按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
even half…a…dozen reconfigured Hovertanks。 Miriya and Bela thought for a moment that things had reached the hopeless level； and someone had given the abandon…ship order； a reckless last gasp for the moon。。。
Then they spotted the dreadnought； Wolff's bright spot in the galaxy…the SDF…7 rescue vessel。
One day Rick and Lisa would pare the rescue of the Sentinels to the SDF…l's rescue of Macross from the Solar System's outer circle of frozen hell； there was the same sense of urgency； the same logistical problems and sacrifices…and chief among these would be the GMU itself。 With the orbs beating a fast path for the safety of interstellar space； the Sentinels had no way to maneuver the base aboard； and there was no docking bay in the SDF…7 large enough to contain it even if they could。 But just now； to everyone but Vince Grant； the GMU was of secondary concern。 Distance was the crucial matter at hand…how much could be put between the cruiser and Praxis； and just how quickly。
They were close to a million miles out when the planet came apart； when enough force to obliterate the moon…the place Rick had recently seen as their possible salvation。 Bela and Gnea were on the bridge to witness the brief fireball that flared where a world had once turned。
〃We are homeless；〃 Bela cried。
But from what Rick and the others were beginning to understand； the Praxians weren't the only ones。 Again a parison with the SDF…1 would present itself； the memory of a council's edict that forbade the fortress to remain the Earthspace； an edict that effectively betrayed the Robotech Defense Force。 And such betrayals； Rick reminded himself； had a cruel way of balancing out。。。
Superluminal Reflex drives kept the fortress well ahead of Praxian debris； and during that brief run to the outer limits of the planetary system； Wolff related to his dazed rades the sobering tale of his short stay aboard the SDF…3。 Wolff knew nothing of the simulagent's assassination； and Tesla certainly wasn't talking； but even without that subplot； there was more than enough to leave the Humans dumbfounded。
As they continued to rehash the details； a curious understanding of the council's decision began to undermine their initial outrage。 But that Wolff should have to steal a ship； and that the Sentinels would as a consequence be viewed as outlaws。。。these things were not so easily embraced。 For the XT Sentinels； the revelations only meant that they had gained a second enemy instead of a much…needed ally。 Among the group； however； there was the beginning of a renewed cohesiveness。
Rick thought he detected something unsettling in Wolff； but he dismissed it； speculating that he would probably have returned in even worse shape。
〃Do we return to Tirol； or continue on as planned？〃 Rick asked everyone。 〃If we opt for going back； it could mean prison for most of us； death for some；〃 he added； glancing over at Wolff。 〃On the other hand； it might give us a chance to explain ourselves to the council and keep Edwards from gaining any further influence。〃
〃What do we care about your General Edwards？〃 Lron shouted； looking for support from the other XTs。 〃The Invid are our enemy。 And if your forces decide to side with them against us； so be it。〃
Kami； Learna； Crysta； Bela； and Gnea voiced their support for Lron's position。 Cabell； Rem； Janice； Sarna； and Veidt were curiously quiet。
Rick silenced them and directed the question to the RDF contingent。 Lisa stood up to answer him。
〃I understand the need for countering Edwards's influence；〃 she said in a way that was aimed at Rick； 〃but we have to consider the broader picture。 Our return could place the council in an awkward position with regard to further negotiations。〃
〃We'll acplish the same thing with continued acts of aggression directed against Invid…held planets；〃 someone from the Wolff Pack pointed out。 〃What happens when Edwards es gunning for us…do we fight our own forces？〃
Vince Grant shot to his feet and turned on the pilot； even as Jean was trying to calm him down。 〃The council would never bow to the Regent's demands that we be hunted down！ They'd break the truce before they'd do that…〃
〃Not if Edwards is running the council！〃
〃Waste 'em！〃 said a Skull pilot。 〃They were ready to let us die on Praxis！ I say we're free agents！〃
XTs and Humans cheered。 Rick found himself thinking about pirates； and happened to notice Jack Baker slapping Lron on the back； while Karen raised her eyes in an imploring gesture。
〃Put it to a vote；〃 Max suggested。
Rick scanned the crowd and received nods of agreement from Lisa； Wolff； Miriya； Vince； and Cabell。 〃Will it be Garuda； then； or back to Tirol？〃 he asked loud enough to be heard above the tumult。
〃Garuda！〃 came the overwhelming response。
〃Then it's settled；〃 he said； aware once more of how he had taken charge without being asked。 And from across the room； Lisa's eyes burned into his own。
CHAPTER EIGHT
I'm looking forward to Garuda in a way that has nothing to do with what I felt toward either Karbarra or Praxis。 All things point to the possibility of our being able to regroup and restrengthen ourselves there； even if we will have to suit up for the visit。 God knows Lisa and I need some uninterrupted time together。 We spoke of dreams tonight； and made love like we haven't in far too long。 It es down to dreams in the end…holding fast to them no matter what else is thrown in your path。 I want to get back to that place in my life； and Garuda sounds like it was made to order。
From the collected journals of Admiral Rick Hunter
Once again the Expeditionary Mission's Plenipotentiary Council found itself in extraordinary session； the third time in as many days。 Ex…colonel Jonathan Wolff and his small band of rebels had stolen a prototype warship and folded from the Valivarre system； after assassinating the Invid Regent。 The ruler's body had been taken back to the fleet flagship by his retinue of scientists and soldiers； who were promising a swift and violent response to the Humans' treachery。 Ships under General Edwards's mand had chased the pirated cruiser； but stopped short of following it into hyperspace。 It was believed； although hardly certain at this point； that Wolff was returning to Praxis； but the Sentinels' next destination was anyone's guess。 And if their movements were open to question； their motives were positively baffling。 Edwards was arguing this very point in the council chambers now； moving through the room like a trial lawyer； his speech angry and impassioned； his reasoning all but unassailable。
〃Furthermore；〃 he said； a forefinger raised； 〃it's my belief that Wolff's story was a ruse。 The Sentinels sent Wolff here to kill the Regent。 All his talk about the destruction of the Farrago and the rescue mission to Praxis was engineered as a diversion。〃
〃That's arrant nonsense；〃 Lang objected； getting to his feet and turning to face the rest of his group。 〃It was the Regent who first informed us of the destruction of the ship…〃
〃They allowed his troops to destroy the ship；〃 Edwards cut in； but Thurgood Stinson quickly waved him silent。
〃What's more；〃 Lang said after settling his gaze on Edwards； 〃the Sentinels had no way