10_invid_invasion-第2章

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There　was；　however；　one　thing　she　had　not　taken　into　account：　the　very　warriors　she　had　fought　tooth　and　claw　on　those　worlds　once　seeded　by　Zor。　Enslave　a　world　she　might；　but　take　it　for　her　own？

Never！


CHAPTER　ONE

The　armada　of　Robotech　ships　T。R。　Edwards　had　amassed　for　his　planned　invasion　and　conquest　of　Earth　would　be　put　to　that　very　use　years　later　when　Admiral　Hunter　sent　them　against　the　Invid。　Adding　irony　to　irony；　it　should　be　mentioned　that　the　warships　had　serious　design　flaws　which　went　unnoticed　during　their　use　on　Tirol。　Assuming　this　would　have　been　the　case　even　if　Edwards　had　managed　to　persevere；　the　invasion　would　have　failed。　Destiny　failed　to　deliver　Edwards　the　crown　he　felt　justified　to　wear　and　likewise　failed　to　deliver　Hunter　the　quick　victory　he　felt　justified　to　claim。
Selig　Kahler；　The　Tirolian　Campaign

A　fleet　of　Robotech　warships　moved　into　attack　formation　above　the　Moon；　a　mixed　school　of　gleaming　predators；　radiant　where　the　distant　sun　touched　their　armored　hulls　and　alloy　fins。　Each　carried　in　its　belly　a　score　or　more　of　Veritech　fighters；　sleek；　transformable　mecha　developed　and　perfected　over　the　course　of　the　past　thirty　years。　And　inside　each　of　these　was　a　pilot　ready　to　die　for　a　world　unseen。　War　was　at　the　top　of　the　agenda；　but　in　a　narrow　hold　aboard　one　of　the　mand　vessels　a　young　man　was　thinking　about　love。

He　was　a　pleasant…looking；　clean…shaven　youth　going　on　twenty；　with　his　father's　long　legs　and　the　wide　eyes　of　his　mother。　He　wore　his　blue…black　hair　bed　straight　back　from　his　high　forehead…save　for　that　undisciplined　strand　that　always　seemed　to　fall　forward…making　his　ears　appear　more　prominent　than　they　actually　were。　He　wore　the　Expeditionary　Force　uniform…simple　gray　tight…fitting　pants　tucked　into　high　boots　and　a　short…sleeved　ornately　collared　top　worn　over　a　crimson…colored　synthcloth　bodysuit。　The　Mars　Group　patch　adorned　the　young　man's　shirt。

His　name　was　Scott　Bernard…Lieutenant　Scott　Bernard…and　this　was　a　homeing　of　sorts。　That　fact；　coupled　with　the　anxieties　he　felt　concerning　the　imminent　battle；　had　put　him　in　an　impassioned　frame　of　mind。　The　fortunate　recipient　of　this　not…so…sudden　desire　was　a　pretty；　dark…eyed　teenager　named　Marlene；　a　good　six　inches　shorter　than　Scott；　with　milk…chocolate…brown　hair　and　shapely　legs　enhanced　by　the　uniform's　short　skirt。

Scott　had　Marlene's　small　face　cupped　in　his　hands　while　he　looked　lovingly　into　her　eyes。　As　his　hands　slid　to　her　narrow　shoulders；　he　pulled　her　to　him；　his　mouth　full　against　hers；　stifling　the　protest　her　more　cautious　nature　wished　to　give　voice　to　and　urging　her　to　respond。　Which　she　did；　with　a　moan　of　pleasure；　her　hands　flat　against　his　chest。

〃Marry　me；　Marlene；〃　he　said　after　she　had　broken　off　their　embrace。　He　heard　himself　say　it　and　almost　applauded；　simply　for　finally　getting　the　nerve　up　to　ask　her；　Marlene's　response　was　a　separate　issue。

Her　surprised　gasp　probably　said　the　same：　that　she　too　couldn't　believe　he　was　finally　getting　around　to　it。　She　turned　away　from　him；　nervous　hands　at　her　chin　it　an　attitude　of　prayer。

〃Well；　will　you？〃　Scott　pressed。

〃It's　a　bit　sudden；〃　she　said　coyly。　But　Scott　didn't　pick　up　on　her　tone　and　reacted　as　though　he　had　been　slapped。

〃You'll　have　to　speak　to　my　father　first；〃　Marlene　continued　in　the　same　tone；　her　back　to　him　still。　〃My　mother；　too。〃　When　she　turned　around；　Scott　was　staring　at　her　slack　jawed。

〃But　they're　back　on　Tirol！〃　he　stammered。　〃They　might　not　be　here　for…〃　Then　he　caught　her　smile　and　understood　at　once。　He　had　literally　known　her　for　her　entire　life；　and　he　still　couldn't　tell　when　she　was　putting　him　on。

