18_the_end_of_the_circle-第6部分

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〃What　made　the　horde…er；　the　Queen…Mother　leave；　Marlene？　I　mean；　I'm　sure　she　realized　the　fleet　had　plans　to　irradiate　the　area；　but　it　seemed　like　she'd　decided　to　leave　before　the　neutron　missiles　were　launched。〃

Marlene　nodded　and　reached　across　the　table　for　a　water　bottle。　〃It's　true；　Scott。　And　something　vital　left　me　when　she　departed。〃　She　took　a　long　pull　from　the　bottle。　〃I　know　you　sensed　it　when　you　held　me。　I　feel　as　though　I'm　only　half…here；　as　though　if　I　breathe　too　deeply　I'll　fade　from　sight。　But　I　have　a　knowledge　of　things；　Scott；　a　knowledge：　that　seems　undreamed　of　by　any　race。〃

〃Don't　worry；〃　Lunk　said；　〃I'm　not　about　to　let　you　fade。　Marlene　squeezed　his　hand。　〃You　see；　Scott；　the　Queen　Mother　finally　understood；　the　reasons　for　all　that　had　happened　on　Optera；　Tirol；　and　Earth；　and　that　knowledge　liberated　her。〃

〃But　what　was　it　she　understood？〃　Scott　asked。

Marlene　quivered。　〃I　can't　tell　you；　Scott。〃

〃Please；　Marlene；〃　Scott　snapped。

Lunk　stepped　out　from　behind　the　chair。　〃I'm　warning　you；　Lieutenant。〃

Marlene　put　a　hand　on　his　balled…up　fist。　〃No；　Lunk；　Scott　doesn't　understand。　It's　not　that　I'm　keeping　something　from　you；　Scott。　I　only　mean　that　you're　asking　the　wrong　person。〃

〃Sera；〃　Scott　said　after　a　moment's　reflection。

〃Yes。　She　was　more　closely　bound　to　the　Regis　than　I　was。　But　I　fear　that　bond　has　affected　her　more　than　it　has　me。〃

〃Do　you　know　where　she　is？〃

Marlene　closed　her　eyes　and　took　a　shuddering　breath。　〃I　can　sense　where　she　is。　Sometimes　I　can　almost　see　through　her　eyes　and　feel　her　suffering。〃

Scott　edged　closer　to　her。　〃Where；　Marlene？〃

〃The　city　of　tall　towers　in　the　Northlands。　The　one　Sera　and　Corg　were　to　rule。〃

Scott　and　Lunk　exchanged　looks　and　simultaneously　said：　〃Mannatan。〃

〃Yes。　She　is　with　Lancer。〃

Scott　was　already　on　his　feet。　〃Will　you　e　with　me；　Marlene？　You；　too；　Lunk；〃　he　was　quick　to　add。　〃Just　until　we　locate　her。〃

〃Forget　it；　Lieutenant；〃　Lunk　said。　〃Marlene's　not　going　anywhere。　〃

Marlene　stood　up　and　gently　swung　Lunk　around　to　face　her。　〃But　I　am；　Lunk。　Don't　you　see　that　I　have　to　go？〃　Lunk's　face　fell。　〃No；　Marlene；　no。　You　can　just　stay　here　and　let　me　take　care　of　you。　You　said　yourself　you　were　all　right。　I　could　just…〃

〃No；　Lunk；　it's　no　good　this　way；〃　she　cut　him　off。　〃Remember　who　and　what　I　am。〃

Lunk　stiffened。　〃You're　Marlene；　that's　it。〃

Marlene　shook　her　head。　〃I　am　Invid；　Lunk。〃　She　reached　up　to　stroke　his　face。　〃But　that　doesn't　mean　I　haven't　loved　you。〃

Lunk　steeled　himself；　holding　back　his　anger　and　grief。　〃You'll　e　back　to　me？〃　he　asked　softly。

