11_metamorphosis-第30章

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Corg　felt　delighted　at　the　chance　to　slay　Humans。　With　voice　and　arm　signals；　he　ordered　the　attack。　Pincer　Ships　followed　him　for　the　first　pass。　Scott；　on　shore；　watched　and　did　his　best　to　evade　the　enemy's　strafing　runs；　but　the　jury…rigged　remote　controls　were　slow　in　responding。


Rand　and　Rook　rushed　to　get　into　their　armor；　dragging　the　camouflage　nets　off　their　VTs　even　while　Lunk　was　working；　with　infuriating　deliberateness；　to　finish　the　last　of　his　repairs　on　Rook's　Alpha。


Two　passes　had　both　PTs　leaking　smoke　and　had　blown　open　the　weather　bridge　on　one。　Receiving　no　counterfire；　the　Invid　dropped　lower　to　recon。　They　saw　the　boat's　wheel　moving　with　no　living　hand　upon　it；　and　noted　the　remote　transmissions　it　was　receiving。

The　Regis's　voice　spoke　from　their　puter/mo　net。　〃Scanners　reveal　no　Human　units　in　target　vessels。　Warning！　Possible　strategic　entrapment　maneuver！〃


Scott　figured　he　had　played　the　possum　hand　for　just　about　all　it　was　worth。　Here　we　go；　firing　all　missiles。

The　team　had　loaded　the　PT　boats'　racks　with　surface…to…air　missiles；　since　surface…to…surface　bat　was　unlikely。　Now　the　launchers　rose　and　traversed　and　targeted。　Guided　by　their　radars；　the　racks　emptied；　and　sixteen　Tarpon　heat…seekers　came　boiling　and　corkscrewing　up　at　the　Invid。　Caught　by　surprise；　three　of　the　Pincer　Ships　were　blown　to　bits。　The　rest　went　into　evasive　maneuvers。

Corg　studied　the　situation。　The　puter　delivered　its　analysis　in　the　Regis's　voice。　〃Tracking　sensors　place　origin　of　remote　control　transmissions　at　coordinates　delta　6…5。　Presence　of　Human　life…form　at　that　location　is　also　confirmed。　〃

Corg's　optical　sensor　showed　him　another　ocean　craft；　a　bigger　one；　docked　at　a　quay　under　a　sheltering　boatyard　roof。　Corg　dove　toward　it；　with　the　Pincer　Ships　and；　eventually；　Sera　failing　in　behind。

Scott　watched　as　they　neared　the　island。


Lancer　charged　into　the　clearing　where　the　VTs　were　being　readied　for　flight。　〃I　just　found　out…something　horrible；〃　he　panted。

Rand　was　armored；　helmet　in　hands。　〃What　is　it？　We　just　sprang　the　trap！〃

〃The　repairs　are　all　finished　and　it's　time　to　scramble；〃　Rook　added。　〃What's　the　problem　now？〃

Lancer　gave　them　a　devastated　look。　〃I　just　found　out　that　the　Invid　are　using　Human　pilots！〃


Scott　sat　behind　the　controls　of　the　cutter's　main　gun　battery；　in　the　forward　turret。　The　pumped…laser　cannon　was　outmoded　by　Mars　Division　standards；　but　it　still　delivered　a　terrific　shot。

Corg　and　Sera；　dodging　the　cannon　blasts；　homed　in　on　the　cutter　like　angry　dragonflies。　Scott　had　already　shot　down　one　Pincer　Ship；　but　these　new　mecha　were　frustratingly　fast　and　maneuverable。　Their　annihilation　disc　shots　chopped　up　the　water　and　the　quay　around　the　cutter；　and　Scott　clenched　his　teeth。　C'mon　Rand！　Rook；　Lancer！　Don't　let　me　down！

Then　the　VTs　were　on　the　scene；　closing　in　on　the　oning　Invid；　both　sides　pitching　with　all　the　firepower　they　had。　The　new…style　mecha　dodged；　but　two　more　Pincer　Ships　went　down。　The　aliens　broke　and　evaded；　scattering　to　re…form　and　change　their　tactics。

Scott　knew　they　would　be　back　shortly　though。　He　pulled　himself　from　the　turret　as　Annie；　Marlene；　and　Lunk　hurried　over。　Lunk　tossed　his　tool　cases　in　the　direction　of　the　little　stern　chopper　pad；　where　his　trusty　truck　was　hidden…covered　with　a　tarp　in　preparation　for　the　voyage。

Scott　assured　Annie　that　he　was　all　right　and　Lunk　apologized　for　the　repairs'　having　taken　longer　than　he　expected。　Scott　gave　the　big　ex…soldier's　shoulder　a　squeeze。　〃Save　your　breath；　you　worked　miracles　for　us；　Lunk。〃

As　per　plan；　Lunk　assumed　mand　of　the　cutter　while　Scott　ran　off　to　get　his　VT　into　the　air。　Just　as　Annie　and　Marlene　were　preparing　to　help　free　up　the　berthing　lines；　a　growling　in　the　air　made　Lunk　look　out　to　sea。

