“I can't see that we have any choice now.”
“Probably not.”
“But even if we can't get out of here alive, we'll have to do what we came here to do.”
“Yes,” I said.
The noises on the staircase were getting closer.
He covered the link. “Ask me why we're using the links.”
“What?”
“Just do it. Ask me.”
“Alex, why are we using the links?”
“Because, when we destroy this blasphemous temple, Okar would not want us to destroy these unhappy infidels along with it. It's not entirely their fault that the darkness has fallen on them.”
“Ah,” I said. “Yes. We would not wish to see them mangled and burning after we blow this place to hell.”
“It is behavior that is required of us. It is written in the book to give fair warning. That they may save themselves if they are so inclined.”
I whispered: “What makes you think they're listening?”
“Right now, it's our best shot.” His voice took on a note of resignation. “Chase, I'm sorry it's come to this. But we can't allow these acts of blasphemy to continue. We have no choice in the matter and we haven't much time.”
“I know.”
“They're coming up now. Take a moment to pray to Okar, to thank Him for all His gifts. And then we'll do it.”
The sounds had reached the landing below us. Suddenly, they hesitated.
We looked at each other. Alex said nothing but mouthed the words, Let's hope.
“Alex?”
“Yes, Chase?”
“Good-bye. I've been proud to know you. You are a good and decent servant of the Lord.”
Whatever was on the staircase started back down. Rapidly.
“You, too, Chase. Hand me the detonator.”
Watching them clear out was a joy that will stay with me forever. We couldn't see them, from our hideaway near the bell tower, but we could hear them, doors slamming, engines turning on, cars and trucks backing into others and scraping bumpers as they tried to turn around. Bots scrambling, running, stumbling out of the church, adding to the mayhem. Vehicles bounced into the streets without waiting for oncoming traffic. Brakes screeched, and cars plowed into one another.
It was magnificent.
We went out onto the roof and waited for Gabe to come back down. We'd been out there only a few seconds, and Gabe was still pretty high, when a bot followed us through the door. It was bipedal, made of black and red metal. It possessed a smaller version of the lenses we'd seen on the spider. “You must think,” it said, “that we're all stupid.” Its right arm mutated into a cutting device with multiple blades. It started toward us. The arm was humming, and the blades began rotating.
I turned the cutter on it and the blade reddened and splattered, I caught a piece of it and I thought it was going to burn through my arm. Alex still held the broken doorframe. He stepped in and hammered the bot. It staggered backward, fell, and clattered down the slanted roof, with Alex right behind it. When it seemed on the verge of halting its slide, Alex kicked it over the side. Then everything was quiet, except for the hum of the antigravs in the approaching lander.
“Not all stupid,” said Alex. “Just you.”
“Brilliant, Gabe,” said Alex, when we were on board and soaring toward the clouds.
“Thank you, Alex.”
“I think you bailed us out,” I said.
“Yes.”
“That was a great idea.”
“I like to make a contribution when I can.”
TWENTY-ONE
The road to Heaven is not a six-lane throughway. It is narrow, there are many curves, it skirts deep canyons, and in certain areas it is subject to flooding. There are potholes, and sometimes a fallen tree may block progress. But keep going. Do not forget that your obligation is not only to yourself but to those who travel with you, and to the strangers you will encounter along the way. Do these things, and you will surely get there. Keep your sense of humor, stop occasionally to listen to the wind in the trees, and to look at the river, and you may even find that you will enjoy the ride.
“I do wish you'd be more careful,” said Gabe, as we gained altitude. “I'm not sure where I'll be if you get yourselves killed.”
Alex nodded impatiently. “Later, Gabe. Chase, let me see your arm.”
It was scorched. But not badly.
Alex got some aloevium and rubbed it into the burn. Then he wrapped it and admonished me to use more care. “You sound like Gabe,” I said.
“I'm serious.”
“And I,” said Gabe, “am not happy.”
Alex didn't look as if he was in a mood to have this argument. “This isn't the first time we've had a problem,” he said. “I haven't heard you complain before-”
“Maybe I'm getting old. But I have the distinct impression you are becoming increasingly reckless. And when you put yourself at risk, you endanger not only me, but Chase as well.”
Alex glanced my way. I kept a straight face. “Okay,” he said. “Maybe you have a point.”
“Of course I do. Please, in the future, exercise some care.” Somewhere, back in his relays, Gabe was smiling.
I was still pretty thoroughly rattled. But I didn't say anything. “That was kind of stupid,” he said. “Maybe we can do the rest of this without getting out of the Belle-Marie.”
“I think that's the best idea you've had in a while.” But when I thought about it, I recognized the tone. “You saw something.”
“Maybe.”
“Okay. What was it?”
“Angels.” He sank back in his chair. I sighed and set course for orbit.
We rose out of the clouds. “Any sign of pursuit, Gabe?” I asked.
“There are two aircraft down there, running on parallel courses, but they don't seem to pose a threat, and in any case they're showing no indication of being able to keep up with us. I will inform you if the situation changes.”
We rode quietly for a few minutes, Alex gazing straight ahead, his mind elsewhere. Then he came back. “Gabe,” he said, “do a search for me. Go through the material we have on the churches.”
“Okay. What am I looking for?”
“References to Heaven-bound.”
“Very good. Working. And the two aircraft are turning away.”
The voice from Highgate broke in: “Have you suffered any casualties?”
