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Chapter 29
Still he held back.  Here? Now? This really isn't the place for it, baby, even if you
could stand it and I damn well know you can't. He crossed his arms over his
broad, bare chest, a skeptical look in his dark chocolate eyes.
Laura felt her heart sink.  Vince, please, I know it sounds crazy but this is part of
the plan. Can't you just trust me? The way I trusted you?
Vince shook his head.  I'm sorry but you're gonna have to explain this plan of
yours. He stepped closer to her, still carefully not touching, and she could feel his
confusion swarming around her head like a cloud of gnats but also the warmth of
his protectiveness. He was being careful of her-- he didn't want to hurt her.
 I.... She shook her head, knowing that he wouldn't be moved by her urgency any
more, she would have to explain.  The eggs, she said, gesturing up, over their
heads.  They're still in the Queen, still inside her body, so we still have time. But I
don't know how much so I need you to do this with me now. Now while there's
still time.
 Time for what? For a quickie? He looked at her, incredulous.
Laura winced, and he put out a hand as though to touch her, to apologize and then dropped it abruptly.
 Look, I'm sorry but I don't understand what you're tryin' to do here.
 Vince, please. Can t you just trust me? Just being in the huge chamber of the
Queen was draining and she knew she'd never have enough energy left to open
any more doorways to get out again. It was why she'd insisted they wedge them
open, so Vince could get out after they did what was necessary. She didn't expect
to leave herself.
 Fine, he muttered, beginning to remove his pants and shoes as she had demanded.  But I d appreciate
bein filled in on the little details eventually--like why we have to strip all of a sudden.
 Look, she said, trying to keep her voice calm and measured.  I think if we can
raise enough of what Tmm called 'erotic energy' we can kill those eggs before they
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leave this chamber--before they leave the Queen.
Still he looked skeptical.  What are you talkin' about? Those things feed on energy-
-we'd just be makin' 'em stronger.
 No, she shook her head.  Think about it, why was Tmm so upset when the Rzz
opened the Queen's chamber by mistake before the swarm? Why not just have us
raise their erotic energy right here in this room? She gestured, indicating the huge
chamber around them.  It's big enough, hell, more than big enough. Why bother to
go to a separate chamber at all?
 Why? He raised an eyebrow, really listening now.
 I'll tell you why. Laura leaned forward, emphasizing her point, almost shaking
with the need to make him understand.  Because it's the wrong kind of energy!
Too powerful, too intense--the same way the energy from the pregnant girls was
too intense to be given to the Queen directly. It had to be, I don't know .... filtered
first.
Vince frowned.  That's what those masks on their faces were? Filters?
Laura nodded.  I think so, yes. Remember what a commotion there was when both
rooms were open at once and the unfiltered emotions from the girls was getting
through? What we need is to raise some powerful emotional energy right here near
the Queen. The kind of energy she can't stand. She nodded up.  Do you
remember what that one Lepid said when we were watching them fight in the
hallway? After fertilization the eggs are most vulnerable.
He frowned thoughtfully.  Yeah, I guess so.
She took a deep, shaking breath.  Vince, we have to do this now while the eggs
are still inside the Queen, before they leave the birth canal and the hive starts
channeling them into the pods! This is the last chance, the only chance we'll have
to stop all this. Now do you understand?
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He nodded slowly.  You think if we can raise the same kind of emotional charge
that we did for the swarm, we can fry these eggs before they hatch. He nodded
upwards, indicating the gravid Queen.
 Yes! Laura felt weak with relief. He saw her point--he would help her do this.
But his next words plunged her into despair again.
 I can't. I'm sorry, but no. No way. He shook his head, taking a step back from
her.
 Why not? Laura felt her hands ball into fists at her sides.  Think of your sister.
Hell, think of the whole Earth, everybody going about their business, with no idea
that these .... these carnivorous eating machines are about to land and wipe them
all out. The blue light flickered briefly violet with the force of her emotions but it
wasn't enough, she thought despairingly. Only one thing would be enough and he
wouldn't help her do it.
 So you want to sacrifice yourself to save the planet? Is that it? he flung at her.
 Yes! she yelled back.  There are people down there that I care about--my
parents, even though they re crazy, I still love them. And ... and.... She looked
down at her hands, trying to think how to say it.  There are people I care about
right here. Please, Vince, this is the only chance you have of getting out of here [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]