffering\u3000a\u3000delayed\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000the\u3000impact\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sensor’s\u3000destruction\u3000and\u3000the\u3000PSI\u3000emanations’\u3000impact\u3000on\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000their\u3000water\u3000supply\u3000was\u3000virtually\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000their\u3000main\u3000supply\uff1b\u3000in\u3000jerry\u3000cans\u3000rigged\u3000to\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000shot\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000brief\u3000skirmish\u3000when\u3000they\u3000made\u3000their\u3000dash\u3000from\u3000the\u3000high\u3000country\u3002\u3000Morale\u3000was\u3000so\u3000bad\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000blamed\u3000Lunk\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000in\u3000turn\u3000jumped\u3000all\u3000over\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000the\u3000argument\u3000almost\u3000had\u3000them\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other’s\u3000throat\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000blow\u3000over\u3000so\u3000much\u3000as\u3000spread\u3000to\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000and\u3000hearing\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000being\u3000crowded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000with\u3000their\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000in\u3000everything\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000endless\u3000howl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000last\u3000Marlene\u3000cried\u3000out\u3000in\u3000her\u3000fever\u2026dream\u3000and\u3000startled\u3000everyone\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000some\u3000shamefaced\u3000apologies\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000knelt\u3000to\u3000squeeze\u3000some\u3000moisture\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000from\u3000a\u3000rag\u2026twisted\u3000bit\u3000of\u3000cactus\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000at\u3000the\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000the\u3000juice\u3000and\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000its\u3000sour\u3000flavor\uff1b\u3000smiled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000gratefully\uff1b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ully\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000adoringly\u3002\u3000Outside\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rumble\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000thrusters\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000wind\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000went\u3000to\u3000search\u3000elsewhere\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000smiling\u3000back\uff1b\u3000losing\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000those\u3000mysterious\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000even\u3000chuckling\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000others\u3000weren’t\u3000laughing\uff1b\u3000they\u3000accused\u3000him\u2026absurdly\u2026of\u3000keeping\u3000the\u3000information\u3000about\u3000cactus\u3000moisture\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000fists\u3000cocked\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000guy\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3000win\u3000around\u3000you\u3000people\uff1b\u3000can\u3000he\uff1f\u3000Any\u3000Forager\u3000knows\u3000that\u3000trick\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000I\u3000just\u3000assumed\u3000you\u3000weren’t\u3000so\u3000dumb\u3000you’d\u3000just\u3000die\u3000of\u3000dehydration\u3000when\u3000there’re\u3000cactus\u3000all\u3000around\u3000out\u3000there\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000you\u3000see\u3000me\u3000holding\u3000out\uff1f\u3000No\uff01\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000what\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000or\u3000are\u3000you\u3000all\u3000blind\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000wait\uff01\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000him\u3000sharply\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000note\u3000of\u3000alarm\u3000in\u3000it\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000want\u3000cactus\uff1f\u3000You’ll\u3000get\u3000it\uff01\u3003\u3000She\u3000would\u3000have\u3000gone\u3000with\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000hate\u2026mask\u3000expression\u3000made\u3000it\u3000plain\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000no\u3000mood\u3000for\u3000pany\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000go\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000study\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000back\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fitful\u3000sleep\u3002
\n
\nEven\u3000with\u3000his\u3000goggles\u3000on\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000all\u3000but\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000the\u3000storm\u3002\u3000He\u3000counted\u3000his\u3000steps\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000layout\u3000of\u3000the\u3000area\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000gotten\u3000thirty\u3000yards\u3000before\u3000he\u3000fell\u3000off\u3000the\u3000lip\u3000of\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000sandpit\u3002\u3000He\u3000rolled\u3000and\u3000tumbled\u3000down\u3000its\u3000side\uff1b\u3000scraping\u3000skin\u3000and\u3000having\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000knocked\u3000from\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nBack\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cave\uff1b\u3000Marlene’s\u3000eyes\u3000suddenly\u3000opened\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000though\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000busy\u3000making\u3000plans\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000notice\u3002\u3000The\u3000howl\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000blotted\u3000out\u3000her\u3000one\u3000soft\u3000cry\uff1b\u3000\u3003Rand\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000fine\u3000until\u3000an\u3000outcropping\u3000of\u3000sandstone\u3000grazed\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3000stars\uff1b\u3000and\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000desert\uff1b\u3000no\u3000earth\uff1b\u3000no\u3000nothing\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000in\u3000fact\u3000cactus\u3000and\u3000other\u3000plants\u3000near\u3000where\u3000his\u3000body\u3000lay\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000took\u3000root\u3000where\u3000it\u3000willed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000predictable\u3000pattern\u3000or\u3000limitation\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000out\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000miniature\u3000garden\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000with\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tripartite\u3000Flowers\u3000crushed\u3000under\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000sandstorm\u3000had\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000beat\u3000of\u3000great\uff1b\u3000leathery\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000a\u3000very\u3000special\u3000voice\u3000crying\u3000his\u3000name\uff1b\u3000roused\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000a\u3000night\u3000sky\uff1b\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000a\u3000dragon\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000And\u3000in\u3000its\u3000right\u3000forepaw\uff1b\u3000amid\u3000gleaming\u3000claws\u3000like\u3000sabers\uff1b\u3000it\u3000held\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Marlene\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\u3002
\n
\nWhat\u3000the\u3000flamin’\uff1b\u3000flyin’\u2026\u3003Stop\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000his\u3000Cyc\u3000materialized\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3002\u3000The\u3000mechabike\u3000took\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000suddenly\u3000he\u3000was\u3000in\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000riding\u3000across\u3000a\u3000rectilinear\u3000landscape\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000to\u3000Cyclone\u3000Guardian\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000had\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000couldn’t\u3000shoot\u3000without\u3000risking\u3000hitting\u3000Marlene\u3002\u3000The\u3000dragon\u3000faked\u3000him\u3000out\u3000with\u3000a\u3000snap\u3000of\u3000its\u3000jaws\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000dart\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000recover\u3000as\u3000Marlene\u3000yelled\u3000for\u3000him\u3000to\u3000save\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nHis\u3000back\u3000burners\u3000ignited\u3000as\u3000he\u3000climbed\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000for\u3000Round\u3000Two\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I’m\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000bulldogged\u3000the\u3000dragon\uff1b\u3000assisted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000powered\u3000suit\u3002\u3000The\u3000monster’s\u3000saliva\u3000ate\u3000at\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000like\u3000acid\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000’er\u3000go\uff1b\u3000ya\u3000oversized\u3000iguana\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000falling\uff1b\u3000wailing\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000went\u3000after\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000meteor\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000was\u3000hot\u3000on\u3000their\u3000trail\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000again\uff1b\u3000no\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000and\u3000evading\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000blew\u3000flamethrower\u3000shots\u3000at\u3000them\u3002\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000cheek\u3000pressed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000listen\uff1a\u3000maybe\u3000this\u3000isn’t\u3000happening\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Huh\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Maybe\u3000you’re\u3000dreaming\u3000all\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000like\u3000that\u3000idea\u3000better\u3000than\u3000being\u3000crazy\u3000as\u3000a\u3000restroom\u3000rodent\uff01\u3003\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000nice\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000middle\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000firedrake\u3000stayed\u3000in\u3000their\u3000six\u3000o’clock\u3000position\u3000over\u3000a\u3000Frazetta\u2026scape\u3000of\u3000crags\uff1b\u3000peaks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dire\u3000moors\u3002\u3000It\u3000birddogged\u3000them\u3000through\u3000a\u3000long\u3000cave\u3000with\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000light\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reliving\u3000his\u3000birth\u3000trauma\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000all\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000was\u3000scared\u3002\u3000It\u3000chased\u3000them\u3000under\u3000an\u3000impossibly\u3000big\uff1b\u3000bright\u3000moon\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Cyc’s\u3000silhouette\u3000resembled\u3000a\u3000certain\u3000oldtime\u3000movie\u3000production\u3000pany\u3000logo\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000it\u3000was\u3000daytime\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desert\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000pursuit\u3000was\u3000still\u3000on\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000the\u3000adoring\u3000look\u3000that\u3000said\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000and\u3000revised\u3000his\u3000opinion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dream\u3002
\n
\nNext\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000somehow\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000had\u3000another\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000strange\u3000attacks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000made\u3000the\u3000connection\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000like\u3000a\u3000telepathic\u3000link\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000other\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000eyeing\u3000the\u3000Sensor\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000why\u3000would\u3000you\u3000be\u3000so\u3000strongly\u3000affected\u3000by\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nNo\u3000time\u3000to\u3000wonder\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000was\u3000back\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000around\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000Marlene\u3000to\u3000get\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000realized\u3000she\u3000was\u3000naked\u3000and\u3000unspeakably\u3000beautiful\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000lake\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SIXTEEN
\n
\nA\u3000trillion\u3000light\u2026years\u3000high\uff1b
\nExpanding\u3000primordial\u3000fireball\uff1b
\nYour\u3000Universe\u3000is\u3000still
\nYour\u3000body
\nMingtao\uff1b\u3000Protoculture\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Mecha
\n
\nThis\u3000isn’t\u3000gonna\u3000be\u3000one\u3000of\u3000those\u3000numbers\u3000where\u3000I\u3000find\u3000myself\u3000in\u3000school\u3000with\u3000no\u3000pants\u3000on\uff1b\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3000Rand\u3000wondered\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000clothed\uff1b\u3000was\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Lizard\u3000Lounge\u3002\u3000Appropriately\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000showed\u3000up\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000wasn’t\u3000mired\u3000in\u3000mud\uff1b\u3000he\u3000accelerated\u3000away\u3000past\u3000dueling\u3000dinosaurs\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000dodge\u3000some\u3000Shock\u3002\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000I\u3000told\u3000Scott\u3000there\u3000were\u3000Invid\u3000here\uff01\u3000\u3003I\u3000get\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000this\u3000is\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000laboratory\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000whose\u3000hands\u3000pressed\u3000him\u3000tighter\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000experimenting\u3000with\u3000the\u3000evolutionary\u3000processes\u3000of\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000But\u3000why\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nA\u3000ridge\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000to\u3000send\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000head\u3000over\u3000heels\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000had\u3000crawled\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000cradle\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000she\u3000groaned\uff1b\u3000\u3003You\u3000mustn’t\u3000fight\u3000with\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\uff1f\u3000What’s\u3000she\u3000telling\u3000me\uff1b\u3000here\uff1f\u3000\u3003The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\u3000just\u3000don’t\u3000see\u3000eye\u3000to\u3000eye\u3002\u3000I\u3000honestly\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000our\u3000lives\u2026any\u3000of\u3000us\u2026mean\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rand\u3002\u3002\u3002water\uff1b\u3000please\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000when\u3000he\u3000fetched\u3000it\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000sip\u3002\u3000He\u3000brought\u3000some\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000pressed\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000kissing\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000opened\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000laughed\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000joke\u3002\u3000\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000in\u3000some\u3000places\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000mean\u3000we\u3000were\u3000engaged\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000roar\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000filled\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000as\u3000it\u3000came\u3000at\u3000them\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bomber\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000off\u3000again\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3000Off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3000was\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000leering\u3000over\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000once\u3000more\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Genesis\u3000Pit\uff1b\u3000speaking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Look\uff1b\u3000Human\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000of\u3000truth\u3000and\u3000tremble\uff1b\u3000for\u3000it\u3000is\u3000your\u3000doom\u3000that\u3000you\u3000will\u3000see\u3000there\u3002\u3000Even\u3000now\u3000the\u3000final\u3000chapter\u3000of\u3000your\u3000people\u3000is\u3000being\u3000written\u3000in\u3000the\u3000great\u3000Book\u3000of\u3000Time\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000wasn’t\u3000finished\u3002\u3000\u3003Once\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000race\uff1b\u3000content\u3000with\u3000our\u3000own\u3000existence\u3002\u3000But\u3000with\u3000our\u3000world\u3000destroyed\uff1b\u3000our\u3000Flowers\u3000stolen\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000changed\u3000forever\u3002\u3000And\u3000once\u3000we\u3000have\u3000conquered\u3000the\u3000Universe\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000rise\u2026we\u3000shall\u3000ascend\u3000beyond\u3000the\u3000physical\u3002\u3000We\u3000shall\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000higher\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000race\u3000of\u3000pure\u3000intellect\uff1b\u3000pure\u3000spirit\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000saw\u3000again\u3000those\u3000mindshapes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000flames\u3000called\u3000up\u3000by\u3000the\u3000possessed\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000Somehow\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000very\u3000dwelling\u3000place\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000though\u3000he\u3000could\u3000not\u3000see\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003So\u3000we\u3000have\u3000e\u3000here\uff1b\u3000to\u3000regenerate\uff1b\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Earth\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dying\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000Humanity\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000ashes\u3000of\u3000your\u3000people\u3000we\u3000shall\u3000arise\uff1b\u3000reborn\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Phoenix\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dream\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000got\u3000even\u3000weirder\u3002\u3000The\u3000dragon\u3000snatched\u3000Marlene\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Rand\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000riding\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rescue\u3000with\u3000his\u3000teammates\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000bination\u3000Wagnerian\u2026R\u3002E\u3002\u3000Howard\u3000getups\uff1b\u3000but\u3000using\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000And\u3000even\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000could\u3000fly\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000Rook\u3000seemed\u3000very\u3000displeased\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000
\n
\nCouldn’t\u3000I\u3000just\u3000click\u3000my\u3000Ruby\u3000Slippers\u3000three\u3000times\u3000and\u3000call\u3000it\u3000a\u3000night\uff1f
\n
\nStill\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000great\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000team\u3000to\u3000back\u3000him\u3000up\uff1b\u3000great\u3000to\u3000have\u3000friends\u3002\u3000He\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000new\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000also\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000a\u3000little\u3000lonely\u3000back\u3000there\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000Leaping\u3000Lizard\u3000all\u3000alone\u3002
\n
\nSomewhere\u3000along\u3000the\u3000line\u3000even\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000got\u3000swords\uff1b\u3000gleaming\u3000silvery\u3000ones\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000telephone\u3000poles\u3002\u3000When\u3000that\u3000dragon\u3000came\u3000at\u3000bay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000pureed\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000when\u3000demigoddess\u3000Marlene\u3000had\u3000thanked\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000for\u3000saving\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000were\u3000following\u3000the\u3000Eagles\u3000of\u3000Light\u3000homeward\uff1b\u3000after\u3000having\u3000been\u3000assured\u3000that\u3000a\u3000new\u3000day\u3000was\u3000dawning\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000could\u3000still\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000voice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000ashes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Humans\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000rise\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Phoenix\u3002
\n
\n
\nWhat\u3000happened\u3000subsequently\u3000seemed\u3000dreamlike\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000hurt\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3002\u3000The\u3000sandstorm\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000being\u3000helped\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000by\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000scalp\u3000was\u3000matted\u3000with\u3000blood\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000when\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000look\u3000of\u3000concern\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000reconsidered\u3000the\u3000possibility\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000unconscious\u3002
\n
\nWhen\u3000the\u3000team\u2026except\u3000for\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u2026ran\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000demanding\u3000answers\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000slurring\uff1b\u3000\u3003Listen\uff1b\u3000a\u3000new\u3000day\u3000is\u3000dawning\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Dragon\u3000is\u3000slain\u3000at\u3000last\u3002\u3000Shut\u3000up\u3000and\u3000listen\uff01\u3000The\uff1b\u3000the\u3000day\u3000of\u3000oblivion’s\u3000e\u3000f’r\u3000us\u3000all\u3002\u3000Who\u3000th’\u3000hell\u3000were\u3000we\uff1b\u3000t’believe\u3000we\u3000could\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000Earth\u3000forever\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000crosstalk\u3000and\u3000some\u3000friction\uff1b\u3000some\u3000of\u3000them\u3000mad\u3000at\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000others\u2026especially\u3000Rook\u2026telling\u3000them\u3000to\u3000lay\u3000off\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rand\u3000plowed\u3000on\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000have\u3000e\u3000here\u3000from\u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cosmos\u3000to\u3000regenerate\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000a\u3000new\u3000form\u3002\u3000They\u3000want\u3000to\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000Universe \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000across\u3000the\u3000Cosmos\u3000to\u3000regenerate\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000a\u3000new\u3000form\u3002\u3000They\u3000want\u3000to\u3000rule\u3000the\u3000physical\u3000Universe\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000higher\u3000planes\u3000of\u3000existence\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Wow\uff01\u3000His\u3000brain’s\u3000been\u3000fried\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000whispered\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Naw\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000countered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000boy\u3000just\u3000hasn’t\u3000woken\u3000up\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000therapeutic\u3000slap\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cheek\u3000that\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000enjoy\u3000too\u3000much\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000real\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000deep\u3000breaths\u3000and\u3000started\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000now\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000here\u3002\u3000They’re\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000survive\u3000by\u3000plugging\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Earth’s\u3000evolutionary\u3000system\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000look\u3000at\u3000me\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000hardly\u3000blame\u3000’em\uff01\u3000We’d\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000if\u3000we\u3000faced\u3000racial\u3000extinction\uff01\u3003
\n
\nWhich\u3000we\u3000do\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000close\u3000to\u3000taking\u3000a\u3000swing\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000couldn’t\u3000care\u3000less\u3000whether\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000survive\u3000or\u3000go\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000they\u3000leave\u3000Earth\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000our\u3000planet\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000saying\u3000that\u3000we\u2026\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000you\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000seethed\uff1b\u3000\u3003but\u3000it\u3000seems\u3000to\u3000have\u3000knocked\u3000your\u3000loyalties\u3000out\u3000of\u3000whack\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003He\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000blurted\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000whole\u3000little\u3000field\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000sandstorm\u3000hadn’t\u3000bothered\u3000them\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000bit\u3002\u3003
\n
\nWhile\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000Marlene\uff1f\u3000Is\u3000she\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRook\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000long\u3000seconds\u3000before\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003She’s\u3000still\u3000pretty\u3000weak\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000went\u3000down\u3000on\u3000one\u3000knee\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Under\u3000his\u3000gaze\uff1b\u3000she\u3000stirred\uff1b\u3000wakened\uff1b\u3000smiled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000as\u3000she\u3000had\u3000hours\u3000and\u3000an\u3000eternity\u3000ago\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000look\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000not\u3000a\u3000kiss\uff1b\u3000to\u3000wake\u3000the\u3000sleeping\u3000damsel\u3002
\n
\nWell\uff1b\u3000Fair\u3000Milady\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000you’ll\u3000ever\u3000realize\u3000it\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000and\u3000I\u3000have\u3000just\u3000been\u3000on\u3000quite\u3000a\u3000spin\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000missed\u3000it\u3000for\u3000the\u3000world\u3002
\n
\nRook\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000against\u3000the\u3000cave\u3000wall\u3000with\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000crossed\uff1b\u3000glowered\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000brain\u2026damaged\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000was\u3000no\u3000excuse\u3000to\u3000gaze\u3000up\u3000at\u3000a\u3000bumpkin\u3000like\u3000Rand\u3000with\u3000liquid\uff1b\u3000lambent\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000a\u3000wasteland\u3000Forager\uff01
\n
\n\u3003Hi\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000smiled\u3000down\u3000gently\u3002\u3000And\u3000now\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000scowling\u3002\u3000In\u3000true\u3000military\u3000style\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000bother\u3000to\u3000consider\u3000his\u3000reasons\u3000for\u3000being\u3000irked\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000easier\u3000than\u3000examining\u3000his\u3000feelings\u3000for\u3000Marlene\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000touched\u3000Marlene’s\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000Her\u3000gaze\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000the\u3000eerie\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000truly\u3000been\u3000along\u3000on\u3000the\u3000all\u2026time\u3000championship\u3000motocross\u3000run\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000smiled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000thought\u3000crossed\u3000Rand’s\u3000mind\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000it\u3000Rook\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lying\u3000on\uff1f
\n
\n
\nEventually\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000fatalistically\u3000expected\uff1b\u3000a\u3000patrol\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000spotted\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000jumped\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000right\u3000away\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000knew\u3000little\u3000about\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000suspect\u3000something\u3002\u3000The\u3000simple\u3000fact\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000attention\u3000was\u3000often\u3000diverted\u3000to\u3000matters\u3000elsewhere\u3000in\u3000her\u3000world\u2026embracing\u3000scheme\uff1b\u3000and\u3000offworld\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000Although\u3000the\u3000whereabouts\u3000of\u3000her\u3000Simulagent\u3000and\u3000this\u3000persistently\u3000bothersome\u3000group\u3000of\u3000enemies\u3000were\u3000high\u3000on\u3000her\u3000priorities\u3000list\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000a\u3000staggering\u3000number\u3000of\u3000projects\u3000and\u3000operations\u3000to\u3000control\u3000and\u3000guide\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000knew\u3000was\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000still\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000disaster\u3000if\u3000the\u3000team\u3000could\u3000act\u3000quickly\u3000enough\u3002\u3000Once\u3000more\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000dodged\u3000and\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000barrelrolled\u3000and\u3000spat\u3000missiles\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000battle\u3000took\u3000place\u3000over\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000landscape\u3002\u3000The\u3000place\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000jungle\uff1b\u3000except\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000have\u3000been\u3000roofed\u3000over\u3002\u3000A\u3000translucent\uff1b\u3000shell\u2026like\u3000pink\u3000covering\u3000stretched\u3000over\u3000hundreds\u3000of\u3000square\u3000miles\u3000of\u3000river\u3000valley\u3002\u3000The\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000had\u3000numerous\u3000irregular\u3000openings\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000openings\u3000so\u3000big\u3000that\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000could\u3000fly\u3000in\u3000and\u3000out\u3000virtually\u3000at\u3000will\u3002\u3000But\u3000so\u3000could\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Humans\u3000were\u3000hampered\u3000by\u3000low\u3000Protoculture\u3000levels\u3000and\u3000ordnance\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000they\u3000would\u3000even\u3000have\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000get\u3000them\u3000through\u3000this\u3000latest\u3000mass\u3000dogfight\u3002\u3000But\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000a\u3000tough\uff1b\u3000precise\u3000fighter\u3000jock\uff1b\u3000frugal\u3000with\u3000fuel\u3000and\u3000ammo\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000necessary\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000well\u3002\u3000Trooper\u3000after\u3000Trooper\u3000went\u3000tumbling\uff1b\u3000burning\uff1b\u3000from\u3000the\u3000air\u3000under\u3000the\u3000weird\u3000shell\u2026roof\u3002
\n
\nDown\u3000below\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000were\u3000having\u3000it\u3000a\u3000little\u3000tougher\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000Trooper\u3000noticed\u3000them\u3000and\u3000came\u3000swooping\u3000down\u3000at\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000you\u3000fancy\u3000fly\u2026boys\u3000up\u3000there\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000squawked\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000forgetting\u3000your\u3000friends\u3000here\u3000on\u3000terra\u3000firma\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000broke\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000\u3003ratrace\u3003\u3000and\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000at\u3000deck\u3000level\uff1b\u3000went\u3000after\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000that\u3000was\u3000on\u3000the\u3000APC\u3002\u3000But\u3000suddenly\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000trees\u3000came\u3000at\u3000him\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000zigged\u3000when\u3000I\u3000shoulda\u3000zagged\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000as\u3000retros\u3000proved\u3000insufficient\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000hung\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000treetop\u3002
\n
\nA\u3000disc’s\u3000explosion\u3000overturned\u3000the\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000closed\u3000in\u3000for\u3000the\u3000kill\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000shocked\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000watched\u3002\u3000All\u3000in\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bolt\u3000from\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000VT\u3000cannon\u3000holed\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000through\u3000and\u3000through\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000toppled\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000three\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Rand’s\u3000Beta\u3000hung\u3000like\u3000a\u3000fly\u3000in\u3000web\u3002\u3000\u3003Some\u3000shot\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000beamed\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000was\u3000draped\u3000over\u3000his\u3000instrument\u3000panel\u3000at\u3000an\u3000undignified\u3000angle\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Jeepers\uff1b\u3000what\u3000a\u3000dopey\u3000landing\uff1b\u3003\u3000marveled\u3000Annie\u3002
\n
\nAbove\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000the\u3000others\u3000switched\u3000from\u3000Protoculture\u3000to\u3000reserve\u3000impulse\u3000power\uff1b\u3000and\u3000used\u3000their\u3000jamming\u3000gear\u3000and\u3000spread\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000aerosol\u3000smokescreen\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000dived\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000river\u3000valley’s\u3000\u3003roof\uff1b\u3003\u3000breaking\u3000contact\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000had\u3000hoped\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000went\u3000off\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000mystified\u3000as\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000prey\u3000had\u3000gone\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000group\u3000made\u3000its\u3000camp\u3000and\u3000held\u3000council\u3002\u3000With\u3000power\u3000and\u3000ammo\u3000levels\u3000so\u3000low\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000unveiled\u3000what\u3000he\u3000considered\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000only\u3000workable\u3000plan\u3000for\u3000continuing\u3000the\u3000trip\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002
\n
