This Day All Gods Die Part 59

Instead of insulting Mikka with dishonest rea.s.surance, he retorted acidly, "I already knew that. Why do you think I've been so d.a.m.n nice to you?"

Hadn't he been nice to her? On Nick's orders he'd nearly crushed her skull. But he'd measured his force to let her live.

It was time. His zone implants enabled him to move without hesitation, despite the sweat stinging his eyes and the fear laboring in his veins. While the command module and Trumpet Trumpet coasted across the last fifty meters toward the emblazoned docking port in coasted across the last fifty meters toward the emblazoned docking port in Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' side, he unclipped his belt from its anchor in one smooth motion. side, he unclipped his belt from its anchor in one smooth motion.

Trusting the strength and precision of his welded resources, he launched himself away from Ciro into the direct blaze of the spotlights. Weightless and silent, covered by every jamming field he could project, he sailed straight as the stroke of death toward the distant emitter of the warship's super-light proton cannon.

DAVIES.

He and Vector stood together in the airlock while Captain Ubikwe eased the command module along its final approach to Calm Horizons. Calm Horizons. They wore their EVA suits, but hadn't put on their helmets yet. The act of sealing themselves in completely seemed too final; too fatal. They wore their EVA suits, but hadn't put on their helmets yet. The act of sealing themselves in completely seemed too final; too fatal.

And without their helmets they could talk privately. Even Captain Ubikwe wouldn't hear them unless they used the intercom: Mikka, Angus, and Ciro wouldn't hear them. Once they locked their helmets in place, their suit transmitters would link them to Trumpet Trumpet as well as the command module, if not to Angus and Ciro. And the Amnion would be able to pick up their signal- as well as the command module, if not to Angus and Ciro. And the Amnion would be able to pick up their signal- That was deliberate, although Davies hated it. They could have tuned their communications to the same frequency Angus and Ciro used. But if they did so the Amnion might somehow acquire that channel. They might trace it from the suits; detect it from the helmet speakers. For that reason Angus had told Davies and Vector to use a separate frequency, one Calm Horizons Calm Horizons might monitor. Captain Ubikwe would still hear them; but the other communications on which Angus' plans depended would be protected. might monitor. Captain Ubikwe would still hear them; but the other communications on which Angus' plans depended would be protected.

Davies accepted that. h.e.l.l, he didn't even complain about it, even though it meant the Amnion might hear him gasping in dread. He had enough other worries: he didn't waste time fretting over whether or not he would sound scared to his enemies when he went to face his doom.

He'd volunteered for this-before Angus had suggested other possibilities. When he'd said, I'll go I'll go, he'd a.s.sumed that he would surrender himself to mutation; a ruin far more complete and cruel than any kind of death. And Vector had stepped forward on the same terms: that was the bond between them. Yet now they had dangerous and demanding roles in a scheme so elaborate-and so utterly reliant on variables none of them could control-that it still took his breath away whenever he thought about it.

He felt that he was being pulled apart by conflicting emotions. The airlock could have held eight or ten people, but it seemed too small to contain his tension. The restrictions of his suit frustrated his elevated metabolism. If he hadn't been able to talk to Vector, his concentration might have snapped.

Part of him ached like an amputation because he wasn't with Morn. She was doing what a cop should do-giving evidence about crimes she'd witnessed and experienced, no matter how much the truth hurt her. To some extent humankind's future rested on what she said. And her son had been imprinted with her mind: he wanted to be with her while she spoke. He burned to support her testimony with his; to stand beside her and for her when she was questioned; to cram her conclusions down the throats of those who doubted her.

Another part of him needed to be where he was, however. The sheer ingenuity of Angus' plans entranced him. And they fed his desire to fight fight-a deep, thwarted yearning which he'd never been able to satisfy. Like Director Donner and Captain Ubikwe, he craved to confront humanity's enemies with guns and violence. An acute hunger for gunfire filled his heart; for blows struck in the good cause of humankind's survival. He'd been bred for extremity in Morn's womb, and he needed needed to act on it. to act on it.

