Now, a week after Brak's death, the church was beginning to regain a measure of its former glory. After the boards nailing the doors shut were pried loose, the CCL began moving hidden treasures back inside, and President Vazquez even found time to celebrate a midnight mass there—a mass that filled the 100 available pews and then spilled out onto the street Catching part of the mass by radio in her office, Coeur— planning the details of the coming expedition with Drop Kick and Zorn—was impressed by the even-handed tone of Vazquez' sermon, the way the president urged the faithful to"have tolerance for other opinions" and steel themselves for the hardships of democracy. "A democracy, ” she observed, "must necessarily entertain unpopular minority views, or it is not a democracy."

  "Mighty progressive, "Coeur said, "for the matriarch of an ancient religion."

  "Yeah, "Drop Kick replied, "maybe too progressive."

  "What do you mean? "Zorn asked.

  "Well, I don't know if I should repeat this, "the sergeant major said, "but earlier today General Lemos told me he had concerns about Vazquez, and whether she could be trusted as a religious and a political leader."

  "Ah, that's just a rebel talking, "Zorn said. "Some people are just so used to fighting they can't ever stop, even when they've won."

  Coeur smiled. "Funny, "she said, "sounds like you're describing somebody I know."

  "Ah, "Zorn answered, "but I never won my fight."

  "Well, anyway, "Coeur said, turning off her radio, "maybe we should get back to business. We know something's in that mountain gorge, so now it's just a matter of how we get there."

  "The wind's a problem, "Drop Kick noted, "but the G-carrier should make it all right. I figure the best plan's to park it in Pesta because the people there know Brother Anthony, and walk in from there. It doesn't look like more than 10 kilometers."

  Coeur nodded. "All right, "she said, "but now the question of who to take. You game, Zorn?"

  "I didn't know if you'd ask. I am a 'wanted pirate, "after all."

  "Putting that aside for the moment, you and V-Max are pretty resourceful; I'd like to have you along."

  "What the hell, "Zorn said, "V-Max and I can't fly Armis while Vink's taking her apart."

  "All right, that leaves nine other spaces. Assuming I fly and Whiz Bang mans the gun, that'll leave room for Physic, Newton and the drop troops for muscle. Oh, and Brother Anthony, of course, since the cardinal said we could take him as a guide."

  "What about Bonzo? "Zorn asked.

  "No, "Coeur said, "I figured he could stay behind and help Vink with your repairs."

  "Oh. Mighty thoughtful."

  "A-hem, "Drop Kick coughed. "I think you forgot me."

  "No I didn't, "Coeur said. "I want you to stay here."

  "Now wait just a minute—" Drop Kick began to protest.

  "It's nothing personal, sergeant. It's just that I want somebody responsible here in the city to look after things while we're away. Plus, I'd like to know you and Mercy are backing us up if something does go wrong."

  "Oh, well. If you put it that way...."

  'There's probably plenty of danger to go around on this planet, "Coeur said, "regardless of where you are."

  "Especially as long as we don't know about those meson guns, "Zorn said. "I've got another question, though. Red. If we do find something up there—like the depot—will it belong to Soledad? "'

  "I've gone over that with Vazquez, "Coeur said. "As far as she's concerned, Soledad only extends to the foothills of the mountains, and I understand a similar situation goes for Callida Fornax on the far side of the range. That means if we find anything. It probably belongs to us."

  "Or maybe the gaba herders, "Drop Kick added.

  "True, "Coeur said. "You never know who might stake a claim."

  ***

  Among Brak's cronies, Dr. Nayman Platz—the"rubber man" of the Defense Ministry Prison—was conspicuous as one of the few officials on hand to prosecute alter the Federal District was seized. Caught in the midst of interrogating a rebel prisoner during the attack, Platz attempted to avail himself of a secret tunnel to safety on the north side of the River Loro, but only emerged among the forces of the imponsero Phalanx and was promptly arrested.

