Of Fire and Night - Kevin J. Anderson [211]
As the yawning transgate opened, the wental torpedo struck the dimensional line, collapsed, dissolved, and detonated. The liquid energy exploded across the gateway. The opening dwindled, collapsed, and disappeared.
The giant citysphere rumbled to a halt in the gas giant's atmosphere, throwing Jess off balance. All across the hydrogue empire, wental torpedoes were likewise disabling transgates, so the deep-core aliens could not join forces or flee the concerted attack.
Now the hydrogues had no way to escape from the Qronha 3 battleground.
123
KING PETER
Leaving the Whisper Palace, they rushed into the dark and confused night. Peter and Estarra marched Prince Daniel so swiftly that the young man had no time to ask questions. OX led them out through a side gate, across a courtyard, past a statue garden, and finally to the main plaza.
Though excited at first, Daniel soon became skeptical, then suspicious. "If this is a coronation, why would Chairman Wenceslas want me to leave the Palace? That doesn't sound like him."
"He needed to find a safer place for you," Peter said. "Remember, we're under attack." OX crisply marched across the flagstoned plaza, leading the way.
"But shouldn't there at least be some celebration? Where is everyone?"
In answer, echoing air-raid alarms pealed through the dark city. Estarra pointed toward the extinguished lights throughout the Palace District, the rows of shadowy buildings. "Everybody's hiding inside their houses, glued to their media feeds and hoping they survive. You can inspire them."
Peter added with emphasis, "If the EDF and Ildiran lines crumble, then the hydrogues will lay waste to Earth." But he knew that if he and the Queen escaped, there would be a strong, new leadership for all of humanity.
The Prince's face became blotchy. "Then I might not be King for very long. Shouldn't we get to shelter? A King should be kept safe, no matter what happens to Earth."
"It's just ahead, Daniel." Peter tried to sound reassuring. "Right there."
Illuminated by small emergency lights instead of great glowing banks, the hydrogue derelict sat outside like a trophy. Even the research teams had been evacuated. When Peter saw how many guards stood watch over the alien ship, however, he realized this was going to be more difficult than he had expected. Basil must have been paranoid that the hydrogues would come to retrieve their vessel. "Don't they have more important duties right now?"
"It was the weak spot in the plan," Estarra muttered.
Daniel saw their destination. "The derelict? Why are we going there?"
"Because that is where we must go," OX said innocently.
Estarra dodged the question. "If Earth is under attack, can you imagine a more secure place than inside an armored hydrogue ship?"
Daniel was clearly wrestling with the question, not trusting them, but he had been slapped down enough times that he probably couldn't imagine the royal couple having the nerve to rebel against the Hansa. Of course, that wasn't how Peter interpreted what they were doing. This was for the good of the human race. "Right over here, Prince. They're waiting for us inside."
Estarra closed in next to Peter. They couldn't show any concern now.
The guards warily raised their weapons. "Halt! No one comes closer, by order of the Chairman."
"The Chairman? Shouldn't you be more concerned with the orders of your King?" Peter said.
He felt the twitcher inside his pocket, a fully charged one taken from the fallen guards at Daniel's doorway. Estarra looked at him, and he could read her expression. Whatever it takes. From the shift of her arm, he knew she was also holding her weapon.
Boldly leading Prince Daniel, OX continued forward. "You have no authority to stop King Peter, Queen Estarra, and Prince Daniel."
Given time, Peter might have bluffed his way inside the derelict, but