10_invid_invasion- 第10部分

〃His　silence　told　me　I'd　gotten　to　him。〃

〃‘Lay　off；'　he　snapped　back；　accelerating　again。　'Marlene's　dead。'〃

〃It　literally　stopped　me　cold　in　my　tracks。〃

〃‘He　never　told　you？'　Annie　said　as　we　watched　Scott　disappear　over　a　rise　up　ahead。〃

〃‘Not　one　word　about　it；'　I　mumbled。　It　explained　a　lot　about　Scott's　behavior；　his　obsession　with　waging　this　one…man　war　of　his。。。〃

〃‘I　know　how　he　feels；'　Annie　was　saying。　‘Being　the　woman　so　many　men　dream　of；　and　yet　so　unlucky　in　love；　has　made　me　very　sensitive　to　this　sort　of　thing。'〃

〃I　didn't　know　whether　she　was　trying　to　make　me　laugh　or　what；　but　her　ment　succeeded　in　lightening　my　spirits。　Then　she　slammed　me　on　the　back：　‘Hey；　e　on！　We're　gonna　lose　Scott　if　we　don't　get　a　move　on！'〃

〃I　asked　her　if　she　was　sure　about　leaving　Ken　behind；　and　she　made　a　face。〃

〃‘Uh…huh。　I　have　a　feeling　my　next　lover's　going　to　be　my　last。　Now；　let's　get　moving；　Rand！'〃

〃She　pounded　her　tiny　fists　against　my　back　again；　and　we　were　gone。〃


CHAPTER　FIVE

Mom　was；　as　they　used　to　say　at　the　turn　of　the　century；　one　tough　broad。　She　was　the　most　respected　member　of　the　Blue　Angels；　and　even　after　her　falling　out　with　Romy　and　her　flight　from　Cavern　City；　her　name　was　adopted　by　only　those　riders　who　shot　for　the　narrows；　and　scrawled　on　many　a　wall。
Maria　Bartley…Rand；　Flower　of　Life：　Journey　Beyond　Protoculture

It　wasn't　much　of　a　town…strictly　Main…Street　frontier；　run…down　and　dirty…and　it　wasn't　much　of　a　bar；　but　at　least　the　place　offered　cold　beer　（even　if　it　was　locally　brewed　and　bitter…tasting）；　shade；　and　a　singer　backed　by　a　decent　pickup　band。

After　all　of　the　battles　are　over
After　all　of　the　fighting　is　done
Will　you　be　the　one
To　find　yourself　alone　with　your　heart
Looking　for　the　answer？


Rook　Bartley　lifted　her　glass　and　toasted　the　singer。　The　song　was　soft　and　downbeat；　just　what　she　needed　to　ease　herself　into　the　blues；　trip　through　memories　she　couldn't　do　anything　about。

Rook　took　a　look　around　the　place　over　the　rim　of　her　mug。　It　was　dimly　lit　and　poorly　ventilated　but　surprisingly　clean　and　tidy　for　a　joint　in　the　wastes。　There　was　the　usual　assortment　of　types；　Foragers　mostly；　keeping　to　themselves　in　the　corners；　nursing　drinks　and　private　thoughts。　A　couple　or　two　wrapped　around　each　other　on　the　cleared　space　that　passed　for　a　dance　floor。　And　several　bad　boys　on　the　upper　tier；　boots　up　on　the　table；　midnight　shades。　Rook　judged　they　were　locals　from　the　way　they　were　scanning　the　room　for　action；　your　basic　rough　trade　feeling　safe　on　the　barren　piece　of　turf　they　had　secured　for　themselves。　Rook　returned　to　her　drink；　unimpressed。

She　was　a　petite　and　shapely　eighteen…year…old　with　a　mane　of　strawberry…blond　hair　and　a　face　that　more　than　one　man　had　fallen　in　love　with。　She　was　wearing　a　red　and　white　short…sleeved　bodysuit　that　hugged　her　in　all　the　right　places。　It　was　set　off　by　forearm　sheaths；　a　blue　utility　belt；　and　boots；　an　outfit　styled　to　match　the　mecha　she　rode；　a　red　Cyclone　she　had　liberated　from　an　armory　just　after　her　split　from　the　Blue　Angels；　the　assault　by　the　Snakes。。。

When　it　feels　like　tomorrow　will　never　e
When　it　seems　like　the　night　will　not　end
Can　you　pretend　
That　you're　really　not　alone？
You're　out　here　on　your　own　（Lonely　soldier　boy）
You're　out　here　on　your　own　（Lonely　soldier　boy）