And yet another part of him, more profound than consciousness-his visceral, genetic being-quailed in horror at the prospect of facing the Amnion again. The danger to which he submitted wasn't simply that he would be transformed to the stuff of nightmares. It was far worse. If the Amnion succeeded with him, he would be used to impose the ultimate nightmare on his entire species. At the base of his brain, mutely, while the rest of his mind struggled to contain its conflicts, he gibbered with fear so sharp that it threatened to unman him.

G.o.d, it might have been kinder if Angus had just let them go die. That way he and Vector would at least have known where they stood. They could have tried to make their peace with despair.

This way- Apparently Vector felt the same. Despite the familiar self-mockery in his tone, his blue eyes were troubled as he said, "I'm glad I don't have to do this alone. Somehow being the savior of humankind hasn't turned out quite the way I imagined." He smiled ruefully at his own foolishness. "This may sound strange, but I think it might be easier if we just gave up."

Davies looked at his companion sharply. "Is that what you want to do?" If Vector decided to die, Davies was effectively finished. He couldn't tackle Calm Horizons Calm Horizons alone. alone.

Vector avoided Davies' gaze. "I suppose there's something attractive about an heroic surrender," he mused. "Martyr ourselves to save Suka Bator, UMCPHQ, and half the planet. We would be legends in our own time. Or in our own minds, anyway," he added sardonically.

"But thrashing and clawing to stay alive, floundering around in a fight we can't really hope to win while we pray for G.o.d or Angus to arrange some improbable stay of execution-which isn't likely to happen even with the best will in the world because the whole scenario is so d.a.m.n precarious, and it could all go wrong in half a dozen different ways at once-" He gave an exaggerated sigh. "Well, it's not exactly dignified, is it? We're never going to achieve the status of legends if we can't end with a little dignity."

Scowling, Davies repeated, "Is that what you want to do? End with dignity?" The idea that Vector might abandon him-and Director Dios-gnawed at his heart. "Turn Amnion without a struggle?"

Vector spread his hands. "h.e.l.l, Davies, that's what I've always done. I can't remember the last time I resisted resisted something." He snorted in deprecation. "I mean, besides gravity." Then he explained, "When the cops shut down my research at Intertech, I could have put up a fight. If I'd gone public fast enough, made myself conspicuous enough-or just been clever enough-I might have survived long enough to tell my story. I might even have made a difference." something." He snorted in deprecation. "I mean, besides gravity." Then he explained, "When the cops shut down my research at Intertech, I could have put up a fight. If I'd gone public fast enough, made myself conspicuous enough-or just been clever enough-I might have survived long enough to tell my story. I might even have made a difference."

Morn's example seemed to weigh on him. More than anyone except Davies, and perhaps Angus, he appreciated the cost of what she chose to do.

He shrugged. "But even if I'd decided I didn't want to die exposing a secret like that," he went on, "I could have put up a little resistance in other ways. I knew what Orn Vorbuld was like. I could have refused to turn illegal with him. And I certainly didn't have to join Nick when he did."

With an air of effort and chagrin, he met Davies' gaze. "It does seem that surrender is what I do best."

Davies shook his head. Anger and fear clanged against each other in his chest. He wanted to protest, So you're just going to let it happen? happen? We're all depending on you. Don't you think even We're all depending on you. Don't you think even one one of us is worth a little indignity? of us is worth a little indignity?

Do you think I want to turn Amnion?

But the distress in Vector's gaze stopped him. It was too personal. Vector had volunteered first, before Davies found the courage: he'd been prepared to face this doom alone. He deserved a better reply.

Kicking himself mentally, Davies tried to imagine what Morn would say; tried to find her inside himself. After a moment he ventured, "That doesn't make sense, Vector. Letting someone steal your research isn't the same as surrendering yourself to save millions of lives. You can't compare them."

"I suppose you're right." Vector's eyes drifted away again. His mild tone hinted at regret. "But it does make rest.i.tution."

"In this this case," Davies countered more harshly than he intended, "so does staying alive. And it's better than dying." case," Davies countered more harshly than he intended, "so does staying alive. And it's better than dying."

As far as he was concerned, anything anything was better than the oblique death of mutation. was better than the oblique death of mutation.

A short time ago he and Vector had taken the last of Nick's mutagen immunity capsules. Even if everything went wrong, they had roughly four hours of humanity left. But now that seemed more like a curse than a blessing. Five extra minutes might give Angus time to reach them: four more hours would supply nothing except absolute horror.