\n\u3003A\u3000raft\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000exclaimed\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000sipped\u3000from\u3000his\u3000mug\u3002\u3000\u3003There\u3000are\u3000two\u3000things\u3000to\u3000remend\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1a\u3000We’ll\u3000save\u3000what\u3000little\u3000Protoculture\u3000we\u3000have\u3000left\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000won’t\u3000attract\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000by\u3000activating\u3000our\u3000mecha\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000blew\u3000on\u3000his\u3000coffee\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000think\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000brilliant\u3000idea\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000just\u3000let\u3000the\u3000river\u3000do\u3000all\u3000the\u3000work\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000talking\u3000about\u3000one\u3000helluva\u3000raft\uff1b\u3000there\u3002\u3000D’you\u3000know\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000rafts\uff1b\u3000spaceman\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000started\u3000demanding\u3000that\u3000she\u3000be\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000supervise\u3000and\u3000that\u3000the\u3000raft\u3000be\u3000named\u3000in\u3000her\u3000honor\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000scolded\u3000her\u3000and\u3000said\u3000that\u3000this\u3000wasn’t\u3000some\u3000dumb\u3000jungle\u3000movie\u3000where\u3000all\u3000you\u3000need\u3000is\u3000a\u3000couple\u3000of\u3000vines\u3000and\u3000a\u3000coconut\u3002
\n
\nThings\u3000began\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000into\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000signature\u3000free\u2026for\u2026alls\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000stretched\uff1b\u3000and\u3000paced\u3000away\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000\u3003Since\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000the\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000about\u3000marine\u3000engineering\uff1b\u3000I\u3000volunteer\u3000for\u3000lookout\u3000duty\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Probably\u3000afraid\u3000he’ll\u3000break\u3000a\u3000fingernail\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lunk\u3000grunted\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000agreeing\uff1b\u3000\u3003The\u3000guy’s\u3000just\u3000a\u3000lazy\u3000bum\uff1b\u3003\u3000when\u3000something\u3000heavy\u3000tapped\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000handing\u3000him\u3000the\u3000ax\u3002\u3000\u3003Country\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000you\u3000showed\u3000us\u3000your\u3000stuff\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000this\u3000thing’s\u3000a\u3000little\u3000primitive\uff1b\u3000but\u3000at\u3000least\u3000it\u3000works\u3000without\u3000Protoculture\u3002\u3000Just\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000raft\u3000as\u3000a\u3000very\u3000large\u3000ski\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000drank\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000beauty\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000He\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000very\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000serene\u3000world\u3002
\n
\ning\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shore\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fast\u2026moving\u3000stream\uff1b\u3000he\u3000decided\u3000the\u3000current\u3000was\u3000too\u3000swift\u3000for\u3000predators\u3000and\u3000elected\u3000to\u3000bathe\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000stripped\uff1b\u3000taken\u3000soap\u3000and\u3000personal\u3000articles\u3000from\u3000his\u3000belt\u3000pouch\uff1b\u3000and\u3000plunged\u3000in\u3002
\n
\n
\nSeveral\u3000miles\u3000downstream\u3000from\u3000the\u3000team’s\u3000landing\u3000spot\uff1b\u3000another\u3000Invid\u3000stronghold\u3000straddled\u3000the\u3000river\u3000on\u3000five\u3000asymmetrical\u3000legs\u3002\u3000It\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000a\u3000bulbous\u3000insect\u3000with\u3000a\u3000glowing\uff1b\u3000low\u2026hanging\u3000belly\u3002
\n
\nInside\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000like\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000unlike\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fortress\u3002\u3000The\u3000Sensor\u3000there\u3000was\u3000identical\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000in\u3000its\u3000physical\u3000shape\uff1b\u3000but\u3000its\u3000color\u3000was\u3000a\u3000putrid\uff1b\u3000lit\u2026from\u2026within\u3000green\u3002\u3000But\u3000in\u3000one\u3000particular\u3000way\uff1b\u3000this\u3000was\u3000a\u3000very\u3000different\u3000scene\uff1a\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000manifested\u3000herself\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000oval\u3000energy\u3000flux\u3000surrounded\u3000by\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000nimbus\uff1b\u3000its\u3000long\u3000axis\u3000vertical\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000over\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3002\u3000The\u3000mauve\u3000flux\u3000gave\u3000off\u3000solar\u3000prominences\u3000of\u3000light\u3002\u3000Within\u3000it\u3000were\u3000swirling\u3000lights\u3000and\u3000within\u3000the\u3000swirl\uff1b\u3000barely\u3000discernible\u3000in\u3000the\u3000brilliance\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000female\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Our\u3000Matrix\u3000is\u3000now\u3000approaching\u3000the\u3000bio\u2026energy\u3000level\u3000needed\u3000for\u3000transmutation\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRegis\u3000and\u3000Sensor\u3000were\u3000attended\u3000by\u3000several\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000these\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000instructed\uff1b\u3000\u3003Trooper\uff1b\u3000step\u3000forward\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000obeyed\uff1b\u3000somehow\u3000seeming\u3000subdued\u3000despite\u3000its\u3000immense\u3000size\u3000and\u3000armaments\u3002\u3000The\u3000incandescence\u3000played\u3000across\u3000its\u3000armor\u3000as\u3000it\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000its\u3000ruler\u2026deity\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000proved\u3000yourself\u3000time\u3000and\u3000again\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000it\uff1b\u3000\u3003as\u3000both\u3000a\u3000soldier\u3000and\u3000a\u3000shape\u2026changer\u3002\u3000In\u3000both\u3000these\u3000capacities\u3000you\u3000have\u3000helped\u3000ensure\u3000the\u3000survival\u3000of\u3000our\u3000race\u3002\u3000Your\u3000outstanding\u3000achievements\u3000won\u3000you\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000engaging\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000armor\u3000that\u3000now\u3000enfolds\u3000your\u3000being\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000face\u3000was\u3000little\u3000more\u3000than\u3000a\u3000blank\u3000mask\u3000with\u3000shadowed\u3000eye\u3000sockets\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ridge\u3000of\u3000a\u3000nose\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000the\u3000time\u3000has\u3000e\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000continue\u3000your\u3000evolution\uff1b\u3000to\u3000take\u3000the\u3000next\u3000step\u3000upward\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spiral\u3000of\u3000Protogenetic\u3000progress\uff01\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000ready\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Trooper\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000with\u3000its\u3000single\u3000optical\u3000sensor\uff1b\u3000made\u3000a\u3000biotechnic\u3000gurgling\u3000and\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000hunching\u3000bow\u3000of\u3000obeisance\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Very\u3000well\uff01\u3000As\u3000I\u3000have\u3000spoken\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000done\uff01\u3000Prepare\u3000yourself\u3000for\u3000disembodiment\u3000and\u3000transmutation\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000flung\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000green\u3000Sensor\u3000was\u3000aglow\u3002\u3000Energy\u3000crackled\u3000and\u3000sizzled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3002
\n
\nVines\u3000of\u3000living\u3000Protoculture\u3000power\u3000snaked\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000to\u3000envelope\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rictus\u3000of\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000i \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nVines\u3000of\u3000living\u3000Protoculture\u3000power\u3000snaked\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Sensor\u3000to\u3000envelope\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3002\u3000In\u3000another\u3000moment\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rictus\u3000of\u3000agony\uff1b\u3000its\u3000superhard\u3000armor\u3000crumbling\u3000from\u3000it\u3000like\u3000plaster\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000a\u3000globe\u3000of\u3000transplendence\u3002
\n
\nAbruptly\u3000the\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000pulsating\u3000egg\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000solar\u3000fury\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000disembodiment\u3000is\u3000plete\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000decreed\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000yourself\uff1b\u3000unadorned\uff1b\u3000without\u3000identity\uff1b\u3000awaiting\u3000transmutation\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shell\u3000that\u3000will\u3000make\u3000you\u3000invincible\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000egg\u3000beat\u3000like\u3000a\u3000heart\u3002\u3000What\u3000it\u3000held\u3000was\u3000like\u3000the\u3000drone\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000unlike\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000product\u3000of\u3000a\u3000long\u3000evolutionary\u3000progression\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis\u3000gathered\u3000her\u3000indistinct\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000her\u3000blank\u3000breasts\uff1b\u3000palm\u3000to\u3000palm\u3002\u3000\u3003Behold\u3000the\u3000final\u3000stage\u3000in\u3000your\u3000evolution\uff01\u3000Behold\u3000the\u3000Enforcer\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000SEVENTEEN
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000so\u3000fast\u3000they\u3000had\u3000forgotten\u3000something\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000racing\u3000to\u3000save\u3000a\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000particularly\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000species\uff1b\u3000but\u3000nobody\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000said\u3000anybody\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000grateful\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000as\u3000well\u3000that\u3000they\u3000started\u3000getting\u3000used\u3000to\u3000that\u3000fact\u3000then\u3002
\nXandu\u3000Reem\uff1b\u3000A\u3000Stranger\u3000at\u3000Home\uff1a\u3000A\u3000Biography\u3000of\u3000Scott\u3000Bernard
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000anome\u3000hung\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000a\u3000minor\u3000sun\u3000throwing\u3000off\u3000streamers\u3000of\u3000starflare\u3002\u3000She\u3000threw\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000out\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sunlet\u3000was\u3000swallowed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000roaring\u3000pillar\u3000of\u3000ravening\u3000power\u3002\u3000It\u3000burned\u3000upward\u3000like\u3000a\u3000huge\u3000searchlight\u3000beam\uff1b\u3000as\u3000something\u3000took\u3000shape\u3000within\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000light\u3000died\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000revealed\u3002\u3000Twice\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000it\u3000mounted\u3000a\u3000shoulder\u3000cannon\u3000like\u3000theirs\u3000but\u3000had\u3000a\u3000suggestion\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Controller’s\u3000long\u3000muzzle\u3002\u3000Its\u3000claws\u3000were\u3000proportionately\u3000smaller\uff1b\u3000adapted\u3000for\u3000finer\u3000work\uff1b\u3000but\u3000much\u3000more\u3000powerful\u3000than\u3000those\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000standing\u3000around\u3000it\u3000paying\u3000homage\u3002\u3000It\u3000held\u3000all\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Matrix\u3000outpouring\u3000that\u3000had\u3000created\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nIts\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Enforcer\u3000awaited\u3000her\u3000mand\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000clean\u3000water\u3000felt\u3000so\u3000good\u3000that\u3000Lancer\u3000could\u3000almost\u3000believe\u3000he\u3000was\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000o\u2026faro\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bath\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lathered\u3000and\u3000rinsed\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000began\u3000a\u3000little\u3000Musume\u3000exercise\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000his\u3000masters\u3000used\u3000to\u3000give\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nUsing\u3000a\u3000theatrical\u3000depilatory\uff1b\u3000he\u3000removed\u3000the\u3000hair\u3000from\u3000his\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000armpits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000on\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000performed\u3000a\u3000maiden’s\u3000bathing\u3000ritual\uff1b\u3000abandoning\u3000self\u3000for\u3000role\u3002\u3000Each\u3000stylized\u3000gesture\u3000and\u3000movement\u3000would\u3000make\u3000an\u3000audience\u3000believe\u3000in\u3000the\u3000demure\u3000young\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000each\u3000pose\u3000and\u3000motion\uff1b\u3000handed\u3000down\u3000for\u3000centuries\uff1b\u3000contained\u3000a\u3000hundred\u3000subtleties\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Yellow\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000so\u3000clumsy\uff1b\u3000so\u3000out\u2026of\u2026practice\uff01\u3000Surely\u3000Master\u3000Yoshida\u3000would\u3000have\u3000broken\u3000three\u3000sticks\u3000upon\u3000Lancer\u3000by\u3000now\uff01\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000exercise\u3000brought\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000calm\u3000serenity\uff1b\u3000a\u3000reminder\u3000of\u3000gentility\u3000and\u3000the\u3000frailty\u3000of\u3000beauty\u2026a\u3000renewed\u3000faith\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u3000value\u3000and\u3000evasive\u3000exquisiteness\u3000of\u3000life\u3000itself\u3002
\n
\nYellow\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bath\uff1b\u3000still\u3000moving\u3000with\u3000the\u3000grace\u3000of\u3000the\u3000art\u3002\u3000She\u3000held\u3000a\u3000towel\u3000close\u3000for\u3000modesty\uff1b\u3000even\u3000in\u3000that\u3000solitary\u3000place\u3002\u3000She\u3000bed\u3000her\u3000long\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3000out\u3000carefully\u3000with\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000stretched\u3000out\uff1b\u3000stomach\u3000down\uff1b\u3000towel\u3000wound\u3000around\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000to\u3000nap\u3000in\u3000the\u3000warm\u3000sunlight\u3000that\u3000found\u3000its\u3000way\u3000down\u3000through\u3000gaps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000jungle\u3000roof\u3000and\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000canopy\u3002
\n
\nGradually\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000reemerged\uff1b\u3000working\u3000on\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000of\u3000how\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000Had\u3000Scott’s\u3000single\u2026mindedness\u3000blinded\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drawbacks\u3000in\u3000his\u3000rafting\u3000scheme\uff1f
\n
\nA\u3000sudden\u3000sound\u3000made\u3000him\u3000look\u3000up\uff1b\u3000all\u3000freedom\u3000fighter\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000someone\u3000had\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000up\u3000on\u3000him\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000never\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000Lancer\u3000before\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000a\u3000knobby\u3000branch\uff1b\u3000padded\u3000by\u3000windings\u3000of\u3000creeper\uff1b\u3000thumped\u3000across\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000skull\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003Tim\u2026ber\u2026rrr\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000as\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000went\u3000down\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000vines\u3000and\u3000creepers\uff1b\u3000branches\u3000from\u3000other\u3000trees\u3000with\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000sent\u3000up\u3000leaves\u3000and\u3000dust\u3000and\u3000all\u3000sorts\u3000of\u3000sounds\u3000as\u3000the\u3000creatures\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000fled\u3000in\u3000panic\u3000or\u3000anger\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000gettin’\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000at\u3000this\u3000Paul\u3000Bunyan\u3000stuff\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000asked\u3000his\u3000teammates\u3000proudly\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000nobody\u3000seemed\u3000very\u3000impressed\u3002\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000from\u3000where\u3000she\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000were\u3000making\u3000cross\u2026members\u3000for\u3000the\u3000raft\uff1b\u3000snarled\uff1b\u3000\u3003Whaddaya\u3000want\uff1b\u3000a\u3000standing\u3000ovation\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000giggled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Looks\u3000like\u3000our\u3000patient’s\u3000finally\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000loosen\u3000up\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000smiled\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000sort\u3000out\u3000his\u3000feelings\u3002\u3000If\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000improving\u2026if\u3000she\u3000began\u3000regaining\u3000her\u3000memory\u2026that\u3000might\u3000mean\u3000she\u3000would\u3000go\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\u3000soon\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000that\u3000other\u3000life\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000obviously\u3000left\u3000behind\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000the\u3000lover\u3000or\u3000even\u3000the\u3000husband\u3000who\u3000might\u3000be\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000that\u3000was\u3000less\u3000and\u3000less\u3000possible\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000Scott’s\u3000thoughts\u3000about\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000a\u3000long\u3000spear\u3000with\u3000a\u3000gleaming\uff1b\u3000machined\u2026metal\u3000head\u3000suddenly\u3000arced\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000treeline\u3000and\u3000buried\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000a\u3000forest\u3000giant\u3000right\u3000next\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000long\u3000shaft\u3000of\u3000stripped\uff1b\u3000dried\u3000wood\u3000bobbed\u3000slowly\u3002
\n
\nMore\u3000spears\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000\u3003Follow\u3000me\uff01\u3003\u3000and\u3000led\u3000the\u3000way\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000group\u3000pounded\u3000after\u3000him\u3002\u3000Miraculously\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hit\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000to\u3000veer\u3000from\u3000a\u3000direct\u3000course\uff1b\u3000as\u3000a\u3000virtual\u3000hedgehog\u3000of\u3000spearpoints\u3000was\u3000thrust\u3000through\u3000a\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000undergrowth\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000detoured\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000lose\u3000his\u3000bearings\uff1b\u3000gun\u3000in\u3000hand\u3002\u3000He\u3000yelled\u3000for\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000got\u3000no\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000feared\u3000the\u3000worst\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000no\u3000idea\u3000who\u3000was\u3000attacking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000clearly\u3000wasn’t\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000any\u3000Human\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000help\u3000it\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000team\u3000members\u3000sprinted\u3000across\u3000a\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000leaves\u3000and\u3000dirt\u3000flew\u3000as\u3000ropes\u3000of\u3000braided\u3000grass\u3000creaked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000six\u3000travelers\u3000were\u3000hoisted\u3000aloft\u3000in\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000net\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000squashed\u3000in\u3000together\u3000against\u3000each\u3000other\u3000every\u3000which\u3000way\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000losing\u3000his\u3000pistol\uff1b\u3000the\u3000others\u3000too\u3000tightly\u3000pinned\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000theirs\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000spun\u3000and\u3000swayed\u3000below\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000after\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3000people\u3000e\u3000out\u3000of\u3000concealment\u3000and\u3000into\u3000the\u3000open\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000spears\u3000had\u3000Rand\u3000expecting\u3000some\u3000lost\u3000tribe\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bunch\u3000of\u3000Yanamamo\uff1b\u3000perhaps\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000somehow\u3000survived\u3000the\u3000Wars\u3000and\u3000left\u3000their\u3000traditional\u3000territory\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000men\u3000in\u3000factory\u2026produced\u3000shoes\u3000and\u3000boots\uff1b\u3000albeit\u3000tattered\u3000and\u3000decaying\u3000ones\uff1b\u3000and\u3000trousers\u3000made\u3000from\u3000machine\u2026woven\u3000fabric\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000men\u3000were\u3000a\u3000bearded\u3000and\u3000mustached\u3000and\u3000headbanded\u3000bunch\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000homemade\u3000bows\uff1b\u3000arrows\uff1b\u3000and\u3000spears\uff1b\u3000although\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3000heads\u3000were\u3000of\u3000metal\u3002\u3000They\u3000wore\u3000beads\u3000and\u3000feathers\u3000and\u3000shell\u3000jewelry\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000made\u3000sense\u3002
\n
\n\u3003W\u2026whoever\u3000they\u3000are\uff1b\u3000they\u3000look\u3000like\u3000they’re\u3000honked\u3000off\u3000about\u3000something\uff1b\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000observed\u3002
\n
\nAn\u3000older\u3000fellow\u3000with\u3000snow\u2026white\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000beard\u3000gestured\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000with\u3000a\u3000warclub\u3000whose\u3000head\u3000had\u3000been\u3000set\u3000with\u3000flakes\u3000of\u3000sharpened\u3000steel\u3002\u3000\u3003Bring\u3000them\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000way\u3000he\u3000said\u3000\u3003temple\u3003\u3000had\u3000Rook\u3000expecting\u3000something\u3000from\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000venerated\u3000oldtime\u3000movies\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000The\u3000natives\u3000marched\u3000them\u3000at\u3000spearpoint\u3000downriver\u3000to\u3000an\u3000aging\uff1b\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000hydroelectric\u3000power\u3000dam\u3000that\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000disrepair\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000soon\u3000disarmed\u3000and\u3000standing\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000platform\u3000of\u3000lashed\u3000timbers\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000crest\u3000piers\u3002\u3000The\u3000green\u3000river\u3000valley\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000stretch\u3000out\u3000forever\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000waters\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spillway\u3000basin\u3000fought\u3000and\u3000swirled\u3000far\u3000below\u3000them\u3002\u3000All\u3000gates\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000be\u3000open\uff1b\u3000and\u3000water\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000huge\uff1b\u3000white\u3000cascades\uff1b\u3000filling\u3000the\u3000area\u3000with\u3000mist\u3002
\n
\nTheir\u3000hands\u3000had\u3000been\u3000tied\uff1b\u3000and\u3000each\u3000captive\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fitting\u3000with\u3000an\u3000ankle\u3000shackle\u3000rivetted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000weight\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000for\u3000some\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000clear\u3000and\u3000could\u3000e\u3000to\u3000their\u3000rescue\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000you\u3000will\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000your\u3000sacrilege\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000white\u2026haired\u3000leader\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000outlanders\u3000and\u3000your\u3000presence\u3000in\u3000this\u3000place\u3000has\u3000offended\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000open\u3000taint\u2026or\u3000gates\u3000and\u3000lowlevel\u3000outlets\u3000were\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000level\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reservoir\u3000fall\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000because\u3000of\u3000you\u3000that\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god\u3000has\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000back\u3000on\u3000us\u3000and\u3000is\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000valley\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000e\u3000on\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\uff1b\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spearheads\u3000wavered\u3000close\u3000to\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000us\u3000just\u3000because\u3000this\u3000friggin’\u3000dam’s\u3000had\u3000a\u3000malfunction\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000already\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000that\u3000was\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000the\u3000locals\u3000had\u3000in\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000but\u3000could\u3000make\u3000little\u3000sense\u3000of\u3000the\u3000matter\u3002\u3000How\u3000could\u3000such\u3000a\u3000tribal\u3000society\uff1b\u3000such\u3000a\u3000primitive\u3000belief\u3000system\uff1b\u3000spring\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000single\u3000generation\uff1f
\n
\nThe\u3000only\u3000answer\u3000he\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000was\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000now\u3000in\u3000the\u3000region\u3000that\u3000had\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000Zentraedi\u3000control\u3000zone\uff1b\u3000back\u3000when\u3000Khyron\u3000took\u3000refuge\u3000after\u3000the\u3000apocalyptic\u3000battle\u3000in\u3000which\u3000Dolza’s\u3000force\u3000was\u3000wiped\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000Zentraedi\u3000would\u3000certainly\u3000have\u3000found\u3000good\u3000use\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hydroelectric\u3000power\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000giant\u3000size\u3000would’ve\u3000made\u3000it\u3000difficult\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000operate\u3000and\u3000maintain\u3000the\u3000dam\u3002\u3000The\u3000answer\u3000would\u3000have\u3000been\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000a\u3000picked\u3000group\u3000of\u3000Micronian\u3000techs\u3002
\n
\nMost\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000group\u3000were\u3000in\u3000their\u3000mid\u2026twenties\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000judged\u3002\u3000If\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000techs\u3000had\u3000been\u3000killed\uff1b\u3000inadvertently\u3000or\u3000otherwise\uff1b\u3000upon\u3000Khyron’s\u3000departure\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000kids\u3000and\u3000a\u3000few\u3000oldsters\u2026like\u3000the\u3000white\u2026haired\u3000man\u3000with\u3000the\u3000slightly\u3000unhinged\u3000look\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u2026to\u3000put\u3000together\u3000a\u3000new\u3000society\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000they\u3000had\u3000borrowed\u3000elements\u3000of\u3000their\u3000crude\u3000culture\u3000from\u3000local\u3000Indians\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000to\u3000why\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000area\u3000had\u3000been\u3000roofed\u3000over\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Invid\u2026Scott\u3000could\u3000only\u3000conclude\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000another\u3000of\u3000their\u3000experimental\u3000labs\uff1b\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000grandiose\u3000ant\u3000farm\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Silence\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000was\u3000howling\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000back\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god’s\u3000de \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Silence\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000was\u3000howling\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000back\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god’s\u3000den\u3000is\u3000to\u3000sacrifice\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000gestured\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shrinking\u3000reservoir\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000must\u3000be\u3000old\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000recall\u3000the\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Wars\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u2026and\u3000certainly\u3000the\u3000days\u3000before\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Masters\u3002\u3000But\u3000something\u3000had\u3000wrenched\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000days\u3000of\u3000sanity\u3000and\u3000rational\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000and\u3000locked\u3000him\u3000into\u3000superstition\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000lord\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000have\u3000an\u3000idea\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000interjected\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000we’ve\u3000sinned\u3000against\u3000your\u3000god\uff1b\u3000we\u3000plead\u3000ignorance\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000will\u3000set\u3000things\u3000right\u3000by\u3000bringing\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god’s\u3000den\u3000back\u3000to\u3000your\u3000valley\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000old\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000he\u3000recalled\u3000the\u3000techs\u3000in\u3000their\u3000worksuits\u2026not\u3000so\u3000different\u3000from\u3000Scott’s\u3000uniform\u2026who\u3000had\u3000once\u3000made\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000do\u3000their\u3000bidding\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000can\u3000do\u3000this\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003If\uff1b\u3000in\u3000return\uff1b\u3000you\u3000let\u3000us\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000old\u3000man\u3000stroked\u3000his\u3000beard\u3000with\u3000gnarled\uff1b\u3000black\u3000nailed\u3000fingers\u3002\u3000\u3003Very\u3000well\uff1b\u3000outlander\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000you\u3000fail\uff1b\u3000your\u3000panions\u3000die\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000angled\u3000a\u3000thumb\u3000at\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000need\u3000his\u3000help\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnd\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000it’s\u3000enough\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000surprised\u3000himself\u3000by\u3000recalling\u3000as\u3000much\u3000about\u3000dam\u3000construction\u3000as\u3000he\u3000did\u3000from\u3000a\u3000years\u2026ago\u3000Officer\u3000Candidate\u3000engineering\u3000class\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000at\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000run\uff1b\u3000and\u3000they\u3000soon\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000outlet\u3000control\u3000structure\uff1b\u3000further\u3000along\u3000the\u3000dam\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000they\u3000got\u3000to\u3000the\u3000control\u3000room\uff1b\u3000they\u3000found\u3000a\u3000musty\u3000room\u3000of\u3000half\u2026corroded\u3000machinery\u3000and\u3000a\u3000bewildering\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000long\u2026outmoded\u3000technology\u3002\u3000Switches\u3000were\u3000frozen\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000CRTs\u3000were\u3000dark\u3000and\u3000silent\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000concluded\u3000that\u3000some\u3000malfunctioning\u3000autosystem\u3000had\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000gates\u3000to\u3000release\u3000the\u3000reservoir\u3000waters\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000shut\u3000off\u3000everything\u3000until\u3000we\u3000find\u3000the\u3000right\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000told\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000Reopening\u3000them\u3000at\u3000a\u3000later\u3000time\u3000would\u3000be\u3000the\u3000locals’\u3000problem\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000outlanders\u3000have\u3000been\u3000gone\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Silverhair\uff1b\u3003\u3000a\u3000warrior\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000white\u2026haired\u3000chief\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Yes\u3002\u3003\u3000Silverhair\u3000considered\u3000that\u3002\u3000\u3003Perhaps\u3000they\u3000abandoned\u3000their\u3000panions\u3000to\u3000save\u3000themselves\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Hold\u3000on\u3000a\u3000second\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000protested\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000Scott\u3000says\u3000he’ll\u3000do\u3000something\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he’ll\u3000do\u3000it\uff01\u3000Just\u3000give\u3000him\u3000time\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000old\u3000chief\u3000nodded\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000hard\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000face\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000they\u3000have\u3000deserted\u3000you\u3002\u3000Ulu\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000warrior\u3000addressed\u3000as\u3000Ulu\u3000brought\u3000up\u3000his\u3000spear\u3000blade\u3000and\u3000leveled\u3000it\u3000at\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n
\nAfter\u3000some\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000stopped\u3000pulling\u3000levers\u3000and\u3000spinning\u3000manual\u3000valve\u3000wheels\u3000at\u3000random\u3000and\u3000began\u3000reading\u3000designation\u3000plates\u3000on\u3000the\u3000various\u3000consoles\u3002\u3000By\u3000miraculous\u3000good\u3000fortune\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000a\u3000mildewed\u3000manual\u3002\u3000The\u3000covers\u3000were\u3000rotted\u3000to\u3000soggy\u3000filth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000schematics\u3000themselves\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laminated\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000might\u3000have\u3000his\u3000problems\u3000with\u3000social\u3000interaction\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000been\u3000outwitted\u3000by\u3000an\u3000inanimate\u3000object\u3000yet\u3002\u3000He\u3000puzzled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000highpoints\u3000of\u3000the\u3000operating\u3000procedures\u3000for\u3000long\u3000minutes\uff1b\u3000then\u3000moved\u3000decisively\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff01\u3000I\u3000found\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000massive\uff1b\u3000two\u2026bladed\u3000lever\uff1b\u3000an\u3000emergency\u3000manual\u3000control\u3000that\u3000would\u3000in\u3000cases\u3000of\u3000power\u3000failure\u3000close\u3000the\u3000gates\u3000by\u3000means\u3000of\u3000a\u3000fluidic\u3000backup\u3000system\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000had\u3000suffered\u3000from\u3000the\u3000decades\u3000of\u3000neglect\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000strained\u3000at\u3000it\uff1b\u3000the\u3000muscles\u3000of\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000arms\u3000bunching\u3000and\u3000swelling\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000strength\u3000into\u3000the\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000their\u3000hands\u3000clamped\u3000around\u3000the\u3000switch\u3002