〃Nothing　can　take　away　these　past　few　months；　Lunk。〃

It　was　Scott's　turn　to　avert　his　gaze。

He　swore　to　himself　he　would　never　love　again。


With　Marlene　in　the　copilot's　seat；　Scott　returned　the　jet　to　the　REF's　provisional　planetside　base　on　the　Venezuelan　coast　and　apprised　Vince　Grant　of　his　plans　to　continue　on　to　the　Northlands。　The　general　informed　him　of　the　successful　position　jump　undertaken　by　the　Ark　Angel　and　the　rapidly　approaching　launch　window　for　the　fold　to　Haydon　IV。　To　speed　Scott　and　Marlene　on　their　way；　Grant　ordered　that　they　be　escorted　to　and　from　the　Northlands　city　in　one　of　the　ship's　few　remaining　reconfigurable　Veritechs。

From　what　Scott　could　gather；　Mannatan…recently　returned　to　its　original　name　of　New　York…was　fast　being　a　population　center　once　again。　The　narrow　island　city　had　miraculously　escaped　saturation　by　Dolza's　deathbolts；　only　to　suffer　disastrously　some　twenty　years　later　at　the　hands　of　the　Regis's　power…mad　〃son；〃　Corg。　But　by　then　the　city　had　already　fallen　into　the　hands　of　street　crazies　‘who　had'　somehow　survived　a　radiation　pall　that　had　hung　over　the　city　for　more　than　fifteen　years'　and　roving　gangs　of　Foragers　and　rough…trade　Southern　Cross　deserters。　A　scarcity　of　food　and　arable　land　had　kept　the　population　numbers　low；　but　now　that　New　York　had　bee　a　kind　of　raw…materials　depot　for　developing　towns　to　the　south　and　west；　a　barter　system　for　foodstuffs　had　been　implemented。

The　Veritech　put　down　west　of　the　Hudson　River；　leaving　Scott　and　Marlene　to　negotiate　the　rest　of　the　journey　on　foot；　along　with　hundreds　of　other　migrants　who　were　talking　or　buying　passage　through　checkpoints　on　the　single　bridge　that　linked　city　and　mainland。　Scott　saw　the　end　result　of　Corg's　fiery　campaign　to　bring　the　city　to　its　knees：　huge　leveled　tracts　where　tall　brick　and　stone　buildings　had　once　stood；　gridded　by　the　scorched　remains　of　asphalt　and　concrete　roadways。

Marlene　acted　as　guide；　drawing　on　her　recently　enhanced　psychic　talents…to　close　on　her　sister　simulagent's　where璦bouts。　In　a　certain　sense　she　seemed　more　the　Terran　than　Scott。　But　Scott　refused　to　be　fooled　by　the　human　guise　the　Invid　Queen…Mother　had　fashioned　for　her；　and　so　their　conversations　were　strictly　of　the　pragmatic　sort。　Scott；　after　all；　was　on　a　military　mission。

Marlene　led　them　ultimately　to　a　refurbished　theater　in　the　city's　midtown　district；　where　a　young　Hispanic　named　Jorge　greeted　them　at　the　door　and　affirmed　that　Lancer　was　in　fact　part　of　a　troupe　of　actors；　singers；　and　musicians。

After　the　less　than　warm　reunions　with　Rand　and　Lunk；　Scott　was　expecting　more　of　the　same　from　Lancer；　but…the　former　stage　gender…bender　surprised　him　by　running　up　the　broad　aisle　after　Jorge's　announcement　and　embracing　the　two　of　them　like　family。

〃Scott；　I　can't　believe　it！〃　Lancer　said；　gripping　him　by　the　arms。　〃God；　it's　great　to　see　you　again。〃　He　had　equal　enthusiasm　for　Marlene；　along　with　a　bear　hug　that　went　on　for　well　over　a　minute。

Lancer　looked　lean　and　limber　in　tight…fitting　trousers　and　a　sleeveless　shirt；　but　Scott　noted　dark　circles　under　the　singer's　dyes　and　a　somberness　beneath　the　cheeriness　of　the　moment。　The　natural　color　of　Lancer's　hair　was　growing　in。　Scott　thought　briefly　of　Yellow　Dancer　and　wondered　whether　she　was　gone　for　good。

〃You　don't　know　how　I　need　you　guys　right　now；〃　Lancer　continued；　taking　hold　of　their　hands。