Maybe Vector feared those four hours more than he dreaded an undignified struggle.

"Do you really think we can trust Angus?" he asked carefully, as if he didn't want to give offense. "He's your father. Maybe you've inherited something that helps you understand him. I certainly don't.

"Why does a man like that change his mind? What does he get out of acting like a hero, when until now the only thing he's ever fought for is a chance to go on breathing?

"What if the only reason he's here-the only reason we're all doing this-is so he can s.n.a.t.c.h Trumpet Trumpet and try to escape?" and try to escape?"

"No." Davies did his best to sound certain despite his mounting alarm. "When he makes a commitment to Morn, he keeps it. I don't understand that any better than you do, but I'm sure it's true."

He trusted his father for another reason as well. He had no choice. If he didn't, he would lose his grip on himself and start to scream. But that wouldn't comfort Vector.

Vector shrugged; said nothing. The trouble in his eyes deepened.

A moment later the airlock intercom chimed. When Davies toggled the speaker, Captain Ubikwe announced, "Six minutes to dock, boys and girls." He seemed to like living this close to disaster. He sounded almost indecently relaxed. "I'll make this as gentle as I can, but you might want to hold on to something.

"Angus and Ciro are still in position," he reported. "I suggested Angus could leave now, get a head start. But he pointed out the Amnion might spot his jet emissions. He's probably right. He knows more about those jamming fields than I do."

Yet the longer Angus waited the longer Davies and Vector would have to resist Marc Vestabule's fate.

"What if he doesn't go at all?" Vector asked the intercom.

"Dr. Shaheed," Captain Ubikwe replied cheerfully, "you have a suspicious mind. If that happens, I don't think Mikka will like it any more than I will." A deep chuckle rattled the speaker. Ciro's life was at stake as much as anyone's. "In fact, we've already talked about it. She doesn't intend to let him back aboard unless he does his job. Instead she's going to charge her guns and try to take out that proton emitter before it fires.

"I guess we aren't exactly br.i.m.m.i.n.g with trust ourselves," he admitted. His tone suggested a fierce grin.

Sweat licked frustration down the small of Davies' back. His suit was full of itches he couldn't scratch.

"Any news from Morn?" he asked. Stupid question: the command module and Punisher Punisher had broken off contact with each other as soon as the module secured had broken off contact with each other as soon as the module secured Trumpet. Trumpet. Angus hadn't wanted to give the Amnion any cause for alarm. Still Davies couldn't stifle his desire for some kind of news. Angus hadn't wanted to give the Amnion any cause for alarm. Still Davies couldn't stifle his desire for some kind of news.

Moment by moment he felt that he was losing the battle against terror. He needed an anchor-and Morn was the only one he'd ever had.

Captain Ubikwe appeared to understand. Without hesitation he answered, "Scan tells me Punisher Punisher spent a while using the dish aimed at Suka Bator. But they stopped transmitting ten or fifteen minutes ago. So I a.s.sume Morn finished giving her testimony, and now the Council has to debate it." spent a while using the dish aimed at Suka Bator. But they stopped transmitting ten or fifteen minutes ago. So I a.s.sume Morn finished giving her testimony, and now the Council has to debate it."

"Thanks." Davies silenced the intercom quickly to disguise the fact that Captain Ubikwe's reply wasn't enough. He needed something more solid to hang on to.

He needed to believe in himself. At the moment his only real conviction was that the Amnion would use him to destroy humankind.

Vector faced him again. Regret pulled at the corners of the older man's mouth.

"I'm sorry, Davies. I guess I shouldn't have asked you about Angus. There's nothing we can do about him anyway." He paused awkwardly, then tightened his jaw and forced himself to say, "I'll tell you what I'm really worried about."

A defensive clench lifted his shoulders. "The truth is, I'm not much good in a fight." His strained gaze admitted that he meant no good. no good. "I'm afraid I'm going to let you down. You'll hold up your end, but you'll fail because of me. And I'm not sure I can live with that." He grimaced. "As long as I'm still human, anyway." "I'm afraid I'm going to let you down. You'll hold up your end, but you'll fail because of me. And I'm not sure I can live with that." He grimaced. "As long as I'm still human, anyway."

