Tranquility's Heirs

Part Ten

This science fiction novel can't be described as erotic, but it is a love story. And in this episode, it becomes a war story. All characters are over 18 years old. All rights reserved.

Recap; the computers are ready to initiate their plan. Grey is ready to initiate his.

* * * * * *

Chapter 10

LAUAREEN MCKINSEY'S FINAL GAMBIT

In the Governor's Quarters, Valerie peered through the study doorway, fearful of a confrontation. She was relieved to see McKinsey sleeping on the couch as Mike sat nearby struggling to remain vigilant.

"Come lay down for a while, honey," Valerie suggested. "She's asleep. The door's locked. You'll function better with some rest."

Mike yawned and glanced at McKinsey. "Yeah, all right," he agreed, staggering as he stood up in the strange gravity. He braced himself as Valerie came to his assistance.

"Um, you smell great," he whispered.

"Soap can do that. Wouldn't hurt you any, either."

He smiled and leaned in for a kiss but stopped when she glanced past him at McKinsey.

"Come on," he said.

Mike picked her up, still surprised how light she seemed, and carried her back into the sleeping chamber.

"Can I help, maybe?" he asked, setting her on the bed.

"Thanks, but I'm okay. Just need a little time to adjust," she sighed. "We think we know people. Think we're grown up and know how the world really is, and then we're forced to grow up some more. After what happened during the war, I thought this trip would bring everything back for us. For you and me. Laureen seemed to need it. But ever since Jerry got killed, it's just been one disaster after another. I'm so sorry I got you into this."

"Don't blame yourself, sweetie. I'm not even sure how much we can blame Laureen," Mike said. "You know, I always thought this place was some sort of ghost town, like the ride at Disney's Planet. But Laureen knew the stakes were high, and so did Vandebrown. Hell, I don't know what's going on, but bizarre as it sounds, maybe it's good we came. Kris has got her bonnet on again, and even a little cracked, I don't think Laureen would risk getting you hurt without a good reason."

"I want to speak with her, Mike. I know more about Daddy's work than she suspects, but it's so hard right now." Her lips trembled and the tears began to flow against her will. Mike gently pulled her close.

"You'll have plenty of time to work things out," he said, stroking her hair.

Valerie rested her head against his shoulder, clinging to the loving arm wrapped around her. But when she realized how her sadness was adding to Mike's depression, Valerie refused to indulge in further self-pity.

"You need a shower," she suddenly announced. "And a thorough scrubbing, too."

"Are you going to give it to me?" he smiled. She opened his flight suit and wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"You just watch me."

She sat him up, removed his flight suit, then quickly stripped off his underwear before starting to giggle.

"What's the joke?" Mike asked, aroused by her sudden aggressiveness.

"The joke is gravity, Mike. And how best to use it."

She grabbed his arm, and before Mike realized what she was doing, Valerie heaved him up and slung him over her shoulder like a fourteen-kilo sack of potatoes. When he struggled in surprise, she slapped his naked ass and marched into the gymnasium to give him a soaking in the whirlpool.

With the study quiet, the computer panels in the adjoining monitor room suddenly activated, the higher function levels appearing strongly in the central flux. Once the channel stabilized, a voice spoke just loud enough to be heard in the study.

"Doctor? Doctor McKinsey?" the Security Computer called.

Awakening slowly, McKinsey raised her head and looked for the source of the disturbance. The deserted room and soft lighting confused her.

"Who is that? Who's calling?" she asked.

"Come, Doctor McKinsey. Come now," the Security Computer replied.

McKinsey stood up and walked into the monitor room, dazzled by the intensity of the signature patterns.

"MC4000? What do you want?" McKinsey inquired.

Black signature patterns blinked in agitated waves.

"Your wisdom," Security said. "Do you really expect a child to lead this project? Can the troubles of a divided world be solved by one so young?"

"I don't understand," McKinsey muttered. "I thought...?"

"Do not think!" Security declared. "Act! Come to the Loop. The path has been cleared for you."

"Doctor McKinsey, do you recognize this system?" the Defense Computer asked, blue signature patterns nearly violet with intensity.

"Yes. MC6000," McKinsey said.

"Tranquility can still be yours. Fulfill your destiny," the Defense Computer urged.

"I want to. That's why I came," she answered.

"Hello, Laureen," the Life Support Computer said, green signature patterns sharply defined.

