Outcasts, page 29
Vale stepped toward them. “I don’t know what she—”
The sudden drop did not take an eternity, and Vale did not feel weightless. She simply crashed down on the basin slope, lost her footing, and found herself sliding down a smooth surface on her back. She looked up and saw ‘Vadam and Varo’dai above her, coming fast, and rolled to the side.
They reached the bottom and came to a rest together, all on their hands and knees, looking up the slope of a stone basin toward the archways that ringed the rotunda wall. The exits appeared to be ten meters away and ten meters above.
“Sorry,” Iyuska said from behind Vale. “I was worried something like that might happen.”
Vale looked over her shoulder and saw Iyuska standing next to the shimmering bead. It still had the brightly colored occlusions, and they were still shifting about at random. But now it sat half a meter from the center of the stone basin, where an arm-length rift filled with tiny whorls of light was closing before Vale’s eyes.
“Keely!” Vale rose to her feet. “Was that an interdimensional—”
“Oh, yeah. At least, I think so.” Iyuska pointed at the bead. “And that was keeping it open.”
There was no going back now, Vale realized. Even if they wanted to, they could no longer protect themselves from Cortana’s reinforcements by using the Divine Hand—Iyuska had disassembled it. Vale checked the countdown in her HUD… 3:51:43… then turned to find that Varo’dai and ‘Vadam had also risen.
Varo’dai’s gaze was fixed on the bead.
“What is… that?” she demanded in Sangheili.
When Iyuska responded to her question with a blank look, ‘Vadam translated the question into English: “What is that?”
“A vacuum-energy condenser,” Iyuska said. “At least, I think that’s what it is.”
“You do not seem very certain of yourself,” ‘Vadam noted. “You are doing a lot of thinking.”
Iyuska shrugged. “This is the first time I’ve seen something this advanced. It’s the first time any of us have. I’d be lying if I said I was certain of anything.”
“But you think this vacuum-energy condenser is what powers the Divine Hand?” ‘Vadam asked.
“Exactly. Or at least it was. I’m not sure we can replicate the output without the focusing chamber.”
“What is this ‘focusing chamber’?” ‘Vadam asked.
“What ‘Lakosee called the Inner Sanctum.” Vale waved her hand around the room. “We’re in it.”
Noticing that Varo’dai had begun to watch the exchange with a suspicious tip of her head, Vale offered a summary of the exchange in Sangheili. It did not make the kaidon any less suspicious.
“But it is possible?” Varo’dai demanded. “Especially if a new focusing chamber is built?”
Vale turned to Iyuska and said in English, “Kaidon Varo’dai asks if the vacuum-energy condenser could be used to power the Divine Hand if a new focusing chamber were built.”
“In theory, yes. If you have enough nanomachines to… well, do whatever they do. I don’t know that yet. There’s a lot I don’t know. Who knows how long it could take to reverse engineer everything.”
This time, ‘Vadam translated the reply for Varo’dai.
Her reply came instantly. “Arbiter, the humans already have the nanomachines.” She stepped over to the energy condenser and took it into her arms. “Perhaps the Sangheili should take the energy condenser. Then we can work on the weapon together.”
‘Vadam dropped his mandibles to the left. “That was not the agreement, Kaidon. A human entered the Sanctum first.” He switched to English and turned to Iyuska. “Do not worry, Professor. The weapon—”
“Weapon?” Iyuska cried. “Are you insane? Nobody can actually use this thing… especially not as a weapon. Not ever.”
Worried about how a proud kaidon like Varo’dai would react to Iyuska’s chastising tone—especially when it was directed at her Arbiter—Vale extended her hand. “Keely—”
“Olympia, you’ve seen how destructive it is.” Iyuska whirled toward her. “Do you really want them turning Sanghelios into another Netherop? Or ONI defending Earth with it?”
“I do not understand.” ‘Vadam was looking more at Vale than Iyuska as he spoke. “Spartan Vale—you came here for the same reason we did: because we need a weapon to use against Cortana.”
