cussler.blueandgold-第31章

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　〃Those　bows　and　spear　tips　were　made　with　aluminum　from　the　plane。　The　shortened　bow　is　easier　to　carry　through　the　forest；　and　the　design　makes　the　arrow　fly　farther。〃
　
　〃If　Arnaud　and　his　men　were　still　alive　they　could　vouch　for　their　effectiveness；〃　Paul　said。
　
　〃I'm　truly　sorry　about　those　men；　but　they　brought　their　fate　upon　themselves。　The　Chulo　are　a　paratively　small　tribe；　and　they've　always　preferred　flight　to　fight。　Oh；　they'll　shrink　a　head　or　eat　an　enemy；　but　they　rarely　go　out　and　catch　someone　in　a　raid。　They　just　want　to　be　left　alone。　The　white　man　drove　them　further　into　the　forest。　They　thought　they　were　safe　once　they　went　beyond　the　Great　Falls；　but　white　exploiters　continued　to　press　them。　They　would　have　been　destroyed　if　I　hadn't　helped　them　improve　their　defenses。〃
　
　〃I've　been　noticing　the　arrangement　of　the　village；〃　Gamay　said。　〃The　layout　reminds　me　of　the　architecture　I've　seen　in　old　walled　cities。〃
　
　〃Very　perceptive。　Anyone　who　got　past　the　stockade　fence　would　be　in　a　most　unfortable　position。　The　village　is　full　of　cul…de…sacs　and　blind　alleys　that　offer　prime　opportunities　for　ambush。〃
　
　〃What　if　the　intruders　were　ing　to　rescue　you？〃　Paul　said。　〃Wouldn't　these　preparations　be　self…defeating？〃
　
　〃I　gave　up　hope　of　rescue　a　long　time　ago。　My　father　would　have　made　sure　search　parties　scoured　the　forest。　He　must　have　bee　convinced　that　I　was　dead；　which　is　just　as　well。　Three　men　died　in　the　plane　crash；　and　the　tribal　chief　was　killed　be　cause　of　me。　I　wouldn't　want　to　be　responsible　for　additional　deaths。〃
　
　〃It's　ironic；〃　Gamay　mused。　〃The　more　you　do　for　these　people；　the　less　likely　they　are　to　release　you。〃
　
　〃True；　but　they　would　have　kept　me　captive　even　if　I　just　sat　around　making　goddess　sounds　and　getting　fat。　As　long　as　I　had　to　be　here；　it　would　have　been　sinful　not　to　use　my　talents　to　improve　their　lot。　When　white　men　finally　e；　I　hope　the　Chulo　will　use　their　knowledge　rather　than　their　arms　to　deal　with　civilization's　impact。　Unfortunately　in　the　meantime　I　have　little　control　of　the　tribe's　more　murderous　instincts。　Once　Arnaud　and　his　friends　showed　hostile　intent　they　were　doomed。　There　was　no　way　I　could　save　them。　In　your　case　it　was　easier。　You　were　so　helpless　in　the　forest；　they　never　saw　you　as　a　threat　until　now。〃
　
　Gamay's　ears　perked　up。　〃A　threat？〃
　
　〃Try　not　to　look　alarmed；〃　Francesca　said。　A　smile　played　on　her　lips；　but　her　eyes　were　deadly　serious。　〃They　don't　under　stand　what　we're　saying；　but　they　sense　things。〃　She　stopped　to　demonstrate　a　water　pipe　that　served　as　a　fire　hydrant；　then　resumed　her　casual　walk。　〃They're　worried。　They　think　you　are　flawed　gods。〃
　
　〃If　we're　so　insignificant；　why　are　they　concerned？〃　Gamay　
　
　　〃They're　afraid　you're　here　to　take　me　back　into　the　sky　where　I　came　from。〃
　
　〃They　told　you　that？〃
　
　〃They　don't　have　to。　I　know　these　people　intimately。　In　addition；　Tessa's　been　picking　up　whisperings。　They're　talking　about　burning　you。　The　smoke　from　your　bodies　will　take　you　back　into　the　sky。　Problem　solved。〃
　
　Paul　ventured　a　sidelong　glance　at　the　guards；　but　he　failed　to　detect　any　change　in　their　stony　expressions。　
　
　　〃I　can't　argue　with　their　logic；　but　that　solves　the　problem　for　them；　not　for　us；〃　he　said。
　
　〃I　agree。　It　makes　it　all　the　more　urgent　that　we　escape　as　soon　as　possible。　e　with　me。　We'll　be　able　to　talk　about　a　plan　without　the　palace　guard　peering　over　our　shoulders。〃
　
　They　had　arrived　at　the　white　stone　walkway　that　led　through　the　forest　to　the　shrine。　With　the　Trouts　following；　Francesca　walked　to　the　circular　clearing　with　the　plane　at　its　center　and　sat　down　on　a　polished　wooden　bench　facing　the　nose　of　the　Learjet。　The　Trouts　sat　cross…legged　on　the　tiled　ground。
