Lost and found_ a novel - Alan Dean Foster [91]
Taking a step forward, the hunched-over Braouk loomed over them all. “I find something large, solid, and movable, and flatten several of their pointy crania while the rest of you rush to take control of the chosen craft.”
“While the image such murderous exertions call to mind is much to be desired,” Sque told him, “it is misplaced and premature. More low-tech even than that.”
“More low-tech than hitting someone over the head?” Walker opined uncertainly.
“More basic than you can imagine.” Sque sounded pleased with herself: a not uncommon state of affairs. “If fortune holds, more low-tech than our captors can imagine, as well.”
“Tomorrow,” Walker murmured. It had become a magic word. A destination rather than a description. “What do we do until then? Do we stop and sleep here?”
Like a sentient worm, one tentacle semaphored in his direction. “Do not squander the tiny bit of acumen you have recently displayed, human Walker. We still have some distance to go. It would be disheartening in the extreme to stumble upon stalking Vilenjji on the day before we are destined to risk all.”
“Then I’ll follow you,” he replied readily, “and keep my mouth shut.”
Pivoting neatly, the K’eremu resumed scuttling down the long, dim passageway. “Two prudent decisions in one coherent phrase. Despite inherent shortcomings, a glimmer of evolution may be discerned. One can but hope.”
Which is what all of them were doing as they silently followed their insufferably egotistical guide onward into the darkness.
Triv-Dwan led the quintet of members forward. Two of them bore an assortment of capture gear. The other three were heavily armed. Bearing with them the decision of the association, as finalized by Pret-Klob and its other senior members, they were operating under a mandate to recapture the still at-large inventory, but not to take chances. It was imperative that the inventory, who had already had the audacity to disgrace a previous search group, not be allowed to escape into the inner regions of the ship a second time. The group’s instructions were clear: If the absent inventory could not be recaptured this time, it was to be terminated.
At least, after days of wandering aimlessly, the group now had something definite to track. The sensors they all carried had picked up an unmistakable indicator. At least one large organic signal and possibly more lay directly ahead of them, moving steadily in the opposite direction. Despite the carnage that had been wrought by the free-roaming Tuuqalian, Triv-Dwan felt confident. The two other hunting groups that had also been searching for the missing inventory were closing in on the signal from opposite sides. By coordinating their approach, all three should arrive to confront the source of the signal at the same time. Not even the Tuuqalian, Triv-Dwan felt, could make an escape through three synchronized hunting groups.
Immediately on his right, Sjen-Kloq wrapped her arm flaps tighter around the impressive long weapon she carried. The members of all three groups had been cautioned to attempt capture first and shoot only as a last resort. The warning was superfluous. Everyone knew how much profit was at stake. But they would not put their lives at risk to preserve it. That had been tried immediately subsequent to the initial mass escape of the inventory, and had resulted in the deaths of several members of the association.
It would be good, he knew, to finally see the last of the escapees helpless in clean restraints. Their return would be a lesson to the already recovered inventory: Escape from the enclosures was a futile gesture. Expensive as it had already been, in terms of lives and ship-time, the lesson should not be wasted.
A glance at the sensors that lined his limber right upper appendage indicated that they were closing rapidly on the target. Whatever food and drink the inventory had been able to scavenge should be running low by now, he reflected. Weakness would take its toll on mental as well as physical acuity. With luck, the recapture would go smoothly, with no