Then whatever we want, of course.
You don’t really think we’d let you share our nutrient supply, do you? After what you’ve done.
You’re starting to piss me off.
Jed and Beth saw the monstrous bird rise into view through the port, a jet-black shadow against the ruddy darkness of the umbra. Malevolent eyes gleamed scarlet, looking straight in at them. They backed away from the port together. To one side of the bird was another shadow, an elongated oval.
“Gerald,” Jed said nervously. “Mate, there’s
“Yes,” he said. “The
Jed and Beth gave each other a defeated look. Gerald was activating a lot of systems on the console.
“What are you doing?” Rocio asked.
“Bringing the remaining generators on line,” Gerald answered. “You can route their power into the lasers. Kill it with one shot.”
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
“YES IT IS!” Gerald cried. “Don’t you try to back out now.” He clutched the edge of the console, blinking in confusion.
“Gerald?” Beth pleaded tremulously. “Please, Gerald, don’t do anything rash.”
Loren’s face flicked up over Gerald’s tortured expression. “Gerald’s fine. Just fine. Don’t you worry.”
Beth started sobbing, clutching at Jed. His arms went round her as he stared miserably at the mad figure hunched over the console. When Skibbow had just been bonkers it’d been bad enough. This new demented combination was hell’s own gatekeeper.
Loren ignored the two kids. “Rocio. Ask the voidhawk to help. It’s to their advantage. We don’t want any mistakes now.”
“Very well.” There was an edge of worry in the voice. I have a proposition,he said to syrinx, on singular engagement.
Go ahead.
I have no quarrel with you, nor do I care about your mission. Etchells and Kiera threaten both of us.
Then why did you stop us from firing at them?
Because I need to capture Kiera alive. The father and mother of the body she possesses are on board. Unfortunately, they have fire authority over my combat wasps. My energistic power can disable the missiles, but the Skibbows would be able to detect my intent. There is no way of telling how they’d react; they are not a stable combination. They could choose to kamikaze; in which case I’m not sure if I could block their commands to the warheads in time.
I see. What do you suggest?
From this range, my lasers are quite capable of killing the
So what do you want us to do?
Nothing. Do not interfere when I shoot. That’s all I ask.
What about Kiera’s control over the
A second laser strike will eliminate the combat wasps in their launch cradles. I can be fast. She will not have time to launch or detonate them.
You hope.
Can you provide an alternative?
Etchells spoke into the general affinity band: Rocio, I can see you’ve powered up your weapon pod generators. Know this, Kiera and I have rigged my combat wasps. Any energy beam strike against me or my life-support module will result in every warhead blowing simultaneously. Both of you are well inside the lethal blast radius.
All right,rocio said. We’ve all been real smart and blocked each other. Nobody can win now, so why don’t we all just back off?
No,syrinx said. If either of you accelerate away or attempt to open a wormhole interstice, I will fire. I will not give you the freedom to return to the cylinder.
So just what the hell are we supposed to do now?rocio demanded.
We are negotiating for the cylinder to be evacuated,syrinx said. When all the Tyrathca have left, I will permit the three of us to retreat simultaneously. Not before. You will not slaughter innocent entities to appease your paranoia.
For fuck’s sake,etchells said. Rocio, join me, we’ll blow this voidhawk to shit and stop them getting the weapon.
There is no weapon,syrinx insisted.
