The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley [82]
‘You certainly seem more composed than at our last encounter,’ said Gideon. ‘Forgive my cautious nature, but is there any way for us to verify this?’
Listener Weynl was outraged. ‘He is the Seer of Segrana and he stands in the pureness of the Ancients!’
A bright thread of light appeared in the radiance next to Chel, blurred, glowing knots pulsing up and down its length.
‘The Seer Cheluvahar has been made free of the enemy’s devices,’ said a deep, almost gruff voice. ‘I am the Zyradin. I speak for Segrana.’
Weynl raised his hands. ‘Zyradin of the Ancients, we know your name. We have learned that the warpwell has been opened. Have any of the Legion monsters survived the long ages of their imprisonment, and how long before they reach us?’
‘Many have survived and the first of them will emerge in little more than two days’ time.’
There was a long moment of silence filled with the dread of anticipation. Just then, Theo knew that there was only one course open to them. He glanced over at his sister and nodded sombrely.
‘Looks like we attack,’ he said.
‘It appears so,’ said Gideon.
‘But to succeed we must find a way into the warpwell chamber,’ said Weynl, looking up at Chel. ‘Can the Zyradin use the Forerunners’ ancient devices to transport a bomb into the chamber?’
Chel shook his head. ‘The Legion Knight has placed interference machines throughout the chamber. These, combined with the disruptive effects of the activated warpwell, make such a ploy impossible. Other tactics must be considered.’
‘You will need someone capable of getting past the Legion Knight’s machines by subterfuge. There is one such, still resting and healing in the daughter-forest to the north.’
‘Rory?’ Theo said. ‘You mean, he’s not having those implants removed? You get to be free of them but he doesn’t?’ Theo found himself getting angry. ‘Was this planned? Did you arrange this, Chel?’
‘Theodor, I promise you that I did not … ’
‘Segrana saw what was needed and acted accordingly,’ said the deep voice of the Zyradin. ‘Your friend will still be able to interact with the Legion Knight’s devices but the implants can no longer hurt or control him.’
‘It’s still unfair,’ said Theo. ‘You did not even ask him.’
‘If the Legion of Avatars breaks through to this world, they will ask nothing of anyone when they begin their slaughter.’
‘We should go and contact Hammergard,’ said Ian Cameron. ‘Have the Spiralist renegade leader ready to talk with you, to agree on a plan of attack.’
‘You’ll have to use the shortwave now,’ Gideon said. ‘I shall join you shortly.’
Theo watched them leave the hall, frowning.
‘We are assuming a lot, you know,’ he said. ‘That Rory will agree to play this part. That he can actually get past the mech security and down to the well chamber, and if he does, what then? What can he do to close it down?’
‘Ordinary weapons and explosives cannot harm the warpwell or disturb its functions,’ said the Zyradin. ‘A thermonuclear apparatus might affect the surface material and suspend its processes but only for a short time … ’
‘Such weapons are neither available nor advisable,’ said Chel, as if continuing the Zyradin’s sentence. ‘What is required is a space-fold occluder, which will close up and lock the well, keeping us safe from one threat, at least.’
‘The device will be delivered to this place at this time tomorrow.’
The bright, pulsing thread then thinned and faded into the surrounding milky radiance.
‘The mystical Zyradin departs,’ said Listener Weynl.
‘Meanwhile, we have to go and devise an insane plan of attack,’ Theo said to Chel. ‘I expect that you’ve been given a task too.’
Chel smiled and raised his right hand, palm outward. Theo’s eyes widened – a number of shining blue motes, perhaps a dozen or a score, wandered over and through the flesh of the Uvovo’s hand. The skin glowed as they moved beneath it.
‘Throughout