11_metamorphosis-第14章

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　ground　down　by　the　loss　of　a　daughter　and　the　dead…end　of　life　in　Deguello。　He　just　wanted　to　be　on　his　way；　to　get　his　family　to　the　safety　of　Paradise。

Maxwell　handed　over　a　folded；　waterproofed　bundle。　〃And　here's　a　current　map　showing　the　safe　route　through　the　mountains。　It　was　updated　by　my　Lurps　just　this　week；　you'll　be　safe　with　this。〃

Truman　accepted　it　with　a　trembling　hand。　〃Thank　you；　sir。〃

〃In　Paradise；　you'll　live　a　better　life；〃　Maxwell　said。　〃I'm　glad　you're　the　one　getting　this；　Truman。　I　know　what　some　people　think　of　me；　asking　all　the　market　will　bear　for　these　maps；　but…the　traffic　along　the　secret　route　has　to　be　kept　to　a　minimum；　and　there's　still　the　Resistance　to　finance。　Still；　I　sleep　better　when　the　people　I　help　deserve　it。〃

Carla；　on　the　other　side　of　the　ballroom；　stared　through　the　big　tropical　fishtank　there；　watching　the　scene　played　out　as　she　had　watched　it　played　out　dozens　of　times　before。　She　looked　at　the　map　Truman　held；　wishing…struggling　with　herself。

Truman　was　quickly　on　his　way；　eager　to　get　a　start　in　what　was　left　of　the　day。　Carla　sat　in　a　wing　chair　near　a　window；　looking　up　at　the　nearby　mountains。


The　team；　minus　Annie；　was　making　a　poor　afternoon　snack　of　a　few　canned　party　tidbits…salted　nuts　and　the　like…of　prewar　vintage；　at　an　outdoor　table。　Buying　local　food；　even　at　high　prices；　seemed　wiser　than　eating　current…dated　Mars　Division　rations　out　where　people　might　take　notice。

All　their　inquiries　had　gotten　them　nowhere。　There　were　other　people　with　mysterious　maps…in　fact；　it　seemed　to　be　one　of　the　town's　major　industries。　But　what　little　reliable　advice　they　had　been　able　to　get　said　that　none　were　to　be　trusted…except；　perhaps；　the　mayor's。　And　the　price　of　the　mayor's　help；　payable　in　gold；　was　beyond　the　team's　reach。

Lancer　had　told　the　team　about　his　contact　with　Maxwell。　But　he　told　them　nothing　of　his　old　ties　with　Carla；　and　so　there　seemed　to　be　no　avenue　of　map…acquisition　there；　Maxwell　was　all　business。

Scott　was　seriously　considering　letting　Maxwell　know　who　and　what　the　team　members　were；　but　held　off。　More　than　one　purported　Resistance　sympathizer　had　turned　out　to　be　an　Invid　stoolie。

Meanwhile；　the　team　was　concerned　about　Annie　and　her　new　adopted　family。　They　couldn't　blame　her　for　wanting　to　restore　some　kind　of　stability　to　her　life；　even　though　her　trip　to　Paradise　did　sound　like　a　pipe　dream。　But　Scott　worried　that　she　would　inadvertently　tell　more　than　she　should。　However　much　she　was　sworn　to　silence；　there　was　always　the　chance　that　she　would　betray　the　team's　secrets。

Rand；　chasing　one　of　the　few　surviving　pistachios　around　the　dish；　said；　〃They'll　be　serving　free　buffets　in　Deguello　before　we　can　ever　scrape　together　the　money　for　Maxwell's　map！　So　what're　we　gonna　do　now？〃

Scott　stared　down　at　his　coffee。　He　had　a　plan　to　fall　back　on；　and　as　much　as　he　regretted　using　it；　it　seemed　like　the　team's　only　hope　now。　Scott's　plan　was　to　pay　a　call　on　Maxwell；　in　full　armor；　with　VTs　in　Battloid　mode；　and　force　the　man　to　hand　over　the　map。　Then　they　would　make　a　break　for　the　mountains；　leaving　the　mayor　inmunicado。　Hopefully　they　would　get　through　before　anybody　could　alert　the　Invid。

Scott　was　about　to　bring　it　up；　but　Rook　spoke　first。　〃Hell；　it　seems　like　this　one　never　worries　about　anything。〃　By　that；　she　meant　Ariel；　who　still　wore　Rook's　jacket；　and　who　still　looked　at　the　world　with　the　lost　expression　of　a　total　stranger。

And　yet；　Scott　thought；　it　wasn't　really　irritation　Rook　was　showing。　Instead　it　was　concern。　Most　traumatic…amnesia　cases　recovered　in　a　few　days；　but　this　woman　had　been　a　blank　for　a　week　now。

Scott　sighed。　〃I'm　glad　you　brought　that　up。　Isn't　it　about　time　we　gave　her　a　name　of　some　kind？〃

