10_invid_invasion-第12章

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weapon　of　some　kind。。。

He　dropped　himself　into　a　tuck…and…roll　seconds　before　the　weapon　fired。　The　round　impacted　against　an　unbraced　section　of　heaped…up　vehicles　and　mecha　parts　and　loosed　some　of　it　into　a　slide。　Lunk　heard　shouts　and　the　squeal　of　brakes　behind　him。　One　of　the　bikes　went　down；　sliding　uncontrolled　along　the　street　with　a　rasping；　scraping　sound。　Lunk　reached　Pops'　just　as　Ringo's　cycle　pulled　up；　but　the　gang　leader　found　himself　confronting　the　man　with　the　weapon。

〃You　again；〃　Lunk　heard　Ringo　seethe。　〃You're　really　pressing　your　luck；　robby。〃

Hearing　Ringo　use　the　derisive　slang　term　for　a　Robotech　soldier；　Lunk　turned　to　study　his　rescuer。　The　man　was　straddling　a　Cyclone　and　wearing　a　uniform　with　patches　Lunk　couldn't　identify。　Nor　was　the　weapon　familiar。

〃Put　your　hands　where　I　can　see　them；〃　the　soldier　told　Ringo。　〃Now　turn　your　cycles　around　and　get　out　of　here。　The　party's　over。〃

Ringo　adjusted　his　dark　glasses　and　flashed　one　of　his　infamous　grins。　〃Have　it　your　way。。。〃　He　looked　over　at　Lunk。　〃If　you　wanna　see　your　friend　alive；　e　on　out　to　the　ranch…if　you　have　the　guts；　that　is！〃

The　three　cycles　roared　off；　and　the　soldier　asked　about　Lunk's　friend。　Lunk　quickly　scanned　the　crowd：　mostly　locals　he　had　seen　before；　but　there　were　three　or　four　he　didn't　recognize。　Two　attractive　women　and　some　carrot…topped　kid。　Another　Cyclone　rider。　They　were　staring　at　him　expectantly。

〃Stay　out　of　it；〃　Lunk　said；　starting　to　walk　off。

Spider　stepped　out　of　the　crowd；　they　had　ridden　together　previously；　Spider；　Lunk；　and　Kevin。。。

〃Hey；　Lunk；　you're　not　going　to　just　walk　away？〃　Spider　said　to　him　questioningly。　〃We've　gotta　go　get　'im；　man。　We　can't　leave　him　with　Ringo！〃

Lunk　stopped；　hung　his　head；　then　resumed　his　heavy　steps。

〃With　a　friend　like　you；　a　guy　doesn't　need　enemies；〃　the　soldier　called　out　to　the　delight　of　the　crowd。

Lunk　spun　around；　ashamed　but　angry；　Spider　and　the　others　were　still　waiting。

〃All　right；〃　the　soldier　was　saying；　strapping　on　some　sort　of　pectoral　armor。　〃Where's　this　ranch？　How　far　is　it　from　here？〃

〃About　five　miles…〃　Pops　started　to　say；　but　the　soldier's　younger　panion　interrupted。

〃Hang　on　a　minute；　Scott；〃　the　redhead　said。　〃You　can't　keep　fighting　everybody's　battles　for　them。　You　think　you're　going　to　whip　the　whole　planet　back　into　shape　single…handed；　and　I　think　you're　nuts！〃

〃I　wouldn't　advise　tangling　with　Ringo；　stranger；〃'　Pops　added。　〃Just　take　our　thanks　and　ride　on　out　of　here。〃

But　Scott　didn't　answer　either　of　them。　He　put　his　helmet　on；　started　the　Cyclone；　and　wheelied　off。　A　woman　in　similar　armor　riding　a　red　mecha　followed　him。　Lunk　heard　the　soldier's　panion　mutter　a　curse　and　yell　for　Scott　to　slow　down；　then　he　angrily　straddled　his　own　Cyclone　and　joined　the　others。

〃Lunk。。。〃　Spider　said　leadingly。

Lunk　spun　around；　a　determined　look　on　his　face　now。　〃All　right；　let's　go。〃

〃Really？〃

〃I　won't　let　those　bums　make　a　chump　outta　me；　Spider。　Kevin's　our　friend；　and　we　can't　leave　him　out　there。〃　Lunk　turned　to　the　crowd。　〃I　need　some　wheels。　I've　got　scrip　enough　to　rent　'em。〃

〃Take　mine；〃　said　Pops；　fishing　keys　out　of　his　shirt　pocket。　〃And　don't　worry　about　paying　me；　either。〃

Lunk　caught　the　tossed　chain；　threw　a　thanks　over　his　shoulder；　and　ran　over　to　Pops'　olive…drab　tri…wheel。　Spider　straddled　the　rear　seat。　Lunk　noticed　that　the　tall　woman　singer　he　had　seen　once　or　twice　in　the　bar　was　also　headed　toward　her　vehicle。　Meanwhile；　the　little　kid　with　the　E。T。　cap　was　beside　him；　introducing　herself　as　Annie。

