"How long?" Amos ben Sierra Nueva said desperately
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notice of supernatural calm? The doctor smiled rue- fully at that and told the machine to show him the next message. It was flagged personal, which was odd. He began to read. His heart stumbled; he could feel the pain in his chest quite distinctly, but it seemed distant and unim- portant Vision grayed down to a tunnel; it was long minutes before he could speak. At last he managed to croak "Simeon? Simeon!"
voice had been sufficiently worrisome for Simeon to 236 Anne McCaffrey 6? S.M. Stirling THE cny WHO FOUGHT 237 activate visuals. The doctor was visibly tired but, con- sidering the work load he was pushing, fatigue would be normal. Nor unusual for Chaundra who tended to push himself. If Simeon had been capable of experiencing fatigue, he would be knackered right now. The slightly built dark man was gray-faced with sweat beading his forehead. Simeon ran a diagnostic program; not good. Extreme stress, to the point of endangering the man's health. Chaundra was not young anymore, and had endured some very hostile environments in his career. Not to mention the current problem.
to his screen.
programs N I'll have ]oattsfade for this, by God!" N I couldn't go, Fmsorry. Ihopeyou can understand and forgiveme, but ^artythmg were to happen to you and I wasn't there, Td never forgive myself. I have to be here, because Mom can't be. Iloveyou. Seld. "Oh!" Simeon paused in full comprehension of Chaundra's state of mind. "But didn't you put him on...."
"He was in line, almost to the lock. Then I received a bleep message N the most urgent of codes. Seld said I must answer. He understood that. We embraced, said good-bye and I left him there."
more effort than that. "He was practically on the ship. How the hell did this happen?"
"I'll try to find out where that wicked young rascal is right now." He didn't mean Seld, but did not qualify his term. After a moment's pause he came up blank. "I'm not finding him, so he's well hidden wherever he is. That should be some consolation, Chaundra," he said in a firmly reassuring tone. "If I can't find him, neither can our expected visitors. I'll keep looking. Count on me for that! - - j
could the well-mannered, well-brought up Seld have fallen for one of Joat's schemes? And what part would the kid play in it? And Fm to blame for this situation and Chaundra's heartache, Joat had been so eager to learn, and he'd seen no reason to restrict her terminal's access to the schematics. She had been bad enough before this emergency sent her to cover; now, he didn't know what she was capable of doing.
thought bitterly. Ten years' precocity in advanced engineer- ing technics and the morals of a five-year-old. The selfishness of small children can be charming, when they don't have the power to do much harm. In a near- adult, and a brilliant near-adult at that, the possibilities went out of bounds,
recovering himself enough to shout and to be livid with rage. "The clock says this message was entered ten hours after his ship left!" "I know, I see it Don't worry, Chaundra. We'll find him."
should hide! That he is no longer as safe as I thought he would be by now. Do you understand? My son could die. My heart is pounding with the anxiety."
including apartments left empty by the evacuation. "Still searching. There are so many places he could hide and even I couldn't find him," he said by way of reas- suring Chaundra. "He's a big strong kid who can handle himself" As well as any of us, he thought The odds for 238 Anm McCaffny # SJW. Stating THE CTTY WHO FOUGHT 239 anyone on the station were not good, but there was no point in reminding Chaundra of that now. "No," the doctor said between clenched teeth, "he isn't a "big strong kid,' and he can't handle himself. He's never going to be strong. Thej^lague that took his mother left him with nerve damage." "Nerve damage?" Simeor^jsaid incredulously. Regeneration of nerve tissue was an old technology, and well understood. Without it, shellpeople would be impossible, for the same technique knitted their ner- vous systems into the machinery that supported them and that they commanded. Chaundra shook his head. "I have done what I could to bypass the damage, but if he puts too much strain where the repair exists ..." His voice trailed off, and when he raised his face to Simeon's visual node, he had turned into an old man.
