This Day All Gods Die Part 60

He hoped the Council was safe. On the other hand, those people meant nothing to him. Davies and Vector, Angus and Mikka-they meant a lot. He didn't want to cause their deaths.

Filled by madness like wisdom, he clung fervently to Trumpet's Trumpet's hull and went on waiting. hull and went on waiting.

Sometimes prayers were answered. With part of his mind, he wondered if Sorus Chatelaine had known that. Just when the pressure to move threatened to become more than he could bear, he saw hot laser fire streak the dark, followed almost simultaneously by the nacreous visible punch of matter cannon.

The strange double blast arose from one of the distant specks he'd a.s.sumed was an orbital platform. And it came nowhere near Calm Horizons. Calm Horizons. Instead it left a scorching trail of incandescence on its way through atmosphere toward a planet-side target. Instead it left a scorching trail of incandescence on its way through atmosphere toward a planet-side target.

Almost at once black s.p.a.ce became a blaze of violence as every s.h.i.+p in the cordon unleashed her guns.

Ciro Vasaczk had no idea what was going on, and he didn't care. He cared only that none of the fire was directed at Calm Horizons Calm Horizons-and Calm Horizons Calm Horizons didn't return it. didn't return it.

He'd been given the diversion he needed.

Without hesitation he unclipped his belt from its anchor and flipped himself toward the compartment which held Trumpet's Trumpet's singularity grenades. singularity grenades.

MIN.

She couldn't control the fire in her palms-the burning desire for weapons and action which had earned her her reputation as Warden Dios' "executioner." It spread outward from the place where Angus had shot her. Waiting imposed such complex demands that she doubted her ability to stand the strain. Her PCR brought in four, five, sometimes six overlapping channels. From her place at the communications station on Punisher Punisher's auxiliary bridge, she handled as many of them as she could; gave out every answer she had. She was the center around which every aspect of Earth's defense against Calm Horizons Calm Horizons turned. But it was all just turned. But it was all just waiting. waiting. Her chance to take part in determining humankind's future hadn't come yet. Her chance to take part in determining humankind's future hadn't come yet.

Downlink control on two. Planetary authorities report widespread panic, riots, violence. They blame losing the scan net. Urgently request restoration.

Tell them no, she ordered. She didn't want to let Holt Fasner see her cordon of s.h.i.+ps that clearly.

Adventurous on three. Rerouting cleared the power-spikes. We're back in business. Ready on your order. on three. Rerouting cleared the power-spikes. We're back in business. Ready on your order.

Center on five. ED Security is afraid of violence at the evac stations. Nonessential personnel are going crazy. If we don't give them something to do, we'll have a whole new kind of trouble on our hands.

By degrees a blaze of urgency spread from Min's wrists up into her forearms. Any minute now she might burst into flames- PolyMed on one. Director, you've got to help us. We're sitting ducks. We have priceless data here. And patients. We need downlink facilities and personnel carriers.

PolyMed couldn't adjust its...o...b..t. Nothing protected hundreds of patients and invaluable zero-g medical research except one small gunboat, Flash Attack Flash Attack.

But Min had no downlink facilities or personnel carriers to spare-and no attention. PolyMed wasn't an immediate target. Everything except the disposition of her s.h.i.+ps was chaff, hara.s.sment, distraction. Whatever happened, Angus and Dolph were out of her hands. With most of her concentration and all of her heart, she focused on the reports from Suka Bator.

PR uplink on six. Dr. Harbinger states that she's been able to trace the SOD-CMOS chip from Nathan Alt's id tag.

Min flinched involuntarily. Dr. Harbinger Harbinger states-? What the h.e.l.l had happened to Has.h.i.+? Why was Lane speaking for him? He was supposed to contact the Council as soon as Min authorized a channel. But when she gave the word, it wasn't Has.h.i.+ who obeyed: it was Lane Harbinger. states-? What the h.e.l.l had happened to Has.h.i.+? Why was Lane speaking for him? He was supposed to contact the Council as soon as Min authorized a channel. But when she gave the word, it wasn't Has.h.i.+ who obeyed: it was Lane Harbinger.

Center, she ordered, maintain that PR uplink. I don't care who has to postpone talking to me. Give me a constant feed.

She didn't wait for an acknowledgment. Grimly she told Cray, "Put six on the speakers. I want everybody to hear it."

Especially Morn. To some extent Morn had caused this crisis: she needed to know the outcome of her testimony. Min couldn't think of any other way to help her.

