第三章
n Admiral [Rick] Hunter's personal notes [recorded on Praxis], we learn of several discussions that took place between Cabell and Bela regarding the issue of child-bearing among the Praxians.(Hunter himself was nonplussed to hear Bela refer to Arla-Non as her "mother.")[Bela] even allowed Cabell to tour the whaashi-"birthing center," or creche-although refused to enter it herself. It was understood that certain members of the Sisterhood were preselected to receive female "offspring," who were then raised as "daughters of the Sun." The Praxians had little understanding of courtship, sexuality, or pregnancy; the "coupling rite" being a kind of catch-all mystery that was at the same time enticing and fearsome. Cabell, of course, was quick to see Haydon's hand at work.
从［瑞克·］卡特将军［写于普拉西斯星］的私人札记中可知，卡贝尔和贝拉之间曾就普拉西斯人的生育问题进行过数次探讨。（贝拉称雅拉侬为“母亲”，这让卡特自己也困惑不已。）贝拉甚至允许卡贝尔参观“瓦阿希”——生育中心，或育婴所——自己却拒绝进入那里。据了解，姐妹会组织预先挑选出特定成员，让她们接纳女性“后代”，日后将孩子们抚养成“太阳之女”。普拉西斯人对男欢女爱、十月怀胎这类事情没有概念；“配对仪式”是个囫囵的神秘谜团，既诱人又可畏。当然，卡贝尔一眼便看出了这都是海顿之手在起作用。
A. Jow, The Historical Haydon
——A·乔伍《史观海顿》
Of all the worlds she had visited, this was the saddest, the Regis decided as she contemplated Haydon IV's cityscape from the uppermost tier of the Invid headquarters there. It was a small world, perfect in every respect, but with a heart as lifeless as the faceless beings who hovered across its surface and seemed to know one's every thought. The Regent liked to believe that he had conquered the place by cajoling his way into a position of absolute authority; but Haydon IV had seen many a would-be ruler come and go, while it itself remained unchanged, ungovernable, unreachable. It was one of the few open trading ports left since the Tirol-Optera war had spread like some contagion through the Quadrant; and as such Haydon IV enjoyed a semblance of peace. Still, the Regis sensed the presence of an incomprehensible evil here, far worse than the vulcanistic horrors her Genesis Pit experiments had unearthed on poor Praxis.
她造访过的所有星球里，数这个最糟糕。瑞吉斯在因维人总部的顶层注视着海顿四号星的城市景色时，这样想道。这是个小星球，每个细节都很完美，但它的内心死气沉沉，和那些飘荡在星球表面，没有面孔还能洞悉他人想法的居民们一个样子。瑞金特相信他靠假意亲善获得了这里绝对权威的地位，征服了这个地方；可海顿四号星见过很多想成为统治者的人们来来往往，唯有它自身保持原样，无法统治，难以企及。自从泰洛—奥普特拉之战瘟疫般蔓延到整个星区以来，它是仅有的几个开放贸易港之一；因此海顿四号星也拥有了和平的表象。但瑞吉斯仍然察觉到这里有种深不可测的邪恶存在，比在倒霉的普拉西斯星时她做的起源坑试验所引发的火山恐怖要凶险的多。
She had come to see for herself what the Invid scientists had found here, and now, as grateful as she was for the data they had supplied her, she could feel nothing but a kind of vague dread for the future, for the very path she had embarked on. Haydon IV's sophisticated scanners had picked up a trace of the Robotech Masters' course, and in effect pointed a way to Zor's ship with its matrixed Flowers. But the Regis's private samplings of the planet's vast store of metaphysical knowledge had revealed something of potentially greater import-a suggestion that she had been as self-deceived as the Regent had been. That her ostensibly evolved nature-along with her continuing efforts to search out the physical form deemed most perfect to embody her intellect-was but a carefully constructed delusion, self-generated and engineered to keep her from the real truth. And yet it was a truth she refused to contemplate, a mating she would not accept-one she was not at any rate prepared to accept.
她之前来这儿是为了亲自看看因维科学家们在这里的发现，而现在，除了她对他们所提供的数据满是感激之外，又对未来生出一片忧惧，认为自己已踏出的每一步都指向迷茫。海顿四号星精密的扫描器探测到了机器人统治者的一段航路，能够指向佐尔之船和船上的花儿母体。但瑞吉斯对这个星球庞大超自然知识体系的片段理解（私有的样品？）启示了潜在更为重要的事情——暗示出她像瑞金特那样已被自我欺骗。她的外表已经显示出肉体的进化，她还在继续努力找寻能够完美体现自己才智的身体形态——那只不过是精心构造、自生自造的的幻象，将她与终极真理隔离开。而且，这仍是她拒绝思虑的真理，不会接受的媾合——从未打算准备接受的媾合。
There would come a moment years hence when these truths would dawn on her like the primordial fireball itself, and the Invid Regis would willingly surrender the shackles of physicality and ascend; but just now, she chose to keep Haydon IV's revelations from her thoughts, and turn her attention to the Praxian woman who had requested audience.
这些真理如同原始火球（注：宇宙大爆炸理论中所有天体由原始火球的爆炸中产生。）般照亮了她的思想，多年后会有某个时刻，因维女王将甘愿放弃肉体的枷锁而升华；但现在，她将海顿四号星的启示摒离思绪，注意力转移到那个要求觐见的普拉西斯女人身上。
"This world is a paradise," the Regis said, turning from the spire's incomparable view, but gesturing to it nevertheless."I have traveled the Quadrant over, and never have I known such an exquisite place."
“这个星球是个天堂，”瑞吉斯说道。她从塔尖处无与伦比的视角转过身，手势依然指向那里。“我曾遍游这片星区，却从不知道这地方如此精妙。”
Arla-Non flashed her a scornful look, and tossed back a luxuriant mane of sun-bleached hair."Better a cave on Praxis than a palace here," she sneered."Every nerve in my body screams at me to beware this place, this planet. Every breath of its wind carries a lie."
雅拉侬轻蔑地瞥她一眼，一束日光漂白的浓密头发甩了回去。“普拉西斯的山洞也比这儿的宫殿强，”她嗤笑着说。“我身上每根神经都在叫唤，让我提防这地方，提防这星球。这儿的每阵风里都夹着谎言。”
She was tall and powerfully built, clothed in swaths of colorful fabric and knee-high boots of soft hide. Looking at her, the Regis couldn't help but be reminded of her own failed attempts to emulate that racial form, to please Zor...
她身形高大健硕，色彩丰富的带子裹在身上，脚穿及膝的软皮长靴。瑞吉斯看着她，不由得想起了自己曾失败地模仿她们种族的外形，来取悦佐尔……
"Is that fair·" the Invid Queen-Mother asked, an edge to her voice as she approached the Praxian."You knew nothing but hardship, and now you have luxury beyond the dreams of most beings."
“这公平么？”因维母后问道，她走近普拉西斯人，语调略带尖刻。“除了艰苦你一无所知，而现在你所享有的奢华，超越了绝大多数人的梦境。”
"And you have Praxis," Arla-Non shot back.
而你把普拉西斯据为己有，”雅拉侬回击。
The Regis made an impatient gesture."You must learn to forget Praxis, as I have Optera. Your world is doomed."
瑞吉斯不耐烦地挥挥手。“你必须忘掉普拉西斯，就像我忘掉奥普特拉一样。你的世界厄运难逃了。”
"So you continue to tell me. It is your way of decreeing that Praxis had become nothing more than an Invid breeding ground."
“你还是继续对我这么说。这是你把普拉西斯定作因维育殖地的托辞！”
"Praxis will breed nothing but asteroids!" the Regis seethed."I cannot change the past, Praxian. Make your peace with this world, or live out your days in torment. I offer you no other choice."
“除了碎石小天体，普拉西斯育殖不出别的东西了！”瑞吉斯怒喝。“我改变不了过去发生的事情，普拉西斯人。要么和这个星球和平相处，要么就到外面去自己受折磨，我没有其它选择给你们。”
Without a word, Arla-Non spun on her heel and headed for the entrance to the spire's transport shaft; she stopped short of its triangular accessway."I can choose to fight you to the last, Invid."
雅拉侬一言不发，扭转脚跟，朝尖塔入口处的传送电梯径直走去；她在三角形的门廊尽头停住，开口道：“我可以选择和你死战到底，因维人。”
The Regis had her back turned, but the Praxian's words found their mark. She was beginning to understand why the Regent had never regarded persuasion as a viable option where force could be employed. The Regis made note of it, promising death for the next beings who attempted to thwart her.
瑞吉斯转身背向她，但普拉西斯人的话切中了要害。她开始理解为何瑞金特能用武力解决时，绝不采用劝服手段。瑞吉斯记在心里，暗自发誓：今后谁若要阻挠她，则必许他死亡。
Praxis, meanwhile, was beginning to come apart.
与此同时，普拉西斯星，开始分裂。
Forced by ground swells, fissures, and rock slides into taking the long way around, the GMU arrived at the caves precious hours behind its projected ETA. But with the region's numerous caves and shafts to vent the planet's internal pressure, the land here had been spared some of the tectonic turmoil afflicting other areas. Nevertheless, the air was filled with static charge, heat, and stench, and the cave that housed the orbs was fast becoming unworkable. The Skull had arrived hours earlier, and by the time Vince and Jean Grant, Janice, Rem, Wolff, Burak, and the others stepped from the mobile base, the rest of the core Sentinels were well into Rick's impromptu briefing. Several dozen orbs of varying size had already exited the cave, and were well on the way to their enigmatic deepspace destiny; but Veidt and Sarna had "persuaded" the stragglers to lag behind awhile longer. Kami and Learna had reported the emergence of yet more spheres from the cavern's internal chimney. Cabell speculated that it might be possible to widen the access some, and thereby increase the chances of additional creatures reaching the surface.