Marlene　was　smiling　up　at　him　now；　eyes　beaming。　But　the　sudden　shrill　of　sirens　collapsed　her　happiness。

〃Defold　operation　plete；〃　a　voice　said　over　the　PA。　〃All　wing　manders　report　to　the　bridge　for　final　briefing　and　bat　assignments。〃

Scott's　lips　were　a　thin　line　when　he　looked　at　her。

〃Answer　me；　Marlene。　I　might　not　get　another　chance　to　ask　you。〃


The　mand　ship　bridge　was　a　tight；　no…nonsense　affair；　with　two　duty　stations　squeezed　between　the　wraparound　viewports　and　four　more　back　to　back　behind　these。　There　was　none　of　the　spaciousness　and　calm　that　had　characterized　the　SDF…1　bridge；　here　everyone　had　a　seat；　and　everyone　put　duty　first。　It　took　something　like　the　first　sight　of　Earth　to　elicit　any　casual　conversation；　and　even　then　the　ments　would　have　surprised　some。

〃I'm　so　excited；〃　a　woman　tech　was　saying。　〃I　can　hardly　wait　to　see　what　Earth　looks　like　after　all　these　years。'

mander　Gardner　seated　at　the　forward　station　of　starboard　pair；　heard　this　and　laughed　bitterly　to　himself。　He　had　served　under　Gloval　during　the　First　Robotech　War　and　had　been　with　Hunter　since。　His　thick　hair　and　mustache　had　gone　to　silver　these　past　few　years；　but　he　still　retained　a　youthful　energy　and　the　unwavering　loyalty　of　his　young　crew。

The　woman　tech　who　had　spoken　was　all　of　seventeen　years　old；　born　in　deep　space　like　most　of　her　shipmates。　Gardner　wished　for　a　moment　he　could　have　showed　her　the　Earth　of　forty　years　ago；　teeming　with　life；　wild　and　wonderful　and　blissfully　unaware　of　the　ing　tide。。。

〃What　does　it　matter？〃　the　tech's　male　console　mate　answered　her。　〃One　planet's　the　same　as　another　to　me。　Robotech　ships　are　all　I've　known…all　I　want　to　know。〃

〃Don't　you　have　any　interest　in　setting　foot　on　your　homeworld？　Our　parents　were　born　here。　And　their　parents；　right　on　back　to　the　first　ancestors。〃

Gardner　could　almost　hear　the　copilot's　shrug　of　indifference　clear　across　the　bridge。

〃Just　another　Invid　colony；　color　it　what　you　will。　So　this　place　is　blue　and　Spheris　was　brown。　It　doesn't　do　anything　for　me。〃

〃Spoken　like　a　true　romantic。〃

The　copilot　snorted。　〃You　get　romantic　thinking　about　the　Invid　grubbing　around　the　old　homestead　looking　for　Protoculture？〃

mander　Gardner　was　hanging　on　the　answer　when　the　door　to　the　bridge　hissed　open　suddenly　and　Lieutenant　Bernard　entered。

〃Alpha　Group　is　just　about　ready　for　launch；〃　Bernard　reported。

Gardner　muttered；　〃Good；〃　and　rose　from　the　contoured　seat；　signaling　one　of　the　techs　to　turn　on　the　ship's　PA　system。

〃Most　of　you　know　what　I'm　about　to　say；〃　he　began。　〃But　for　those　who　don't　know　what　this　mission　is　all　about；　it's　simply　this：　Several　months　ago　we　became　aware　that　the　Invid　Sensor　Nebulae　had　located　some　new　and　apparently　enormous　supply　of　the　Flowers　of　Life。　The　source　of　the　transmissions　turned　out　to　be　the　Earth　itself。

〃The　Regis　moved　quickly　to　secure　the　Flowers；　with　the　same　murderous　intent　she　demonstrated　on　Spheris　and　Haydon　IV　and　a　dozen　other　worlds　I　don't　have　to　remind　you　about。　Nor　should　I　have　to　remind　you　about　what　we're　going　to　face　on　Earth。　It　seems　probable　that　the　Invid　decimated　Wolff's　forces；　but　we　number　more　than　four　times　the　units　under　his　mand。〃

Scott　noticed　that　the　bridge　techs；　eyes　locked　on　Gardner　and　grim　faces　set；　were　giving　silent　support　to　the　mander's　words。　Marlene　entered　the　bridge　in　the　midst　of　the　briefing；　whispering　her　apologies　and　seating　herself　at　her　duty　station。

〃Admiral　Hunter　has　entrusted　us　to　spearhead　a　vast　military　operation　to　invade　and　reclaim　our　homeworld；〃　said　Gardner。　〃And　I　know　that　I　can　count　on　every　one　of　you　to　stand　firm　behind　the　admiral's　conviction　that　we　can　lay　the　foundations　for　his　second　wave。〃　He　inclined　his　head。　〃May　God　have　mercy　on　our　souls。〃