\n
\n
\nUlu’s\u3000spear\u3000blade\u3000was\u3000close\u3002\u3000\u3003Trust\u3000us\uff1b\u3000will\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000said\uff1b\u3000not\u3000able\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000off\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003They’ll\u3000do\u3000it\u3000and\u3000be\u3000back\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000spearpoint\u3000edged\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000half\u3000dozen\u3000other\u3000warriors\u3000came\u3000after\u3000Ulu\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000that\u3000the\u3000job\u3000was\u3000done\u3000thoroughly\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000lever\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000an\u3000unbelievable\u3000quarter\u2026inch\uff1b\u3000down\u3000its\u3000grooves\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000braced\u3000their\u3000feet\u3000against\u3000the\u3000console\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000gritted\uff1b\u3000heaving\u3000for\u3000all\u3000they\u3000were\u3000worth\u3002\u3000The\u3000lever\u3000moved\u3000another\u3000half\u3000inch\u3002
\n
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000warned\u3000your\u3000panions\u3000that\u3000all\u3000of\u3000you\u2026would\u3000pay\u3000the\u3000price\u3000of\u3000their\u3000failure\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000spear\u3000blades\u3000hemmed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000team\u3000members\u3002
\n
\nSuddenly\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000change\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000gushing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gates\u3000and\u3000outlet\u3002\u3000The\u3000flow\u3000was\u3000lessening\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000did\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000exulted\u3002\u3000\u3003They\u3000shut\u3000off\u3000the\u3000valve\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000managed\u3000a\u3000cheer\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000team\u3000and\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000the\u3000flow\u3000was\u3000shut\u3000off\uff1b\u3000at\u3000both\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000valley\u3000is\u3000saved\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000old\u3000chief\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000river\u3000god\u3000is\u3000appeased\u3000at\u3000last\uff01\u3003\u3000His\u3000men\u3000were\u3000a\u3000little\u3000frightened\u3000by\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000seen\uff1b\u3000but\u3000joyous\u3000anyhow\u3002
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000got\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000crest\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000could\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000find\u3000that\u3000their\u3000teammates\u3000had\u3000been\u3000unshackled\u3000and\u3000were\u3000receiving\u3000the\u3000tribesmen’s\u3000clamorous\u3000thanks\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000invite\u3000you\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000members\u3000of\u3000our\u3000tribe\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000said\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000got\u3000there\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000but\u3000first\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000missing\u3000brother\u3000of\u3000our\u3000tribe\u3000we\u3000have\u3000to\u3000find\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000deflected\u3000the\u3000invitation\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff01\u3000Silverhair\uff01\u3003\u3000came\u3000a\u3000shout\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000did\u3000it\uff01\u3000I\u3000got\u3000myself\u3000a\u3000wife\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThere\u3000was\u3000a\u3000barefoot\u3000kid\u3000in\u3000ragged\u3000cutoffs\u3000and\u3000T\u2026shirt\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000an\u3000undersized\u3000thirteen\u3000years\u3000old\u3000or\u3000so\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000their\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000a\u3000man\u3000now\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000puffed\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000a\u3000big\uff1b\u3000heavy\u3000old\u3000duffel\u3000bag\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It’s\u3000Magruder\uff1b\u3003\u3000said\u3000Silverhair\u3000the\u3000chieftain\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Did\u3000he\u3000say\u3000\u2018wife’\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000murmured\u3002
\n
\nMagruder\u3000staggered\u3000to\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000before\u3000Silverhair\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000the\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000warriors\u3000gathered\u3000round\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000captured\u3000myself\u3000a\u3000wife\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000panted\u3000again\uff1b\u3000\u3003so\u3000according\u3000to\u3000tribal\u3000law\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000a\u3000warrior\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000pushed\u3000his\u3000narrow\u3000chest\u3000out\u3000proudly\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000got\u3000the\u3000distinct\u3000impression\u3000that\u3000Magruder\u3000was\u3000more\u3000excited\u3000about\u3000the\u3000prospect\u3000of\u3000being\u3000a\u3000warrior\u3000than\u3000about\u3000having\u3000a\u3000wife\u3002\u3000Typical\u3000for\u3000his\u3000age\uff1b\u3000she\u3000decided\u3002
\n
\nJust\u3000then\u3000the\u3000duffel\u3000bag\u3000heaved\u3000and\u3000fell\u3000open\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000there\u3000gasped\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000EIGHTEEN
\n
\nProtoculture\u3000Garden\uff1a\u3000Eden\u3000or\u3000Gethsemane\uff1f
\nSamizdat\u3000Reader’s\u3000Digest\u3000article\uff1b\u3000November\u30002020
\n
\nRand\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000a\u3000familiar\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\uff1b\u3000gagged\uff1b\u3000glared\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Magruder\u3000with\u3000a\u3000rare\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000some\u3000bad\u3000news\u3000for\u3000you\uff1b\u3000kid\u3002\u3000Y’see\uff1b\u3000your\u3000fianc\u9591\u3000is\u3000a\u3000man\u3002\u3000And\u3000not\u3000one\u3000that\u3000I’d\u3000like\u3000to\u3000have\u3000mad\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000catch\u3000my\u3000drift\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000looked\u3000stricken\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000can’t\u3000be\uff01\u3000That’s\u3000my\u3000wife\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000tribesman\u3000were\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000guffaw\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000giggling\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000hysterically\u3002\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000the\u3000missing\u3000brother\u3000you\u3000were\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003\u3000Silverhair\u3000asked\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000his\u3000name’s\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000had\u3000knelt\u3000to\u3000undo\u3000the\u3000gag\u3002\u3000\u3003Uh\u2026oh\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\u3000mildly\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000an\u3000honest\u3000mistake\uff1b\u3000little\u3000man\u3002\u3000Now\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Get\u3000me\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3000thing\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000and\u3000some\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3000stooped\u3000to\u3000help\uff1b\u3000Magruder\u3000being\u3000too\u3000paralyzed\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000was\u3000united\u3000in\u3000laughter\u3000now\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000expense\u3000of\u3000woebegone\u3000Magruder\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000having\u3000trouble\u3000catching\u3000his\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u2026I\u3000guess\u3000you\u3000haven’t\u3000had\u3000much\u3000experience\uff1b\u3000huh\uff1b\u3000little\u3000guy\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000among\u3000the\u3000loudest\uff1b\u3000until\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000how\u3000hurt\u3000and\u3000mortified\u3000Magruder\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000mid\u2026laugh\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000here\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mind\u3000of\u3000kindred\u3000spirit\uff1b\u3000another\u3000runt\u3000of\u3000the\u3000litter\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000place\u3000for\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000be\u3000accepted\u3000on\u3000equal\u3000terms\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000chief\u3000was\u3000ruffling\u3000the\u3000kid’s\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000plainly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000pest\/mascot\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000you\u3000will\u3000forgive\u3000him\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friends\u3002\u3000Magruder\uff1b\u3000these\u3000are\u3000our\u3000guests\u3002\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Magruder\u3000broke\u3000free\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000spear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000fleetly\u3000for\u3000the\u3000jungle\u3002
\n
\n
\nAnnie\u3000made\u3000a\u3000stop\u3000at\u3000the\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000then\u3000followed\u3000Magruder’s\u3000trail\u3002\u3000She\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000clearing\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stream\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ambushed\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000him\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000some\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000then\u3000made\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000noise\u3002\u3000\u3003Yoo\u2026hoo\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000brought\u3000his\u3000spear\u3000around\uff1b\u3000swiping\u3000quickly\u3000at\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3002\u3000\u3003Who\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000struggled\u3000through\u3000the\u3000undergrowth\u3000into\u3000the\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000the\u3000long\u3000skirt\u3000she\u3000had\u3000scavenged\u3000back\u3000in\u3000New\u3000Denver\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000a\u3000diaphanous\u3000top\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000a\u3000flower\u3000garland\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000that\u3000afternoon\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000struck\u3000a\u3000glamour\u3000pose\uff1b\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000batted\u3000her\u3000eyelashes\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000sang\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hi\u2026ya\u3002\u3000Magruder\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000gasped\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000his\u3000spear\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sauntered\u3000over\u3000and\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000nudged\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3000up\u3000against\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wh\u3002\u3002\u3002what\u3000are\u3000you\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000smiled\u3000coyly\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000poor\u3000thing\uff01\u3000You’ve\u3000got\u3000such\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000about\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000sex\uff01\u3000Y’need\u3000a\u3000real\u3000woman\u3000to\u3000show\u3000you\u3000what\u3000makes\u3000the\u3000world\u3000go\u3000round\uff1b\u3000hmmm\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000pulled\u3000away\u3000so\u3000fast\u3000that\u3000she\u3000almost\u3000toppled\u3000over\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000out\u3000a\u3000squawk\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000you’re\u3000a\u3000real\u3000woman\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nAnnie’s\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3000thrust\u3000out\u3000and\u3000she\u3000made\u3000fists\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000listen\uff1b\u3000buster\uff1a\u3000don’t\u3000forget\u3000your\u3000last\u3000girlfriend\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000damn\u3000sight\u3000closer\u3000than\u3000he\u3000was\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000crossed\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000on\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000none\u3000of\u3000your\u3000business\uff01\u3000Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000go\u3000away\u3000and\u3000leave\u3000me\u3000alone\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003You’ll\u3000never\u3000get\u3000a\u3000wife\uff1b\u3000you\u3000lamebrain\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000bawled\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000woman’d\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000nuts\u3000to\u3000hook\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000dippy\u3000squirt\u3000like\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000yeah\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yeah\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000hopeless\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000snarling\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\uff1b\u3000when\u3000Annie\u3000reminded\u3000herself\u3000why\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3000out\u3000there\u3002\u3000Hold\u3000your\u3000horses\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff01\u3000If\u3000you\u3000play\u3000your\u3000cards\u3000right\uff1b\u3000this\u3000guy\u3000could\u3000make\u3000you\u3000a\u3000jungle\u3000princess\u3002\u3000Or\u3000a\u3000queen\u3002\u3000Who\u3000knows\uff1f\u3000They\u3000might\u3000even\u3000make\u3000you\u3000a\u3000goddess\uff01
\n
\nShe\u3000turned\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000clasped\u3000to\u3000where\u3000her\u3000bosom\u3000was\u3000due\u3000to\u3000appear\u3000any\u3000day\u3000now\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000really\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000shouting\u3000at\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Magruder\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000sniffed\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000that\u2026it’s\u3000so\u3000difficult\u3000when\u3000a\u3000woman\u3000bees\u3000emotionally\u3000involved\u3002\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000he’d\u3000been\u3000sandbagged\u3002\u3000\u3003Uhh\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000crying\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3000Hey\uff1b\u3000don’t\u3000do\u3000that\uff01\u3003
\n
\nEverything\u3000was\u3000going\u3000just\u3000swell\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000figured\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000week\u3000or\u3000two\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000runni \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nEverything\u3000was\u3000going\u3000just\u3000swell\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000figured\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000week\u3000or\u3000two\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000running\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002\u3000But\u3000then\u3000her\u3000schedule\u3000was\u3000thrown\u3000out\u3000the\u3000window\uff1a\u3000with\u3000a\u3000low\u3000rumbling\uff1b\u3000a\u3000trio\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000flew\u3000by\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000\u3003Yikes\uff01\u3000Invid\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000them\u3000stonily\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000Troopers\u3000disappeared\u3000in\u3000the\u3000distance\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Overlords\u3000have\u3000e\u3000back\u3000to\u3000their\u3000nest\u3000here\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003\u2018Overlords’\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000people\u3000hate\u3000them\u3002\u3000Ever\u3000since\u3000they\u3000first\u3000came\u3000here\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000the\u3000great\u3000roof\u3000over\u3000this\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000hunting\u3000has\u3000been\u3000bad\uff1b\u3000they\u3000frighten\u3000the\u3000game\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000pointed\u3000downriver\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000strange\u3000three\u2026in\u2026one\u3000flowers\u3000grow\u3000thick\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Overlords\u3000built\u3000the\u3000great\u3000roof\u3000over\u3000the\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000this\u3000place\u3000their\u3000garden\u3002\u3000The\u3000legends\u3000say\u3000that\u3000someday\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god\u3000will\u3000rise\u3000up\u3000to\u3000smite\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3003\u2026a\u3000shrug\u2026\u3003so\u3000far\u3000that\u3000day\u3000hasn’t\u3000e\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000spear\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000frowned\uff1b\u3000\u3003Um\uff1b\u3000Macky\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000gonna\u3000try\u3000something\u3000stupid\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000hefted\u3000the\u3000weapon\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000time\u3000I\u3000became\u3000a\u3000man\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000prove\u3000myself\u3000in\u3000battle\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHollering\u3000at\u3000him\u3000to\u3000use\u3000his\u3000head\u3000didn’t\u3000help\u3002\u3000He\u3000sprang\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000nimble\u3000as\u3000a\u3000squirrel\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000stumbled\u3000after\u3000him\uff1b\u3000tugging\u3000to\u3000free\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000her\u3000skirt\u3000from\u3000some\u3000thorns\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Magruder\u3000next\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000poised\u3000on\u3000a\u3000branch\u3000near\u3000a\u3000wide\u3000trail\u2026a\u3000trail\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000beaten\u3000down\u3000by\u3000something\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000any\u3000wild\u3000game\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000as\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000tread\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000head\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Magruder\u3000was\u3000swinging\u3000at\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000on\u3000a\u3000vine\uff1b\u3000clutching\u3000his\u3000spear\uff1b\u3000yowling\u3000a\u3000fierce\u3000battle\u3000cry\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000landed\u3000with\u3000remarkable\u3000skill\uff1b\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000lead\u3000alien’s\u3000head\u3000canopy\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\u3000they’ll\u3000stop\u3000laughing\u3000at\u3000me\uff01\u3000I’ll\u3000show\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000that\u3000Magruder\u3000is\u3000a\u3000man\uff01\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000spearpoint\u3000bounce\u3000off\u3000and\u3000Magruder\u3000either\u3000fall\u3000to\u3000his\u3000death\u3000or\u3000be\u3000plucked\u3000to\u3000bloody\u3000shreds\u3002\u3000But\u3000instead\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000he\u3000struck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000apparently\u3000oblivious\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000fired\u3000its\u3000thrusters\u3002\u3000Magruder\u3000lost\u3000his\u3000balance\uff1b\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000spear\u3000with\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000fell\u3002\u3000The\u3000spear\u3000lodged\u3000sideways\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grooves\u3000at\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cranial\u3000canopy\uff1b\u3000Magruder\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000Annie\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000her\u3000new\u3000flame\u3000was\u3000being\u3000dragged\u3000away\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000kicking\uff1b\u3000atop\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3002
\n
\n
\nIt\u3000took\u3000her\u3000a\u3000while\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000tribesmen\u3000and\u3000her\u3000own\u3000teammates\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000LaBelle\u3000lower\u3000lip\u3000was\u3000thrust\u3000out\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000right\uff01\u3000This\u3000place\u3000is\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000hothouse\uff01\u3000Magruder\u3000took\u3000them\u3000on\u3000all\u3000by\u3000himself\uff01\u3000He’s\u3000convinced\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000he’ll\u3000get\u3000you\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000laughing\u3000at\u3000him\u3000is\u3000bee\u3000a\u3000macho\u3000sexist\u3000Tarzan\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSilverhair\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000boy\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000death\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000probably\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000tribesmen\u3000are\u3000going\u3000after\u3000Magruder\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000shouted\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000we’ve\u3000got\u3000to\u3000help\u3000these\u3000guys\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid’ll\u3000wipe\u3000out\u3000every\u3000last\u3000one\u3000of\u3000’em\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We’ve\u3000barely\u3000enough\u3000Protoculture\u3000left\u3000to\u3000light\u3000a\u3000match\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000pointed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003let\u3000alone\u3000fight\u3000a\u3000battle\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000off\u3000at\u3000the\u3000dam\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\uff1b\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000improvise\u3000and\u3000maybe\u3000get\u3000a\u3000little\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000the\u3000good\u3000old\u3000river\u3000god\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000began\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000idea\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000their\u3000leader\u3000skeptically\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000funny\u3000how\u3000Scott\u3000wasn’t\u3000very\u3000flexible\u3000until\u3000it\u3000came\u3000to\u3000fighting\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000trick\u3000will\u3000be\u3000in\u3000getting\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000close\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dam\u3002\u3000We\u3000may\u3000have\u3000to\u3000risk\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000our\u3000Protoculture\u3000reserves\u3000to\u3000lure\u3000them\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000added\uff1b\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000it\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000Those\u3000big\u3000boys\u3000just\u3000love\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Good\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000want\u3000enough\u3000explosives\u3000planted\u3000on\u3000that\u3000dam\u3000to\u3000blow\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000business\u3000through\u3000those\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000roof\u3002\u3000Cobalt\u3000grenades\uff1b\u3000Tango\u20269\u2026the\u3000works\u3002\u3000And\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000need\u3000Protoculture\u3000flares\u3002\u3003
\n
\nLunk\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000were\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000though\u3000Marlene\u3000looked\u3000apprehensive\u3000and\u3000unprehending\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000off\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000this\uff01\u3000Macky\u3000and\u3000me’re\u3000being\u3000left\uff1b\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cold\uff01\u3000My\u3000jungle\u3000darlin’s\u3000just\u3000got\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000or\u2026ahh\uff01\u3000Eureka\uff01
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000had\u3000been\u3000flying\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000spiral\u3000pattern\uff1b\u3000like\u3000searching\u3000wasps\u3002\u3000They\u3000weren’t\u3000flying\u3000very\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000than\u3000high\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000young\u3000would\u2026be\u3000warrior\u3000to\u3000make\u3000an\u3000unfavorable\u3000impression\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000when\u3000he\u3000hit\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000held\u3000on\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000they\u3000would\u3000pass\u3000over\u3000the\u3000reservoir\u3000or\u3000some\u3000other\u3000body\u3000of\u3000deep\u3000water\u3000soon\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000his\u3000only\u3000hope\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000going\u3000numb\u3002\u3000His\u3000fingers\u3000were\u3000slipping\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000mecha\u3000flew\u3000into\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000hail\u3000of\u3000boulders\u3002\u3000The\u3000rocks\u3000bounced\u3000or\u3000broke\u3000harmlessly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000shielded\u3000themselves\u3000with\u3000the\u3000ladybug\u2026shaped\u3000targones\u3000mounted\u3000on\u3000their\u3000forearms\u3002\u3000They\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000more\u3000in\u3000curiosity\u3000than\u3000in\u3000anger\u3000or\u3000alarm\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000themselves\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000all\u3000the\u3000secrets\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002\u3000For\u3000some\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Flowers\u3000had\u3000chosen\u3000to\u3000thrive\u3000in\u3000this\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000critically\u3000important\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000to\u3000understand\u3000why\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000they\u3000had\u3000roofed\u3000the\u3000place\uff1b\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000control\u3000study\u3000conditions\u3002\u3000They\u3000left\u3000the\u3000population\u3000of\u3000atavistic\u3000Humans\u3000unbothered\u3002
\n
\nAt\u3000least\uff1b\u3000so\u3000far\u3002\u3000The\u3000Troopers\u3000were\u3000hit\u3000by\u3000a\u3000rain\u3000of\u3000spears\u3000and\u3000arrows\u3000that\u3000shattered\u3000on\u3000or\u3000rebounded\u3000from\u3000them\u3002\u3000Their\u3000optical\u3000sensors\u3000swept\u3000the\u3000jungle\u3000for\u3000enemies\u3002\u3000Magruder\u3000managed\u3000to\u3000drag\u3000himself\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff01\u3000Hold\u3000your\u3000fire\uff01\u3003
\n
\nSilverhair\u3000shouted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shelter\u3000of\u3000a\u3000leafy\u3000screen\u3002\u3000\u3003Quick\uff1b\u3000get\u3000down\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Magruder\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000scaled\u3002\u3000\u3003Look\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Silverhair\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000a\u3000man\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I’ll\u3000prove\u3000it\u3000to\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000this\u3000was\u3000his\u3000moment\u3002\u3000He\u3000grasped\u3000his\u3000spear\u3000and\u3000got\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000thrust\u3000it\u3000into\u3000the\u3000monster’s\u3000brain\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000a\u3000figure\u3000swung\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000scooping\u3000him\u3000off\u3000the\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper’s\u3000head\u3000just\u3000as\u3000the\u3000thing\u3000reached\u3000up\u3000to\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000was\u3000irritating\u3000it\u3002\u3000Alloy\u3000claws\u3000clashed\u3000together\u3000on\u3000empty\u3000air\u3002
\n
\nLancer\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000across\u3000to\u3000safety\u3000with\u3000Magruder\u3000under\u3000one\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000laughed\u3002\u3000\u3003Keep\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000yourself\u3000and\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000live\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000very\u3000old\u3000man\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAnnie\u3000saw\u3000where\u3000they\u3000would\u3000land\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000Magruder\u3002\u3000There\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000time\u3000left\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000plan\u3000in\u3000gear\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tribesmen\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000pelting\u3000them\u3000with\u3000arrows\u3000and\u3000spears\u3000again\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000advanced\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000what\u3000had\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000change\u3000in\u3000these\u3000docile\u3000primitives\u3002
\n
\n\u3003They’ve\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000bait\uff01\u3003\u3000bellowed\u3000Silverhair\u3002\u3000\u3003Hurry\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000temple\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000on\u3000a\u3000log\u3000next\u3000to\u3000his\u3000Cyclone\uff1b\u3000tossed\u3000pebbles\u3000at\u3000a\u3000leaf\u3000aimlessly\u3000and\u3000yawned\u3002\u3000I\u3000hate\u3000waiting\uff01\u3000Let’s\u3000get\u3000this\u3000turkey\u3000in\u3000the\u3000oven\uff01
\n
\nHe\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3000sneaking\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000only\u3000began\u3000to\u3000turn\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000swish\u3000of\u3000the\u3000creeper\u2026wrapped\u3000wooden\u3000club\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000was\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3000cold\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000lumbered\u3000under\u3000the\u3000immense\u3000trunks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000deserted\u3000tree\u2026city\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000ringing\u3000within\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Robotech\u3000Rebels\u3000are\u3000somewhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000vicinity\uff01\u3000Scan\u3000for\u3000traces\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000activity\uff01\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000them\u3000long\u3000to\u3000find\u3000it\u3000and\u3000hear\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000Cyclone\u3000revved\u3000nearby\u3000and\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000sensors\u3000swung\u3000to\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000it\u3000at\u3000once\u3002
\n
\nStraddling\u3000Rand’s\u3000Cyc\u3000with\u3000Magruder\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000handlebars\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000settled\u3000her\u3000goggles\u3000and\u3000shrilled\u3000her\u3000war\u3000cry\u3002\u3000\u3003Hit\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\uff1b\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\uff1b\u3000wasn’t\u3000as\u3000primitive\u3000as\u3000he\u3000looked\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000some\u3000experience\u3000with\u3000the\u3000two\u2026wheeled\uff1b\u3000battery\u2026powered\u3000putt\u2026putts\u3000that\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000engineers\u3000had\u3000once\u3000used\u3000to\u3000get\u3000around\u3000on\u3002\u3000He\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000accelerator\u3000a\u3000twist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000shot\u3000off\u3000along\u3000the\u3000wooden\u3000overhead\u3000walkway\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000following\u3000the\u3000noise\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000trussed\u3000up\u3000back\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000fallen\uff1b\u3000shrieked\u3000through\u3000his\u3000gag\uff1b\u3000Those\u3000brats\u3000stole\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\uff01
\n
\nMagruder\u3000did\u3000a\u3000daring\u3000jump\u3000from\u3000one\u3000level\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000right\u3000above\u3000the\u3000Invids’\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000realize\u3000just\u3000what\u3000danger\u3000she\u3000was\u3000in\u3002\u3000\u3003Yeah\uff1b\u3000there\u3000they\u3000are\uff01\u3000Yoo\u2026hoo\uff01\u3000e\u3000and\u3000get\u3000us\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000rocketed\u3000after\u3000them\uff1b\u3000slowed\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000by\u3000the\u3000need\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000out\u3000for\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000trees\u3002\u3000Magruder\u3000zoomed\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jungle\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000began\u3000making\u3000up\u3000the\u3000distance\u3000quickly\u3002\u3000\u3003Okay\uff1b\u3000remember\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000tight\u3000now\uff01\u3003\u3000Annie\u3000yelled\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000will\uff01\u3003\u3000Annihilation\u3000discs\u3000began\u3000crashing\u3000nearby\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000seemed\u3000undisturbed\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000hurtled\u3000along\uff1b\u3000finding\u3000paths\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dense\u3000foliage\u3000that\u3000only\u3000the\u3000tribes\u2026people\u3000knew\u3002\u3000\u3003Magruder\uff1b\u3000my\u3000little\u3000Ape\u2026Guy\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000gonna\u3000make\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000you\u3000yet\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nRook\u3000set\u3000her\u3000last\u3000cobalt\u3000grenade\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000only\u3000one\u3000limpet\u3000mine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000placing\u3000that\u3000to\u3000the\u3000best\u3000advantage\u3002\u3000The\u3000grenades\u3000and\u3000Tango\u20269\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000the\u3000job\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000enough\u3002
\n