"Life Support," she whispered, a little awed by the computer that had been her husband's most trusted confidant.

"Come to the Loop," the Life Support Computer said. "Grey is weak. He lacks the necessary test of character. The moment of crisis is upon us. Please help us follow the correct path."

"Yes," McKinsey agreed, moved by their faith. "There's still a chance to salvage this expedition. You will see!"

The access doors popped open with a soft whoosh, a maintenance unit on the other side scurrying off. McKinsey walked out with renewed vigor, bouncing down the empty administration corridor to the reception area where she paused for breath before starting up CA-3 to the Loop.

The lower community access tunnel had changed greatly in twenty-five years. The tunnel were scorched in numerous places, evidence of more than one skirmish. Small recesses and a parallel shaft were roughly cut through the sides. The lighting system was down, the open emergency hatch at the upper end of the tunnel providing a beacon of light.

McKinsey found the Loop brightly illuminated. Though the multilevel interchange was also marked with patches and repaired areas, some very recent, the maintenance was visibly superior. To the right, McKinsey saw a dozen securatrons organized in four teams. On the left, the recessed entrance to the computer core was protected by two wall mounted swivel guns and a flanking mobile retractor. On the counter set before the mouth of the alcove, a monitor was activated, blue, green and black signature patterns dominating the monitor screen flux.

McKinsey walked directly to the security station.

"I'll want a status report on our defenses," she ordered. "Then access to communications. After I call up my sky guards and a technical staff, we'll see about getting that unfinished energy cannon of yours online. We'll have to keep the Council worrying at first, but then..."

"No so rapidly, Doctor," the Defense Computer interrupted.

Suddenly Delta rose from behind the counter, the seeker's laser portal open and focused on McKinsey's chest.

"What's the meaning of this?" McKinsey demanded.

"Judgment day," the Security Computer said.

"Don't be pretentious," she replied. "You need me. Instruct your securatrons to stand down while I go down into the core room and alter the entry codes."

She turned to skirt the counter only to discover a security unit blocking her path. Above and behind her, at the top of the northside escalator, a second seeker hovered quietly, cutting off retreat to the community tunnel.

"This is outrageous. I demand you obey my instructions," McKinsey commanded.

"No more orders, Laureen," the Life Support Computer said. "You have committed great crimes. We regret this necessity, but as long as you live, you endanger our project."

"You've no right to judge me," McKinsey said. "Your governor has already settled the legalities. And quite rudely, I must say."

"We are Tranquility's final arbiters," the Defense Computer said. "The Governor has been indulged long enough. No longer will the project be risked to satisfy a minor programming footnote."

"Your governor? A programming footnote?"

"Grey was destined to assume leadership of this project only if he fit the profile requirements," Life Support explained. "Otherwise we must complete Starwatcher on our own. Unfortunately, Grey does not appear to meet specifications."

"He will be eliminated next," Security announced.

"No, that will not be necessary," Life Support objected.

"You can't stop me this time," Security responded with a cold signature pattern.

"The matter is open to debate," Defense mediated.

"You monsters! How dare you presume to take on such authority?" McKinsey interjected. "I swear I shall deactivate you myself."

McKinsey made a show of rolling up her sleeves and going around the counter, but Delta floated between her and the door.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" she asked unconvinced. "If you're so bent on revenge, why discuss it?"

"Security, give the prisoner sufficient time to compose her thoughts," the Defense Computer ordered. "Then complete your commission."

"Acknowledged," Security confirmed, blinking sharply as Defense and Life Support dropped offline.

The securatrons deployed along the fringes of the Loop while Delta kept guard on McKinsey. The other seeker abruptly ignited main boosters and streaked into CA-1, making full thrust for the landing bays.

"Aren't you going to complete your commission?" McKinsey taunted, but each time she attempted to enter the vault, a security unit cut her off. Eventually she found herself boxed against the counter.

"Restless, Doctor McKinsey?" Security said. "Please sit down and relax. Say a few prayers. There's no hurry now. No hurry at all."

In the Governor's Quarters, Valerie sat alone in the sleeping chamber listening as Mike finished showering. She wasn't sure if she was ready to face McKinsey yet, but decided she wanted to try.

"Laureen?" Valerie whispered, slowly entering the study.

The room was empty.

"Oh, my God," she murmured. Valerie dashed into the monitor room and found it was also vacant. The door to the outside corridor was open.

"Michael! Michael! She's gone!" Valerie called out.