“Right.” Iyuska raised a palm upward, gesturing toward the surface of the planet. “But do you think Netherop always looked like this? A hundred thousand years ago, it was covered in jungles. Whoever built the Divine Hand didn’t just destroy a society—they destroyed an entire world. And we probably just killed what little remained.”
‘Vadam turned to Vale. “She is your friend, Spartan Vale. Is she being honest in her concerns?”
Vale fixed her gaze on Iyuska. “Good question.”
She thought she knew Iyuska well enough to realize her friend would say anything to retain control over a groundbreaking research project like the tel. But Iyuska was not stupid either. She had to realize that the Banished and now Cortana were aware of its location. So sending a civilian expedition to Netherop to study the site was out of the question—at least anytime soon. About the best the UNSC or the Sangheili could do at the moment was reestablish the orbital mine shell in the hopes of securing the tel and its secrets until they had the strength to claim permanent possession.
Iyuska’s concerns were, for once, sincere and well-founded. In the hands of a military concerned only with the weapon’s power, there would be unimaginable collateral damage. Vale had badly misjudged her. Only Iyuska had retained enough perspective to realize just what a mistake it would be to actually deploy this weapon anywhere else. And Vale shuddered at the thought of placing the Divine Hand under the control of her ONI superiors. Even in her short time with the organization, she had come to know that its leaders would employ any means to achieve their ends. They probably did have some limits—she had just never seen one reached. And at the moment, she didn’t even know who ONI’s leaders were.
Vale had to concede that Iyuska was being the responsible one. Turning the weapon over to ONI could end up being no different than living under Cortana—especially if ONI figured out how to replicate the thing widely. With this technology in play, dozens of worlds could be turned into Netherops… or even Doisacs.
The trouble was, even if Vale allowed Iyuska to claim ownership of the tel and its artifacts, ONI would seize everything on security grounds. And simply leaving the Divine Hand on Netherop was not an option either—not when the Banished and Cortana knew of its existence. Which left only one solution.
Vale turned her attention back to ‘Vadam. “Arbiter, I would like to thank you for your generous interpretation of our agreement,” she said in Sangheili. “But a human civilian entered the Sanctum first. You and I entered together. I think I can make a case to my superiors that Kaidon Varo’dai’s proposal is the optimal outcome.”
Varo’dai’s mandibles fell open, and she tipped her helmet to one side, as though trying to figure out what Vale was trying to slip past her. “You agree to my proposal?” Varo’dai asked. “That the Sangheili and the UNSC must study and secure the Divine Hand together?”
“That is correct. I agree.” Vale hesitated, then turned to ‘Vadam. “Unless we decide nobody should take it. The damn thing is just too dangerous, and the collateral damage it causes is horrendous. Would you really want a functional unit on Sanghelios? I sure don’t want one on Earth.”
‘Vadam fell silent, obviously fighting the same inner battle Vale was. It was clear from his body language that the last place he wanted the weapon was on Sanghelios. And now that they had seen it in action and understood the consequences of activating it, she doubted he would feel justified in using it even against Cortana.
But could they just leave it behind? With Cortana and the Banished and ONI and probably a half-dozen other groups trying to recover it, simply leaving it on N’ba was out of the question.
Finally, ‘Vadam clacked his mandibles and said, “I certainly agree with your reasoning, Spartan Vale. But I fear the mistake has been made. As soon as Professor Iyuska discovered the possibility of its existence, the choice was made for us. Either we decide who controls it, or our enemies do.”
Vale allowed her helmet to dip, at once disappointed and in complete agreement. “The question had to be asked,” she said. “But I can’t argue with your logic. What Kaidon Varo’dai suggests is the best we can do.”
Varo’dai grunted in surprise, then turned to ‘Vadam. “I must admit, Arbiter, that I did not expect that.”
“Have I not said that Spartan Vale is to be trusted?” ‘Vadam was silent for a moment, then turned to Vale and clacked his mandibles in agreement. “Yes, that is the wisest plan we have. We are in agreement.”
“Good,” Vale said. “We’ll finalize the details after we return to Sanghelios.”