"Aye, Director." Cray obeyed numbly; exhausted by the stress of directing Min's communications traffic.

h.e.l.l, they were all exhausted. Porson and Bydell worked as hard as Cray, collecting and sorting data of every description so that it would be available when Min needed it. And Patrice had run helm hard and often in the past forty-eight hours. Only Glessen on targ looked steady and strong, eager to fight.

One way or another, Min meant to make sure he got the opportunity.

Center on three. Scan reports your command module and Trumpet Trumpet on final approach. Estimate dock in seven minutes. on final approach. Estimate dock in seven minutes.

UMCPHQ had a clear view of Calm Horizons Calm Horizons on that side: on that side: Punisher Punisher did not. Without UMCPHQ's scan data, the cruiser would have had no way of knowing what the two small vessels did, or what happened to them. did not. Without UMCPHQ's scan data, the cruiser would have had no way of knowing what the two small vessels did, or what happened to them.

Earth uplink control on one. Provisioning inadequate. Shortfalls expected within hours. Resupply essential.

Min ignored that. The emergency would be Over in minutes, not hours. Battles in s.p.a.ce were like that: appallingly swift; done before anyone could comprehend the scale of the forces which had been unleashed. She would worry about the aftermath later.

Valor on three. d.a.m.n it, Director, that's a on three. d.a.m.n it, Director, that's a human human station! We're facing a Behemoth-cla.s.s Amnion defensive-and you want us to fix targ on a station! We're facing a Behemoth-cla.s.s Amnion defensive-and you want us to fix targ on a human human station? station?

Flash Attack on two. on two. Adventurous Adventurous on five. Pocket cruiser on five. Pocket cruiser Stiletto Stiletto on four. Director, we need an explanation. These targ priorities don't make sense. on four. Director, we need an explanation. These targ priorities don't make sense.

Just do do it! she fired back at them all. If I'm wrong you can insist on a court-martial later. it! she fired back at them all. If I'm wrong you can insist on a court-martial later.

Then she told Center, Remind Vestabule I warned him. He's safe as long as he has that proton cannon.

By G.o.d, she needed to shoot somebody!

More than that, she needed to be right. She owed it to Morn as much as to Warden-and to her sworn duty as acting director of the UMCP.

Morn had obeyed promptly when Min told her to end her transmission to Suka Bator. Despite everything she'd endured, all the ways she'd been betrayed, she still trusted the ED director that much. Under other circ.u.mstances, Min would have felt touched, gratified; perhaps humbled. But now she didn't have time.

Nevertheless she was acutely conscious of Morn. Angus Thermopyle's victim, and Nick Succorso's-and Warden Dios'-had brought herself and her people all this way by sheer grit so that she could make one valiant, costly attempt to change the course of humankind's future. And now she had nothing left to do except remember her own pain.

She'd told her story; explained the crimes she'd experienced and witnessed. In some absolute sense, she was done. She still sat at the command station; but she no longer gave orders, or offered suggestions. Angus and Davies were beyond her help.

She was done-but she wasn't satisfied. Nothing had been resolved.

After she'd silenced her intercom, stopped talking to the Council, she sat almost motionless in her g-seat, with her head resting against the back and a haunted look in her eyes-alone and lost; almost out of reach. Her bruised stare suggested horrors Min could hardly imagine. She knew what it was like to be injected with mutagens.

Davies had gone to surrender himself to the Amnion. And no one could save her son except a man who'd raped and brutalized her for weeks.

Min probably should have sent her to sickbay. Had her dragged there if necessary. But she deserved better than that. She'd earned the right to remain where she could watch and hear what happened, even if there was no longer anything she could do about it.

For her sake as well as Warden's-and for humanity's-Min hoped fervently that the Council would make the right decision.

"According to Dr. Harbinger," the PR uplink echoed from Suka Bator, "Anodyne Systems records show that Nathan Alt reqqed that chip just a few days ago. He still had UMC access and clearance to Anodyne five and a half weeks after he was allegedly fired."

Lane's statement didn't make much sense to Min. She knew too little about the situation: Has.h.i.+ hadn't had time to give her all the details of the third kaze's attack. Nevertheless the importance of Lane's evidence was plain, if only because Koina's communications tech relayed it with so much hushed intensity.

The Dragon had been dealt another blow- Abruptly Morn moved. Her commitments wouldn't let her rest. With a palpable effort she pulled herself upright at the command station. Her worn gaze caught Min's.