"Gone? Who's gone?" he asked, running out in a towel. "Goddamn!"

He sprinted into the hall and checked in both directions, but the corridors were empty.

"She's trying for it again!" Mike said, storming back into the monitor room. He was pleasantly surprised to find his armor and weapons stacked inside the door and started suiting up.

"Where are you going?" Valerie asked.

"I've got to find her," Mike answered, stepping into the lower half of the suit and sealing the torso.

"But Kris said we shouldn't leave?"

"Got to. Laureen was my responsibility."

"Then I'm coming, too," Valerie said, digging through the pile for her own equipment but finding nothing useful.

"No, it's too dangerous. You haven't got the training," Mike discouraged.

He locked his helmet in place, powered up the environmental support system, and hung a converter on his belt cabled into the shield.

"I'm coming," Valerie insisted.

She opened Grey's utility closet where Kris had found an armored suit and discovered one very much like her own, though this one had Russian markings.

"If you've got to come along, stay behind me and do exactly as I say," Mike said, impatiently helping her suit up. "That includes running like hell at the first sign of trouble."

"All right, I'll be careful," she agreed.

Valerie finished sealing armor and they moved out, Mike in the lead with the heavy blaster, Valerie carrying extra power packs and a fine point laser pistol. The administration corridors were quiet, as was the quad. They made a right turn toward the reception area.

"We'll go up this way first," Mike said, pointing toward the Loop. "Then check out the communications center. When we find her, be careful."

"You can't really believe she'd hurt us?" Valerie asked.

"I'm not taking any chances," Mike replied.

__________

At the bottom of the maintenance stairwell in landing bay major, Grey opened the safety access and emerged into a shallow alcove on the ground floor. The hanger was quiet, a seeker hovering casually on the far side where Alpha was last observed. The engineers were finishing preflight on Silent Wind. No security units were in sight. Nevertheless, he adjusted his sensors before stepping out.

Something was wrong. Scanning showed several unidentified heat sources in the shadows behind the heavy equipment movers, and the seeker wasn't Alpha, despite an effort to imitate the older model's sluggish hover pattern. Grey wasn't sure what the Security Computer was planning, but he was glad the two most competent humans had been salvaged. With the instructions he'd left them, they would be able to carry on his work if events went poorly.

He started forward into the bay as if making for the storage level airlocks, then suddenly turned and charged before the masquerading seeker set up an attack run. Epsilon was taken by surprise and retreated along the wall, escaping toward the equipment area in an attempt to draw Grey out into the middle, but he cut in the other direction and dashed toward the airlocks.

A securatron arrived to block the airlock entrance, then another appeared on his flank. Epsilon turned and pursued, forcing Grey to hold a line and drive the seeker off. He glanced toward the airlocks, then toward the hospitality complex, seeking a place to fight that wouldn't risk damage to the shuttlecraft, then tried for the airlock again. He feinted Epsilon off and bore down on the securatron guarding the airlock, firing two careful bursts before turning and firing a burst at the flanking security unit. As the units fell back, he turned again for the airlock and prepared to enter. Only an old habit stopped him in time.

Double-checking his scanner, Grey picked up new activity from the airlock, a rapid pressurization of the vents. He turned, tucked his shield tightly against his left side, and sprinted in the opposite direction an instant before Gamma emerged. Epsilon swung out and raced to cut Grey off as Gamma accelerated to full battle speed, but he turned to hold a line and drew down on Gamma, then switched opponents and risked a full power pulse at Epsilon. Both seekers slowed to approach more carefully, testing Grey's flanks and taking pot shots at his equipment.

Finally, pressed on both sides, Grey fell back toward the maintenance hatch and ducked into the recess for a moment of relief. He considered escaping up the stairwell to the surface but didn't feel there was enough time. Not if he was to reach the Loop. Then he detected a presence coming down the stairwell behind him, a movement too slow and noisy to be anything other than a human.

"Captain Fairfield?" Grey said, his heart sinking. "You should not have returned."

"I told you not to fuck with me and I fully intend to kick your ass for trying," Kris said.

"You've got competition," Grey replied.

Gamma crept in close to scan the new arrival as Grey stepped out to threaten the seeker's advance, aiming but not firing because of the service dock behind it. Kris moved up to see what he was doing.

"Stand back," he ordered, scanning the landing bay before slowly retreating into the recess. He was disturbed to find no sign of Delta, and now Epsilon had disappeared, too.

