11_metamorphosis-第12章

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In　some　ways；　it　reminded　her　of　a　romantic　oldtime　motion　picture　that　was　one　of　her　favorites；　but　there　was　no　Rick's　Cafe　in　Deguello；　although　she　prided　herself　on　looking　just　a　little　like　a　young　Ingrid　Bergman；　when　the　light　hit　her　just　right；　though　Lunk　and　the　others　scoffed。

Still；　it　was　nice　to　dream；　her　dreams　were　the　only　things　she　really　owned。。。

She　scuffed　her　sneaker　at　a　bit　of　garbage　that　lay　on　the　pitted　cobblestone　sidestreet；　aware　that　many　eyes　were　following　her。　Brother！　I've　been　in　some　creepy　places　in　my　time；　but　this　one　takes　the　booby　prize。　What　a　slimebucket　zoo！

She　was　thinking　that　while　watching　a　coughing；　apparently　tubercular　man　shuffling　along　and　gagging　in　to　a　disgusting…looking　rag。　She　was　so　distracted　that　she　bumped　right　into　somebody。

〃Hey；　ya　little　geek；　why'n'cha　watch　where　yer　goin'？〃

He　was　definitely　one　of　the　Bad　Boys；　a　snake…lean；　rat…faced　guy　in　a　dark；　greasy　jumpsuit　open　to　his　shrunken　waist。　There　was　a　scorpion　tattoo　on　his　cheek。　He　wore　a　chain　belt　of　massive　links；　and　a　blue　Chi　Army…style　cap；　with　a　red　bandanna　tied　around　his　thin　left　bicep。　He　had　werewolf　sideburns；　a　sawed…off　12gauge　side…by…side　（a　popular　weapon　in　Deguello）　in　a　shoulder　rig；　and　there　were　fishhooks　stitched　to　the　knuckles　of　his　fingerless　black　leather　gloves。

Her　street　instincts　resurfaced；　and　she　realized　that　she　had　been　traveling　in　the　charmed　pany　of　Robotech　heroes　for　so　long　that　she　had　forgotten　how　vulnerable　she　herself　was。

Uh…oh；　Annie　thought。　It　was　her　considerable　luck　that　he　merely　clapped　a　hand　down　on　her　cap　and　shoved；　to　send　her　stumbling；　arms　thrashing。　But　quick　hands　caught　her；　saving　her　from　landing　on　her　derriere　in　the　gutter。

〃You　should　be　more　careful；　little　boy。〃　She　found　herself　looking　up　at　a　clean…cut；　handsome　face…a　young　man　who　couldn't　be　more　than　eighteen　or　so。　He　had　big　blue　eyes；　wavy　black　hair；　and　a　blinding　smile。

She　squirmed　to　break　free　of　his　grip。　〃I　am　not　a　little　boy！　What're　you；　blind？　I'm　a　woman！〃

He　let　her　go；　surprised；　plainly　upset　that　he　had　hurt　her　feelings。　〃I'm　terribly　sorry！　Forgive　me。　Um；　my　name　is　Eddie。〃

She　took　a　closer　look　at　him　and　noticed　that　he　resembled…let's　see。。。James　Dean！　Only　nicer！　He　was　a　dreamboat　in　a　white　T…shirt　and　a　leather　jacket！

She　swayed　toward　him；　almost　melting。　〃Oboy！　I；　I　mean；　I'm　Annie！　Eddie's　my　favorite　name！　You　can　call　me　Mint！〃

She　vaguely　recalled　that　she　was　supposed　to　be　on　a　mission　of　espionage　and　derring…do。　〃Um；　d'you　live　up　in　those　mountains；　by　any　chance？〃

He　chuckled；　she　sighed。　〃No；　Annie。　Only　the　Invid　live　up　there。　But　beyond　them　is　Paradise。〃

Her　eyes　were　the　size　of　poker　chips。　〃You　mean　all　that　stuff　is　true？〃

He　nodded；　pointing　at　the　distant　mountains。　She　thought　he　was　as　beautiful　as　a　hood　ornament；　〃Paradise　is　a　city　that　was　set　up　by　the　old　United　Earth　Government　and　the　Southern　Cross　Army；　so　that　if　there　was　an　invasion　or　a　catastrophe；　the　Human　race　would　be　able　to　go　on。　A　kind　of　New　Macross；　I　guess　you　could　say。〃

〃Paradise　is　like　Earth　used　to　be　before　the　Invid；　or　the　Robotech　Masters；　or　the　Zentraedi！　People　are　free　there；　and　safe。〃

Annie　felt　faint。　A　place　where　people　were　safe　and　free　and　happy！　But　what　was　Eddie　saying？

〃…the　place　for　me。　It's　taken　us　a　long　time；　but　that's　where　my　family's　going。　I…I　wish　the　whole　world　could　be　like　Paradise。〃

Annie　launched　herself　straight。　up；　throwing　her　arms　around　his　neck；　clinging　there；　swinging　her　feet。　〃Oh；　Eddie！　That's　so　beautiful！　I　love　you！　Please　take　me　with　you？　Pleasepleaseplease？〃


