10_invid_invasion-第7章

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〃Nobody　who　es　from　the　outside　can　stay　for　more　than　a　little　while；　remember？　And　if　I　left　here；　I　wouldn't　be　allowed　to　return。。。〃

Suddenly　the　tears　were　gone　and　she　was　looking　up　at　him　with　a　devious　grin　on　her　face。　〃Then　run　away　with　me；　Ken！　We'll　start　our　own　family；　our　own　town！〃　She　was　up　on　her　feet　now；　tugging　on　his　arm；　but　Ken　didn't　budge。

〃Quit　giving　me　a　hard　time；〃　he　told　her　harshly；　angry　at　himself　for　being　taken　in　by　her　saltwater　act。　〃I'm　not　going　anywhere…you　are！〃

Annie's　face　contorted　through　sorrow　to　rage。　She　cursed　him；　using　everything　her　vocabulary　had　to　offer。　But　in　return　he　proffered　a　knowing　smile　that　undermined　her　anger。　〃You're　heartless；〃　she　seethed；　collapsing　to　the　ground　once　more。　〃Heartless。〃


Rand　had　led　Scott　to　the　site　of　the　downed　transport；　the　Mars　Division　mander　held　little　hope　that　anyone　had　survived　the　crash　but　thought　there　might　be　an　Armored　Alpha　Veritech　still　aboard。　He　was　thankful　for　the　Cyclone；　but　with　perhaps　thousands　of　miles　separating　him　from　the　Invid　Reflex　Point；　the　journey　would　be　a　long　one　indeed。

Fearing　a　visit　from　Invid　reinforcements…Shock　Troopers　this　time…the　two　riders　didn't　remain　long　at　the　wreck。　There　were　neither　survivors　nor　Veritechs；　but　Scott　was　at　least　able　to　procure　additional　Scorpions　for　the　battle　armor　launchers；　several　canisters　of　Protoculture　fuel；　and　a　sensor…studded　helmet　for　Rand。　Thus　far　the　redheaded　rebel　had　demonstrated　no　inclination　to　form　even　a　temporary　partnership；　but　Scott　hoped　that　the　helmet　and　battle　armor　would　entice　him　somewhat。　Scott　would　have　been　the　first　to　admit　his　sense　of　helplessness；　he　was　a　stranger　to　this　world　and　its　ways。　And　if　the　unthinkable　had　occurred…if　he　alone　had　survived　the　atmospheric　plunge…he　was　going　to　need　all　the　help　he　could　get。

Rand　wasn't　sure　what　to　make　of　the　offworlder。　He　was　a　good　man　to　have　on　one's　side　in　a　fight　and　no　doubt…a　capable　enough　officer　in　his　own　element；　but　he　was　a　fish　out　of　water　on　Earth；　and　a　relic　besides…a　throwback　to　a　time　when　humankind　functioned　hopefully　and　collectively。　In　any　case；　Rand　was　a　lone　rider；　and　he　meant　to　keep　it　that　way。　You　joined　up　with　someone；　and　suddenly　there　were　promises　that　had　to　be　made；　plans　and　decisions　a　single　Forager　wasn't　caught　up　in。

Rand　lived　for　the　open　road；　and　he　was　grateful　that　the　offworlder　hadn't　lingered　too　long　at　the　crash　site；　glad　to　have　it　behind　him　now。　The　two　had　ridden　as　far　as　the　hills　together；　then　Rand　had　waved　Scott　off　and　lit　out　on　his　own；　the　Cyclone　throbbing　beneath　him。　He　was　enchanted　with　the　mecha；　but　there　were　a　few　other　priorities　that　needed　tending　to：　food；　for　starters。　The　tasteless　stuff　Scott　had　liberated　from　the　wreck　might　be　all　right　for　spacemen；　but　it　wasn't　likely　to　catch　on　among　down…to…earth　Foragers。

Once　again　he　had　decided　to　pass　on　Laako　City；　it　would　be　easy　enough　to　get　something　to　eat　there；　but　the　results　probably　wouldn't　justify　the　paranoid　garbage　he　would　have　to　put　up　with。　Rand　had　never　visited　Laako；　but　what　he　had　heard　from　other　Foragers　was　enough　to　give　him　second　thoughts　about　the　place。

Even　so；　he　was　headed　in　the　general　direction　of　the　island　city；　putting　the　Cyclone　through　the　paces　on　the　twisting　mountain　road　that　connected　the　wastes　with　the　grasslands　and　lakes　of　the　central　plateaus。　The　only　such　road；　it　was　usually　heavily　trafficked　and　dangerous　in　spots…little　more　than　a　narrow　ledge　with　deep　ruts　and　steep　drop…offs。　But　most　of　that　was　still　ahead　of　him；　and　he　was　cruising　along；　oblivious　to　the　fact　that　Scott　was　not　far　behind。　Then　Rand　heard　the　roar　of　the　second　Cyclone　and　looked　over　his　right　shoulder；　surprised　to　find　the　offworlder　scrambling　along　the　embankment　above　the　roadway。　Scott　gave　a　nod　and　piloted　the　cycle　through　a　clean　jump　that　brought　him　alongside　Rand。