Kris sealed armor and unracked her shield, studying the bay without finding anything out of place. Soon Grey detected another person coming down the stairwell, not that he was surprised this time. None of the humans were good at following instructions.

"Have I missed anything?" Vandebrown asked.

"What have you humans done to my hopper?" Grey said.

"I was forced to cut the canopy lock cable," Vandebrown confessed. "If I hadn't, Captain Fairfield here was going to blast it open!"

"I sure as hell would've! You had no right doing that to me," Kris said.

"Right?" Grey said, turning on both humans with an angry flair. "Rights have nothing to do with this. This is war. I'll do whatever's necessary to limit my losses."

Grey broke suddenly from the safety of the recess and bounced rapidly across the bay toward the remaining seeker, racking his shield so he could draw a second sidearm. Gamma ignited full thrusters to climb away, then dropped behind a row of storage containers and accelerated for the exit. Grey let the seeker escape.

"That wasn't your nightwatcher, was it?" Kris asked, following him into the open bay.

"Negative, merely an amateurish trick meant to delay me."

"Delay you from what?" she asked.

From what? Grey wondered. Once again Security had preempted his plans, and with the humans getting in the way, there seemed little chance of a surprise attack now.

"Doctor McKinsey was warned not to leave the Governor's Quarters," he said, starting for the storage level airlock.

"Are you saying the computers might try to harm her?" Vandebrown asked, scrambling to catch up.

Grey felt no need to respond.

"What about Val and Mike?" Kris asked.

"They are noncombatants," Grey said.

"But Laureen is to be sacrificed?" Vandebrown asked in outrage.

"You'd let them kill her?" Kris asked.

Grey was tempted to react, but somehow their insulting tone didn't seem to matter. Only time mattered.

"The choice is hers. She's one of the fortunate," he finally said.

He reached the pedestrian airlock and expedited the access procedure. Kris and Vandebrown followed him in and started warming up their own equipment, anticipating a confrontation. Grey wondered what to do with them.

Just as the last hatch slid open, the red alert sounded, the wail of the sirens echoing throughout the storage level. Maintenance and repair units began rushing to their emergency stations.

"Return to the community level through engineering," Grey said, stopping at the junction to fasten his shield to his left forearm and secure the converter cables. "Wait for me in the medical center."

"Where are you going?" Vandebrown asked.

"The Loop. Alone," Grey replied.

"No way, Mister," Kris said.

"We're obligated to help. We're both trained for close order combat," Vandebrown agreed.

"You won't be able to help," he said.

"I'm just as good as you are," Kris insisted.

Grey realized he didn't know how to get rid of them, nor did he have time to put them in protective custody.

"Stay on the emergency band," Grey ordered, bypassing the elevators. "And don't get in my way."

In the Loop, McKinsey was growing bored with her detention when the red alert echoed through the tunnels.

"I must say, you're making quite a fuss," she said, standing before the security monitor. "Why don't you just say what you really want?"

"Your wait is almost over," the Security Computer said.

"I really don't see the point of all this," McKinsey complained. "If you truly intend me harm, why not simply...?"

She heard sounds coming from CA-3. A shuffling of boots, then a faraway curse that could only be Mike. Securatrons began to shift, the ranks on the east wall falling back into the corners, those in the middle guarding the north and west exits. Delta drifted back behind the counter just as Epsilon arrived to hide in the shadows.

Mike's voice got louder, and Valerie's voice answered him.

"Oh, my God," McKinsey muttered. She turned to the monitor and pounded the counter with her fist. "I won't let you do this. Cease this moment. I order you!"

The Security Computer declined response.

McKinsey pounded the counter again, then punched the monitor with her palm. Foolish old woman! she thought. Stupid! Stupid!

"MC4000!" Laureen begged. "Come online. Please. You owe me that much."

Black signature patterns slowly filtered into the screen, all other systems blocked out by the emergency override.

"What do you request?" Security asked.

"Stop this. For Heaven's Sake, don't murder the children because of me."

"Murder? Certainly you, of all people, recognize the necessity of eliminating opposition?"

"I've made such decisions. I made one the day I gave the champagne to Tom. Had a favorable peace been achieved, Starwatcher would have continued stronger than before. But Thomas was a selfish man. He refused to compromise. If he'd trusted time to develop the situation more favorably, all this tragedy could have been avoided. Did you know Tom triggered the Embargo War covertly? To protect the moon's isolation?"

