Massing more than 250 tonnes, the tank was tremendously dense for its 10 displacement tons, and plummeted toward Mexit like a stone before its HEPIaR thrusters fired to control its descent Within seconds, Mercy had the tank well under control, leveling out just meters above the scattered swamps.

  Then another problem arose. Bela Masaryk—who knew he might have trouble with motion sickness—was close to nausea even though his view of the sensor displays of their dizzying maneuvers were partly blocked by An-Wing on his lap.

  "Oh my god, "Masaryk said. "I think I'm going to be sick."

  "Jeez, try to hold it, would you? "An-Wing snapped, looking back with concern.

  "Yeah, you'd better try to hold it, "Mercy said, giving a quick glance at the junior technarchs across the central autoloader. "Drop Kick'll really hate it if you barf on his controls."

  ***

  Masaryk eventually mastered his motion sickness, and the tank arrived at the Lomarica camp without incident There Gaffer helped An-Wing and the wobbly Masaryk into the G-carrier, while Drop Kick and Mercy dragged yet another IR shroud and camouflage net over their tank, matching the protection of the other two vehicles.

  "Good, you're here, "Coeur greeted them.

  "Who's this? "An-Wing asked, noting the robed figure of Brother Anthony.

  "A representative from the Church of Grace and Light, "Coeur said. "Brother Anthony, let me to introduce you to Liu An-Wing and Bela Masaryk, representatives of the Council of Technarchs of Oriflamme."

  "That sounds very important, "Anthony exclaimed, shaking their hands.

  "They’re from the same world as Zero, "Zorn said, with a wry smirk, "but they're a little better behaved."

  Having yet to hear the story of Zero's stolen relics, the junior technarchs were puzzled at the priest's wary regard.

  "I'll explain later, "Coeur told them. "Now let's go forward so you can see our commo setup. Newton, after you."

  "Certainly, Captain, "Newton said, padding forward to its station in the cockpit with Coeur and the junior technarchs in train. "You will observe that I have all outgoing frequencies from Soledad monitored, Including the UHF frequency Hornet's drone monitored at 0330 hours, so we are reasonably certain that Emperor Brak has not made any more statements regarding the Prisoners."

  "Can we reach Brak from here? "Masaryk asked.

  "And more to the point, "An-Wing added, "can we reach him without his knowing we're here?"

  "I believe so. Since our maser uplink to the geosynchronous drone is unlikely to be intercepted, we will use that as an origin point for a return signal to Brak on his own radio frequency."

  "Who knows, "Vink said, from behind them in the passenger hold, where he was soldering an electronic component, "they might even think the origin point is an orbiting starship—if their main sensors really are just local radar and direction finders."

  "That's a hopeful thought, "Coeur said, retiring with the junior technarchs to the passenger section so they would have a chance to collect their thoughts before going on the air. An-Wing was eager to get started, though, and soon sat down at the comm panel with Newton at her side and Coeur and Masaryk at her back.

  "Go, "Newton said. "You have the frequency."

  "Attention, "An-Wing said, authoritatively, "Emperor Brak of Soledad, this is the Starship Technarch, in orbit above your world...."

  Amused, Coeur smiled at the improvised ship name.

  "We have received your signal concerning our crew members, and await word of your terms for their release."

  An-Wing then shut off the transmitter and glanced at Newton, who was studying its monitors for evidence of a return signal.

  "Anything? "Coeur asked.

  "Negative."

  "All right, then. Continue monitoring, and cycle Liu's message every five minutes."

  "Hm, "An-Wing mumbled, nodding.

  "What? "Coeur asked.

  'That's the first time you called me Liu, "An-Wing replied, looking over her shoulder.

  "Too familiar? "'

  "No. Just wondering if I can stop calling you Captain D'Esprit and call you Red?"

  "Sure, "Coeur said. "Get our people back, and you can call me anything you like."

  ***

  Two and a half hours later, An-Wing's message had yet to receive an answer, and many of the spacers—cooped up together in the G-carrier for protection from the harsh noonday sun—were beginning to doubt that an answer ever would come.

