第六章
Somewhere along the line, everyone seemed to lose sight of the fact that love had won the First Robotech War. Now it was down to ships and body counts; it was no longer a fight for survival but a war for supremacy, a savage game.
Selig Kahler, The Tirolian Campaign
随着时光流逝，似乎每个人都忘记了，是爱赢得了第一次宇宙大战。如今战争只剩下了一艘艘战舰与阵亡人数；这不再是一场生存之战，而是一场霸权之战、野蛮之战。
——赛利格·卡勒《泰洛星战役》
Love is a battlefield.
爱如战场
Late twentieth-century song lyric
——二十世纪末的歌词
"It's bad news, Colonel," Dr. Lang told Wolff two hours after the council had adjourned.
“是坏消息，上校。”委员会休会两小时之后，朗博士告诉沃尔夫。
They were in Lang's quarters now, along with Exedore, Janice, and the XT, Sarna. Wolff had spent the intervening time pacing the fortress's corridors like an expectant father. He had tried to locate Minmei, but no one seemed to know where she had disappeared to after leaving the docking bay with Edwards and his staff.
他俩正在朗的寓所内，和爱克西多、贾尼斯以及外星人莎娜在一起。之前这段时间，沃尔夫在堡垒的通道里来回踱步，好似产房外的父亲。他曾想找出明美的踪迹，但看来没人知道她同爱德华兹那伙人一道离开港区后，消失到哪里了。
"The council is going to rule against you," Lang continued, passing drinks to everyone but Sarna."Huxley and Obstat are on our side, possibly Stinson, and Reinhardt's vote counts for something, but we don't have enough to sway the rest."
“委员会将否决你的提议。”朗继续说着，一边给每人递酒，莎娜除外。“赫胥黎和奥博斯坦是在我们这边的，可能斯廷森也是，还有莱因哈特的一票有点作用，但这不足以扭转其它人的选择。”
Wolff scowled and sipped from his glass."You know what's funny· In a crazy way I can see their point. You help us, and so-long any hopes of a truce."
沃尔夫皱着眉头，举杯抿了口酒。“你知道哪里可笑？荒唐地说，我能明白他们的理由。要是帮我，那就同休战协定再见吧。”
"You're correct, Colonel," Exedore affirmed."The Sentinels were meant to be our ally, but instead they've become our liability. And as you yourself understand, Earth's safety remains the council's primary concern. A protracted war with the Invid will only diminish our chances of intercepting the Robotech Masters."
“你是对的，上校，”爱克西多肯定了他。“哨兵同盟本应是我们的盟友，但却变成了我们的累赘。正如你理解的那样，地球的安全仍是委员会的首要关注事项。同因维人久拖不决的战事只会让我们拦截机器人统治者的机会越来越小。”
Wolff exchanged looks with Sarna and Janice; both women seemed curiously detached from the scene, almost as if they served some unknown, greater cause."Look," he said, putting his drink down in a gesture of finality,"now that we all understand the diplomatic angles of this thing, how in the hell are we going to help them·" He shot to his feet."You think I can just sit around here, knowing what they're going through· They're stranded out there."
沃尔夫同莎娜和贾妮斯对望；俩人都是一副置身事外的样子，令人奇怪，仿佛她们侍奉的是某些未知的、更宏大的事业。“看，”他像是要将事情了结一般，放下杯子说，“既然我们都明白这件事情的外交角度，究竟要如何做才能帮他们？”他站起身，“你以为我会明知道他们的境况，而自己干坐在这里？让他们在那边坐以待毙？”
"Perhaps there is a way," Lang said after a brief silence. He shook his head back and forth."It could have disastrous consequences, Colonel, disastrous. And you'd have to prepare yourselves for hardships of an entirely new order..."
“也许有个办法，”片刻沉默之后，朗说道。他先抬起头又低下，说：“这可能会有灾难性的后果，上校，灾难性后果。而你们将不得不准备面对新秩序下的艰难困苦。”
Prison, Wolff thought. As an appeasement to the Regent after the rescue. Would Rick accept it, he wondered, or would they choose to die on Praxis-outcasts·"A ship," Lang was saying when Wolff looked up-a ship! He tried to follow the doctor's nervous movements as he went on to explain.
监狱的新秩序。沃尔夫想道。在营救他们之后，这将作为对瑞金特的安抚。瑞克会接受吗？他想知道，还是他们宁愿选择被遗弃，死在普拉西斯星上？“一艘飞船，”沃尔夫抬起头时，朗接着说。——一艘飞船！博士继续解释，沃尔夫则尽力想跟上他紧张的节奏。
"It's one of our prototypes-not large, and not especially well-armed. But it's capable of local fold operations, Wolff, and there's a skeleton crew standing by-volunteers, each one of them loyal to the admirals."
“它是我们的一艘原型船——不大，武器装备也不够。但它具备本星系折叠的能力，沃尔夫，还有一伙骨干船员待命——都是志愿者，每个人都对将军夫妇忠心耿耿。”
Wolff's mouth dropped open; even Janice and Sarna were stunned by the doctor's revelation."But when could we get it·" he asked.
沃尔夫惊讶地合不上嘴；即使是贾妮斯和莎娜也被博士透露的计划惊呆了。“可我们什么时候能拿到船？”他问。
Exedore turned to him."First, Colonel, you'll be required to steal it."
爱克西多转身面对他：“首先，上校，需要你把船偷走。”
Just then the door tone to Lang's quarters sounded. Lang looked around anxiously, then got up to answer it. A moment later, he was showing Lynn-Minmei into everyone's midst.
这时，朗博士住所的门铃响了起来。朗先是焦虑地环顾四周，之后起身去应答。片刻后，他将林明美领到众人当中。
"Janice," Minmei said, approaching her former partner.
“贾妮斯，”明美朝着她之前的搭档走过去。
Janice evaded Minmei's embrace, and nodded coolly.
贾妮斯避开了她的拥抱礼，冷淡地点点头致意。
"Lynn."
“林。”
The singer began to look around the room. Lang cleared his throat meaningfully."I think we should give Minmei and the colonel some privacy," he said, already ushering Exedore, Janice, and Sarna from the room.
歌手开始环视房间。朗有意清了清喉咙。“我想我们应该给明美和上校一些私人时间。”他边说边将爱克西多、贾妮斯和莎娜领出房间。
When the door slid shut a moment later, it was Minmei who eased out of Jonathan's embrace."Lynn, what's wrong·" he said, standing there with his arms open.
房门滑动着关上。这回是明美躲开了沃尔夫的拥抱。“林，出了什么问题？”他呆站在那儿，双臂张开，问道。
She fumbled with the hem of her jacket and forced a smile."Colonel, I can't tell you how hap-"
她摸索着自己夹克上的褶边，挤出笑容。“上校，我没法告诉你如何发——”
"'Colonel'· Lynn, tell me what's going on. I saw you with General Edwards this morning and now you're calling me colonel after I haven't seen you in six months..." He tried to hug her once more, but she deftly took his hand between hers and motioned him to the couch.