The　Pincer　Ship　Scott　had　winged；　its　portside　claw　missing；　trailing　smoke　and　fire；　had　e　around　for　a　suicide　run。　It　was　aimed　straight　for　the　cutter。

Lunk　sent　Marlene　and　Annie　to　seek　shelter；　then　dove　into　the　forward　gun　turret　and　began　pounding　away　at　the　alien　with　the　pumped…laser　cannon。　Because　the　Pincer　Ship's　aerodynamics　had　been　changed　by　the　damage　it　had　suffered；　it　bucked　and　was　buffeted　by　the　air；　evading　Lunk's　fire　more　effectively　than　it　could　have　if　it　had　been　whole。

The　alien　filled　his　targeting　scope。　A　moment　later　the　world　went　dark。


CHAPTER　TWENTY…THREE

By　this　time；　the　Mars　and　Venus　Divisions　should　be　well　engaged　in　their　battle　with　the　Invid；　and　building　toward　the　final　blow　at　Reflex　Point。
Air　and　ground　forces　of　the　Human　race；　we　salute　you　and　send　you　our　best　wishes！　We　know　that；　in　your　overwhelming　numbers；　and　with　the　undeniable　power　of　Human　Robotechnology　behind　you；　you　will　triumph！
Morale　twix　from　Colonel　Ackerman　（GI　staff…SDF…3）　to　Earth　relief　strikeforce　（never　received）

So　far　the　three　VTs　were　winning　the　air　battle。　Pincer　Ships　were　no　match　for　VTs　in　one…on…one　dogfights。　But　the　new　enemy　mecha　had　been　hanging　back；　studying　their　opponents；　Rand　wasn't　sure　what　would　happen　if　they　decided　to　jump　in　with　both　feet　and　a　roundhouse　swing。

Lancer　had　taken　the　Beta　up。　The　purple…and…pink　monster　machine　he　had　seen　on　the　island　came　up　fast　and　its　back　pods　gushed　forth　a　torrent　of　missiles。　Lancer　went　into　a　ballistic　climb；　cutting　in　all　his　jamming　gear；　side…slipping；　and　weaving。　Warheads　detonated　behind　him　and　missiles　fizzled　past　in　near　misses。

Then　Annie's　voice　came　up　over　the　tac　net。　〃Lancer！　e　in！〃

〃I'm　right　here；　Annie。　What's　up？〃

〃I　can't　raise　Scott。　We're　on　the　ship　and　we're　in　trouble。　Lunk's　been　hit！〃

〃Annie；　this　is　Scott。　I　just　got　to　my　Alpha；　I　heard　your　last　transmission。〃

〃Scott；　this　is　Lancer。　Hook　up　our　fighters　and　take　the　Beta。　I'm　taking　over　for　Lunk。〃

It　only　made　sense；　aside　from　Lunk；　Lancer　was　the　only　one　with　any　real　experience　at　the　helm　of　a　large　vessel。　〃I　copy；　Lancer。　Meet　you　at　the　cutter。〃

Seconds　later；　the　Beta　settled　in　on　its　blasts　and　lowered　the　bottom　half　of　its　cockpit　like　a　dinosaur　opening　its　mouth。　As　the　pilot's　seat　was　lowered；　Lancer　yelled　over　the　tac　net　to　Scott；　〃It's　all　yours；　pal！　Go　get　'em！〃　Then　he　jumped　to　the　ground　and　got　clear。

The　Beta　shifted　ponents　slightly；　preparing　for　interlock。　Scott's　Alpha　backed　in　at　its　nose；　tailerons　folding；　and　a　plex　joining　took　place　in　seconds；　with　a　clanging　of　superhard　alloy。　The　latched　fighters　formed　a　single　ship　that　sprang　away　into　the　sky　at　incredible　boost。

Lancer　ran　for　the　cutter。

Scott　scattered　the　remaining　Pincer　Ships　and　the　new　enemy　mecha；　intimidating　them　with　the　bined　fighters'　speed　and　the　volume　of　fire　they　could　spew。　Corg　and　Sera　broke　in　different　directions；　cautious；　deciding　to　feel　out　their　enemy's　strengths　and　weaknesses…if　any。

〃Follow　me；　you　guys；〃　Scott　radioed　to　his　wingmates。　〃We'll　try　to　lead　them　in　front　of　the　gunboat…in　range　for　a　knockout。〃　He　cut　in　full　thrust；　rushing　to　catch　up　with　Rand　and　Rook。　Corg　and　the　two　surviving　Pincer　Ships　climbed　after；　but　Sera's　mecha　poised　in　midair；　as　she　listened　to　her　puter　and　the　Regis's　voice。

〃Scanner　confirms　Human　life…forms　now　aboard　third　flotation　target　mecha。〃　Far　below；　the　cutter　was　underway；　racing　for　the　open　sea。