〃What　is　it；　Lancer？〃　Marlene　asked。

〃Your　sister；〃　he　said；　favoring　Marlene's　hand。　〃I'm　afraid　she's　dying。〃


Sera　was　bedridden　in　Lancer's　backstage　room；　a　tight；　cluttered　space　that　apparently　served　as　living　quarters　and　dressing　room。　A　man　named　Simon　was　ministering　to　her；　but　he　exited　as　Lancer　entered；　stopping　only　to　introduce　himself　to　Scott　and　Marlene　in　an　affected；　slightly　effeminate　manner。

Fetally　curled　beneath　the　bed's　threadbare　blankets；　Sera　seemed　hardly　more　than　a　specter。　〃I've　been　waiting　for　you　to　e；　Ariel；〃　she　said　as　Marlene　kneeled　beside　the　bed　and　laid　a　forting　hand　on　her　heaving　breast。　〃Sister…〃

Sera　pressed　a　finger　against　Marlene's　lips　to　quiet　her。　〃Do　not　weep　for　me；　Ariel。　I　am　to　rejoin　the　Queen　Mother。　〃

〃Then　I'll　return　with　you；　sister。〃

Sera　shook　her　head。　〃No；　Ariel；　your　destiny　lies　along　a　different　path。　And　what　a　wonderful　one　it　is。〃

Marlene　leaned　closer　to　her　sister；　her　eyes　brimming　with　tears。　〃Tell　me；　Sera。〃

〃You　need　know　only　this；　Ariel：　that　the　world　can　be　remade。　The　Queen…Mother　learned　this　when　she　mated　with　the　Protoculture…the　goal　of　the　Great　Work；　the　transmutation　of　our　race。〃

〃The　Protoculture！〃

〃Yes；　Scott；〃　Sera　said；　looking　at　him。　〃Your　people　will　understand　what　to　make　of　this。〃

〃Stay；　sister；〃　Marlene　pleaded　with　her。　〃Love　has　the　power　to　keep　you　here。〃

Sera　smiled。　〃No；　Ariel。　Love　has　the　power　to　release　me。。。〃

With　that；　the　Invid　simulagent　shut　her　eyes　and　surrendered　her　all　too　brief　life。

Scott　watched　horrified　but　transfixed　as　Sera　grew　subtle　and　translucent；　then　slowly　faded　from　sight。　An　eerie　breeze　caressed　his　cheek　as　the　blankets　dropped　empty　and　silent　to　the　foam　mattress。

Lancer　clutched　desperately　for　what　was　no　longer　there。　〃This　is　my　fate　also；〃　Marlene　said；　turning　to　Scott　with　tears　coursing　down　her　cheeks。　〃You　were　right　to　promise　you　would　never　love　again！〃


CHAPTER　SIX

Of　course　I　understand　how　you　feel；　you　big　jerk。　You　think　I　want　to　break　up　the　team？　But　look　at　things　from　my　side；　will　you；　Bowie？　First；　I've　got　Max　and　Miriya　riding　my　tail　about　shipping　back　on　the　fortress；　and　now　I　find　out　that　Rem's　going　along　for　the　ride。　I　can't　handle　it　just　yet；　that's　the　long　and　short。　I　look　at　him；　and　I　see　Zor　Prime。　Ask　yourself　what　it　would　have　been　like　if　Musica　had　died　instead　of　Octavia…god　forbid。　I　mean；　how　could　you　look　at　her　without　thinking　about　Musica？　So　maybe　Haydon　IV's　going　to　work　out　for　me。　Maybe　I'll　even　get　to　know　Aurora　a　little　bettor。　Anyway；　from　what　I　hear；　at　least　it'll　be　a　change　for　the　quiet。
Dana　Sterling　in　a　letter　to　Bowie　Grant；　quoted　in　Altaira　Heimel；　Butterflies　in　Winter。　Human　Relations　and　the　Robotech　Wars