A　brief　silence　was　broken　by　the　navigator's　update：

〃Earth　orbit　in　three　minutes；　mander。　Placing　visual　display　on　the　monitor；　sir。〃

Everyone　turned　to　face　the　forward　screen。　Orbital　schematics　de…rezzed　and　were　replaced　by　a　full　view　of　the　Earth。　They　had　all　seen　photos　and　video　images　galore；　but　the　sight　inspired　awe　nevertheless。

〃It's　beautiful；〃　someone　said。　And　pared　to　Fantoma　or　Tirol；　it　most　certainly　was：　snow…white　pole；　blue　oceans；　and　variegated　land　masses；　the　whole　of　it　patterned　by　swirling　clouds。

A　puter…generated　grid　assembled　itself　over　the　image　as　the　mand　ship　continued　to　close。　At　her　station；　Marlene　said；　〃So　that's　what　Earth　looks　like。。。I'd　almost　forgotten。〃

The　mander　called　for　scanning　to　be　initiated；　and　in　a　moment　the　grid　was　highlighting　an　area　located　in　one　of　the　northern　continents。　Data　readouts　scrolled　across　an　adjacent　display　screen。

〃Full　magnification　and　color　enhancement；〃　Gardner　barked。

Marlene　leaned　in　to　study　her　screen。　The　forward　monitor　was　displaying　an　angry　red　image；　not　softened　in　the　least　by　Earth's　inviting　cloud　cover。　She　knew　what　this　was　but　asked　the　puter　to　pare　the　present　readings　with　those　logged　in　its　memory　banks。　She　sensed　that　Scott　was　peering　over　the　top　of　her　high…backed　chair。

〃That's　it；　sir；〃　she　said　all　at　once；　her　screen　strobing　encouragement。　〃The　central　hive。　Designation。。。Reflex　Point；〃　Marlene　read　from　the　data　scroll。　〃Picking　up　energy　flux　readings　and　multiple　radar　contacts。。。waiting　for　signature。〃

Gardner　glanced　over　at　her　briefly；　then　turned　his　attention　forward　once　again。　〃I　want　visuals　as　soon　as　possible；〃　he　instructed　one　of　the　techs。

〃Shock　Trooper　transport；〃　Marlene　said　at　the　same　time。

Gardner's　nostrils　flared。　〃Prepare　to　repel。〃

Techs　were　already　bending　over　the　consoles　tapping　in　mands；　the　bridge　a　veritable　light　show　of　flashing　screens。

〃Two　minutes　to　contact；〃　the　navigator　informed　Gardner。

〃All　sections　standing　by。。。〃

〃Auto…astrogator　is　off。。。Ship's　shields　raised。。。〃

Marlene　flipped　a　series　of　switches。　〃Net　is　open。。。〃

〃All　right；〃　Gardner　said　decisively。　〃Issue　the　go　signal　to　all　Veritechs。〃

〃One　minute　and　counting；　sir。〃

The　mander　turned　to　Scott。

〃It's　up　to　your　squads　now；　Lieutenant。　We've　got　to　get　through　their　lines　and　set　these　ships　down。〃　Scott　saluted；　and　Gardner　returned　it。　〃Good　luck；〃　he　added。

〃You　can　count　on　us。〃

Marlene　had　turned　from　her　station；　waiting　for　him　to　walk　past。　As　he　leaned　down　to　kiss　her；　she　smiled　and　surprised　him　by　placing　a　heart…shaped　holo…locket　into　his　hand。

〃Take　this　with　you；〃　she　said　while　he　was　regarding　the　thing。　〃It's　my　way　of　saying　‘good　luck。'〃

Scott　thanked　her　and　leaned　in　to　collect　that　kiss　after　all。　Resurfaced；　he　found　Gardner　and　the　techs　smiling　at　him；　he　gave　another　crisp　salute　and　rushed　from　the　bridge。

〃‘Good…bye；　sweetheart；'〃　one　of　the　techs　stationed　behind　Marlene　mimicked　not　a　moment　after　Scott　left。　〃‘And　here's　a　token　of　my　undying　love。'〃

Marlene　poked　her　head　around　the　side　of　the　chair。　Marf　and　one　who　liked　to　be　called　Red　were　laughing。　〃Knock　it　off；〃　she　told　them。　She　was　used　to　the　razzing…personal　time　was　hard　to　e　by　aboard　ship；　and　Scott's　open　displays　of　affection　only　added　fuel　to　the　fire…but　in　no　mood　for　it　right　now。

〃What's　the　matter；　Marlene？〃　Red　said　over　his　shoulder。　〃Don't　you　know　that　absence　makes　the　heart　grow　fonder？〃

She　swiveled　about　in　the　cushioned　seat　and　hid　her　face　in　her　hands。　〃I　don't　know　how　it　could；〃　she　managed；　suddenly　on　the　verge　of　tears。

〃Don't　let