the meditech, I the doctor. A new continent on a new colony world. Much to do, we were on research grants. Then people began to die. There was nothing I could do... They imposed quarantine N quarantine, in this day and age! When I found what had happened, already it was too late for Mary. The virus ... was a hybrid. A native virus-analogue combined with a mutant Terran encephalitis strain. The native virus wrapped around the Terran, you understand. So the immune system could not recognize it and had no defense. The Terran element enabled it to parasitize ourDNA.
three years of therapy for him to be able to walk and talk and move as well as he does."
and putting them down. "But he will never be strong. If they seize him, hell be as helpless as someone half his age. There could be convulsions: stress accelerates the damage. It is cumulative. Why do you think I took this position? He must be near a first-rate facility at all times. He must not suffer extreme stress or the effects could snowball As it is, he will probably rEt live much past adulthood."
draining out of him as he buried his head in his hands. "Then we'll make sure they don't hurt him," Simeon said grimly." First, let's find him. He's probably withjoat" "Seld's mentioned her." Chaundra's voice was muffled "He has many-friends, but she sounded... different" "She is. Oh, she's different, all right. And she wouldn't leave, either. So in a way, you and I are in the same boat."
rasped; unusual, since he was normally a fastidious man. "Yes," he said and laughed sardonically, "and the boat is about to leak." "Not necessarily." Simeon said firmly enough to make himself believe it "Seld has something else going for him."
vival instinct that even if the rest of the station blew, she'd find a way to stay alive ... and keep Seld alive, too. He's actually far safer with her than anywhere else he could be. So I wouldn't worry about his infirmities, or stress. Though I hate like hell to admit it, I can't think of anyone better qualified to mind him than Joat!"
where I can see you."
you yeUin' about, Simeon?" she asked, yawning. "Send him out, Joat This is the only place he can possibly be." 240 Ame McCaffrey 6? SM. Stirling Joat crossed her arms and looked sleepily defiant. "Your father is worried, Seld," Simon went on. "He sent you away so that you'd be safe. So you know he's not really going to kill you for staying, even though you deserve it."
shoulder. "Tbldja to stay outta sight)" He hung his head and said, "I know. But I can't let you take my rap. Mom wouldn't like that in me. At least that's what my dad says she'd say." He shrugged and gave her a feeble grin. Joat rolled her eyes. "Do what'choo want," she said in a scathing tone, and disappeared. "Actually," Simeon told them both, "I don't see any need to rough it just yet. Why not sleep comfortably while you can, eat what everyone else is enjoying, because we're certainly not going to leave it to the pirates to gobble up. I'd prefer that you hide out when the pirates arrive. Meanwhile, Seld, give your dad the benefit of your company: he needs it. Save your rations,Joat- Eat with us. Food'sbetter. For now." He picked up her disgusted sigh, and then she walked into view, arms still folded, expression still defiant
was ever that young, he thought, but, y'ftnow, she makes me tvish I could swagger. "Okay guys, let's go."
score megatons, at least." "You nee4 not lower your voice," Belazir said, amused and more so when several of the bridge crew jumped. "We are proceeding stealthed, but sound waves do not propagate in vacuum." He turned to the schematic and long-range visual views. Impressive indeed, he thought. Far and away the largest free-floating construct he had ever seen. Twin globes, each at least a thousand meters in extent, linked by a broad tube. More tubes at the north and south axis, evidently for docking large ships, although none were there at the moment Around the station was an incredible clutter of material: loose ore, giant flexible balloons of various substances, radiating networks, fabricators, Large but soft, he decided. Like a huge lump of well- cooked meat, steaming in its own juices and touched with garlic, waiting to be carved into bite-sized pieces. It was a target so rich that he had trouble convincing him- self of its reality. Mentally he accepted it, while his emotions could only kick in every minute or so, as jolts of near-orgasmic pleasure. He stretched like a cat, acutely conscious of the anticipatory tension beneath the quiet ordered activity of the bridge. Everyone in the flotilla would come out of this a hero. He couldn't believe this plum could be snatched away N not from the Kolnari and especially not when he commanded the Kolnari flotilla! And he, Belazir t'Marid Kolaren,
in the logical line of succession to Chalku t'Marid. "A pity it is so big," he mused. "A shame to have to waste any of the possible plunder." He sighed for, of course, they would have to destrqg what they could not take.
