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  Now, according to Dokaepi, the shaman of the tribe, that time had come. The shape and size of the monsters that accompanied the new ones who came from the sky with fire showed that they had arrived to aid the Tetatae and show them the future. Dokaepi said that these humans were the ones to whom the Tetatae could turn in hope of a better life. The Tetatae would serve the humans who served the great symbols of their existence.

  Dakodo's recitation finished, Takuda stood in silence. He had never faced the dilemma of being considered or treated like a deity. Commanders were sometimes allowed to make mistakes, but he doubted a deity enjoyed that luxury. When first they had crashed on this unknown world, he had struggled with the sudden prospect of wielding absolute command, but now he was confronted with the prospect of even more power. Not only he, but all the humans who were with him. Takuda was silently thankful that Vost was not here to hear this.

  Takuda protested. Using Dakodo as his translator, Takuda registered his protest. He tried to explain that he and his group of humans were no better or worse than the others; that falling from the sky was an accident; that the 'Mechs were just machines that had no special symbolism to anyone or anything. But it was no use.

  No, said Dakodo. Totito and Dokaepi were convinced that the opposite was true. There was no way that he or Takuda would be able to change that belief. The Tetatae believed that the Locusts with Takuda were the way of the future. The Tetatae were here to serve the 'Mechs and the humans they brought with them. The word of the humans would be absolute. If Takuda told them to go away, that is what they would do. But the status of the humans and their monoliths would remain unchanged.

  "Don't you understand that we are just like the others?

  Don't you understand that we are humans who can die?" asked Takuda. "I can show you the bodies of those who have fallen. I can show you the ones who have been injured."

  "That," said Dakodo, "only I am able to understand. Others will not believe. To them you be supreme, even if all of you die. As long as the great beings remain, you will be special to them."

  "I am a human," snapped Takuda. "No better or worse than any other human. Believe that."

  "I do. But I cannot change what done. You human, but are special. You special to me in certain ways, and you special to them in other ways. So it is, and nothing you can do, not even killing us will change that."

  Takuda was defeated. He and his motley troop of humans would become, had become, the leaders of the Tetatae. Perhaps, he thought, that would change in time, but for now he could do nothing about it. The problem of absolute power had returned with a vengeance. It was his fate, he decided, to be a leader, if not among men, then among the aliens who saw him as a god.

  23

  The warning sirens in the hold of the DropShip began to howl. Their screaming ululation struck into the marrow of those gathered near the shattered hull and even into the closed cockpits of the BattleMechs. Hands pressed against his ears, Parker Davud stepped through the access port into the hold and staggered to the rent in the side. He was yelling something, but the screech of the sirens drowned out the words. When the sirens stopped abruptly, Davud's voice was suddenly loud in the stillness.

  .. really close! The 'Mechs are really close! The sensors picked them up."

  While the others had been involved in unraveling the philosophical conundrum of the status of the humans, the Locust, and the Tetatae, Davud had been on the flight deck of the DropShip. He had engaged what was left of the sensors after the crash, and began to search the distance. When the telltale blips of heat had appeared on the I/R screen, he'd tried to communicate with the DEST team and the 'Mechs, but the sending unit would not accept power. The siren had been his last resort. It did have a marvelous way of attracting attention.

  "How close?" asked Takuda, his mind still assaulted by the sound.

  "Can't get an accurate fix," replied Davud, "But they're close enough for me to get a solid impression."

  "We're dead meat in the open like this," said Goodall from her perch on the shoulder of the Locust. She had climbed out of the cockpit during the discussion. If the Locust's appearance had powerfully affected the Tetatae, the appearance of a human from the side of the head of the alien deity had been a real shocker. Arsenault and Jacobs had also evacuated their cockpit.

  Takuda looked around at the bare ground. Their defensive position, strong in its ability to deliver long-range fire against any attack from the woods, was suddenly vulnerable. Now the DropShip sat like the center ring on a dart board, an absolute magnet for any attack. Goodall was right. Standing in the open against three 'Mechs would only get everyone killed, including the Tetatae.