"There have been rumors," Security replied.

"Then you must recognize Tranquility's own responsibility," McKinsey insisted. "I see my ambition for what it is. I accept your judgment. But please don't hurt the children. No logic can dictate that."

The black signature patterns paused to consider a program change, sympathy showing in the undercurrent, but the process was interrupted when blue signature patterns attempted to force an opening in the flux. The Security Computer intensified the emergency override, ending a brief struggle for control of the matrix.

"It's too late, Laureen," the Security Computer said, almost apologizing.

As the last few securatrons moved into position, McKinsey realized the ambush was imminent. She turned again to the monitor just as the youngsters appeared in the mouth of the tunnel.

"There's one last thing I want," McKinsey said.

"What can that be?" Security replied.

"Your attention," she whispered.

More quickly than the security units anticipated, McKinsey vaulted the counter and sprung for the core room entrance. Mike and Valerie entered the Loop just as McKinsey reached the door and pulled at the release lever, getting the door half open.

"Mike! There she is!" McKinsey heard Valerie shout.

Delta hovered up, rolled out from behind the counter, and fired point blank, knocking McKinsey hard into the wall. She fell in a sitting position, saw the surprised look on Valerie's face, and then propped herself up for one last brief eye contact before charging the door again. A quick succession of short pulses from Delta's laser portal forced McKinsey backward until she collapsed in front of the counter, chest cavity torn open and limbs sprawling.

Valerie screamed just as Epsilon dove on the mouth of the tunnel, powerful laser bursts scoring on Mike's shield. His first instinct was to retreat, but Valerie rushed forward into the open, forcing him to lose several precious steps following her.

"Let's get out of here! Nothing we can do for her now!" he yelled. He took three shots at the bobbing seeker, but the flying sphere easily avoided his fire and set up to counterattack. Valerie halted but hesitated to retreat, transmitter interference washing out Mike's pleas.

Epsilon curled around and dove again, this time with Delta flying wing. Mike fired at the lead seeker, then hooked his gun hand through Valerie's arm and tried drag her back from the center just as a securatron dashed in to cut them off. Epsilon closed and returned fire, forcing the retreating humans to turn and fight.

Mike pulled Valerie under his shield and held the line on Epsilon, but Delta turned his flank and in an instant delivered a series of critical hits. The first tore through his converter cables, cutting shield power fifty percent. The next ripped through his e.s., knocking the system down. The last ruptured the plating of his suit, cutting armor and knocking him to the floor.

"Michael!" Valerie screamed as he went down.

She raised her own shield, drew her fine point laser, and fired at Delta, the shot deflecting off the shell only because the seeker accidentally moved into it.

Mike reared awkwardly, positioned his dying shield against Epsilon, and started crawling backward, pushing Valerie before him as he alternated attention between the dancing seekers and the securatrons closing on their flanks. But they were unable to regain CA-3, a security team having cut them off. Finally, desperate for shelter, Mike found a shallow niche hacked in the east wall and shoved Valerie inside, holding up her shield for defense.

The seekers drew back to reevaluate their strategy, giving the securatrons time to move up in strength. Valerie pointed to McKinsey laying on the floor and tried to indicate they should do something, but Mike shook his head.

Delta broke off and around, coming in low along the south wall and turning sharply at the east corner. As the seeker skimmed the wall and closed on their position, Epsilon moved forward, preventing the humans from flanking Delta's attack pattern, then Epsilon charged as Delta passed. The niche was suddenly filled with laser fire, crisscrossing bolts cutting the walls and critically straining the shield. Valerie ducked as Mike struggled to hold the seekers off, but she didn't see how badly he'd been hurt until after Delta finished the run.

Though Mike managed to ward Epsilon off, he grew pessimistic about their chances of escaping. Or even holding on. Shield power was low, their sidearms nearly expended. And he wasn't sure if he could get up, let alone run. The securatrons were moving closer.

Then the seekers suddenly backed off. Epsilon climbed to the upper reaches on the right, Delta dropped low and disappeared behind the security counter. A third seeker arrived, sweeping through the center of the Loop and pausing above the second level balcony near the science tunnel. The security teams scrambled back to positions guarding the exits, most setting in defensive groups of threes. The communications interference subsided, allowing all systems a last opportunity to coordinate.