“‘上校’？林，告诉我发生了什么。我今早看到你和爱德华兹将军一起，而现在你又叫我上校，在我和你分离六个月之后……”他又想再次去拥抱她，但她巧妙地抓住他的手，握在自己两手之间，示意他坐到沙发那边。
"Jonathan," she began hesitantly,"I know you're expecting us to take up where we left off, but things have changed."
“乔纳森，”她犹豫地开始正题，“我知道你正期待我们能够再续我们分开前的感情，但事情已经变化了。”
"So I keep hearing."
“那我就洗耳恭听。”
Wolff was suddenly defensive, and she picked up on his tone."You have to remember, we only had a few days together. And until yesterday I thought..."
沃尔夫突然建起防线，她也从他的语调里感受到了。“你得明白，我们在一起的时间，只有几天。而直到昨天，我还以为……”
"You thought I was dead."
“你还以为我死了。”
Minmei nodded."I didn't know what to do. I was practically crazy with grief and anger." She met his gaze and held it."I hated you, Jonathan-hated you for leaving me, hated you for...so many things."
明美点点头。“我不知道该做什么。我那时快被悲伤和愤怒逼疯了。”她迎着他注视自己的目光，四目对望：“我恨你，乔纳森——恨你离我而去，恨你……太多。”
Wolff considered her words, then smiled in sudden realization."And you found someone to fill in all those lonely hours."
沃尔夫思考着她的话，突然明白了什么，微笑道：“所以你就找了个人填补孤独的时光。”
Minmei's eyes flashed."Why didn't you tell me you were married·"
明美朝他瞥了一眼：“那为何不告诉我你已经结婚了？”
Wolff tried to keep his face from registering surprise."We're separated," he said."Besides, it never came up. I was going to tell you. It's just that everything got fouled up."
沃尔夫竭力不让自己脸上的惊讶之情被她注意到。“我们分居了。”他说，“此外，这从来不是问题。我正打算告诉你。只是每件事情都搞得一团糟。”
"'Blame it on the Invid,'" Minmei said, almost cracking a smile. The phrase had become something of a catch-all excuse in Tiresia. Wolff was blushing."Listen," she told him,"I'm not angry anymore. I'm just...happy that all of you are alive. How are Rick and Lisa· And Max-"
“‘都是因维人惹的祸。’”明美说，几乎笑了出来。这句话已经成为泰雷西亚里一句万用托辞。沃尔夫这时正面红耳赤。“听着，”她告诉他，“我不再生你的气了，我只是……高兴，看到你还活着。瑞克和丽莎怎样？还有麦克斯——”
"So when did you start seeing Edwards·"
“那么你什么时候和爱德华兹约会的？”
Minmei stood up and stepped away from the couch, wringing her hands."I told you: you weren't there for me, Jonathan. I needed someone to turn to."
明美站起身，从沙发走开，绞着自己的双手。“我告诉过你：是你弃我而去，乔纳森。我需要有人能帮我，让我依靠。”
"And you picked Edwards!" Wolff shook his head in amazement."Don't you realize he's against everything we stand for· He's nothing but a self-serving, egotistical maniac."
“而你就挑中了爱德华兹！”沃尔夫诧异地摇着头。“你不明白他反对我们所奋斗的一切么？他除了是个自私自利、自高自大的狂人之外，一无是处！”
"I won't have you talking about him like that!" Minmei said angrily."He treated me with kindness and respect, and what's more, he's the only one interested in making peace with the Invid and putting a stop to all this madness. Not like you and the rest of those...Sentinels, tearing around space stirring things up, not giving a damn what goes on back here!"
“我不允许你这么说他！”明美生气地说。“他对我既亲切又尊重，更重要的是，他是唯一一个有兴趣和因维人讲和，终止这一切疯狂混乱的人。不像你和其它那些……哨兵们，在宇宙中四处奔忙，惹是生非，压根就不管身后这里发生的事情！”
Wolff was too numb to respond. Edwards, he thought, was like some kind of toxic spill, polluting everything he touched. Minmei had her arms folded across her chest, as though she were trying to hold herself together; her foot was tapping the floor. Wolff reached for his drink and drained the glass.
沃尔夫全身僵硬，无法回答。爱德华兹，他想，是种毒药，污损了他接触过的所有东西。明美双臂抱叠在胸前，好像怕自己散架一样；她的脚不停点着地面。沃尔夫伸手去取杯子，然后一饮而尽。
"Well, I guess there's nothing more to say, is there·"
“那么，我看也没有更多可说的了，还有嘛？”
Her lips were a thin line, trembling; then all at once she seemed to relax."I want us to be friends, Jonathan. I've opened a kind of canteen in Tiresia, and I'd love you to see it. Will you promise to stop by·"
她先是抿紧双唇，颤抖着；后来，忽然之间又放松下来。“我想要咱们成为朋友，乔纳森。我开了一间士兵俱乐部，在泰雷西亚，我希望你能去看看。方便的时候过去吧，能答应我吗？”
He regarded her as one would a memory, mulling over her performance, the scene the two of them had just played out."Sure," he told her absently,"I'll stop by."
他打量她的时候，仿佛是在追忆往昔，他反复琢磨着她的表演，琢磨着他俩刚刚演完的这一幕戏。“当然，”他漠然地告诉她：“方便的时候，我会去的。”
"There's a lot you'll be able to do here-all sorts of things. You'll see." Minmei seemed excited, like she had won a court case or something. She smiled at him from the doorway."See you soon, okay·"
“在那儿你能干不少事——各种事儿。去了就知道。”明美看起来很兴奋，就像刚刚赢了场诉讼。她走到门口，对他微笑着：“回头见，好吗？”
Wolff forced a smile and raised his empty glass to her."To friendship," he offered.
沃尔夫挤出个微笑，朝她举起自己的空酒杯，提议：“为友谊干杯。”
She threw him a wink and stepped out.
她朝他眨了眨眼，便踏出门外。
Applause, Wolff said to himself.
喝彩吧，沃尔夫对自己说。
While Wolff and Minmei were having their heart-to-heart and Exedore and Sarna were off somewhere discussing Haydon IV's curious history, Lang took his AI creation to his office and dumped Janice's memory into one of the lab's databanks. He scanned the android's recordings, briefly reviewing the events of the Karbarran and Praxian campaigns, but focusing in on Janice's monitorings and evaluations of the Sentinels' personnel. There was data about Veidt and Sarna, the beings from Haydon IV, that justified further analysis, and some anomalies concerning the Tiresian Rem; but for the moment Lang's main concerns were Burak and Tesla. He had found the Invid's bio-readings baffling, much different from those of the so-called scientists, and superior in some respects to the Regent himself! Moreover, the data provided suggested that Tesla was after nothing less than the Regent's throne. And apparently the Perytonian, Burak, had been assisting him in some unspecified way. Lang reminded himself to alert Wolff to these matters.