  And the Tetatae were now a consideration in any plans. Takuda would have liked to tell everyone to die in place, but the Tetatae would do just that, and the DEST commander felt the extra weight of responsibility for the furry, helpless beings. This being a god was more than just a formal tea that led to philosophical discussion. This was the real thing. Along with absolute power came absolute responsibility.

  Takuda was a qualified 'Mech pilot, but he hated the iron monsters. They gave you plenty of weapons and armor, but you also sacrificed individual flexibility. Not only that, you also became a bullet attractor for the other side. He much preferred the vulnerability of his own body to the loss of control that armor gave. That was why he'd decided to remain a lowly foot soldier, turning down the chance to command a 'Mech lance when the post had been offered many years before. He looked up at Goodall. "We'll have to leave the 'Mechs behind. They're too much of a liability. We can evade in the woods on foot."

  Goodall glanced around the clearing. Abandoning 'Mechs was not something she was willing to do unless the situation was really desperate, and she didn't have that feeling just yet. Her 'Mech was clear of the DropShip, and she mentally calculated the time required to get the second Locust free. There was a chance, but someone would have to pilot the other 'Mech. "Parker," she said, turning to the DropShip Commander. "Do you still have power for the ship's weapon targeting array?"

  Davud thought for a moment before answering. "I have power, but that won't help. You and Vost both know that the weapons themselves are out of commission."

  "Vost won't know whether we've repaired the weapons or not. Just initiate the sequence. Vost will see the emission, and it may make him think twice. That will slow him down. Anything to make him stop and wonder." She looked down at Takuda. "I think we can save the 'Mechs. If someone can pilot the other one, I think we can at least get free. If we can get into the woods, we may have a chance."

  "That's no good," said Takuda with a shrug. "I can't let Arsenault pilot the Locust. He's too valuable as a section leader. Can't afford to have a good man trapped in something he can't fight."

  "I can do it." It was Jacobs. "At least I can try." He paused as his eyes met those of Takuda. "I can pilot a 'Mech. I've been trained. I can do it. It wasn't on one of these, but I understand how they work. I can do it. Really I can."

  Takuda thought for a moment. Jacobs was a null as far as he was concerned, neither an asset nor a liability in the team's survival equation. If he were lost, the sum would not change. It was worth the gamble. "All right, Jacobs," he said. "If you think you can get the 'Mech free, try it But remember," he said looking straight at Goodall, "we're not going to sacrifice ourselves for the 'Mechs. Understand that."

  "Roger your last," said the pilot. The 'Mechs would be on their own. If they were to become part of the team, they would have to survive on their own merits. Goodall was sure that she could do it, but she wasn't so sure that Jacobs and the other Locust would do as well. All they could do was try. 'Mech pilots were individualistic in the extreme, and mercenary 'Mech pilots a step even beyond that. But Goodall felt the emotional draw to any other 'Mech. She would do her best to keep Jacobs alive. It was a challenge she was willing to accept. "We'll be right behind you, sir." The old habit of command slipped into place. Takuda was the boss now, and she'd follow his orders.r />
  Jacobs was already in the command seat of the Locust, lifting one giant metal leg tentatively to clear the edge of the shattered hull. Arsenault was on the ground, helping Lost with his gear. The wounded man would need assistance if he were to clear the area before the heavy weapons began to shoot. Despite the heavy sedation they'd given him, he was whimpering from the pain. Lost, like the other wounded members of the group, would be a serious liability when the running started. He would be better as a shooter, but that would mean having to leave him behind if they had to make a run for it.

  The foot of the Locust came down on the ground, and Jacobs shifted the 'Mech's weight to the outside leg. Gingerly, he lifted the other one and began to extract it. There was no way he could brace himself, for the Locust had no arms. "Brace yourself with the last bar," came, the suggestion through the earpiece of his communicator. Goodall was giving as much help as she could. "Just hold it against the side of the ship. Don't push too hard or you'll bend the activator tube. Get the crystals out of alignment, and it'll be useless. Just enough to steady yourself. Gentiy now."