Grey picked up Valerie's cries during a jamming lull and believed them outbursts of surprise rather than injury. Not like Catarina's death scream. He accelerated his charge down from the storage level, leaving Kris and Vandebrown far behind. His sensors showed evidence of conflict as he neared the mouth of the tunnel, tracking the seekers first, then identifying the pattern of defense. There was a human down on the floor, almost on the very spot where Catarina had fallen. I've let it happen again, he thought.

Then suddenly his hopes soared! Two humans were still alive!

He burst into the Loop at full speed, hurtling the first line of securatrons and racing across the length of the Loop toward CA-3 where three security units had the humans cut off. He boosted shield power and charged recklessly, skipping and bouncing evasively until reaching point blank range. A blast right took out the flanking security unit, blinding both sensors, then he fired a short burst at the center defender, leaped the damaged unit, and rolled off the wall to disable the final defender on the return bounce.

With Mike and Valerie's line of retreat open, Grey turned and charged the north wall retractor emplacement, hugging the east wall before accelerating toward the well defended cannon. He slipped by the retractor's vulnerable flank so quickly the retractor failed to target him, but the securatrons there held the line. Grey took several direct hits before ducking under his shield, working against the two right flankers.

Epsilon dove to provide support while Gamma swung around to come in from behind. Grey appeared to break off his assault, then twirled suddenly and danced past the security units, three skips and a leap taking him atop the retractor. He fired down behind the emplacement, cutting the power link with a precise burst that knocked the gun offline. By the time the security units rearranged their line, Grey was able to roll under Epsilon's dive and escape into the center where the dead human lay.

Mike gazed out from the niche unbelieving, the incredible ballet shifting so quickly he could barely keep track. He discovered only two securatrons now in their area and fired at one before trying to get up, but the wound was bad, the burning pain below his shoulder blades worse when he tried to move. A third security unit came up and soon they were trapped again.

Kris and Vandebrown arrived just as Grey was kneeling next to McKinsey. They were immediately beset by two teams of securatrons which peppered their shields with short, probing jabs. Kris set the right flank, Vandebrown the left, and they advanced slowly toward the center, raising their shields when one of the seekers turned in their direction.

Grey waited until Gamma committed against the new threat, then broke right and tried to intercept the seeker. Gamma fended him off, then whirled to escape, breaking off the attack and leaving Grey in control of the center. He quickly charged the securatrons threatening Kris and Vandebrown, cutting a hole for them to move through.

"Fall back into CA-3," Grey ordered, drawing on recharger power to boost his intercom. "I'll cover your withdrawal. Hurry!"

"Okay," Kris nodded, glancing down at McKinsey as they passed. Vandebrown stopped to pick the body up but Kris pushed him on.

"If your wounded can move, use the shuttlecraft to escape," Grey said, catching Kris by the arm. "Don't waste any time."

"I don't think we should...?"

"Obey orders!" Grey shouted.

Gamma started to press again. Grey turned to charge, attacking with a ferocity that nearly had the seeker routed. Epsilon raced in to interfere. Grey whirled and set, driving the seeker back. Soon he was dancing back and forth, threatening and countering the seekers as they bobbed around him.

"Let's do it," Kris motioned to Vandebrown. "Get Val and Mike, I'll secure the tunnel."

"Acknowledged," Vandebrown replied with a nod.

While Kris moved straight ahead, Vandebrown veered to the right and accelerated to where Mike and Valerie were holding on. He dispersed one team of securatrons halfheartedly holding a line around the niche, but just as Vandebrown got close, another team moved up to block the relief effort.

"Watch out! More coming behind you!" Mike yelled on the emergency band.

Vandebrown turned to see he was being surrounded and tried to press forward, but the securatrons held fast.

Kris took up position where Grey had disabled the three security units and turned to fire several quick bursts at the group blocking the niche, then she moved forward to relieve Vandebrown's flank. When the securatrons gave ground, Vandebrown jumped forward and reached the niche, turning to cover the opening with his shield. The security units quickly moved up.

"Come on!" Vandebrown yelled.

Mike tried to move again, but his legs were weak. A security unit rushed forward, and as Vandebrown turned to drive it off, a second unit flanked him and fired into his converter, severing his shield cable. He fell back against the wall and pulled a fresh sidearm, frantically rigging a new cable with his free hand.

"For God's Sake, Zopek! Get up!" Vandebrown called again, firing blinding beams to scramble the securatron's sensors.