\nIronically\uff1b\u3000Silverhair\u3000and\u3000his\u3000people\u3000raised\u3000no\u3000objection\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000plan\u3002\u3000Deliverance\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god\u3000was\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000always\u3000looked\u3000for\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000they\u3000had\u3000defended\u3000their\u3000god’s\u3000den\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000obvious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3000that\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000were\u3000just\u3000messengers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000god\uff1b\u3000sent\u3000to\u3000assist\u3000him\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000think\u3000the\u3000religion\u3000wasn’t\u3000as\u3000crazy\u3000as\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000listened\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000two\u2026dozenth\u3000time\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000approach\u3000of\u3000Rand’s\u3000Cyc\u3002\u3000Don’t\u3000you\u3000dare\u3000screw\u3000up\u3000this\u3000one\uff01\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000him\u3000silently\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000she\u3000should\u3000even\u3000care\u3000about\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000again\uff1b\u3000C’mon\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000C’mon\uff01
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000set\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000charges\u3000and\u3000delicately\u3000threaded\u3000a\u3000lilylike\u3000flower\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000adhesion\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000for\u3000an\u3000artistic\u3000touch\u3002\u3000He\u3000patted\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000set\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000charges\u3000and\u3000delicately\u3000threaded\u3000a\u3000lilylike\u3000flower\u3000in\u3000one\u3000of\u3000its\u3000adhesion\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000for\u3000an\u3000artistic\u3000touch\u3002\u3000He\u3000patted\u3000it\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000dashed\u3000for\u3000high\u3000ground\u3002
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000trooper\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000calculated\uff1b\u3000jostling\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000with\u3000near\u3000misses\u3000in\u3000the\u3000long\u3000feeder\u3000tunnel\u3000that\u3000led\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dam\u3002\u3000Magruder\u3000lost\u3000control\u3000just\u3000as\u3000they\u3000shot\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000and\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000riders\u3000all\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000plunging\u3000through\u3000a\u3000screen\u3000of\u3000fronds\u3000and\u3000leaves\u3000and\u3000spilling\u3000in\u3000separate\u3000directions\u3000over\u3000lush\u3000grass\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000appeared\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000to\u3000land\u3000and\u3000stalk\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000spreading\u3000to\u3000either\u3000side\u3002\u3000This\u3000Protoculture\u3000motorcycle\u3000was\u3000similar\u3000to\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters’\uff1b\u3000but\u3000its\u3000riders\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000no\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000no\u3000weapons\u3002\u3000There\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000little\u3000more\u3000examination\u3000before\u3000irrevocable\u3000disposition\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000was\u3000made\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000was\u3000the\u3000moment\u3000when\u3000Lunk\u3000blew\u3000the\u3000flares\uff1b\u3000all\u3000Invid\u3000heads\u3000turned\u3000automatically\u3002\u3000A\u3000dozen\u3000Protoculture\u3000mini\u2026suns\u3000burned\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dam’s\u3000concrete\u3000face\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000NINETEEN
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000such\u3000disparate\u3000personalities\u2026it’s\u3000amazing\u3000that\u3000anyone\u3000could\u3000have\u3000believed\u3000they\u3000would\u3000e\u3000together\u3000as\u3000a\u3000result\u3000of\u3000random\u3000forces\u3002
\nCrowell\uff1b\u3000Remember\u3000Our\u3000Names\uff01\u3000\uff08The\u3000Road\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff09
\n
\n\u3003Protoculture\u3000activity\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dam\uff01\u3003\u3000The\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000to\u3000her\u3000children\u3002\u3000\u3003Investigate\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000gleaming\u3000purple\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000boosted\u3000away\uff1b\u3000forgetting\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Magruder\u3000for\u3000the\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000came\u3000dashing\u3000off\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000crest\u3000roadway\uff1b\u3000getting\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000Ground\u3000Zero\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000with\u3000satisfaction\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Troopers\uff1b\u3000joined\u3000by\u3000the\u3000others\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000bing\u3000the\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000plummeted\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000blinding\u2026bright\u3000Protoculture\u3000flares\u3000set\u3000along\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000button\u3002
\n
\nConcrete\u3000blew\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000of\u3000conventional\u3000and\u3000Protoculture\u3000shaped\u3000charges\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dam\u3000fractured\u3000and\u3000broke\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000stunned\u3000by\u3000what\u3000was\u3000happening\u3000and\u3000then\u3000they\u3000were\u3000thrown\u3000backward\u3000and\u3000down\u3000by\u3000the\u3000falling\u3000concrete\u3000cliff\u3000and\u3000the\u3000freshwater\u3000sea\u3000behind\u3000it\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000a\u3000squadron\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000wiped\u3000away\uff1b\u3000smashed\u3000and\u3000flattened\u3000by\u3000forces\u3000that\u3000not\u3000even\u3000Robotech\u3000armor\u3000could\u3000withstand\u3002
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000so\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god\u3000legend\u3000es\u3000true\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000mused\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000devastation\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heights\u3002\u3000Just\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000some\u3000Flowers\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Rand\u3000weird\u3000visions\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000living\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000a\u3000preserve\u3000of\u3000them\u3000had\u3000given\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000altered\u3000perception\uff1b\u3000or\u3000prescience
\n
\nThe\u3000water\u3000quickly\u3000pushed\u3000up\u3000dirt\u3000and\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000hunks\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000vegetation\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000less\u3000a\u3000tidal\u3000wave\u3000than\u3000a\u3000moving\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000mud\u3000and\u3000solid\u3000debris\u3000that\u3000would\u3000plow\u3000down\u3000anything\u3000before\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000Flowers\u3000were\u3000doomed\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000even\u3000lose\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002
\n
\nLunk\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000e\u3000up\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000spoke\u3000softly\u3002\u3000\u3003Did\u3000the\u3000tribe’s\u3000Visions\u3000serve\u3000us\uff1b\u3000or\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nAnnie\u3000pushed\u3000herself\u3000up\uff1b\u3000realizing\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000top\u3000of\u3000Magruder\u3002\u3000Nearby\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Cyc\u3000rested\u3000on\u3000its\u3000side\uff1b\u3000smoking\uff1b\u3000but\u3000still\u3000intact\u3002\u3000\u3003Macky\uff01\u3000My\u3000little\u3000Greystoke\uff01\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000hurt\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMagruder\u3000moved\uff1b\u3000then\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000rubbing\u3000a\u3000bump\u3000on\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000knowing\u3000that\u3000by\u3000all\u3000rights\u3000he\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000should\u3000have\u3000been\u3000torn\u3000limb\u3000from\u3000bough\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000din\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flood\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000made\u3000it\u3000high\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000yards\u3000away\u3000and\u3000several\u3000down\uff1b\u3000the\u3000broached\u3000reservoir\u3000had\u3000left\u3000its\u3000high\u2026water\u3000mark\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000was\u3000offering\u3000him\u3000a\u3000handful\u3000of\u3000white\u3000silk\uff1b\u3000her\u3000gage\u3000for\u3000her\u3000jungle\u3000knight\u3002\u3000\u3003Need\u3000a\u3000hankie\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHis\u3000hands\u3000closed\u3000around\u3000hers\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000we\u3000did\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Annie\uff01\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000oh\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\uff01\u3003\u3000His\u3000face\u3000was\u3000alight\uff1b\u3000not\u3000even\u3000Silverhair\u3000could\u3000say\u3000no\u3000to\u3000him\u3000now\uff01
\n
\nAnnie\u3000sat\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000the\u3000world\u2026shaking\u3000noise\u3000of\u3000the\u3000flood\u3000recede\u3002\u3000Sunlight\u3000came\u3000directly\u3000down\u3000on\u3000them\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Invid\u2026built\u3000roof\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000perfect\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000live\uff1b\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000she\u3000had\u3000always\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000trap\u3000in\u3000amber\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Macky\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000my\u3000pleasure\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000grip\u3000on\u3000the\u3000knots\u3000that\u3000held\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000they’ve\u3000damaged\u3000my\u3000Cyclone\u3000I’ll\u3000twist\u3000the\u3000skin\u3000off\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000and\u3000strangle\u3000’em\u3000with\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000was\u3000blinded\u3000by\u3000salt\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000working\u3000mostly\u3000by\u3000feel\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000an\u3000enormous\u3000headache\u3000from\u3000the\u3000shot\u3000he\u3000had\u3000taken\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\u3000with\u3000kids\u3000these\u3000days\uff1b\u3000anyway\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000a\u3000holy\u3000night\u3000in\u3000the\u3000treetop\u3000town\uff1b\u3000both\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000been\u3000driven\u3000out\u3000by\u3000the\u3000river\u3000god’s\u3000righteous\u3000wrath\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000Magruder\u3000had\u3000at\u3000last\u3000proved\u3000himself\u3000a\u3000man\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3002\u3000\uff08The\u3000team\u3000noticed\u3000that\u3000a\u3000number\u3000of\u3000people\u3000were\u3000breathing\u3000a\u3000sigh\u3000of\u3000relief\u3000about\u3000that\uff1b\u3000since\u3000they\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000put\u3000up\u3000with\u3000any\u3000more\u3000of\u3000Magruder’s\u3000pecadillos\u3002\uff09
\n
\nMagruder\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000best\u3000raiment\u3000of\u3000the\u3000village\uff1b\u3000got\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000in\u3000the\u3000high\u2026backed\u3000chairs\u3000of\u3000honor\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tribe’s\u3000council\u3000hall\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000punchy\u3000but\u3000very\u3000happy\u3002\u3000In\u3000addition\u3000to\u3000greeting\u3000Magruder\u3000as\u3000a\u3000man\u3000and\u3000a\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000Silverhair\u3000offered\u3000him\u3000his\u3000choice\u3000of\u3000any\u3000woman\u3000as\u3000his\u3000wife\u3002
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000hail\uff1b\u3000Magruder\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nThe\u3000river\u3000receded\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000bothered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dam\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000likelihood\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000e\u3000again\u3002\u3000Prophesies\u3000had\u3000been\u3000served\uff1b\u3000had\u3000been\u3000borne\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thus\u3000other\u3000prophesies\u3000and\u3000Visions\u2026which\u3000the\u3000tribemembers\u3000wouldn’t\u3000discuss\u2026would\u3000be\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Therefore\uff1b\u3000all\u3000was\u3000well\u3002
\n
\nWith\u3000the\u3000tribe’s\u3000help\uff1b\u3000the\u3000building\u3000of\u3000a\u3000string\u3000of\u3000rafts\u3000went\u3000with\u3000surprising\u3000ease\u3000and\u3000speed\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000hidden\u3000warehouses\uff1b\u3000with\u3000empty\u3000oil\u3000drums\uff1b\u3000cordage\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tools\u3002\u3000Several\u3000nights\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000floated\u3000off\u3000downstream\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000string\u3000of\u3000rafts\u3000that\u3000supported\u3000them\u3000and\u3000their\u3000mecha\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000a\u3000few\u3000powerful\u3000heat\u2026turbine\u3000outboard\u3000engines\u3000going\uff1b\u3000and\u3000these\u3000were\u3000used\u3000for\u3000steering\u3000and\u3000minimal\u3000propulsion\u2026enough\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000rafts\u3000headway\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Marlene\u3000had\u3000to\u3000man\u3000a\u3000sweep\uff1b\u3000since\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000now\u3000one\u3000member\u3000short\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000shoreline\u3000still\u3000reeked\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stuff\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000washed\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000it\u3000during\u3000the\u3000flood\u3002\u3000Watching\u3000the\u3000luminous\u3000fairy\u2026grove\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tribe\uff1b\u3000each\u3000team\u3000member\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000what\u3000Annie\u3000had\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000him\u3000or\u3000her\u3002\u3000All\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000by\u3000his\u3000outboard\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000downstream\u3000only\uff1b\u3000refusing\u3000to\u3000acknowledge\u3000that\u3000anything\u3000had\u3000happened\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000others\u3000silently\u3000manned\u3000steering\u3000engines\u3000or\u3000sweeps\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000whirled\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\u3000the\u3000long\u3000faces\uff1f\u3000You\u3000all\u3000look\u3000like\u3000your\u3000gerbil\u3000just\u3000died\u3002\u3000Try\u3000pulling\u3000yourselves\u3000together\uff1b\u3000okay\uff1f\u3000We’re\u3000better\u3000off\uff01\u3000You\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000look\u3000after\u3000her\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000I\u3000did\uff1b\u3000so\u3000trust\u3000me\u3000on\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000Now\u3000us\u3000big\u3000kids\u3000are\u3000free\u3000to\u3000get\u3000on\u3000with\u3000some\u3000down\u3000’n’\u3000dirty\u3000freedom\u3000fighting\uff01\u3003
\n
\nRook\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000with\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000a\u3000crate\uff1b\u3000hiked\u3000herself\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Y’know\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000as\u3000transparent\u3000as\u3000glass\u3002\u3003
\n
\nRand\u3000made\u3000a\u3000blustering\u3000objection\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000away\uff1b\u3000his\u3000cheeks\u3000hot\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we’ve\u3000arrived\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000just\u3000ing\u3000into\u3000view\u3000around\u3000a\u3000bend\u3002\u3000The\u3000Invid\u3000Hive\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000a\u3000spider\u3000straddling\u3000the\u3000river\u3002\u3000Its\u3000nodules\u3000were\u3000all\u3000alight\u3000now\uff1b\u3000like\u3000blister\u3000windows\u3002\u3000Its\u3000curved\u3000underside\u3000glowed\u3000like\u3000a\u3000belly\u2026furnace\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000watched\uff1b\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000left\u3000it\uff1b\u3000ungainly\u3000bats\u3000making\u3000their\u3000way\u3000out\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\n
\n\u3003There\u3000are\u3000no\u3000Hives\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000breathed\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000the\u3000weirdest\u3000looking\u2026\u3003\u3000He\u3000drew\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000everybody\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000had\u3000tarped\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000and\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000with\u3000camouflage\u3000covers\uff1b\u3000but\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000hold\u3000much\u3000promise\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000when\u3000the\u3000string\u3000of\u3000rafts\u3000came\u3000in\u3000under\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000undergut\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000being\u3000a\u3000bug\u3000under\u3000a\u3000lamp\u3000beam\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000reflected\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000huddled\u3000under\u3000a\u3000tarp\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fiery\u3000glare\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thing\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000somehow\u3000they\u3000weren’t\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000They\u3000couldn’t\u3000decide\u3000whether\u3000it\u3000was\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u3000in\u3000a\u3000turmoil\u3000after\u3000suffering\u3000losses\uff1b\u3000or\u3000simply\u3000that\u3000the\u3000aliens\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000Protoculture\u3000spoor\u3000and\u3000ignoring\u3000everything\u3000else\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000stilted\u3000Hive\u3000made\u3000a\u3000bizarre\u3000sight\uff1b\u3000set\u3000against\u3000the\u3000delicate\u3000pink\u2026lighted\u3000inner\u3000surface\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tremendous\u3000roof\u3000shell\u3002\u3000At\u3000some\u3000point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000realized\u3000that\u3000the\u3000light\u3000had\u3000grown\u3000less\u3000harsh\uff1b\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fortress’s\u3000immediate\u3000area\u3002\u3000They\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rafts\u3000drifted\u3000into\u3000darkness\u3002
\n
\nSomething\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000night\u3000sky\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000patrol\u3000they\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000leave\u3000the\u3000fortress\uff1b\u3000exiting\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000through\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000holes\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000five\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000flying\u3000as\u3000the\u3000rear\u3000two\u3000echelons\u3000of\u3000a\u3000triangle\uff1b\u3000two\u3000followed\u3000by\u3000three\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000apex\u3000made\u3000the\u3000team\u3000gasp\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000look\u3000at\u2026\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000began\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000I’ve\u3000ever\u3000heard\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Trooper\u3000like\u3000that\u3000before\uff1b\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000said\uff1b\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hive’s\u3000light\u3000catching\u3000his\u3000pale\u3000skin\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000was\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000head\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000memorized\u3000every\u3000mecha\u2026identification\u3000profile\u3000there\u3000was\uff1b\u3000arid\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000twice\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000others\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000could\u3000it\u3000be\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000answers\u3002
\n
\n
\nOnce\u3000again\uff1b\u3000Rand’s\u3000Notes\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Run\u3000offers\u3000an\u3000enlightening\u3000mentary\u3000on\u3000the\u3000subtler\u3000forces\u3000affecting\u3000the\u3000team\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003Another\u3000two\u3000days’\u3000rafting\u3000brought\u3000us\u3000to\u3000a\u3000deserted\u3000city\u3000where\uff1b\u3000wonder\u3000of\u3000wonders\uff1b\u3000we\u3000found\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000in\u3000an\u3000old\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000underground\u3000shelter\u2026just\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000us\u3000going\u3002\u3000It\u3000should\u3000have\u3000made\u3000us\u3000rubber\u2026kneed\u3000with\u3000relief\uff1b\u3000really\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lucky\u3000find\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000were\u3000all\u3000still\u3000a\u3000little\u3000depressed\u3000about\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000I\u3000kept\u3000expecting\u3000her\u3000to\u3000start\u3000yapping\u3000and\u3000pestering\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Unloading\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000from\u3000the\u3000rafts\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000easier\u3000once\u3000they\u3000were\u3000under\u3000power\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000lifted\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\u3000off\u3000like\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000toy\u3002\u3000We\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000hole\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000downtown\u3000hub\u3000of\u3000that\u3000empty\u3000burg\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fe \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n e\u3000downtown\u3000hub\u3000of\u3000that\u3000empty\u3000burg\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000days\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000else\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000that\u3000we\u3000could\u3000use\u3002\u3000The\u3000Forager\u3000in\u3000me\u3000didn’t\u3000trust\u3000the\u3000place\u2026those\u3000windy\u3000streets\uff1b\u3000echoing\u3000concrete\u3000canyons\u2026but\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000there\u3000would\u3000be\u3000few\u3000other\u3000places\u3000to\u3000resupply\u3000between\u3000there\u3000and\u3000the\u3000coast\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Figuring\u3000a\u3000few\u3000rest\u3000stops\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000us\u3000he\u3000estimated\u3000another\u3000eleven\u3000days’\u3000travel\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Pacific\u3000coast\u3000of\u3000Panama\uff1b\u3000where\u3000we\u3000would\u3000get\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000that\u3000hop\u3000to\u3000what\u3000all\u3000the\u3000old\u3000maps\u3000call\u3000Baja\u3000California\u3002\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000Central\u3000America\u3000was\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000bailiwick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Gulf\u3000of\u3000Mexico\u3000was\u3000their\u3000bathtub\uff1b\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000much\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000go\u3000around\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000we\u3000might\u3000manage\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000region\u3000of\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3000in\u3000as\u3000little\u3000as\u3000a\u3000month\u3000or\u3000so\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Yippee\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003While\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000went\u3000over\u3000the\u3000maps\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000huddled\u3000in\u3000Rook’s\u3000old\u3000jacket\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000I\u3000rode\u3000off\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000else\u3000we\u3000could\u3000forage\u3002\u3000Our\u3000headlights\u3000only\u3000made\u3000the\u3000city\u3000seem\u3000spookier\u3000and\u3000more\u3000ominous\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000grousing\uff1b\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000foolishness\u3000of\u3000scavenging\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000told\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u2018We’d\u3000be\u3000sitting\u3000ducks\u3000during\u3000the\u3000day\u2026not\u3000that\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000lot\u3000safer\u3000now\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000think\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000see\u3000equally\u3000well\uff1b\u3000day\u3000or\u3000night\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000of\u3000a\u3000ment\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3002\u3000To\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000still\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000looks\u3000she\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000had\u3000been\u3000living\u3000some\u3000oldtime\u3000musical\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000said\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000were\u3000about\u3000to\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000a\u3000somber\u3000duet\u3002\u3000As\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000that\u3000intimate\u3000connectedness\u3000I\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000with\u3000Marlene\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000fading\u3002\u3000And\u3000my\u3000feelings\u3000toward\u3000Rook\u3000changed\u3000from\u3000second\u3000to\u3000second\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Anyway\uff1b\u3000there\u3000we\u3000were\u3000riding\u3000among\u3000leaning\u3000and\u3000teetering\u3000buildings\uff1b\u3000toppled\u3000wreckage\uff1b\u3000cracked\u3000streets\u3000with\u3000weeds\u3000growing\u3000up\u3000through\u3000them\u2026and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000jumped\u3000us\u3002\u3000A\u3000flight\u3000of\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000were\u3000following\u3000either\u3000that\u3000giant\u3000one\u3000we\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000or\u3000its\u3000twin\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003They\u3000took\u3000a\u3000novel\u3000approach\uff1b\u3000blasting\u3000the\u3000top\u3000floors\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3000to\u3000pieces\uff1b\u3000raining\u3000cinderblocks\u3000and\u3000cement\u3000and\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000girder\u3000and\u3000glass\u3000down\u3000on\u3000us\u3002\u3000We\u3000did\u3000some\u3000stunt\u3000driving\u3000you\u3000won’t\u3000find\u3000in\u3000any\u3000books\uff1b\u3000with\u3000dust\u3000coating\u3000our\u3000goggles\u3000and\u3000sticking\u3000in\u3000our\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000A\u3000granite\u3000splinter\u3000opened\u3000a\u3000groove\u3000in\u3000Lunk’s\u3000cheek\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000we\u3000fled\u3000forever\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we\u3000zazzed\u3000around\u3000this\u3000turn\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000were\u3000there\uff1b\u3000running\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000Marlene\u3000riding\u3000pillion\u3000behind\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000We\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000lax\uff1b\u3000maybe\uff1b\u3000because\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000in\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Wearing\u3000that\u3000tin\u3000can\u3000never\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bother\u3000him\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000him\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000it\u3000often\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003At\u3000any\u3000rate\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000us\u3000to\u3000find\u3000cover\u3000while\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000interference\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000without\u3000our\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000were\u3000just\u3000bikers\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bull’s\u2026eye\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we\u3000heard\u3000his\u3000fireworks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000poured\u3000on\u3000everything\u3000we\u3000had\u3000because\u3000as\u3000good\u3000as\u3000Scott\u3000was\u2026and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\u3000among\u3000us\u2026he\u3000couldn’t\u3000hold\u3000’em\u3000for\u3000long\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000lead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000spotted\u3000a\u3000major\u3000subway\u3000entrance\u3002\u3000We\u3000went\u3000down\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000our\u3000kidneys\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000little\u3000massage\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000right\u3000behind\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000rounds\u3000were\u3000already\u3000melting\u3000the\u3000entrance\u3000canopy\u3002\u3000We\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000platform\u3000and\u3000then\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000rails\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dark\u3000down\u3000there\uff01\u3000Our\u3000headlights\u3000scared\u3000up\u3000rats\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000small\u3000dogs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000other\u3000things\u3000that\u3000didn’t\u3000fit\u3000in\u3000any\u3000Audubon\u3000book\u3000I\u3000ever\u3000saw\u2026mutations\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000figured\u3000we\u3000could\u3000put\u3000up\u3000a\u3000pretty\u3000good\u3000fight\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000bunch\u3000up\u3000and\u3000move\u3000slowly\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000note\u3000to\u3000slip\u3000on\u3000my\u3000helmet\u3000the\u3000second\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000weapons\u3000make\u3000noise\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000confinement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000a\u3000few\u3000shots\u3000would\u3000be\u3000plenty\u3000for\u3000a\u3000little\u3000short\u2026term\u3000hearing\u3000loss\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\u3000foreseen\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000was\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000would\u3000just\u3000shoot\u3000at\u3000us\u3000from\u3000the\u3000street\u3000above\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000tracked\u3000us\u3000by\u3000Protoculture\u3000emissions\uff1b\u3000I\u3000concluded\u3002\u3000I\u3000bet\u3000that\u3000big\u3000bozo\u3000we\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000shooting\uff1b\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000simply\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000that\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000raw\u3000power\u3002\u3000Even\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000didn’t\u3000pack\u3000such\u3000a\u3000wallop\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sure\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000one\u3000made\u3000me\u3000partially\u3000deaf\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000the\u3000beginnings\u3000of\u3000a\u3000week\u2026long\u3000headache\u3002\u3000At\u3000every\u3000junction\u3000we\u3000looked\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000to\u3000go\u3000deeper\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000Invid\u3000shots\u3000blew\u3000straight\u3000down\u3000through\u3000ceiling\u3000and\u3000floor\u3000behind\u3000us\u3002\u3000The\u3000ceiling\u3000suddenly\u3000collapsed\u3000and\u3000Lunk’s\u3000APC\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000stuck\uff1b\u3000but\u3000somehow\u3000he\u3000churned\u3000free\u3002\u3000I\u3000do\u3000believe\u3000that\u3000glorious\u3000old\u3000wreck\u3000listened\u3000when\u3000he\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000shut\u3000down\u3000our\u3000Cycs\u3000so\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000couldn’t\u3000sense\u3000our\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000must\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000a\u3000final\u3000fix\u3000on\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\uff1b\u3000because\u3000the\u3000last\u3000volley\u3000damn\u3000near\u3000nailed\u3000him\u3002\u3000As\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000tunnel\u3000began\u3000to\u3000break\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000all\u3000wriggled\u3000to\u3000shelter\u3000under\u3000some\u3000subway\u3000cars\uff1b\u3000except\u3000for\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000spill\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000who\u3000crouched\u3000over\u3000her\uff1b\u3000protecting\u3000her\u3000with\u3000his\u3000armor\u3002\u3000I\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000and\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000I\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000in\u3000that\u3000bizarre\u3000instant\u3000flash\u3000you\u3000sometimes\u3000get\uff1b\u3000that\u3000they\u3000were\u3000what\u3000Vonnegut\u3000called\u3000a\u3000\u3003Duprass\u3003\u2026a\u3000bonded\u3000pair\u3002\u3000Something\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000fate\uff1b\u3000no\u3000doubt\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000they\u3000were\u3000knocking\u3000whole\u3000buildings\u3000over\u3000up\u3000above\uff1b\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000was\u3000blocked\u3000by\u3000fallen\u3000debris\u3000and\u3000concrete\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000we\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Lunk’s\u3000beloved\u3000old\u3000jalopy\u3000was\u3000crumpled\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Then\u3000it\u3000got\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000We\u3000guessed\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000decided\u3000they\u3000had\u3000destroyed\u3000us\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000going\u3000back\uff1b\u3000our\u3000only\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000it\uff1b\u3000was\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000another\u3000route\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000place\u2026find\u3000a\u3000junction\u3000further\u3000down\u3002\u3000And\u3000we\u3000had\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000fast\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000pointed\u3000out\uff1b\u3000because\u3000there\u3000might\u3000be\u3000Invid\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000a\u3000way\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000was\u3000mechamorphosing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000cycle\u3000mode\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000reminding\u3000us\u3000how\u3000persistent\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000were\u2026as\u3000if\u3000we\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000that\u3000for\u3000ourselves\u3002\u3000If\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000one\u3000weakness\u3000as\u3000a\u3000leader\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000stating\u3000the\u3000obvious\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stripped\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000armor\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\u3000an\u3000exit\uff1b\u3000his\u3000light\u3000showed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000squooshed\u3000together\u3000like\u3000a\u3000toothpaste\u3000tube\u3000in\u3000that\u3000direction\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000were\u3000sealed\u3000in\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY
\n
\nWhat\u3000is\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000of\u3000men\u3000and\u3000women\u2026males\u3000and\u3000females\u2026and\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000cope\u3000with\u3000one\u3000another\u3000and\u3000the\u3000differences\u3000between\u3000them\uff1f
\nDoesn’t\u3000this\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000heart\u3000of\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3000started\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000place\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000and\u3000Zor\uff1f\u3000The\u3000soullessness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Masters\uff1f\u3000The\u3000Shaping\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000itself\uff1f
\nIsn’t\u3000it\u3000the\u3000question\u3000that\u3000must\u3000be\u3000answered\u3000before\u3000there’s\u3000a\u3000love\u3000that’s\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000the\u3000name\uff1f
\nAltaira\u3000Heimel\uff1b\u3000Butterflies\u3000in\u3000Winter\uff1a\u3000Human\u3000Relations\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars
\n
\nRand\u3000continues\uff1a
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000hardly\u3000batted\u3000an\u3000eyelash\u3002\u3000He\u3000just\u3000fell\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Plan\u3000W\uff1b\u3000or\u3000whatever\u3000letter\u3000he\u3000was\u3000up\u3000to\u3000by\u3000then\u3002\u3000Can\u2026do\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000the\u3000attitude\u3000they\u3000had\u3000drummed\u3000into\u3000him\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000without\u3000any\u3000warning\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000suddenly\u3000lost\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000next\u3000thing\u3000we\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000kneeling\u3000on\u3000Scott’s\u3000chest\uff1b\u3000choking\u3000him\uff1b\u3000screaming\u3000about\u3000how\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000gotten\u3000us\u3000into\u3000this\uff1b\u3000how\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000fault\u3000we\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3000the\u3000first\u3000would\u3000be\u3000undeniable\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we\u3000had\u3000all\u3000had\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000opt\u3000out\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000the\u3000second\u3000part\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000stick\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000regretting\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hadn’t\u3000stayed\u3000behind\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Annie\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wedding\u3000and\u3000settle\u3000down\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hammock\u3000someplace\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003When\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000I\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000peel\u3000him\u3000off\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000just\u3000flung\u3000us\u3000away\u3000with\u3000one\u3000sweep\u3000of\u3000his\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000growling\u3000and\u3000roaring\u3000like\u3000some\u3000berserk\u3000Neanderthal\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000no\u3000intention\u3000of\u3000letting\u3000it\u3000go\u3000on\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000was\u3000smarter\u3000than\u3000we\u3000were\uff1b\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000her\u3000edging\u3000her\u3000H90\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\u3000saw\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000we\u3000made\u3000one\u3000more\u3000effort\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000foaming\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000by\u3000then\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000everything\u3000he\u3000was\u3000thinking\u2026basically\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000he\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000and\u3000I\u3000got\u3000armlocks\u3000on\u3000both\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000and\u3000this\u3000time\u3000we\u3000dragged\u3000him\u3000loose\u3002\u3000Marlene\u3000cradled\u3000Scott’s\u3000head\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000the\u3000bleeding\u3000of\u3000his\u3000split\u3000lip\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\u3000and\u3000I\u3000had\u3000our\u3000hands\u3000full\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000howling\u3000for\u3000us\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000him\u3000alone\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000stepped\u3000back\u3000and\u3000wound\u3000up\u3000for\u3000a\u3000punch\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000power\u3000into\u3000the\u3000uppercut\u2026I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mental\u3000note\u3000not\u3000to\u3000poke\u3000fun\u3000at\u3000Yellow\u3000Dancer\u3000ever\u3000again\u2026but\u3000it\u3000barely\u3000rocked\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000big\u3000guy\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000came\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000fit\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\u3000was\u3000apologizing\uff1b\u3000although\u3000I\u3000noticed\u3000he\u3000was\u3000poised\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Lunk\u3000a\u3000second\u3000dosage\u3000if\u3000the\u3000diagnosis\u3000called\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000But\u3000Lunk’s\u3000madness\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000have\u3000left\u3000him\u3000as\u3000quickly\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000reminded\u3000him\u3000that\u3000Scott\u3000hadn’t\u3000led\u3000us\u3000down\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000had\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000there\u3000I\u3000was\uff1b\u3000nodding\uff1b\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000smug\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sneaky\u3000way\uff1b\u3000about\u3000how\u3000honest\u3000and\u3000forthing\u3000I\u3000was\u3000being\u3002\u3000It\u3000served\u3000me\u3000right\u3000for\u3000letting\u3000my\u3000ego\u3000take\u3000over\uff1b\u3000when\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000looking\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000hooked\u3000me\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000little\u3000like\u3000being\u3000struck\u3000by\u3000lightning\u3002\u3000Next\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000with\u3000loosened\u3000teeth\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003All\u3000I\u3000could\u3000think\u3000of\u3000to\u3000do\u3000was\u3000lie\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000I\u3000settled\u3000for\u3000giving\u3000Lunk\u3000my\u3000best\u3000mean\u3000look\u3002\u3000’Feel\u3000better\uff1f’\u3000I\u3000drooled\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000it\u3000worked\u3002\u3000Next\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000know\uff1b\u3000Lunk’s\u3000down\u3000on\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\u3000begging\u3000my\u3000forgiveness\u3000and\u3000blubbering\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000got\u3000into\u3000him\u2026he\u3000was\u3000scared\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000belong\u3000on\u3000the\u3000team\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000what\u3000it\u3000took\u3000and\u3000so\u3000on\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000opted\u3000for\u3000the\u3000high\u3000road\u3002\u3000Rubbing\u3000my\u3000jaw\uff1b\u3000I\u3000told\u3000him\u3000that\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000me\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000what\u3000it\u3000took\u3000just\u3000a\u3000second\u3000before\u3002\u3000I\u3000sorta\u3000sneaked\u3000a\u3000look\u3000at\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000she\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3000now\u3000mature\u3000and\u3000big\u2026hearted\u3000I\u3000was\u3000being\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000just\u3000sniffed\u3000at\u3000me\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000and\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u2018I\u3000guess\u3000he\u3000proved\u3000that\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000he\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Sometimes\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000third\u3000gender\u3000that\u3000would\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000referee\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Marlene\u3000was\u3000looki \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\u3003Sometimes\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000third\u3000gender\u3000that\u3000would\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000but\u3000referee\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Marlene\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000at\u3000us\u3000like\u3000we\u3000were\u3000crazy\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000we\u3000were\uff1b\u3000Christ\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000all\u3000crazy\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Irregulars\u3000off\u3000on\u3000a\u3000lark\u3000to\u3000blow\u3000up\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff01\u3000No\u3000wonder\u3000it\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000us\u3000to\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000end\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000gradually\u3000pulled\u3000ourselves\u3000back\u3000together\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000said\u3000his\u3000head\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000somebody\u3000had\u3000been\u3000using\u3000it\u3000to\u3000crack\u3000walnuts\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\u3000was\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000that\u3000same\u3000old\u3000thing\uff1b\u3000what\u3000else\uff1f\u3000Back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000war\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000to\u3000make\u3000tracks\u3000from\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000situation\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000coward\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000he\u3000had\u3000cracked\u3000and\u3000let\u3000us\u3000down\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lunk\u3000had\u3000never\u3000asked\u3000me\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000but\u3000from\u3000what\u3000he\u3000admitted\u3000about\u3000that\u3000firelight\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000blamed\u3000for\u3000what\u3000he\u3000did\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000it’s\u3000a\u3000special\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000hell\u3000hearing\u3000your\u3000closest\u3000buddy\u3000scream\u3000for\u3000a\u3000pickup\u3000and\u3000having\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000pat\u3002\u3000But\u3000when\u3000the\u3000transmission’s\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000of\u3000a\u3000walking\u2026barrage\u3000of\u3000Invid\u3000cannonfire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000your\u3000unit’s\u3000wiped\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000man\u3000or\u3000woman\u3000shrieking\u3000at\u3000you\u3000is\u3000mortally\u3000wounded\u3000and\u3000beyond\u3000any\u3000possible\u3000rescue\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000call\u3000it\u3000cowardice\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000evil\u3000of\u3000war\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Lancer\u3000had\u3000established\u3000himself\u3000as\u3000a\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000authority\u3000figure\u3000with\u3000that\u3000punch\uff1b\u3000I\u3000suppose\u3000you\u3000could\u3000say\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000point\u3000out\u3000that\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000just\u3000Human\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000he\u3000was\u3000about\u3000to\u3000burst\u3000into\u3000tears\u3000again\u3002\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000Rook\u3000a\u3000little\u3000eye\u3000signal\u3000and\u3000said\u3000somebody\u3000should\u3000start\u3000hunting\u3000for\u3000a\u3000back\u3000door\u2026that\u3000maybe\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000we\u3000had\u3000missed\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000gave\u3000me\u3000a\u3000funny\u3000look\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000object\u3002\u3000She\u3000and\u3000I\u3000got\u3000flashlights\u3000and\u3000started\u3000off\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000the\u3000very\u3000beginning\u3000of\u3000another\u3000platform\u3000at\u3000the\u3000far\u3000cave\u2026in\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000got\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000lower\u3000level\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000exit\u3002\u3000We\u3000walked\u3000amid\u3000handbills\u3000that\u3000had\u3000faded\u3000and\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000tatters\uff1b\u3000newsstands\u3000where\u3000the\u3000candy\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rats\u3000and\u3000the\u3000stacks\u3000of\u3000newspapers\u3000turned\u3000into\u3000cockroach\u3000settlements\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000steady\u3000drip\u3000of\u3000water\u3000was\u3000everywhere\u3000and\u3000you\u3000could\u3000smell\u3000the\u3000stagnant\u3000pools\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000things\u3000rotting\u3000in\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000constant\u3000skitters\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000distant\u3000squeaks\u3000and\u3000squeals\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000terribly\u3000cold\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dank\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000make\u3000me\u3000shiver\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000face\u3000of\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000on\u3000the\u3000last\u3000edition\u3000of\u3000Mademoiselle\u3000ever\u3000to\u3000be\u3000published\u3000and\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000wondering\u3000what\u3000I\u3000always\u3000wonder\u3000when\u3000I\u3000e\u3000across\u3000things\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Did\u3000she\u3000survive\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000holocaust\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000lived\u3000through\u3000the\u3000turf\u2026wars\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plagues\u3000and\u3000famines\u3000and\u3000slave\u2026roundups\uff1f\u3000Had\u3000she\u3000been\u3000disfigured\uff1b\u3000or\u3000lived\u3000long\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000discover\u3000that\u3000her\u3000beauty\u3000could\u3000be\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000curse\u3000in\u3000this\u3000post\u2026apocalyptic\u3000world\uff1b\u3000and\u3000simply\u3000ended\u3000it\u3000all\u3000one\u3000day\uff1f
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\n\u3003Rook\u3000was\u3000strangely\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000talking\u3000much\u3000because\u3000my\u3000jaw\u3000ached\u3002\u3000Finally\u3000we\u3000were\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000a\u3000platform\uff1b\u3000swinging\u3000our\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000third\u3000rail\u3000that\u3000would\u3000never\u3000know\u3000its\u3000surge\u3000of\u3000current\u3000again\u3002\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000admitting\u3000that\u3000I\u3000wasn’t\u3000so\u3000sure\u3000there\u3000was\u3000any\u3000way\u3000out\u3000this\u3000time\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000expected\u3000the\u3000worst\uff1b\u3000but\u3000for\u3000once\u3000she\u3000wasn’t\u3000busting\u3000my\u3000chops\u3002\u3000\u2018Don’t\u3000give\u3000up\u3000hope\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000we’ll\u3000e\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000way\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3000eventually\u3002’\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000sounded\u3000so\u3000different\u3000all\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sudden\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000change\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000was\u3000flummoxed\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000would\u3000say\u3002\u3000To\u3000cover\u3000up\uff1b\u3000I\u3000said\u3000that\u3000even\u3000if\u3000we\u3000did\u3000get\u3000out\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000would\u3000never\u3000be\u3000the\u3000same\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000just\u3000lay\u3000back\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3000pillowed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ceiling\u3002\u3000I\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000stretch\u3000out\u3000next\u3000to\u3000her\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u2026nothing\u3000funny\uff1b\u3000you\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000just\u3000lie\u3000there\u3000together\u3000like\u3000we\u3000were\u3000out\u3000on\u3000a\u3000hill\u3000someplace\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000clouds\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000might\u3000take\u3000it\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000way\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000should\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000something\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u2018I’ve\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000quitting\u3000the\u3000team\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000expected\u3000her\u3000to\u3000say\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000insisted\uff1b\u3000\u2018It’s\u3000been\u3000on\u3000my\u3000mind\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018But\u3000we’re\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000you\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ever\u3000now\u3000that\u2026’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018I’m\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000people\u3000counting\u3000on\u3000me\uff01\u3000Or\u3000maybe\u3000I’m\u3000just\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000running\u3000for\u3000my\u3000life\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000respond\u3000to\u3000that\uff1b\u3000so\u3000my\u3000mouth\u3000said\uff1b\u3000’C’mon\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000just\u3000like\u3000me\u3002\u3000You\u3000thrive\u3000on\u3000danger\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000me\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000one\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000very\u3000strange\u3000way\u3002\u3000\u2018Up\u3000to\u3000a\u3000point\u3002’\u3000From\u3000her\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000major\u3000concession\uff1b\u3000agreeing\u3000with\u3000anything\u3000I\u3000said\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000I\u3000gave\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000\u2018You’re\u3000right\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000being\u3000straight\u3000with\u3000you\u3000when\u3000I\u3000say\u3000fighting\u3000is\u3000fun\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000I\u3000just\u3000keep\u3000repeating\u3000it\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000facing\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\u3000I’m\u3000scared\u3000sick\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003Now\u3000she\u3000was\u3000watching\u3000me\u3000with\u3000both\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u2018What\u3000d’you\u3000know\uff1f\u3000I\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000I’d\u3000hear\u3000you\u3000admit\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000like\u3000that\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003I\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u2018It’s\u3000all\u3000been\u3000working\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000and\u3000all\u3002\u3000Matter\u3000of\u3000fact\uff1b\u3000I\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000this\u3000whole\u3000mission\u3000isn’t\u3000just\u3000a\u3000hopeless\u3000effort\u3002\u3000A\u3000half\u2026dozen\u3000people\u3000just\u3000can’t\u3000do\u3000it\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Now\u3000she\u3000was\u3000up\u3000on\u3000one\u3000elbow\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000noticing\u3000how\u3000she\u3000moved\u3000in\u3000that\u3000shiny\uff1b\u3000skintight\u3000biker’s\u3000racing\u3000suit\u3002\u3000’Rand\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000had\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Let’s\u3000quit\u3000the\u3000team\u3000together\u3002\u3000Hear\u3000me\u3000out\uff01\u3000We’d\u3000be\u3000saving\u3000everybody’s\u3000life\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000postpone\u3000the\u3000mission\u3000while\u3000we\u3000all\u3000go\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000more\u3000recruits\u3002\u3000There\u3000are\u3000Resistance\u3000units\u3002\u3000We\u3000might\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000assemble\u3000a\u3000real\u3000strikeforce\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000that\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000seconds\u3002\u3000An\u3000hour\u3000would\u3000not\u3000have\u3000been\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000her\u3000to\u3000think\u3000I\u3000was\u3000slow\u3000or\u3000indecisive\u3000now\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000civil\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000\u2018I’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000even\u3000better\u3000idea\uff1a\u3000Why\u3000don’t\u3000you\u3000and\u3000me\u3000just\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000and\u3000not\u3000e\u3000back\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Those\u3000fair\uff1b\u3000fine\u3000brows\u3000of\u3000hers\u3000came\u3000together\u3002\u3000\u2018What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000saying\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018We\u3000could\u3000hop\u3000on\u3000our\u3000bikes\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000highway\u3000again\uff01\u3000You\u3000and\u3000I\u3000could\u3000get\u3000married\uff1b\u3000have\u3000us\u3000a\u3000coupla\u3000spare\u3000wheels\u2026’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000will\uff1b\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3000be\u3000obvious\u3000to\u3000the\u3000knowledgeable\u3000reader\u3000that\u3000in\u3000spite\u3000of\u3000all\u3000the\u3000boasting\u3000I\u3000had\u3000done\uff1b\u3000I\u3000really\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000much\u3000about\u3000women\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000giving\u3000me\u3000a\u3000glare\u3000that\u3000made\u3000me\u3000wonder\u3000if\u3000I\u3000should\u3000go\u3000get\u3000myself\u3000fumigated\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000all\u3000at\u3000once\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000started\u3000twirling\u3000a\u3000wisp\u3000of\u3000her\u3000forelock\u3000around\u3000one\u3000finger\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000it\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000cross\u2026eyed\u3002\u3000\u2018You’ve\u3000pletely\u3000missed\u3000my\u3000point\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3002\u3000The\u3000point\u3000was\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000together\u3000so\u3000we\u3000could\u3000find\u3000more\u3000people\u3000and\u3000bring\u3000them\u3000back\u3002\u3000Get\u3000me\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018I\u3000thought\u3000the\u3000point\u3000was\u3000to\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000road\u3000together\u3000because\u3000you\u3000feel\u3000the\u3000same\u3000way\u3000about\u3000me\u3000that\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000about\u3000you\uff1b’\u3000I\u3000opened\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u2018We’d\u3000be\u3000perfect\u3000together\u3002\u3000I’d\u3000follow\u3000you\u3000anywhere\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000that\u3002’\u3003
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\n\u3003\u2018Have\u3000you\u3000pletely\u3000lost\u3000your\u3000mind\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Huh\u2026uh\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000pletely\u3000lost\u3000my\u3000heart\u3002’\u3000God\uff1b\u3000what\u3000else\u3000did\u3000she\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000say\uff1f\u3000And\u3000so\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000because\u3000\uff08I’m\u3000pretty\u3000sure\uff09\u3000I\u3000had\u3000made\u3000my\u3000point\uff1b\u3000she\u3000just\u2026jumped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\uff01\u3000She\u3000just\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000the\u3000conversation\uff01\u3000With\u3000that\u3000one\u3000move\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000calling\u3000the\u3000tune\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003So\u3000I\u3000got\u3000up\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000and\u3000put\u3000my\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000her\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000not\u3000at\u3000all\u3000certain\u3000that\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000flip\u3000me\u3000down\u3000over\u3000the\u3000third\u3000rail\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000stamped\u3000one\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000pushed\u3000my\u3000arm\u3000away\u3000and\u3000scolded\u3000me\u3000instead\u3002\u3000\u2018The\u3000point\u3000of\u3000this\u3000deal\u3000is\u3000to\u3000save\u3000our\u3000friends’\u3000lives\uff1b\u3000not\u3000to\u3000establish\u3000a\u3000relationship\u3002\u3000If\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you’re\u3000willing\u3000to\u3000accept\u3000that\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I’m\u3000still\u3000game\u3002’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003\u2018Since\u3000you\u3000put\u3000it\u3000that\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I\u3000can\u3000hardly\u3000refuse\uff1b\u3000can\u3000I\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000chuckled\u3000softly\uff1b\u3000that\u3000throaty\u3000laugh\u3000that\u3000made\u3000me\u3000wish\u3000so\u3000muck\u3000that\u3000we\u3000could\u3000be\u3000together\u3002\u3000\u2018Boy\uff1b\u3000will\u3000Scott\u3000be\u3000mad\uff1b’\u3000she\u3000added\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000laughed\u3000some\u3000more\u3000and\u3000it\u3000made\u3000me\u3000laugh\uff1b\u3000but\u3000really\u3000I\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000time\u3000what\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000like\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000her\u3000in\u3000my\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000have\u3000her\u3000embrace\u3000me\u3000instead\u3000of\u3000pushing\u3000me\u3000away\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000my\u3000head\u3000swim\u3000and\u3000I\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000forgot\u3000what\u3000we\u3000were\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000laughing\u3000about\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000our\u3000dropping\u3000out\u3000was\u3000so\u3000funny\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000We\u3000kept\u3000citing\u3000burnout\u3000and\u3000the\u3000need\u3000for\u3000more\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000without\u3000touching\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Lunk\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000poor\u3000Lunk\u3000just\u3000stood\u3000there\u3000looking\u3000hangdog\u3000and\u3000miserable\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000hampered\u3000by\u3000the\u3000fact\u3000that\uff1b\u3000after\u3000all\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000us\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000signed\u3000an\u3000enlistment\u3000paper\u3000or\u3000sworn\u3000an\u3000oath\u3000of\u3000loyalty\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Marlene\u3000was\u3000just\u3000puzzled\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000Lancer\u3000wasn’t\u3000fooled\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000peace\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000when\u3000I\u3000told\u3000them\u3000I\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000a\u3000way\u3000that\u3000we\u3000might\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000that\u3000sepulcher\u3002\u3000They\u3000heard\u3000me\u3000out\uff1b\u3000disliked\u3000my\u3000brainstorm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000gave\u3000in\u3000to\u3000it\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000didn’t\u3000take\u3000long\u3000and\u3000it\u3000wasn’t\u3000too\u3000sophisticated\u3002\u3000We\u3000fastened\u3000our\u3000last\u3000spare\u3000Protoculture\u3000cells\u3000behind\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000wedge\u3000we\u3000put\u3000on\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000rail\u3000that\u3000we\u3000cut\u3000loose\u3000with\u3000H90’s\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000mounted\u3000the\u3000wedge\u3000on\u3000a\u3000derelict\u3000subway\u3000car\u3000using\u3000his\u3000Cyc\u3000armor’s\u3000strength\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000was\u3000pretty\u3000obvious\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Scott\u3000had\u3000yanked\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000loose\u3000and\u3000even\u3000straightened\u3000out\u3000most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000damage\uff1b\u3000with\u3000his\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Everybody\u3000understood\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000that\u3000we\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000place\u3000down\u3000on\u3000our\u3000heads\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000air\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000get\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000or\u3000so\u3000it\u3000felt\uff1b\u3000and\u3000we\u3000had\u3000all\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000of\u3000being\u3000buried\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000no\u3000objections\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Lunk\u3000was\u3000calm\u3000again\u3002\u3000He\u3000got\u3000the\u3000cells\uff1b\u3000primed\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lashed\u3000them\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000steady\uff1b\u3000proficient\u2026almost\u3000cheerful\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000us\u3000got\u3000into\u3000our\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000got\u3000to\u3000cover\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000stood\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000in\u3000case\u3000Invid\u3000came\u3000swarming\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000we\u3000were\u3000hoping\u3000we\u3000would\u3000make\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000car’s\u3000motor\u3000was\u3000long\u3000dead\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000But\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000I\u3000started\u3000heaving\u3000and\u3000pushing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000The\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000got\u3000that\u3000crate\u3000moving\u3000in\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000rusted\u3000parts\u3000freeing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000banshee\u3000shrieks\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we\u3000hit\u3000our\u3000jets\u3000and\u3000the\u3000car\u3000was\u3000rocketi \n
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\n o\u3000time\uff1b\u3000rusted\u3000parts\u3000freeing\u3000up\u3000with\u3000banshee\u3000shrieks\u3002\u3000Then\u3000we\u3000hit\u3000our\u3000jets\u3000and\u3000the\u3000car\u3000was\u3000rocketing\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000it\u3000ever\u3000traveled\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Urban\u3000Transmit\u3000System\uff1b\u3000I\u3000bet\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003We\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000because\u3000we\u3000had\u3000our\u3000shoulders\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Scott\u3000told\u3000me\u3000later\u3000that\u3000the\u3000rail\u3000and\u3000the\u3000canisters\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000just\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000go\u3000into\u3000the\u3000rubble\u3000like\u3000an\u3000icepick\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000mounted\u3000the\u3000cells\u3000just\uff1b\u3000right\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000when\u3000they\u3000were\u3000several\u3000yards\u3000in\uff1b\u3000they\u3000went\u3000off\u3000like\u3000shaped\u3000charges\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000never\u3000found\u3000out\u3000how\u3000Lunk\u3000rigged\u3000those\u3000cells\uff1b\u3000but\u3000suddenly\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000gap\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cave\u2026in\u3000and\u3000the\u3000car\u3000was\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003The\u3000explosion\u3000rocked\u3000the\u3000car\u3000back\u3000and\u3000knocked\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000me\u3000right\u3000on\u3000our\u3000butts\uff1b\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000or\u3000no\u3002\u3000We\u3000pushed\u3000the\u3000car\u3000off\u3000again\u3000with\u3000our\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000way\u3000clear\u3002