  Outside, the dry air had reached 35° C—not quite the inferno of Oriflamme's equator at noon, but still intense under a harsh sun shining through a thin atmosphere. Sitting in the G-carrier's cockpit, Coeur could only imagine how unpleasant it would be for Bonzo—presently sitting in a camouflaged nest 200 meters above the spacer camp—if he had to stand his watch without the benefit of battle dress.

  "How's it look out there? "Coeur asked Bonzo, speaking through a headset microphone.

  "Very quiet, "the corporal answered, his voice carried crisply over the laser link they were using. "I can't see anybody moving around in the city."

  "Very quiet's good. But stay sharp. If Brak's got something up his sleeve, you'll be the first to see it"

  "Yes, sir."

  "Red Sun out."

  Coeur turned to study a computer map of Soledad, hoping to put some of her time to good use planning the night's broomstick recon flights. Moments later, the leads in Newton's radio crackled, and all the spacers came to attention as the Hiver pulled in a special broadcast from the Federal District.

  "Personnel of the starship Technarch, this is Emperor Brak speaking. Your message has been received, but you must understand that the terms of your personnel's release may not be discussed in this manner. Your captain must come to a place of my choosing, alone, prepared to discuss the mission of your last starship. Crazy Jane. If you value the lives of your crewmembers, you will respond immediately."

  Lest an attack should come at the camp, Coeur had distributed her personnel among the vehicles, so Mercy was aboard the tank, and the other Marines—Drop Kick, Gaffer and Bonzo—were aboard the ship's boat, which they took over as their base of operations. All heard the message, though, and dropped their other work to hear An-Wing's response.

  "Your message is received, "An-Wing said. "However, be advised that we wit! not make any arrangements while the safety of our personnel is in question."

  "That would seem to be in the nature of a demand, Technarch."

  "Merely a statement of position, Soledad. Our minimal requirement is the assurance that our personnel are safe and well."

  Abruptly, Brak's signal cut off.

  And an urgent message from Bonzo sounded in Coeur's headset.

  "Skipper, trouble. I see a missile launching over the horizon, bearing 044 degrees."

  "Typical! "Coeur fumed. "A PDM?"

  "Affirmative. It's big and fast, on a high ballistic trajectory."

  "Understood, stand by."

  'What is it? "Zorn asked. In the brief time it took Coeur to switch her comm channel from Bonzo's to the one Hornet was monitoring.

  "APDM launching, "Coeur explained. "Hornet, this is Red Sun. Do you copy?"

  "Roger, Captain, "Deep Six said, after a brief lag while the signal was processed through Snapshot's satellite. "Co ahead."

  "Sixer, It looks like a defense missile's been launched from the surface, possibly at the satellite."

  "That's affirmative, "the Schalli answered. "The satellite's picked up the signature. We are moving it to a higher orbit."

  "Very good, Hornet. Advise if successful."

  Behind An-Wing, Vink, Physic, Anthony and Masaryk exchanged troubled looks.

  "Was it something I said? "An-Wing asked.

  The answer came several minutes later, when the various passive EMS sensors of the camp detected a nuclear detonation 200 kilometers overhead.

  "That bastard was trying to shoot down your probe!" Zorn exclaimed.

  "Well, let's hope he didn't, "Coeur said, noting that her comm panel was Winking with a message from Hornet. This time, Coeur switched the traffic to the G-carrier's speakers so everyone could hear.

  "Hornet to Red Sun, "Deep Six said, "are you receiving? Over."

  "Roger, Hornet. go ahead."

  "Skipper, since you're receiving this, you'll have surmised that Snapshot's drone is intact. The PDM appears to have been boosted by a conventional rocket and was unable to climb to the satellite's orbit. It detonated well short of the target"

  "Good work, guys. Advise of any change in the satellite's status."

  "Understood. Hornet out"

  "A conventional rocket? "Zorn said. 'But that means—'

  "That means his best weapons aren't that impressive, "Coeur finished. "Which might not be entirely good."

  "How can that not be good? "Physic asked.

  "Because we've been thinking he got his relic gear out of the depot But if he doesn't have advanced missiles, or sensors, he might not control the depot at all."