正当沃尔夫和明美谈心之际，爱克西多和莎娜在别处讨论着海顿四号星奇妙的历史，而朗则带着他的人工智能造物来到办公室，将贾妮斯的记忆导入到实验室的资料库之中。他扫描了人造人的记录，简要回顾了卡巴拉星和普拉西斯星战役的各事件，但重点放在贾妮斯对哨兵同盟人员的监视和评估上。其中有关于来自海顿四号星的生命维特与莎娜的数据，表明有必要做进一步分析；还有关于泰雷西亚人雷的一些异常情况；但此时此刻朗最关注的则是伯拉克和泰斯拉。他发现这个因维人的生物指标令人困惑，与那些所谓的“科学家”们大相径庭，在某些方面甚至超越了瑞金特自身！此外，已提供的资料表明泰斯拉一心追求瑞金特的王位。而且，很明显，佩里顿人伯拉克，一直在以不明确的某种方式协助着他。朗提醒自己，一定要警告沃尔夫这些情况。
Minmei was gone by the time Lang and the others returned to the scientist's quarters, and Wolff seemed sullen, just as Lang had anticipated. There was a nearly empty brandy bottle on the low table in front of the couch.
朗和其他人回到自己寓所时，明美已经离去，只留下沃尔夫面色阴郁，这倒和朗预期的一样。沙发前的茶几上，白兰地的瓶子几乎空了。
"I want to talk about that ship, Lang," the colonel said without preamble."When can we have it·-steal it, I mean."
“我想谈谈那艘船，朗。”上校开门见山地说。“我们什么时候能拿到？——偷到，我是说。”
"The sooner the better."
“越快越好。”
Wolff narrowed his eyes."What's it going to mean to the summit·"
沃尔夫眯起眼睛：“这对双方高层会议来说，有什么影响？”
Lang let out his breath and traded looks with Exedore. If Wolff didn't want to mention Minmei, it was fine with him.
朗松了口气，和爱克西多互望了一下。如果沃尔夫不提明美，那正合他意。
"We've already discussed possible scenarios with Reinhardt and Forsythe. It could set things back some, of course, but as long as we can make the Regent believe that you acted on your own, I don't think we'll be jeopardizing the truce."
“我们已经和莱因哈特与福尔塞提讨论了可能的情景。当然了，这会让事态倒退一些，但是只要我们能让瑞金特相信你是个人行为，我想我们不会损害和约。”
Exedore concurred."Furthermore, we think it best if you take Janice, Sarna, and Burak with you. There's no telling what the Regent might expect in the way of reprisals for our...carelessness."
爱克西多认同地补充：“而且，我们觉得最好你能带上贾妮斯、莎娜还有伯拉克。很难推测瑞金特会对我们的‘无心之失’期待着什么样的报复。”
"We wouldn't have it any other way," Janice chimed in, seemingly unaware of the gaps in her recent past.
“我们别无选择。”贾妮斯插话，看起来对自己不久前的记忆断裂毫无觉察。
"What about Tesla·" Sarna thought to ask.
“那泰斯拉呢？”莎娜想了想，问道。
Lang stroked his chin."We've been wondering about that. He could represent a welcome chip at our bargaining table. But as I understand it, that's been his primary function all along."
朗摸了摸下巴，回答：“我们一直在考虑这点。在我们的交易桌上，他可以充当一副欢迎筹码（注：欢迎筹码是赌场为了招揽新顾客而发放的免费赠礼筹码）。但据我所知，这一直以来都是他所起到的主要作用。”
Wolff snorted."I'm not saying we couldn't get along without him, but he has been useful to us."
沃尔夫不同意地一哼：“我并不是说我们没有他就不行，不过他确实也曾经派上过用场。”
"Not if the Regent begins to look upon him as a traitor," Exedore saw fit to point out.
“如果瑞金特开始将他当成叛徒的话，他就没用了。”爱克西多认为有必要指出这点。
Lang thought about the data he had screened, and Tesla's ambitions."Take him," he decided at last."I think he'll continue to serve you. In fact, from what Janice told me of the mutiny, our Tesla seems to have his sights set on leadership of the Invid. You might be able to encourage that some, Wolff."
朗想起了自己筛选过的资料，还有泰斯拉的野心。“带上他，”他最后决定：“我想他还会为继续为你服务的。实际上，根据贾妮斯告诉我的关于这次叛变的情况，我们的泰斯拉把因维人的领导地位当成了理想。你也许能给他些鼓励，沃尔夫。”
Wolff slapped his hands on his thighs and stood up."What are we waiting for· What about weapons and a shuttlecraft to reach the ship·"
沃尔夫双手拍在大腿上，站起身说：“我们还在等什么？接近那艘船所需要的武器和穿梭机呢？”
"That's all been arranged," Exedore told him.
“都安排好了，”爱克西多告诉他。
"What if Edwards decides to pursue us·"
“如果爱德华兹决定追击我们，怎么办？”
"Somehow I don't think he will," Lang speculated."But you will be hunted. You'll have to leave Praxis and remain incommunicado for a time."
“我感觉他不会这么做，”朗推测道。“但你们会被追捕。你们必须要离开普拉西斯，并保持一段时间不与外界联系。”
Suddenly Wolff began to feel the immensity of it all."Can you get Burak and Tesla out of lockup without arousing suspicion·"
沃尔夫突然间明白，此事涉及面之广，超出预期。“你能将伯拉克和泰斯拉从牢房弄出来，又不引起怀疑么？”
"I think so," Lang answered him from the com.
“我看行，”朗回答的声音从通讯器传出。
Wolff heard him tell the guards in the confinement area to have the two XTs brought to the laboratory for testing. Then he saw Lang's face pale.
沃尔夫听到他通知卫士们将那两个关在禁闭区的外星人带到实验室作测试。随后，他看到朗脸色变得一片苍白。
"What is it·"
“怎么了？”
"They've already been released," Lang said."On Colonel Wolff's request."
“他们已经被释放了，”朗说：“应沃尔夫上校的要求。”
Elsewhere in the fortress, Burak and Tesla were moving cautiously along an empty corridor space, closing on an area that had been designated for the Regent and his retinue. Only minutes before, they had overpowered their armed escorts; it had proved as simple a matter as it had been to inveigle information concerning the location of the Regent's guest quarters. Tesla was whispering self-congratulatory praises to himself now, while Burak remained in the larger being's shadow, fearful of discovery by Human personnel.
在堡垒的另一个地方，伯拉克和泰斯拉谨慎地沿着一条空荡的通道前行，渐渐接近了指定给瑞金特及其随从居住的区域。就在几分钟之前，他俩轻松制伏了武装看守，也同样轻松地骗取了瑞金特居住的宾馆位置。这时泰斯拉在心里对自己轻声道贺，而伯拉克跟在大块头的影子里，生怕被人类船员发觉。
"What are you shivering about·" Tesla said, coming around, bold and aggravated. He motioned broadly to the corridor."Fate has cleared a path for us."