Lunk　eased　his　arm　in　its　sling　and　grated　his　teeth　against　the　agony　of　the　burns　and　what　he　figured　was　probably　a　hairline　fracture。　There　were　painkiller　ampules　in　the　med　supplies；　but　he　wanted　a　clear　head　for　battle。

〃Sorry　about　getting　you　into　this；　Lancer。〃　He　was　crowded　into　the　bridge　with　Marlene　and　Annie；　all　of　them　doing　their　best　to　give　Lancer　room　to　man　the　wheel。

Lancer；　helmet　cast　aside；　spared　one　gauntleted　hand　from　the　wheel　for　a　moment；　to　give　a　blithe　wave。　〃You　did　great；　Lunk。　The　cutter's　still　in　one　piece；　isn't　she？　I　got　no　plaints。〃

Indeed。　The　kamikaze　Invid　had　taken　a　hit　at　the　last　instant　and　broken　up　in　the　water　just　in　front　of　the　cutter's　bow；　showering　it　with　flaming　wreckage。　A　chunk　of　it　had　hit　the　optical　pickup　for　the　pumpedlaser's　scope；　blowing　it　up　in　Lunk's　face。　A　major　piece　had　hit　the　turret；　throwing　the　unbelted　Lunk　out　of　the　gunner's　saddle　and　giving　him　some　considerable　lumps　and　burns…and　damaging　the　main　battery　beyond　repair。

Scott's　voice　came　over　the　net。　〃Lancer；　Lunk！　Heads　up！　We're　going　to　try　to　draw　the　enemy　down　to　you！〃

Lancer　had　barely　gotten　finished　acknowledging　and　begun　preparing　for　a　make…or…break　shootout；　when　something　enormous　blocked　out　the　sky。　Everyone　on　the　bridge　cringed；　seeing　the　immense　tower　of　Robotechnology　that　was　Sera's　mecha。　Lancer　tried　to　reverse…all；　hoping　he　wouldn't　blow　every　bearing　in　the　power　train　or　tear　apart　a　propeller　shaft。

It　did　no　good；　the　alien　advanced　at　what　was　for　it　a　slow　approach…speed；　with　something　like　a　deliberate　vindictiveness。　Rather　than　fire；　it　drew　back　one　titanic　fist；　bracing　to　put　it　right　through　the　bridge。　The　freedom　fighters　could　only　steel　themselves；　and　dread　the　impact。


In　her　cockpit；　Sera　made　an　animal　snarling；　her　teeth　locked；　eyes　like　red　coals　of　anger　fixed　on　the　cutter。　So　many　Pincer　drones　had　died！　So　many　conflicting　emotions　had　interfered　with　her　devotion　to　her　Queen/Mother；　the　Regis！　Now　it　was　time　to　thrust　aside　confusion　and　prosecute　the　war　these　Humans　seemed　determined　to　fight。

And　breaking　this　toylike　water…vessel　to　bits　with　her　mecha's　hands；　sending　it　and　its　crew　to　the　bottom；　was　the　ideal　place　to　start。

She　drew　back　her　mecha's　hand；　wrapped　in　a　fist　the　size　of　an　oldtime　tank。　She　could　see；　through　her　mecha's　eyes；　the　terrified　looks　on　the　faces　of　the　Humans。　Three　of　them　dropped　to　the　deck；　the　fourth　clung　to　the　wheel　despite　the　swells　set　up　by　her　machine's　back　thrusters。

Sera　drew　a　quick；　almost　whistling　breath。　The　one　at　the　wheel　was　him；　the　one　with　the　purple　hair　who　had　made　those　strange；　seductive；　achingly　beautiful　sounds。

Her　mecha　answered　her　thought…images；　it　drew　back；　hanging　there　on　thrusterfire。　Although　her　mecha　was　nearly　as　big　as　the　cutter　itself　and　well　able　to　break　it　to　matchwood；　it　held　back。

Lancer　thought　about　the　woman　he　had　confronted　in　the　quiet　jungle　clearing。　Why　doesn't　she　shoot？　Who　is　she；　and　what's　going　through　her　mind？　He　was　frozen　at　the　wheel；　waiting　for　the　missile；　the　annihilation　disc；　the　single　blow　of　a　mecha　fist　that　would　make　four　Human　Beings　into　scraps　of　fishfood。

He　wanted　more　than　anything　to　run　from　the　bridge　and　scream；　Wait！　I　don't　want　to　be　your　enemy！　I　don't　want　you　to　be　mine！


Sera　shrank　back　from　the　visual　displays　before　her；　eyes　still　fixed　on　the　male　with　the　purple　hair；　pressing　the　back　of　her　hand　harshly　against　her　lips；　whimpering；　sobbing。


Rook's　voice　came　over　the　tac　net。　〃Lancer；　hang　on！　I'm　almost　in　range！〃　Lunk's　eyes　flickered　to　the　target…acquisition　displays　and　saw　that　there　was　no　alternative；　the　cutter　was　helpless　before　this　Invid。

Sera's　indecision　gave　way　to　conviction。　She　couldn't　harm　the　man。

Al