Rook　settled　back　in　her　chair　to　study　the　group's　lead　singer；　a　rocker　well　known　in　the　wastes　who　called　herself　Yellow　Dancer。　The　song　had　taken　an　unanticipated　leap　to　four…four；　guitar　and　keyboards　wailing；　and　Yellow　was　off　to　one　side　of　the　low　stage；　clapping　in　time　and　allowing　the　band　their　moment　in　the　spots。　She　was　tall　and　rather　broad…shouldered；　Rook　thought；　but　attractive　in　a　way　that　appealed　to　men　and　women　both。　Her　hair　was　long　but　shagged；　tinted　slightly　lavender　and　held　by　a　green　leather　band　that　chevroned　in　the　center　of　her　forehead。　Yellow's　stage　clothes　were　not　at　all　elaborate…pumps；　tight…fitting　slacks；　and　a　strapless　top　trimmed　in　purple…but　were　well　suited　to　her　tall　frame　and　flattering　to　her　figure。

Yellow　stepped　back　to　the　mike　to　acknowledge　the　applause。　She　was　modest　and　smiling　until　one　of　the　bad　boys　decided　to　change　the　tempo　somewhat。

〃Hey；　baby　face！〃　he　called　out；　getting　up　from　the　table　and　approaching　the　stage。　〃Me　and　my　friends　don't　like　your　music。　It　stinks；　y'　hear？〃

Rook　had　expected　as　much。　It　was　the　one　with　the　pointed　chin　and　wraparound　sunglasses；　the　apparent　gang　leader。　He　was　wearing　tight　jeans　tucked　into　suede　shin　boots　and　a　short…sleeve　shirt　left　unbuttoned。

〃It's　garbage；　it　ain't　music；〃　he　insulted　the　singer。

Rook　wondered　how　Yellow　would　handle　it；　the　pickup　band　were　locals；　as　was　most　of　the　room。　No　one　was　exactly　rising　to　her　defense；　but　neither　was　she　showing　signs　of　concern。

〃Well；　why　don't　you　just　give　these　people　a　sample　of　what　you　consider　music？〃　she　taunted　back。

Some　of　the　crowd　found　the　eback　amusing；　which　only　managed　to　put　Yellow's　critic　on　the　spot。　Rather　than　risk　making　a　fool　of　himself；　he　decided　to　teach　her　a　quick　lesson　and　stepped　forward　swinging　a　lightning　right。

〃I'll　give　'em　a　sample；〃　he　said　at　the　same　time。

But　Yellow　was　even　faster；　still　maintaining　her　place；　she　ducked　to　the　left；　leaving　vacuum　in　her　wake。　The　rogue's　arm　sailed　clean　through　nothingness；　wrapping　itself　around　the　mike　stand；　and　threw　him　pletely　off　balance。　The　crowd　howled；　and　Yellow　smiled。　But　in　that　instant；　her　assailant　recollected　himself；　turned；　and　caught　her　across　the　face　with　an　open…hand　left。

Yellow's　head　snapped　back；　but　not　for　long。　She　countered　with　a　right；　open…hand　also　but　hooked　a　bit　to　bring　her　nails　into　play。　The　man　took　the　blow　full　force　to　his　temple　and　cheek；　his　glasses　were　knocked　askew；　and　blood　had　been　drawn。

〃Now　we're　even；〃　she　said　to　the　leader；　whose　back　was　still　turned　to　her。　But　she　now　had　the　rest　of　the　gang　to　answer　to　as　well；　they　had　left　their　tables　and　were　approaching　her　threateningly。　〃How　about　calling　it　quits；　fellahs？〃　she　told　them。　〃Tag…team　wrestling　isn't　scheduled　until　Saturday　night；　and　we　wouldn't　want　to　mess　up　the　program；　would　we？〃

Rook　had　to　laugh；　either　she　knew　what　she　was　doing　or　she　was　one　of　those　who　got　her　kicks　facedown。　Rook　had　reason　to　believe　it　was　the　former；　however。　Yellow　was　set　like　an　upsprung　trap；　her　legs　slightly　bent；　her　fists　clawed。　At　the　same　time；　she　was　keeping　an　eye　on　the　one　she　had　already　wounded　and　was　more　than　ready　for　him　when　he　pounced。

〃You　little　witch！〃　the　man　snarled。　〃I'll　kill　you！〃

He　moved　in　and　swung　a　roundhouse　left　with　little　of　the　lightning　that　had　characterized　his　first　swing　and　none　of　the　ambivalence　of　the　second。　But　once　again；　Yellow　was　left　untouched；　and　the　momentum　carried　the　man　off　the　stage；　practically　into　the　arms　of　his　henchmen。

〃I've　enjoyed　our　little　dancing　lesson；〃　Yellow　joked；　backing　away　somewhat。　〃But　if　it's　all　the　same　to　you；　this　place　is　paying　me　to　sing。〃　Her　eyes　darted　right　and　left；　plotting　an　escape　if　needed。　〃Of　course；　we　can　pick　up　where　we　left　off　after　the　show…you　could　sure　use　some　work　on　your　fox…trot；　you　know…and　if　you're　all　nice　boys；　I'll　teach　you　to　rumba。。。〃