〃What's　the　problem？〃　Rand　shouted；　raising　his　goggles。　〃You　got　nowhere　to　go；　or　what？〃　He　saw　Scott　smile　beneath　the　helmet's　wraparound　chin　guard。

〃I　want　to　head　up　toward　that　city　you　mentioned；〃　Scott　called　back；　maintaining　his　speed。　〃We　might　be　able　to　get　some　information。〃

〃What's　this　we　stuff；　spaceman？〃　Rand　barked。　〃I　go　my　own　way。〃

Scott　smiled　again。　〃e　on；　I'll　show　you　how　to　convert　to　Battle　Armor　mode。　Or　maybe　you're　too　frightened　of　the　Invid；　huh？〃

〃Hey；　pal；　you　go　ahead　and　wage　your　one…man　war。　This　Cyclone's　fine　as　is；〃　Rand　snapped。　〃See　you　around；〃　he　added；　giving　a　twist　to　the　throttle　and　pulling　out　ahead　of　Scott。

In　a　moment　Scott　came　up　alongside　again。

〃Make　up　your　mind…you　headed　to　the　city　or　not？〃

Scott　made　a　gesture　of　nonchalance。　〃I'm　just　headed　where　I'm　headed；　that's　all。〃

〃Well；　get　off　my　tail！〃　Rand　shouted；　lowering　his　goggles。　He　popped　the　front　wheel　and　accelerated　out　front。

Scott　did　the　same；　and　the　two　of　them　toyed　with　each　other　for　several　minutes；　alternating　the　lead。　By　now　they　had　entered　the　shoulderless　downhill　portion　of　the　highway；　and　Rand　was　nursing　some　misgivings　about　playing　chicken　with　a　dude　who　was　decked　out　in　armor。　Nevertheless；　he　stuck　by　the　offworlder；　racing　him　into　a　wide　turn　where　the　roadway　disappeared　around　the　shoulder　of　the　mountain。　Neither　of　them　saw　the　convoy　of　trucks　headed　for　the　pass　until　it　was　almost　too　late。　The　driver　of　the　lead　vehicle…an　opencabbed　eight…wheeler…leaned　on　his　horn　and　locked　up　the　brakes；　throwing　the　transport　into　zigzags。　The　Cyclones；　meanwhile；　were　also　locked　up；　sliding　sideways　down　the　narrow　road。　Rand；　on　the　inside；　saw　a　collapsed　portion　of　an　earthen　wall　and　went　for　it；　ramping　his　bike　up　to　the　high　ground。　Scott；　however；　kept　to　the　road；　dangerously　close　to　the　drop…off　now；　and　brought　the　Cyclone　to　a　halt　a　meter　from　the　truck's　front　grille。

The　driver；　a　long…haired　rube　wearing　a　tall　brimmed　hat；　waved　his　fist　in　the　air。　〃Ya　rogue…somebody　coulda　got　killed！〃

〃Sorry　about　that；〃　Scott　told　him　offhandedly。　〃Look；　we　need　some　information…〃

〃Wait　a　minute！〃　the　driver　cut　Scott　off；　eyeing　him　up　and　down。　〃You're　a　soldier！　What　are　you　doing　out　here？〃

Scott　revealed　just　enough　to　satisfy　the　driver's　curiosity。　〃I'm　looking　for　others　who　may　have　bailed　out。　Have　you　e　across　anyone？〃　Scott　saw　the　man　give　a　start；　then　avert　his　gaze。

〃Nope。　No　one。。。But　lemme　give　you　a　free　piece　of　advice；〃　the　driver　answered　him；　throwing　the　truck　into　forward　gear。　〃You're　gonna　wish　you　never　came　back！〃

Scott　legged　the　Cyclone　off　to　one　side；　calling　out　for　an　explanation　as　the　truck　roared　off。　The　other　drivers　in　the　convoy　regarded　Scott　warily　from　the　cabs　of　their　trucks　as　they　lumbered　by；　but　no　one　said　a　word　until　a　young　boy　in　the　back　of　the　final　one　yelled　out：　〃Hey；　mister；　don't　tell　anyone　who　you　are　or　you'll　be　in　deep　trouble！〃

Scott　thought　he　would　hear　more；　but　the　truck's　headbanded　elder　put　a　hand　over　the　boy's　mouth。　〃Don't　talk　to　that　man；〃　he　threatened　the　kid。

Rand　watched　the　convoy　disappear　around　the　bend　and　saw　Scott's　gesture　of　puzzlement。　〃You　ing　or　not？〃　the　offworlder　asked　him　suddenly。　Rand　thought　about　it　for　a　moment　while　Scott　took　off　down　the　road。　All　his　instincts　told　him　to　follow　the　trucks；　but　ultimately　he　coasted　down　the　incline　and　set　out　to　catch　up　with　Scott；　after　all；　somebody　had　to　keep　the　guy　from　sticking　his　nose　where　it　didn't　belong。

