Holly targeted the magnetic rollers along the doors upper rim, sinking blast after blast from her Neutrino into their mechanisms. The doors jerked in their housings but did not stop. Two of the rollers blew out, but the massive portals momentum carried them together. They connected with an ominous bong.
Alone at last, said Opal, sounding for all the world like an innocent college fairy on her first date.
Root pointed his weapon at the device belted round Scalenes middle, as if he could somehow hurt Koboi.
What do you want? he demanded.
You know what I want, replied Opal. The question is, how am I going to get it? What form of revenge would be the most satisfying? Naturally, you will both end up dead, but thats not enough. I want you to suffer as I did, discredited and despised. One of you at least the other will have to be sacrificed. I dont really care which.
Root retreated to the blast doors, motioning for Holly to follow.
Options? he whispered, his back to Kobois device.
Holly raised her visor, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. The helmets were air conditioned, but sometimes sweating had nothing to do with temperature.
We have to get out of here, she said. The chute is the only way.
Root nodded. Agreed. We fly up far enough to clear Kobois blocker signal, then alert Major Kelp.
What about Scalene? Hes mesmerized to the gills, he cant look after himself. If we do escape, Opal is not going to leave him around as evidence.
It was basic criminal logic. Your typical take over the world types were not averse to knocking off a few of their own if it meant a clean getaway.
Root actually growled. It really tugs my beard to put us in harms way over a goblin, but thats the job. We take Scalene with us. I want you to sink a few charges into that box round his waist, and when the buzzing stops I throw him over my shoulder and were off up E37.
Understood, said Holly, lowering the setting on her weapon to minimum. Some of the charge would be transferred to Scalene, but it wouldnt do much more than dry up his eyeballs for a couple of minutes.
Ignore the pixie. Whatever she says, keep your mind on the job.
Yes, sir.
Root took several deep breaths. Somehow it calmed Holly to see the commander as nervous as she was. OK. Go.
The two elves turned and strode rapidly towards the unconscious goblin.
Have we come up with a little plan? said Koboi mockingly from the small screen. Something ingenious, I hope. Something I havent thought of?
Grim-faced, Holly tried to shut out the words, but they wormed their way into her thoughts. Something ingenious? Hardly. It was simply the only option open to them. Something Koboi hadnt thought of? Doubtful. Opal could conceivably have been planning this for almost a year. Were they just about to do exactly what she wanted?
Sir began Holly, but Root was already in position beside Scalene.
Holly fired six charges at the small screen. All six impacted on Kobois pixelated features. Opals image disappeared in a storm of static. Sparks squeezed between the metal seams and acrid smoke leaked through the speaker grid.
Root hesitated for a moment, allowing any charge to disperse, then he grabbed Scalene firmly by the shoulders.
Nothing happened.
I was wrong, thought Holly, releasing a breath she did not realize shed been holding. I was wrong, thank the gods. Opal has no plan. But it wasnt true, and Holly didnt really believe it.
The box around Scalenes midriff was secured by a set of octo-bonds, eight telescoping cables often used by the LEP to restrain dangerous criminals. They could be locked and unlocked remotely and, once cinched, could not be removed without the remote or an angle grinder. As soon as Root leaned over, the octo-bonds released Scalene and whiplashed around the commanders torso, releasing Scalene and drawing the metal box tight to Roots own chest.
Kobois face appeared on the reverse side of the box. The smokescreen had been just that: a smokescreen.
Commander Root, she said, almost breathless with malice, it looks like youre the sacrifice.
DArvit! swore Root, beating the metal box with the butt of his pistol. The cords tightened until Roots breath came in agonized spurts. Holly heard more than one rib crack. The commander fought the urge to sink to his feet. Magical blue sparks played around his torso, automatically healing the broken bones.
Holly rushed forward to help, but before she could reach her superior officer an urgent beeping began to emanate from the devices speaker. The closer she got, the louder the beep.
Stay back, grunted Root. Stay back. Its a trigger.
Holly stopped in her sooty tracks, punching the air in frustration. But the commander was probably right. She had heard of proximity triggers before. Dwarfs used them in the mines. They would set a charge in the tunnels, activate a proximity trigger and then set it off from a safe distance, using a stone.
Opals face reappeared on the screen.
Listen to your Julius, Captain Short, advised the pixie. This is a moment for caution. Your commander is quite right the tone you hear is indeed a proximity trigger. If you come too close, he will be vaporized by the explosive gel packed into the metal box.