The　gang　was　closing　in　on　her；　and　Rook　was　beginning　to　rethink　her　earlier　evaluation　of　Yellow　Dancer。　Whatever　happened　now；　she　had　some　of　it　ing。　Meanwhile　the　club　owner　had　appeared　on　the　stage　to　intercede。　But　Rook　had　to　laugh　again；　grog　making　it　up　into　her　nose。　Not　only　was　the　dude　pushing　seventy；　but　he　began　his　little　speech　by　referring　to　Yellow's　opponents　as　gentlemen！

〃If　you　can't　control　yourselves；〃　he　continued；　his　white　mustache　twitching；　〃I'm　going　to　have　to　ask　you　all　to　leave！〃

You　and　what　army；　Rook　said　to　herself；　quoting　the　punch　line　of　an　old　T'sentrati　joke。

One　of　the　toughs；　a　mean…looking　little　guy　in　a　muscle　shirt；　had　whipped　out　a　throwing　knife　during　the　old　man's　attempted　reprimand。　He　gave　the　knife　a　backhand　toss　now；　sending　it　whizzing　past　the　owner's　head　and　straight　into　the　plywood　wall　behind　the　stage。

〃Mind　your　manners；　Gramps！〃　the　youth　cautioned。

Rook　sighed　tiredly；　swallowed　the　last　two　drops　of　her　drink；　and　stood　up　from　the　table。

〃Boy；　you　guys　sure　have　guts；〃　she　told　the　gathered　gang　members。　They　turned　slowly　toward　her　as　she　knew　they　would；　looks　of　disbelief　on　their　faces。　〃Think　you　can　handle　her　all　by　yourselves？〃

This　brought　immediate　catcalls　and　challenges　from　the　rest　of　the　room。　Rook　smiled　for　the　audience's　benefit　and　winked　at　the　gang　leader。　She　had　been　through　scenes　like　this　too　often　to　count；　and　she　knew　the　leader's　type　as　well　as　she　knew　herself。　She　was　confident　she　could　take　him；　and　that　would　eliminate　the　need　to　go　one　on　one　with　the　others。　All　she　had　to　do　was　go　after　the　leader's　pride；　and　she　had　already　made　a　good　start　in　that　direction。。。

〃Blondie；　take　my　advice　and　stay　out　of　this　or　you'll　be　next；〃　he　warned　her。

Rook　looked　away　nonchalantly。　〃Maybe　if　two　of　you　held　her　down　while　the　others　ran　for　reinforcements。。。Then　you　might　have　a　chance。〃

The　catcalls　increased　in　volume　and　originality。　Even　the　leader　cracked　an　appreciative　smile。　He　steadied　his　shades　and　gave　Rook　the　once…over。　〃A　edian。〃　He　sneered。　〃Too　bad　for　you　I've　got　such　a　poor　sense　of　humor；　'cause　I'm　gonna　make　you　sorry　you　ever　walked　in　here。〃

The　nasty　little　knife　thrower　produced　a　second　shiv；　but　the　leader　motioned　him　back。　〃She's　mine；〃　he　told　his　boys；　and　launched　himself　into　a　charge。

Rook　had　plenty　of　time　to　prepare　and　position　herself；　plus　she　had　already　sized　up　the　guy's　strengths　and　weaknesses。　He　was　ing　at　her　full　force；　yelling　at　the　top　of　his　lungs；　his　hands　at　shoulder　height　slightly　out　front。　On　the　balls　of　her　feet　now；　Rook　dropped　herself　into　a　crouch　and　brought　her　right　arm　in　front　of　her　face；　elbow　pointed　outward。　When　the　leader　was　within　range；　she　twisted　back；　then　sprang　up　and　took　her　shot；　catching　the　man　square　in　the　larynx。

Instantly；　he　went　down　on　his　knees；　hands　clutching　his　throat。　〃You　almost　killed　me；〃　he　managed　to　rasp。

〃Well；　e　at　me　again　and　let's　see　if　I　can　get　it　right　this　time；〃　Rook　answered　him。

The　room　was　full　of　applause　and　cheers　by　now；　even　some　of　the　gang　members　were　laughing。

Rook　heard　Yellow　Dancer　say；　〃I　think　the　baboon's　overmatched；〃　just　before　the　leader　growled　and　shouted；　〃Stop　laughing！〃

Then　the　knife　wielder　started　to　move　in。。。


Outside　the　bar；　two　Cyclones　were　added　to　the　long　row　of　cycles　and　various　hybrid　vehicles　that　lined　the　town's　main　street。　Scott　and　Rand　glanced　at　the　cycles　and　at　the　bar　and　traded　questioning　looks。

〃Shall　we　go　in？〃　Rand　asked。

Scott　shrugged　and　removed　his　helmet。　〃What've　we　got　to　lose？〃

〃That's　not　what　I　wanted　to　hear；〃　Rand　started　to　say；　but　Annie　was　already　off　the　Cyclone　and　heading　for　the　door。

〃e　on；　Rand。　I'm　dry　enough　to　spit　cotton。〃

Rand　exhaled　forcibly