The　Simulagent　made　a　little　questioning　sound；　aware　that　they　were　talking　about　her。　Rand　smirked；　〃Hey　Lunk！　How　'bout　you　giving　us　a　few　suggestions？〃

Lunk　looked　upset；　as　he　always　did　when　anyone　asked　him　to　take　a　lead。　〃I；　ah；　I　bet　Scott　could　e　up　with　a　nice　name。〃

Scott　had　intended　to　say　something　else；　but　found　himself　asking；　〃Why　don't　we　call　her　Marlene？〃

Rook's　brows　knit；　she　knew　the　story　of　Scott's　fianc閑's　death。　Lancer　broke　in；　〃Why　don't　we　just　let　her　tell　us　when　she's　good　and　ready？〃

Rook　shrugged。　〃Until　then；　Marlene's　as　good　a　name　as　any。〃

But　none　of　that　solved　the　map　problem。　They　discussed　the　situation　again；　until　Lancer　rose　from　the　table。　〃I　want　to　look　into　a　few　more　things。　I'll　catch　up　with　you　later。〃

They　watched　him　go。　Rook　thought；　Why　do　I　get　the　impression　he　just　made　a　decision？　She　heard　a　murmuring　and　saw　that　the　young　woman　was　repeating　the　name　Marlene　to　herself。


Maxwell　was　away　on　more　of　his　unnamed　business；　and　Carla　invited　Lancer　in；　bringing　him　to　the　balcony　overlooking　the　ballroom。　She　poured　some　of　the　green　tea　she　knew　he　loved；　a　true　rarity　in　that　part　of　the　world　nowadays；　and　made　him　sit　by　the　grand　piano　Maxwell　had　bought　her。

Carla　played　a　soft　Minmei　melody；　her　touch　much　more　deft　than　it　had　been　two　years　before。

Lancer　went　to　the　open　French　doors；　to　stare　at　the　snowcapped　mountains。　〃Carla；　tell　me：　how　does　Donald　Maxwell　make　his　money？〃

Her　smile　slipped；　then　was　back　in　place。　〃You　know　the　lyrics　to　this　one；　would　you　like　to…〃

〃What　is　Donald　doing　that　you　can't　talk　about？〃

〃I；　I　can't　tell　you。〃

He　went　and　held　her　hands　down　so　that　the　music　stopped　on　a　discordant　note。　〃Now　listen　to　me：　there's　something　terribly　wrong　about　this　map　business。　Won't　you　tell　me　what　it　is；　before　somebody　gets　hurt？　And　then　we　can　leave　this　place　together；　Carla。　Carla；　tell　me！〃

She　hesitated；　but　swayed　toward　him　for　a　moment；　her　eyes　on　his；　as　if　some　greater　gravity　had　hold　of　her。

〃I'll　find　us　a　place　that　will　be　much　better　for　both　of　us；〃　he　promised。

She　stood　to　look　across　at　the　balcony's　opposite　windows；　to　look　west。　〃Lancer；　let's　go　that　way！　To　the　warm　sea　breezes　and　the　sunlight！　I'll　make　you　happy　there；　I　swear　it！〃

〃I've　been　down　there；　Carla。　I'm　being　hunted；　and　so　are　the　people　with　me。　And　we　have　a　job　to　do。　The　only　way　out　for　us　is　over　the　mountains。〃

Her　eyes　dropped。　In　a　very　small　voice；　she　confessed；　〃There's　no　way　across　those　mountains；　Lancer。　The　Invid　control　everything。　Everyone　who　tries　it　dies；　I'm　sure　of　that　now。〃


〃Here's　a　copy　of　the　map；〃　Annie　said　in　secret…agent　tones；　looking　around；　slapping　it　into　Scott's　gloved　palm。　〃The　real　map；　the　mayor's！〃

She　was　hitching　up　the　pink　brushed…suede　rucksack　she　had　been　wearing　when　Scott　first　met　her；　the　one　that　contained　everything　she　had　in　the　world。　Scott　gaped　at　her。

〃I；　um；　borrowed　it　from　Eddie's　father　and　photocopied　it！〃　she　gushed。　〃I'm　off　now　to　Paradise　with　my　new　family。　Eddie's　mother　and　father　are　so…ooo　nice！　You　guys　make　sure　you　follow　quick；　okay？　The　route'll　probably　change　again　in　a　coupla　days；　because　the　Invid　are　always　changing　their　surveillance。　Bye；　Scott！　Bye；　Marlene！　Bye；　everyone！〃

She　frolicked　away；　laughing　giddily。

Scott；　watching　her　go；　unfolded　the　map　slowly。　Rand　and　Rook　and　Lunk　were　ecstatic。　The　other　team　members　went　off　to　see　to　their　vehicles。

Reflex　Point　was　suddenly　much　nearer。

Scott　looked　at　the　map；　matching　it　up　with　a　hand　held　display　that　showed　aerial　survey　records　from　the　memory　banks　of　his　Alpha。　It　didn't　take　long　for　his　face　to　go　from　elation　to　scowling　anger。　A　fake。。。