“你为什么发抖？”泰斯拉转过身来，怒冲冲大声问道。他毫无顾忌地指着通道，说：“命运已经为我们扫清了道路。”
Burak had to admit that that seemed to be the case. They had seen no one since leaving confinement; in fact, it was almost as if someone were running along ahead of them, sweeping the place clean. But what Tesla didn't realize was that Burak was as frightened of fate as he was anything else. It was fate that kept his planet locked in the recurring past; fate that had gotten him into this mess to begin with...
伯拉克不得不承认情况的确如此。自从离开了禁闭室，他们一个人也没有看到。实际上，就像是有人在他们前面开路，已把这地方清扫一空。但泰斯拉没认识到的是，伯拉克对命运有着非同寻常的恐惧。正是命运将他的星球锁在周而复始的旧日时光；正是命运将他卷入这场混乱的谜局……
"I can feel his presence," Tesla announced, stopping short. Burak bumped into him and backed up a step. Tesla appeared to be growing larger as he approached his quarry."Soon, my friend, soon."
“我能感到他的存在，”泰斯拉高声说道，脚步停顿了一下。伯拉克一头撞上了他，后退一步。泰斯拉离猎物越来越近，同时身体似乎越发高大了。“快了，朋友，快了。”
It dawned on Burak that the Invid had more on his mind than talk, and he wanted no part of murder. He said as much to Tesla as they approached an intersection midway along the corridor."I-I'll wait for you here-you know, s-stand guard."
伯拉克豁然领悟到，这个因维人的心思很多没说出来，而他一点也不想参与谋杀。他们走到中途的一个通道交叉口时，他说：“我——我在这里等你——你知道，得放——放哨。”
Tesla looked down at him."Fine. You do that," he sneered, and moved off into the perpendicular corridor.
泰斯拉低头看他。“好的，你来放吧。”他嗤笑一声，便动身进入那条直角相交的通道。
A short distance from the intersection Tesla came upon the first line of Invid sentries. Recognizing the Regent's chief scientist, they immediately genuflected and offered their salute. Then four of the Regent's elite soldiers came forward to escort Tesla into the Regent's private chambers.
从交叉口进去不远，泰斯拉便遭遇了因维哨兵的第一道防线。他们认出了瑞金特的首席科学家，立刻跪地行礼致敬。随后四位瑞金特的精锐战士主动上前，护送泰斯拉进入摄政王的私人房间。
"Tesla!" the simulagent gasped, spilling a lapful of fruits to the floor as he stood up."They've released you·" His snout went up in an approximation of a laugh."I knew I could do it!"
“泰斯拉！”替身惊讶得透不过气，站起身时膝上堆放的果子滚落一地。“他们把你放了？”他的尖嘴翘起，表情像是在笑。“就知道我能办成！”
Tesla regarded the gesture with indifference, too caught up in the moment to realize just who and what he was dealing with.
泰斯拉对他的态度却反映冷漠，此时他的心里根本没工夫考虑摄政王同什么人办了什么事。
"I have things to discuss with you, sire," he said, taking a menacing step forward.
“我有事与你商讨，殿下，”他一边说，一边威胁地上前一步。
"Yes, I'm sure you do! Tesla, I'm delighted to see you."
“当然，你一定有话说！泰斯拉，见到你我真高兴。”
"We'll see," Tesla told him."But perhaps you should reserve judgment until you've heard me out."
“这话先放放，”泰斯拉告诉他，“不过等你听完的时候，也许你就不会保留现在的看法了。”
The simulagent's elongated brow wrinkled. There was something in Tesla's tone...His black eyes began to dart around the room. The guards, he remembered, and made a move toward the door.
替身皱起了细长的眉毛。泰斯拉的语调有异常……他黑色的双眼开始扫视四周。卫兵，他想起来了，于是朝门走了一步。
"Don't even think of it," Tesla said, stepping into his path. He thrust a powerful finger into the simulagent's chest and held his other hand up for inspection."Five fingers, Regent. Five! There was a time when your wife alone had five fingers. Doesn't that tell you something about me·"
“想都别想了，”泰斯拉拦在他面前说道。他伸出一根手指，用力捅在替身的胸口前，又举起另一只手审视着。“五根手指，瑞金特。五根！还记得么，曾经只有你妻子一个人有五根手指。这样，你对我是不是有了新的了解呢？”
At Tesla's shove, the false Regent fell backward onto a table that somehow managed to support his bulk."Tesla, you're mad! What are you trying to do·"
泰斯拉一推，冒牌瑞金特倒退一步，撞在桌上，才支撑住了他的身躯。“泰斯拉，你疯了！你要干什么？”
"Mad· Anything but mad, Your Highness! I have been ingesting the fruits of other worlds, while you've been playing silly war games with these Humans. And as a result I've had my inner eye opened to transcendent realities, while you've set your gaze on meaningless conquests. I have been evolving, while you have sunk to your neck back into the slime that gave us birth. The fruits were meant for you, but it is Tesla who has reaped their subtle benefits. You used to ridicule my delvings into such things, but regard me now: I live, Regent," Tesla intoned, raising his arms above his head,"and you will die unless you abdicate to me!"
“疯了？一点也没有，殿下！我摄取了其它世界的果子，而那时你正和这些人类玩着愚蠢的战争游戏。结果就是：我的内在之眼开启了，看到了超验的现实，而你就将眼光放在了毫无意义的征服之上。我进化了，而你将脖颈缩入诞生我们的泥土。果子原本为你准备，但泰斯拉收获了它们精妙的益处。你曾经耻笑我对此潜心探究，但现在看着我：我还活着，瑞金特，”泰斯拉吟诵着，双臂高举过头，“而你，若不将王位交与我，只有死亡！”
The simulagent opened his mouth to cry for help, but nothing emerged.
替身张口想大喊救命，但徒劳无功。
"Kneel before me!" Tesla demanded, gesturing to the floor.
“在我面前跪下！”泰斯拉指着地面，要求道。
Paralyzed with fear, the simulagent gulped and found his voice."Tesla, listen to me: you don't understand. I-"
替身恐惧得无法动弹，咽了一口气之后，才说出话：“泰斯拉，听我说：你不明白，我——”
"Kneel before me!"
“在我面前跪下！”
"I-"
“我——”
Tesla grabbed the false Regent by the cowl and dragged him to his knees."I will rule in your place. I will lead our race from this moment on. Do you agree to it·"
泰斯拉一把抓住假摄政王的肉甲，把他拖到地上跪下。“我将取代你的统治。从今往后，我将统领我们这一族。你同意吗？”
"Tesla," the simulagent pleaded."I can't agree-"
“泰斯拉，”替身恳求道，“我无法同意——”
"Fool! Would you force me to kill you!" His hands were clasped around the simulagent's thick neck now.
