uplift4.brightnessreef-第87章

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　　Abruptly；　the　crowd　fell　silent　as　a　shadow　fell　across　Dwer。　A　low；　eerily　familiar　whine　raised　shivers　up　his　spine。　Shading　his　eyes　against　the　sun；　he　looked　up　toward　a　hovering　black　shape；　all　jutting　angles　and　hanging　tendrils；　like　a　certain　demon　that　still　haunted　his　dreams…the　fire…spitting　monster　that　had　finished　off　the　old　mule…spider　of　the　mountains。　Despite　a　penumbral　glare　surrounding　it　like　a　fierce　halo；　he　made　out　the　same　octagonal　symmetry。　Only　this　one　wore　a　rounded　silhouette；　perched　on　one　jutting　shoulder。
　　〃So。　You　made　it　all　the　way　here；　after　all；〃　the　silhouette　mented。　〃Not　bad　for　a　Slopie。　You're　no　fluff…baby；　I　guess…though　the　trip　seems　to've　wore　you　down　to　a　rag　man。　I　seen　you　look　better；　Dwer。〃
　　〃Thanks；　Rety；〃　he　said；　edging　aside　so　the　sun　would　not　blind　him。　He　also　wanted　to　get　closer　to　the　forest。　〃You；　on　the　other　hand；　never　looked　so　good。　Been　taking　it　easy？〃
　　She　answered　with　a　curt　chuckle　that　sounded　husky；　as　if　she　hadn't　laughed　a　lot　lately。　〃I　turned　down　the　offer　your　sages　made…to　have　me　hike　all　the　way　back　here　afoot；　guiding　a　bunch　o'　geeps。　Why　walk；　I　figured；　when　I　can　ride？〃
　　Now　he　could　make　her　out　clearly。　Except　for　the　old　scar；　she　seemed　quite　made　over；　as　they　said　in　certain　parts　of　Tarek　Town。　Yet　the　same　sullen　wariness　lay　in　her　eyes。
　　It　was　also　his　first　chance　to　have　a　good　look　at　an　alien　machine。　Eight　even　rectangles　made　up　its　sides；　black　without　highlights；　as　if　sunshine　had　trouble　glancing　off　it。　Below；　a　pair　of　tendril…arms　dangled　menacingly　on　either　side　of　a　globe　that　was　studded　with　glass　facets　and　metal　tubes。　Danel　had　warned　him　to　watch　out　for　that　globe。　On　top；　where　Rety　sat　in　a　lashed…on　saddle；　the　robot's　surface　looked　flat；　except　for　a　spire　rising　from　the　center。　An　〃antenna；〃　Danel　had　identified　it。
　　Dwer　nodded　toward　the　hovering　machine。
　　〃Seems　you've　been　making　new　friends；　Rety。〃
　　The　girl　laughed　again…a　sharp　bark。　〃Friends　who'll　take　me　places　you　never　saw。〃
　　He　shrugged。　〃I'm　not　talking　about　star…gods；　Rety。　I　mean　the　friend　giving　you　a　ride；　right　now。　Last　time　I　saw　one　of　these　things；　it　was　trying　to　kill　us　both…〃
　　She　cut　in。　〃A　lot's　changed　since；　Dwer。〃
　　〃…and　oh；　yeah；　it　was　burning　the　hell　out　of　that　bird　thing　you　cared　so　much　about。　Ah；　well。　I　guess　sometimes　it　just　pays　better　to　join　those　who…〃
　　〃Shut　up！〃
　　The　robot　reacted　to　its　rider's　anger　by　bobbing　toward　him。　Retreating；　he　noted　movement　by　the　spherical　cluster　of　lenses　and　tubes　under　the　machine's　blocky　torso；　turning　fluidly　to　track　him。　On　a　hunch；　Ozawa　had　called　it　a　weapons　pod；　and　Dwer's　every　clawing　instinct　confirmed　the　guess。
　　A　crowd　gathered　beyond　Rety；　most　of　the　human　tribe；　watching　this　confrontation　between　a　ragged　stranger　and　one　of　their　own　who　had　harnessed　a　flying　devil。　It　must　seem　a　pretty　uneven　matchup。
　　Some　things　are　exactly　as　they　seem。
　　Dwer　caught　a　flash　of　movement　toward　the　prison…pen。　Jenin；　making　her　move。
　　〃Well？〃　Rety　demanded；　glaring　down　at　him。
　　〃Well　what？〃
　　〃You　sent　for　me；　idiot！　Did　you　hike　halfway　round　the　world　just　to　try　and　make　me　feel　guilty？　Why　didn't　you　stay　away；　once　you　saw　what's　going　on　here？〃
　　〃I　could　ask　you　the　same　question；　Rety。　What　are　you　doing？　Showing　off　for　the　folks？　Getting　some　payback？　Did　the　star…gods　have　some　special　reason　to　need　a　guide　to　this　armpit　of　Jijo？〃
　　plex　emotions　crossed　her　face。　What　finally　won　was　curt　laughter。
　　〃…armpit？　Heh。　That　just　about　tells　it　all。〃　She　chuckled　again；　then　leaned　closer。　〃As　for　what　Kunn　is　lookin'　for；　I　can't　tell　ya。　It's　a　secret。〃