  "Then... who does? "Zorn asked.

  "I don't know. But I'll bet Zero knew, before he died"

  A long silence followed, broken by the beeping of Newton's comm panel announcing Brak's follow-up message.

  "I trust, starship Technarch, that you are still there."

  "Yes. We maneuvered out of the way."

  "I'm so glad. You may consider that a statement of our position."

  "We... understand."

  "Excellent. Then understand this; Your captain will appear at the corner of Coronado and Enea streets tomorrow noon, before the Defense Ministry, or one of the prisoners will be killed in as painful a manner as can be relayed over the radio."

  "Understood. We will consider your offer."

  "Soledad out"

  An-Wing shut off the frequency.

  "Talk about a guy who needs his ticket punched, "Zorn said. "Brother Anthony, how long has Brak ruled this place?"

  "Just a few years, I believe, "the priest said, thoughtfully. "Of course, the emperor he killed to take over wasn't that much better."

  "I don't know if we need to overreact, "An-Wing said, turning away from the comm panel, "Just because he talks tough doesn't mean he can't be reasoned with."

  "Liu, "Masaryk said, "the man shot a nuclear missile at you."

  "No, he shot a missile at an orbiting satellite."

  "I rather doubt he appreciated the distinction, "Newton pointed out.

  Just then, Drop Kick hailed the G-carrier from the ship's boat. " We heard the conversation, Red Sun. You ask me, I think tonight's a good time for a decap raid."

  'It may come to that, "Coeur admitted, "but not yet. This evening, I want a couple of broomsticks taken out for recon patrols with recording equipment. When the time comes for a raid, we'll need the position of all their command and control centers zeroed."

  "Understood. Drop Kick out."

  "As for you, "Coeur said to An-Wing, "you may be right about Brak. Someone ought lo go out to that meeting. If just to buy us time."

  "Quite reasonable, "An-Wing agreed. "I've flown a grav bike before, so I should be able to handle one of your broomsticks."

  "I meant me, "Coeur said.

  Physic's reaction was almost as strong and immediate as An-Wing's. "Are you out of your mind? "she said. "The man's insane!"

  "Captain, "An-Wing exclaimed, "I must protest! You brought us down—I"

  "Cut it, "Coeur ordered sharply.

  Both women stifled their comments.

  "Liu, "Coeur went on, "I brought you down to negotiate with Brak if it was reasonably safe, but it certainly isn't that, given his behavior. As for you, doctor, you should know that t don't have a death wish. The Marines'll keep an eye on me from a distance, and I'll arrange to have Home! overhead first"

  "Ballsy, "Zorn said.

  "Hardly. If I'm grabbed, Hornet wilt take out Brak's fire control sensors and drop the Marines for a rescue."

  "May the Defender preserve you, "Anthony said, "but I fear the doctor is right The Emperor Brak is not a rational man."

  "Yeah, "Zorn said, "plus there's the meson guns. We don't know where they are, and they could really fikk up any rescue plan."

  Coeur nodded her head. "I understand that, Vega, but even if those guns are still intact, I don't think Brak controls them. If he did, I'm sure he would have used them on the rebels by now, and a meson gun would have done a much better job of bringing down our satellite than a TL6 rocket would.

  "And besides, we don't have time to cover every angle with human lives at stake. If Brak's as much of a nut as everyone says, there's no telling how long the boat crew—or the rebel Prisoners—might have before they're killed."

  "They could already be dead, "Masaryk pointed out"Wouldn't it really be better to send Liu and me?"

  "Negative."

  "Well, In fairness, those are my people being held, "Zorn said. "Maybe it would be better if I went..."

  'Hey, "Coeur warned, "don't you start'

  "Sorry, "Zorn said. "You go."

  ***

  Not far from the spacer camp, In a cleft in the rock of another hill, a watcher hid and surveyed the city of Soledad.

  Humans, It knew, would be asleep in the city, In battered brick apartment blocks and sheet-metal lean-tos. But the creature in the rocks did not hide from the sun and was not subject to the weaknesses of human flesh, among them the need to rest.