地面隆起、断裂，岩石滑坡，这迫使GMU基地绕了很长的弯路，在预计时点好几个小时之后才抵达洞穴。好在这个地区众多的洞穴竖井释放了星球内部的压力，这里倒也没有像其他地方那样遭受地壳震动之苦。不过空气中仍然充满了静电、热量和臭味，圆球们聚集的那个洞穴很快变得不宜工作。骷髅中队比他们早来几小时，当格兰特夫妇、贾妮斯、雷、沃尔夫、伯拉克等人从移动基地走出时，其余的哨兵同盟核心成员已经在认真听取瑞克即席所作的简报了。几十个大小不一的圆球已经离开了洞穴，踏上了它们谜一般的深空宿命之旅；不过维特和莎娜成功“劝说”了那些掉队者们再多等待一会儿。卡米和莱亚娜报告了洞穴内部竖井出现了更多球体的情况。卡贝尔推测，将出入口拓宽些许，可能会增加更多生物到达地表的机会。
The plan called for the spheres to lift an Alpha with a crew of five clear through Praxis's suddenly albescent atmosphere. Once in space and under its own power, the mecha would complete the rendezvous with the drive module. When that was accomplished, the crew would drop the module into a lower orbit while the spheres continued to raise five-person crews. It was conceivable that the GMU would have to be abandoned, but at least the VTs and Hovertanks would survive. Although it sounded crazy the plan was straightforward enough; there remained, however, several variables to deal with. First, the Sentinels had no idea how many orbs might be required to lift a VT, or just how fast they would be able to raise it the requisite distance. An incorrect guess could leave the mecha hanging in space waiting for the module to complete another orbit, or, worse still, missing the thing altogether. Second, and equally problematic, the initial crew would have to be comprised of personnel capable of piloting the module into a lower orbit, and possibly-should the orbs for some reason withdraw their support-through a spacefold to Karbarra, or equidistant Fantoma. Third, someone was going to have to stay in touch with the orbs.
这计划要求球体们抬升一架阿尔法机和五名机组人员，穿透普拉西斯星突然变白的大气层。一旦进入太空，飞机会用自己的能量与动力模块完成会合。这任务完成后，该机组人员会将模块投向低一层轨道，同时，球体们要一次次不断地将新的五人机组抬上去。可以设想这计划将不得不抛弃GMU基地，但至少变形机和气垫坦克能存留下来。尽管听起来很疯狂，该计划十分清楚直接。不过，当中仍存在几个变数：其一，哨兵同盟不清楚抬起一架变形机需要多少球体的力量，也不知道抬到必要高度要花多少时间。猜测不准确的话，可能要让飞机在轨道上等待模块完成下一个运行周期，或者更糟糕，彻底错过了这玩意儿。其二，和上面的问题一样麻烦，首批机组成员要有人能操作模块将其变入低轨，还要有人能做空间折叠——万一圆球们不知何故撤回了支持，只有靠折叠才能回到卡巴拉或者等距离处的凡托玛。其三，必须有人要一直和圆球们保持联络才行。
This last issue had been decided by the time the GMU contingent joined the others near the cave entrance. Sarna was going to be in charge of mustering and instructing the creatures in their task. Veidt had simply said,"Sarna will do it," and no one argued the point. Rick now had the module in mind.
当GMU分遣队在洞口处和其他部队会合时，就对第三个问题做了决定。莎娜会负责召集并指示那些生物实施任务。维特只说了句：“莎娜来做。”其余人便不再讨论这个问题了。瑞克现在就只想着模块的事。
Most of the XT aliens were out of the running for this slot, except Veidt-who was needed down below to mind-link with the spheres-and Lron. Rick had doubts that the burly Karbarran could successfully pilot the ship through a jump; and although the module was Spherisian in design, neither Teal nor Baldan were qualified to handle it. Vince was needed for the GMU. That left only Lisa, unless...
除了维特和勒荣，大部分外星哨兵成员都在这任务的人选之外。但维特需要在下面和球体们连接思维（，所以他不能上天）。而且瑞克也怀疑勒荣这个鲁莽的卡巴拉人在折叠时会把飞船开坏（，所以他也不能上天）；尽管这模块是史菲利思人的设计，可不论是缇尔还是鲍丹，能力都不足以操纵它。GMU需要文斯留下。只剩下丽莎了，除非……
"Janice," Rick said suddenly,"can you handle it·"
“贾妮斯，”瑞克突然问道：“你能操纵它么？”
Burak almost volunteered, but Tesla restrained him at the last moment, gesturing him silent while everyone's attention was focused on Minmei's former partner.
伯拉克差点就自告奋勇了，但泰斯拉在最后的时刻压住了他，当其他人的注意力都集中在明美的前任搭档时，他做了个让伯拉克安静的手势。
She nodded, without saying anything. If it came down to a fold for Tirol, Lang would be delighted to find her aboard. She sensed Lisa looking at her, and gave her a tight-lipped but understanding look.
她点点头，什么也没说。如果事情发展到要折叠去泰洛的地步，朗会很高兴看到她在船上的。她感觉到身上丽莎的目光，抿紧双唇用领会的眼神回望了她。
"Lisa·" Rick said, figuring he would be safer with a crowd around him.
“丽莎？”瑞克问道，认为身边有人支持的话会更妥当。
"I'm fine with your choice, Commander," she told him evenly."But just who do you have in mind to pilot the Alpha·"
“司令官，我同意你的选择，”她平静的对他说。“但是你认为该选谁驾驶阿尔法机呢？”
Rick looked around uncomfortably."Well, I think I'm the most qual-"
瑞克不安地环视四周，答道：“嗯，我想我是最合——”
Half-a-dozen voices interrupted him at once.
立刻冒出五六个人的声音，打断了他的话。
"It's too risky," Max said, speaking for all of them."I'll go."
“太冒险了，”麦克斯代表了他们的意见，并说：“让我去。”
"Your place is with the Skull," Rick pointed out firmly, and everyone grumbled their agreement. Several of Max's squadron volunteered, including Miriya, but Rick rejected all of them for one reason or another. Then Jonathan Wolff stepped forward.
“你的位置在骷髅中队，”瑞克坚定地告诉他，其他人也低声附和。麦克斯中队的几名成员自愿报名，包括米莉娅在内，但瑞克用这样那样的理由拒绝了他们。这时乔纳森·沃尔夫站了出来。
"I'm the logical choice," he said, addressing the circle."With Vince and Max, we'll still have our air-and ground-based forces intact in the event of a follow-up attack. One less tanker isn't going to influence things one way or another."
“合理的选择是我，”他对着围圈的人群发言：“有文斯和麦克斯的话，一旦发生后续袭击，我们还能保持空中和地面部队的完整性。少我一个坦克兵不会影响大局。”
Rick had to smile at Wolff's attempt at humility; but Wolff's reasoning was sound."All right," he said at last,"you've got it."
瑞克对沃尔夫的谦恭之词不得不置之一笑；但沃尔夫的理由很充分。“好吧，”他最终说道：“这个位置给你。”
Just then Tesla began to shoulder his way to the center of the circle."Commander, I, too, would like to volunteer my services." He turned to the Sentinels, some of whom were already ridiculing him.
就在这时，泰斯拉用肩膀推出条路，走到围圈中央。“司令官，我也想请求效力。”他转向哨兵同盟，当中有些人已经开始讥讽起他。
"You've all seen how I can be made to cooperate. But now I wish nothing more than to demonstrate my willingness to cooperate. These four months have taught me a great deal about freedom and self-determination, and I would urge you all to begin to accept me as a member of your group, rather than a prisoner. Should the Regent's troops appear in Praxis-space, I will be there to foil them, much as I did in Tracialle."
“你们之前全都看到了如何能迫使我合作。但现在我除了希望展示自愿合作的诚意，别无他求。这四个月教会了我很多关于自由意志和自主决定的事情，而现在，我想要恳请你们所有人接受我作为你们的成员之一，而不是把我当成囚犯。万一瑞金特的部队出现在普拉西斯空间，我会出来迷惑他们，就像我在璀夏勒尔时做的那样。”
Rick looked up at the Invid, remembering what Lisa had told him of the Farrago's attack on the Karbarran city, and wondering whether Tesla was genuine or simply trying to save his own green skin. Rick asked him if he wasn't growing tired of his role-whether he had any reservations about betraying the Invid cause.
瑞克抬头看着这个因维人，一边回忆着丽莎在法拉戈袭击卡巴拉城市的时候告诫他的话，一边猜测泰斯拉究竟是真心诚意还是只为了保住自己那条性命。瑞克问他，如果他对这个角色还没感到厌倦的话，背叛因维一族的伟大事业是否还要什么条件。
"It seems to be my lot in life," Tesla said in a theatrical manner."Besides, I want this mission to succeed as much as the rest of you do."
“这看来是我命中注定，”泰斯拉用舞台腔说着：“此外，同你们其他人一样，我也想要这任务成功完成。”
Rick exhaled a short laugh."We appreciate that, Tesla. But intentions aside, I think you might be too...uh, large for the mecha."
瑞克哼地一笑：“我们理解这点，泰斯拉。不过就算不考虑你的动机，我也觉得你登机的话，个头会不会……太大了一点。”
"Too large!" Telsa said as though insulted."Put me in the Beta's cargo section, then." He sucked in his breath, as if to narrow his bulk, and waited, making an effort to will the right words into the Human's mind.
“太大了！”泰斯拉仿佛受到了侮辱：“那就把我放到贝塔机的货舱去。”他运了口气，像在缩小身量，之后静静等待着，仿佛在用自己的意志把愿望送入瑞克的思维。
"You think we can fit Burak and Tesla back there·" Rick asked Wolff hesitantly.
“你觉得能把伯拉克和泰斯拉塞进后面么？”瑞克犹豫地问沃尔夫。
Wolff sized up the Invid and the horned Perytonian, who was looking a bit peaked."Be a little tight, but I think we can manage them."
沃尔夫目测了因维人和长角佩里顿人的身材，佩里顿人外形高瘦。“有点挤，不过我看能安排他们。”
"Then let's hop to it," Rick said decisively.
“那就马上着手吧。”瑞克果断地说。
Tesla and Burak lingered for a moment at the hub of the sudden activity. The Invid turned partway toward his accomplice and spoke in a hushed voice.
人群一瞬间全都行动起来，泰斯拉和伯拉克踌躇了一会儿，因维人朝他的同伙略微侧身，轻声说道：
"Make certain you bring plenty of fruit aboard, my young friend. Destiny calls to us both."
“你得确保带足够多的果子上飞机，小伙子。命运召唤了我们两个人。”
On Tirol, too, things were off to a shaky start. During the first session of the truce negotiations, the Regent had thrown a kind of temper tantrum, which only Edwards recognized as being as false as the Invid himself. He had a perfect understanding of the imposter's aim, and so was hardly surprised to learn afterward that the XT had informed Dr. Lang and the council he would henceforth meet with Edwards only. The Regent had explained how difficult and alien it was for him to discuss terms with a body of representatives-especially when one of those twelve was a Zentraedi, with whom the Invid would never make peace. Once again Lang had tried to set himself up as ombudsman, and once again the Regent had rejected him out of hand. Edwards was the Human the Regent would talk to, and none other. Lang let the council know that he was against any one-to-one arrangements and insisted that his arguments be added to the record. But Edwards was delighted to hear that the council had overruled the scientist's objections and that Longchamps and the others were counting on him to see the talks through to their completion.