The　mayor　of　Deguello's　mansion　was　as　grand　as　a　small　palace。　The　place　had　fallen　into　extreme　disrepair　in　the　latter　twentieth　century；　especially　with　the　privations　of　the　Global　Civil　War；　and　the　First　and　Second　Robotech　Wars。　But　now　there　were　signs　of　a　revivification。　The　reflecting　pool　and　formal　gardens　had　regained　much　of　their　glory；　the　mansion　shone　with　light　and　elegance。

The　mayor；　son　of　the　previous　mayor　and　descendent　of　many；　sat　in　the　ballroom；　holding　the　hand　of　a　beautiful　woman　who　in　turn　owned　his　heart。　Donald　Maxwell；　so　used　to　manding　the　obedience　of　others；　of　navigating　his　way　through　the　treacherous　political　waters　of　Deguello　and　the　post…invasion　world；　thought　there　was　a　cosmic　symmetry　to　it：　everyone　had　their　Achilles'　heel；　and　his　was　love。

Under　the　ballroom's　chandeliers；　brilliant　even　in　daytime；　and　the　paintings　as　big　as　barn　doors；　portraits　of　a　score　of　ancestors；　he　sat　in　his　Louis　XIV　chair　and　she　in　hers。　In　its　time　the　ballroom　had　been　the　most　splendid　and　celebrated　in　a　hundred　mile　radius。　Now；　though；　its　decor　was　stranger　than　anything　its　original　builders　could　ever　have　envisioned。

〃But　we　must　talk　about　our　wedding；　Carla；〃　he　was　saying。　〃It's　long　past　time。

〃Have　you　tired　of　my　lovetalk？　Then　think　about　what　you　have　to　gain　if　you　marry　me！　I've　always　given　you　everything；　anything　you　wanted。　But　this　I　need　from　you！　And　when　you're　my　wife；　my　only　thought　will　be　to　make　you　happy！〃

Maxwell's　Northern　European　and　North　American　bloodlines　were　evident　in　his　blond　hair；　pale　skin；　and　Anglo　features。　His　meticulously　tailored　three…piece　pinstripe　suit…a　traditional　costume；　as　he　regarded　it…only　served　to　set　them　off。

Carla；　too；　was　fair…skinned。　She　was　slim　and　willowy；　a　brown…haired；　angel…faced　young　woman　with　a　permanent　air　of　sadness　and　a　far…away　look　in　her　green　eyes。　She　seemed　about　to　speak；　but　then　hesitant。

A　servant　entered　and　spoke　softly。　〃Your　pardon；　sir；　but　your　visitor　has　arrived。〃

Maxwell's　hold　on　Carla's　hand　loosened　a　bit。　Without　turning　he　manded；　〃Show　her　in。〃　The　servant　bowed　and　left。　To　Carla　he　whispered；　〃Please！　I　need　you　so！〃

She　steeled　herself。　〃Why？　Donald；　why　do　you　insist　on　possessing　me？　Why　can't　you　just　accept　what　I'm　willing　to　give？〃

He　rose；　hearing　the　door　open　again；　releasing　her　hand。　〃Because　you　can　be　much　more　than　that；〃　he　whispered　again；　more　harshly。

Then　he　turned　away；　and　his　fine；　handmade　shoes　clicked　on　the　polished　dance　floor。　〃Ah！　The　famous　Miss　Yellow　Dancer！　You　honor　us！　Please　do　e　in；　I'm　Donald　Maxwell；　Mayor　of　Deguello；　very　pleased　to　make　your　acquaintance！〃

〃You　are　so　very　kind；〃　said　Yellow　Dancer　with　a　shy　lowering　of　her　chin；　her　voice　melodious　and　soft。　She　looked　out　at　the　ballroom　in　some　wonder；　through　thick　lashes。

Parked　there　were　three　fighter　planes　of　Global　Civil　War　vintage：　a　red　Vampire　jumpjet；　a　needle…nose　Vandal　all…weather　fighter…bomber；　and　a　Peregrine　interceptor　wearing　the　famous　skull…and…crossbones　insignia　of　the　American　VF…84　Squadron…the　Jolly　Rogers。

Maxwell　had　caught　the　look；　was　expecting　it。　〃You　find　my　old　relics　interesting？　Maintaining　them　is　something　of　an　extravagance；　of　course；　but…it's　something　of　a　matter　of　family　pride；　you　see。〃

No　visitor　had　failed　to　be　astounded　at　the　sight。　Maxwell　drew　a　certain　sensual　pleasure　from　seeing　the　sculpted　brows　of　the　renowned　Yellow　Dancer　raised　high。　〃Mr。　Mayor…these　planes　still　fly；　then？〃

He　basked　in　the　impact　his　collection　had　made。　〃They　haven't　in　many；　many　years；　but…of　course；　or　what　would　be　the　point　of　having　them？〃