〃Are　you　married　by　any　chance？〃　she　asked　Lunk。

Lunk's　face　twisted　up　in　shock。　〃What；　are　you　kiddin'？〃

Annie　threw　open　her　arms　and　said；　〃You　lucky　boy！〃　as　Lunk　rode　off；　a　look　of　bewilderment　on　his　face。　〃The　man　of　my　dreams；〃　she　added　a　moment　later；　climbing　into　Yellow　Dancer's　pink　roll…barred　jeep。


Scott's　improvised　posse　of　seven　followed　the　road　out　of　town　to　a　turnoff　that　wound　up　into　the　hills。　They　stopped　once　so　that　Scott　and　Rook　could　suit　Rand　up　in　Cyclone　armor　and　run　him　quickly　through　the　basics　of　mechamorphosis。

The　ranch　sat　at　the　crest　of　a　gentle　rise　near　a　wide　stream　that　made　it　one　of　the　choicest　spots　in　the　district。　It　was　enclosed　by　a　rustic　post…and…rail　fence；　and　there　were　patches　of　grass　and　a　few　beautiful　old　trees　that　had　weathered　more　storms；　natural　and　otherwise；　than　anyone　cared　to　guess。　Scott　and　pany　rode　in　without　ceremony　and　found　Ringo's　gang　waiting　for　them　in　the　shade　of　an　immense　oak。　There　were　five　of　them：　the　knife…wielding　punk；　the　hulk；　and　two　others　who　had　been　with　Ringo　in　the　bar　earlier　that　day。　They　were　all　astride　their　bikes…the　hulk　in　his　usual　sidecar　seat…grouped　close　together　in　a　shallow　arc；　cycle　weapons　pointed　outward。　Kevin　was　behind　them；　lashed　by　thick　rope　to　the　tree　trunk。

Scott　ordered　his　group　to　a　haft　two　hundred　yards　from　the　tree。　Ringo's　group　wouldn't　have　stood　a　chance　against　the　firepower　of　one　Cyclone；　let　alone　three；　but　it　was　obvious　from　the　start　that　Ringo　wanted　to　go　one　on　one　with　Lunk。　Kevin's　precarious　position　guaranteed　against　any　Cyclone　fireworks；　so　in　a　certain　sense　（as　was　always　the　case　when　hostages　were　involved）　Scott's　position　was　the　more　vulnerable　one。

Lunk　was　aware　of　what　was　going　down　and　asked　Spider　to　climb　off　the　triple…wheeler。　It　was　likely；　given　Ringo's　flair　for　dramatics；　that　he　would　begin　the　festivities　with　a　bike　joust；　and　Lunk　figured　he　could　handle　the　thing　better　if　he　was　alone。

〃Okay；　but　be　careful；〃　Spider　said；　stepping　away。

Lunk　snorted。　〃I'm　sick　to　death　of　being　careful。〃

Rand　and　Rook　were　side　by　side　a　few　yards　away；　with　Scott　slightly　off　to　one　side　behind　them。　〃I　can't　figure　out　why　you　came；〃　Rand　was　saying　to　the　red　Cyclone　rider　through　the　helmet。　〃You've　got　no　stake　in　this。〃

〃I've　got　just　as　much　reason　to　be　here　as　you；〃　Rook　said　harshly　without　looking　over　at　him。

〃Everybody　stay　loose；〃　Scott　warned。　〃Keep　your　fingers　away　from　the　triggers。　I　don't　want　anyone　getting　hurt　unless　it　can't　be　helped。〃

〃No　great　loss；　if　you　ask　me；〃　Rook　muttered。

Rand　glanced　over　at　her。　〃Reminds　me　of　a　movie　I　saw　once。　Gunfight　at　the。。。I　can't　remember　the　title。　But　what　happens　is　that…〃

〃People　die　in　real　life；　pal。　Keep　that　in　mind。〃

Before　Rand　could　say　anything；　Ringo　called　out：　〃Hey；　Lunky…boy…I　can　hear　your　knees　knockin'　together！　Is　it　gonna　be　just　you　and　me；　or　do　you　need　the　army　behind　you？〃　Ringo's　gang　hooted　and　howled。　〃I　mean；　you　didn't　have　much　use　for　the　army　a　while　ago；　did　ya？　In　fact；　you　got　a　history　of　runnin'　away　from　fights；　the　way　I　hear　it。　Ain't　that　right？〃

Lunk　gritted　his　teeth。　Sweat　was　beading　up　across　his　face；　and　indeed；　his　knees　were　knocking　against　the　valve　covers　of　the　cycle's　engine。　〃You　don't　know　nothin'　about　it；　ya　little　shit！〃　he　managed　to　bite　out。

Ringo　laughed　and　slapped　his　knee。　〃Sorry　if　I　blew　your　cover。　I　keep　forgettin'　you're　too　modest　to　brag　about　your　military　record！〃

〃What're　you　trying　to　prove？〃　Lunk　yelled；　muscles　and　veins　standing　out　like　cords　in　his　beefy　neck。

〃Nothin'；〃　Ringo　returned。　〃Nothin'　at　all。　'Cept　the　Invid　hate　soldiers；　and　since　we　don't　have　much　use　for　them　ourselves；　we　decided　to　help　them　along　this　time。〃