“傻瓜！你在逼我杀了你！”这时，他的双手钳住了替身粗壮的脖子。
"-"
“——”
"Abdicate!"
“退位！”
"-"
“——”
"Surrender to me!"
“给我屈服吧！”
"-"
“——”
The simulagent's four-fingered hands tore desperately at Tesla's own, but could not counter the strength madness had lent them. Tesla's powerful thumbs found soft and vulnerable places as he continued to squeeze the life from his would-be foe. Black eyes bulged and a horrible death rattle began to emerge from the simulagent's ruptured throat. Then it was over.
替身用两只四指大手拼命撕扯着泰斯拉的手，但敌不过疯狂赋予泰斯拉的力量。泰斯拉继续将生命力从他的假想敌体内挤走，有力的拇指捏到了柔软脆弱的要害之处。替身黑色的双眼突出，一阵恐怖的喀喀的死亡之声从他断裂的喉头传出。之后，一切都结束了。
He withdrew his hands and stepped back, as if waking from some somnambulistic experience. The Regent's body was sprawled on the floor below him, already drained of life's vernal colors. This being, who had been like a father to him...And suddenly Tesla knew a gut-wrenching fear-a fear intense enough to engulf all the anger and hatred and maniacal urges he had given vent to only a moment before. He turned to the door, down in a fugitive's stoop, fluids running wild within him. He had been misguided! He could not take the Regent's place! The Regis would murder him for his betrayal. He would be devolved to the lowliest life-form, a mere troglodyte, exiled from his own kind. And what was he to do now·...
他缩回手，后退一步，好像刚从梦游里清醒过来。瑞金特的尸体在他脚下，瘫卧在地板上，已经没有一丝生气。这个人，曾如同他的父亲一般……突然间，泰斯拉体会到了内脏绞痛般的恐惧——如此强烈的恐惧，吞没了所有愤怒、仇恨、还有仅仅片刻之前他才释放出的疯狂渴求。他转身向门走去，垂头丧气，弯腰驼背，感到体内血流汹涌。他误入了歧途！他无法取代瑞金特的地位！瑞吉斯会因为背叛而处死他。他将会退化成最低等的生命，被同类放逐的野蛮人。而现在又该做什么？……
He remembered the Sentinels. Surely Wolff would be returning to Praxis, he thought. He would persuade Wolff and the others to take him along, remain with them until all this blew over. The Regis might rule for a time, but sooner or later he would assume his rightful place and rule by her side-the Sentinels would encourage him to do so!
他记起了哨兵同盟。当然，沃尔夫会回到普拉西斯，他想。他会劝说沃尔夫和其他人带上他一起走，这事平息前，都一直和他们一道。瑞吉斯或许将统治一段时间，但迟早他会获取自己的正当地位，在她身边一起统治——哨兵同盟也会鼓励他这么做的！
Tesla gave a final look at the body. He began composing himself for the guards, then realized that no such charade was necessary. With the Regent dead, they were little more than mindless devices; it was possible they wouldn't even remember Tesla's visit.
泰斯拉最后看了一眼尸体。他正准备为应付卫兵编托辞，随后又认识到这种花招已经没有意义了。瑞金特一死，他们全和无脑机器差不多；甚至他们都不会记得泰斯拉来访问过。
With these things in mind, he opened the door.
他打开门的时候，胸有成竹。
Lang, Wolff, and the others had split up to search the fortress for Burak and Tesla, after agreeing on a time to rendezvous in the shuttle launch bay. With an all-Human crew aboard-save the Regent and his retinue-there wasn't much chance of the XTs escaping detection; but one never knew what to expect from Tesla. There was no time to investigate the release order that had freed them, either, but Lang promised to look into the matter later on.
朗和沃尔夫等人分两路在堡垒里搜寻伯拉克和泰斯拉的踪影，约好时间在穿梭机发射区会合。除了瑞金特和随从，堡垒上的船员都是人类，因此外星人蒙混过关的机会不大；但谁也不知道泰斯拉会惹出什么麻烦。目前也没时间调查那个释放他俩的命令，但朗允诺今后一定会调查。
It was Exedore who discovered Burak lurking in one of the corridors near the ship's designated Invid sector. It occurred to him that the fortress seemed unusually deserted, but he barely gave it a second thought. He was explaining the need for urgency to the Perytonian when Tesla showed up all in a rush, looking like he had just seen the face of the Creator.
爱克西多发现了伯拉克，他就鬼鬼祟祟地待在堡垒指定给因维人的那块区域附近的通道中。爱克西多突然意识到堡垒看起来空寂得不寻常，但他也没有更深入地去想。他正向佩里顿人解释事态的急迫时，泰斯拉匆匆忙忙出现了，样子就像刚刚亲眼见过造物之主一般。
"Where have you been·" Exedore said, toe-to-toe with the towering Invid.
“你去哪里了？”爱克西多问道，与比他高大得多的因维人相对而立。
Tesla began to stutter a response, then remembered himself and said,"I don't have to answer to some Zentraedi clone."
泰斯拉结结巴巴，正要答话又想起了自己的身份，说道：“我没必要向天顶星克隆人交代。”
Exedore bristled at the comment, but decided against engaging in what would be a useless argument. Instead, he drew a handgun, informed the two of Wolff's departure plans, and hurried them along to the hold. Wolff, Janice, and Sarna were already there, anxious to get under way. The guards-some of whom were part of the plan-had already been dispatched, so it was safe for the moment for both Lang and Exedore to be on the scene.
爱克西多被这句话惹恼了，但决定还是避免陷入无谓的争执。他拔出一支手枪，向俩人通知了沃尔夫的出发计划，并催促他们一路加紧步伐，前往指定船舱。沃尔夫、贾妮斯和莎娜已经在那里了，焦急地等待启程。卫兵们——其中有些人也参与了这个计划——已经被派到别处，所以此时朗和爱克西多出现在这里是安全的。
"I guess this is good-bye for a while," Wolff was saying while Sarna and an armed Janice escorted Burak and Tesla aboard."I don't know what to say, Lang."
“我想这次分别，再见要很久以后了。”沃尔夫说，莎娜和持枪的贾妮斯则押送着伯拉克与泰斯拉上船。“我不知该说些什么，朗。”
"Just pray we're not too late," Lang said soberly. He offered Wolff his hand."Godspeed, Colonel."
“就祈祷我们还不算太迟吧。”朗严肃地说。他朝沃尔夫伸手，准备握手告别：“马到成功，上校。”
Wolff stepped back and saluted Lang and Exedore, gave one last look around the bay, and hastened up the ramp.
沃尔夫后退一步，朝朗和爱克西多敬礼，最后对港区环视一周，迅速升起了舷梯。
Lang said,"Have we done the right thing, Exedore·"
朗说：“我们做的是正确的事吗，爱克西多？”
"We do what we can," the Zentraedi told him.
“我们做了力所能及的事情。”天顶星人告诉他。
They didn't wait around to watch the launch.