  Charged with the torture and murder of hundreds of men and women, and tremendously unpopular among the common folk of the city, Platz clearly had little hope of escaping execution. Consistent with the legal traditions of Soledad, Piatz was given neither a defending attorney nor the opportunity to crossexamine the dozens of witnesses brought against him—including Cari and An-Wing—so the verdict of the three-judge tribunal was a foregone conclusion: Just a week after he was captured, he was found guilty and sentenced to death.

  Yet, before this execution—scheduled to occur the same night Hornet's G-carrier would launch—Platz was given the opportunity to make a statement in his own behalf.

  It was characteristically eerie.

  "Gentlemen of the tribunal, I would only ask that, if I am to be executed, it be through electrocution. If I'm not, then I may be tempted to come back to life as a nightjack and rip you all to little pieces."

  Needless to say, this did not go over well with the tribuna I, and Dr. Platz was immediately led before a firing squad—not the electric chair, as he had wished.

  "A real sicko, "An-Wing said afterward, speaking with Coeur in the hangar where the G-carrier sat parked and ready for launch.

  "So, did you watch the execution?"

  "No. i was actually looking forward to it, but Carl pointed out that was rather morbid."

  "Well, good for you."

  "Still, it is kind of spooky, what he said before he died."

  "I think I'd say it was more psychotic than spooky, Liu."

  "What I meant, "An-Wing said, "Is what he said about coming back as a nightjack."

  Coeur gave An-Wing a sidelong glance.

  "You don't think he'll turn into a zombie, do you?"

  An-Wing sighed, crossing her arms across her chest. " No, I don't think he'll turn into a zombie I am curious, however, about the nightjacks—like why is it nobody seems to know what they are, or where they come from."

  Just then Coeur realized An-Wing was shaking slightly, perhaps because of the chill in the night air, or perhaps Platz had affected her more than she was letting on.

  "Well, I don't know, Liu. The church seems to think they're demons of some sort, but they're probably just some sort of local predator—very cunning and lethal."

  "You're forgetting the third possibility, Captain."

  "The third possibility?"

  "Yes. That the nightjacks are some sort of relic machinery left over from your Last imperium."

  "Well, "Coeur said, hoping not to sound too offensively dismissive, "that's an interesting theory, Liu, but I'd rather not leap to a conclusion like that without stronger evidence."

  "What, do you think I'm paranoid?"

  "On the contrary, Liu. I Just don't have the resources to follow up every investigation I'd like."

  "So what if I'm right? What if the nightjacks are some kind of relic machinery, and they're a real danger to all of us?"

  "Well, Liu, if that's the case, then I'll offer you the same advice I'd offer to you anyway—slay aboard Vi Et Armis, and tell Drop Kick if you see anything suspicious. "'

  "Any other advice?"

  "Try not to instigate any coup d'etat while I'm away, either."

  "Very funny, Captain, "An-Wing said. "I'll do my best."

  ***

  An hour later, at 1900 hours, the well-stuffed G-carrier launched into the early evening twilight of Soledad with Coeur at its controls. Already 138 standard days had passed since Hornet left Aubaine, and only now did Coeur have the sensation that some slight progress was being made on her prime objective: discovery of the Mexit depot As a practical expedient, the drop troops wore their heavy battle dress to save space for supplies, but the gunner Whiz Bang—who might have to take over the controls from Coeur in an emergency—elected to keep his off for flexibility.

  Besides, he didn't think they'd be gone long enough to bother suiting up.

  "Come on, skipper, "he said softly, as the G-carrier powered over the dark swampland east of Soledad. "You don't really think we're going to find anything in some goat herder village, do you?"

  "Actually, it's a gaba herder village, "Coeur said, "and no, I'm not certain we'll find anything. We've turned Soledad starport upside down, though, and it doesn't look like there's anything there—just empty bunkers and warehouses."

  "In fairness, "Newton said, turning from its comm station at the rear of the cockpit, "there is another possibility regarding the depot its contents might have been removed from the starport area long ago by plunder, leaving only the single black globe for Zero to discover."

  "Yeah, "Whiz Bang said. "How do we know?"

  "We don't, "Coeur answered. "But we're not leaving this mission hanging as long as there's loose threads to sew up"

  "Understood, sir."

  "Good. Now keep an eye on your scope, corporal. I don't want anything surprising us."