泰洛星上也是开局不利。和约谈判的首个回合，瑞金特便暴起狂怒，爱德华兹认为这只是假摄政王的诡计（瑞金特是假的，狂怒也是假的）罢了。他清楚地明白这个冒牌货的目的。随后，当得知这个外星人对朗博士和委员会要求只同爱德华兹会面时，他一点也不诧异。瑞金特起初解释说，面对一组代表团讨论条款对他而言既艰难又陌生，尤其是这十二人当中还有个血海深仇的天顶星人。于是朗又试图自己担任委员会代言人，瑞金特又立刻拒绝了他。瑞金特只想和爱德华兹谈，别人都不行。朗告诉委员会，他反对任何一对一的安排，并坚持要将自己的意见记录在案。不过爱德华兹高兴地得知委员会排除了朗博士的反对意见，隆尚还有其他人都指望着他来完成谈判。
Just now the simulagent and the traitor were seated across from one another in Edwards's spacious quarters aboard the SDF-3. The two of them had already put on quite a show in the fortress amphitheater, but here they were safe from the prying eyes of the council and free to speak their minds. Edwards had decided to play it close to the bone, and congratulated the Invid on his performance.
这时，替身和大叛徒在爱德华兹在SDF-3上宽敞的住所里，隔桌对面相坐。这两位在堡垒里的圆剧场已经卖力表演过一番，然而在这里，他们很安全，委员会没有偷窥的机会，可以想说什么便说。爱德华兹决定露骨一点，恭喜因维人的成功表演。
"Why, whatever do you mean, General·" the false Regent said after a short silence.
“为什么？你究竟什么意思呢，将军？”假摄政王沉默片刻后说道。
There was just enough hesitation in the Invid's response to reassure Edwards that he was dealing with an imposter, but it benefited him to play along."Your words for the council's scanners," Edwards told him."All that talk about how there's more than enough room in the Quadrant for both our races."
回答间的片刻犹疑足以使爱德华兹更确定眼前这人是冒名顶替，不过继续玩下去对他有利。“您对委员会那些抠字眼的家伙说的，”爱德华兹告诉他：“有关这片星区的空间够我们两个种族生活的那些话。”
"We are a reasonable people," the false Regent returned, sipping at the green grog he had brought with him.
“我们是讲道理的民族，”假摄政王回答他，啜饮着随身带来的绿色琼浆。
"Yes, of course, you are. I'm encouraged by the very fact that you've come to Tirol. There are some who didn't believe you would."
“当然，当然是了。您来到泰洛这件事让我十分鼓舞。有些人不相信您会来的。”
"And you·"
“那你呢？”
"Oh, I think you're capable of almost anything, Your Highness."
“哦，我认为您几乎无所不能，殿下。”
The Invid set aside his goblet and looked across the desk at Edwards."You speak boldly for one your size, Human. Are all those from your world so courageous·"
因维人把高脚杯放到一边，目光越过桌面直抵爱德华兹。“你个子不大，说话的胆子不小，人类。你们星球上的人都像你这么勇敢么？”
Edwards sat back in his chair and grinned."To a man."
爱德华兹在座椅上挺身后靠，咧嘴笑道：“无一例外。”
"And your weapons speak with equal power...But it intrigues me: how exactly did you come by your Protoculture systems·"
你们的武器的火力也同样够冲的……不过有一点我很好奇：你们究竟是怎么得到史前文化系统的？”
"We took them away from the Zentraedi," Edwards said, leaning forward on the desk."They were annoying us."
“我们从天顶星人那里收缴的，”爱德华兹上身朝桌面前倾，说道：“他们非常讨厌。”
The simulagent studied his four-fingered hands."And you came here in search of their Masters·"
替身仔细端详着自己的一双四指大手。“你们来这里是找他们的统治者么？”
"We came here to finish the job, if you want the truth. Word had it that they were going to be showing up in our neighborhood, so we decided to take the fight to them instead. Save our planet the inconvenience of a backyard war."
“如果你想知道真相，那我们来这里是为了把事情了结。有传言他们要出现在我们的邻域，所以我们决定来这儿打击他们，不让战争在我们星球的后院打起来。”
"Yes, but you seemed to have missed them."
“是啊，可你们看来错过他们了。”
"We'll catch up." Edwards shrugged."First we've got a little business here to take care of."
“我们会追上的。”爱德华兹耸耸肩。“我们得先把这里的一些小事情处理完。”
The Invid ignored the remark."Just where is your 'neighborhood,' General·"
因维人没理会他的话。“你们的‘邻域’在什么地方，将军？”
Edwards touched his faceplate."A long way from Tirol."
爱德华兹摸了摸自己的假面。“离泰洛很远的地方。”
"Yes, but where·"
“是的，可到底在哪里？”
"West of the Moon, east of the Sun."
“月之西，日之东。”
"You trifle with me," the XT said menacingly.
“你耍我，”外星人威胁地说。
Edwards shot to his feet and put both hands flat on the desk."And you waste my time! What are you after·"
爱德华兹猛站起来，双手平按在桌上。“而你在浪费我的时间！你到底要什么？”
The Invid met his glare."The return of the brain."
因维人迎着他的目光：“主脑还给我们。”
"In exchange for what·"
“用什么来换？”
"Your lives," the Regent hissed.
“你们的命。”瑞金特发出嘶嘶声。
Edwards laughed and walked away from the desk, only to whirl around and say,"You needed my help to eliminate a single Karbarran ship. And I know that your fleet is spread so thin you can hardly protect the worlds you've conquered. So what makes you think you can intimidate me now·"
爱德华兹大笑，从桌边走开，又转回身，说道：“连消灭一艘卡巴拉人的飞船，你都需要我的帮助。我知道你的舰队太分散了，连你已经征服的星球都很难保护。是什么让你认为自己此刻能威胁我啊？”
The Regent, too, was on his feet, filling one half of the room."I thought for a moment we were on the same side, General. But perhaps I was mistaken."
瑞金特也站起身，庞大的身躯占满半个房间。“我刚才有一阵子还以为我们在同一边，将军。但也许我错了。”
"You've already been more help to me than you know," Edwards told him."But the brain stays until you've got something better to offer me than threats."
“你给我帮过的忙比你知道的要多，”爱德华兹告诉他。“但主脑得留在这儿，直到你给我些比威胁更好的东西。”
"Your egotism will be the death of you," the Regent said from the door.
“你的自大会送了你的命。”瑞金特一边走向门口，一边说。
Edwards smiled as the door slid shut. Everything he said had been calculated to draw out the real Regent; talk was useless until then. But he had faith that his gambit would pay off. Eventually the Regent would show himself-in person or as before in the sphere-and when that day came, there would be much to discuss.
随着滑动门闭合，一丝笑意浮现在爱德华兹脸上。他说的每句话都精心算计，为了引出真正的瑞金特；直到那时，谈话才有用。但这个开局他有信心获得回报。最终瑞金特会现出真身的——当面也好，通讯球也罢——当这天到来时，还有很多话题要谈。
Incredible as it seemed, the armored Alpha was actually being carried aloft by perhaps three dozen orbs of mixed size, clustered like grapes beneath the mecha's swept-back wings and Beta-elongated fuselage. Cheering seemed a bit premature, but that didn't stop any of the still-grounded Sentinels from sending up exclamations of encouragement.
看起来不可思议，约六十个大小圆球正将重装甲阿尔法机（注：即阿尔法贝塔的合体机。）抬上空中，它们聚集在阿尔法的后掠机翼以及贝塔的加长机身下，如同葡萄串一般。尽管此刻一片欢呼显得有些为时过早，但仍在地上的哨兵们并不在意，仍不停地高喊鼓励之声。
The feat had required more orbs than anyone would have guessed-over a quarter of the number that remained in the cave, at last count-but Veidt, as promised, had been able to herd them under the hovering VT without much ado. Several of the creatures either didn't comprehend the Haydonite's telepathic instructions or thought better of them at the last moment and opted for solo flights into Praxis's cloudy and smoke-smudged skies. The others, however, rose quickly to the task, less like lighter-than-air balloons than anti-Galilean cannonballs. Cabell calculated that if the present rate of lift remained unchanged, the mecha would arrive at the Roche limit with ample time to rendezvous with the drive module. At that point, Sarna, copiloting the Alpha along with Jonathan Wolff, would bid the orbs what amounted to a "thanks and so long," and the VT would utilize its onboard computer and thrusters for guidance adjustments. Janice, Burak, and Tesla were squeezed together in the mecha's Beta hindquarters.
这工作所需要的圆球数量比大家猜测的都要多——最新统计出的留在洞中所有圆球数量的四分之一强。不过维特和允诺的一样，能够不费太多力气来管控它们抬升变形机。有几个球形生物要么是不能理解海顿人的传心术指令，要么是在最后时刻为自己打算，选择独自飞进了普拉西斯浓云烟幕的大气里。剩下的则很快加入行动，与其说它们像氢气球，还不如说像抵抗重力（反伽利略）的炮弹。卡贝尔计算如果按照当前的速度不变上升的话，飞机到达洛系极限（注：洛希极限是一个距离。它等于行星赤道半径的2.44倍。）时，会有充足的时间与模块会合。到那时，和乔纳森·沃尔夫一起驾驶阿尔法的莎娜，会给圆球们发出“谢谢，再见”的指令，变形机将依靠自身的机载电脑和推进器做导航调整。贾妮斯、伯拉克和泰斯拉则挤在后半部的贝塔机里。
Rick threw a couple of enthusiastic shouts to the Alpha before rushing off to join Vince and some of the others, who were already in the GMU's command center monitoring the mecha's progress and supplying its telemetry systems with updates gleaned from the base's scanners and data mainframes.
瑞克热情地对阿尔法机喊了几声，随后冲向GMU的指挥中心会合文斯等人，他们早就在那里监视飞机进展并为其遥测系统不断提供基地扫描器与数据主机采集的信息。
Wolff was on the net when Rick entered the command center."Everything checks out fine so far," he was telling Vince."It's like an elevator ride to the stars." The net was relatively clear, except for occasional bursts of static.
瑞克进入指挥中心时，沃尔夫正在通讯网络上。“一切都进展良好，”他告诉文斯：“就像一台开向星辰的电梯。”通讯相当清晰，偶尔有静电放电的干扰。
"Ask him if Sarna anticipates any disengagement problems," Rick said to Vince.