他们没有等到发射，便离开了这里。
"They're on their way, General," Colonel Adams reported to Edwards a short time later."Your orders·"
“他们按计划行动了，将军。”过了一会儿，亚当斯上校向爱德华兹汇报。“您下命令吗？”
"Your men are to give pursuit, but tell them to keep their enthusiasm in check. Just be sure it looks good, and make certain that the ship is allowed to fold. I don't want any slipups now."
“派你的人去追击，但是告诉他们要控制一下情绪。要确保场面上很好看，还要保证能让那艘船折叠。我不希望有任何闪失。”
"Roger, sir," Adams said, and signed off.
“遵命，长官。”亚当斯说完便收了线。
Edwards collapsed onto his bed, weary from the choreographing the plan had entailed. Freeing the aliens, supplying them with what they needed to know, keeping the corridors clear, instructing the guards in confinement and in the shuttle bay how to behave...It was more than most men could have handled. But then again, Edwards reminded himself, he was not most men.
爱德华兹放松地躺在床上，编排这个计划所需的各种要素让他十分疲惫。释放两个外星人、给他们提供需要知道的信息、清空各条通道、给禁闭室和穿梭机港区的卫兵发指令如何行动……这远远超出了绝大多数人处理的能力。但又一次，爱德华兹提醒了自己，他并非平凡之辈。
And so far things had gone off without a wrinkle; the Invid imposter was surely dead, and Wolff was a criminal. The council could not help but see things his way from now on, and the threat of a stepped-up war with the Invid would result in the construction of the fleet he needed to carry out his more important plan: the eventual conquest of Earth.
而且目前为止，事情进展的非常平顺；冒牌摄政王必死无疑，而沃尔夫成了罪犯。委员会除了按他的方向行事之外，别无他路可选；而与因维人紧迫的战争威胁会为他建造所需的舰队，从而执行自己更重要的计划：最终征服地球。
《沙丘》六部曲合集
《波西杰克逊》系列合集
《猎魔人》合集
Selig Kahler, The Tirolian Campaign
随着时光流逝，似乎每个人都忘记了，是爱赢得了第一次宇宙大战。如今战争只剩下了一艘艘战舰与阵亡人数；这不再是一场生存之战，而是一场霸权之战、野蛮之战。
——赛利格·卡勒《泰洛星战役》
Love is a battlefield.
爱如战场
Late twentieth-century song lyric
——二十世纪末的歌词
"It's bad news, Colonel," Dr. Lang told Wolff two hours after the council had adjourned.
“是坏消息，上校。”委员会休会两小时之后，朗博士告诉沃尔夫。
They were in Lang's quarters now, along with Exedore, Janice, and the XT, Sarna. Wolff had spent the intervening time pacing the fortress's corridors like an expectant father. He had tried to locate Minmei, but no one seemed to know where she had disappeared to after leaving the docking bay with Edwards and his staff.
他俩正在朗的寓所内，和爱克西多、贾尼斯以及外星人莎娜在一起。之前这段时间，沃尔夫在堡垒的通道里来回踱步，好似产房外的父亲。他曾想找出明美的踪迹，但看来没人知道她同爱德华兹那伙人一道离开港区后，消失到哪里了。
"The council is going to rule against you," Lang continued, passing drinks to everyone but Sarna."Huxley and Obstat are on our side, possibly Stinson, and Reinhardt's vote counts for something, but we don't have enough to sway the rest."
“委员会将否决你的提议。”朗继续说着，一边给每人递酒，莎娜除外。“赫胥黎和奥博斯坦是在我们这边的，可能斯廷森也是，还有莱因哈特的一票有点作用，但这不足以扭转其它人的选择。”
Wolff scowled and sipped from his glass."You know what's funny· In a crazy way I can see their point. You help us, and so-long any hopes of a truce."
沃尔夫皱着眉头，举杯抿了口酒。“你知道哪里可笑？荒唐地说，我能明白他们的理由。要是帮我，那就同休战协定再见吧。”
"You're correct, Colonel," Exedore affirmed."The Sentinels were meant to be our ally, but instead they've become our liability. And as you yourself understand, Earth's safety remains the council's primary concern. A protracted war with the Invid will only diminish our chances of intercepting the Robotech Masters."
“你是对的，上校，”爱克西多肯定了他。“哨兵同盟本应是我们的盟友，但却变成了我们的累赘。正如你理解的那样，地球的安全仍是委员会的首要关注事项。同因维人久拖不决的战事只会让我们拦截机器人统治者的机会越来越小。”
Wolff exchanged looks with Sarna and Janice; both women seemed curiously detached from the scene, almost as if they served some unknown, greater cause."Look," he said, putting his drink down in a gesture of finality,"now that we all understand the diplomatic angles of this thing, how in the hell are we going to help them·" He shot to his feet."You think I can just sit around here, knowing what they're going through· They're stranded out there."
沃尔夫同莎娜和贾妮斯对望；俩人都是一副置身事外的样子，令人奇怪，仿佛她们侍奉的是某些未知的、更宏大的事业。“看，”他像是要将事情了结一般，放下杯子说，“既然我们都明白这件事情的外交角度，究竟要如何做才能帮他们？”他站起身，“你以为我会明知道他们的境况，而自己干坐在这里？让他们在那边坐以待毙？”
"Perhaps there is a way," Lang said after a brief silence. He shook his head back and forth."It could have disastrous consequences, Colonel, disastrous. And you'd have to prepare yourselves for hardships of an entirely new order..."
“也许有个办法，”片刻沉默之后，朗说道。他先抬起头又低下，说：“这可能会有灾难性的后果，上校，灾难性后果。而你们将不得不准备面对新秩序下的艰难困苦。”
Prison, Wolff thought. As an appeasement to the Regent after the rescue. Would Rick accept it, he wondered, or would they choose to die on Praxis-outcasts·"A ship," Lang was saying when Wolff looked up-a ship! He tried to follow the doctor's nervous movements as he went on to explain.
监狱的新秩序。沃尔夫想道。在营救他们之后，这将作为对瑞金特的安抚。瑞克会接受吗？他想知道，还是他们宁愿选择被遗弃，死在普拉西斯星上？“一艘飞船，”沃尔夫抬起头时，朗接着说。——一艘飞船！博士继续解释，沃尔夫则尽力想跟上他紧张的节奏。
"It's one of our prototypes-not large, and not especially well-armed. But it's capable of local fold operations, Wolff, and there's a skeleton crew standing by-volunteers, each one of them loyal to the admirals."
“它是我们的一艘原型船——不大，武器装备也不够。但它具备本星系折叠的能力，沃尔夫，还有一伙骨干船员待命——都是志愿者，每个人都对将军夫妇忠心耿耿。”
Wolff's mouth dropped open; even Janice and Sarna were stunned by the doctor's revelation."But when could we get it·" he asked.
