Engineman - Eric Brown [47]
"We took up the fight against the Organisation because of their treatment of the Lho-Dharvo."
She shook her head. "What do you mean?"
"Eleven years ago they designed and released the Lho-specific virus that in three years wiped out the majority of the Lho-Dharvo on the four continents of the Reach."
Ella was aware of a sudden and dizzying rush of blood to her head, and the amplified thud of her heartbeat pounding around her body. In the silence that followed she heard the sound of birdsong from beyond the open door.
"We had contacts within the Organisation, and our own medical experts," Max went on. "We tried to get our findings to the United Colonies forum on Earth, but our delegation was arrested before it reached Earth, and murdered. The Organisation covered their tracks, responding to rumours by inviting UC representatives to the Reach to investigate the plague. But they were very clever. The infection had all the appearances of being the result of a naturally mutating virus, and of course the Organisation was never incriminated. Would you believe that they were actually praised by the investigation team for their work in identifying and isolating the virus?"
"But why? Why would they...?"
"The Lho were - are - on our side, actively fighting for the liberation of the Reach. Because of their knowledge of the planet, they were extremely effective in certain offensive situations. The Organisation took exception."
She recalled something Max had said earlier. "You mentioned that the plague wiped out the majority of the Lho - does that mean...?"
"A few hundred resisted the plague and are in hiding in the northern mountains."
Ella felt tears stinging her eyes. "But I thought they'd all died, every last one."
"The Organisation circulated that rumour to scotch any further investigations. But the Lho still survive."
Ella made the connection. "In the northern mountains? That's where the convoy was heading yesterday."
"The Lho are hiding in a massive underground temple complex in the heart of the mountain range," Max said. "For some reason the Organisation are desperate to eradicate the last of the Lho, hence the build-up in the past two months. Don't ask me why, or why they feel they need to use nuclear weapons against a few helpless Lho - but something's happening up there which we can't even begin to guess at. We can only do our paltry best down here to help them."
Max looked from Rodriguez to Jerassi, then back to Ella. "What are your immediate plans?"
The question took her by surprise. Would they allow her to go that easily, just walk away after all they'd told her? She shrugged, suspicious. "I don't know."
Which was, she considered, more or less the truth. She wanted to find her father, but what chance had she of accomplishing this if the Organisation was out to arrest every Disciple?
Max said, "We need your help."
Ella almost laughed. "Mine?"
"Do you think you can manage a long cross-country ride with a passenger?"
She stared at him. "Do I have a choice?"
Max glanced at his compatriots. "We'd like to have you along of your own free will."
"What do you want me to do?"
Max looked at his watch. "You and I will be heading out in just under three hours. You'll take me to our destination and wait under cover for me to get back. Emilio and Dave are setting out before then, to meet me later."
"And if I don't agree to your little plan?"
Max smiled at her. "I think you will, Ella. What other options do you have left?"
Ella considered his words. Indeed, what were her options now? Better she helped the Disciples than go her own way in a hostile land. After all, Max and his cell were fighting for a worthy cause. She could always go along with the Disciples, and later attempt to locate her father.
She considered what Max had told her about the Organisation's responsibility for the plague, but she shut her mind to the thought that her father had had anything to do with the genocide of the Lho.
She said, "Very well, then. Okay"
One hour later, Ella and Max were putting the finishing