  Jacobs rotated the Locust's torso until the laser came in contact with the ship. That felt more stable, and he moved the inner leg again. He watched as the foot came almost clear of the side, but he couldn't get it quite over the lip. "Stop," came Goodall's voice over the commline. "Stop the leg." He obeyed. "Now activate the foot to swing it clear. Lock the foot in its full back position. Remember to unlock when you're clear. You don't want to put it down while frozen." Jacobs paused to absorb the instructions.

  He was getting too much information too soon. He'd have to be careful.

  Outside the hull of the DropShip, the DEST team was making final plans for evacuation. The real problem was the heavy equipment. With the heavy weapons section reduced to only two members, they had more than enough to carry. They'd broken up the loads among the un-wounded DEST members, but that only gave them four more bearers. There was just too much; they'd have to leave something behind.

  "Let us help you," said Dakodo. The Tetatae was still here, not a single one having made a move to flee. They stood there shuffling back and forth, watching the humans. Takuda had completely forgotten about them, assuming that they would already have headed for the woods. Now they intruded on his already busy brain. "We are small, but there are many of us," continued Dakodo. "Each one of us can carry something."

  Takuda wanted to ask many questions: Where will you take it? How much can each of you carry? Will it all get to the right place at the right time? Will you damage it when you carry it? Too many questions; too little time. "Do It," he said.

  Dakodo turned to the other two who standing with him. He rattled off a string of musical gibberish. There was a brief response from the others, followed by another stream of the same sort of stuff. The little Tetatae, the one who had been identified as Totito, turned to the tribe, gave a short command, and then the gaggle of Tetatae exploded into action.

  They swept around Takuda like a wave of fur and feathers and beaks and legs. Before he could give an order, before he could even think about giving an order, the Tetatae were into the pile of equipment. As if by magic the stores vanished, carried toward the woods by an army of ants. There was nothing left for the DEST team to shoulder. Dakodo stood quiet amid the commotion, his eyes following the activity with benign indifference.

  When quiet reigned once more, he was left with two of his brethren, who stood bobbing and silent behind him. "These will ride with your machines. They will show them where to go. There are holes in the hills that can hide them if necessary. This one is Potaet, and this one is Kaot6t." He turned to issue short commands to the two Tetatae, who still bobbed and nodded. Without hesitation each chose a Locust and scrambled up the leg to settle alongside the ear piece formed by the heavy machine gun mount.

  It was time to go. In the distance the Panther was visible over the trees, suddenly respectful of the DropShip's fire control system. Overhead the LAM orbited just out of PPC range, waiting for an opening to develop. Takuda. knew that sooner or later Vost and Seagroves would guess that the fire control system was a hoax and then they would move in for the kill. The last of the foot-mobile DEST members were nearing the woods, the wounded supported by Tetatae. Takuda signaled the Locusts to begin their withdrawal.

  Jacobs went first, his 'Mech moving slowly as he mastered the controls. The 'Mech swayed wildly as he misjudged the terrain, and Takuda could see the Tetatae guide holding on with all four appendages while it chattered instructions at the confused pilot. The 'Mech steadied and continued to move. Then a burst of PPC fire from the Panther snapped overhead. Either Jacobs didn't notice or was unable to do anything about it. He continued on his way toward the trees at the foot of the gently sloping hill.

  Goodall waited until he was almost clear, then she too began her retreat. She backed away, watching the movements of the Panther in her sensor screen while keeping track of the LAM with her eyes. She didn't worry about the Panther. Her Locust could move fast enough that the 'Mech wouldn't be a real danger until it closed to short range. The LAM was another problem entirely. With its speed, it could circle behind her and make a pass from the rear. Its triple lasers could rip the Locust apart with a few well-aimed shots. Even lucky hits would be enough to slow her down. As the LAM streaked away to begin the attack run, she craned her head to keep it in view. As it turned to make the attack, Goodall sprinted toward the woods. By moving perpendicular to the line of the attack, she hoped to give Seagroves the most difficult target possible.

