The little man hit the floor spread-eagled and made no movement afterward. Scarlet rivered from his wrists, spreading out around the raised base of the jump chamber, creating a moatlike effect.
The armaglass walls were of the same dark blue shade as that on the station, but Kane had no eyes for it. Resting on the shelves of a glass-fronted case, he saw all of their equipment, including their helmets and Sin Eaters.
On impulse, he aimed the harp at the case and thumbed a single string. The glass shattered with such an explosive, nerve-stinging jangle both Grant and Bri-gid jumped and cursed.
“You’re getting tune-happy with that thing,” Grant observed sourly, brushing away shards of glass and removing their possessions from the shelves.
“It would have to be my blaster that got vaporized,” said Brigid ruefully.
“David probably couldn’t figure out how the Sin Eater holsters worked,” Kane replied, strapping his around his right forearm.
They put on their helmets, made sure that each oxygen apparatus was in working order, then sealed them to the collars of their suits.
Grant tapped the keypad affixed to the outer wall of the mat-trans unit. “We’re going to Parallax Red ?”
“If that’s where Sindri is,” Kane said, “then that’s where we’ll be.”
“How do we know he didn’t screw around with the jump controls?” Grant asked. “We may be shunted off into a long trip through the Cerberus network.”
“He doesn’t have the know-how to do that, or the time,” answered Brigid brusquely as she swung open the door. “This unit’s destination coordinates are locked on to the station.”
They stepped into the chamber, taking up positions on the diamond-shaped floor disks. Kane kept the harp tucked beneath his left arm. Though both he and Grant wanted to, they didn’t unleather their blasters. A reflexive jerk of their fingers on the triggers while reviving from the transit could have lethal consequences.
Brigid pulled the door shut, initiating the automatic jump mechanism. Her tense whisper was transmitted into Grant and Kane’s helmets “Mars, ave atque vale . ‘Hail and farewell.'”
Chapter 30
The outlanders revived quickly and cleanly, more or less simultaneously. Once on her feet, Brigid cast a quick look at the others and made a sensor sweep with the motion detector, and when no movement registered outside the armaglass walls, she opened the door.
Not speaking, they passed through the antechamber and into the control room. It looked exactly the same as when they had first seen it. Even the hatch stood open, just the way Kane had left it. Pausing before it, they exchanged questioning glances.
Finally Grant rumbled, “Now where to? Even retracing our steps won’t necessarily take us to Sindri. And this place is what, two miles in diameter?”
“Actually, 2.8 miles.” Sindri’s voice filtered into their helmets through the UTEL comm-link.
All of them skipped around in shock, half-expecting to see him seated at one of the consoles. Sin Eaters sprang into Kane and Grant’s hands.
“I took the liberty of examining your communications system,” continued Sindri smoothly, “so I could break into the frequencies if circumstances warranted. I wasn’t sure if you had arrived until Mr. Grant spoke.”
“Where are you?” Kane demanded.
“That’s what I’m about to tell you. By the way, Mr. Kane, were you responsible for interfering with the gravity generator and thus ruining my and Miss Bri-gid’s erotic encounter?”
“That wasn’t why I did it,” replied Kane, “but now that I know, that seems as good a reason as any.”
Sindri’s exasperated sigh filled their helmets. “You are truly a most egregious individual, Mr. Kane. I’m putting you at the top of my enemy list.”
Dryly Kane retorted, “I’m honored. I’m sure I’m in good company.”
“Actually, no. At present your name is the only one on it. I cleared the rest of them off some time ago.”
Grant growled, “You little son of a bitch”
“Tut, tut, Mr. Grant. Have a care, sir, or your name will join Mr. Kane’s. Now, as to where you can find me. Go down the promenade for approximately fifty yards. On your left you will see a maintenance access-way. Enter it and climb down. Then I will provide additional instructions.”
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