riers. Even if they had time enough to bring in the heavy haulers from the Clan fleet, only the merest tithe of the goods to be found in this size station could be transported. On the othgrhand, the ecstasy of sheer destruction had its own euphoria N the knowledge that so much data and effort could be casually blown to dust.
for instant transmission once we close our fist on our prey."
chantman would have the Clan fleet on alert. But the transports could not yet have arrived at Bethel, much less landed there. Rigged for deep-space running, suf- ficient ships could be diverted to assist him without hindering the effort at Bethel. Say, ten days' transit from the Saffron system, to be conservative; two or three days loading, depending on how many Father Chalku decided to send. Then set demolition charges, nice large ones to leave nothing larger than gravel. There might well be prisoners worth taking for skilled labor. The huge rectangular frame of a shipyard was now visible on one side of the station, and that meant that there would be rare and valuable slaves to sell. With an effort, he restrained himself from rubbing his hands together. "Oh, what a surprise they have in store," he said.
dim blue lights of the bridge and his voice was husky, THE CITY WHO FOUGHT 243 a man in the grip of lust Which, Belazir reflected, was exactly what it was. Metaphorically and literally. "Keep your eagerness in chains, my friend," he said genially- "It is a good slave but a poor master." He 'aimed to Baila. "Whattraffic inbound?"
ly devoid of traffic. Is it old and due to be abandoned? Or is it new and as yet rarely used ? A small chill diluted the perfec- tion of his pleasure. There were alternatives here; he might be the hero who brought unimaginable wealth, or the immortal villain who revealed the existence of the Clan to an enemy more powerful than they.
Impossible. The merchantman had been rich with treasure and it had just left the station. "Indications?"
with large-scale departures over the past five days." Baila paused, hesitant. "Lord, it is difficult to be certain, with the density of the interstellar medium here. Sub- space distortion damps out very quickly..."
base of his spine. His testicles drew up in reflex. "I want information, not excuses!" he said in a harsh voice. "Ready the seeker missiles." If the accursed Bethelite cowards had warned the stationNprompting the normal traffic to flee N they would destroy it and run immediately. He was nearly certain he had crip- pled the prey's communications apparatus in the pursuit, but "nearly" grilled no meat. But, if it had escaped, where was it? Or had the station done his work for him? A rich station would have cause to be wary of unexpected visitors. "Continue stealthed approach."
accumulator energy, on a ballistic sublight approach. 244 Anne McCaffrey fc? SM. Stating Slow, they would take years to come near at this speed, but quite safe at a respectable distance. At any moment they could power up and close in swiftly at super- luminal speeds. This was a modification of a tactic the Clan sometimes used against merchantmen on the outskirts of a solar system. And mey were dose enough that lightspeed was not much of a problem for detec- tion purposes. Briefly, he considered running back on FTL for a few parsecs, to see if he could pick up traces of in- or outbound traffic over the past week. Then he shook his head, rejecting that plan. Signal degraded too much over distance, arid his own trail would adver- tise his presence. While the station retained subspace communicator capacity, it presented the Clan with a deadly risk.