  Instead, it lay baking unconcerned among the rocks of its hillside, perfect in camouflage as it waited for the night. At night the humans would emerge from their shelter and become its prey. Human vision—so reliable in daylight—would not penetrate the night, and the human nose would not sense what stalked in the darkness.

  Yet the humans had a certain courage, and, in numbers, could resist the watcher. It was better, then, to stalk the foolish human who travelled alone in the night. He would raise no alarm, and his comrades would not risk their lives to investigate his loss.

  Night at last, it thought, when the sun finally began to set beyond the hills at its back.

  Time to hunt.

  And so it did, rising from its perch and gliding silently across the rocks. The farmers would be climbing up the slopes of the hills soon, to reach their fields, and perhaps one or two would prove foolish this night, dawdling too far from the protecting fold of his mates. The watcher had not preyed on these particular farmers for some weeks now, and their priests perhaps would have told them the demons had been driven away.

  If so, that judgment would soon prove in error.

  ***

  Accustomed as they were to longer day cycles, the spacers at the Lomarica camp found the 20-hour day of Mexit startlingly short. Only six hours after noon, the evening twilight had fallen into darkness, and the four Marines launched on their evening recon sorties of the Federal District.

  For the sake of the camp's protection, its best gunner—Whiz Bang—remained behind in the intrepid, leaving Mercy and Bonzo to form one recon team, and Drop Kick and Gaffer to form the other. Putting pride aside, Drop Kick gave himself the auxiliary task of delivering a laser uplink to the imponsero Phalanx, knowing that neither he nor Gaffer was quite as good with sensors as Bonzo.

  The hilltop lookout nest was occupied at night by the watch Coeur believed to have the best eyes—herself, Zorn and Newton. Since they took their watches in four-hour shifts beginning at sundown, it was Zorn who manned the post at midnight—when a variety of things happened.

  First was the nightjack.

  Shortly after the sun went down, hundreds of farmers from Soledad came shuffling out of the city with their escort of tractor bosses—the latter few in number but key to the nighttime operation. Light from the tractors—blazing in the otherwise pitch black beyond the city—both illuminated the fields to let them be worked and illuminated the peasants to make sure they didn't wander away or slack off.

  Plus, Zorn observed, peering through her PRIS binoculars at the peasants 200 meters below her, they make it a lot easier for me to see what's going on down there Yet watching peasants till the fields wasn't the most compelling activity in the world, and Zorn was positively bored by the time something finally happened two hours later. Although she couldn't be certain why, a young peasant boy, perhaps 10 or 11, among the hillside harvesters wandered away from the lights of the escorting tractors and into a ravine 100 meters below Zorn's position. This prompted alarm in Zorn, who was f rankly disgusted that such young children were being taken out into the night. But then she spotted an adult male peasant going after the boy and secretly wished him luck.

  That's it, friend, Zorn thought, watching as the man put his hoe over his shoulder and closed on the child, lust a little farther.

  The child did not appear intent on cooperating, however, and dashed deeper into the ravine, behind a barrier blocking Zorn's wide wavelength vision. Apparently frightened of the ravine, the man paused at its edge before following, but then summoned his strength and went in.

  Good man.

  Seeing nothing happen, Zorn resisted the impulse to wave her binoculars around looking for the pair. Instead, she calmly lowered the zoom to a wider angle. And registered a strangled scream. Fikk!

  Dropping the PRIS, Zorn pulled up her laser rifle and trained its high-powered sight on the ravine instead. Still nothing happened for several seconds. Then the child emerged, frightened senseless as he ran into the arms of the startled adults nearby.

  The man, however, did not emerge.

  Clearly terrified, the peasants did not move to investigate, leaving that task instead to the men who drove the tractors. Two, armed with pump-action shotguns, eventually advanced slowly on the ravine with powerful flashlights, talking over hand-held radios to the other tractor crews. Some moments later they emerged, carrying the peasant man's hoe—snapped in two— and a scrap of clothing.

  Clad the child was safe, Zorn glanced at the pocket computer she'd brought with her, studying a topographical map of the Lomarica region rendered from the drone's orbital images. A stealthy creature, she noted, could have escaped to the rear of the hill unseen,

 

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