“问问他，莎娜认为脱离时有没有什么问题？”瑞克对文斯说。
"Uh, no problem," Wolff reported a moment later.
“啊，没问题，”沃尔夫片刻后汇报。
Rick leaned in to one of the console pickups."And Janice·"
瑞克弯腰察看一块控制屏幕：“那贾妮斯呢？”
"Here, Rick. We're doing all right." Thumping noises could be heard in the background."It's just a little close for comfort."
“我在这儿，瑞克。我们一切正常。”背景上嗵嗵传来很明显的噪音。“只是有点险。”
Rick made a mental note to tell Janice just how much he admired her."Sit tight, Janice. You're almost there."
瑞克暗暗记下，今后要告诉贾妮斯他有多么钦佩她。“坐稳了，贾妮斯。你快到目标了。”
Wolff and Janice acknowledged and signed off. Rick found himself crossing his fingers, something he hadn't done in years. He laughed in a self-mocking way, optimistic but oddly disturbed at the same time.
沃尔夫和贾妮斯应答后收了线。瑞克不自主地交叉手指，祈祷他们好运。他多年来一直没做过这动作，发觉后便自嘲地笑了出来，乐观与异样的不安同时在心中涌现。
Outside the base, members of the Skull Squadron and the Wolff Pack were beginning to prepare a second mecha for lift. This one was to include Lisa, Miriya, Cabell, Lron, and Crysta. The air was filled with lightning flashes and all-but-constant peals of thunder. Praxis trembled underfoot like the SDF-3 during fold maneuvers. Even Cabell refused to speculate on how much time the planet had, but to a few of the Sentinels each minute felt like something to be thankful for.
基地外面，骷髅中队和沃尔夫战队正准备第二架飞机的升空。这架飞机上的乘员将包括丽莎、米莉娅、卡贝尔、勒荣和克里斯塔。大气里闪电密布雷声不绝。脚下的普拉西斯大地战栗不止，好似SDF-3在执行折叠机动一般。即使是卡贝尔也不愿推测这颗星球还剩下多少时间，但对一些哨兵成员来说，活着的每一分钟都值得感激。
Kami and Learna had yet to emerge from the orb cavern deep inside the region's now-floodlit central cave. The temperature had dropped considerably over the past half hour, and the air was breathable once more. Baldan and Teal had joined the Garudans to help keep count of the orbs, and with the first Alpha on its way, Jack, Karen, Rem, and Gnea appeared on the scene.
这时，中央岩洞已被泛光灯照亮，卡米和莱亚娜还没有从球体出没的那个洞穴现身。过去的半小时里，温度已经明显下降，空气又变得可供呼吸了。鲍丹和缇尔加入了嘎鲁达人，协助统计圆球数目。正当头一架阿尔法机在飞行途中时，杰克、凯伦、雷和妮雅出现在屏幕上。
Everyone watched as two golf ball-sized spheres wafted up out of the shaft to join their brethren, who were grouped in various locations along the vaulted ceiling. A veritable parade of overhead orbs stretched from here all the way to the mouth of the cave. Jack directed his light down into the shaft and asked Karen and Gnea to do the same. He had discerned some sort of movement perhaps eight feet down the well; one of the larger creatures was struggling to fit through the constricted passageway. Each time the thing would back off, two or three smaller orbs would bubble up and out of the shaft. The Sentinels had discussed various ways to enlarge the opening, but Rick was leery of employing explosives or lasers for fear the orbs would misunderstand their intentions. Jack couldn't, however, see any harm in spelunking down for a closer look.
大伙儿看到两个高尔夫球大小的圆球漂浮出竖井口。他俩正要去加入那些在拱形洞顶不同位置处集结的同胞们。头顶上的圆球们组成名副其实的游行队伍，从这里一直延伸到洞穴入口处。杰克将光束打入竖井，也请凯伦和妮雅照办。他察觉到在井下约八英尺处有动静；一个较大的生物正奋力从狭窄的通道挤出。每次它掉回去，都会有三两个小号的圆球冒出来钻出竖井。哨兵们讨论了多种方法来扩大出口，但瑞克对爆破或者激光等手段很谨慎，担心这会让圆球们误解了他们的初衷。杰克则认为，下去探探洞穴，应该没什么坏处。
While Gnea and Rem went rushing back to the GMU for cord and anything they could find in the way of rigs and harnesses, Baldan and Teal were off in a corner of the cavern exploring a different route down. It had occurred to the male Spherisian-earlier, when he had melded his hand with the cave wall-that there were peculiar forces at work in the depths of Praxis, and Teal, her arms buried to the elbow in rock, was affirming that now.
正当妮雅和雷冲回GMU取绳索等装备工具时，鲍丹和缇尔正在洞穴对面的角落探寻另一条向下的路径。此前，当这个史菲利思男人的手与洞壁融合之后，他突然想到一定有种特别的力量在普拉西斯地下深处起着作用。而现在，缇尔把手臂埋入岩石没到肘部，肯定了他的想法。
"The mineral content is most unusual," she reported analytically."Nothing like what we've experienced elsewhere on Praxis. It seems more a part of the planet's past than its present."
“这矿物的成分极不寻常。”她对他分析道：“和我们在普拉西斯上其它地方遇见的完全不同。看起来这更像这颗星球远古的东西，并不属于现在。”
"I sensed the same thing," Baldan told her, gesturing to the cavern's outcroppings and formations."These deposits have been exhumed from somewhere in the core, but in some unnatural fashion. They're not so much the result of the planet's vulcanism as they are the cause of it." Once again, Baldan pushed his arms deep into the wall."Perhaps I can travel the Crystal Highways here as we do on Spheris, and communicate with the tortured substrata of this world."
“我和你的感觉一样。”鲍丹告诉她，一边用手比划着洞穴中岩石出露的情况与构造。“这些矿床像是从地核挖掘出来的，但并非自然作用。它们既不是这星球上火山作用的结果，也不是其原因。”鲍丹又一次向洞壁深处推了推自己的手臂。“也许我能像在史菲利思上那样，走这里的‘水晶公路’，再和这个星球扭曲的内地层沟通一下。”
"It's dangerous," Teal said, pulling one of Baldan's hands from the wall."Praxis is destabilized. You might not be able to re-form..."
“这很危险。”缇尔说，她穿过墙壁握住了鲍丹的手。“普拉西斯星不再稳定。你可能再也不能重新成形……。”
Baldan registered surprise at her concern for his well-being; it was unlike her."Then keep hold of my hand," he said as he began to meld the rest of his crystalline being with the glistening rock that formed the cave wall. Teal could see a portion of the wall assume Baldan's features in bas-relief; he seemed to smile, then disappeared entirely.
她的关心让鲍丹显露出惊讶之情；这可不像她。“那么，抓住我的手，别松开。”他一边说，一边将其余的水晶身体融入构成洞壁的闪亮岩石里。缇尔能看到洞壁的一部分显现出鲍丹的面容，如同浅浅的浮雕；他似乎面带微笑，之后又消失的无影无踪。
"Good luck," she whispered, still grasping her friend's disembodied hand.
“好运。”她轻声耳语，仍然紧握着她朋友那只已抽空生命的手。
Elsewhere in the cavern, Rem, Gnea, and Karen heard Jack say,"There are thousands of globes down here! Enough to lift the whole damn base!" His voice rose from the shaft like that of an oracle."They're huge ones! We've gotta give them a way out! Tell Hunter-"
洞穴另一处，雷、妮雅和凯伦听到杰克说：“下面有成千上万的圆球！足够把整个该死的基地抬上天！”他的声音从竖井下升起，如同天启神喻。“他们都是超大个儿的！我们得给他们弄条出路！快告诉卡特——”
Just then a violent tremor hit the cave, erasing Jack's words and eliciting a shower of rocks and dirt from the grotto's ceiling. The orbs began an excited dance when the tremor passed, hastening toward the entrance in what seemed an inverted ball-bearing stampede. Karen was leaning into the shaft yelling Jack's name.
就在此时，洞中传来一阵猛烈的震动，打断了杰克的话语，洞顶的岩石和尘土纷纷落下。震动过后，圆球们兴奋地舞动起来，加快了朝入口处的进程，就像是带着球的人群踩着天花板狂奔一般。凯伦朝井内探身，呼喊着杰克的名字。
"I'm okay," he yelled back at last."Just took a spill off the rope. I'm on a ledge or something. Seems to be some kind of cavities down here...One of you better come down-and bring more light."
“我没事，”他终于喊了回来。“就是从绳子上掉下来了。我这里好像是个矿脉。底下好像有一些蚀洞……你们最好下来一个人，多带些光源。”
Teal had been knocked to her knees by the force of the quake, but she had managed to keep hold of Baldan's hand and forearm. She twisted around in time to see Kami and Learna picking themselves up off the floor. Then she saw Baldan's face manifest in the wall: he looked terrified.
地震的力量击倒了缇尔，她双膝跪地，但还是尽力抓住了鲍丹的手和前臂。她扭转身体，刚好看见卡米和莱亚娜从地面上爬起。随后，她看见鲍丹的面孔显现在洞壁上：他看来十分恐惧。
"What· What is it, Baldan·"
“是什么？那是什么，鲍丹？”
His stone mouth formed the word Invid."They've performed a horrible experiment here, brought back creatures from the planet's past-like these globes, but terrible ones also. You must hurry and warn the others. These creatures-"
他的岩石嘴巴吐出了“因维人”这个字。“他们在这儿做了恐怖的实验，将这个星球古代的生物带了回来——比如这些圆球，但还有更可怕的。你必须快走，警告其他人。这些生物——”
"But you can't expect me to leave you here!" Teal was aghast.
“可你别指望我把你丢在这里自己走！”缇尔惊呆了。
"I'm trapped," he told her."It's no use."
“我被困住了，”他告诉她。“没用的。”
Teal tugged on his arm."Don't-" Then she looked down and noticed a fissure in the wall that hadn't been there before the tremor.
缇尔拉住他的手臂。“别——”她低头往下看，发觉洞壁上出现了地震前没有的一条裂缝。
"Baldan..."
“鲍丹……”
"Hurry," he insisted.
“快点。”他坚持道。
Reluctantly, she let go of his arm. And as she turned to leave, she heard Karen scream from across the grotto.
她不情愿地松开了他的手臂。当她转身要走时，她听到了凯伦从洞穴那头发出的尖叫。
"It's Jack and Rem!" a wide-eyed Karen was saying when Teal approached her. Kami, Learna, and Gnea were trying to calm her."Something's taken hold of them!"