In　the　trees　at　the　edge　of　the　roadway；　the　red　optic　scanner　of　an　Invid　Scout　rotated　slightly　to　track　the　rider's　swift　departure。。。


〃Ken；　please　e　with　me！〃　Annie　was　shouting。　〃I'll　be　good　for　you；　I　promise！　I　love　you！　You　promised　you'd　stay　with　me！〃

He　was　dragging　her　down　the　road　now；　his　hands　underneath　her　arms。　They　were　a　good　half　mile　from　the　causeway　checkpoints　already；　and　Annie　was　still　causing　a　scene。　Finally　he　dropped　her　on　her　butt。

〃Whaddaya　want　from　me…you　want　me　to　leave　my　family　and　friends？〃

She　looked　up　at　him　and　said；　〃Yes。〃

Ken　bent　down　eye　to　eye　with　her。　〃Look；　I　know　it　seems　bad　right　now；　but　you'll　find　somebody　to　take　care　of　you。〃

〃Don't　worry　about　me！〃　she　yelled　in　his　face　as　she　got　up。　〃I　can　find　my　own　way　around。　Men　are　a　dime　a　dozen　for　someone　like　me。〃　Then　suddenly　she　was　all　over　him　again：　〃Please；　Ken！〃

Ken　shook　her　off；　sending　her　down　to　the　ground　on　her　knees。　Fed　up；　he　began　to　walk　back　to　the　checkpoint。　Ten　steps　away；　however；　he　turned　at　the　sound　of　approaching　vehicles。　Scott　and　Rand　were　just　ing　around　a　bend　in　the　tree…lined　road。　They　halted　their　Cyclones　where　Annie　sat　crying。　Ken　took　one　look　at　the　cycles　and　saw　a　sweet　deal　in　the　making。　He　went　over　to　them　with　a　gleam　in　his　eye。

Closest　to　Annie；　Rand　was　asking；　〃What's　the　matter；　kid；　are　you　hurt？〃

She　looked　up；　surprised；　and　told　him　in　no　uncertain　terms　that　she　wasn't　a　kid。　〃So；　beat　it！〃

Ken　ambled　up　and　gestured　appreciatively　at　Scott's　mecha。　〃Nice　wheels；　rogue。〃　Ken　smiled。　〃Where'd　you　forage　'em？〃

〃I'm　mander　Bernard　of　Mars　Division；〃　Scott　said　when　he　had　raised　the　helmet　faceshield。　〃I'm　looking　for　other　survivors　of　my　unit。〃

Ken　glanced　over　at　Rand　and　stepped　back。　〃You're　for　real；　then…soldiers；　I　mean。〃

〃Have　you　seen　any　of　the　others？〃

〃e　with　me；〃　Ken　said　after　a　moment；　already　setting　off　for　the　causeway。

Scott　was　suddenly　full　of　hope。　〃They're　here？〃

〃And　you　can　e；　too；　Annie；〃　Ken　added　without　turning　around。

Annie's　eyes　opened　wide。　〃I　take　back　what　I　said。〃　She　hurried　to　catch　up　with　him　and　attached　herself　to　his　arm　lovingly。

Rand　and　Scott　exchanged　looks　and　brought　the　Cyclones　back　to　life。　〃What's　the　chance　of　landing　some　belly　timber？〃　Rand　wanted　to　know。　〃We've　got　trade　goods。〃

〃Follow　me；〃　Ken　told　him。

Annie　beamed。　〃You've　made　me　so　happy；　Ken。〃　She　went　up　on　tiptoe　to　kiss　him　on　the　mouth。

Ken　whisked　them　through　the　checkpoint　and　escorted　them　along　the　causeway　that　led　to　the　main　island。　It　was　a　picturesque　spot　for　a　city；　Rand　had　to　admit：　a　crystal…blue　lake　surrounded　by　forested　hills。　But　there　was　ample　evidence　of　the　war's　hold　over　the　place…the　scorched　and　rusted　hulks　of　Zentraedi　battlecruisers；　downed　Adventurers；　Falcons；　and　Bioroids。　He　noticed　that　there　was　a　second　island；　accessible　only　from　the　main　one；　and　that　it；　too；　was　host　to　a　densely　packed　cluster　of　tall；　mostly　ruined　buildings；　rubble；　and　debris　heaped　up　in　the　streets。　Up　close　the　city　was　somewhat　less　than　inspiring；　literally　a　shell　of　its　former　self；　but　so　far　they　hadn't　been　searched；　hassled；　or　otherwise　bad…vibed；　and　Rand　was　beginning　to　wonder　where　all　those　rumors　had　e　from。

〃These　are　Robotech　soldiers！〃　Ken　announced　to　the　sullen…faced　people　huddled　inside　the　buildings；　postapocalypse　cave　dwellers　in　high…rise　cliffs　of　slagged　steel　and　fractured　concrete。　〃They　were　with　the　forces　who　have　returned　to　Earth　to　rid　us　of　the　Invid。〃　No　one　moved；　no　one　returned　a　word。　There　was　only　the　slight　howling　o