  The Panther PPC fired again, this time ripping into the shattered hull of the DropShip, which vibrated under the pounding. Goodall let the Locust drop below the line of the hull, using it as shielding. The PPC fired again, creating a fountain of incandescent sparks as the particles burned through the armor. A fire flashed into life in the abandoned cargo hold.

  Looking back, Goodall saw that the LAM was making its attack, but she was not the target. Seagroves had either sensed or guessed that the other 'Mech was not under full control. He had changed his point of aim from the Locust in the open to the one partially hidden by the trees. Goodall sprinted down the hill to reach a range where she could defend the vulnerable Jacobs in his 'Mech. The Tetatae guide hung on, its body pounding against the armor on the hull.

  The LAM screamed in for the attack.

  24

  Goodall crashed into the woods, her instinct and training keeping the Locust upright. The terrain analysis system flashed red, but she knew by the feel of the ground that she was all right. Branches whipped against the 'Mech's torso and legs; vines clutched at its feet. She kept going, breasting the forest out of the way in an attempt to reach Jacobs. The Tetatae pounded its beak against the ogive of the cockpit window, desperately trying to get her attention. She ignored him.

  That was a mistake. Just as her deep terrain analyzer showed angry red across its entire spectrum, a ravine suddenly opened beneath her feet. She tried to draw the 'Mech's leg back, but the forward momentum was too great. The Locust toppled forward into the cut in the ground, the force of the fall burying the laser. Even secured by the restraining harness of the command seat, the fall was enough to create a violent shaking. Above the fallen 'Mech, the forest branches closed to hide the attack on the other 'Mech.

  Jacobs was concentrating on keeping his Locust upright and under control. The Tetatae guide was equally active, gibbering in a nonstop flow of advice or condemnation; Jacobs couldn't tell the difference. The little alien had tapped the cockpit window so much that the rattle of its beak now seemed like no more than background noise, which he was tempted to disregard completely. The shattered main screen of the cockpit had not yet been repaired or replaced, and vision through the front was difficult. He leaned forward in the harness to peer through the hole that the laser and machine guns had blasted through the armored glass. With one eye he glared out at the green terrain that closed in all but the Locust's upper hull.

  The laser blast from t
he LAM came as a complete surprise, the foliage around him suddenly flashing into a cloud of steam as the column of aligned light vaporized leaves and branches. A warning light flashed angrily on the control panel, but Jacobs ignored it. It wasn't that he was either foolhardy or brave; he simply had no idea what it really meant. The Tetatae gripping the hull had a better idea. The little alien had seen the metal skin on the side of the vehicle glow red and then bubble away in a fiery foam. He didn't know whether that was supposed to happen, but the sight filled him with a sense of foreboding for the safety of his charge. The Tetatae beat on the side of the 'Mech to get the pilot's attention.

  In the ravine, Goodall staggered to her feet in surroundings that had changed completely. Where a moment before the body of her Locust had been cruising through the forest above the tops of the trees, now she found that the Locust was not tall enough to see above the foliage. The sensors still recorded the presence of the LAM as it made its turn at the end of the attack run, but she couldn't get a visual fix. Around her the forest was green-gold with the light dappling through from above. She steadied the Locust and began to look for a place to climb out of the pit. The Tetatae guide tapped on the side of the hull. This time she looked over to see what it wanted.

  The Tetatae stopped its frantic hammering, pleased that the human was at last responding to its entreaties. It pointed down slope through the trees to a place that looked darker than the surrounding area. The Tetatae pointed and nodded, pointed and nodded. It grew so animated that it released its arms from their hold on the hull. Goodall stared. It was the first time the alien had released its grip since they'd begun to move away from the DropShip.

  Goodall eased the throttle forward and cautiously let the Locust move forward. The ground beneath her feet was soft and yielding, but the terrain sniffer gave no warning of calamity. She moved with greater speed, confident now that she could travel without difficulty. Sensing a greater feeling of security, the Tetatae grasped the hull with only one of its arms rather than with both. With the free one it continued to point to the dark place in the forest ahead. Then Goodall saw that the darkness was a cave set into the side of the ravine into which she had plunged.