The Gates of Winter - Mark Anthony [213]
There had been some debate as to who would engineer the distraction. Anders had pointed out that, as Beltan and Vani weren't from this world, it might be hard for them to convince the guards they were simple fans. However, there was no telling what sort of equipment they'd find in the control room; Deirdre and Anders had the best shot of any of them at making sense of it and getting Larsen's interview on-screen.
Anders held up a hand, halting them. They were near the backstage area; the guard station would be just ahead. Vani had said there was only a single guard, but it was going to be tricky all the same. They had to take out the guard before she sounded an alarm.
Anders drew his gun. Together, the three edged around a corner. Just ahead, in a pool of light, was a desk beneath a bank of video monitors.
The chair behind the desk was empty; there was no one in sight. Travis shot Deirdre and Anders a puzzled look. Wary, they moved forward. One of the video monitors showed the guard station at the main backstage entrance. A pair of guards blocked the way as two figures tried to push through.
It was Vani and Beltan. They were both smiling maniacally, waving pens and pads of paper. In their Earth clothes they looked exactly like what they were supposed to be—zealous fans of Sage Carson. The guards were gently but insistently pushing them back. Travis couldn't help grinning. What would the guards do if they knew those two people were capable of taking them out with their bare hands?
“Those two are a couple of naturals,” Anders said. “They've got the guards completely bamboozled.”
Deirdre glanced around. “Yes, but what about the guard who was here? Vani said she saw one on the video screen.”
“Maybe that was a different corridor,” Travis said, though they all knew it wasn't.
“We'd better get moving,” Anders said. “Beltan and Vani have to back off soon if they don't want to raise suspicion.”
Deirdre started down the corridor, Anders after her. Travis didn't move. The Seekers stopped and turned around.
Deirdre held out a hand. “Travis, we have to get to the control room.”
He shook his head. “No, you have to get to the control room, Deirdre. You and Anders. I won't be any help there.”
“That's not true,” Anders said, scowling. “We don't know how many people are in there.”
Travis eyed the Seeker's big, capable shoulders. “Whatever's in there, I'm sure you two can handle it. I have something else I need to do.”
“The gate,” Deirdre said softly. “You're going to try to find the gate.” She touched the yellowed bear claw at her throat. “It's below the cathedral, isn't it?”
Travis met her eyes. “I didn't want to tell Beltan and Vani. They would . . . they would just worry too much.”
“Worry about what?” Anders said, shaking his head. “What are you going to do, Travis?”
It was Deirdre who answered. “He's going to destroy the gate.”
“It's the only way.” Travis should have felt afraid, but instead a calmness stole over him. “Once you get that videotape on air, Duratek is finished. They'll never be able to build another gate. But as long as this one still exists, Eldh is in danger. There's no telling who could open it, and if they did, Mohg could return to Eldh.”
Tears shone in Deirdre's eyes, and a hundred questions. The one she asked was, “Will we ever see you again?”
Travis had opened gates before, had passed through them. What would happen when he destroyed one? Professor Sparkman had said breaking things was a dangerous business.
“I don't know,” he said with a faint smile. “I honestly don't know.”
“Good luck, mate,” Anders said, his craggy face somber. “And here's hoping we see you on the other side.”
The two Seekers moved down the hallway, then passed out of sight. Travis was alone. He stood frozen for a moment, then he gripped the iron box in his pocket, turned, and headed back down the corridor.
48.
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