“杰克和雷！”凯伦瞪大双眼，望着走向她的缇尔说道，卡米、莱亚娜和妮雅正努力让她安静下来。“他们被什么东西抓住了！”
《沙丘》六部曲合集
《波西杰克逊》系列合集
《猎魔人》合集
从［瑞克·］卡特将军［写于普拉西斯星］的私人札记中可知，卡贝尔和贝拉之间曾就普拉西斯人的生育问题进行过数次探讨。（贝拉称雅拉侬为“母亲”，这让卡特自己也困惑不已。）贝拉甚至允许卡贝尔参观“瓦阿希”——生育中心，或育婴所——自己却拒绝进入那里。据了解，姐妹会组织预先挑选出特定成员，让她们接纳女性“后代”，日后将孩子们抚养成“太阳之女”。普拉西斯人对男欢女爱、十月怀胎这类事情没有概念；“配对仪式”是个囫囵的神秘谜团，既诱人又可畏。当然，卡贝尔一眼便看出了这都是海顿之手在起作用。
A. Jow, The Historical Haydon
——A·乔伍《史观海顿》
Of all the worlds she had visited, this was the saddest, the Regis decided as she contemplated Haydon IV's cityscape from the uppermost tier of the Invid headquarters there. It was a small world, perfect in every respect, but with a heart as lifeless as the faceless beings who hovered across its surface and seemed to know one's every thought. The Regent liked to believe that he had conquered the place by cajoling his way into a position of absolute authority; but Haydon IV had seen many a would-be ruler come and go, while it itself remained unchanged, ungovernable, unreachable. It was one of the few open trading ports left since the Tirol-Optera war had spread like some contagion through the Quadrant; and as such Haydon IV enjoyed a semblance of peace. Still, the Regis sensed the presence of an incomprehensible evil here, far worse than the vulcanistic horrors her Genesis Pit experiments had unearthed on poor Praxis.
她造访过的所有星球里，数这个最糟糕。瑞吉斯在因维人总部的顶层注视着海顿四号星的城市景色时，这样想道。这是个小星球，每个细节都很完美，但它的内心死气沉沉，和那些飘荡在星球表面，没有面孔还能洞悉他人想法的居民们一个样子。瑞金特相信他靠假意亲善获得了这里绝对权威的地位，征服了这个地方；可海顿四号星见过很多想成为统治者的人们来来往往，唯有它自身保持原样，无法统治，难以企及。自从泰洛—奥普特拉之战瘟疫般蔓延到整个星区以来，它是仅有的几个开放贸易港之一；因此海顿四号星也拥有了和平的表象。但瑞吉斯仍然察觉到这里有种深不可测的邪恶存在，比在倒霉的普拉西斯星时她做的起源坑试验所引发的火山恐怖要凶险的多。
She had come to see for herself what the Invid scientists had found here, and now, as grateful as she was for the data they had supplied her, she could feel nothing but a kind of vague dread for the future, for the very path she had embarked on. Haydon IV's sophisticated scanners had picked up a trace of the Robotech Masters' course, and in effect pointed a way to Zor's ship with its matrixed Flowers. But the Regis's private samplings of the planet's vast store of metaphysical knowledge had revealed something of potentially greater import-a suggestion that she had been as self-deceived as the Regent had been. That her ostensibly evolved nature-along with her continuing efforts to search out the physical form deemed most perfect to embody her intellect-was but a carefully constructed delusion, self-generated and engineered to keep her from the real truth. And yet it was a truth she refused to contemplate, a mating she would not accept-one she was not at any rate prepared to accept.
她之前来这儿是为了亲自看看因维科学家们在这里的发现，而现在，除了她对他们所提供的数据满是感激之外，又对未来生出一片忧惧，认为自己已踏出的每一步都指向迷茫。海顿四号星精密的扫描器探测到了机器人统治者的一段航路，能够指向佐尔之船和船上的花儿母体。但瑞吉斯对这个星球庞大超自然知识体系的片段理解（私有的样品？）启示了潜在更为重要的事情——暗示出她像瑞金特那样已被自我欺骗。她的外表已经显示出肉体的进化，她还在继续努力找寻能够完美体现自己才智的身体形态——那只不过是精心构造、自生自造的的幻象，将她与终极真理隔离开。而且，这仍是她拒绝思虑的真理，不会接受的媾合——从未打算准备接受的媾合。
There would come a moment years hence when these truths would dawn on her like the primordial fireball itself, and the Invid Regis would willingly surrender the shackles of physicality and ascend; but just now, she chose to keep Haydon IV's revelations from her thoughts, and turn her attention to the Praxian woman who had requested audience.
这些真理如同原始火球（注：宇宙大爆炸理论中所有天体由原始火球的爆炸中产生。）般照亮了她的思想，多年后会有某个时刻，因维女王将甘愿放弃肉体的枷锁而升华；但现在，她将海顿四号星的启示摒离思绪，注意力转移到那个要求觐见的普拉西斯女人身上。
"This world is a paradise," the Regis said, turning from the spire's incomparable view, but gesturing to it nevertheless."I have traveled the Quadrant over, and never have I known such an exquisite place."
“这个星球是个天堂，”瑞吉斯说道。她从塔尖处无与伦比的视角转过身，手势依然指向那里。“我曾遍游这片星区，却从不知道这地方如此精妙。”
Arla-Non flashed her a scornful look, and tossed back a luxuriant mane of sun-bleached hair."Better a cave on Praxis than a palace here," she sneered."Every nerve in my body screams at me to beware this place, this planet. Every breath of its wind carries a lie."
雅拉侬轻蔑地瞥她一眼，一束日光漂白的浓密头发甩了回去。“普拉西斯的山洞也比这儿的宫殿强，”她嗤笑着说。“我身上每根神经都在叫唤，让我提防这地方，提防这星球。这儿的每阵风里都夹着谎言。”
She was tall and powerfully built, clothed in swaths of colorful fabric and knee-high boots of soft hide. Looking at her, the Regis couldn't help but be reminded of her own failed attempts to emulate that racial form, to please Zor...
她身形高大健硕，色彩丰富的带子裹在身上，脚穿及膝的软皮长靴。瑞吉斯看着她，不由得想起了自己曾失败地模仿她们种族的外形，来取悦佐尔……
"Is that fair·" the Invid Queen-Mother asked, an edge to her voice as she approached the Praxian."You knew nothing but hardship, and now you have luxury beyond the dreams of most beings."
“这公平么？”因维母后问道，她走近普拉西斯人，语调略带尖刻。“除了艰苦你一无所知，而现在你所享有的奢华，超越了绝大多数人的梦境。”
"And you have Praxis," Arla-Non shot back.
而你把普拉西斯据为己有，”雅拉侬回击。
The Regis made an impatient gesture."You must learn to forget Praxis, as I have Optera. Your world is doomed."
瑞吉斯不耐烦地挥挥手。“你必须忘掉普拉西斯，就像我忘掉奥普特拉一样。你的世界厄运难逃了。”
"So you continue to tell me. It is your way of decreeing that Praxis had become nothing more than an Invid breeding ground."
“你还是继续对我这么说。这是你把普拉西斯定作因维育殖地的托辞！”
"Praxis will breed nothing but asteroids!" the Regis seethed."I cannot change the past, Praxian. Make your peace with this world, or live out your days in torment. I offer you no other choice."
“除了碎石小天体，普拉西斯育殖不出别的东西了！”瑞吉斯怒喝。“我改变不了过去发生的事情，普拉西斯人。要么和这个星球和平相处，要么就到外面去自己受折磨，我没有其它选择给你们。”
Without a word, Arla-Non spun on her heel and headed for the entrance to the spire's transport shaft; she stopped short of its triangular accessway."I can choose to fight you to the last, Invid."
雅拉侬一言不发，扭转脚跟，朝尖塔入口处的传送电梯径直走去；她在三角形的门廊尽头停住，开口道：“我可以选择和你死战到底，因维人。”
The Regis had her back turned, but the Praxian's words found their mark. She was beginning to understand why the Regent had never regarded persuasion as a viable option where force could be employed. The Regis made note of it, promising death for the next beings who attempted to thwart her.
瑞吉斯转身背向她，但普拉西斯人的话切中了要害。她开始理解为何瑞金特能用武力解决时，绝不采用劝服手段。瑞吉斯记在心里，暗自发誓：今后谁若要阻挠她，则必许他死亡。
Praxis, meanwhile, was beginning to come apart.
与此同时，普拉西斯星，开始分裂。
Forced by ground swells, fissures, and rock slides into taking the long way around, the GMU arrived at the caves precious hours behind its projected ETA. But with the region's numerous caves and shafts to vent the planet's internal pressure, the land here had been spared some of the tectonic turmoil afflicting other areas. Nevertheless, the air was filled with static charge, heat, and stench, and the cave that housed the orbs was fast becoming unworkable. The Skull had arrived hours earlier, and by the time Vince and Jean Grant, Janice, Rem, Wolff, Burak, and the others stepped from the mobile base, the rest of the core Sentinels were well into Rick's impromptu briefing. Several dozen orbs of varying size had already exited the cave, and were well on the way to their enigmatic deepspace destiny; but Veidt and Sarna had "persuaded" the stragglers to lag behind awhile longer. Kami and Learna had reported the emergence of yet more spheres from the cavern's internal chimney. Cabell speculated that it might be possible to widen the access some, and thereby increase the chances of additional creatures reaching the surface.
地面隆起、断裂，岩石滑坡，这迫使GMU基地绕了很长的弯路，在预计时点好几个小时之后才抵达洞穴。好在这个地区众多的洞穴竖井释放了星球内部的压力，这里倒也没有像其他地方那样遭受地壳震动之苦。不过空气中仍然充满了静电、热量和臭味，圆球们聚集的那个洞穴很快变得不宜工作。骷髅中队比他们早来几小时，当格兰特夫妇、贾妮斯、雷、沃尔夫、伯拉克等人从移动基地走出时，其余的哨兵同盟核心成员已经在认真听取瑞克即席所作的简报了。几十个大小不一的圆球已经离开了洞穴，踏上了它们谜一般的深空宿命之旅；不过维特和莎娜成功“劝说”了那些掉队者们再多等待一会儿。卡米和莱亚娜报告了洞穴内部竖井出现了更多球体的情况。卡贝尔推测，将出入口拓宽些许，可能会增加更多生物到达地表的机会。
The plan called for the spheres to lift an Alpha with a crew of five clear through Praxis's suddenly albescent atmosphere. Once in space and under its own power, the mecha would complete the rendezvous with the drive module. When that was accomplished, the crew would drop the module into a lower orbit while the spheres continued to raise five-person crews. It was conceivable that the GMU would have to be abandoned, but at least the VTs and Hovertanks would survive. Although it sounded crazy the plan was straightforward enough; there remained, however, several variables to deal with. First, the Sentinels had no idea how many orbs might be required to lift a VT, or just how fast they would be able to raise it the requisite distance. An incorrect guess could leave the mecha hanging in space waiting for the module to complete another orbit, or, worse still, missing the thing altogether. Second, and equally problematic, the initial crew would have to be comprised of personnel capable of piloting the module into a lower orbit, and possibly-should the orbs for some reason withdraw their support-through a spacefold to Karbarra, or equidistant Fantoma. Third, someone was going to have to stay in touch with the orbs.