沃尔夫惊讶地合不上嘴；即使是贾妮斯和莎娜也被博士透露的计划惊呆了。“可我们什么时候能拿到船？”他问。
Exedore turned to him."First, Colonel, you'll be required to steal it."
爱克西多转身面对他：“首先，上校，需要你把船偷走。”
Just then the door tone to Lang's quarters sounded. Lang looked around anxiously, then got up to answer it. A moment later, he was showing Lynn-Minmei into everyone's midst.
这时，朗博士住所的门铃响了起来。朗先是焦虑地环顾四周，之后起身去应答。片刻后，他将林明美领到众人当中。
"Janice," Minmei said, approaching her former partner.
“贾妮斯，”明美朝着她之前的搭档走过去。
Janice evaded Minmei's embrace, and nodded coolly.
贾妮斯避开了她的拥抱礼，冷淡地点点头致意。
"Lynn."
“林。”
The singer began to look around the room. Lang cleared his throat meaningfully."I think we should give Minmei and the colonel some privacy," he said, already ushering Exedore, Janice, and Sarna from the room.
歌手开始环视房间。朗有意清了清喉咙。“我想我们应该给明美和上校一些私人时间。”他边说边将爱克西多、贾妮斯和莎娜领出房间。
When the door slid shut a moment later, it was Minmei who eased out of Jonathan's embrace."Lynn, what's wrong·" he said, standing there with his arms open.
房门滑动着关上。这回是明美躲开了沃尔夫的拥抱。“林，出了什么问题？”他呆站在那儿，双臂张开，问道。
She fumbled with the hem of her jacket and forced a smile."Colonel, I can't tell you how hap-"
她摸索着自己夹克上的褶边，挤出笑容。“上校，我没法告诉你如何发——”
"'Colonel'· Lynn, tell me what's going on. I saw you with General Edwards this morning and now you're calling me colonel after I haven't seen you in six months..." He tried to hug her once more, but she deftly took his hand between hers and motioned him to the couch.
“‘上校’？林，告诉我发生了什么。我今早看到你和爱德华兹将军一起，而现在你又叫我上校，在我和你分离六个月之后……”他又想再次去拥抱她，但她巧妙地抓住他的手，握在自己两手之间，示意他坐到沙发那边。
"Jonathan," she began hesitantly,"I know you're expecting us to take up where we left off, but things have changed."
“乔纳森，”她犹豫地开始正题，“我知道你正期待我们能够再续我们分开前的感情，但事情已经变化了。”
"So I keep hearing."
“那我就洗耳恭听。”
Wolff was suddenly defensive, and she picked up on his tone."You have to remember, we only had a few days together. And until yesterday I thought..."
沃尔夫突然建起防线，她也从他的语调里感受到了。“你得明白，我们在一起的时间，只有几天。而直到昨天，我还以为……”
"You thought I was dead."
“你还以为我死了。”
Minmei nodded."I didn't know what to do. I was practically crazy with grief and anger." She met his gaze and held it."I hated you, Jonathan-hated you for leaving me, hated you for...so many things."
明美点点头。“我不知道该做什么。我那时快被悲伤和愤怒逼疯了。”她迎着他注视自己的目光，四目对望：“我恨你，乔纳森——恨你离我而去，恨你……太多。”
Wolff considered her words, then smiled in sudden realization."And you found someone to fill in all those lonely hours."
沃尔夫思考着她的话，突然明白了什么，微笑道：“所以你就找了个人填补孤独的时光。”
Minmei's eyes flashed."Why didn't you tell me you were married·"
明美朝他瞥了一眼：“那为何不告诉我你已经结婚了？”
Wolff tried to keep his face from registering surprise."We're separated," he said."Besides, it never came up. I was going to tell you. It's just that everything got fouled up."
沃尔夫竭力不让自己脸上的惊讶之情被她注意到。“我们分居了。”他说，“此外，这从来不是问题。我正打算告诉你。只是每件事情都搞得一团糟。”
"'Blame it on the Invid,'" Minmei said, almost cracking a smile. The phrase had become something of a catch-all excuse in Tiresia. Wolff was blushing."Listen," she told him,"I'm not angry anymore. I'm just...happy that all of you are alive. How are Rick and Lisa· And Max-"
“‘都是因维人惹的祸。’”明美说，几乎笑了出来。这句话已经成为泰雷西亚里一句万用托辞。沃尔夫这时正面红耳赤。“听着，”她告诉他，“我不再生你的气了，我只是……高兴，看到你还活着。瑞克和丽莎怎样？还有麦克斯——”
"So when did you start seeing Edwards·"
“那么你什么时候和爱德华兹约会的？”
Minmei stood up and stepped away from the couch, wringing her hands."I told you: you weren't there for me, Jonathan. I needed someone to turn to."
明美站起身，从沙发走开，绞着自己的双手。“我告诉过你：是你弃我而去，乔纳森。我需要有人能帮我，让我依靠。”
"And you picked Edwards!" Wolff shook his head in amazement."Don't you realize he's against everything we stand for· He's nothing but a self-serving, egotistical maniac."
“而你就挑中了爱德华兹！”沃尔夫诧异地摇着头。“你不明白他反对我们所奋斗的一切么？他除了是个自私自利、自高自大的狂人之外，一无是处！”
"I won't have you talking about him like that!" Minmei said angrily."He treated me with kindness and respect, and what's more, he's the only one interested in making peace with the Invid and putting a stop to all this madness. Not like you and the rest of those...Sentinels, tearing around space stirring things up, not giving a damn what goes on back here!"
“我不允许你这么说他！”明美生气地说。“他对我既亲切又尊重，更重要的是，他是唯一一个有兴趣和因维人讲和，终止这一切疯狂混乱的人。不像你和其它那些……哨兵们，在宇宙中四处奔忙，惹是生非，压根就不管身后这里发生的事情！”
Wolff was too numb to respond. Edwards, he thought, was like some kind of toxic spill, polluting everything he touched. Minmei had her arms folded across her chest, as though she were trying to hold herself together; her foot was tapping the floor. Wolff reached for his drink and drained the glass.
沃尔夫全身僵硬，无法回答。爱德华兹，他想，是种毒药，污损了他接触过的所有东西。明美双臂抱叠在胸前，好像怕自己散架一样；她的脚不停点着地面。沃尔夫伸手去取杯子，然后一饮而尽。
"Well, I guess there's nothing more to say, is there·"
“那么，我看也没有更多可说的了，还有嘛？”
Her lips were a thin line, trembling; then all at once she seemed to relax."I want us to be friends, Jonathan. I've opened a kind of canteen in Tiresia, and I'd love you to see it. Will you promise to stop by·"
她先是抿紧双唇，颤抖着；后来，忽然之间又放松下来。“我想要咱们成为朋友，乔纳森。我开了一间士兵俱乐部，在泰雷西亚，我希望你能去看看。方便的时候过去吧，能答应我吗？”
He regarded her as one would a memory, mulling over her performance, the scene the two of them had just played out."Sure," he told her absently,"I'll stop by."