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000that\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000had\u3000the\u3000presence\u3000of\u3000mind\u3000to\u3000rig\u3000earplugs\u3000for\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000none\u3000of\u3000us\u3000armored\u3000types\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3003Even\u3000before\u3000we\u3000could\u3000get\u3000up\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000scrambling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000car\uff1b\u3000running\u3000to\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000end\u3000with\u3000armor\u2026heavy\u3000steps\u3000that\u3000shook\u3000it\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000about\u3000a\u3000half\u3000a\u3000high\u3000hurdle\u3000behind\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000were\u3000being\u3000alarmist\u3002\u3000But\u3000as\u3000I\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000a\u3000hand\u3000up\u3000from\u3000Rook\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000Scott\u3000yell\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000’Invid\uff01’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Apparently\uff1b\u3000a\u3000few\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hovering\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000start\u3000digging\u3000because\u3000it\u3000might\u3000bring\u3000down\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000on\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000had\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000time\u3000frame\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000if\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000dig\u3000ourselves\u3000out\u3000by\u3000its\u3000elapse\u3000we\u3000would\u3000be\u3000written\u3000off\u3000as\u3000dead\u3002\u3000We’ll\u3000never\u3000know\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000got\u3000in\u3000the\u3000first\u3000eight\u3000or\u3000ten\u3000shots\u3000and\u3000some\u3000missile\u3000hits\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000set\u3000the\u3000stage\u3000for\u3000a\u3000rub\u2026out\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000I\u3000followed\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000we\u3000could\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000really\u3000wasn’t\u3000much\u3000to\u3000do\u3000but\u3000mop\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000next\u3000part’s\u3000a\u3000little\u3000anticlimactic\uff1b\u3000we\u3000had\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000for\u3000the\u3000tunnel\u3000to\u3000cool\u3000off\u3000from\u3000the\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000firefight\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships’\u3000thrusters\uff1b\u3000but\u3000clearing\u3000a\u3000way\u3000with\u3000the\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cinch\u3002\u3000In\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\uff1b\u3000we\u3000were\u3000back\u3000on\u3000the\u3000surface\uff1b\u3000with\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000any\u3000patrols\u3000and\u3000no\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000that\u3000big\u2026bruiser\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000took\u3000off\u3000our\u3000armor\u3002\u3000I\u3000kept\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000put\u3000my\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000Rook’s\u3000shoulders\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000the\u3000other\u3000way\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000deciding\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000take\u3000offense\uff1b\u3000then\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000edge\u3000my\u3000arm\u3000up\u3000again\u2026then\u3000pulling\u3000it\u3000back\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000nobody\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000I\u3000probably\u3000looked\u3000fairly\u3000spastic\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Here’s\u3000where\u3000it\u3000gets\u3000surprising\u3000again\uff1a\u3000When\u3000we\u3000finally\u3000trudged\u3000back\u3000to\u3000where\u3000we\u3000had\u3000left\u3000the\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000there\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003She\u3000was\u3000wearing\u3000her\u3000olive\u2026drab\u3000army\u3000surplus\uff1b\u3000that\u3000pink\u3000rucksack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000an\u3000E\u3002T\u3002\u3000cap\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000she\u3000had\u3000lost\u3000in\u3000the\u3000fortress\u2026a\u3000spare\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000surprise\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000moping\u3000around\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000us\u3000her\u3000face\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Christmas\u3000tree\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003After\u3000some\u3000reunion\u3000time\uff1b\u3000we\u3000got\u3000the\u3000story\u3000out\u3000of\u3000her\u2026or\u3000at\u3000least\uff1b\u3000her\u3000version\u3002\u3000\u2018Can\u3000you\u3000picture\u3000me\u3000as\u3000a\u3000jungle\u3000princess\uff1f\u3000They\u3000expected\u3000me\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000fruit\u3000and\u3000nuts\u3000and\u3000stand\u3000in\u3000the\u3000background\u3000while\u3000the\u3000men\u3000held\u3000council\uff01\u3000So\u3000I\u3000said\u3000so\u2026long\uff01\u3000Dumb\uff1b\u3000hmm\uff1f’\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000suspected\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000also\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000that\u3000the\u3000tribe\u3000wouldn’t\u3000rename\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000her\u3000honor\u3002\u3000And\u3000that\u3000Magruder\u3000expected\u3000certain\u3000matrimonial\u3000acmodations\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000like\u3000me\uff1a\u3000talked\u3000a\u3000better\u3000fight\uff1b\u3000in\u3000certain\u3000arenas\uff1b\u3000than\u3000she\u3000could\u3000deliver\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003It\u3000was\u3000pouring\u3000down\u3000rain\u3000by\u3000then\u3000and\u3000we\u3000were\u3000all\u3000standing\u3000under\u3000the\u3000Beta\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000a\u3000parking\u3000garage\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000interrupt\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u2026and\u3000everyone\u3000else\u2026that\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000I\u3000were\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000because\u3000we\u3000couldn’t\u3000hack\u3000it\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000watched\u3000me\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000a\u3000word\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000shattered\uff1b\u3000poor\u3000kid\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000Rook\u3000spoke\u3000to\u3000back\u3000me\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Marlene\u3000said\u3000she\u3000would\u3000stay\u3000with\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000seemed\u3000only\u3000as\u3000it\u3000should\u3000be\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000in\u3000for\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000nine\u3000yards\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000ancients\u3000put\u3000it\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3000To\u3000prove\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3002\u3000\uff08Though\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000wrong\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mission\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000I\u3000kept\u3000my\u3000mouth\u3000shut\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000all\u3000motives\u3000and\u3000ideals\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000a\u3000little\u3000tainted\uff1b\u3000by\u3000then\u3002\uff09\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000way\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000out\u3000was\u3000just\u3000Rook\u3000and\u3000me\u3000riding\u3000away\u3000into\u3000a\u3000curtain\u3000of\u3000icy\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000while\u3000the\u3000others\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000go\u3000on\u3000without\u3000us\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000was\u3000crying\u3000her\u3000heart\u3000out\u3000on\u3000Lunk’s\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000The\u3000farewells\u3000had\u3000hurt\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000than\u3000they\u3000had\u3000helped\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Some\u3000brilliant\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Rand\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rook\u3000was\u3000tearing\u3000along\u3000way\u3000too\u3000fast\u3000for\u3000weather\u3000and\u3000road\u3000conditions\uff1b\u3000and\u3000almost\u3000slammed\u3000me\u3000with\u3000her\u3000Cyc\u3000when\u3000I\u3000mentioned\u3000it\u3002\u3000So\u3000we\u3000rode\u3000on\uff1b\u3000with\u3000all\u3000of\u3000it\u3000eating\u3000at\u3000us\u3000and\u3000no\u3000possibility\u3000of\u3000talking\u3000it\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003And\u3000we\u3000were\u3000thinking\u3000the\u3000same\u3000thing\uff1a\u3000The\u3000team\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000carry\u3000on\u3000the\u3000mission\u3002\u3000Dropouts\uff1b\u3000losses\uff1b\u3000setbacks\u2026none\u3000of\u3000that\u3000mattered\u3002\u3000Something\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000themselves\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000last\u3000straw\u3000was\u3000when\u3000Scott\u3000and\u3000Lancer\u3000cruised\u3000slowly\u3000overhead\u3000in\u3000VTOL\u3000mode\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000flyby\u3000and\u3000solemn\u3000salute\u3002\u3000Suddenly\u3000my\u3000adored\u3000Rook\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3000anymore\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000bandit\u3000turn\u3000on\u3000the\u3000slick\u3000street\uff1b\u3000risking\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000charging\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\u3002\u3000Back\u3000to\u3000greet\u3000Lunk\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000back\u3000to\u3000board\u3000the\u3000Alpha\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000behind\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000turned\u3000more\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000just\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000like\u3000talking\u3000to\u3000anybody\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000have\u3000to\u3000get\u3000Scott\u3000to\u3000land\uff1b\u3000because\u3000he\u3000had\u3000my\u3000Beta\u3000mated\u3000to\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000watched\u3000Rook\u3000speed\u3000through\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000like\u3000a\u3000Valkyrie\u3000on\u3000two\u3000wheels\uff1b\u3000a\u3000War\u3000Stormqueen\u3002\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3000or\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000brave\u3000words\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000staying\u3000because\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000stayed\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000left\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Something\u3000greater\u3000than\u3000myself\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000hold\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026ONE
\n
\nI\u3000suppose\u3000it’s\u3000net\u3000a\u3000secret\u3000by\u3000now\uff1b\u3000though\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000till\u3000Pop\u3000knew\u3000it\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000team\u3000members\u3000plained\u3000about\u3000what\u3000bothered\u3000them\u3000the\u3000most\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000agonized\u3000over\u3000how\u3000the\u3000books\u3000and\u3000films\u3000and\u3000tapes\u3000were\u3000dying\u2026how\u3000Human\u3000history\u3000was\u3000passing\u3000away\u3002\u3000And\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000sometimes\u3000he\u3000admitted\u3000he\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000one\u2026man\u3000databank\/preservation\u3000society\u3002
\nA\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000things\u3000happened\u3000after\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\u3000my\u3000opinion\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000when\u3000Mom\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000love\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000and\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\u3002
\nNaturally\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000right\u3000away\u3002
\nMaria\u3000Bartley\u2026Rand\uff1b\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\uff1a\u3000Journey\u3000Beyond\u3000Protoculture
\n
\nThe\u3000evolution\u3000wasn’t\u3000finished\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000just\u3000beginning\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000time\u3000had\u3000e\u3000for\u3000a\u3000form\u3000beyond\u3000that\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Enforcer\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000time\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000category\u3000of\u3000mecha\u2026a\u3000new\u3000evolutionary\u3000step\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000the\u3000Hive\u3000Center\u3000at\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000on\u3000two\u3000Enforcers\u3002\u3000One\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000that\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000eliminate\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000had\u3000been\u3000quickened\u3000less\u3000than\u3000a\u3000week\u3000earlier\u3002\u3000These\u3000two\u3000were\u3000the\u3000most\u3000intelligent\uff1b\u3000capable\u3000and\u3000adaptable\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000children\u3002
\n
\n\u3003You\u3000have\u3000been\u3000summoned\u3000here\u3000to\u3000assume\u3000your\u3000rightful\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000new\u3000order\u3000of\u3000our\u3000society\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003First\u3000you\u3000must\u3000undergo\u3000transformation\u3000to\u3000the\u3000life\u3000form\u3000most\u3000suitable\u3000to\u3000this\u3000planet\u3002\u3000Prepare\u3000for\u3000bio\u2026reconstruction\uff01\u3003
\n
\nJagged\u3000nets\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000whirled\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000globe\u3002\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dome\uff1b\u3000to\u3000ensnare\u3000the\u3000two\u3000Enforcers\u3000and\u3000etch\u3000them\u3000in\u3000light\u3002\u3000They\u3000writhed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000in\u3000torment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000froze\u3000like\u3000statues\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000been\u3000stripped\u3000away\uff1b\u3000dissolved\u3000to\u3000particles\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Protoculture\u3000fires\u3000two\u3000figures\uff1b\u3000in\u3000fetal\u3000tuck\uff1b\u3000floated\u2026the\u3000forms\u3000of\u3000two\u3000fully\u3000developed\u3000Humans\u2026a\u3000male\u3000and\u3000a\u3000female\u3002
\n
\n\u3003My\u3000children\uff1b\u3000you\u3000now\u3000share\u3000a\u3000part\u3000of\u3000my\u3000own\u3000genetic\u3000code\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000prince\u3000and\u3000princess\u3000of\u3000our\u3000race\uff1b\u3000and\u3000shall\u3000be\u3000known\u3000hereafter\u3000as\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis\u3000appeared\u3000again\u3000in\u3000her\u3000almost\u2026physical\u3000manifestation\uff1b\u3000the\u3000swirling\u3000barber\u2026pole\u3000stripes\u3000of\u3000energy\u3000spiraling\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000around\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000poured\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000purity\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\u3000power\u3000on\u3000a\u3000scale\u3000that\u3000only\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000monarch\u3000was\u3000capable\u3000of\u3000ordaining\u3000or\u3000controlling\u3002\u3000In\u3000moments\uff1b\u3000new\u3000mecha\u3000formed\u3000around\u3000the\u3000floating\u3000twins\uff1b\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3002
\n
\n\u3003We\u3000must\u3000soon\u3000begin\u3000the\u3000mass\u3000transformation\u3000of\u3000our\u3000people\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000life\u3000form\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000went\u3000on\uff1b\u3000\u3003the\u3000form\u3000in\u3000which\u3000I\u3000have\u3000conceived\u3000you\u3002\u3000The\u3000most\u3000advanced\u3000and\u3000flexible\u3000configuration\u3000for\u3000survival\u3000on\u3000this\u3000planet\u2026this\u3000world\u3000to\u3000which\u3000the\u3000Flower\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000has\u3000led\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n
\nTwo\u3000mecha\u3000stood\u3000side\u3000by\u3000side\u3000now\uff1b\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000Enforcers\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000more\u3000humanlike\u3000in\u3000form\u3000than\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000alien\u3000war\u3000machines\u3002\u3000They\u3000looked\u3000like\u3000the\u3000powered\u3000armor\u3000the\u3000Zentraedi\u3000had\u3000used\u3000long\u3000ago\uff1b\u3000but\u3000they\u3000were\u3000larger\u3002\u3000The\u3000upper\u3000torsos\u3000were\u3000heavy\u3000with\u3000weapon\u3000pods\u3000and\u3000power\u3000nacelles\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that\u3000the\u3000things\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000strange\u3000appearance\u3000of\u3000buxomness\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000area\u3000was\u3000quite\u3000small\uff1b\u3000sunk\u3000between\u3000massively\u3000armed\u3000and\u3000powered\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000immensely\u3000strong\u3000arms\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000mecha\u3000of\u3000Corg\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000so\u3000recently\u3000harried\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000in\u3000their\u3000underground\u3000escape\uff1b\u3000was\u3000drab\u3000gray\u2026green\uff1b\u3000with\u3000highlights\u3000in\u3000an\u3000orange\u2026tan\u3000color\u3002\u3000Sera’s\u3000mecha\u3000was\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000with\u3000trim\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000pink\u3002\u3000The\u3000great\u3000Robotech\u3000digits\u3000worked\u3000and\u3000tested\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Prince\u3000and\u3000Princess\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000risen\u3000above\u3000the\u3000claw\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pincer\u3002
\n
\n\u3003However\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000told\u3000them\uff1b\u3000\u3003there\u3000may\u3000be\u3000hidden\u3000dangers\u3000in\u3000this\u3000physical\u3000form\u3002\u3000An\u3000earlier\u3000experiment\u3000with\u3000Human\u3000reconstruction\u3000appears\u3000to\u3000be\u3000malfunctioning\u3002\u3000Our\u3000spy\uff1b\u3000Ariel\uff1b\u3000whom\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000call\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000has\u3000failed\u3000to\u3000establish\u3000munications\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000seek\u3000out\u3000Ariel\u3000and\u3000determine\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dysfunction\uff1b\u3000before\u3000we\u3000mit\u3000our\u3000race\u3000to\u3000a\u3000plete\u3000metamorphosis\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000prepare\u3000the\u3000way\u3000for\u3000the\u3000final\u3000phase\u3000of\u3000our\u3000domination\u3000of\u3000this\u3000planet\uff01\u3000Go\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000prove\u3000yourselves\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000your\u3000heritage\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000sun\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000stood\u3000on \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000prove\u3000yourselves\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000your\u3000heritage\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nAs\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000sun\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000stood\u3000on\u3000a\u3000cliff\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Pacific\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000calculating\u3000the\u3000variables\u3000and\u3000the\u3000absolutes\u3000involved\u3000in\u3000a\u3000run\u3000for\u3000Baja\u3000California\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000others\u3000were\u3000just\u3000enjoying\u3000themselves\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000crashing\u3000waves\u3000and\u3000the\u3000plaintive\u3000gulls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000enjoying\u3000the\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000water\u3000and\u3000the\u3000broad\u3000beach\u3002
\n
\nFrom\u3000here\u3000on\uff1b\u3000according\u3000to\u3000fragmentary\u3000reports\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000watchposts\u3000and\u3000strongholds\u3000grew\u3000thicker\u3000and\u3000thicker\u3002\u3000In\u3000order\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000them\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sea\u2026cruise\u3000seemed\u3000the\u3000only\u3000hope\u3002\u3000The\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000low\u3000on\u3000Protoculture\u3000again\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ordnance\u3000was\u3000practically\u3000gone\u3002\u3000But\u3000they\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sea\u3002
\n
\nFrom\u3000here\uff1b\u3000anything\u3000was\u3000possible\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000was\u3000thinking\u3000along\u3000the\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000a\u3000low\uff1b\u3000slow\u3000swing\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ocean\u3000by\u3000night\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000Lunk’s\u3000truck\u3000and\u3000most\u3000of\u3000their\u3000other\u3000baggage\u3000behind\u2026perhaps\u3000even\u3000abandoning\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3002
\n
\nThat\u3000was\u3000when\u3000Annie\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000discovery\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000just\u3000stood\u3000there\u3000staring\uff1b\u3000while\u3000Annie\u3000asked\u3000them\u3000what\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000it\u3000was\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000answered\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Abandoned\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000base\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000bination\u3000Navy\u3000Division\/Jungle\u3000Forces\u3000installation\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000say\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000place\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cluster\u3000of\u3000piers\uff1b\u3000radio\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000hangars\uff1b\u3000domes\u3000and\u3000quonset\u3000huts\uff1b\u3000barracks\u3000and\u3000operations\u3000center\u3000structures\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000was\u3000decayed\u3000and\u3000overgrown\u3000with\u3000jungle\u3000plant\u3000life\uff1b\u3000and\u3000several\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roofs\u3000had\u3000collapsed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000new\u3000to\u3000the\u3000team\uff1b\u3000a\u3000gleaming\u3000town\u3000in\u3000good\u3000repair\u3000would\u3000have\u3000surprised\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000was\u3000just\u3000one\u3000more\u3000pocket\u3000of\u3000earthly\u3000decline\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000were\u3000instantly\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000food\uff1b\u3000weapons\uff1b\u3000maps\uff1b\u3000and\u3000charts\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000equipment\u3000or\u3000a\u3000boat\u3002\u3000in\u3000another\u3000second\u3000they\u3000were\u3000racing\u3000back\u3000to\u3000their\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000eager\u3000to\u3000explore\u3002
\n
\n
\nWhat\u3000pieces\u3000of\u3000mecha\u3000there\u3000were\u3000in\u3000the\u3000base\u3000were\u3000useless\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000other\u3000news\u3000was\u3000good\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fair\u3000amount\u3000of\u3000Protoculture\uff1b\u3000ordnance\u3000that\u3000was\u3000patible\u3000with\u3000their\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000sealed\u3000ration\u3000containers\u3000that\u3000had\u3000withstood\u3000the\u3000test\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000desalination\u3000plant\u3000that\u3000was\u3000still\u3000up\u3000to\u3000supplying\u3000a\u3000trickle\u3000of\u3000fresh\u3000water\u3002\u3000But\u3000best\u3000of\u3000all\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000boats\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boats\u3000were\u3000missile\u3000PTs\uff1b\u3000heavily\u3000armed\u3000for\u3000their\u3000size\u3000and\u3000extremely\u3000quick\u3000and\u3000maneuverable\u3002\u3000The\u3000third\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cutter\u3000mounting\u3000missiles\u3000and\u3000a\u3000large\u3000pumpedlaser\u3000battery\u3002\u3000Finding\u3000the\u3000boats\u3000confirmed\u3000Scott’s\u3000decision\uff1a\u3000The\u3000best\u3000way\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000run\u3000to\u3000Baja\u3000was\u3000by\u3000sea\u3002\u3000It\u3000would\u3000save\u3000Protoculture\u3000and\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000below\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000sky\u3000sensors\u3002\u3000The\u3000VTs\u3000could\u3000take\u3000turns\u3000hitching\u3000a\u3000ride\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cutter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000boats\u3000could\u3000carry\u3000a\u3000wealth\u3000of\u3000supplies\u3000and\u3000materiel\u3002
\n
\nWhatever\u3000had\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Southern\u3000Cross\u3000troops\u3000abandon\u3000their\u3000base\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000left\u3000them\u3000time\u3000to\u3000put\u3000their\u3000boats\u3000and\u3000other\u3000equipment\u3000in\u3000mothballs\u3000before\u3000they\u3000went\u3002\u3000In\u3000no\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000team\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000everything\u3000in\u3000working\u3000order\u3000again\u3002\u3000Aerosol\u3000cans’\u3000spray\u3000peeled\u3000off\u3000the\u3000sealant\u3000layers\u3000over\u3000the\u3000boats’\u3000engines\u3000and\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000the\u3000other\u3000gear\uff1b\u3000special\u3000treatments\u3000had\u3000kept\u3000the\u3000hulls\u3000free\u3000of\u3000barnacles\u3000and\u3000such\u3000growth\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000immune\u3000to\u3000rot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000as\u3000ready\u3000to\u3000go\u3000as\u3000when\u3000they\u3000had\u3000been\u3000laid\u3000down\u3002
\n
\nLancer\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000his\u3000turn\u3000at\u3000watch\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000a\u3000binocular\u3000raised\u3000to\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000couldn’t\u3000help\u3000but\u3000feel\u3000that\u3000chill\u3000he\u3000got\u3000whenever\u3000things\u3000were\u3000going\u3000a\u3000little\u3000too\u3000well\u3002\u3000It\u3000wasn’t\u3000very\u3000many\u3000minutes\u3000later\u3000that\u3000he\u3000found\u3000himself\u3000staring\u3000through\u3000his\u3000binocular\u3000at\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000whose\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000right\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\n\u3003What\u3000I\u3000figure\u3000is\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000others\u3000a\u3000minute\u3000later\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000not\u3000sure\u3000yet\u3000that\u3000there’s\u3000anything\u3000going\u3000on\u3000here\u3002\u3000But\u3000I’d\u3000be\u3000shocked\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000don’t\u3000e\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000very\u3000soon\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000want\u3000the\u3000element\u3000of\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000we’d\u3000better\u3000get\u3000hopping\u3002\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000would\u3000have\u3000liked\u3000another\u3000two\u3000days\u3000to\u3000reconnoiter\uff1b\u3000double\u2026check\u3000the\u3000boats\u3000from\u3000stem\u3000to\u3000stern\uff1b\u3000rest\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000perhaps\u3000even\u3000do\u3000a\u3000short\u3000sea\u2026trial\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000two\u3000minutes\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000had\u3000some\u3000experience\u3000with\u3000a\u3000Resistance\u3000quickboat\u3000outfit\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000the\u3000logical\u3000one\u3000to\u3000take\u3000mand\u3000of\u3000the\u3000missile\u3000cutter\u3002\u3000He\u3000put\u3000out\u3000to\u3000sea\u3000with\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000joining\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000two\u3000PTs\u3000were\u3000towed\u3000by\u3000hawsers\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000lifted\u3000off\u3000to\u3000rendezvous\u3000with\u3000the\u3000tiny\u3000flotilla\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000minute\u3000they\u3000activated\u3000their\u3000Protoculture\u3000engines\uff1b\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3000came\u3000shooting\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000Annihilation\u3000discs\u3000hatched\u3000infernos\u3000all\u3000around\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003This\u3000always\u3000happens\uff1b\u3000very\u3000time\u3000I\u3000go\u3000up\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000plained\u3002\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000those\u3000guys\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000better\u3000to\u3000do\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nThe\u3000VTs\u3000went\u3000darting\u3000off\u3000on\u3000evasive\u3000maneuvers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000pilots\u3000punching\u3000up\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000targeting\u3000displays\u3002\u3000The\u3000Troopers\u3000folded\u3000their\u3000ladybug\u2026shaped\u3000forearms\u3000close\u3000to\u3000them\u3000and\u3000blasted\u3000after\u3000the\u3000VTs\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000from\u3000their\u3000shoulder\u2026mounted\u3000cannon\u3002\u3000The\u3000fighters\u3000led\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000on\u3000a\u3000long\u3000swing\u3000out\u3000to\u3000sea\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000boats\u3002\u3000The\u3000humans\u3000were\u3000breathing\u3000heavily\u3000from\u3000the\u3000g\u2026forces\uff1b\u3000legs\u3000locked\uff1b\u3000stomach\u3000muscles\u3000tightened\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000blood\u3000up\u3000in\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000where\u3000it\u3000was\u3000needed\u3000the\u3000most\u3002\u3000The\u3000tac\u3000net\u3000sounded\u3000like\u3000a\u3000wrestling\u3000tournament\u3002
\n
\nOne\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000got\u3000a\u3000glancing\u3000hit\u3000at\u3000Rook’s\u3000ship\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000groan\u3000of\u3000pain\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000went\u3000cold\u3002\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000around\uff1b\u3000thumbed\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3000on\u3000his\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000and\u3000flamed\u3000a\u3000Shock\u3000Trooper\u3000that\u3000never\u3000even\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000hit\u3000it\u3002\u3000A\u3000second\u3000Trooper\u3000broke\u3000off\u3000its\u3000pursuit\uff1b\u3000diving\u3000and\u3000sliding\u3000to\u3000avoid\u3000meeting\u3000a\u3000similar\u3000fate\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Serves\u3000ya\u3000right\u3000for\u3000fooling\u3000around\u3000with\u3000the\u3000big\u3000kids\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000full\u3000military\u3000power\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000his\u3000teammates\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000more\u3000Troopers\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000but\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000with\u3000the\u3000surviving\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000coast\u3002\u3000Invid\u3000patrol\u3000patterns\u3000were\u3000a\u3000little\u3000inflexible\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000saw\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000slid\u3000in\u3000until\u3000his\u3000wingtip\u3000was\u3000under\u3000Rook’s\u3000and\u3000nearly\u3000touching\u3000her\u3000fuselage\u3002\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1f\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000hurt\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nHer\u3000answer\u3000had\u3000a\u3000clenched\u2026teeth\u3000sound\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003Nothing\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000live\u3000with\uff1b\u3000farmer\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000press\u3000her\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000only\u3000have\u3000brought\u3000on\u3000another\u3000spitting\u3000match\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002
\n
\n\u3003But\u3000I\u3000owe\u3000you\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000grated\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000him\u3000pletely\u3000by\u3000surprise\u3002
\n
\nIn\u3000her\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fizzling\u3000avionics\uff1b\u3000so\u3000badly\u3000shot\u3000up\uff1b\u3000and\u3000at\u3000the\u3000left\u3000thigh\u3000and\u3000bicep\u3000sections\u3000of\u3000her\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000which\u3000had\u3000been\u3000split\u3000open\u3000by\u3000flying\u3000shrapnel\u3000and\u3000Invid\u3000force\u3000ricochet\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000seeped\u3000from\u3000her\u3000wounds\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000scouted\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000in\u3000less\u3000than\u3000ten\u3000minutes\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000located\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000rest\u3002\u3000They\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000the\u3000midst\u3000of\u3000a\u3000tiny\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000islands\u3000not\u3000too\u3000far\u3000off\u3000shore\u3002\u3000While\u3000Rand\u3000coached\u3000Rook\u3000in\u3000for\u3000a\u3000landing\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000went\u3000back\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Scott\u3000provide\u3000air\u3000cover\u3000and\u3000guidance\uff1b\u3000and\u3000convoy\u3000the\u3000boats\u3000in\u3002
\n
\nTheir\u3000rest\u3000stop\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000resort\u3000only\u3000a\u3000generation\u3000before\u3002\u3000A\u3000place\u3000where\u3000people\u3000came\u3000to\u3000worship\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000to\u3000the\u3000point\u3000of\u3000melanoma\uff1b\u3000pay\u3000for\u3000drinks\u3000with\u3000plastic\u3000beads\uff1b\u3000coo\u3000and\u3000woo\u3000under\u3000the\u3000coconut\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000surf\uff1b\u3000scuba\u3002
\n
\nTo\u3000make\u3000love\uff1b\u3000Scott\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000bay\u3000was\u3000translucent\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000powder\u2026white\u3002\u3000Eat\uff1b\u3000drink\uff1b\u3000gamble\u3002\u3000The\u3000team\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000all\u3000those\u3000things\u3000now\uff1b\u3000he\u3000assumed\uff1b\u3000although\u3000he\u3000might\u3000be\u3000projecting\u3000a\u3000little\u3000on\u3000the\u3000trysting\u3000part\u3002\u3000And\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000were\u3000gambling\u3000with\u3000and\u3000for\u3000things\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000more\u3000precious\u3000than\u3000plastic\u3000beads\u3000or\u3000casino\u3000plaques\u3002
\n
\nAnnie\u3000had\u3000been\u3000reading\u3000manuals\u3000and\u3000instruction\u3000pamphlets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000play\u3000nurse\u3000on\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000The\u3000onetime\u3000biker\u3000queen\u3000gritted\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000but\u3000sat\u3000still\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000wound\u3000her\u3000upper\u3000arm\u3000and\u3000thigh\u3000in\u3000enough\u3000bandage\u3000to\u3000restrain\u3000a\u3000small\u3000moose\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000watched\u3000interestedly\u3000without\u3000seeming\u3000to\uff1b\u3000Rook\u3000had\u3000certain\u3000soft\u3000spots\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000one\u3000for\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000them\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Rook\u3000scowled\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000attention\u3000elsewhere\u3002
\n