　
　〃I　e　here　to　be　alone。　Only　the　priests　are　allowed　at　the　shrine　otherwise。　The　warriors　will　be　in　the　forest　watching　our　every　move；　but　we'll　be　able　to　talk　about　our　escape　plans。〃
　
　Gamay　glanced　toward　the　jungle　where　the　warriors　had　melted　out　of　sight。
　
　〃I　hope　you've　got　something　up　your　sleeve；　because　we　don't；〃　she　said。
　
　〃Your　original　instincts　were　on　the　mark。　Our　only　way　out　is　by　water。　Up　the　tributary　and　canal　t0　the　lake；　then　follow　the　main　river。　We　would　never　make　it　through　the　forest。　They　would　catch　us　in　an　instant；　or　we'd　bee　lost。〃
　
　〃I've　seen　your　boys　handle　a　canoe；〃　Paul　said。　〃We'd　need　a　substantial　jump　on　them。〃
　
　〃We　would　have　a　few　hours。　But　they　are　skilled　and　strong　paddlers。　They　would　be　getting　their　strength　just　as　we　were　tiring。〃
　
　〃What　would　they　do　if　they　caught　us？〃　Paul　asked。　〃Theoretically　speaking。〃
　
　〃No　theory　about　it；〃　Francesca　said。　〃They　would　kill　us。〃
　
　〃Even　you；　their　goddess？〃
　
　She　nodded。　〃Leaving　them　would　constitute　a　demotion　in　my　status；　I'm　afraid。　My　head　would　be　up　there　on　the　stockade　fence　along　with　yours。〃
　
　Paul　involuntarily　rubbed　his　neck。
　
　All　at　once　they　were　no　longer　alone。　An　Indian　had　stepped　
　into　the　clearing　followed　by　eight　armed　warriors。　He　was　taller　than　the　other　Chulo　by　a　few　inches；　and　unlike　the　flat　facial　features　typical　in　the　tribe；　his　profile　was　almost　Roman。　His　muscular　body　was　painted　red　rather　than　blue　and　white。　He　stepped　over　to　Francesca　and　spoke；　gesturing　from　time　to　time　at　the　Trouts。　Francesca　stood　like　a　rearing　cobra　and　cut　him　short　with　a　dagger…sharp　reply。　He　glared　at　her；　then　bowed　his　head　slightly。　His　panions　followed　suit。　They　backed　up　several　steps；　turned；　and　quickly　strode　away　from　the　shrine。　Francesca　watched　them　go；　her　eyes　blazing　with　heat。　〃This　is　not　good；〃　she　said。　〃Who　were　those　people？〃　Gamay　said。
　
　〃The　tall　man　is　the　son　of　the　chief　I　killed　in　the　plane　crash。　I　have　named　him　Alaric　after　the　Visigoth　king。　He's　quite　intelligent　and　a　natural　leader；　but　he　tends　to　be　a　bully。　He　would　like　to　depose　me　and　has　gathered　a　group　of　young　Turks　around　him。　The　fact　that　he　set　foot　on　the　forbidden　shrine　shows　that　he　has　bee　bolder。　He　is　obviously　exploiting　the　questions　raised　by　your　arrival。　We　must　get　back　to　the　palace。〃
　
　As　they　left　the　shrine　the　guards　materialized　from　the　forest　and　took　their　places　alongside。　Francesca　walked　briskly；　and　they　were　back　at　the　pound　within　minutes。　Something　was　different　inside　the　stockade　fence。　Knots　of　Indian　men　stood　around。　They　averted　their　eyes　when　the　procession　passed。　There　were　no　friendly　smiles　as　on　the　way　out。
　
　About　twenty　armed　warriors　were　gathered　in　front　of　the　palace　with　Alaric　at　their　center。　They　parted　with　sullen　looks　at　a　wave　of　Francesca's　hand；　but　Gamay　noticed　that　they　took　their　time　doing　it。　Tessa　greeted　them　inside　the　door。　Her　eyes　were　wide　with　fright。　She　and　Francesca　talked　in　their　language　for　a　minute；　then　the　white　goddess　translated　for　the　Trouts。
　
　〃The　priests　have　made　a　decision。　You're　to　be　killed　in　the　morning。　They'll　spend　the　night　getting　their　courage　up　and　building　the　pyres　to　burn　you。〃　
　
　　Gamay's　mouth　hardened。　〃Sorry　we　can't　stay　for　the　barbecue；〃　she　said。　〃If　you　would　point　us　to　the　nearest　canoe；　we'll　be　saying　good…bye。〃
　
　　〃Impossible！　You　wouldn't　get　ten　feet　now。〃
　
　　〃Then　what　do　we　do？〃
　
　　Francesca　mounted　her　dais　and　sat　on　her　throne；　her　eyes　glued　to　the　chamber　door。　〃We　wait；〃　she　said。