"Director," she asked softly, "who is Dr. Harbinger?"

Min turned from the communications board. At that moment she would have answered any question Morn asked, no matter whom she kept waiting.

"One of Has.h.i.+'s techs," she said past her throat pickup. "She's brilliant, one of the best. But I don't know why he wants her to talk for him." As soon as she said that, however, an explanation occurred to her. "Unless he's worried about his credibility." In the Members' eyes-and in the context of Morn's testimony-he must have been dangerously tainted. Cleatus Fane could have used that against him. "He may think the Council is more likely to believe her."

Morn nodded slowly. "He's right." A vibration of anger sharpened her voice. "He's already done too much harm. I wouldn't believe him if he told me my own name."

Now I would, Min thought. But she didn't try to explain what had just changed for her. I would, Min thought. But she didn't try to explain what had just changed for her.

If her guess was accurate, Has.h.i.+ had done something unprecedented. He'd refused an opportunity to display his own cleverness.

Even Lane couldn't have penetrated Anodyne's security alone: that wasn't possible. She must have worked with Has.h.i.+ every step of the way; and, presumably, with Chief Mandich. Why else had the DA director asked Min for those Administration codes?

Yet he declined the spotlight; declined a chance to deliver one of his notorious lectures. Min had always considered him a rampant egomaniac, but apparently there were things he valued more than his own pride. In its way his loyalty to Warden's vision of an independent UMCP must have been as clear as hers.

"The FEA is objecting," the PR uplink reported-an intent, subvocalized murmur amplified by transmission gain. "He's objecting hard. He claims Dr. Harbinger's evidence must be false because it doesn't make sense."

"Typical," Min sneered like the fire in her hands. Her heart had begun to soar. "Lane's investigation makes the Dragon look bad, so of course she must by lying." The more Fane protested, the more guilt he betrayed. "Maybe he doesn't know she's the kind of woman who would probably throw up if she tried to say something that wasn't true."

Come on, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, she urged Fasner. I dare dare you to let this pa.s.s. You haven't got the you to let this pa.s.s. You haven't got the guts guts to give up. to give up.

The husky voice from the speakers held the bridge. "Director Hannish is answering. She accuses him of triggering that kaze. Now she says CEO Fasner suspected that Director Dios intended to make his crimes public. The CEO sent all three kazes to scare the Council into rejecting the Bill of Severance."

Morn's chin came up. Glints of vindication complicated the haunting in her eyes. She must have understood what she heard less than Min did. Nevertheless the eagerness of Koina's tech made its implications clear. Through her pain and weariness Morn seemed to catch her first real glimpse of hope.

If the Members took the next step- Center, Min warned her throat pickup, stand by. All s.h.i.+ps, all guns. On my personal authority.

She wanted to add, If you've ever believed in me, trust me now. But she didn't have time.

Too excited to whisper, the PR tech announced, almost shouted, "The Council has dropped Fane's proposal to decharter the UMCP. The Bill of Severance has been moved and seconded. They're going to pa.s.s it! My G.o.d, they're pa.s.sing it by acclamation. Holt Fasner no longer owns the UMCP." Holt Fasner no longer owns the UMCP."

No longer owns-Min found herself on her feet, s.n.a.t.c.hed erect by years of desire realized at last. She felt like flames leaping high. Warden had succeeded. By G.o.d, he had done done it! The strength of his complicity and regret had broken Fasner's legal grip on human s.p.a.ce. it! The strength of his complicity and regret had broken Fasner's legal grip on human s.p.a.ce.

Now only illegal methods of control remained.

Only treason and violence.

"Fane is hysterical," the uplink crowed. "He's being escorted from the room."

Of course course he was hysterical. He knew what was about to happen. he was hysterical. He knew what was about to happen.

Center on three. Your command module and Trumpet Trumpet are almost there. Dock in ninety seconds. are almost there. Dock in ninety seconds.

"Captain Verti-" Koina's tech seemed to choke in surprise. "I don't believe it. Captain Vertigus is dancing dancing on his chair. Most of the Members look too stunned to react, but some of them are applauding him. Blaine Manse, Tel Burnish, Sigurd-" on his chair. Most of the Members look too stunned to react, but some of them are applauding him. Blaine Manse, Tel Burnish, Sigurd-"

Suddenly everything in Min's life had become simple. She no longer had to worry about politics and humankind's future, plotting and doubt: she'd been restored to her chosen place as the UMCP's ED director, and her duty was plain.

That's enough, she told Center. Cancel feed on six.

