Part 58 (2/2)
”That's right,” Cora agreed readily, sounding tired.
”Whoever they are, they must have fled when they realized they couldn't control us. Might as well sur- face and try another place.”
”I fear you are both correct.” Hwos.h.i.+en was under- standably disappointed. ”We gave it a good try.
Perhaps other baleens can relocate them for us.”
Mataroreva reached to adjust a control to begin their upward climb. Just before he fingered it, a small hand locked on his wrist. He looked back in surprise at Merced. The little scientist wore a very puzzled expression.
”Wait a minute, now. Don't you think this retreat is a bit premature? I'd hardly say we're practically on the bottom. We've another several thousand meters below us. Let's go at least another thousand before we give up here.”
Mataroreva regarded him as one would an idiot child. ”I said that we're nearly down.”
Merced continued to eye him uncertainly.
” 'Nearly'?” He used his free hand to indicate the computer picture of the bottom and the figures nearby. ”We're at fifty-six hundred. Scanner shows this abyssal canyon drops to eight thousand in places.
We're only a little over two-thirds of the way down.”
Mataroreva sounded distinctly irritated. ”You heard what I said about our omnidirectional scanners.
I say we've already done the best we could. We'd only be wasting time here if we go farther. Better to try another spot.”
Merced looked at Cora. ”You feel the same way?”
”Of course!” She had never liked the researcher.
248 .
His present inexplicable obstinacy increased that dis- like.
”And you, and you?”
Rachael nodded solemnly. Hwos.h.i.+en said, ”We've done as well as could be expected. If there ever was anything here, it's obviously gone now. We frightened
it off.”
Merced let go of Mataroreva, moved carefully to- ward the rear of the chamber. Cora wondered if his shy control was beginning to crack. She found herself looking around for some kind of weapon.
” 'If there ever was anything here'?” Merced said, echoing the Commissioner's accent as well as his words. ”Not only was there something, but I'll wager
it's still present.”
”What the h.e.l.l are you raving about?” Mataroreva started to get up from his seat. ”Listen, I don't know what's going on inside your head, Pucara, but maybe
you'd better-”
From an inside pocket Merced produced a very tiny but efficient-looking gun. ”These darts are mini- atures of the ones Hazaribagh's people threatened us with, but they'll still put a grown man flat on his back.
I'd rather not shoot anyone.”
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