World's End

Page 166

The men down the alleyway look up as SB bursts out through the doorway. Some of them start to get up, or call out Anubah's name.

"Now I feel like a man." SB grins at HK, holding up the gun.

"You killed him?" I whisper.

"Sure." He nods. "He deserved it."

I look away mutely, too many voices in my head.

"Gods, SB," HK whines too loudly, "they know what you did!" He points down the alley, jittering with panic.

"Quiet--" I mutter, but he grabs the fire globe and begins to hobble away. Someone shouts at us.

SB's arm comes up with the gun. "No!" I say, but he fires wildly.

I see weapons come out, and the others start for us in a mob. I pick up Song and we all run. She is a dead weight, but rage at my brothers gives me more strength than fear does.

The twisting alleyways, the maze of steps and ladders, Generated by ABC Amber LIT

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2O7

JOAN D. VINGE

are our enemy and our friend. As we run I fix an image in my mind of the landing flat, the waiting rovers--escape, freedom--willing myself to see them ahead.

And abruptly I do, almost as if I have the power to twist time and space. With the last of my strength I run out onto the field. But in the hard glare of the lights I see more outlaws, and Goldbeard, roaring, pointing at us--

"There! He has her! He stole Song!"

SB fires at him and Goldbeard crumples, but the rest come toward us in a raging mass.

"Leave her, drop her," SB gasps, pulling HK by the arm. "It's her they want! They'll tear us apart!"

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I run for the nearest rover instead, and drag Song's body on board. SB and HK throw themselves through the doorway after me. I seal the door, and fumble the remote into my ear. I gasp an override command, collapsing into the pilot's seat. The control panel comes to life. I lift off, hearing HK and SB grunt as the takeoff dumps them against the back wall. I can barely keep my leaden hands on the controls as we rise from the plateau into the darkness.