was no excuse for inaction. Strike the hardest blow you could, then see if another was needed; that was the Kolnari way. "See if you can pick anything up from their perimeter relay beacons," he said. In dust this thick even local realspace beacons needed amplification. "Message, Great Lord," said Baila. "I would hear it" Immediately a woman's crisp voice filled the control center, "Warning all ships, warning all ships, SSS-90Q- C is under Class Two quarantine: I repeat, Class Two quarantine. The following species are advised not to make port at these facilities under any circumstances." A list of alien species followed, most of them unknown to t'Marid. "Human visitors are restricted to the dock facilities and the entertainment areas immediately adjacent to them. You are advised to continue on to your next port of call. Warning..." The message began to repeat and Baila cut it off. "Further scan, lord: there are two debris fields. Both of THE CITY WHO FOUGHT 245 them between us and the station. The one nearest the station is largely of natural ferrous compounds, prob- ability ninety-seven percent-plus semi-processed asteroidal material. The other, nearest the Bride, is of metal and ship-hull compounds, finely divided. Computer assessment S that the mass represented by the metal debris is equivalent to the mass represented by the prey ship." She touched several controls, and the multiple screens displayed a scene of tumbling scraps of half- melted metal, no single piece larger than a meter wide or long. Most were a fog of metallic particles. His eyes narrowed. The quarantine could explain the absence of shipping. Baila's analysis suggested that, either the prey ship, which he knew had been ancient, had disintegrated under the stress of redlining or the station had destroyed it. The former was more likely since no weaponry had been detected on the station. No doubt the truth of the end to the Bethelite refugee ship would be found in the station's records. "Your appraisal?" Belazir asked his weapons officer. "Great Lord," the man said, collating a probability run, "the bulk of the fragments are definitely the result of ultra-high temperature breakdown. The profile is com- pletely compatible with sudden energy discharge from the main internal drive coil of a very large ship. Some of the other debris N" he called up relevant views "N show blast fragmentation. That could either have been the result of direct hits with chemical-energy warheads, or secondary propagation effects when the engine blew. The shockwave through the hull..." "I'm aware of the phenomenon," Belazir said dryly. The weapons officer shrank back. Belazir t'Marid had fought his first space engagement before the younger noble was born. "Continue scan and analysis. Inform me of any anomalies."
He gnawed a thumb. "Possibly too convenient?" "Possibly. However, we were expecting their engines to foil catastrophically at any moment They were sub- limating bits of their cooling vanes for the last thirty light-years." "True. Itisstillacoincidence." #jE "Once is coincidence," Serig said in ritual tone, "twice is happenstance N" "N and the third time is enemy action, yes," Belazir finished irritably. "But for the station to be plague- ridden at the same time?'
noted.
strong. It had to be, to have survived so long on a planet not suitable for human beings, and further devastated by so many centuries of reckless develop- ment and continual war with every nuclear, chemical and biological weapon ingenuity could produce. When the Clan fled a losing struggle, they had kept the tradi- tion of culling any child who showed signs of vulnerability to infection. In feet, it was a stroke of for- tune to have the enemy immobilized by a menace that was no menace to the Kolnari. "Hold position. Call in the consorts." "Yes, Great Lord." Belazir glanced at his communications officer. Her face was bright with excitement, too. He smiled. She was young; this was her first term of duty. He remembered well that sharp, eager feeling. He grinned. Ah, but he was feeling now, at the ripe age of thirty, that his life was half over. "All captains confirming receipt of your orders, Great Lord. Moving into position." "Excellent," he said, glancing back at the schematic Km have abvady given a cry of distress, oh rich and beauteous , he thought vindictively. The entire universe was in conspiracy against the Clan N against all of Kolnar and its children. Soon you mill scream.
rome. I
take a shower."
you're through, I want to introduce you to someone." "Ah," Simeon said lighdy. "We're a family again." "Shut up, you hunk of tin," Channa said good- naturedly, throwing a wad of scrunched-up tissue in the general direction of the pillar. "How does this look?"
supply caches. "Hmmm. Not bad. Okay, how about we seal off the fol- lowing passageways?" A schematic of several decks sprang up." If you didn't know about modern fabrication methods, that would look right for structural members." "Good, good N what does that give us?" "About a thousand people we can stick away in corners N the V list" Those were the ones that they hadn't had space available to evacuate.
had agreed that they had to let essential staff take the risks, as their absence would elicit questions.
tims quite nicely. Also, it'll give us a chance to scatter around some stuff that'll come in useful later. Ah, Simeon-Amos." Tlie Bethelite leader's eyes were red-rimmed, but his smile brought a warm lurch to Channa's diaphragm. "I think I have mastered the basic administrative struc- ture," he said. "It is not too strange." Channa raised a brow. A 900-series station isn't too strange to a backworlder? she thought. j 248 AttneMcCaffrey fc? SJW. StirUng Yüklə 2,81 Mb. Dostları ilə paylaş:
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