into the sewers.'
'And if there are others running free?'
We'll deal with them later. Our first concern is to eliminate the main force and they're in the sewers. The rest should be just a tidying-up exercise.'
'I hope you're right.'
Fender pulled the sleeve of his protective suit up, tugging at the elasticated wristband to examine his watch. The soldiers should be in position within the hour. In the meantime, I'll do a quick tour of the main pumping sites to make sure they're ready. I'll see you both later.' He turned and headed for the door.
'Luke?' Jenny's voice made him pause, and he was surprised at her hurt tone. 'I'll come with you to your car,' she said, catching up with him.
They walked out into the busy corridor leaving the senior tutor staring after them.
'I won't be using my car, Jenny,' Fender said, 'I'll be under armed escort. There's no way I'm going back into the forest on my own.'
Then I'll walk you to your escort,' she replied. 'Luke, do you really have to go? Haven't you done enough for one day?'
He stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking intently into her face. 'Jenny, I won't stop until those bastards have been wiped from the face of the earth.'
The venom in his words frightened her and she dropped her eyes from his. His grip slackened and his hands fell away. Jenny kept up with him as he strode towards the reception area.
Once there he stooped to retrieve his fallen helmet, then pulled the tutor to one side, away from the figures that bustled to and fro. He smiled down at her, the old warmth returning.
'Stop worrying. Everything will be under control after we've used the cyanide, you'll see.' He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Jenny responded by clasping a hand around his waist, but drew it back hastily when he winced.
'Luke, you really are hurt.' She looked anxiously down at his side.
He drew in a deep breath, smiling. That doesn't help.'
'Please, let the medical officer look at you.'
Fender shook his head. 'It's nothing serious. Just bruises. Hey, you didn't tell me how Jan Wimbush and Will are doing.'
'Jan is still under sedation. Oh, Luke, her injuries are terrible. Her face ... The wound at the back of her neck is the one the doctors are really worried about. Fortunately, the spine was undamaged, but the wound beside it is so deep. It was touch-and-go for the first twenty-four hours. They think she'll pull through, though.'
The coldness had crept back into Fender's features. 'And Will?' he asked.
'He should be out tomorrow. He's got a nasty wound in his leg where the rat bit him, but no muscles or tendons were torn. They're only keeping him in to make sure there isn't any infection. Or disease.
He's terribly upset about poor Jan...'
'Ready, Mr. Fender?' Captain Mather stood two yards from them, Mike Lehmann at his side.
You're going back for more, Captain?' said Fender, surprised.
Why not?' came the reply. Then, with a grin, They're only rats.'
Mike Lehmann rolled his eyes heavenwards, but seemed in good humour now that the gassing was underway.
'Okay, Luke. Check the north first, then the southern outlets. There's no way the vermin can get into the surrounding sewer networks every connection is sealed tight. So we won't be getting any complaints from the local authorities saying we've driven monsters on to their patch.
We've got 'em boxed in, Luke, no way out.'
'Okay. I'll report back to you from each base. I'll stay with the last one until they've completed pumping.'
'Right. Good luck.'
Fender looked down at Jenny. 'I'll see you later,' he said.
'Be sure you do.'
Then he was gone, tramping down the path in his awkward suit, Captain Mather striding briskly by his side. They headed for a scout car, two lounging soldiers snapping to attention as they approached.
'Why did he have to go this time?' Jenny said aloud. 'He's done his job.'
'His job?' Lehmann had joined her at the reception area's long window.
'It's more than just a job to Luke, miss, er ... Jenny, isn't it?'
She nodded, turning towards RatkiU's head biologist. 'What do you mean, more than just a job?' she asked curiously.
'With Luke, it's more of a vendetta. He despises the rats.'
'But why?'
You didn't know? I thought...' Lehmann left the sentence unfinished, and turned his gaze back to the window, his face expressionless.
'Please tell me,' Jenny persisted.