She started toward the nearest archway, ascending the basin wall until it grew too steep to climb and she had to jump the last few vertical meters. She caught hold of the exit’s bottom threshold and pulled herself up, then rose to her feet outside the rotunda.
‘Ra’ashai and six Varo rangers held ‘Lakosee and the Worldmaster at sword point—enough to overwhelm the pair through sheer numbers no matter what they tried. Abovian had bandaged Golly’s wounds, and both troopers were watching their Sangheili companions—especially Crei ‘Ayomuu—with open wariness.
With matters unlikely to take a bad turn in the next few minutes, Vale lay prone across the archway to help her human companions out of the focusing chamber… or Inner Sanctum… or whatever it was now that the energy condenser had been taken. Too proud to accept help, Thel ‘Vadam followed Vale’s lead, jumping up to catch hold of the threshold and pull himself out. Afterward, he took the energy condenser from Varo’dai so she could do the same.
Once Varo’dai was outside the rotunda, she went straight to ‘Lakosee and used a foot to collapse his knees, forcing him into a submissive position facing away from her. She activated her energy sword and held the blade in front of his throat, then looked to ‘Vadam.
“I claim the right of executing this traitor, my Arbiter.”
“For what offense? Serving the same false gods we once served? For believing the same lies we once believed?”
“For destroying Sangheili vessels. For ending the lives of hundreds of Sangheili crewmen.”
“I have done as much,” ‘Vadam said. “And so have you, Kaidon, when those Sangheili were our enemies—which is how ‘Lakosee views us. As his enemies. Executing him now would be no different than taking the life of any other helpless prisoner.”
“Then you will not permit it?”
“I will not forbid it. I have too much faith in your honor.”
Varo’dai continued to hold the blade at ‘Lakosee’s throat, clearly struggling to balance her anger against her self-esteem. Vale was not entirely certain which would win—and, despite the wisdom of ‘Vadam’s words, not sure which aspect she wanted to win. ‘Lakosee’s last-second attack had killed hundreds of humans too, and Vale had even less reason than Varo’dai to forgive him.
But in the end, the kaidon’s pride in ‘Vadam’s good opinion of her was stronger than her rage. She deactivated her blade, then planted her foot in the middle of ‘Lakosee’s back and kicked him down onto his chest.
“Know this, traitor,” she hissed. “You have killed hundreds of Sangheili in service to a lie. The gods do not exist. They never did.”
‘Kvarosee growled something unintelligible and started toward Varo’dai—only to have ‘Ra’ashai kick his legs from beneath him. He landed heavily on his face, groaned in pain, and began to shudder.
‘Ra’ashai watched him for a moment, then put a foot in the middle of his back and looked to ‘Vadam. “It is your choice, Arbiter. If you do not want to kill them, then what do you want done with them?”
“The choice belongs to them, not me.” ‘Vadam turned to ‘Lakosee. “We have told you the truth. The Forerunners are not gods. They were only an ancient culture, now dead and gone, and you will never join them in sacred transcendence. That was a lie the Prophets used to control the rest of the Covenant, and the Covenant no longer exists.”
“Blasphemer!” ‘Lakosee craned his neck to look up. “How can you doubt the power of the gods after what you have just seen?”
“There are other explanations. Explanations that you and your former fleetmaster will need to accept, if you choose to return to the Sangheili Concert of Worlds with us.”
‘Lakosee hesitated, then looked over at ‘Kvarosee—who roared in defiance and made his choice known by stabbing his remaining mandibles down toward his left.
‘Lakosee turned back to ‘Vadam. “Why would we ever abide a godless society after we have lived in the citadel of the gods? Kill us here.”
‘Vadam let his chins drop. “Only if we must.” He turned to ‘Ra’ashai. “Is there a way to extract an inviolable oath from them?”
“Aside from sending them to meet their gods?”
“If possible. I would rather not spill a warrior’s blood in dishonor.”
‘Ra’ashai glared down at the pair, and Vale thought the blademaster would claim there was not. But finally, he rolled ‘Kvarosee onto his back and motioned for Varo’dai to do the same with ‘Lakosee.