Claustrophobia and confusion brought up bile into Davies' mouth. His throat worked, but he couldn't swallow the taste. He no longer felt like yelling at Vector. Now he wanted to burst into tears.

"In that case," he offered thickly, "maybe you'd better stay behind. I'll tell them I killed you. So they won't get your knowledge. That'll break the deal, but it won't be Morn's fault. They can't blame her. And they don't have time for more negotiations. As long as they have me, they probably won't open fire." On Thanatos Minor he'd protected himself from the Amnion with lies. "If I can confuse them enough, they may still give Angus enough time."

Vector studied him closely for a moment, then sighed. "Ah, well." Slowly the former engineer turned away. "I don't think I could live with that, either."

While Davies fought to recover some semblance of courage or control, the intercom chimed again. He rapped the toggle with his knuckles; but then he couldn't find his voice to respond.

Captain Ubikwe sounded strangely eager. "Two minutes to dock." He must have thought he was having fun. "Angus is away. Right on target, by G.o.d-and moving fast. Ciro won't start until we hit the seals, but we're committed now.

"Let's make this work."

Angus is away. That was an anchor of sorts-the best Davies could hope for, since he had so little reason to trust himself. Right on target. Angus intended to keep his word. If his son could do the same- When neither Davies nor Vector said anything, Captain Ubikwe went on, "I told Angus you'll give him an extra minute or two, if you can. If you're willing to take that kind of chance."

Vector glanced at Davies, then faced the intercom himself. "I don't think so, Captain." The resignation in his voice might as well have been despair. "We might upset Vestabule. Then a whole lot of people won't live to regret it."

"I understand," Captain Ubikwe answered more quietly. "Secure for dock impact. Then kill a couple of them for me."

Vector took hold of a handgrip; but Davies ignored the danger of a jolt. Instead he spent the last of his concentration checking his weapons.

He'd coiled his sharp monofilament line into his left palm inside his glove. His plastic dirk rested in his belt pouch. That was all he had to defend himself with. Angus had promised him they would pa.s.s Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' sensors. sensors.

Davies feared that the Amnion would knock him unconscious before he could even begin to put up a fight. Then he would be lost: ten minutes or four hours of mutagen immunity wouldn't make any difference. Nevertheless he faced the outer door of the airlock as if he couldn't wait to bring his lifetime of confusion and distress to an end.

CIRO.

He may not have been as crazy as he thought. He was still sane enough to understand Angus' plans-and to fear for their success. As the command module carried Trumpet Trumpet across the last twenty meters to the docking port marked by incandescence in across the last twenty meters to the docking port marked by incandescence in Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' side, he stayed where he was; clung to his rifle; and tried to weigh the dangers against each other. side, he stayed where he was; clung to his rifle; and tried to weigh the dangers against each other.

He should already have started to work himself: that was what Angus had told him. Don't wait around. Open the hatch. Get that d.a.m.n thing in position as fast as you can. Otherwise you'll be in trouble Don't wait around. Open the hatch. Get that d.a.m.n thing in position as fast as you can. Otherwise you'll be in trouble.

At a certain point-after Davies and Vector boarded the defensive-Captain Ubikwe would fire thrust to break free of the docking seals. Unless Ciro had manhandled his doom past the module and away across the defensive's hull by that time, the sudden force might do him real harm. He could easily break a limb, or damage his suit, unless he was anch.o.r.ed and braced. Worse, he might lose control of the grenade. If it bounced off the module's hull, or Trumpet's Trumpet's, and out of reach, everything would be ruined. Even using the full power of his suit jets, he might fail to retrieve the grenade in time. It had too much ma.s.s to be managed quickly. Then Davies and Vector, Angus and Warden Dios, Captain Ubikwe and Mikka-they would all die for nothing.

There was another factor as well, although Ciro had already decided to ignore it. For Mikka's sake, Angus had instructed him to position the grenade as fast as you can as fast as you can so that he, Ciro, could return to the command module before it moved out of reach. But he foresaw at least two problems. He didn't trust his aim: he would miss unless he fired at close range. And he feared setting the grenade too near the docking port-too near the module and so that he, Ciro, could return to the command module before it moved out of reach. But he foresaw at least two problems. He didn't trust his aim: he would miss unless he fired at close range. And he feared setting the grenade too near the docking port-too near the module and Trumpet Trumpet.