这计划要求球体们抬升一架阿尔法机和五名机组人员，穿透普拉西斯星突然变白的大气层。一旦进入太空，飞机会用自己的能量与动力模块完成会合。这任务完成后，该机组人员会将模块投向低一层轨道，同时，球体们要一次次不断地将新的五人机组抬上去。可以设想这计划将不得不抛弃GMU基地，但至少变形机和气垫坦克能存留下来。尽管听起来很疯狂，该计划十分清楚直接。不过，当中仍存在几个变数：其一，哨兵同盟不清楚抬起一架变形机需要多少球体的力量，也不知道抬到必要高度要花多少时间。猜测不准确的话，可能要让飞机在轨道上等待模块完成下一个运行周期，或者更糟糕，彻底错过了这玩意儿。其二，和上面的问题一样麻烦，首批机组成员要有人能操作模块将其变入低轨，还要有人能做空间折叠——万一圆球们不知何故撤回了支持，只有靠折叠才能回到卡巴拉或者等距离处的凡托玛。其三，必须有人要一直和圆球们保持联络才行。
This last issue had been decided by the time the GMU contingent joined the others near the cave entrance. Sarna was going to be in charge of mustering and instructing the creatures in their task. Veidt had simply said,"Sarna will do it," and no one argued the point. Rick now had the module in mind.
当GMU分遣队在洞口处和其他部队会合时，就对第三个问题做了决定。莎娜会负责召集并指示那些生物实施任务。维特只说了句：“莎娜来做。”其余人便不再讨论这个问题了。瑞克现在就只想着模块的事。
Most of the XT aliens were out of the running for this slot, except Veidt-who was needed down below to mind-link with the spheres-and Lron. Rick had doubts that the burly Karbarran could successfully pilot the ship through a jump; and although the module was Spherisian in design, neither Teal nor Baldan were qualified to handle it. Vince was needed for the GMU. That left only Lisa, unless...
除了维特和勒荣，大部分外星哨兵成员都在这任务的人选之外。但维特需要在下面和球体们连接思维（，所以他不能上天）。而且瑞克也怀疑勒荣这个鲁莽的卡巴拉人在折叠时会把飞船开坏（，所以他也不能上天）；尽管这模块是史菲利思人的设计，可不论是缇尔还是鲍丹，能力都不足以操纵它。GMU需要文斯留下。只剩下丽莎了，除非……
"Janice," Rick said suddenly,"can you handle it·"
“贾妮斯，”瑞克突然问道：“你能操纵它么？”
Burak almost volunteered, but Tesla restrained him at the last moment, gesturing him silent while everyone's attention was focused on Minmei's former partner.
伯拉克差点就自告奋勇了，但泰斯拉在最后的时刻压住了他，当其他人的注意力都集中在明美的前任搭档时，他做了个让伯拉克安静的手势。
She nodded, without saying anything. If it came down to a fold for Tirol, Lang would be delighted to find her aboard. She sensed Lisa looking at her, and gave her a tight-lipped but understanding look.
她点点头，什么也没说。如果事情发展到要折叠去泰洛的地步，朗会很高兴看到她在船上的。她感觉到身上丽莎的目光，抿紧双唇用领会的眼神回望了她。
"Lisa·" Rick said, figuring he would be safer with a crowd around him.
“丽莎？”瑞克问道，认为身边有人支持的话会更妥当。
"I'm fine with your choice, Commander," she told him evenly."But just who do you have in mind to pilot the Alpha·"
“司令官，我同意你的选择，”她平静的对他说。“但是你认为该选谁驾驶阿尔法机呢？”
Rick looked around uncomfortably."Well, I think I'm the most qual-"
瑞克不安地环视四周，答道：“嗯，我想我是最合——”
Half-a-dozen voices interrupted him at once.
立刻冒出五六个人的声音，打断了他的话。
"It's too risky," Max said, speaking for all of them."I'll go."
“太冒险了，”麦克斯代表了他们的意见，并说：“让我去。”
"Your place is with the Skull," Rick pointed out firmly, and everyone grumbled their agreement. Several of Max's squadron volunteered, including Miriya, but Rick rejected all of them for one reason or another. Then Jonathan Wolff stepped forward.
“你的位置在骷髅中队，”瑞克坚定地告诉他，其他人也低声附和。麦克斯中队的几名成员自愿报名，包括米莉娅在内，但瑞克用这样那样的理由拒绝了他们。这时乔纳森·沃尔夫站了出来。
"I'm the logical choice," he said, addressing the circle."With Vince and Max, we'll still have our air-and ground-based forces intact in the event of a follow-up attack. One less tanker isn't going to influence things one way or another."
“合理的选择是我，”他对着围圈的人群发言：“有文斯和麦克斯的话，一旦发生后续袭击，我们还能保持空中和地面部队的完整性。少我一个坦克兵不会影响大局。”
Rick had to smile at Wolff's attempt at humility; but Wolff's reasoning was sound."All right," he said at last,"you've got it."
瑞克对沃尔夫的谦恭之词不得不置之一笑；但沃尔夫的理由很充分。“好吧，”他最终说道：“这个位置给你。”
Just then Tesla began to shoulder his way to the center of the circle."Commander, I, too, would like to volunteer my services." He turned to the Sentinels, some of whom were already ridiculing him.
就在这时，泰斯拉用肩膀推出条路，走到围圈中央。“司令官，我也想请求效力。”他转向哨兵同盟，当中有些人已经开始讥讽起他。
"You've all seen how I can be made to cooperate. But now I wish nothing more than to demonstrate my willingness to cooperate. These four months have taught me a great deal about freedom and self-determination, and I would urge you all to begin to accept me as a member of your group, rather than a prisoner. Should the Regent's troops appear in Praxis-space, I will be there to foil them, much as I did in Tracialle."
“你们之前全都看到了如何能迫使我合作。但现在我除了希望展示自愿合作的诚意，别无他求。这四个月教会了我很多关于自由意志和自主决定的事情，而现在，我想要恳请你们所有人接受我作为你们的成员之一，而不是把我当成囚犯。万一瑞金特的部队出现在普拉西斯空间，我会出来迷惑他们，就像我在璀夏勒尔时做的那样。”
Rick looked up at the Invid, remembering what Lisa had told him of the Farrago's attack on the Karbarran city, and wondering whether Tesla was genuine or simply trying to save his own green skin. Rick asked him if he wasn't growing tired of his role-whether he had any reservations about betraying the Invid cause.
瑞克抬头看着这个因维人，一边回忆着丽莎在法拉戈袭击卡巴拉城市的时候告诫他的话，一边猜测泰斯拉究竟是真心诚意还是只为了保住自己那条性命。瑞克问他，如果他对这个角色还没感到厌倦的话，背叛因维一族的伟大事业是否还要什么条件。
"It seems to be my lot in life," Tesla said in a theatrical manner."Besides, I want this mission to succeed as much as the rest of you do."
“这看来是我命中注定，”泰斯拉用舞台腔说着：“此外，同你们其他人一样，我也想要这任务成功完成。”
Rick exhaled a short laugh."We appreciate that, Tesla. But intentions aside, I think you might be too...uh, large for the mecha."
瑞克哼地一笑：“我们理解这点，泰斯拉。不过就算不考虑你的动机，我也觉得你登机的话，个头会不会……太大了一点。”
"Too large!" Telsa said as though insulted."Put me in the Beta's cargo section, then." He sucked in his breath, as if to narrow his bulk, and waited, making an effort to will the right words into the Human's mind.
“太大了！”泰斯拉仿佛受到了侮辱：“那就把我放到贝塔机的货舱去。”他运了口气，像在缩小身量，之后静静等待着，仿佛在用自己的意志把愿望送入瑞克的思维。
"You think we can fit Burak and Tesla back there·" Rick asked Wolff hesitantly.
“你觉得能把伯拉克和泰斯拉塞进后面么？”瑞克犹豫地问沃尔夫。
Wolff sized up the Invid and the horned Perytonian, who was looking a bit peaked."Be a little tight, but I think we can manage them."
沃尔夫目测了因维人和长角佩里顿人的身材，佩里顿人外形高瘦。“有点挤，不过我看能安排他们。”
"Then let's hop to it," Rick said decisively.
“那就马上着手吧。”瑞克果断地说。
Tesla and Burak lingered for a moment at the hub of the sudden activity. The Invid turned partway toward his accomplice and spoke in a hushed voice.
人群一瞬间全都行动起来，泰斯拉和伯拉克踌躇了一会儿，因维人朝他的同伙略微侧身，轻声说道：
"Make certain you bring plenty of fruit aboard, my young friend. Destiny calls to us both."
“你得确保带足够多的果子上飞机，小伙子。命运召唤了我们两个人。”
On Tirol, too, things were off to a shaky start. During the first session of the truce negotiations, the Regent had thrown a kind of temper tantrum, which only Edwards recognized as being as false as the Invid himself. He had a perfect understanding of the imposter's aim, and so was hardly surprised to learn afterward that the XT had informed Dr. Lang and the council he would henceforth meet with Edwards only. The Regent had explained how difficult and alien it was for him to discuss terms with a body of representatives-especially when one of those twelve was a Zentraedi, with whom the Invid would never make peace. Once again Lang had tried to set himself up as ombudsman, and once again the Regent had rejected him out of hand. Edwards was the Human the Regent would talk to, and none other. Lang let the council know that he was against any one-to-one arrangements and insisted that his arguments be added to the record. But Edwards was delighted to hear that the council had overruled the scientist's objections and that Longchamps and the others were counting on him to see the talks through to their completion.