He　indicated　the　way　with　a　slight　bow；　Yellow　fell　in；　walking　between　the　gleaming；　sleek…lined　sky　hunters　while　he　went　on。　〃I'm　no　aviator；　you　see；　they　were　refitted　to　fly　by　auto…pilot；　the　very　last　word　in　Human　guidance　systemry；　before　Robotechnology　changed　all　that　forever。〃

They　had　walked　beneath　the　open　landing　gear　bays；　the　poised　wings。　Yellow　could　see　that　the　external　hardpoints　and　pylons　were　loaded　with　what　seemed　to　be　real；　functioning　ordnance；　and　that　the　jets　looked　fully　operational。

〃The　planes　basically　flew　themselves；〃　Maxwell　was　saying。　〃These　were　my　father's　prized　possessions；　they're　dear　to　me　as　he　was　dear　to　me。　They're　all　I　really　have　left　of　him；　really。〃

They　had　e　to　two　easy　chairs　over　by　the　high　windows；　some　distance　from　where　Carla　sat。　Maxwell　pointedly　made　no　introductions。　〃Please　sit　down。　Your　note　said　that　you're　seeking　employment？〃

Yellow　Dancer　nodded；　a　purple　wisp　of　hair　falling　across　her　cheek。　〃Yes；　and　I　hear　you　are　the　owner　of　a　fabulous　nightspot　here　in　town；　correct？〃

Maxwell　nodded；　his　eyes　searching　Yellow's；　drinking　her　in。　Lancer　had　heard　through　resistance　sources　that　Maxwell　was　a　collector　of　Yellow　Dancer's　performance　tapes　and　sound　recordings。　In　fact；　the　mayor　had　made　tentative　inquiries　with　an　eye　to　getting　the　legendary　Yellow　Dancer　to　perform　in　his　mountain　domain。

〃I　am　indeed。　And　if　the　magnificent　Yellow　Dancer　were　to　perform　there；　it　would　help　my　people　by　boosting　the　town's　economy…and　my　own；　of　course。〃

Yellow　Dancer　chuckled　slyly。　Unnoticed；　Carla　suddenly　broke　her　sad　reverie；　her　head　snapping　up；　eyes　going　toward　where　the　two　sat。　〃I'd　be　thrilled　to；　Mayor　Maxwell；〃　beamed　Yellow　Dancer。　Carla's　breath　caught　in　her　throat；　and　she　put　one　hand　on　the　arm　of　her　chair；　feeling　faint。

It　can't　be！　But…I've　got　to　be　sure！　She　forced　herself　to　her　feet。

The　mayor　was　saying；　〃A　bravura　performance　by　Yellow　Dancer　will　lift　people's　spirits。　Certainly　it　will　help　in　my　reelection　campaign。〃　It　didn't　look　or　sound　like　Maxwell　was　very　worried　about　being　unseated；　though。

Yellow　Dancer　looked　up　amiably；　ready　to　greet　the　mayor's　fianc閑。　A　sudden　astonishment　came　across　the　fine…boned；　androgynous　face。

Carla　could　only　stare　down　at　Yellow。　It　is　Lancer！

Maxwell　hadn't　noticed　Yellow's　expression；　because　he　was　reaching　up　to　take　Carla's　hand。　He　made　the　introductions　and　added；　〃I　have　a　splendid　idea！　We'll　have　ourselves　a　deal；　Yellow；　if　you　promise　to　sing　a　ballad　for　our　wedding！　And　I'll　move　the　date　up　to　tomorrow　afternoon。　Now　how's　that？〃

Yellow　barely　heard　what　the　mayor　was　saying。　Like　Carla；　Yellow　had　the　feeling　that　the　gold　of　the　sunset　had　engulfed　the　whole　room；　whisking　them　to　some　other　time　and　place。


Maxwell's　Club　Inca　was　the　finest　spot　in　the　region；　but　it　was　still　a　sad　place；　more　of　an　echo　of　a　bygone　era　than　an　evocation　of　it。

Carla　sat　watching　Yellow　Dancer　move　across　the　stage；　dedicating　the　first　number　to　the　bride　and　groom。　The　groom　was　off　somewhere　attending　to　more　of　his　seemingly　endless　business；　and　the　bride　was　trying　to　hold　back　her　tears。

The　noontime　wedding；　at　Maxwell's　mansion；　had　been　a　joyless　affair　attended　mostly　by　his　attendants　and　a　few　local　notables。　Carla　had　refused　an　elaborate　wedding　gown；　insisting　on　wearing　a　simple　blue　frock。　She　had　gone　through　the　motions　like　a　zombie；　barely　aware　of　what　she　was　doing；　knowing　only　that　Lancer　hadn't　e　to　her。

She　had　thought　he　would　seek　her　out；　and　save　her　from　the　wedding。　And　then　in　time　she　realized　that；　for　some　reason；　that　wasn't　going　to　happen。

But　now；　alone　at　her　table　at　the　Club　Inca；　she　watched　Yellow　Dancer's　every　move。　She　couldn't　be