Half a dozen Chinese tanks and assault vehicles were parked at the site, along with a platoon of armed Chinese soldiers in radiation suits. Wit had already arrived. He was down from his drill sledge stepping into a radiation suit two soldiers held open for him, arguing with an officer.
The officer turned and faced Mazer, smiling. It was Shenzu, Mazer’s contact at the Chinese base who had threatened to shoot Mazer down for taking the HERC. “Captain Mazer Rackham. Welcome back. On behalf of the Chinese Army, we thank you for destroying one of the landers and the biomass. Here, step into this suit. There’s a communicator inside. We’re likely safe at this distance, but we will err on the side of caution.”
“The blast was a success?” Mazer asked.
Shenzu smiled. “This is a great day in China. We have scored a huge victory. Also, you are under arrest.”
For a moment Mazer thought he had misheard.
“We just destroyed the guys who have been slaughtering your people,” said Wit. “You’re supposed to see what we did and copy it.”
“Oh we’ll copy it,” said Shenzu. “We have people working on that right now. This is only one lander after all. The war is far from over. But in the meantime, there are the charges against you. Illegally crossing our borders, stealing government property, conducting a nuclear strike on Chinese soil. All serious offenses. I am to escort you to a holding facility.”
“This is how you show your thanks?” said Mazer.
“Don’t worry, gentlemen. Most heroes in China are arrested first. We’re used to it.”
CHAPTER 29
Mothership
Victor got his hand on the shuttle door, ready to open it. The instruments on the dash indicated that the Formic ship was only six hundred meters away now, practically on top of them. “We’re going to make it, Imala,” he said. “They’re not going to vaporize us.” He watched the numbers tick down as they drifted in closer … closer.
He had known that being cramped in a cockpit with Imala for a few days would be awkward and uncomfortable, but he hadn’t expected the experience to be downright miserable. It was worse than being in the quickship for nine months. At least in the quickship he could do whatever he wanted and not have to worry about being indecorous. If he had to belch, he belched. If he had to urinate, he did. Here, not only was Imala practically right on top of him and thus likely aware of everything he was doing biologically inside his spacesuit, but he was also aware of her every move and sound.
Plus their bulky helmets were practically touching, so it was as if they were huddled together and staring at each other. Nonstop. For two days.
“Be careful,” said Imala. “When you open the door, do it slowly. Sudden movements might set them off.”
“Anything could set them off. Heat signatures might set them off.”
“They can detect those?”
“They can travel at near-lightspeed, Imala. Who knows what they can do?”
“It would’ve been nice to have known that before we set out.”
“If you wait until you know everything, you never do anything.”
“Who are you quoting? Ben Franklin? Sun Tzu?”
“My father.”
The dash gave a beep, signaling it was time for him to leave. Imala flipped off the interior lights. “You can do this, Vico. And if it gets to the point where you don’t want to do it anymore, then we turn around. We didn’t come here for either of us to die. We’ll do more good if we live. Remember that.”
“Live. Yes. A good plan.” He turned the handle and slowly opened the door, easing it outward. When it was wide enough, he pulled himself out, weightless. The Formic ship was like a red mountain in front of him. He was nothing compared to it. A dot. A gnat. How could he possibly stop something so big?
He slowly pulled out the duffel bag with his tools and the explosive, which suddenly felt hopelessly inadequate considering the size of the thing in front of him.
The shuttle drifted forward. Victor eased the door closed.
They couldn’t have the shuttle float into the Formic ship. Having the two touch felt like a risk. It was better if Imala stopped the shuttle shy of the ship and Victor flew the remaining distance alone.
“I’m clear, Imala.”
“Roger that. Go easy. Come right back if anything feels wrong.”
“Everything feels wrong already. You should see the size of this thing. It’s like a moon.”
“Firing retros,” she said.
Near-imperceptible bursts of air slowed the shuttle. Victor continued on, floating toward the gleaming red metallic wall. No guns sprang out. No Formics emerged.