Still he should have moved by now. That was the plan. Nevertheless he lay flat against the gap scout's metal skin while Captain Ubikwe guided the module meter by meter into the maw of the docking port. Calm Horizons Calm Horizons lowered in front of him like a wall of sky, her darkness slashed with spotlights; and Ciro clung where he was as if her sheer size paralyzed him. lowered in front of him like a wall of sky, her darkness slashed with spotlights; and Ciro clung where he was as if her sheer size paralyzed him.

Angus' orders seemed to make sense, but they had one fatal flaw. He'd admitted as much, if not in so many words. You'll be exposed as soon as I leave. You'll be exposed as soon as I leave. That was the danger. Ciro was small enough to be missed: even That was the danger. Ciro was small enough to be missed: even Trumpet Trumpet dwarfed him. And he'd made his profile even smaller by lying down. But spotlights searched every meter of the gap scout and the command module constantly. At least half a dozen video pickups studied the approaching vessels. He was certain that some watching eye would spot him as soon as he rose into motion. dwarfed him. And he'd made his profile even smaller by lying down. But spotlights searched every meter of the gap scout and the command module constantly. At least half a dozen video pickups studied the approaching vessels. He was certain that some watching eye would spot him as soon as he rose into motion.

And then- Ah, then: disaster. The Amnion would realize that they were threatened. They might not guess the nature of the threat, but they would recognize its reality. And they would make the same decision human beings would make in the same crisis: they would open fire.

One super-light proton cannon burst might be enough to raze Suka Bator. Two would certainly do the job. And when UMCPHQ, Punisher Punisher, and the rest of the ships returned Calm Horizons' Calm Horizons' matter cannon barrage, matter cannon barrage, Trumpet Trumpet and the module would be pounded to powder almost instantaneously. and the module would be pounded to powder almost instantaneously.

Ciro may have been crazy; but he knew this danger was greater than the one he'd been told to avoid.

Defying Angus' explicit instructions, he lay like a blister on Trumpet's Trumpet's hull and waited for Angus to carry out the first part of his mission. hull and waited for Angus to carry out the first part of his mission.

He'd positioned himself so that he had a clear view of Angus' progress. The cyborg appeared to sail unnaturally fast: with his artificial strength, he'd launched himself hard at his target. Straight as a laser, he soared toward the distant proton emitter. But Calm Horizons Calm Horizons was huge, and he still had a long way to go. Spotlights glared off his suit as they hunted for foes. At intervals he seemed to burn against the backdrop of the heavens like a star gone supernova. If any of his jamming fields failed-or if he'd misjudged their effectiveness-he would be noticed at once. was huge, and he still had a long way to go. Spotlights glared off his suit as they hunted for foes. At intervals he seemed to burn against the backdrop of the heavens like a star gone supernova. If any of his jamming fields failed-or if he'd misjudged their effectiveness-he would be noticed at once.

Ciro concentrated exclusively on Angus; didn't know how close the command module had come to its destination. The sudden jolt-and-sc.r.a.pe as the module hit the port guides and slid along them toward the docking seals took him by surprise. Inertia pushed him onto the hull, then rebounded through him, nearly lifting him from the surface before he caught himself.

He didn't take his eyes off Angus.

Without a sound, but palpable through the ships' metal, maneuvering thrust forced the module down the guides to mate against the docking seals. For a moment Trumpet Trumpet shuddered on the module's back. Then the seals took hold. Gradually thrust faded, and both vessels came to rest. shuddered on the module's back. Then the seals took hold. Gradually thrust faded, and both vessels came to rest.

s.h.i.t. In another minute or two, Davies and Vector would leave the airlock to meet Marc Vestabule and Warden Dios aboard Calm Horizons. Calm Horizons. No matter what Captain Ubikwe said, they couldn't delay without making the Amnion suspicious. And Angus still hadn't reached his target. And when he was done there, he would have to come all this way back, running on magnetized boots-or coasting in zero g-so that his jets wouldn't betray him. No matter what Captain Ubikwe said, they couldn't delay without making the Amnion suspicious. And Angus still hadn't reached his target. And when he was done there, he would have to come all this way back, running on magnetized boots-or coasting in zero g-so that his jets wouldn't betray him.