  Of course, the possibility that anything would surprise them was low—at least before they got to Pesta—for Coeur had no intention of flying directly into the hard weather of the northern winter. Rather, she walled until they were past the swamps and over the foothills of the mountains—where blustery winds already played havoc with a grav vehicle roughly the shape of a shoe box—and then powered up above the weather at her top speed of 500 kph, fast enough to get them there two hours before local midnight.

  "Ah, there she is, "Coeur said, three hours later, "Pesta Pass. Everybody secure back there?"

  "We're there already? "Zorn asked, waking up from a nap.

  "Sure are, and it looks nasty. Setter check your straps."

  "Oh my, "Brother Anthony said, making the triangle of the Defender on his chest.

  "Oh, don't worry, "Physic replied, in the seat beside his. "Red eats this kind of stuff up."

  "Yeah, "V-Max said, "It's just like turbulence in a gas giant."

  "Well, maybe, "Zorn said, "except when you skim from a gas giant, there's usually no surface waiting to smack you if you screw up."

  So warned, the 12 personnel in the G-carrier braced for landing. Sure enough, shearing wind currents grabbed at the little craft just seconds later, prompting automatic alarms to sound as it pitched like a tiny boat on a stormy sea.

  "No problem, "Coeur said, switching off the alarms with her left hand as she handled the stick with her right, "Just the automatic pitch-yaw alarm, nothing to worry about."

  "Oh my goodness, "Anthony moaned, closing his eyes tight.

  In retrospect, that appeared to be a good idea. Although Coeur never lost control of the G-carrier, its boxy shape was not suited for handling rough weather, and the craft spun nearly all the way around several times before Coeur finally wrestled it to the ground, yielding dizzying vistas through the forward window.

  "Nice flying, "Zorn said afterward, unbuckling herself.

  "Thanks, "Coeur said, not sure how sincere the pirate's remark was. "By the way, it looks like we're in luck; it's overcast up above, but pretty calm down here on the deck. There's just a misty rain between us and the village."

  "Don't tell me you put us down in sight of the village, "Zorn said, coming forward to look at the EMS Image of the nighttime village just 200 meters away. "That really was some nifty flying."

  This time Coeur glanced at Zorn before answering. "Thanks, "she said. "Brother Anthony, is that Pesta?"

  "Just a minute, please, "Anthony said, mopping his forehead with the sleeve of his vestment before fumbling with the lock of his seat belt. Sensing his difficulty. Physic finally released the restraint for him and helped him forward.

  "You must forgive me. Captain, "he said, looking at the scanner, "I'm sure your flying was very skillful. Hmm... oh yes, that's Pesta all right. That's Old Man Blanco's hut off to the left."

  "Know him? "Coeur asked.

  "Yes, my mission stayed with him a while."

  "How about you. Whiz Bang? "Coeur asked the gunner. "See anything?"

  "Not much. Captain, "Whiz Bang answered, wheeling his gun sight around to scan the broad valley they'd landed in. "I see some of those gaba creatures walking around, but not any people."

  "Hell, that's not surprising. "Gaffer said, rising to his impressive full armored height, "considering we probably scared the crap out of these people when we came down."

  "True, "Coeur said, rising and reaching for her parka. "The engines are pretty loud. Gaffer, you and Brother Anthony are with me."

  ***

  "Master Blanco, "Brother Anthony called, knocking on the wooden door of the stone hut, "open up please!"

  "Brother Anthony? "an old man's voice answered from within the windowless structure. A moment later, its door swung open.

  And just as quickly shut again.

  "I knew it! You've brought the raiders with you!"

  "Perhaps Zero's men were here, "Anthony noted. " Yes, "Coeur nodded, glancing back at Gaffer. "Zero's crew had at least a couple of suits of battle dress."

  "Master Blanco! "Anthony said, returning his attention to the door, "don't be afraid! I have come with friends who helped to liberate the nation of Soledad!"

  "Soledad is liberated? "the old man asked from behind the door. "Brak is dead?"

  "Yes, the Defender be praised, and departed to his judgment in Heaven! Cardinal Vazquez now rules in his place!"