Center obeyed promptly. Without transition the uplink fell silent as if Suka Bator had ceased to exist.

Now, she thought in Holt's direction. Do it now now.

Morn might have been waiting for this moment. She closed her eyes for a few seconds like a woman marshaling her last resources. Then she opened her belts and stood up from the command station. The look of relief on her wounded face bore an acute resemblance to mourning.

"Director Donner," she p.r.o.nounced quietly, "you have the bridge. I'll get out of your way.

"When this is over, I hope you'll remember that they were all my prisoners-Mikka and Ciro, Vector, Angus. I'm responsible for anything they did that might count against them. If you don't think they've earned a reprieve, take it out on me."

She'd let her son go. Whether he lived or died, she'd spent him to purchase her chance to address the Council. And now she had no way to help him. She'd done the best she could for him when she'd decided to trust Angus.

It was no wonder that her success seemed to fill her with grief.

Center on four. Docking complete. They've arrived.

The fire had reached Min's eyes, as hot as tears. An unexpected lump closed her throat momentarily. "Ensign Hyland-" She started again. "Morn-I consider it an honor to know you. As far as I'm concerned, the Vasaczks and Dr. Shaheed are as innocent as the day they were born. And Captain Thermopyle already works for us. On my word as UMCP Acting Director, n.o.body is going to 'take' anything 'out on' any of you. You are-"

She would have said more; wanted to find some some words that might convey what she felt. But she'd run out of time. words that might convey what she felt. But she'd run out of time.

In a burst of urgency, Porson and Center together cried at her, "HO is firing! "HO is firing! Lasers and matter cannon! My G.o.d, they're trying to hit Lasers and matter cannon! My G.o.d, they're trying to hit Suka Bator!" Suka Bator!"

Min Donner had planned for this. With nothing to go on except Morn's courage, Has.h.i.+'s stubborn genius, and her own faith in Warden Dios, she'd judged the Dragon rightly.

Now at last she could help the man she served make rest.i.tution.

Blazing with pure pa.s.sion, she yelled, "Fire! "Fire! All fire! Fire All fire! Fire now!" now!"

Almost at once, almost in unison, every cannon in the cordon and every gun UMCPHQ could bring to bear unleashed a barrage of devastation at Holt Fasner's HO.

DAVIES.

Even though he was braced for it, the hit-and-sc.r.a.pe as the module struck the port guides and slid along them into the docking seals jolted Davies' heart. He wasn't ready for this; didn't know how to be ready. He had to remind himself constantly that Angus and Ciro-and Director Donner-had no intention of letting the defensive escape with knowledge which could doom humankind. Unless every single aspect of Angus' plan failed, Davies and Vector were far more likely to die than to end as Amnion. Their artificial immunity would last long enough to spare them.

The sc.r.a.ping became a shudder as the guides forcibly adjusted the module's approach. Moments later, however, the seals caught the module and locked it to a halt. There the stress ended. With a faint sigh of hull-strain, the small vessel settled to rest against the Amnioni's side.

For what he feared would be the last time, Davies looked at Vector's face.

They still hadn't put on their helmets. As soon as they did, they wouldn't be able to say or hear anything they didn't want to share with Calm Horizons Calm Horizons.

Vector held Davies' gaze gravely; but the former engineer didn't speak. They'd come to a place where they had no more words to offer each other.

Almost at once the airlock intercom chimed. This was Captain Ubikwe's last chance to talk to them without being overheard. Apparently he hadn't run out of words.

Or he may have had something vital to convey- Davies thumbed the intercom awkwardly. The tension in his muscles stiffened his movements; deprived him of grace.

Not for the first time he was amazed by the ease in Captain Ubikwe's deep voice. Vocally, if in no other way, Punisher Punisher's dispossessed commander comported himself like a man with nothing to fear; nothing at stake.

"We're in," he announced unnecessarily. "Davies, Vector, this is your last chance to change your minds.

"Personally, I want to rescue Director Dios. I think the risk is worth taking. But I'm in no danger of ending up Amnion if absolutely everything goes wrong. I can't make a choice like this for you.

"I won't argue with anything you decide. Say the word, and I'll blow the seals, tear us back out of here. h.e.l.l," he chuckled, "it won't be the first time I haven't done exactly what I was told. And we might even survive for a while. I'll be surprised if a f.u.c.ker that big can fix targ on us when we're this close. Weil still go out in a blaze of glory, but it won't be until the real fighting starts."