\nStripping\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shorts\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000took\u3000the\u3000swim\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000the\u3000chorus\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gulls\u3000that\u3000morning\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000Scott\u3000that\u3000he\u3000could\u3000patch\u3000up\u3000Rook’s\u3000Alpha\u3000and\u3000the\u3000other\u3000damage\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000had\u3000suffered\uff1b\u3000with\u3000minimum\u3000delay\u3002\u3000But\u3000meanwhile\uff1b\u3000all\u3000they\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000wait\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000rested\u3000her\u3000chin\u3000on\u3000her\u3000fist\u3000and\u3000squinted\u3000balefully\u3000at\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000who\u3000were\u3000frolicking\u3000in\u3000the\u3000surf\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\uff1b\u3000in\u3000a\u3000white\u3000mini\u3000bikini\u3000made\u3000of\u3000knotted\u3000lengths\u3000of\u3000parachute\u3000silk\uff1b\u3000went\u3000running\u3000and\u3000yelling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3000The\u3000wet\u3000silk\u3000made\u3000Rand\u3000gape\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000away\uff1b\u3000swallowing\u3000with\u3000a\u3000loud\u3000noise\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000appeared\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000everything\u3000would\u3000be\u3000ready\u3000when\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000done\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000came\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3000sniffling\u3000and\u3000laughing\u3000and\u3000dripping\u2026and\u3000happy\u3002\u3000Rook’s\u3000jaw\u3000muscles\u3000jumped\u3000a\u3000bit\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000held\u3000back\u3000her\u3000temper\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Rand\u3000was\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000out\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000more\u3000serious\u3000than\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000seeing\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3000you\u3000were\u3000injured\uff1b\u3000but\u2026c’mon\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000water\u3000and\u3000enjoy\u3000yourself\u3002\u3000Otherwise\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000happy\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000shocked\u3000her\u3000so\u3000much\u3000that\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000quite\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000Rand\u3000suddenly\u3000wasn’t\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000just\u3000watching\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000practically\u3000stuck\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000in\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000can’t\u3000hurt\u3002\u3000Well\uff1f\u3000Aren’t\u3000you\u3000gonna\u3000help\u3000me\u3000up\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nMarlene\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000stopped\u3000splashing\u3000each\u3000other\u3000and\u3000shouted\u3000happily\u3000for\u3000Rook’s\u3000recovery\u3000as\u3000Rand\u3000gallantly\u3000helped\u3000her\u3000up\u3000and\u3000led\u3000her\u3000down\u3000to\u3000where\u3000the\u3000waves\u3000were\u3000foaming\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000called\u3000triumphantly\uff1b\u3000\u3003Hey\uff1b\u3000look\u3000who\u3000finally\u3000gave\u3000in\u3000and\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000have\u3000some\u3000fun\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000saw\u3000Rook’s\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000on\u3000her\u3000free\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000curl\u3000into\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000and\u3000then\u3000open\u3000again\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Rand’s\u3000sight\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000some\u3000quick\u3000debate\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000Marlene’s\u3000lithe\u3000grace\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000and\u3000surf\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they’re\u3000right\u3000about\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3000We\u3000should\u3000enjoy\u3000it\u3000while\u3000we\u3000can\u3002
\n
\n
\nCorg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000they\u3000led\u3000split\u3000up\u3000to\u3000se \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000Marlene’s\u3000lithe\u3000grace\u3000in\u3000the\u3000spray\u3000and\u3000surf\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000they’re\u3000right\u3000about\u3000this\u3000place\u3002\u3000We\u3000should\u3000enjoy\u3000it\u3000while\u3000we\u3000can\u3002
\n
\n
\nCorg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000and\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000they\u3000led\u3000split\u3000up\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000chain\u3000of\u3000islands\u3000for\u3000the\u3000rebels\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Simulagent\uff1b\u3000Ariel\u3002\u3000Sensor\u3000triangulations\u3000indicated\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000strong\u3000possibility\u3000she\u3000was\u3000near\u3002
\n
\nThey\u3000understood\u3000their\u3000orders\u3002\u3000If\u3000possible\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000contact\u3000Ariel\u3002\u3000If\u3000not\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000observe\u3000her\u3000interaction\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000in\u3000order\u3000to\u3000determine\u3000the\u3000cause\u3000of\u3000her\u3000malfunction\u3002\u3000Failing\u3000any\u3000of\u3000the\u3000above\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000to\u3000destroy\u3000her\u3000utterly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000outcasts\u3000who\u3000had\u3000swayed\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000grew\u3000despondent\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000the\u3000pointless\u3000destruction\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000inflicted\u3000on\u3000the\u3000island\u3002\u3000He\u3000followed\u3000a\u3000stream\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spotted\u3000from\u3000the\u3000air\u3000and\u3000found\u3000a\u3000small\u3000waterfall\u3000in\u3000a\u3000grotto\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hundred\u3000yards\u3000up\u3000an\u3000overgrown\u3000trail\u3000into\u3000the\u3000jungle\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000reflect\u3000upon\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000that\u3000way\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000their\u3000eventual\u3000fate\u3000had\u3000been\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000time\u3000he\u3000put\u3000aside\u3000the\u3000Musume\u3000persona\u3002\u3000He\u3000waded\u3000in\u3000and\u3000began\u3000washing\u3000the\u3000sweat\u3000of\u3000fear\u3000and\u3000battle\u3000and\u3000the\u3000rankness\u3000of\u3000too\u3000many\u3000hours\u3000in\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000sang\u3000loudly\u3000in\u3000Lancer’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000He\u3000sang\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000drown\u3000out\u3000some\u3000other\u3000tune\uff1b\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000funeral\u3000dirge\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000might\u3000have\u3000been\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Magruder\u3000ambush\u3000that\u3000kept\u3000him\u3000alert\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000little\u3000waterfall\u3000was\u3000splattering\uff1b\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000foliage\u3000parting\u3000and\u3000swinging\u3000back\uff1b\u3000and\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000movement\u3000of\u3000a\u3000shadow\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000one\u3000eye\u3002
\n
\n
\nSera\u3000had\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000those\u3000strange\u3000auditory\u3000impulses\u3000through\u3000the\u3000superattuned\u3000senses\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000The\u3000Regis\u3000had\u3000given\u3000her\u3000crowned\u3000offspring\u3000the\u3000means\u3000to\u3000know\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000demigod\uff1b\u3000to\u3000soar\u3000over\u3000oceans\u3000and\u3000continents\u2026to\u3000see\u3000each\u3000movement\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blades\u3000of\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000hear\u3000each\u3000bend\u3000of\u3000a\u3000leaf\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000Regis\u3000never\u3000guessed\u3000what\u3000a\u3000trap\u3000that\u3000could\u3000be\u3002\u3000The\u3000strange\u3000sonic\u3000input\u3000kept\u3000Sera\u3000from\u3000firing\u3000on\u3000its\u3000source\u3002\u3000It\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000from\u3000contacting\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000Corg\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000could\u3000do\u3000was\u3000stalk\u3000closer\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000music\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spheres\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000heard\u3000Human\u3000singing\u3000before\u3002
\n
\nBefore\u3000she\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000all\u2026embracing\u3000armored\u3000safety\u3000of\u3000her\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000padding\u3000through\u3000the\u3000strange\u3000smells\u3000and\u3000sights\u3000and\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000the\u3000terrifying\u3000intimacy\u3000of\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000drawn\u3000by\u3000the\u3000siren\u3000song\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000couldn’t\u3000put\u3000a\u3000name\u3000to\u3000what\u3000she\u3000felt\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000not\u3000all\u3000of\u3000her\u3000genetic\u3000coding\u3000came\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000it\u3000was\u3000Human\u3002\u3000Was\u3000that\u3000what\u3000was\u3000forcing\u3000her\u3000to\u3000this\u3000aberrant\u3000activity\uff1f\u3000She\u3000repressed\u3000any\u3000doubt\uff1b\u3000she\u3000must\u3000see\u3000what\u3000was\u3000making\u3000these\u3000pelling\uff1b\u3000beautiful\u3000sounds\u3002\u3000Information\u3000wetware\u3000input\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000called\u3000\u3003singing\u3003\u3000but\u3000that\u3000word\u3000was\u3000a\u3000mere\u3000cipher\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Human\u3000had\u3000long\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000was\u3000a\u3000male\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000standing\u3000under\u3000a\u3000precipitation\u3000runoff\u3000as\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ablutionary\u3000function\u3000or\u3000perhaps\u3000a\u3000superstitious\u3000rite\u3002\u3000The\u3000Human\u3000sang\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000hunkered\u3000down\u3000to\u3000listen\u3002\u3000But\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000pressed\u3000frond\u3000to\u3000frond\uff1b\u3000which\u3000made\u3000slight\u3000noise\u3000and\u3000changed\u3000the\u3000silhouette\u3000of\u3000vegetation\u3000against\u3000the\u3000westering\u3000sun\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000saw\u3000him\u3000tense\u3000and\u3000look\u3000around\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000drew\u3000back\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000edged\u3000one\u3000eye\u3000up\u3000for\u3000another\u3000look\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000pressing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000heavier\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000waterfall\uff1b\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000view\u3000was\u3000screened\u3000from\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000thickness\u3000of\u3000the\u3000foliage\u3000and\u3000the\u3000weight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000water\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000was\u3000madness\u3002\u3000She\u3000should\u3000kill\u3000him\uff1b\u3000summon\u3000her\u3000brother\u3000Corg\uff1b\u3000and\u3000eradicate\u3000all\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000about\u3000the\u3000sounds\u3000he\u3000made\u3002\u3000His\u3000\u3003song\u3003\u3000was\u3000so\u3000haunting\uff1b\u3000so\u3000soft\u3000and\u3000knowing\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000given\u3000instruction\u3000in\u3000the\u3000things\u3000most\u3000intimate\u3000to\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000feelings\u3000that\u3000stirred\u3000in\u3000her\u3000had\u3000no\u3000name\u3002\u3000Sera\u3000pushed\u3000forward\u3000a\u3000little\u3000in\u3000the\u3000undergrowth\u3000to\u3000hear\u3000more\u3000before\u3000she\u3000would\u3000be\u3000obliged\u3000to\u3000still\u3000that\u3000voice\u3000forever\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000nothing\u3002\u3000She\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rim\u3000of\u3000the\u3000waterfall’s\u3000pool\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000song\u3000ended\uff1b\u3000a\u3000measure\u3000of\u3000sanity\u3000returned\u3002\u3000Better\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000now\u3000and\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000aberration\u3000of\u3000his\u3000singing\u3002
\n
\nTwo\u3000hands\u3000closed\u3000on\u3000her\u3000ankles\uff1b\u3000pulled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000screamed\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000was\u3000swallowing\u3000water\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026TWO
\n
\nThere\u3000were\u3000all\u3000these\u3000escapist\u3000books\u3000\uff08as\u3000Rand\u3000called\u3000them\uff09\u3000at\u3000the\u3000resort\u2026I\u3000couldn’t\u3000make\u3000out\u3000the\u3000name\u3000of\u3000the\u3000joint\u3000too\u3000well\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000that\u3000for\u3000some\u3000reason\u3000or\u3000other\u3000it\u3000was\u3000called\u3000\u3003Club\u3000Mud\u3002\u3003
\nThese\u3000books\u3000were\u3000all\u3000about\u3000what\u3000fun\u3002\u3000everybody\u3000was\u3000gonna\u3000have\u3000living\u3000action\u2026packed\u3000lives\u3000after\u3000some\u3000global\u3000disaster\u3002\u3000They\u3000didn’t\u3000mention\u3000radiation\u3000sickness\u3000and\u3000self\u2026aborting\u3000children\u3000and\u3000plagues\u3000and\u3000famine\u3000and\u3000pillagers\u3000and\u2026oh\uff1b\u3000you\u3000jaded\u3000oldtimers\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000you\uff01
\nEscapist\uff1f\u3000From\u3000hot\u3000showers\u3000and\u3000hot\u3000meals\u3000and\u3000dentists\u3000and\u3000intercontinental\u3000airline\u3000flights\u3000and\u3000inoculations\u3000and\u3000a\u3000planet\u3000that\u3000belonged\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\uff1f\u3000Escape\u3000me\u3000there\uff01
\nAnnie\u3000LaBelle\uff1b\u3000Talking\u3000History
\n
\nSera\u3000opened\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000pale\u3000face\u3000and\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3000riding\u3000the\u3000water\u3000lazily\uff1b\u3000before\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000saw\u3000an\u3000indistinct\u3000figure\u3000in\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000body\u3000suit\u3002\u3000This\u3000certainly\u3000wasn’t\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000That\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000another\u3000turncoat\u3002\u3000The\u3000person\u3000squirmed\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000breath\u3000in\u3000silver\u3000bubbles\u3000of\u3000alarm\uff1b\u3000thrashing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000surface\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000held\u3000his\u3000captive\u3000by\u3000one\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000the\u3000water\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000own\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000pal\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000anywhere\u3000until\u3002\u3002\u3002until\u3002\u3002\u3002Um\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000a\u3000woman\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000seemed\u3000transfixed\uff1b\u3000a\u3000slim\u3000Human\u3000female\uff1b\u3000medium\u2026tall\uff1b\u3000with\u3000short\u2026trimmed\u3000blonde\u3000hair\u3000and\u3000the\u3000strangest\u3000red\u3000eyes\u2026the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000thing\u3000you\u3000see\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bad\u3000flashphoto\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hairstyle\u3000was\uff1b\u3000even\u3000wet\uff1b\u3000some\u3000short\uff1b\u3000green\u2026blonde\u3000upswept\u3000thing\uff1a\u3000Peter\u3000Pan\u3000Meets\u3000the\u3000Razor\u3000and\u3000Car\u3000Vacuum\u3000People\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bodysuit\u3000of\u3000colored\u3000panels\u3000of\u3000black\uff1b\u3000purple\uff1b\u3000and\u3000pink\u3002
\n
\nLancer’s\u3000nerveless\u3000fingers\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000limp\u3000on\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000\u3003Ah\u3000wo\u2026mahn\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000repeated\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000breathing\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000as\u3000nervous\u3000as\u2026as\u3000someone\u3000he\u3000remembered\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000knee\u2026deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pool\u3000now\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000just\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000him\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000lurched\u3000to\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Lancer\u3000cuffed\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000around\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3000again\uff1b\u3000more\u3000astounded\u3000than\u3000alarmed\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000we’ll\u3000have\u3000to\u3000know\u3000where\u3000you’re\u3000from\u3002\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000her\u3000dermasuit\uff1b\u3000a\u3000second\u3000skin\u3002\u3000\u3003At\u3000least\u3000you’re\u3000not\u3000armed\u3002\u3000Or\u3000is\u3000beauty\u3000your\u3000weapon\uff1f\u3003\u3000His\u3000lips\u3000were\u3000close\u3000to\u3000hers\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000pursed\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000parted\u3000them\uff1b\u3000then\u3000suddenly\u3000struck\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000struggled\u3000frantically\u3000to\u3000break\u3000free\uff1b\u3000sobbing\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000water\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000red\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000a\u3000shell\uff1b\u3000flinched\u3000a\u3000bit\u3000as\u3000the\u3000water\u3000hit\u3000her\u3000but\u3000never\u3000lost\u3000her\u3000smile\u3002\u3000She\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000water\u3000that\u3000was\u3000being\u3000sprayed\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000light\u3000everywhere\u3000she\u3000looked\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000panting\uff1b\u3000leaning\u3000on\u3000the\u3000boogyboard\u3000he\u3000had\u3000found\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ruins\u3000of\u3000the\u3000resort\u3002\u3000\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000you’re\u3000missing\u3000a\u3000once\u2026in\u2026a\u2026lifetime\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Quit\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000sand\u3000crab\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Rand\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000pretending\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000sand\u3000crab\u3002\u3000Uh\uff1b\u3000what\u3000is\u3000a\u3000sand\u3000crab\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3000At\u3000least\u3000take\u3000off\u3000that\u3000dumb\u3000flight\u3000suit\uff01\u3003
\n
\nScott\u3000had\u3000no\u3000way\u3000of\u3000refusing\u3000Rand’s\u3000demands\u3000short\u3000of\u3000physical\u3000violence\u3002\u3000Flight\u3000suit\u3000and\u3000all\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000dragged\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000water\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000watched\u3000them\uff1b\u3000easing\u3000her\u3000aching\u3000leg\u3000and\u3000arm\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000seemed\u3000so\u3000young\u3000and\u3000limber\u3000and\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\uff1b\u3000especially\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000slick\u3000and\u3000carefree\u3000as\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000sea\u3000otter\u3002\u3000What\u3000hope\u3000could\u3000she\u3000have\u3000for\u3000a\u3000life\u3000with\u3000someone\u3000like\u3000that\uff1f\u3000He\u3000hadn’t\u3000accumulated\u3000the\u3000chronicle\u3000of\u3000sins\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3002\u3000Rook\u3000sighed\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000confessed\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000swim\uff1b\u3000virtually\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spaceborne\u3000generation\u3000did\u3002\u3000Rand\u3000only\u3000took\u3000that\u3000as\u3000a\u3000challenge\u3000to\u3000teach\u3000him\u3002\u3000About\u3000thirty\u3000seconds\u3000of\u3000Rand’s\u3000instruction\u3000had\u3000Scott\u3000spitting\u3000water\uff1b\u3000and\u3000heaving\uff1b\u3000and\u3000vowing\u3000to\u3000stick\u3000to\u3000solid\u3000ground\u3000from\u3000then\u3000on\u3002
\n
\n
\nOut\u3000where\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000parked\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000running\u3000repairs\u3000and\u3000listening\u3000to\u3000Annie’s\u3000apparently\u3000endless\u3000heartbreak\u3000stories\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000think\u3000I’ll\u3000die\u3000an\u3000old\u3000maid\uff01\u3000I\u3000might\u3000even\u3000wind\u3000up\u3000as\u3000a\u3000librarian\uff01\u3003
\n
\nThat\u3000ment\u3000brought\u3000Lunk’s\u3000head\u3000up\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000of\u3000Rook’s\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000working\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000meaningful\u3000relationship\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000was\u3000a\u3000romance\u3000with\u3000a\u3000librarian\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000fiery\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000who\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000to\u3000handle\u3000a\u3000gun\u3000and\u3000was\u3000determined\u3000that\u3000the\u3000books\u3000would\u3000live\u3000and\u3000that\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000there\u3000when\u3000Homo\u3000Sapiens\u3000eventually\u3000started\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pieces\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000had\u3000had\u3000to\u3000run\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000had\u3000often\u3000thought\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dark\u2026haired\uff1b\u3000dark\u2026eyed\u3000librarian\u2026so\u3000impassioned\u3002\u3002\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000great\u3000breath\u3000and\u3000told\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000such\u3000a\u3000heartbreaker\uff1b\u3000you’ll\u3000probably\u3000get\u3000married\u3000five\u3000or\u3000six\u3000times\u3002\u3000Do\u3000me\u3000a\u3000favor\u3000and\u3000invite\u3000me\u3000to\u3000every\u3000wedding\u3002\u3003
\n
\nShe\u3000shrieked\u3000with\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000hair\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sideburns\u3000and\u3000showered\u3000his\u3000face\u3000with\u3000kisses\u3002
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000thought\u3000he\u3000had\u3000spied\u3000his\u3000prey\u3002\u3000He\u3000dodged\u3000into\u3000a\u3000clearing\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000fooled\u3000by\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000He\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000froze\uff1b\u3000then\u3000called\u3000out\uff1b\u3000\u3003Wait\uff01\u3000I\u3000only\u3000want\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\uff01\u3000There\u3000may\u3000be\u3000Invid\u3000nearby\uff01\u3000You\u3000may\u3000be\u3000in\u3000great\u3000danger\uff01\u3003
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000thrashing\u3000behind\u3000him\uff1b\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000pink\u3000along\u3000one\u3000flank\u3000as\u3000she\u3000ran\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yelled\u3000after\u3000her\u3000even\u3000as\u3000he\u3000sprinted\u3000to\u3000pursue\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000stop\u2026\u3003
\n
\nSera\u3000could\u3000have\u3000gotten\u3000away\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000really\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3002\u3000Why\u3000had\u3000she\u3000lingered\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000had\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\uff1f
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000just\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000who\u3000you\u3000are\u3000and\u3000where\u3000you’re\u3000from\uff01\u3000It’s\u3000very\u3000important\u3000to\u3000me\uff01\u3000Hey\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000sobbing\u3000and\u3000stumbling\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000with\u3000an\u3000even\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000hopping\u3000some\u3000obstacles\u3000and\u3000ducking\u3000others\u3002\u3000At\u3000la \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n thers\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000bounded\u3000into\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000where\u3000hot\uff1b\u3000blinding\u3000light\u3000shone\u3000down\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000shielded\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000with\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000and\u3000gazed\u3000up\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000was\u3000an\u3000alien\u3000mecha\u3000like\u3000nothing\u3000there\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000before\uff1b\u3000anywhere\u3002\u3000The\u3000late\u3000morning\u3000sun\u3000glinted\u3000all\u3000around\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000reflected\u3000off\u3000enormously\u3000strong\u3000purple\u3000ponents\u3000and\u3000pink\u3000trim\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000machine\u2026mountain\u3000difficult\u3000to\u3000see\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000blocked\u3000the\u3000light\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000a\u3000little\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000must\u3000have\u3000landed\u3000while\u3000I\u3000was\u3000swimming\uff1b\u3000but\u2026it\u3000didn’t\u3000attack\u3000me\uff01\u3000It\u3000seems\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000But\u3000how\u3000could\u3000that\u3000be\uff1f\u3000According\u3000to\u3000all\u3000reports\u3000the\u3000drones\u3000are\u3000helpless\u3000eggs\u3000outside\u3000their\u3000mecha\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000heard\u3000a\u3000sound\u3000and\u3000sensed\u3000some\u3000movement\u3002\u3000The\u3000young\u3000woman\u3000stepped\u3000out\u3000from\u3000behind\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000machine’s\u3000colossal\u3000legs\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000now\u3000that\u3000the\u3000color\u3000pattern\u3000of\u3000her\u3000bodysuit\u3000reiterated\u3000the\u3000colors\u3000of\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000Trooper\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000her\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\u3000silently\u3002\u3000\u3003Y\u2026you\u3000can’t\u3000be\u3000the\u3000pilot\uff01\u3000You’re\u3000Human\uff1b\u3000not\u3000an\u3000Invid\u3000drone\uff1b\u3000where’s\u3000the\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alien\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nSomething\u3000galvanized\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000leapt\uff1b\u3000incredibly\u3000high\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000mecha\u3000bent\u3000toward\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000turret\u3000in\u3000its\u3000muzzle\u3000blossoming\u3000open\u3000to\u3000receive\u3000her\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000the\u3000egg\u2026nest\u3000described\u3000by\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000the\u3000new\u3000Trooper’s\u3000control\u3000nacelle\u3000was\u3000a\u3000padded\u3000cockpit\u3000pletely\u3000encased\u3000in\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000was\u3000still\u3000yelling\u3000to\u3000her\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cockpit\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Trooper’s\u3000back\u3000and\u3000foot\u3000thrusters\u3000fired\u3000up\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000blown\u3000from\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000singed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000backwash\uff1b\u3000the\u3000invader\u3000lifted\u3000off\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000burned\u3000and\u3000smoldering\u3000where\u3000it\u3000had\u3000stood\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000coughing\u3000from\u3000the\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000she\u3000had\u3000kicked\u3000up\u3002\u3000By\u3000the\u3000time\u3000he\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000again\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Trooper\u3000was\u3000a\u3000diminishing\u3000meteor\u3000racing\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\u3002
\n
\nThis\u3000is\u3000unbelievable\uff01\u3000She\u3000was\u3000the\u3000pilot\u3000of\u3000that\u3000mecha\uff01\u3000Does\u3000this\u3000mean\u3000Humans\u3000are\u3000fighting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1f
\n
\n
\nShaken\u3000by\u3000her\u3000encounter\u3000with\u3000Lancer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000unravel\u3000the\u3000plex\u3000series\u3000of\u3000feelings\u3000and\u3000impulses\u3000that\u3000had\u3000assailed\u3000her\uff1b\u3000Sera\u3000rejoined\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000the\u3000contingent\u3000of\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000made\u3000no\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000what\u3000had\u3000happened\u3000and\u3000that\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000confused\u3000her\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Troopers’\u3000sensors\u3000had\u3000detected\u3000Lunk’s\u3000test\u3000activations\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000checked\u3000his\u3000repair\u3000job\u3002\u3000Sera\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000rejoined\u3000them\u3000when\u3000they\u3000assumed\u3000attack\u3000formation\u3000and\u3000rocketed\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000island\u3000where\u3000Humans\u3000had\u3000been\u3000sensed\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000eased\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000a\u3000frayed\u3000chaise\u3000longue\u3000next\u3000to\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000threw\u3000himself\u3000down\u3000on\u3000all\u3000fours\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sand\uff1b\u3000resolving\u3000never\u3000to\u3000go\u3000swimming\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flight\u3000suit\u3000again\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000hunched\u3000around\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000down\uff1b\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000Marlene’s\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000gasped\u3000as\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000touched\u3000with\u3000a\u3000live\u3000wire\uff1b\u3000and\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000go\u3000into\u3000shock\u3002\u3000\u3003Must’ve\u3000pinched\u3000some\u3000kinda\u3000nerve\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000diagnosed\u3002
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1b\u3000I\u3000barely\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000woman\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000shot\u3000back\u3000angrily\uff1b\u3000face\u3000reddening\u3000at\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000how\u3000he\u3000longed\u3000to\u3000caress\u3000her\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Su\u2026uure\uff1b\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000teased\u3002\u3000\u3003Probably\u3000just\u3000your\u3000sexual\u3000magnetism\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000gazing\u3000into\u3000empty\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003This\u3000might\u3000be\u3000a\u3000good\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000if\u3000she’s\u3000having\u3000flashbacks\u3000or\u3000something\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000it\u3000means\u3000her\u3000memory’s\u3000returning\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000hope\u3000so\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000he\u3000really\u3000did\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000sorry\u3000on\u3000the\u3000day\u3000that\u3000happened\u3002
\n
\nMarlene\u3000abruptly\u3000clutched\u3000at\u3000her\u3000hair\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000feel\u3000them\u3000ing\u3000closer\uff01\u3000They’re\u3000here\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000the\u3000thunder\u3000of\u3000the\u3000attack\u3000had\u3000already\u3000made\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3000look\u3000up\u3002\u3000Down\u3000through\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000plunged\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000Sera\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000their\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000and\u3000Shock\u3000Troopers\u3002\u3000\u3003Invid\u3000squadron\u3000heading\u3000this\u3000way\uff01\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000hollered\uff1b\u3000bounding\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000beach\u3000chair\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Invid\uff1b\u3003\u3000Marlene\u3000was\u3000moaning\u3002\u3000\u3003Reflex\u3000Point\u3002\u3002\u3002Regis\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3003
\n
\n
\n\u3003We’re\u3000out\u3000of\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000think\u3000we\u3000can\u3000still\u3000make\u3000a\u3000break\u3000for\u3000it\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tight\u2026lipped\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000run\u3000the\u3000boats\u3002\u3000Rand\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1a\u3000suit\u3000up\u3000and\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000you’re\u3000ready\u3000for\u3000my\u3000signal\u3002\u3003
\n
\nThey\u3000snapped\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000any\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000elite\u3000troops\uff1b\u3000sprinting\u3000away\uff1b\u3000feet\u3000throwing\u3000up\u3000sand\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000grabbed\u3000for\u3000Marlene’s\u3000arm\uff1b\u3000but\u3000this\u3000time\u3000she\u3000showed\u3000no\u3000reaction\u3000to\u3000his\u3000touch\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Invid\u3000pleted\u3000several\u3000sweeps\u3000of\u3000the\u3000island\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000go\u3000in\u3000closer\u3002\u3000Then\u3000they\u3000noticed\u3000the\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000PT\u3000boats\u3000moving\u3000out\u3000to\u3000sea\u3000at\u3000maximum\u3000speed\u3002
\n
\nCorg\u3000felt\u3000delighted\u3000at\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000slay\u3000Humans\u3002\u3000With\u3000voice\u3000and\u3000arm\u3000signals\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ordered\u3000the\u3000attack\u3002\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000pass\u3002\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000on\u3000shore\uff1b\u3000watched\u3000and\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000to\u3000evade\u3000the\u3000enemy’s\u3000strafing\u3000runs\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000jury\u2026rigged\u3000remote\u3000controls\u3000were\u3000slow\u3000in\u3000responding\u3002
\n
\n
\nRand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3000rushed\u3000to\u3000get\u3000into\u3000their\u3000armor\uff1b\u3000dragging\u3000the\u3000camouflage\u3000nets\u3000off\u3000their\u3000VTs\u3000even\u3000while\u3000Lunk\u3000was\u3000working\uff1b\u3000with\u3000infuriating\u3000deliberateness\uff1b\u3000to\u3000finish\u3000the\u3000last\u3000of\u3000his\u3000repairs\u3000on\u3000Rook’s\u3000Alpha\u3002
\n
\n
