Part 4 (1/2)

Pyuf snapped switches. The whine of power at emergency levels began.

The Darzent force had screen detectors, because they stopped at once and turned back to their s.h.i.+p. Short, sharp rocket blasts shot out from the bow tubes of the s.h.i.+p, as it turned on its axis to attack the force screen.

”Let's get going,” Thane said.

”We all can't go,” Pyuf pointed out. ”Our jet is only two-place, and anyway, someone will have to cut off the screen to let the jet out.”

”You and I can do it,” Astrid said to Thane. ”I can handle the engines and the defensive screens while you fly it and man the gun.”

Thane considered quickly. If they succeeded in knocking out the Darzent forces they'd be able to get the others out without difficulty. If not, it would be wise to separate Astrid and her father. With one of them, the plan that was shaping up might succeed, but if both were lost there'd be no chance.

”All right,” Thane said. ”Let's go.”

Just then the first attack on the screen came. There was vibration through the room and the needles of the indicators all jumped up over the red lines. The whine of power momentarily became a shriek and then died down.

”That was close,” Thane said. ”The sooner we stop them the better.” He turned to Pyuf. ”Drop the screen for two seconds when I signal, to let us out.”

The bitterly cold wind cut into Astrid and Thane as they hurried outside. Astrid was ahead, leaning against the wind, running towards the outbuilding which housed the jet. They were in full view of the Darzent attackers who renewed their thrust at the screen when they saw the running figures.

”We won't take time to ease it out,” Thane shouted above the wind.

”Full power at the start. It'll knock over this shack but that's a small loss at the moment.”

Thane climbed into the nose position of the little jet while Astrid slid in behind him. They ran a fast check while the engines warmed.

Thane waited for the next attack on the force screen. It came and he gave a short sharp blast to signal their readiness. They had two seconds leeway before the screen went up again. The s.h.i.+p was not fully warmed. Thane flicked on all the rockets and gave the jet full throttle.

There was the barest hesitation, and then they were forced back in their seats, with 5G acceleration. The outbuilding flamed and collapsed behind them. As Thane went into semi-consciousness he pulled back on the control wheel to clear the hill ahead. The corners of his mouth pulled down, his eyeb.a.l.l.s felt as if they were being forced down into his cheekbones. His vision became a red blur, then grey....

He came out and looked down. The house and the Darzent s.h.i.+p were tiny blurs in the storm, three kilometers below. He looked back at Astrid.

”Make it all right?” he asked anxiously.

Her face was white and strained but she managed a smile. ”Still with you, skipper. Let's get back down.”

”Here we go. Hang on and hope. Keep the screens up till I nod. Then drop them fast.” Thane put the jet into a steep dive, lining up the Darzent s.h.i.+p in the sights of the Baring gun. He was ready to fire when there was a tremendous jolt and a flash of light. The little jet was thrown over on its back and Thane fought the controls to steady it.

He went into a climbing turn and saw, above and behind him, the long black shape of an Onzarian atmosphere cruiser. ”The protector screens are dead,” Astrid cried in alarm. ”Whatever that was that hit us burned them out!”

”That was a disrupter.” He pointed at the Onzarian cruiser. ”Our visitor is playing for keeps.” His knuckles went white as he pulled back on the wheel into another long climb with emergency power.

Another disrupter burst behind them barely missed.

”They've got everything on us,” he said. ”Speed, firepower and range.

Except maneuverability.” He turned to Astrid. ”Just how far out is the force screen from the house?”

”Four hundred meters.”

”Let's see if we can judge it,” he said grimly. ”It's going to be close.” He put the jet into a tight turn and slipped off into a steep, screaming dive. There was another disrupter burst and a sudden flutter of the controls. He fought them to maintain the dive, straight for the house and its invisible bubble of force. The flutter became worse as their speed increased, and vibration racked the whole s.h.i.+p. He judged the distance by the range-finder on the Baring. At the last moment he pulled out and up. The s.h.i.+p skidded down sickeningly, and then caught.

Thane fought bitterly to keep conscious.