Now surely it was time for Ciro to start; time to take the risk, accept the consequences. The job ahead of him would test his strength-and his craziness-to their limits. Nevertheless he remained motionless and went on waiting. He was still sane enough to pray- There. Angus had stopped; snagged himself to a halt on the projecting muzzle of the emitter. Instinctively Ciro held his breath. The distance was too great; and his faceplate's polarization cost his vision depth: he couldn't see what Angus was doing. But he knew the plan. And he may have been the only person living who trusted Angus implicitly. Angus had stopped; snagged himself to a halt on the projecting muzzle of the emitter. Instinctively Ciro held his breath. The distance was too great; and his faceplate's polarization cost his vision depth: he couldn't see what Angus was doing. But he knew the plan. And he may have been the only person living who trusted Angus implicitly.

Angus meant to sabotage the emitter. But he had to do so in a way that concealed the damage. Once the Amnion realized they'd been hurt, they would open up with all their other guns. Angus needed an undetectable means to disable the proton emitter.

That was why he carried a canister of hull sealant.

With no one to witness him except Ciro, he sprayed sealant down the emitter's muzzle; enough sealant to replace ten cubic meters of blown bulkhead. It hardened in seconds. If he was right-if his databases hadn't misled him-the gun was ruined now. Simple as that. When Calm Horizons Calm Horizons tried to use it she would blast a hole the size of a pocket cruiser in her own side. tried to use it she would blast a hole the size of a pocket cruiser in her own side.

If he was right- Ciro's chest tugged at him, demanding air; but he held his breath as if he thought that act of self-denial might keep Angus alive. It's easy It's easy, Angus had told Morn. All I have to do is get there. Ten seconds later your d.a.m.n Council is safe. All I have to do is get there. Ten seconds later your d.a.m.n Council is safe. If a theory no one had ever tested turned out to be accurate, Marc Vestabule had just lost his hostages. But Angus still had to get away. If If a theory no one had ever tested turned out to be accurate, Marc Vestabule had just lost his hostages. But Angus still had to get away. If Calm Horizons Calm Horizons fired her proton cannon while he was anywhere nearby, he would be caught in the explosion. Metal and wreckage would tear him apart like shrapnel. fired her proton cannon while he was anywhere nearby, he would be caught in the explosion. Metal and wreckage would tear him apart like shrapnel.

Now Ciro saw Angus start back toward him. Angus had kicked himself into another fast glide. Apparently he thought that would be quicker than running. In two more heartbeats, or three, he would be out of immediate danger. As long as Marc Vestabule didn't know what had just happened- Davies and Vector must have emerged from the module's airlock as Vestabule expected. The Amnioni must have believed that he still had the power to destroy Suka Bator. That Trumpet's Trumpet's people intended to keep their bargain with him. No explosion shook the defensive. She didn't do anything that would bring Director Dormer's cordon of ships into battle with her. people intended to keep their bargain with him. No explosion shook the defensive. She didn't do anything that would bring Director Dormer's cordon of ships into battle with her.

Slowly Ciro began to breathe again.

Beyond question it was time for him to get to work; past time. In Sorus Chatelaine's name he'd accepted a role that demanded strength, timing, accuracy. And he lacked the raw muscle to keep his promises quickly. Any moment now Angus would start to yell at him, cursing him into action.

But when he heard a voice, it wasn't Angus'. It was Captain Ubikwe's.

"Mikka, Ciro hasn't moved."

Immediately Mikka demanded, "What's happened to him?"

"I don't know." Dolph's deep tones thrummed with worry. "He's paralyzed."

Mikka didn't hesitate. "I've got to go out there."

Ciro could imagine her slapping at her belts, thrusting herself from her g-seat.

"You can't," Captain Ubikwe countered urgently. "We still might survive if he doesn't do his part. If you don't do yours, we're dead."

Mikka's groan seemed to ache inside the confines of Ciro's helmet.

Yet his reasons for staying where he was still gripped him. If he moved now-and the Amnion spotted him-all the rest of Angus' plan would fail.