CHAPTER　ELEVEN

Who　will　ride？
Who　will　fall？
Cyclone　Psychos！
Deguello　ballad

〃That's　his　business；　selling　fake　maps；〃　Carla　was　telling　Lancer。

〃And　nobody　knows　because　nobody　es　back。　Did　he　start　the　rumors　about　Paradise；　too？〃

She　gulped　and　nodded。　Lancer　looked　around　him。　〃And　that's　what　pays　for　all　of　this。　Sheer　dumb；　stubborn　Human　hope　and　longing。　Maxwell's　going　to　pay…〃

He　stopped　as　he　heard　an　engine　roar　at　the　edge　of　town。　From　his　vantage　point　high　up；　Lancer　could　see　over　the　mansion　wall　to　the　street　where　Annie　and　Eddie　sat　in　the　back　of　the　Truman　family's　all…terrain　truck。

Most　of　the　cargo　bed　was　taken　up　by　the　Trumans'　good　and　baggage；　lashed　under　tarps。　As　the　ATT　pulled　away；　Maxwell　and　a　half…dozen　of　his　Lurp　scouts　waved。　Near　them　were　two　all…terrain　jeeps。

〃Annie！〃

Lancer　dashed　for　the　door。


Armored　and　mounted；　the　team　made　final　checks；　ready　to　begin　the　pursuit。　Cycs　were　tested　for　battle…readiness；　Lunk　made　sure　that　the　ammo　well　for　the　Stinger　autocannon　mounted　in　his　APC's　prow　was　filled　to　the　brim　with　linked　ammunition。　Marlene　sat　next　to　Lunk；　looking　more　bewildered　than　ever。

Scott　was　ripping　up　the　map；　though　he　already　entered　its　directions　in　the　displays；　in　order　to　trail　the　Trumans。　〃When　I　get　my　hands　on　Maxwell…〃

Lancer　snapped；　〃There's　no　time　to　think　about　Maxwell　now！　We've　got　to　catch　Annie　before　it's　too　late！〃

All　four　Cycs　went　into　wheelies；　a　way　of　releasing　energy　and　yet　not　getting　too　far　ahead　while　the　APC　accelerated。　They　streaked　away　toward　the　mountains。


Carla　had　watched　from　her　vantage　point　in　the　mansion。　Now　she　raced　down　the　stairs　and　past　the　three　silent　fighter　planes；　flinging　herself　at　the　door；　determined　to　steal　a　car　or　do　whatever　it　took　to　catch　Lancer　and　go　on　with　him　or　die　with　him。　She　was　determined　not　to　be　left　behind　ever　again。

But　Maxwell　came　through　the　door。　〃Hey！　What're　you　doing；　Carla？　What've　you　been　up　to？〃

〃I　told　them；　Donald！　I　told　them　everything！〃


The　team　roared　up　the　mountain　roads；　the　Cyclones　taking　curves　as　only　Robotech　mecha　could；　Lunk　doing　his　best　to　keep　from　falling　behind。　〃We're　in'；　Mint！〃

Marlene　suddenly　cried　out；　holding　her　head　as　if　she　had　been　hit　by　a　migraine。　〃I；　I　heard　them。　Something。。。there's　trouble！〃


Truman　slowed　down　his　all…terrain　truck；　adjusting　his　glasses；　squinting　at　the　map。　〃I　can't　understand　it。　I　can't　orient　this　map；　it　doesn't　make　any　sense。〃

His　wife；　a　kindly　woman　with　an　open；　fleshy　face　and　hair　pulled　back　in　a　black　bun；　looked　on　disheartenedly；　doing　her　best　not　to　distract　him。　

Suddenly　she　looked　up　in　terror；　as　shadows　crossed　the　windshield。

At　the　back　of　the　cargo　bed；　Eddie　was　joking　with　Annie。　She　understood　that　he　regarded　her　as　a　kid　sister　and　had　decided　to　wait　until　she　got　to　Paradise　to　make　her　move。　If　a　little　makeup　could　work　wonders　for　Yellow　Dancer；　she　could　imagine　what　it　could　do　for　Annie　LaBelle！

Then　she　heard　a　roaring　of　thrusters；　and　bulky　mecha　heliographed　the　sun　in　a　close　pass。

〃Invid！〃　She　could　see　four　Pincer　Ships；　claws　folded　close　to　them　while　they　made　their　attack　dives。　Mr。　Truman　had　seen　them；　too；　and　began　swerving　as　the　first　annihilation　discs　hit。　The　all…terrain　truck　wove　back　and　forth　on　the　road；　the　Invid　seeming　to　drive　it　almost　playfully；　until　at　last　Mr。　Truman　swerved　sidelong　into　a　boulder；　and　Annie　and　Eddie　were　thrown　from　the　cargo　bed。

A　strafing　Pincer　chopped　a　line　of　explosions　along　the　road；　and　Eddie　rolled　into　the　ditch　with　Annie　in