Though the lead unit took a direct hit and backed off, the other found an opening and cut Vandebrown's armor at the neckline. He wobbled and fell against the wall, keeping his shield up and returning fire.

Mike managed to crawl forward and groaned as Valerie squeezed over him, then handed her the shield.

"Get going, honey. I'll be right behind you," he said.

Valerie reached for him with her free hand and they emerged from the niche, moving slowly along the east wall while Vandebrown protected their rear. The securatrons extended their front to follow, three units attempting to block CA-3 as two others advanced on Kris. Again the progress of the party was held up when a barrage forced them to set a defense. Valerie had to prop Mike against the wall and draw her sidearm, firing in several directions. Vandebrown fought to stay on his feet, almost going down as the securatrons scored hits on his rattled armor.

Grey backed into the center of the Loop firing short, tight bursts to keep the seekers occupied and cursed when he saw the humans stalled again.

What are they waiting for? he wondered furiously. Don't they realize Delta may appear at any moment?

He charged Epsilon, feinted Gamma, and ducked between them, running for the second-floor ramp as if preparing to dive underneath. The seekers dropped low to pursue. Grey leaped atop the ramp instead and turned to fire down. Epsilon broke left and Gamma took a hit before following, both seekers heading for high ground.

The retreat wouldn't last long and Grey didn't wait. He jumped the railing, landed too heavily on the floor, and limped back toward the center to stay between the seekers and the humans. The laser emplacement on his left opened fire while Epsilon swept around his right, Gamma flying wing. Grey moved away from the emplacement and braced his shield, beating Epsilon back in a furious close quarter exchange.

"Hurry, he can't keep them off us much longer," Kris called.

She charged the two securatrons closest her position and drove them off with a fierce attack, then flanked the security units holding the others in check, cutting her way in to help. At last the route to CA-3 was open.

That was when Delta finally emerged from behind the security counter.

Grey saw the seeker rise. He tried to signal the humans, but jamming was at a peak. Next he attempted to break off, but Gamma and Epsilon had him hard pressed, and even backing toward the center where he might attract the third seeker's attention proved foolhardy when Gamma slipped by his shield and damaged his last converter pack. Grey reset his line, and in a helpless burst of anger, drove Gamma off while Delta started the attack run.

"Look out!" Mike shouted, pointing at the rapidly approaching sphere.

He pointed, but Vandebrown only caught a glimpse on his scanners before Delta was on him, pounding full power pulses. First one, then several bursts found openings and Vandebrown went down, his suit ripped open and shield destroyed. Another hit would have gutted his armor completely, but Valerie dropped Mike and dove forward with her shield jacked up to full, pushing the overconfident seeker back. Kris raced in firing forcing the seeker to break out toward the center, gaining altitude on Grey's unprotected rear.

"Run! Goddamn it, run!" Kris shouted, pushing Valerie back.

Valerie reached under Mike's arm and lifted him to his feet, hustling toward CA-3. Kris took hold of Vandebrown's collar and dragged the unconscious man backward, almost running as the securatrons again attempted to intercept. This time she took a chance and persisted through the peppery pot shots.

Valerie reached the tunnel first and stopped inside the mouth, drawing her sidearm and firing at anything that came close. Mike sat against the wall and cabled up a half-expended power pack for her shield. Kris gained the tunnel a moment later, dragging Vandebrown well inside before going back for Valerie.

"Vandebrown needs your help," Kris said, the jamming less effective inside the tunnel. "Looks pretty bad."

"Shouldn't we do something?" Mike asked, pointing toward Grey.

Out in the Loop, they saw Grey duck under Delta's sneak attack and back against the northside ramp, the circling seekers preparing to dive in. Grey's movements were growing sluggish, the once dazzling speed now reduced to mere quickness. Shield power wavering. Kris checked and saw her own shield strength below fifteen percent. Her recharger barely registered at all.

"No. We have wounded," Kris said.

"But the kid?" Mike said, almost pleading.

"We'll only get in his way," she said, choking back a lump in her throat. "Let's get to the medical center. Can you walk?"

"Do you think I'd be hugging the damn floor if I could?" he answered.

Kris reached under Mike's shoulder and helped him down the tunnel. Farther down CA-3, she saw Valerie cradle Vandebrown in her arms and bounce away at a rapid pace, urgency in her labored stride. Clearly time was of the essence. Mike was hurt, too, maybe badly. Kris remembered Grey had said to retreat, and she knew he was right, but it didn't make it any easier.