　　Rety　was　a　lousy　bluffer。　You　don't　have　the　slightest　idea；　Dwer　pondered；　and　it　galls　you。
　　〃So；　where's　that　pack　of　Slopies　you　were　gonna　lead　out　here？〃　she　demanded。
　　〃In　hiding。　I　came　ahead　to　make　sure　it's　safe。〃
　　〃Why　shouldn't　it　be？　Nothin'　dangerous　here；　except　maybe　my　nasty　ol'　cousins。。。　an'　a　bunch　of　smelly　hinneys…〃
　　When　she　said　that；　a　piping　whistle；　like　faint；　piccolo　laughter；　vented　from　a　padded　pouch　at　her　waist。
　　〃And　killers　from　outer　space？〃　Dwer　added。　〃Planning　to　wipe　out　every　thinking　being　on　the　planet？〃
　　Rety　frowned。　〃That's　a　damn　lie！　They　ain't　gonna　do　it。　They　promised。〃
　　〃And　what　if　I　showed　you　proof？〃
　　Her　eyes　darted　nervously。　〃More　lies。　They　just　wouldn't　do　nothing　like　that！〃
　　〃Like　they　wouldn't　shoot　a　poor；　unsuspecting　bird…thing；　I　suppose。　Or　attack　those　urs　without　warning。〃
　　Rety　turned　red　as　Dwer　hurried　on。
　　〃e　along。　I'll　show　you　what　I'm　talking　about。〃
　　Before　she　could　refuse；　he　turned　to　walk　back　toward　the　forest。　〃I　left　it　over　there；　behind　that　stump。〃
　　The　girl　grumbled　but　followed　on　her　robot　steed。　Dwer　worried　that　the　machine　might　be　more　sophisticated　than　Ozawa　guessed。　The　reference　works　the　sage　had　studied　were　three　hundred　years　out　of　date　and　sparse　on　details。　What　if　the　robot　both　understood　speech　and　could　tell　he　was　lying？　What　if　it　could　read　his　thoughts！
　　The　tree　stump　was　thicker　than　most。　The　sooners　must　have　worked　hard　with　their　primitive　tools　to　hack　it　down；　when　they　made　this　clearing。　Dwer　bent　to　pick　up　two　things　he　had　stashed　on　the　far　side。　One；　a　slender　tube；　he　slid　up　his　tunic　sleeve。　The　other　was　a　leather…bound　book。
　　〃What　is　it？〃　Rety　demanded；　nudging　the　robot　to　drop　closer。　Atop　the　machine's　flat　upper　surface　there　protruded　short　tentacle…things　with　glossy　ends。　Three　swiveled　toward　Dwer；　while　the　fourth　watched　for　danger　from　the　rear。　So　far；　Danel　Ozawa　had　been　right　about　the　robot's　mechanical　organs。　If　these　were　〃eyes；〃　then　that　narrow　spindle　jutting　up　from　the　robot's　center…
　　〃Show　me！〃　Rety　demanded；　dropping　closer　still；　peering　at　the　small　volume；　containing　about　a　hundred　paper　pages；　a　treasure　from　Danel's　Legacy。
　　〃Oh；　it's　a　book；〃　she　muttered　with　contempt。　〃You　think　you　can　prove　anything　with　this？　The　Rothen…kin　have　pictures　that　move；　an'　talk；　an'　tell　you　anythin'　you　want　to　know！〃
　　Exactly；　Dwer　thought。　They　can　create　images　to　show　exactly　what　you　want　to　see。
　　But　he　answered　with　a　friendly　nod。　〃Oh；　sorry；　Rety。　I　forgot；　you　can't　read。　Well；　open　it　up；　and　you'll　find　this　book　has　pictures；　too。　I'll　explain　them；　if　you　like。〃
　　This　part　had　been　Danel's　idea。　Back　at　Gathering；　the　lesser　sage　had　seen　Rety　flip　through　dozens　of　picture　books　in　apparent　fascination…when　she　felt　no　one　was　watching。　Dwer　was　trying　to　mix　insult　with　encouragement；　shame　with　curiosity；　so　the　girl　would　have　no　choice　but　to　look　at　this　one。
　　Wearing　an　unhappy　grimace；　Rety　reached　down　further　and　accepted　the　book。　She　sat　up　and　riffled　the　paper　leaves；　clearly　puzzled。　〃I　don't　get　it。　What　page　should　I　look　at？〃
　　The　robot's　hover…fields　brushed　Dwer's　leg；　making　all　the　hairs　stand　on　end。　His　mouth　felt　dry；　and　his　heart　pounded。　He　fought　a　wave　of　anticipation…weakness　by　pure　force　of　will。
　　〃Oh；　didn't　I　open　it　to　the　right　picture？　Here；　let　me　show　it　to　you。〃
　　As　Rety　turned　toward　him；　the　robot　dropped　lower。　Dwer　raised　his　arms；　reaching　toward　the　book；　but　staggered　when　he　bumped　the　robot's　side。
