Part 12 (1/2)
”For the purpose of evading the Hunters, this might as well be one landing site,” said Mandelbrot. ”When they see the first, they will find the others.”
”We'll have to take the chance,” said Derec. ”We'll drop off you and Wolruf as fast as we can and take off again. Then we'll go back into orbit until we hear from you.”
”Or until your fuel level reaches minimum,” said Mandelbrot. ”I will alert the computer to warn you when you must land.”
Derec closed his eyes again.
”All right,” said Jeff.
”Computer,” said Mandelbrot. ”On the next orbit, take an evasive route down to the first of the landing sites. Avoid revealing our destination as long as you can.”
”ACKNOWLEDGED.”.
Most of the next orbit was uneventful, but Derec found the evasive maneuvers extremely unpleasant. The s.h.i.+p descended, turned as sharply as it could, ascended again, turned again. Each change s.h.i.+fted his weight and pressed his aching muscles. None of the others seemed to notice.
The changes began to include speed as the s.h.i.+p worked its crooked way down toward the planet. Derec gripped the strap holding him in both hands and clenched his teeth against the pain shooting through his back. Finally the descent smoothed out and he realized they were about to land.
The s.h.i.+p landed on a surface that listed somewhat to the left and halted so suddenly that everyone was thrown forward against their restraining straps. The door opened automatically and the ladder extended. Mandelbrot and Wolruf were ready to go. Moments later, the door closed again and the s.h.i.+p waited briefly for them to get a safe distance from the s.h.i.+p.
”PREPARED FOR LIFT-OFF AS ORDERED,” said the computer. ”PLEASE INSTRUCT.”
”Return to the same alt.i.tude we just left,” said Jeff. ”Uh, use evasive pattern and take a different orbit when we get there.”
”ACKNOWLEDGED.”.
The acceleration pressed Derec back against his seat again. He closed his eyes, resigned to the ride, and lay still.
CHAPTER 12.
DESERTED STREETS.
Mandelbrot and Wolruf ran straight up the beach. The sand was pale blue and packed hard all the way to the line where the ground cover began. There they climbed up the dip between two high, rounded, gra.s.sy dunes.
”Careful,” said Mandelbrot. 'The Hunters will be on their way here already.”
Wolruf nodded.
They moved cautiously over the next rise and Mandelbrot found the edge of the urban area. The dunes were bordered by a curving boulevard. Ahead of them, a smaller street stretched away from them, lined with buildings on both sides.
”No one is 'err,” said Wolruf.
The streets were deserted in all directions.
”We will be very easy to spot here,” said Mandelbrot. ”I have no crowd to get lost in and you are now on the Hunters' list.”
”Should move.”
Mandelbrot looked toward the mountains that loomed over them slightly to the left. ”The valley itself is no farther than five kilometers, but the mountains begin much closer. The greatest danger to us is crossing the city to reach them.”
”Greatest danger to us iss waiting 'err,” said Wolruf.
”Agreed. Let's go.” Mandelbrot started across the boulevard, striding at a pace that was fast but dignified.
No robots were visible in either direction. On the first city block, they stayed near the edges of the buildings themselves and glanced inside any doorways or windows that offered a view. The city was functioning here without humanoid robots.
”a.s.sembly points,” said Wolruf. ”Robots 'err have already lefft.” She glanced behind them, over her shoulder. ” 'Unterss could come from any direction.”
”A tunnel stop would help us considerably,” said Mandelbrot. ”If we stay on this street we will encounter one, if they were built with the same frequency in this area as in the area we are familiar with.” He paused to look inside a window. Inside, function robots were scuttling about on their duties.
”Maybe they didn't build any 'err at all,” said Wolruf as she trotted alongside to keep up.
”That is possible. If this portion of the city is built on sand, then tunneling is more difficult. However, these robots do not seem to factor difficulty into their considerations.”
”Therr,” Wolruf said emphatically, pointing ahead.
A humanoid robot was just disappearing from sight around a corner ahead of them.
Mandelbrot reached down to lift Wolruf, and began to run-not at full speed, but quickly enough to make up some ground.
”Careful,” said Wolruf, clutching him around the neck.
”I believe that a Hunter this close to us would have come in this direction,” said Mandelbrot. ”However, I do not want to contact any robot without the chance to observe the situation first. Pursuit is the only recourse.”
A moment later, they turned the corner after the other robot. He was now riding a slidewalk, standing still as it carried him parallel to the mountain range. Mandelbrot hurried to the slidewalk and then walked slowly after him once they were on it.
”I think I understand,” he said quietly. ”Either this humanoid cannot be replaced here by function robots, or else he is one of the last, possibly the very last, in this area to follow his migration programming.”
”If that iss the case, we should forget about 'im,” said Wolruf. ”Go to the mountains and 'ide from 'unters. Find Avery.”
”We will be safer taking evasive action than simply racing the Hunters to the mountains. In fact, we should avoid indicating to them what our destination is, if possible. I am hoping to find a group of humanoid robots to observe so that we can imitate their actions without being witnessed by them.”
”Too late,” said Wolruf, looking back over his shoulder. ” 'Err come 'unters.”
Mandelbrot turned to look. One humanoid, clearly a Hunter by his size and sensors, was riding a distant slidewalk toward the landing site.
”Good. They intend to pick up our trail at the beach. That gives us a little more time.” Mandelbrot set Wolruf on her feet. ”I will try to manage among the robots. See if you can reach the agricultural park. I will attempt to meet you there.”
Wolruf hissed a kind of agreement and hopped off the slidewalk. Then she darted away.
Mandelbrot considered a number of options for himself instantly and chose one. He sent a distress alert to the robot ahead of him through his comlink.
”I am in need of a.s.sistance,” he said.
The other robot turned to face him, then stepped onto the stationary shoulder to wait for Mandelbrot. ”What is wrong?”