Lunk　began　to　rev　his　cycle；　but　Scott　gestured　to　him　to　hold　his　ground。　〃Hand　over　your　hostage！〃　Scott　demanded　of　Ringo。

The　gang　leader　turned　to　his　men　and　laughed。　〃We　might　just　make　you　part　of　today's　quota；　robby！〃

〃Yeah；　we　ain't　picky！〃　the　knifer　threw　in。

〃And　we're　not　afraid　of　your　firepower；　neither；〃　the　hulk　yelled　from　the　sidecar；　raising　a　bazooka…type　weapon　into　view。

〃They're　psyching　themselves　up；〃　Rook　cautioned　the　others。　〃Be　ready！〃

On　Ringo's　word　the　four　cycles　leapt　forward　in　a　charge；　but　all　at　once　a　round　detonated　in　their　midst；　throwing　some　of　them　off　their　machines。　Scott；　Rand；　and　Rook　exchanged　looks；　wondering　who　had　fired。　Then　they　heard　Spider　and　Annie's　simultaneous　screams　and　looked　up：　Three　Invid　Shock　Troopers　had　appeared　over　the　canopy　of　the　oak　tree。　Ringo　and　his　boys　were　bolting　for　the　shelter　of　the　ranch　house　as　continued　flashes　from　the　Troopers'　shoulder　cannons　shook　the　ground　and　blew　their　cycles　apart。　Kevin　was　trying　desperately　to　free　himself　from　the　tree　trunk；　and　Annie　was　shouting；　〃Do　something！〃

Scott　took　the　initiative　and　shot　his　Cyclone　forward；　engaging　the　thrusters　and　going　to　Battle　Armor　mode　as　the　mecha　left　the　ground。　Two　of　the　Invid　went　after　him；　while　the　third　dropped　in　low　toward　Lunk　and　the　others。　Rand　was　working　the　system　switches　frantically；　eager　for　the　mecha　to　reconfigure。

〃e　on！　e　on！。。。What　the　heck's　wrong　with　this　thing！？〃　he　said　to　Rook。

〃Just　calm　down；〃　she　told　him。　〃Remember　what　Scott　told　you…your　thoughts　have　to　help　it　along。　Relax　and　stop　bashing　away　at　it。〃　Rook　lowered　her　head　and　threw　the　thumb　switch。　Rand　watched　amazed　as　the　cycle　restructured；　wrapping　itself　around　her　and　integrating　with　her　armor。　〃Treat　it　gently…like　it's　alive；〃　Rook　added；　standing　now。

Scott　meanwhile　was　off　in　another　part　of　the　grassy　fields　dancing　between　the　annihilation　discs　sent　his　way　by　the　Troopers　who　had　put　down　on　either　side　of　him。　Lunk　saw　him　lift　off　after　half　a　dozen　agile　leaps　and　bounces　and　return　fire　from　the　suit's　forearm　rocket　launchers。

〃I　can't　escape　it！〃　Lunk　yelled　to　no　one　in　particular。　〃I　thought　I'd　never　be　fighting　again！〃

Rook　was　engaging　the　third　Invid；　while　Rand　continued　to　struggle　with　reconfiguration。　He　was　about　to　give　up　on　it；　when　he　felt　the　mecha's　reciprocal　vibe；　and　suddenly　the　damned　thing　was　actually　conforming　itself　to　his　armor。　He　stood　up；　showing　a　look　of　disbelief　under　the　helmet's　faceplate；　and　gently　engaged　the　system's　hoverthrusters；　searching　the　skies　for　signs　of　Rook　or　Scott。　At　last　he　saw　the　red　Cyclone　rider。　She　was　powering　up　through　a　backflip　one　minute　and　dropping　like　a　stiff…legged　bomb　the　next。　But　her　Invid　target　leapt　away　in　time；　hooking　itself　overhead　and　dishing　out　a　blast　that　nearly　caught　her。　She　avoided　the　explosion　by　launching　straight　up；　but　the　Trooper　was　sticking　close；　discharging　two　more　bolts；　one　of　which　nicked　her　armor　and　sent　her　into　a　spinning　descent　toward　a　stand　of　trees。

Scott　was　handling　himself　well　against　the　other　two　Troopers　but　had　yet　to　land　a　Scorpion　on　either　of　them。　He　was　down　on　the　ground　now；　getting　off　another　shot　before　the　Invid　surrounded　him；　pincers　swinging；　discs　cratering　the　soft　earth。　Rand　joined　him；　and　together　they　managed　to　chase　the　Troopers　off　momentarily。

Scott　was　congratulating　Rand　on　his　mechamorphosis　when　Lunk　pulled　up　alongside　on　the　triplewheeler。

〃You　weren't　ever　a　member　of　the　space　battalion；　were　you？〃　Lunk　asked　Scott。

〃Yeah？。。。〃　said　Scott。　〃So　what？〃

〃Then　you　can　fly　a　Veritech。〃

〃Of　course　I　can；〃　Scott　said　excitedly。　〃Do　you　have　one？〃

Lunk　nodded。　〃Follow　me。〃

Rand　watched　them　zo