泰洛星上也是开局不利。和约谈判的首个回合，瑞金特便暴起狂怒，爱德华兹认为这只是假摄政王的诡计（瑞金特是假的，狂怒也是假的）罢了。他清楚地明白这个冒牌货的目的。随后，当得知这个外星人对朗博士和委员会要求只同爱德华兹会面时，他一点也不诧异。瑞金特起初解释说，面对一组代表团讨论条款对他而言既艰难又陌生，尤其是这十二人当中还有个血海深仇的天顶星人。于是朗又试图自己担任委员会代言人，瑞金特又立刻拒绝了他。瑞金特只想和爱德华兹谈，别人都不行。朗告诉委员会，他反对任何一对一的安排，并坚持要将自己的意见记录在案。不过爱德华兹高兴地得知委员会排除了朗博士的反对意见，隆尚还有其他人都指望着他来完成谈判。
Just now the simulagent and the traitor were seated across from one another in Edwards's spacious quarters aboard the SDF-3. The two of them had already put on quite a show in the fortress amphitheater, but here they were safe from the prying eyes of the council and free to speak their minds. Edwards had decided to play it close to the bone, and congratulated the Invid on his performance.
这时，替身和大叛徒在爱德华兹在SDF-3上宽敞的住所里，隔桌对面相坐。这两位在堡垒里的圆剧场已经卖力表演过一番，然而在这里，他们很安全，委员会没有偷窥的机会，可以想说什么便说。爱德华兹决定露骨一点，恭喜因维人的成功表演。
"Why, whatever do you mean, General·" the false Regent said after a short silence.
“为什么？你究竟什么意思呢，将军？”假摄政王沉默片刻后说道。
There was just enough hesitation in the Invid's response to reassure Edwards that he was dealing with an imposter, but it benefited him to play along."Your words for the council's scanners," Edwards told him."All that talk about how there's more than enough room in the Quadrant for both our races."
回答间的片刻犹疑足以使爱德华兹更确定眼前这人是冒名顶替，不过继续玩下去对他有利。“您对委员会那些抠字眼的家伙说的，”爱德华兹告诉他：“有关这片星区的空间够我们两个种族生活的那些话。”
"We are a reasonable people," the false Regent returned, sipping at the green grog he had brought with him.
“我们是讲道理的民族，”假摄政王回答他，啜饮着随身带来的绿色琼浆。
"Yes, of course, you are. I'm encouraged by the very fact that you've come to Tirol. There are some who didn't believe you would."
“当然，当然是了。您来到泰洛这件事让我十分鼓舞。有些人不相信您会来的。”
"And you·"
“那你呢？”
"Oh, I think you're capable of almost anything, Your Highness."
“哦，我认为您几乎无所不能，殿下。”
The Invid set aside his goblet and looked across the desk at Edwards."You speak boldly for one your size, Human. Are all those from your world so courageous·"
因维人把高脚杯放到一边，目光越过桌面直抵爱德华兹。“你个子不大，说话的胆子不小，人类。你们星球上的人都像你这么勇敢么？”
Edwards sat back in his chair and grinned."To a man."
爱德华兹在座椅上挺身后靠，咧嘴笑道：“无一例外。”
"And your weapons speak with equal power...But it intrigues me: how exactly did you come by your Protoculture systems·"
你们的武器的火力也同样够冲的……不过有一点我很好奇：你们究竟是怎么得到史前文化系统的？”
"We took them away from the Zentraedi," Edwards said, leaning forward on the desk."They were annoying us."
“我们从天顶星人那里收缴的，”爱德华兹上身朝桌面前倾，说道：“他们非常讨厌。”
The simulagent studied his four-fingered hands."And you came here in search of their Masters·"
替身仔细端详着自己的一双四指大手。“你们来这里是找他们的统治者么？”
"We came here to finish the job, if you want the truth. Word had it that they were going to be showing up in our neighborhood, so we decided to take the fight to them instead. Save our planet the inconvenience of a backyard war."
“如果你想知道真相，那我们来这里是为了把事情了结。有传言他们要出现在我们的邻域，所以我们决定来这儿打击他们，不让战争在我们星球的后院打起来。”
"Yes, but you seemed to have missed them."
“是啊，可你们看来错过他们了。”
"We'll catch up." Edwards shrugged."First we've got a little business here to take care of."
“我们会追上的。”爱德华兹耸耸肩。“我们得先把这里的一些小事情处理完。”
The Invid ignored the remark."Just where is your 'neighborhood,' General·"
因维人没理会他的话。“你们的‘邻域’在什么地方，将军？”
Edwards touched his faceplate."A long way from Tirol."
爱德华兹摸了摸自己的假面。“离泰洛很远的地方。”
"Yes, but where·"
“是的，可到底在哪里？”
"West of the Moon, east of the Sun."
“月之西，日之东。”
"You trifle with me," the XT said menacingly.
“你耍我，”外星人威胁地说。
Edwards shot to his feet and put both hands flat on the desk."And you waste my time! What are you after·"
爱德华兹猛站起来，双手平按在桌上。“而你在浪费我的时间！你到底要什么？”
The Invid met his glare."The return of the brain."
因维人迎着他的目光：“主脑还给我们。”
"In exchange for what·"
“用什么来换？”
"Your lives," the Regent hissed.
“你们的命。”瑞金特发出嘶嘶声。
Edwards laughed and walked away from the desk, only to whirl around and say,"You needed my help to eliminate a single Karbarran ship. And I know that your fleet is spread so thin you can hardly protect the worlds you've conquered. So what makes you think you can intimidate me now·"
爱德华兹大笑，从桌边走开，又转回身，说道：“连消灭一艘卡巴拉人的飞船，你都需要我的帮助。我知道你的舰队太分散了，连你已经征服的星球都很难保护。是什么让你认为自己此刻能威胁我啊？”
The Regent, too, was on his feet, filling one half of the room."I thought for a moment we were on the same side, General. But perhaps I was mistaken."
瑞金特也站起身，庞大的身躯占满半个房间。“我刚才有一阵子还以为我们在同一边，将军。但也许我错了。”
"You've already been more help to me than you know," Edwards told him."But the brain stays until you've got something better to offer me than threats."
“你给我帮过的忙比你知道的要多，”爱德华兹告诉他。“但主脑得留在这儿，直到你给我些比威胁更好的东西。”
"Your egotism will be the death of you," the Regent said from the door.
“你的自大会送了你的命。”瑞金特一边走向门口，一边说。
Edwards smiled as the door slid shut. Everything he said had been calculated to draw out the real Regent; talk was useless until then. But he had faith that his gambit would pay off. Eventually the Regent would show himself-in person or as before in the sphere-and when that day came, there would be much to discuss.
随着滑动门闭合，一丝笑意浮现在爱德华兹脸上。他说的每句话都精心算计，为了引出真正的瑞金特；直到那时，谈话才有用。但这个开局他有信心获得回报。最终瑞金特会现出真身的——当面也好，通讯球也罢——当这天到来时，还有很多话题要谈。
Incredible as it seemed, the armored Alpha was actually being carried aloft by perhaps three dozen orbs of mixed size, clustered like grapes beneath the mecha's swept-back wings and Beta-elongated fuselage. Cheering seemed a bit premature, but that didn't stop any of the still-grounded Sentinels from sending up exclamations of encouragement.
看起来不可思议，约六十个大小圆球正将重装甲阿尔法机（注：即阿尔法贝塔的合体机。）抬上空中，它们聚集在阿尔法的后掠机翼以及贝塔的加长机身下，如同葡萄串一般。尽管此刻一片欢呼显得有些为时过早，但仍在地上的哨兵们并不在意，仍不停地高喊鼓励之声。
The feat had required more orbs than anyone would have guessed-over a quarter of the number that remained in the cave, at last count-but Veidt, as promised, had been able to herd them under the hovering VT without much ado. Several of the creatures either didn't comprehend the Haydonite's telepathic instructions or thought better of them at the last moment and opted for solo flights into Praxis's cloudy and smoke-smudged skies. The others, however, rose quickly to the task, less like lighter-than-air balloons than anti-Galilean cannonballs. Cabell calculated that if the present rate of lift remained unchanged, the mecha would arrive at the Roche limit with ample time to rendezvous with the drive module. At that point, Sarna, copiloting the Alpha along with Jonathan Wolff, would bid the orbs what amounted to a "thanks and so long," and the VT would utilize its onboard computer and thrusters for guidance adjustments. Janice, Burak, and Tesla were squeezed together in the mecha's Beta hindquarters.
这工作所需要的圆球数量比大家猜测的都要多——最新统计出的留在洞中所有圆球数量的四分之一强。不过维特和允诺的一样，能够不费太多力气来管控它们抬升变形机。有几个球形生物要么是不能理解海顿人的传心术指令，要么是在最后时刻为自己打算，选择独自飞进了普拉西斯浓云烟幕的大气里。剩下的则很快加入行动，与其说它们像氢气球，还不如说像抵抗重力（反伽利略）的炮弹。卡贝尔计算如果按照当前的速度不变上升的话，飞机到达洛系极限（注：洛希极限是一个距离。它等于行星赤道半径的2.44倍。）时，会有充足的时间与模块会合。到那时，和乔纳森·沃尔夫一起驾驶阿尔法的莎娜，会给圆球们发出“谢谢，再见”的指令，变形机将依靠自身的机载电脑和推进器做导航调整。贾妮斯、伯拉克和泰斯拉则挤在后半部的贝塔机里。
Rick threw a couple of enthusiastic shouts to the Alpha before rushing off to join Vince and some of the others, who were already in the GMU's command center monitoring the mecha's progress and supplying its telemetry systems with updates gleaned from the base's scanners and data mainframes.
瑞克热情地对阿尔法机喊了几声，随后冲向GMU的指挥中心会合文斯等人，他们早就在那里监视飞机进展并为其遥测系统不断提供基地扫描器与数据主机采集的信息。
Wolff was on the net when Rick entered the command center."Everything checks out fine so far," he was telling Vince."It's like an elevator ride to the stars." The net was relatively clear, except for occasional bursts of static.
瑞克进入指挥中心时，沃尔夫正在通讯网络上。“一切都进展良好，”他告诉文斯：“就像一台开向星辰的电梯。”通讯相当清晰，偶尔有静电放电的干扰。
"Ask him if Sarna anticipates any disengagement problems," Rick said to Vince.
“问问他，莎娜认为脱离时有没有什么问题？”瑞克对文斯说。
"Uh, no problem," Wolff reported a moment later.