  That, evidently, was good enough news to persuade Old Man Blanco to crack the door open again. "You wouldn't deceive a poor old gaba herder, would you?"

  "No, of course not. My friends have only come to establish a camp and explore the high ravine to the north."

  'The Cutter of Blood? Surely you're joking."

  "I'm afraid not. Dangerous as it may be, It is a mission of no small importance."

  Wrinkling a forehead already creased by exposure to the elements, Blanco appeared dubious. As with Cardinal Vazquez and all denizens of the Wilds, Coeur was cautious about ascribing an age to him, but it was clear that he was a good deal older than herself and that his eyes had seen their share of hardship.

  "Well, they're your lives to risk, "he said after a moment"You and the woman may come in, but the metal man must stay outside."

  "Sorry, "Coeur said to Gaffer.

  That's all right, "he said. The rain doesn't bother me. I'll just stay out here and reconnoiter."

  "Actually, sergeant, if you're going to reconnoiter. I'd rather you didn't do it alone."

  "Well, okay. I'll get Fubar and Gremlin to help me set up perimeter sensors around the G-carrier."

  "Fine. You do that."

  Gaffer then saluted and began tromping off toward the G-carrier, the whine of his leg servos lingering even after he'd disappeared into the dark mist.

  "Come, "Blanco invited.

  The hut, Coeur observed, smelled strongly of straw and animals, and it was larger on the inside than the outside, owing to the fact that its floor was cut directly out of the hard-packed earth of the pass. Looking about, she saw that smelly young gabas were indeed sheltering in a corner of the hut, which they evidently shared with no less than a dozen members of Blanco's family, ranging from elderly adults to very young children.

  "I imagine you're accustomed to richer surroundings, "Blanco said to Coeur.

  "Actually, it looks very comfortable, "Coeur returned. "My name is Coeur D'Esprit, by the way, of the Reformation Coalition."

  "Not Oriflamme?"

  "Aubaine, actually, "Coeur said, conscious of myriad frightened eyes fixed upon her, "although Oriflamme is one of our worlds. Is that where the 'raiders' were from?"

  "That they were, "Blanco said. "Said so themselves. Right ruffians, they were, trying to bribe us into being their guides, then shooting up the place when we refused."

  "I can assure you that won't be the case with Captain D'Esprit, "Anthony said, bringing out a parchment from his robe and unrolling it. ‘This is an official edict from Her Holiness,

  Cardinal Vazquez, sanctioning this mission on behalf of Soledad."

  "A lot of good that is, "Blanco countered. "You're 1, 000 klicks beyond the Soledad frontier. And besides, none of us can read anyway."

  "So, "Anthony said, rolling the parchment back up again, "I take it you're unwilling to guide us up there?"

  "I certainly am, brother, and I'll wager that goes for the rest of the village as well. With the nightjacks the way they are, it's just too dangerous."

  "They're bad up here, the nightjacks?"

  "You should know it, brother. That Cutter's where they live. It is. But I'm not going up there to prove it. Old Salvador's son got nabbed just last month, and I don't mean to join him."

  "If it's that bad, why don't you leave?"

  "And where would we go? "an old woman piped up—a woman Coeur presumed was Blanco's wile. 'There's no fodder for the gabas within a week's walk of here."

  "If you won't go with us, "Coeur said to Blanco, "will you at least help us find a safe route to go by?"

  "I suppose I could do that. Do you have a map?"

  "Sure do, "Coeur said, reaching into a pocket of her parka and pulling out a pocket computer. She then brought the display around so Blanco could see it. That he was impressed by the screen was obvious, but he was positively flabbergasted when Coeur zoomed in from an area map of the continent to a tight focus on Pesta and the surrounding 1, 000 square kilometers.

  "What a remarkable little box, "he said.

  "It's called a computer. Now anyway, this blinking dot here is us, and this blinking dot here is where we want to go, at the end of the—ah—Cutter of Blood."

  'Can you make a paper map with that? ” Blanco asked.

  "Sure, "Coeur said, pressing the computer's print button and disgorging a high-resolution copy of the screen on sturdy, plastic -fiber paper.

 

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