Part 64 (2/2)

”They don't call it an icefall for nothing, cheechako,” said the Inuit engineer.

Aronn said, ”It hasn't moved since we first came to the mountain.”

”Needed lubrication,” said Ookpik.

”You'll have to hit the trigger point just right,” n.a.z.ir said dubiously. ”I mean, we can't fart around for hours peppering the fall, or the spooks will wise up.”

”How can I estimate these angles if you keep yapping?”

Ookpik complained. Everyone was still for several minutes.

Then the Eskimo asked, ”Any of you Tanu fly?”

”No,” said Bleyn. ”I have a mental block and Aronn has never been able to a.s.similate the program.”

”But you can move things at distance?”

”I'm not Kuhal Earthshaker, but I can fling about eight times my weight. Aronn's good for half that much.”

Ookpik did a rapid calculation. ”Better than a ton.

Ho-kay.

You could move something over on the icefall?”

”Well-” Bleyn hesitated. ”We could try. But just tossing about, mind you. No sustained lift. And we have to have a line of sight on it.”

The Eskimo's eyes were glittering. ”Just give me a few more minutes.”

They relaxed behind the ice-covered rocks. Soggy footgear was dried by Aronn's creative power. Betsy helped n.a.z.ir to change his clothing. Magnus brewed hot chocolate. From time to time the Firvulag opened fire on their position, but the only result was the removal of most of the ice-rind on the north side of the outcropping and minimal damage to the granite.

”I count sixty-eight of the Foe,” Bleyn announced. ”The entire northern wing must be dug in behind those enormous glacial blocks.”

”They seem to be mostly Matsu-equipped,” Betsy said. ”I've noted only two or three blasts of a different colour. Possibly Mauser solar-powered. Nothing to match our Weatherbies and Bosches.”

”I found the spot,” Ookpik said at last. ”Perfect. A little higher than I'd like, but what the h.e.l.l-momentum's momentum. So what if we have to scout a new route up the fall? We can rest in the dump first, maybe give Basil a chance to get down with poor Stan.”

”We don't know that this will work,” Betsy said grimly. ”Let's not plan too far ahead, darling.”

Ookpik had the monocular to his eye. ”Tune in on my optics, everybody. See that serac shaped like a sideways c.o.ke bottle?”

”What is a c.o.ke bottle?” Aronn asked.

”That one,” Ookpik clarified. When everyone had identified the key ice-block, the engineer explained what had to be done.

They all took up their weapons and aimed carefully at a designated point. ”Remember, you two Exalteds,” Ookpik told the Tanu, ”as we zap 'er, lift.

<script>