Quest for the Well of Souls - Jack L. Chalker [117]
"We're lucky it wasn't Renard they grabbed," she told them. "The three of you can still pull this off if one bit of luck shows up."
Even the Bozog was getting nervous. "What's that?"
"We've got to have them all inside the control room," she replied. "I hope he has enough ego to think he doesn't need guards, and enough insecurity not to switch off the defense mode unless he has to. If he doesn't know we're down there until we're ready, we'll make it."
"But how will I get past the defenses?" the Bozog asked her.
"Diversion," she responded. "Me. I'm going to be the bait. A little pony sitting out there watching the end of the bridge. It'll be too tempting to pass up."
"But he'll know we're around," Renard pointed out. "What if he makes a try for us, too?"
"It won't matter. You see, they'll have to switch off the defense mode just to send his slaves out. It's a long way across that bridge. When I've gone as long as I can stall, I'll charge them."
"And what happens to us while you're doing all this?" the Bozog prompted.
"Bozog, you'll take the wire and go along the outside of the bridge. Ghiskind, you'll lead him. Renard, keep that energy pistol firm and stay slightly back, out of sight. Yulin might see the wire but not figure out he's been had. Even if he does, he'll have a job getting at it. As soon as the wire is in place, tug three times. That will tell Renard to give it all he's got. Get clear after you tug, and make it back up if you can. All hell will break loose when that goes."
"And you?" Renard asked, concerned.
"If I get inside, I'll try and raise as much hell as possible," she replied. "No matter what, Yulin's attention will be on me, I think. You should have several minutes—more than enough time. If they do catch on, Renard, use your energy pistol on anybody and everybody. There's no way Ben Yulin can neutralize the effects of that on a living body!"
"But it might be Wooley, or Vistaru!" he objected.
"Even if it's me!" she snapped. "Renard, save as many of the living as you can, kill who you must. It's that or good-bye to us all! This plan's got enough holes in it, that it'll probably fail anyway!"
"There is no better that I can devise, not at this late stage," the Bozog added. "Shall we go?"
She nodded. "Renard, call the elevator and hold that pistol ready."
There was no one on the elevator.
"A good sign," the Bozog said, approvingly. "I think Mr. Yulin may yet be in for a shock. He does not know how fast a Bozog can run!"
Underside
They waited anxiously in the corridor next to the elevator car for the Ghiskind to return, Renard's pistol at the ready. The Yugash had already been out once and verified that no living creatures were to be seen anywhere.
A tense fifteen minutes passed before the Yugash returned a second time and merged with the Bozog.
"I have located the explosive module," it told them. "Rather primitive, really. A thermal device. However, it will cause massive disruption of circuitry if it goes—including some of the involuntary sections that affect life support. Be warned of this."
"It'll do," she responded. "Those sections are the weakest point in Obie's construction. Through that tunnel runs the junction with its power supply and much of its operational circuitry. That's why the charge is there—it doesn't have to be big, it just has to go off."
"It will," Renard said grimly. He rolled the wire coil out in front of him. Although it wasn't copper, it was conductive enough.
"We shall have to run the wire a bit farther for insurance," the Ghiskind warned. "I should like to have it directly on the main junction, very near the explosives. That way, if triggering fails, the voltage generated might set the charge off directly. This will also give friend Bozog a better place to attach it, and perhaps a little additional time to get clear."
Mavra took a deep breath. "All right then. I guess there's nothing left to do but go and do it."
"I still don't like you being in the clutches of that bastard," Renard muttered.
"For the last time, Renard,