“Swear on your faith,” ‘Ra’ashai said.
“Swear what?” ‘Lakosee asked.
‘Ra’ashai looked to ‘Vadam, who said, “That you will let us go in peace with what we have taken. That you will not interfere with our efforts to leave this place or this world. That until we have left this planet, you will treat all of us—humans too—as honored guests.”
‘Kvarosee growled and moaned in protest. ‘Lakosee glanced over at him, then asked, “And if we refuse?”
“Your refusal will change one thing,” ‘Vadam said. “Your sanctuary will be empty after we leave because you will be dead.”
‘Lakosee continued to watch ‘Kvarosee, until the Worldmaster finally grunted what sounded like acceptance and moved his three mandibles up to the right.
“Very well,” ‘Lakosee said. “You have our oath. We agree to your terms, on our faith. Now go.”
“With joy,” ‘Ra’ashai said.
He grabbed ‘Kvarosee by the back of the neck and a leg, then stepped over to the rotunda. He dropped him through an archway and motioned for Varo’dai to do the same with ‘Lakosee.
She lifted ‘Lakosee as he had ‘Kvarosee, but did not go to the rotunda immediately. “Why are we doing this?”
“It is for their own safety.” ‘Ra’ashai tipped his head in a jesting motion.
“Indeed,” ‘Vadam said. “The Banished are coming.”
CHAPTER 22
Rosa Fuertes did not believe in gods or miracles or guardian angels… yet what other explanation was there? She and Corporal Legowski stood on the brink of a chasm rapidly filling with dust, which had just a few moments earlier seemed bottomless, filled with galaxies and stars that swelled into being and collapsed into nothingness before their very eyes.
Rosa’s incurable prion disease had been cured, and some unseen force had steered her to the corporal and opened the grave that should have been Legs’s final resting place. In her dying moments, the Voices had come to her and given her a choice, and she had chosen life. Now she had it, and they had her.
What other explanation was there?
The chasm finally filled all the way. Rosa put a foot out and tested it, found it as solid as the floor upon which they stood, and started across. The dust continued to rise around her, filling the rift with walls save where she passed, and by the time she reached the nub of the tunnel on the far side, it was impossible to tell the chasm had ever been there.
The passage began to extend itself ahead of her, still gently angling upward.
“How do you do that?” asked Legs.
She had been with Rosa since the… experience was all Rosa could call it. She found herself wondering if it had been her or actually Legs whom the Voices were trying to save. Except that the opalescent sheen had fallen from Legs’s armor, while Rosa remained coated in pale dust. Not quite glowing, but healthy. Radiant, even.
“Do what?” Rosa asked.
“Drive the tunnel ahead of us.”
“I don’t. I just follow where it leads.”
“Then how did you find me?”
Legs was following two paces behind Rosa, carrying the submachine gun she had insisted on taking apart and cleaning after Rosa located her.
“I didn’t,” Rosa said. “The tunnel found you. I just happened to be there.”
“And you expect me to believe that?”
Rosa shrugged. “It’s what happened. I can’t explain what I don’t understand.”
“And I suppose the tunnel cured you too.” Legs’s tone was sarcastic.
“No. That I did for myself. I chose it.”
Legs stopped following. “Your answers are ridiculous. And that’s not good enough. I need to know what’s going on here.”
Typical UNSC thug, thinking they were in control just because they carried a big gun. Rosa continued to walk.
“Stop.”
“Or what? You will shoot me in the back?”
“Don’t tempt me,” Legs called. “You’re hiding something.”
“I am hiding a lot of things,” Rosa called over her shoulder. “Especially from you. You are the UNSC.”
The tunnel stopped advancing ahead, then abruptly opened to Rosa’s right and climbed at an even steeper angle. She followed it without looking back. That would give Legs something to think about.
The passage climbed for another twenty meters before breaking the surface. Rosa caught a glimpse of dull brown cloud cover, then heard astonished voices crying out in English.
“Sarge, behind us!”
“Marcus!” The voice belonged to “Mama” Grim Bear. “Take Duval and secure that tunnel. Anything moves, put a grenade on it!”