Dana　Sterling　tightened　her　grip　on　the　balcony　railing　and　launched　phrases　of　gratitude　into　Haydon　IV's　amber　skies。　In　the　plaza　twenty；　stories　below　her；　pedestrians　were　scurrying　for　cover　as　Glike　rumbled　and　shook。　Like　bare　trees　caught　in　the　hurricaning　mass　of　a　storm　front；　the　city's　tapering　glasslike　spires　swayed　and　snapped；　falling　in　a　prismatic　rain　of　deadly　gems。　Skyways　danced　loose　their　walls　and　roofs　of　transparent　sheathing　and　sent　them　crashing　to　heaving；　buckling　streets　and　garden…lined　thoroughfares。　Onion　domes　and　entablatures　fissured；　ornate　facades　and　friezes　peeled　away　from　buildings　and　archways；　water　surged　from　canals　and　drained　from　lakes　into　the　planetoid's　ruptured　seams。

〃'Bout　time　there　was　action　around　the　place！〃　Dana　yelled　to　no　one　in　particular。

She　leapt　back　from　the　railing　to　flatten　herself　against　the　building's　exterior　wall　as　a　plummeting　guillotine　blade　of　permaplas　struck　the　balcony　edge　and　splintered　into　hundreds　of　angry　fragments。　At　the　same　time　the　entire　city　seemed　to　tilt　radically　to　one　side；　the　normally　clear　skies　tainted　with　smoglike　roilings　of　clouds。　Where　she　could　see　the　horizon；　Glike's　backdrop　of　photo…perfect　mountains　wavered；　as　though　dazzled　by　atmospheric　heat。

We're　finally　seeing　Haydon　IV's　other　face；　Dana　thought。　She　had　heard　all　about　the　battle　that　had　been　fought　there　years　before　between　the　Sentinels　and　the　Invid　Regent；　but　that　might　as　well　have　been　a　campfire　tale。　Glike　had　been　fully　rebuilt　by　the　time　she　had　arrived；　and　it　had　been　nothing　less　than　paradise　since。

Hopelessly　boring。

But　something　had　finally　happened　to　shake　things　up。　It　did　not　seem　possible　that　Haydon　IV　could　be　subject　to　tectonic　shifts；　but　who　could　tell？　Well；　Exedore　maybe；　or　his　free…floating　good　buddy　Veidt。　Some　internal　malfunction；　then；　some　glitch　in　the　unfathomable　technology　that　kept　the　world　turning。　An　actual　invasion　was　too　much　to　hope　for…a　chance　to　see　for　herself　those　well…concealed　planetary　defenses　everyone　talked　about。　The　ones　said　to　react　to　the　mere　suggestion　of　aggression；　the　ones　that　forced　everyone　on…world　to　hang　up　their　hip　howitzers　when　they　rode　into　town。

But　even　if　it　turned　out　to　be　nothing　more　than　a　quake；　it　was　certainly　more　excitement　than　she　had　seen　since　Exedore　had　burst　into　the　Sterling's　high…rise　quarters　three　months　ago；　raving　that　the　planetoid's　so…called　Awareness　had　gotten　itself　all　fired　up　about　something　or　other。

The　collapse　of　a　structure　down　below　sent　a　swirling　cloud　of　debris　up　the　face　of　the　building。　Dana　heard　panicked　cries　in　several　offworld　tongues。

〃Dana！〃　her　parents　shouted　from　inside　their　living　quarters。

She　turned　and　passed　through　the　balcony's　field　portal　in　a　long…legged　rush；　blond　hair　in　wild　disarray。　Her　father　was　by　the　lift…tube　door；　a　few　obviously　irreplaceable　items　clutched　to　his　chest。　Her　mother　had　Aurora；　Dana's　eight…year…old　sister；　by　the　wrist。　Dark…eyed　and　otherworldly；　she　was　nearly　five　feet　tall　already　and　a　regular　pain　in　the　ass。　It　was　hard　for　Dana　to　believe　they　had　had　the　same　father；　but　that　was　a　thought　she　kept　to　herself。　Veidt　claimed　that　Aurora's　rapid　development　and　psychic　gifts　had　e　about　as　the　result　of　Miriya's　experiences　on　Garuda；　but　Dana　ventured　that　it　had　more　to　do　with　something　the　Haydonites　were　putting　in　the　food。

