Spear of Light by Brenda Cooper Read Free Book Online

either once, twice, or three times a few weeks ago in the Deep. I’m getting used to it.”
    Jean Paul asked, “How can you not know how many times you were captured?”
    â€œThe Shining Revolution was a capture for sure. They locked us up and kept guards on us. Then the military took us from the Shining Revolution, and according to them it was protection. But they kept guards on us, too. Then Gunnar liberated us from the military.”
    Jean Paul said, “Sounds like a capture and two liberations.”
    Charlie laughed. “You don’t understand how complex the station’s politics are.” He reached over and touched Nona’s cheek again, just because he could. “You’ll have to tell me the whole story later.”
    â€œOver coffee in front of a fire.”
    His voice sounded slightly husky. “Soon.”
    Gerry came back on the line, calm, reciting facts. “Two skimmers flew into the valley a few hours ago, and one about half an hour ago. I don’t have any sensors that will tell me where they are now.”
    â€œThanks. We can get the satellite feed, but I don’t have enough eyes or displays to watch everything. If you see something will you tell me?”
    â€œI don’t have enough eyes either.”
    â€œYou have more automation than I do.”
    Her voice trembled, the fear just barely audible as a backdrop to her calm dispatcher’s tone. “I’ll use what I have.”
    Charlie asked, “Do you have any news about Manna Springs?”
    The silence went on for so long he almost checked the connection. “Manny’s house is surrounded, but we haven’t heard that he’s been hurt or captured. The Port Authority building is under attack. People are spreading out across the spaceport itself. They’re singing and chanting but not doing any harm except that nothing can land.”
    â€œWe were there just a few hours ago and the spaceport was normal.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want to come back here?”
    He did want to. She was his friend, and her request was a cry for help. But Amfi had been shot at. “I will. First I need to know what happened out here.”
    â€œRemember those skimmers.”
    â€œCan you tell me if any of them leave the area?”
    â€œI’ll set a watch on it. But there’s only me here and on duty right now.” She didn’t need to remind him that she was helping the other three sets of rangers, who were apparently all trying to restore order in Manna Springs.
    â€œWe’ll come back as soon as we can,” he said.
    â€œThank you.” He heard the relief in her voice.
    He turned to face the other two. “I’ve been thinking about how to do this. I have infrared sensors that tell me what animals are where, and they also show humans.” He grimaced. “Living ones, anyway. We use them to hunt smugglers.”
    â€œWe’re going to fly through the valley once, fast. Right down the middle. I’m going to pay attention to flying and to what’s in front of us. Nona will watch the display over the back seat and call out anytime it identifies a human. Jean Paul will look for humans. He’ll know who’s friendly and who’s not.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œI don’t want to imagine that’s true.” But of course it was.
    They were nearing the end of the valley. “Are you ready?”
    â€œYes.” Nona sounded as calm as an experienced ranger might have. “At first, I’ll call out everything the display tells me. Will that work?”
    â€œIt’ll be great. Is the line back to Gerry open in case she sees a skimmer move?”
    â€œYes.” Jean Paul pulled his glasses out of his pocket and fiddled with them a little, probably testing the infrared. The glasses were thin and elegant, barely visible. He knew how to make good use of them. “I’m ready.”
    â€œAll right