　　It　was　fiery　death　if　the　thing　thought　it　was　being　attacked。　Would　the　machine　recognize　normal　human　clumsiness　and　make　allowances？
　　Nothing　happened。　The　robot　didn't　fear　his　touch。
　　〃Hey；　watch　it；〃　he　plained。　〃Tell　your　pal　here　to　take　it　easy；　will　you？〃
　　〃What？　It's　not　any　o'　my　doin'。〃　She　kicked　the　machine。　〃Leave　him　be；　you　stupid　thing！〃
　　Dwer　nodded。　〃All　right；　let's　try　again。〃
　　Both　hands　went　up。　His　legs　were　like　coiled　springs…and　Dwer's　life　seemed　to　float　above　him　like　a　sound；　ready　to　flee　on　the　wind。
　　He　leaped。
　　The　robot's　brief　hesitation　ended　in　a　sudden　yowl；　joined　instantly　by　a　series　of　sharp　detonations；　ing　from　the　nearby　forest。　Heat　flared　between　Dwer's　legs　as　he　yanked　two　of　the　sensor…heads；　using　them　as　hand…holds　to　swarm　desperately　up　the　machine's　flank；　away　from　the　deadly　ball。　Pain　erupted　along　one　thigh　the　split　instant　before　he　hauled　his　torso　atop　the　gyrating　machine。　He　clutched　the　bucking　thing　with　his　left　hand　while　his　right　brought　forth　the　slender　tube。
　　The　world　was　a　blur　of　trees　and　clouds　and　whirling　sky。　More　explosions　pealed；　acpanied　by　horrible　sizzling　sounds。　Desperately；　Dwer　shoved　the　tube　at　the　robot's　central　spindle　and　squeezed。
　　Traeki　enzymes　bined　and　emerged　in　an　acrid；　fizzing　stream；　vanishing　down　openings　at　the　spindle's　base。　Dwer　kept　squirting　despite　the　robot's　wild　pirouettes；　until　his　aim　was　spoiled　by　Rety；　shoving　his　arm　away。　Only　then　did　Dwer　note　her　screams　amid　the　general　tumult。　When　her　teeth　clamped　on　his　wrist；　Dwer's　own　howl　joined　in。　The　half…empty　tube　escaped　his　convulsing　hand；　tumbling　away。
　　Purple　steam　rose　from　the　robot's　center。　The　spindle　began　to　slump。　Dwer　shook　Rety　off　and　with　a　reckless　cry　threw　himself　on　the　drooping　antenna；　taking　it　in　both　hands；　heaving　with　all　his　might。　He　shouted　an　ululation　of　triumph　when　the　whole　thing　tore　free　at　the　base；　though　it　left　him　rolling　across　the　flat　surface；　clutching　futilely　for　a　hold。
　　Flailing；　he　tumbled　off　the　edge；　falling　toward　the　meadow　floor。
　　Dwer　never　worried；　during　that　brief　interval；　about　striking　some　rock　or　jagged　tree　stump。　The　machine　would　likely　dice　him　to　bits　before　he　ever　hit　the　ground。
　　But　he　was　not　sliced。　Nor　did　he　strike　the　rough　meadow。　Blinking　in　surprise；　he　found　that　a　pair　of　arms　had　caught　him！
　　Relief　was　tempered　when　he　saw　the　arms　belonged　to　the　robot。
　　Oh；　great。　Out　of　the　frying　pan　and　into　the…
　　There　came　another　series　of　detonations；　and　the　hovering　machine　rocked　as　if　slammed　along　one　side。　Hanging　below　the　octagonal　body；　Dwer　saw　part　of　the　globe　underneath　explode　in　a　spray　of　steel　and　glass。　The　weapons…ball　was　already　a　smoking　ruin。　Not　a　single　lens　or　tube　appeared　intact。
　　Great　work；　Lena；　Dwer　thought；　proud　of　how　well　she　used　the　terrible　devices　that　only　she　and　a　few　others　on　the　Slope　were　trained　to　use。　Firearms　that　did　not　use　a　bit　of　metal。　He　turned　his　head　in　time　to　see　more　brief　flares　as　Lena　or　Danel　fired　again　from　the　forest　edge。　The　machine　rocked　as　another　exploding　shell　impacted。　This　time　one　of　the　dangling　tentacles　holding　Dwer　shuddered　and　went　limp。
　　That　was　definitely　Lena's　work。　What　a　clever　girl；　he　thought；　half…dazed　from　pain。　The　sages　chose　well。　I　would've　been　a　lucky　boy；　if　things　had　gone　according　to…
　　He　got　no　chance　to　finish　the　thought；　as　the　robot　whirled　around　to　flee；　zigzagging　across　the　meadow；　using　his　body　as　a　shield　between　it　and　danger。　Dwer　saw　Lena　rise　and　take　aim　with　her　launcher；　then　lower　it；　shaking　her　head。
　　〃No！　Shoot；　dammit！〃　he　screamed。　〃Don't　worry　about　me！〃
　　But　the　rushing　wind　of　flight　carried　off　his　words。　Lena　dropped　her