“Police car pileup,” Undertaker commented gravely.
“You can never be too careful on the road.” Bill snickered, turning completely around to make the joke.
“Something’s coming,” Lafiel pointed out, squinting to see what was approaching from the horizon.
Guzornyu, the sparkling city, lay just ahead.
Something shiny and covered with blinking lights flew toward them, towing five smaller flying objects.
It passed right overhead. The sparkling crest on the underside of the largest flying object betrayed its identity.
Marca sighed with relief. “Don’t scare me like that. It’s just the fire department.”
“Maybe so,” Jinto noted, “but it was flying. And if the army wasn’t shy about commandeering police cars, what makes you think they won’t take to the skies in the those fire trucks?”
✦ ✦ ✦
This guy didn’t get enough hugs as a baby, Entoryua decided, staring at Kite’s expressionless profile.
When the occupation army commandeered the fire department’s aerial extinguisher vehicles, Entoryua thought they would leave him out of it, but when Kite insisted they bring Entoryua with them, Sleet grunted indifferently.
Now, five Wesdaj in the air, they scoured the area for the Uusia. Since the electromagnetic interference was still in effect, they had to rely on flickering light signals, beaming flashlights from the window of one fire truck to another.
This is ridiculous, Entoryua secretly opined. To expend so much effort chasing after children and small-fry radicals! They seem intent on sending their whole army after these people.
“It’s kind of silly to bring me as a guide,” Entoryua said with a sigh. “I’m a Luna Vega City cop. I was born and raised there. I don’t really know much, or anything, about Guzornyu.”
“You’re a guide for the Abh, not us.”
“Say what?”
Kite smiled coldly. “Who better to lead her down the path to Hell?”
“I’m not sure I follow your logic. I don’t even know her,” reasoned Entoryua.
“Then you’ll die quickly. But those who’ve supported the Abh will experience a much more miserable and prolonged death. Especially that boy — I can almost hear the sonata of screams. Of course, we’ll have to think of something appropriately horrid for the Abh.”
Is he serious? Or is he just trying to scare me? Who is he kidding — he doesn’t have the authority to decide that kind of thing. There are higher-ranking officers in Guzornyu.
Who knows what his superiors will do, though; after all, insanity is highly contagious.
✦ ✦ ✦
As soon as the group entered Guzornyu City, they abandoned the car and proceeded on foot. It was a wise move — the car had since been blown to smithereens.
They also changed out of their filthy clothes, purchasing all new duds from a vending machine with the money in Marca’s wallet. Lafiel stowed her Kreuno and Alpha and hid her Frosh under a large hat.
“This way!” Marca pulled Jinto into the shade of a tree-building, just as an armored troop transport ship landed nearby.
“Let’s use the underground walkway,” proposed Minh.
“Good call.”
Descending a staircase, the group came into a brightly lit underground city. Approximately the same width as the illuminated highway above it, it was lined with automatic shops. People milled about, laughing, talking, moving along at a jogging pace.
The group got onto one of the moving sidewalks.
“Somehow, this has all gotten quite out of hand,” assessed Jinto.
“That’s because you two trod on their honor with your muddy feet!” scolded Marca. “Now they’re desperate!”
“Maybe you guys should give up,” suggested Lafiel. “After all, they’re chasing us, not you. There’s no reason for you to get into any more trouble.”
“They know my name, remember?” reminded Minh. “I can’t go home, unless I want my family to be involved, too.”
“Yeah, for all the sacrifices we’ve made,” Marca concluded, “we need to reap some kind of benefits.”
“Both independence and a Menyu are out of the picture, but Lartei Kryb will surely offer some proof of its gratitude for your assistance thus far.”
“Abh gratitude,” griped Undertaker. “Piles of money and treasure, when all we want is a Menyu.”
“I told you, that’s not going to happen.” Lafiel appeared confused.
“What about a loaner?” proposed Jinto. “I’m not sure what they want it for, but as long as they’re not going to pick a fight with the Frybar, is that doable?”
“Maybe. That might be possible.”
“That’s as good as we’re going to get. What do you guys think?” inquired Marca.
“I still want a crack at piloting a Menyu myself,” complained Bill. “But, I mean, whatever. Maybe I’ll still get a chance to noodle around with the steering equipment.”
“The question is — would we be able to fly where we want?” Minh waited for Lafiel to shake her head no. “Well, we’re flexible.”
Daswani nodded.
“Is it still possible to get some of that money and treasure as well?” hoped Undertaker.
“Peanuts compared to a Menyu,” Lafiel assured him.
“Then give us your word, Princess,” insisted Marca, “that you’ll loan us a Menyu for free, for an indefinite period.”
“I can’t make that promise,” Lafiel admitted. “I can only promise to ask Spunej Erumita to consider granting that request.”
“Close enough.”
“Assuming I live long enough to have another audience with her, I will most assuredly ask. Now, come on, Jinto.”
And with that, Lafiel leapt onto a moving sidewalk going the opposite direction. Jinto shrugged and followed.
Surprisingly, Marca joined them.
“I’m going to make sure you live long enough for that to happen,” Marca whispered. “We’re coming with you, and we’re going to get you back into space.”
“How?” wondered Jinto.
“Undertaker really is an Undertaker,” she answered cryptically.