“啊，没问题，”沃尔夫片刻后汇报。
Rick leaned in to one of the console pickups."And Janice·"
瑞克弯腰察看一块控制屏幕：“那贾妮斯呢？”
"Here, Rick. We're doing all right." Thumping noises could be heard in the background."It's just a little close for comfort."
“我在这儿，瑞克。我们一切正常。”背景上嗵嗵传来很明显的噪音。“只是有点险。”
Rick made a mental note to tell Janice just how much he admired her."Sit tight, Janice. You're almost there."
瑞克暗暗记下，今后要告诉贾妮斯他有多么钦佩她。“坐稳了，贾妮斯。你快到目标了。”
Wolff and Janice acknowledged and signed off. Rick found himself crossing his fingers, something he hadn't done in years. He laughed in a self-mocking way, optimistic but oddly disturbed at the same time.
沃尔夫和贾妮斯应答后收了线。瑞克不自主地交叉手指，祈祷他们好运。他多年来一直没做过这动作，发觉后便自嘲地笑了出来，乐观与异样的不安同时在心中涌现。
Outside the base, members of the Skull Squadron and the Wolff Pack were beginning to prepare a second mecha for lift. This one was to include Lisa, Miriya, Cabell, Lron, and Crysta. The air was filled with lightning flashes and all-but-constant peals of thunder. Praxis trembled underfoot like the SDF-3 during fold maneuvers. Even Cabell refused to speculate on how much time the planet had, but to a few of the Sentinels each minute felt like something to be thankful for.
基地外面，骷髅中队和沃尔夫战队正准备第二架飞机的升空。这架飞机上的乘员将包括丽莎、米莉娅、卡贝尔、勒荣和克里斯塔。大气里闪电密布雷声不绝。脚下的普拉西斯大地战栗不止，好似SDF-3在执行折叠机动一般。即使是卡贝尔也不愿推测这颗星球还剩下多少时间，但对一些哨兵成员来说，活着的每一分钟都值得感激。
Kami and Learna had yet to emerge from the orb cavern deep inside the region's now-floodlit central cave. The temperature had dropped considerably over the past half hour, and the air was breathable once more. Baldan and Teal had joined the Garudans to help keep count of the orbs, and with the first Alpha on its way, Jack, Karen, Rem, and Gnea appeared on the scene.
这时，中央岩洞已被泛光灯照亮，卡米和莱亚娜还没有从球体出没的那个洞穴现身。过去的半小时里，温度已经明显下降，空气又变得可供呼吸了。鲍丹和缇尔加入了嘎鲁达人，协助统计圆球数目。正当头一架阿尔法机在飞行途中时，杰克、凯伦、雷和妮雅出现在屏幕上。
Everyone watched as two golf ball-sized spheres wafted up out of the shaft to join their brethren, who were grouped in various locations along the vaulted ceiling. A veritable parade of overhead orbs stretched from here all the way to the mouth of the cave. Jack directed his light down into the shaft and asked Karen and Gnea to do the same. He had discerned some sort of movement perhaps eight feet down the well; one of the larger creatures was struggling to fit through the constricted passageway. Each time the thing would back off, two or three smaller orbs would bubble up and out of the shaft. The Sentinels had discussed various ways to enlarge the opening, but Rick was leery of employing explosives or lasers for fear the orbs would misunderstand their intentions. Jack couldn't, however, see any harm in spelunking down for a closer look.
大伙儿看到两个高尔夫球大小的圆球漂浮出竖井口。他俩正要去加入那些在拱形洞顶不同位置处集结的同胞们。头顶上的圆球们组成名副其实的游行队伍，从这里一直延伸到洞穴入口处。杰克将光束打入竖井，也请凯伦和妮雅照办。他察觉到在井下约八英尺处有动静；一个较大的生物正奋力从狭窄的通道挤出。每次它掉回去，都会有三两个小号的圆球冒出来钻出竖井。哨兵们讨论了多种方法来扩大出口，但瑞克对爆破或者激光等手段很谨慎，担心这会让圆球们误解了他们的初衷。杰克则认为，下去探探洞穴，应该没什么坏处。
While Gnea and Rem went rushing back to the GMU for cord and anything they could find in the way of rigs and harnesses, Baldan and Teal were off in a corner of the cavern exploring a different route down. It had occurred to the male Spherisian-earlier, when he had melded his hand with the cave wall-that there were peculiar forces at work in the depths of Praxis, and Teal, her arms buried to the elbow in rock, was affirming that now.
正当妮雅和雷冲回GMU取绳索等装备工具时，鲍丹和缇尔正在洞穴对面的角落探寻另一条向下的路径。此前，当这个史菲利思男人的手与洞壁融合之后，他突然想到一定有种特别的力量在普拉西斯地下深处起着作用。而现在，缇尔把手臂埋入岩石没到肘部，肯定了他的想法。
"The mineral content is most unusual," she reported analytically."Nothing like what we've experienced elsewhere on Praxis. It seems more a part of the planet's past than its present."
“这矿物的成分极不寻常。”她对他分析道：“和我们在普拉西斯上其它地方遇见的完全不同。看起来这更像这颗星球远古的东西，并不属于现在。”
"I sensed the same thing," Baldan told her, gesturing to the cavern's outcroppings and formations."These deposits have been exhumed from somewhere in the core, but in some unnatural fashion. They're not so much the result of the planet's vulcanism as they are the cause of it." Once again, Baldan pushed his arms deep into the wall."Perhaps I can travel the Crystal Highways here as we do on Spheris, and communicate with the tortured substrata of this world."
“我和你的感觉一样。”鲍丹告诉她，一边用手比划着洞穴中岩石出露的情况与构造。“这些矿床像是从地核挖掘出来的，但并非自然作用。它们既不是这星球上火山作用的结果，也不是其原因。”鲍丹又一次向洞壁深处推了推自己的手臂。“也许我能像在史菲利思上那样，走这里的‘水晶公路’，再和这个星球扭曲的内地层沟通一下。”
"It's dangerous," Teal said, pulling one of Baldan's hands from the wall."Praxis is destabilized. You might not be able to re-form..."
“这很危险。”缇尔说，她穿过墙壁握住了鲍丹的手。“普拉西斯星不再稳定。你可能再也不能重新成形……。”
Baldan registered surprise at her concern for his well-being; it was unlike her."Then keep hold of my hand," he said as he began to meld the rest of his crystalline being with the glistening rock that formed the cave wall. Teal could see a portion of the wall assume Baldan's features in bas-relief; he seemed to smile, then disappeared entirely.
她的关心让鲍丹显露出惊讶之情；这可不像她。“那么，抓住我的手，别松开。”他一边说，一边将其余的水晶身体融入构成洞壁的闪亮岩石里。缇尔能看到洞壁的一部分显现出鲍丹的面容，如同浅浅的浮雕；他似乎面带微笑，之后又消失的无影无踪。
"Good luck," she whispered, still grasping her friend's disembodied hand.
“好运。”她轻声耳语，仍然紧握着她朋友那只已抽空生命的手。
Elsewhere in the cavern, Rem, Gnea, and Karen heard Jack say,"There are thousands of globes down here! Enough to lift the whole damn base!" His voice rose from the shaft like that of an oracle."They're huge ones! We've gotta give them a way out! Tell Hunter-"
洞穴另一处，雷、妮雅和凯伦听到杰克说：“下面有成千上万的圆球！足够把整个该死的基地抬上天！”他的声音从竖井下升起，如同天启神喻。“他们都是超大个儿的！我们得给他们弄条出路！快告诉卡特——”
Just then a violent tremor hit the cave, erasing Jack's words and eliciting a shower of rocks and dirt from the grotto's ceiling. The orbs began an excited dance when the tremor passed, hastening toward the entrance in what seemed an inverted ball-bearing stampede. Karen was leaning into the shaft yelling Jack's name.
就在此时，洞中传来一阵猛烈的震动，打断了杰克的话语，洞顶的岩石和尘土纷纷落下。震动过后，圆球们兴奋地舞动起来，加快了朝入口处的进程，就像是带着球的人群踩着天花板狂奔一般。凯伦朝井内探身，呼喊着杰克的名字。
"I'm okay," he yelled back at last."Just took a spill off the rope. I'm on a ledge or something. Seems to be some kind of cavities down here...One of you better come down-and bring more light."
“我没事，”他终于喊了回来。“就是从绳子上掉下来了。我这里好像是个矿脉。底下好像有一些蚀洞……你们最好下来一个人，多带些光源。”
Teal had been knocked to her knees by the force of the quake, but she had managed to keep hold of Baldan's hand and forearm. She twisted around in time to see Kami and Learna picking themselves up off the floor. Then she saw Baldan's face manifest in the wall: he looked terrified.
地震的力量击倒了缇尔，她双膝跪地，但还是尽力抓住了鲍丹的手和前臂。她扭转身体，刚好看见卡米和莱亚娜从地面上爬起。随后，她看见鲍丹的面孔显现在洞壁上：他看来十分恐惧。
"What· What is it, Baldan·"
“是什么？那是什么，鲍丹？”
His stone mouth formed the word Invid."They've performed a horrible experiment here, brought back creatures from the planet's past-like these globes, but terrible ones also. You must hurry and warn the others. These creatures-"
他的岩石嘴巴吐出了“因维人”这个字。“他们在这儿做了恐怖的实验，将这个星球古代的生物带了回来——比如这些圆球，但还有更可怕的。你必须快走，警告其他人。这些生物——”
"But you can't expect me to leave you here!" Teal was aghast.
“可你别指望我把你丢在这里自己走！”缇尔惊呆了。
"I'm trapped," he told her."It's no use."
“我被困住了，”他告诉她。“没用的。”
Teal tugged on his arm."Don't-" Then she looked down and noticed a fissure in the wall that hadn't been there before the tremor.
缇尔拉住他的手臂。“别——”她低头往下看，发觉洞壁上出现了地震前没有的一条裂缝。
"Baldan..."
“鲍丹……”
"Hurry," he insisted.
“快点。”他坚持道。
Reluctantly, she let go of his arm. And as she turned to leave, she heard Karen scream from across the grotto.
她不情愿地松开了他的手臂。当她转身要走时，她听到了凯伦从洞穴那头发出的尖叫。
"It's Jack and Rem!" a wide-eyed Karen was saying when Teal approached her. Kami, Learna, and Gnea were trying to calm her."Something's taken hold of them!"
“杰克和雷！”凯伦瞪大双眼，望着走向她的缇尔说道，卡米、莱亚娜和妮雅正努力让她安静下来。“他们被什么东西抓住了！”