\nTwo\u3000passes\u3000had\u3000both\u3000PTs\u3000leaking\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000had\u3000blown\u3000open\u3000the\u3000weather\u3000bridge\u3000on\u3000one\u3002\u3000Receiving\u3000no\u3000counterfire\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000dropped\u3000lower\u3000to\u3000recon\u3002\u3000They\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000boat’s\u3000wheel\u3000moving\u3000with\u3000no\u3000living\u3000hand\u3000upon\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000noted\u3000the\u3000remote\u3000transmissions\u3000it\u3000was\u3000receiving\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3000spoke\u3000from\u3000their\u3000puter\/mo\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Scanners\u3000reveal\u3000no\u3000Human\u3000units\u3000in\u3000target\u3000vessels\u3002\u3000Warning\uff01\u3000Possible\u3000strategic\u3000entrapment\u3000maneuver\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000figured\u3000he\u3000had\u3000played\u3000the\u3000possum\u3000hand\u3000for\u3000just\u3000about\u3000all\u3000it\u3000was\u3000worth\u3002\u3000Here\u3000we\u3000go\uff1b\u3000firing\u3000all\u3000missiles\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000team\u3000had\u3000loaded\u3000the\u3000PT\u3000boats’\u3000racks\u3000with\u3000surface\u2026to\u2026air\u3000missiles\uff1b\u3000since\u3000surface\u2026to\u2026surface\u3000bat\u3000was\u3000unlikely\u3002\u3000Now\u3000the\u3000launchers\u3000rose\u3000and\u3000traversed\u3000and\u3000targeted\u3002\u3000Guided\u3000by\u3000their\u3000radars\uff1b\u3000the\u3000racks\u3000emptied\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sixteen\u3000Tarpon\u3000heat\u2026seekers\u3000came\u3000boiling\u3000and\u3000corkscrewing\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3002\u3000Caught\u3000by\u3000surprise\uff1b\u3000three\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000were\u3000blown\u3000to\u3000bits\u3002\u3000The\u3000rest\u3000went\u3000into\u3000evasive\u3000maneuvers\u3002
\n
\nCorg\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000situation\u3002\u3000The\u3000puter\u3000delivered\u3000its\u3000analysis\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Tracking\u3000sensors\u3000place\u3000origin\u3000of\u3000remote\u3000control\u3000transmissions\u3000at\u3000coordinates\u3000delta\u30006\u20265\u3002\u3000Presence\u3000of\u3000Human\u3000life\u2026form\u3000at\u3000that\u3000location\u3000is\u3000also\u3000confirmed\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n
\nCorg’s\u3000optical\u3000sensor\u3000showed\u3000him\u3000another\u3000ocean\u3000craft\uff1b\u3000a\u3000bigger\u3000one\uff1b\u3000docked\u3000at\u3000a\u3000quay\u3000under\u3000a\u3000sheltering\u3000boatyard\u3000roof\u3002\u3000Corg\u3000dove\u3000toward\u3000it\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000and\uff1b\u3000eventually\uff1b\u3000Sera\u3000failing\u3000in\u3000behind\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000they\u3000neared\u3000the\u3000island\u3002
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000charged\u3000into\u3000the\u3000clearing\u3000where\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000being\u3000readied\u3000for\u3000flight\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000found\u3000out\u2026something\u3000horrible\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000panted\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000was\u3000armored\uff1b\u3000helmet\u3000in\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1f\u3000We\u3000just\u3000sprang\u3000the\u3000trap\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003The\u3000repairs\u3000are\u3000all\u3000finished\u3000and\u3000it’s\u3000time\u3000to\u3000scramble\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rook\u3000added\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000problem\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000gave\u3000them\u3000a\u3000devastated\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000found\u3000out\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Invid\u3000are\u3000using\u3000Human\u3000pilots\uff01\u3003
\n
\n
\nScott\u3000sat\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000controls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cutter’s\u3000main\u3000gun\u3000battery\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000turret\u3002\u3000The\u3000pumped\u2026laser\u3000cannon\u3000was\u3000outmoded\u3000by\u3000Mars\u3000Division\u3000standards\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000still\u3000delivered\u3000a\u3000terrific\u3000shot\u3002
\n
\nCorg\u3000and\u3000Sera\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000the\u3000cannon\u3000blasts\uff1b\u3000homed\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000like\u3000angry\u3000dragonflies\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000already\u3000shot\u3000down\u3000one\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\uff1b\u3000but\u3000these\u3000new\u3000mecha\u3000were\u3000frustratingly\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000maneuverable\u3002\u3000Their\u3000annihilation\u3000disc\u3000shots\u3000chopped\u3000up\u3000the\u3000water\u3000and\u3000the\u3000quay\u3000around\u3000the\u3000cutter\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000clenched\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000C’mon\u3000Rand\uff01\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000Lancer\uff01\u3000Don’t\u3000let\u3000me\u3000down\uff01
\n
\nThen\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000scene\uff1b\u3000closing\u3000in\u3000on\u3000the\u3000oning\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000both\u3000sides\u3000pitching\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000firepower\u3000they\u3000had\u3002\u3000The\u3000new\u2026style\u3000mecha\u3000dodged\uff1b\u3000but\u3000two\u3000more\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000went\u3000down\u3002\u3000The\u3000aliens\u3000broke\u3000and\u3000evaded\uff1b\u3000scattering\u3000to\u3000re\u2026form\u3000and\u3000change\u3000their\u3000tactics\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000knew\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000back\u3000shortly\u3000though\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000himself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000turret\u3000as\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000Marlene\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000hurried\u3000over\u3002\u3000Lunk\u3000tossed\u3000his\u3000tool\u3000cases\u3000in\u3000the\u3000direction\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000stern\u3000chopper\u3000pad\uff1b\u3000where\u3000his\u3000trusty\u3000truck\u3000was\u3000hidden\u2026covered\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tarp\u3000in\u3000preparation\u3000for\u3000the\u3000voyage\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000assured\u3000Annie\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3000and\u3000Lunk\u3000apologized\u3000for\u3000the\u3000repairs’\u3000having\u3000taken\u3000longer\u3000than\u3000he\u3000expected\u3002\u3000Scott\u3000gave\u3000the\u3000big\u3000ex\u2026soldier’s\u3000shoulder\u3000a\u3000squeeze\u3002\u3000\u3003Save\u3000your\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000you\u3000worked\u3000miracles\u3000for\u3000us\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3003
\n
\nAs\u3000per\u3000plan\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3000assumed\u3000mand\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000while\u3000Scott\u3000ran\u3000off\u3000to\u3000get\u3000his\u3000VT\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Just\u3000as\u3000Annie\u3000and\u3000Marlene\u3000were\u3000preparing\u3000to\u3000help\u3000free\u3000up\u3000the\u3000berthing\u3000lines\uff1b\u3000a\u3000growling\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000made\u3000Lunk\u3000look\u3000out\u3000to\u3000sea\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship\u3000Scott\u3000had\u3000winged\uff1b\u3000its\u3000portside\u3000claw\u3000missing\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000smoke\u3000and\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000had\u3000e\u3000around\u3000for\u3000a\u3000suicide\u3000run\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000aimed\u3000straight\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3002
\n
\nLunk\u3000sent\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000Annie\u3000to\u3000seek\u3000shelter\uff1b\u3000then\u3000dove\u3000into\u3000the\u3000forward\u3000gun\u3000turret\u3000and\u3000began\u3000pounding\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pumped\u2026laser\u3000cannon\u3002\u3000Because\u3000the\u3000Pincer\u3000Ship’s\u3000aerodynamics\u3000had\u3000been\u3000changed\u3000by\u3000the\u3000damage\u3000it\u3000had\u3000suffered\uff1b\u3000it\u3000bucked\u3000and\u3000was\u3000buffeted\u3000by\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000evading\u3000Lunk’s\u3000fire\u3000more\u3000effectively\u3000than\u3000it\u3000could\u3000have\u3000if\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000whole\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000alien\u3000filled\u3000his\u3000targeting\u3000scope\u3002\u3000A\u3000moment\u3000later\u3000the\u3000world\u3000went\u3000dark\u3002
\n
\n
\nCHAPTER\u3000TWENTY\u2026THREE
\n
\nBy\u3000this\u3000time\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mars\u3000and\u3000Venus\u3000Divisions\u3000should\u3000be\u3000well\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000their\u3000battle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Invid\uff1b\u3000and\u3000building\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000final\u3000blow\u3000at\u3000Reflex\u3000Point\u3002
\nAir\u3000and\u3000ground\u3000forces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Human\u3000race\uff1b\u3000we\u3000salute\u3000you\u3000and\u3000send\u3000you\u3000our\u3000best\u3000wishes\uff01\u3000We\u3000know\u3000that\uff1b\u3000in\u3000your\u3000overwhelming\u3000numbers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000the\u3000undeniable\u3000power\u3000of\u3000Human\u3000Robotechnology\u3000behind\u3000you\uff1b\u3000you\u3000will\u3000triumph\uff01
\nMorale\u3000twix\u3000from\u3000Colonel\u3000Ackerman\u3000\uff08GI\u3000staff\u2026SDF\u20263\uff09\u3000to\u3000Earth\u3000relief\u3000strikeforce\u3000\uff08never\u3000received\uff09
\n
\nSo\u3000far\u3000the\u3000three\u3000VTs\u3000were\u3000winning\u3000the\u3000air\u3000battle\u3002\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000were\u3000no\u3000match\u3000for\u3000VTs\u3000in\u3000one\u2026on\u2026one\u3000dogfights\u3002\u3000But\u3000the\u3000new\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hanging\u3000back\uff1b\u3000studying\u3000their\u3000opponents\uff1b\u3000Rand\u3000wasn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000they\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000in\u3000with\u3000both\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000roundhouse\u3000swing\u3002
\n
\nLa \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n asn’t\u3000sure\u3000what\u3000would\u3000happen\u3000if\u3000they\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000in\u3000with\u3000both\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000a\u3000roundhouse\u3000swing\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000purple\u2026and\u2026pink\u3000monster\u3000machine\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000on\u3000the\u3000island\u3000came\u3000up\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000its\u3000back\u3000pods\u3000gushed\u3000forth\u3000a\u3000torrent\u3000of\u3000missiles\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000went\u3000into\u3000a\u3000ballistic\u3000climb\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000in\u3000all\u3000his\u3000jamming\u3000gear\uff1b\u3000side\u2026slipping\uff1b\u3000and\u3000weaving\u3002\u3000Warheads\u3000detonated\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000missiles\u3000fizzled\u3000past\u3000in\u3000near\u3000misses\u3002
\n
\nThen\u3000Annie’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000up\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff01\u3000e\u3000in\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I’m\u3000right\u3000here\uff1b\u3000Annie\u3002\u3000What’s\u3000up\uff1f\u3003
\n
\n\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000raise\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ship\u3000and\u3000we’re\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000Lunk’s\u3000been\u3000hit\uff01\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Annie\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000Scott\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000got\u3000to\u3000my\u3000Alpha\uff1b\u3000I\u3000heard\u3000your\u3000last\u3000transmission\u3002\u3003
\n
\n\u3003Scott\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000Hook\u3000up\u3000our\u3000fighters\u3000and\u3000take\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000taking\u3000over\u3000for\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIt\u3000only\u3000made\u3000sense\uff1b\u3000aside\u3000from\u3000Lunk\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000was\u3000the\u3000only\u3000one\u3000with\u3000any\u3000real\u3000experience\u3000at\u3000the\u3000helm\u3000of\u3000a\u3000large\u3000vessel\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000copy\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3000Meet\u3000you\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3002\u3003
\n
\nSeconds\u3000later\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Beta\u3000settled\u3000in\u3000on\u3000its\u3000blasts\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000half\u3000of\u3000its\u3000cockpit\u3000like\u3000a\u3000dinosaur\u3000opening\u3000its\u3000mouth\u3002\u3000As\u3000the\u3000pilot’s\u3000seat\u3000was\u3000lowered\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3000yelled\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3000to\u3000Scott\uff1b\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000yours\uff1b\u3000pal\uff01\u3000Go\u3000get\u3000’em\uff01\u3003\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000got\u3000clear\u3002
\n
\nThe\u3000Beta\u3000shifted\u3000ponents\u3000slightly\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000interlock\u3002\u3000Scott’s\u3000Alpha\u3000backed\u3000in\u3000at\u3000its\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000tailerons\u3000folding\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000plex\u3000joining\u3000took\u3000place\u3000in\u3000seconds\uff1b\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clanging\u3000of\u3000superhard\u3000alloy\u3002\u3000The\u3000latched\u3000fighters\u3000formed\u3000a\u3000single\u3000ship\u3000that\u3000sprang\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000at\u3000incredible\u3000boost\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3002
\n
\nScott\u3000scattered\u3000the\u3000remaining\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000and\u3000the\u3000new\u3000enemy\u3000mecha\uff1b\u3000intimidating\u3000them\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bined\u3000fighters’\u3000speed\u3000and\u3000the\u3000volume\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000they\u3000could\u3000spew\u3002\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000broke\u3000in\u3000different\u3000directions\uff1b\u3000cautious\uff1b\u3000deciding\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000out\u3000their\u3000enemy’s\u3000strengths\u3000and\u3000weaknesses\u2026if\u3000any\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Follow\u3000me\uff1b\u3000you\u3000guys\uff1b\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000radioed\u3000to\u3000his\u3000wingmates\u3002\u3000\u3003We’ll\u3000try\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000them\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gunboat\u2026in\u3000range\u3000for\u3000a\u3000knockout\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000cut\u3000in\u3000full\u3000thrust\uff1b\u3000rushing\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000up\u3000with\u3000Rand\u3000and\u3000Rook\u3002\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000surviving\u3000Pincer\u3000Ships\u3000climbed\u3000after\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Sera’s\u3000mecha\u3000poised\u3000in\u3000midair\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000her\u3000puter\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Regis’s\u3000voice\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Scanner\u3000confirms\u3000Human\u3000life\u2026forms\u3000now\u3000aboard\u3000third\u3000flotation\u3000target\u3000mecha\u3002\u3003\u3000Far\u3000below\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000was\u3000underway\uff1b\u3000racing\u3000for\u3000the\u3000open\u3000sea\u3002
\n
\n
\nLunk\u3000eased\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000in\u3000its\u3000sling\u3000and\u3000grated\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000against\u3000the\u3000agony\u3000of\u3000the\u3000burns\u3000and\u3000what\u3000he\u3000figured\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000a\u3000hairline\u3000fracture\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000painkiller\u3000ampules\u3000in\u3000the\u3000med\u3000supplies\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000head\u3000for\u3000battle\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Sorry\u3000about\u3000getting\u3000you\u3000into\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Lancer\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000was\u3000crowded\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000with\u3000Marlene\u3000and\u3000Annie\uff1b\u3000all\u3000of\u3000them\u3000doing\u3000their\u3000best\u3000to\u3000give\u3000Lancer\u3000room\u3000to\u3000man\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3002
\n
\nLancer\uff1b\u3000helmet\u3000cast\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000spared\u3000one\u3000gauntleted\u3000hand\u3000from\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000to\u3000give\u3000a\u3000blithe\u3000wave\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000did\u3000great\uff1b\u3000Lunk\u3002\u3000The\u3000cutter’s\u3000still\u3000in\u3000one\u3000piece\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000she\uff1f\u3000I\u3000got\u3000no\u3000plaints\u3002\u3003
\n
\nIndeed\u3002\u3000The\u3000kamikaze\u3000Invid\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000hit\u3000at\u3000the\u3000last\u3000instant\u3000and\u3000broken\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000water\u3000just\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000cutter’s\u3000bow\uff1b\u3000showering\u3000it\u3000with\u3000flaming\u3000wreckage\u3002\u3000A\u3000chunk\u3000of\u3000it\u3000had\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000optical\u3000pickup\u3000for\u3000the\u3000pumpedlaser’s\u3000scope\uff1b\u3000blowing\u3000it\u3000up\u3000in\u3000Lunk’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000A\u3000major\u3000piece\u3000had\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000turret\uff1b\u3000throwing\u3000the\u3000unbelted\u3000Lunk\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gunner’s\u3000saddle\u3000and\u3000giving\u3000him\u3000some\u3000considerable\u3000lumps\u3000and\u3000burns\u2026and\u3000damaging\u3000the\u3000main\u3000battery\u3000beyond\u3000repair\u3002
\n
\nScott’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff1b\u3000Lunk\uff01\u3000Heads\u3000up\uff01\u3000We’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000try\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000down\u3000to\u3000you\uff01\u3003
\n
\nLancer\u3000had\u3000barely\u3000gotten\u3000finished\u3000acknowledging\u3000and\u3000begun\u3000preparing\u3000for\u3000a\u3000make\u2026or\u2026break\u3000shootout\uff1b\u3000when\u3000something\u3000enormous\u3000blocked\u3000out\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000cringed\uff1b\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000immense\u3000tower\u3000of\u3000Robotechnology\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Sera’s\u3000mecha\u3002\u3000Lancer\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000reverse\u2026all\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000he\u3000wouldn’t\u3000blow\u3000every\u3000bearing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000power\u3000train\u3000or\u3000tear\u3000apart\u3000a\u3000propeller\u3000shaft\u3002
\n
\nIt\u3000did\u3000no\u3000good\uff1b\u3000the\u3000alien\u3000advanced\u3000at\u3000what\u3000was\u3000for\u3000it\u3000a\u3000slow\u3000approach\u2026speed\uff1b\u3000with\u3000something\u3000like\u3000a\u3000deliberate\u3000vindictiveness\u3002\u3000Rather\u3000than\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000it\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000one\u3000titanic\u3000fist\uff1b\u3000bracing\u3000to\u3000put\u3000it\u3000right\u3000through\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3002\u3000The\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000could\u3000only\u3000steel\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dread\u3000the\u3000impact\u3002
\n
\n
\nIn\u3000her\u3000cockpit\uff1b\u3000Sera\u3000made\u3000an\u3000animal\u3000snarling\uff1b\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000locked\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000like\u3000red\u3000coals\u3000of\u3000anger\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3002\u3000So\u3000many\u3000Pincer\u3000drones\u3000had\u3000died\uff01\u3000So\u3000many\u3000conflicting\u3000emotions\u3000had\u3000interfered\u3000with\u3000her\u3000devotion\u3000to\u3000her\u3000Queen\/Mother\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Regis\uff01\u3000Now\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000thrust\u3000aside\u3000confusion\u3000and\u3000prosecute\u3000the\u3000war\u3000these\u3000Humans\u3000seemed\u3000determined\u3000to\u3000fight\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000breaking\u3000this\u3000toylike\u3000water\u2026vessel\u3000to\u3000bits\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mecha’s\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000it\u3000and\u3000its\u3000crew\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000was\u3000the\u3000ideal\u3000place\u3000to\u3000start\u3002
\n
\nShe\u3000drew\u3000back\u3000her\u3000mecha’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fist\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000an\u3000oldtime\u3000tank\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000see\uff1b\u3000through\u3000her\u3000mecha’s\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000terrified\u3000looks\u3000on\u3000the\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Humans\u3002\u3000Three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000deck\uff1b\u3000the\u3000fourth\u3000clung\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000despite\u3000the\u3000swells\u3000set\u3000up\u3000by\u3000her\u3000machine’s\u3000back\u3000thrusters\u3002
\n
\nSera\u3000drew\u3000a\u3000quick\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000whistling\u3000breath\u3002\u3000The\u3000one\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wheel\u3000was\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000one\u3000with\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000hair\u3000who\u3000had\u3000made\u3000those\u3000strange\uff1b\u3000seductive\uff1b\u3000achingly\u3000beautiful\u3000sounds\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000mecha\u3000answered\u3000her\u3000thought\u2026images\uff1b\u3000it\u3000drew\u3000back\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000there\u3000on\u3000thrusterfire\u3002\u3000Although\u3000her\u3000mecha\u3000was\u3000nearly\u3000as\u3000big\u3000as\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000itself\u3000and\u3000well\u3000able\u3000to\u3000break\u3000it\u3000to\u3000matchwood\uff1b\u3000it\u3000held\u3000back\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000he\u3000had\u3000confronted\u3000in\u3000the\u3000quiet\u3000jungle\u3000clearing\u3002\u3000Why\u3000doesn’t\u3000she\u3000shoot\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000is\u3000she\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what’s\u3000going\u3000through\u3000her\u3000mind\uff1f\u3000He\u3000was\u3000frozen\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wheel\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000the\u3000missile\uff1b\u3000the\u3000annihilation\u3000disc\uff1b\u3000the\u3000single\u3000blow\u3000of\u3000a\u3000mecha\u3000fist\u3000that\u3000would\u3000make\u3000four\u3000Human\u3000Beings\u3000into\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000fishfood\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000wanted\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000run\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000and\u3000scream\uff1b\u3000Wait\uff01\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000your\u3000enemy\uff01\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000you\u3000to\u3000be\u3000mine\uff01
\n
\n
\nSera\u3000shrank\u3000back\u3000from\u3000the\u3000visual\u3000displays\u3000before\u3000her\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000still\u3000fixed\u3000on\u3000the\u3000male\u3000with\u3000the\u3000purple\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000pressing\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000harshly\u3000against\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000whimpering\uff1b\u3000sobbing\u3002
\n
\n
\nRook’s\u3000voice\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000tac\u3000net\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff1b\u3000hang\u3000on\uff01\u3000I’m\u3000almost\u3000in\u3000range\uff01\u3003\u3000Lunk’s\u3000eyes\u3000flickered\u3000to\u3000the\u3000target\u2026acquisition\u3000displays\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000alternative\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000was\u3000helpless\u3000before\u3000this\u3000Invid\u3002
\n
\nSera’s\u3000indecision\u3000gave\u3000way\u3000to\u3000conviction\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000harm\u3000the\u3000man\u3002
\n
\nAll\u3000the\u3000rest\u3000was\u3000murky\uff1a\u3000whys\u3000and\u3000wherefores\u3000and\u3000what\u3000might\u3000happen\u3000next\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000failed\u3000her\u3000Regis\uff1b\u3000and\u3000yet\u3000something\u3000had\u3000been\u3000born\u3000in\u3000her\u3000that\u3000was\u3000herself\uff1b\u3000that\u3000was\u3000Sera\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000something\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000put\u3000there\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000frightening\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000was\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3000wonderful\u3002
\n
\nHer\u3000mecha\u3000was\u3000jolted\u3000by\u3000an\u3000Alpha\u3000energy\u3000volley\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000and\u3000saw\u3000Rook\u3000diving\u3000at\u3000her\u3000like\u3000an\u3000angry\u3000hawk\uff1b\u3000going\u3000to\u3000Battloid\u3002\u3000Sera\u3000whirled\u3000her\u3000mecha\u3000away\uff1b\u3000leaking\u3000fire\u3000and\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000dodging\u3000further\u3000damage\u3002
\n
\nRook\u3000hovered\u3000close\uff1b\u3000confronting\u3000her\uff1b\u3000whamming\u3000away\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Battloid’s\u3000fearsome\u3000rifle\/cannon\u3002\u3000Sera\u3000gathered\u3000herself\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3000faster\u3000than\u3000any\u3000rocket\uff1b\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000if\u3000she\u3000had\u3000won\u3000some\u3000personal\u3000victory\u3000or\u3000suffered\u3000a\u3000disastrous\u3000defeat\u2026or\u3000both\u3002
\n
\nLancer\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000go\uff1b\u3000his\u3000heart\u3000beating\u3000hard\uff1b\u3000pulse\u3000throbbing\u3000against\u3000the\u3000collar\u3000ring\u3000of\u3000his\u3000Robotech\u3000armor\u3002
\n
\nScott’s\u3000voice\u3000crackled\u3002\u3000\u3003Lancer\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000almost\u3000to\u3000you\uff01\u3000ing\u3000into\u3000range\u3000now\uff01\u3000Get\u3000set\uff01\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000glanced\u3000aside\uff1b\u3000target\u2026acquisition\u3000displays\u3000had\u3000them\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Ready\u3000Scott\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000VTs\u3000and\u3000their\u3000Invid\u3000pursuers\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Breaking\u3000on\u3000three\uff01\u3000One\uff1b\u3000two\u3003\u3000Lancer\u3000clutched\u3000the\u3000remote\u3000firing\u3000grip\uff1b\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000curled\u3000just\u3000off\u3000the\u3000trigger\u3002\u3000\u3003Three\uff01\u3003\u3000Scott\u3000finished\u3002\u3000\u3003Fire\uff01\u3003
\n
\nBut\u3000Lancer\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000his\u3000three\u3000friends\u3000break\u3000away\uff1b\u3000and\u3000was\u3000already\u3000triggering\u3002\u3000The\u3000cutter’s\u3000fore\u3000and\u3000aft\u3000launchers\u3000belched\uff1b\u3000racks\u3000of\u3000Tarpons\u3000emptied\uff1b\u3000and\u3000thick\u3000flights\u3000of\u3000Copperheads\u3000went\u3000up\u3000as\u3000well\u3002\u3000\u3003Firing\uff01\u3003
\n
\nTwo\u3000Copperheads\u3000broke\u3000in\u3000burning\u3000wrack\u3000across\u3000Corg’s\u3000mecha\u3000but\u3000were\u3000otherwise\u3000insignificant\u3002\u3000But\u3000other\u3000missiles\u3000savaged\u3000the\u3000Pincers\u3000that\u3000had\u3000made\u3000it\u3000that\u3000far\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000a\u3000single\u3000personal\u2026armor\u3000machine\u3000survived\u3002\u3000Corg’s\u3000mecha\u3000closed\u3000its\u3000bulky\uff1b\u3000armored\u3000forearms\u3000around\u3000its\u3000cranium\uff1b\u3000protecting\u3000its\u3000pilot\uff1b\u3000while\u3000an\u3000inferno\u3000washed\u3000past\u3000it\u3002\u3000Sera\uff1b\u3000soaring\u3000in\u3000to\u3000join\u3000her\u3000brother\u2026unsure\u3000of\u3000what\u3000she\u3000would\u3000do\u2026pulled\u3000clear\uff1b\u3000as\u3000the\u3000missiles\u3000drew\u3000instant\u3000lines\u3000of\u3000contrail\u3000across\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n
\nRand\uff1b\u3000Rook\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Scott\u3000stayed\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000demon’s\u3000brew\u3000of\u3000detonating\u3000warheads\u3000until\u3000there\u3000was\u3000quiet\u3000again\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enemy\u3000anywhere\u3002\u3000They\u3000banked\u3000and\u3000headed\u3000for\u3000the\u3000cutter\uff1b\u3000which\u3000sailed\u3000along\u3000on\u3000an\u3000impossibly\u3000placid\u3000ocean\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Pacific\u3000unaware\u3000of\u3000the\u3000carnage\u3000that\u3000had\u3000ended\u3000seconds\u3000before\u3002
\n
\n
\nSera\u3000landed\u3000on\u3000a\u3000beach\u3000from\u3000which\u3000she\u3000could\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000cutter\u3000and\u3000its\u3000acpanying\u3000VTs\u3000dwindle\u3000from\u3000sight\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000Corg\u3000landed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000two\u3000skyscraper\u3000mecha\u3000stood\u3000shoulder\u3000to\u3000shoulder\u3002
\n
\n\u3003Patrol\u3000escorts\u3000destroyed\uff1b\u3003\u3000their\u3000puters\u3000told\u3000them\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Queen\u2026Mother’s\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Abandon\u3000further\u3000pursuit\u3002\u3000Do\u3000not\u3000risk\u3000loss\u3000of\u3000royal\u3000mecha\u3000at\u3000this\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n
\nCorg\u3000emerged\u3000from\u3000his\u3000upholstered\u3000nacelle\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sharp\u2026featured\uff1b\u3000handsome\u3000young\u3000man\u3000with\u3000lean\u3000good\u3000looks\u3000and\u3000mysterious\uff1b\u3000oblique\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000His\u3000shoulderlength\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000blue\u3000as\u3000well\uff1b\u3000lying\u3000flat\u3000and\u3000fine\u3000against\u3000his\u3000skull\u3000and\u3000lending\u3000itself\u3000to\u3000his\u3000cruel\uff1b\u3000ascetic\u3000look\u3002\u3000He\u3000snarled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000escaping\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000to\u3000his\u3000twin’s\u3000mecha\u3002
\n
\n\/Sister\uff1b\u3000what\u3000possessed\u3000you\uff1f\/
\n
\n\/Brother\uff1b\u3000I\u2026I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3002\u3002\u3002\/
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000stood\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fantail\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000for\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000voyage\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000ebullient\u3000mood \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n
\n\/Sister\uff1b\u3000what\u3000possessed\u3000you\uff1f\/
\n
\n\/Brother\uff1b\u3000I\u2026I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000know\u3002\u3002\u3002\/
\n
\n
\nLancer\u3000stood\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fantail\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000for\u3000so\u3000much\u3000of\u3000the\u3000voyage\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000showed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000usual\u3000ebullient\u3000mood\uff1b\u3000rejoicing\u3000that\u3000land\u3000had\u3000e\u3000into\u3000view\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000along\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bridge\u3000in\u3000a\u3000moment\u3002\u3000Annie\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000dubious\u3000look\uff1b\u3000but\u3000then\u3000frolicked\u3000off\uff1b\u3000ecstatic\u3000with\u3000the\u3000idea\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000away\u3000from\u3000shipboard\u3000confinement\u3002
\n
\nHe\u3000brushed\u3000the\u3000long\u3000lavender\u3000stands\u3000from\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000only\u3000fluttered\u3000them\u3000back\u3000there\u3000again\u3002
\n
\nWho\u3000is\u3000she\uff1f\u3000How\u3000did\u3000I\u3000lose\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000myself\u3000so\u3000quickly\uff1f
\n
\n
\n\u3003Hard\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000we’ve\u3000e\u3000such\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000in\u3000such\u3000a\u3000short\u3000time\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rand\u3000said\uff1b\u3000breaking\u3000the\u3000long\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000net\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000where\u3000Rook\u3000cruised\u3000close\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000glance\u3000aside\u3000at\u3000him\u3000or\u3000otherwise\u3000show\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000the\u3000implication\u3002
\n
\nRand\u3000trimmed\u3000his\u3000Alpha\u3002\u3000Where\u3000Rook\u3000was\u3000concerned\uff1b\u3000silence\u3000was\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000a\u3000start\u3002
\n
\n
\nBaja\u3000California\u3000gleamed\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000The\u3000imperatives\u3000of\u3000history\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Vision\u3000that\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000Zor\u3000across\u3000the\u3000years\u3000and\u3000light\u2026years\u3000were\u3000pulling\u3000together\uff1b\u3000their\u3000warp\u3000and\u3000woof\u3000were\u3000almost\u3000plete\u3002\u3000What\u3000was\u3000to\u3000be\uff1b\u3000would\u3000be\u3002
\n
\nBut\u3000that\u3000wasn’t\u3000how\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000to\u3000anyone\u3000on\u3000the\u3000team\u3002\u3000If\u3000Corg\u3000and\u3000Sera\u3000were\u3000confused\u3000by\u3000Human\u3000emotions\uff1b\u3000the\u3000freedom\u3000fighters\u3000were\u3000at\u3000least\u3000dazed\u3000by\u3000them\uff1b\u3000each\u3000in\u3000his\u3000or\u3000her\u3000own\u3000way\u2026arguably\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000disabled\u3000in\u3000some\u3000measure\u3002\u3000But\u3000if\u3000emotions\u3000had\u3000been\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000them\u3000they\u3000would\u3000have\u3000fallen\u3000like\u3000scythed\u3000wheat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Third\u3000Robotech\u3000War\u3000would\u3000have\u3000ended\u3000right\u3000there\u3000and\u3000then\u3002
\n
\nAs\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000ordained\u3000from\u3000the\u3000beginning\uff1b\u3000the\u3000deciding\u3000force\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Robotech\u3000Wars\u3000was\u3000something\u3000neither\u3000side\u3000would\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000or\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000but\u3000everyone\u3000involved\u3000had\u3000felt\u3000it\u3002
\n
\nAnd\u3000just\u3000over\u3000the\u3000horizon\uff1b\u3000a\u3000Phoenix\u3000waited\u3000to\u3000spread\u3000its\u3000wings\u3002
\n
\n
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