　
　Chapter　20
　The　ancient　ship　hung　in　space　as　if　suspended　from　invisible　cables；　its　multi…decked　hull　outlined　by　shimmering　spiderweb　lines　of　gossamer　blue。　The　great　square　sails　were　bowed　full；　and　ghostly　pennants　fluttered　at　the　masthead　as　if　tossed　by　a　freshened　breeze。
　
　Hiram　Yaeger　leaned　back　in　his　chair　and　studied　the　spectral　image　hovering　over　a　platform　in　front　of　his　horseshoe　shaped　console。　〃It's　beautiful；　Max；〃　he　said；　〃but　the　detail　needs　sharpening。〃
　
　A　soft　and　disembodied　feminine　voice　filled　the　room　from　a　dozen　speakers　set　in　the　walls。　〃You　only　asked　for　a　blue　print；　Hiram。〃　There　was　the　hint　of　petulance　in　the　tone。
　
　〃That's　right；　Max；〃　Yaeger　said；　〃and　you've　gone　far　be　yond　that。　But　now　I'd　like　to　see　how　close　we　can　get　to　the　finished　product。〃
　
　〃Done；〃　said　the　voice。
　
　The　ship's　hull　solidified　like　a　specter　materializing　from　ectoplasm。　Its　hull　blazed　with　gold　that　highlighted　the　elaborate　carvings　covering　the　sides　from　stem　to　stern。　Yaeger's　eyes　lingered　on　the　beak　head；　crowned　by　a　wooden　image　of　King　Edgar；　the　hoofs　of　his　charger　trampling　the　seven　fallen　monarchs　whose　shorn　beards　bordered　his　mantle。　Then　he　studied　the　astronomical　panels　that　represented　the　glories　of　the　
　Olympic　gods；　going　back　to　the　high　stern；　embellished　with　biblical　figures。　Every　detail　was　perfect。
　
　〃Wow！〃　Yaeger　said。　〃You　didn't　tell　me　you　had　programmed　the　full　picture。　All　it　needs　now　is　a　couple　of　dolphins。〃
　
　Instantly；　simulated　seas　appeared　under　the　ship；　and　at　her　bow　a　pair　of　dolphins　leaped　and　splashed。　The　three…dimensional　image　spun　slowly　as　the　whistles　and　twitters　of　the　dolphins　filled　the　air
　
　Yaeger　clapped　his　hands　and　laughed　like　a　child　with　de　light。
　
　〃Max；　you're　brilliant！〃
　
　〃I　should　be；〃　the　voice　replied。　〃You　created　me。〃
　
　Not　only　had　Yaeger　created　the　vast　artificial　intelligence　system；　but　he　had　programmed　his　own　voice　into　the　original　program。　He　didn't　like　talking　to　himself；　so　he　modified　it　into　Max's　female　tones。　The　puter　system　had　developed　a　feminine　personality　all　on　its　own。
　
　〃Flattery　will　get　you　everywhere；〃　Yaeger　said。
　
　〃Thank　you。　If　you're　through　I'll　take　a　break　to　allow　my　circuits　to　cool　down。　Holograms　always　exhaust　me。〃
　
　Yaeger　knew　Max　was　prone　to　exaggerate　and　that　the　ship　represented　only　a　tiny　fraction　of　the　capacity　in　her　circuits。　But　along　with　a　feminine　version　of　his　own　voice；　he　had　programmed　in　some　human　traits；　including　the　need　to　be　appreciated。　He　waved　his　hand。　The　ship；　the　roiling　seas；　the　leaping　dolphins　vanished　in　a　blink　of　the　eye。
　
　Yaeger　turned　to　the　sound　of　applause　and　saw　Austin　standing　there　clapping　his　hands。
　
　〃Hi；　Kurt；〃　he　said　with　a　grin。　〃Have　a　seat。〃
　
　〃Quite　a　show；〃　Austin　said；　easing　into　a　chair　next　to　Yaeger。　〃Right　down　to　the　vanishing　act。　I　doubt　even　David　Copperfield　could　make　a　full…blown　English　capital　ship　disappear。〃
　
　Yaeger　was　truly　a　magician；　but　his　sleight　of　hand　was　per　formed　with　puters　rather　than　a　top　hat　and　wand。　He　was　an　unlikely…looking　magus；　dressed　with　a　studied　scruffiness　in　Levi's　jeans　and　denim　jacket　over　a　plain　white　T…shirt。　Beat…up　cowboy　boots　adorned　his　feet。　Yet　he　presided　like　a　master　sorcerer　over　the　vast　puter　network　that　covered　nearly　the　en　tire　tenth　floor　of　the　NUMA　building。　The　National　Underwater　&　Marine　Agency　oceans　center　stored　and　processed　the　most　enormous　amount　of　digital　data　on　oceanography　and　related　sciences　ever　assembled　under　one　roof。
　
　〃That　was　nothing；〃　he　said　with　boyish　delight。　Excitement　danced　in　the　gray　eyes　behi