Aurora　was　not　calling　Dana's　name。　The　child　spoke　so　infrequently　that　when　she　did；　everyone　stopped　to　listen。　But　even　though　she　was　mouse…quiet；　one　always　knew　when　she　was　around。

〃Hurry；　Dana！〃　Miriya　said；　joining　her　husband　at　the　lift。　She；　too；　had　a　few　things　in　hand。　Dana　glanced　around　the　room　and　quickly　decided　that　there　was　nothing　she　needed　to　keep。

Let　it　all　e　down；　she　thought。

Llan　and　Anad；　their　two　Haydonite　advocates；　were　already　in　the　tube。　It　was　the　only　place　planetside　where　everyone　got　to　hover　together；　except　on　the　city's　Arabianlike　flying　carpets。　Dana　often　wondered　just　whose　bright　idea　those　things　had　been。　Some　planet…hopping　culture　hero　named　Haydon　was　credited　with　building　the　world；　Dana　had　him　figured　for　some　kind　of　kidder。

The　tube　field　was　as　calm　as　the　eye　of　a　storm。

〃What　do　you　think；　Max；〃　she　said　excitedly；　〃an　attack？〃　She　rarely　called　him　〃Dad。〃　Somehow　it　didn't　feel　right　to　her　after　their　thirteen…year　separation。　Not　that　she　didn't　love　him　and　Miriya　both；　it　was　simply　that　they　had　changed　so　much。

〃I　hope　not；　Dana；〃　Max　told　her；　adjusting　his　glasses　so　that　they　sat　where　they　were　supposed　to。　〃For　the　sake　of　whoever'd　be　foolish　enough　to　try。〃

So　gentle…voiced；　Dana　thought。　It　was　a　continual　source　of　amazement；　especially　when　she　tried　to　picture　her　parents　mixing　it　up　inside　the　SDF…1　with　knives　or　battle　mecha。　And　Max…cripes！　Max　had　been　gobbling　Malcontents　for　breakfast　when　Dana　was　a　toddler！

〃Upon　exiting　the　lift　tube；　you　must　proceed　across　the　plaza　and　descend　the　elevators　to　level　four；〃　Llan　sent；　as　if　he　were　giving　orders　all　of　a　sudden。　But　only　Dana　seemed　disturbed　by　the　tone。

〃Level　four；　my　ass；　Llan。　I　think　we　better　shuttle　up　to　one　of　the　trade　ships。　I'd　rather　ride　this　out　up　there瓀hatever　this　is。　Wouldn't　you；　Max？　Miriya？〃　Dana　noticed　that　Aurora　was　giving　her　one　of　those　funny　looks。

〃No；　Dana；〃　Miriya　answered。　〃I　think　it's　best　that　we　follow　Llan's　advice　for　the　time　being。〃

〃Your　mother　is　correct；〃　Llan　sent　with　emphasis。　Dana　folded　her　arms　across　the　sequined　bib　of　her　jumpsuit　and　faced　off　with　the　taller　of　the　two　Haydonites。　〃Yeah？　Then　tell　us　what's　going　on。〃

〃A　slight　readjustment；〃　Anad　answered。　〃Slight？〃

〃We　are　arrived；〃　Llan　interrupted　as　the　tube　field　opened　onto　the　plaza。

Things　were　even　worse　close　up；　Dana　realized。　On　the　far　side　of　the　plaza；　the　entire　colonnade　of　a　Tiresian…style　mercial　hall　had　crumbled；　burying　dozens　of　Karbarran　traders　and　visitors　under　tons　of　debris。　The　ursinoid　beings；　who　had　been　enjoying　great　prosperity　among　the　Local　Group　worlds　since　the　fall　of　the　Regent；　constituted　the　majority　of　Haydon　IV's　alien　population；　but　Dana　could　see　quite　a　few　injured　Praxians　emerging　from　the　ruined　building。　Elsewhere；　a　couple　of　dazed　Spherisians　were　wandering　aimlessly　through　the　pandemoni