Part 41 (1/2)

”Surrender! Come out with your hands empty and up!” shouted a rough voice from the entrance to the suite.

Tira had pulled on a loose jacket and was fas- tening it. She glanced at Chaney and saw that he was tugging on his trousers.

A second burst of fire, which seemed to be intended to demoralize more than harm, rack- eted through the suite.

'Tira Bouriere! You are to surrender at once!”

the rough voice commanded.

Chaney frowned and shook his head. ”Keep down,” he mouthed to Tira, and moved swiftly toward the door, keeping out of sight.

”If you do not come out, we will open fire again!” the voice informed them.

211.

Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Tira pulled on her most nigged shoes, hunker- ing down on the floor to close them.

Chaney gestured to her to move back from her position so that she would have the comer of the armoire for additional protection. He showed his most heartening smile and then inched nearer the door.

”You are ordered to surrender immediately to Admiral Sclerida.”

Both Chaney and Tira winced.

They could hear Cousin Helga shriek in dismay.

There was a rush of men in the outer room as they converged on the other bedroom.

Tira Bouriere, you are officially detained by Admiral Sclerida. If you do not surrender your- self at once we will be forced to open fire.” There was bravado in the rough voice now that he had found his quarry.

Chaney scooted backward, keeping low to the floor. As he reached lira, he said very quietly, ”Is Cousin Helga going to be all right in there?”

'The closet is s.h.i.+elded. If she gets inside they'll need more than Kanovskys to get her out.

And she knows enough to use the closet.” She patted her reticule and the Samtoepoe inside.

This could come in handy.”

”My guns are out there,” Chaney said unhap- pily. ”I don't think I can reach them.”

212.

”Not to worry,” said Tira with false insouci- ance. 'There are a few toys in here, under the floor of the armoire. There should be two Mein- hausers, and they ought to be loaded.”

The noise at Cousin Helga's door redoubled as the Navy soldiers started to use the b.u.t.ts of their guns against it.

'They're heavier than your Samtoepoe,” said Chaney in approval as the pounding on the other bedroom door grew louder. ”Why doesn't it break?”

”All the interior doors have monocrystalline boron mesh in them. It'll be a while before they knock it down,” she said, rummaging at the bot- tom of the armoire for the release. As she swung back the hidden door, she added, ”And there's air packs, too. What do you think?”

”Better safe than sorry,” Chaney said, reaching for the breathing unit before he grabbed the Meinhauser. ”You better take the other. Save the Samtoepoe for a rainy day.” He put his hand to his ears. ”Poor Cousin Helga.”

”If she's in the closet, she's fine,” said Tira as she pulled out the Meinhauser and then the air pack. ”We'd better get busy.”