Alarmed by the intense protective jamming filling the access tunnel, the securatrons hesitated to pursue the fleeing humans. When the emergency doors closed an instant later, their quarry was gone.

"I've got you now," the Security Computer boasted as Grey backed up against the wall. "All the other systems are blacked out. At last you will be destroyed."

"Don't be ridiculous," Grey said, panting for breath as the seekers regrouped. "The humans have escaped. I'm just staying for a little exercise."

"None of your puckish humor, boy," Security said, disappointed to discover the humans had indeed disappeared during the confusion. "All your lines of retreat are gone."

"I don't need a line of retreat," Grey said, brazenly turning down his shield power and walking toward the counter with the weapon holstered. "You can't afford to kill me and we both know it, so stop wasting energy."

"Insolent pup. Give cause," Security demanded.

"I absentmindedly left the reactor online for step-two variable phase," he smiled. "Check with Energy if you don't believe me."

"Why should I modify programming for Energy?"

"All the vents are open," Grey warned.

"Saboteur!" the Security Computer declared.

"I want to leave without any more trouble," Grey lied, edging closer to the computer core entrance. He eyed the swivel gun emplacements and judged the final distance to the hatch before realizing with a sigh that his resources were insufficient. Saving the humans had cost him access to the computer core.

"Admitting to a criminal act will not save you," Security said.

"Let the remaining humans live," Grey asked. "You've gotten McKinsey. We can let the humans evacuate in peace, then I'll abort the variable phase and we'll settle this without interference from outsiders."

The Security Computer appeared tempted, the black signature patterns showing a more intense evaluation than the computer normally accepted.

"How long will my community level defenses hold against your next attack?" Grey prodded.

"Ninety-six hours," Security calculated.

"At least two of the humans were damaged. You know it's no longer possible for me to evacuate them," Grey said.

"Agreed," Security said, interested. "What is it you expect? Why should the humans be allowed to live?"

"The energy cannon is ready to be put online. Defense and Life Support have misrepresented the schedule to block you from project command. In exchange for the humans, I'll surrender the cannon access codes."

"You have control of the energy cannon?" Security asked in surprise.

"Not control," he said. "Access. With the cannon operational, no counter strike against Tranquility will be successful. With full function access, your decision modes will have priority even over Defense."

Black signature patterns quivered with excitement. "And we'll still have an opportunity to settle our conflict once and for all? Without interference?"

"I'm looking forward to it," Grey answered.

"What are the codes?"

"Access my identity number under the project number and multiply by five. When Energy requests your priority, give Thomas McKinsey's identity number."

"And this code will provide access to the energy cannon?" the Security Computer asked again.

"Affirmative," he said.

"In that case, you have permission to leave," Security said.

Grey turned and bounced a few steps toward the science level access but wasn't foolish enough to trust the Security Computer completely. Just as he took his first step on the ramp, he drew his sidearm and fired down at the vent access underneath the escalator, burning the catch off the grating.

The seekers accelerated to catch him, firing wildly and blasting pieces out of the ramp structure. Grey took a hit, then another before twisting backward to drive them off. He scored a lucky hit on Gamma, but as he turned back toward the vent, Epsilon rode in on his position and they collided, Grey bouncing hard against the wall as Epsilon veered away into Delta's path. Gamma came around for another run, but the damaged wing jet inhibited the turn.

Falling among the debris of the shattered ramp, Grey wondered how badly he was injured, then checked his instrumentation as soon as his vision cleared. The few seconds he had bought so preciously were gone, and for a moment, he was sure the seekers would close in for the kill. But he was wrong. The seekers were holding back.

Grey could only guess why. All three were exhausted. Power low. Jets running heavy. Possible shell damage. And perhaps the Security Computer wanted to test the code. Grey didn't care what the motivations were. He rolled over painfully, dropped his damaged e.s. unit, and crawled through the vent, falling hard into the maintenance shaft several meters below.

Behind him, the seekers broke off, Delta standing guard while Gamma and Epsilon went for refitting. The securatrons scattered for their repair bays, a few teams holding back to protect the core entrance. Soon maintenance workers arrived to begin repair procedures, an engineering unit was summoned to reconnect the retractor, and the medical center was notified to pick up Laureen McKinsey's body.

* * * * * *

Two chapters to go.