Logos Run by William C. Dietz

Author:William C. Dietz [Dietz, William C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780441014286
Publisher: Ace (TRD)
Published: 2006-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

The Planet Haafa

Why, God? Why us?

—Wall graffiti found deep within the city of Kahoun

™ There was total darkness within the floating tomb as the sound of the external explosion faded away—followed by a shower of dust that caused most of the group to sneeze or cough. Then, as Rebo, Norr, and Hasa began to operate their squeeze-powered glow lights, three beams of fluctuating light came into existence. The vaguely pistol-shaped devices had been copied from a unit “harvested” from Kahoun and made a distinctive click-whir noise as the powerproducing handle was clenched, then released. Even though the dynamo-powered light kept Rebo from fisting both of his handguns at the same time, the runner was happy to have the device because a lantern would have been even more cumbersome.

The wings were less fortunate, however, since no one had seen fit to supply them with glow lights, causing File Leader Lartha and his subordinates to bunch up behind Hasa rather than be left back in the darkness. “Okay,” Rebo said fatalistically, as he directed a beam of light down a slight incline. “We might as well get this over with.... I’ll go first, Lonni will follow behind me, and you guys can bring up the rear.”

“No!” the minder replied vehemently. “I will go first— and the wings will follow me. Yo u will bring up the rear.”

Rebo was surprised, but pleasantly so, and happy to let Hasa lead the way. But, having sampled the other man’s personality, he knew better than to say so. “Well, okay,” the runner allowed reluctantly. “But it doesn’t seem fair.”

“I have very little interest in your opinions,” Hasa replied arrogantly, as his glow light washed over a beautifully executed mural. “Come, Lartha.... Let’s see where this passageway leads.”

Norr caught a glimpse of Rebo’s expression in the side wash from her squeeze light, knew that her companion was on the verge of laughter, and poked him as Kufu’s functionaries proceeded down the tunnel.

Everything went smoothly at first. So smoothly that the runner was about to conclude that his earlier fears had been groundless, when he heard a clacking sound, and File Leader Lartha vanished. Hasa’s glow light bobbed erratically, and pandemonium ensued as the remaining wings looked for their leader. But it wasn’t until Norr made her way forward that the mystery was solved. “Look!” the sensitive said as she directed her beam downward. “Do you see those cracks? He fell through a trapdoor.”

The revelation did nothing to comfort Hasa. A sheen of sweat covered the minder’s forehead, and his eyes were huge as he looked from left to right. “Where is Lartha now? Do you think he’s alive?”

“No,” Rebo replied reasonably. “I don’t....But we can’t stay here. Watch for cracks, and you’ll be okay.”

“Oh, no you don’t!” Hasa objected heatedly. “I know what you’re up to....You’re hoping that I’ll be the next one to die! Well, I’m too smart for that. Yo u go first...And the spook goes second. The wings and I will bring up the rear.

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