他打量她的时候，仿佛是在追忆往昔，他反复琢磨着她的表演，琢磨着他俩刚刚演完的这一幕戏。“当然，”他漠然地告诉她：“方便的时候，我会去的。”
"There's a lot you'll be able to do here-all sorts of things. You'll see." Minmei seemed excited, like she had won a court case or something. She smiled at him from the doorway."See you soon, okay·"
“在那儿你能干不少事——各种事儿。去了就知道。”明美看起来很兴奋，就像刚刚赢了场诉讼。她走到门口，对他微笑着：“回头见，好吗？”
Wolff forced a smile and raised his empty glass to her."To friendship," he offered.
沃尔夫挤出个微笑，朝她举起自己的空酒杯，提议：“为友谊干杯。”
She threw him a wink and stepped out.
她朝他眨了眨眼，便踏出门外。
Applause, Wolff said to himself.
喝彩吧，沃尔夫对自己说。
While Wolff and Minmei were having their heart-to-heart and Exedore and Sarna were off somewhere discussing Haydon IV's curious history, Lang took his AI creation to his office and dumped Janice's memory into one of the lab's databanks. He scanned the android's recordings, briefly reviewing the events of the Karbarran and Praxian campaigns, but focusing in on Janice's monitorings and evaluations of the Sentinels' personnel. There was data about Veidt and Sarna, the beings from Haydon IV, that justified further analysis, and some anomalies concerning the Tiresian Rem; but for the moment Lang's main concerns were Burak and Tesla. He had found the Invid's bio-readings baffling, much different from those of the so-called scientists, and superior in some respects to the Regent himself! Moreover, the data provided suggested that Tesla was after nothing less than the Regent's throne. And apparently the Perytonian, Burak, had been assisting him in some unspecified way. Lang reminded himself to alert Wolff to these matters.
正当沃尔夫和明美谈心之际，爱克西多和莎娜在别处讨论着海顿四号星奇妙的历史，而朗则带着他的人工智能造物来到办公室，将贾妮斯的记忆导入到实验室的资料库之中。他扫描了人造人的记录，简要回顾了卡巴拉星和普拉西斯星战役的各事件，但重点放在贾妮斯对哨兵同盟人员的监视和评估上。其中有关于来自海顿四号星的生命维特与莎娜的数据，表明有必要做进一步分析；还有关于泰雷西亚人雷的一些异常情况；但此时此刻朗最关注的则是伯拉克和泰斯拉。他发现这个因维人的生物指标令人困惑，与那些所谓的“科学家”们大相径庭，在某些方面甚至超越了瑞金特自身！此外，已提供的资料表明泰斯拉一心追求瑞金特的王位。而且，很明显，佩里顿人伯拉克，一直在以不明确的某种方式协助着他。朗提醒自己，一定要警告沃尔夫这些情况。
Minmei was gone by the time Lang and the others returned to the scientist's quarters, and Wolff seemed sullen, just as Lang had anticipated. There was a nearly empty brandy bottle on the low table in front of the couch.
朗和其他人回到自己寓所时，明美已经离去，只留下沃尔夫面色阴郁，这倒和朗预期的一样。沙发前的茶几上，白兰地的瓶子几乎空了。
"I want to talk about that ship, Lang," the colonel said without preamble."When can we have it·-steal it, I mean."
“我想谈谈那艘船，朗。”上校开门见山地说。“我们什么时候能拿到？——偷到，我是说。”
"The sooner the better."
“越快越好。”
Wolff narrowed his eyes."What's it going to mean to the summit·"
沃尔夫眯起眼睛：“这对双方高层会议来说，有什么影响？”
Lang let out his breath and traded looks with Exedore. If Wolff didn't want to mention Minmei, it was fine with him.
朗松了口气，和爱克西多互望了一下。如果沃尔夫不提明美，那正合他意。
"We've already discussed possible scenarios with Reinhardt and Forsythe. It could set things back some, of course, but as long as we can make the Regent believe that you acted on your own, I don't think we'll be jeopardizing the truce."
“我们已经和莱因哈特与福尔塞提讨论了可能的情景。当然了，这会让事态倒退一些，但是只要我们能让瑞金特相信你是个人行为，我想我们不会损害和约。”
Exedore concurred."Furthermore, we think it best if you take Janice, Sarna, and Burak with you. There's no telling what the Regent might expect in the way of reprisals for our...carelessness."
爱克西多认同地补充：“而且，我们觉得最好你能带上贾妮斯、莎娜还有伯拉克。很难推测瑞金特会对我们的‘无心之失’期待着什么样的报复。”
"We wouldn't have it any other way," Janice chimed in, seemingly unaware of the gaps in her recent past.
“我们别无选择。”贾妮斯插话，看起来对自己不久前的记忆断裂毫无觉察。
"What about Tesla·" Sarna thought to ask.
“那泰斯拉呢？”莎娜想了想，问道。
Lang stroked his chin."We've been wondering about that. He could represent a welcome chip at our bargaining table. But as I understand it, that's been his primary function all along."
朗摸了摸下巴，回答：“我们一直在考虑这点。在我们的交易桌上，他可以充当一副欢迎筹码（注：欢迎筹码是赌场为了招揽新顾客而发放的免费赠礼筹码）。但据我所知，这一直以来都是他所起到的主要作用。”
Wolff snorted."I'm not saying we couldn't get along without him, but he has been useful to us."
沃尔夫不同意地一哼：“我并不是说我们没有他就不行，不过他确实也曾经派上过用场。”
"Not if the Regent begins to look upon him as a traitor," Exedore saw fit to point out.
“如果瑞金特开始将他当成叛徒的话，他就没用了。”爱克西多认为有必要指出这点。
Lang thought about the data he had screened, and Tesla's ambitions."Take him," he decided at last."I think he'll continue to serve you. In fact, from what Janice told me of the mutiny, our Tesla seems to have his sights set on leadership of the Invid. You might be able to encourage that some, Wolff."
朗想起了自己筛选过的资料，还有泰斯拉的野心。“带上他，”他最后决定：“我想他还会为继续为你服务的。实际上，根据贾妮斯告诉我的关于这次叛变的情况，我们的泰斯拉把因维人的领导地位当成了理想。你也许能给他些鼓励，沃尔夫。”
Wolff slapped his hands on his thighs and stood up."What are we waiting for· What about weapons and a shuttlecraft to reach the ship·"
沃尔夫双手拍在大腿上，站起身说：“我们还在等什么？接近那艘船所需要的武器和穿梭机呢？”
"That's all been arranged," Exedore told him.
“都安排好了，”爱克西多告诉他。
"What if Edwards decides to pursue us·"
“如果爱德华兹决定追击我们，怎么办？”
"Somehow I don't think he will," Lang speculated."But you will be hunted. You'll have to leave Praxis and remain incommunicado for a time."
“我感觉他不会这么做，”朗推测道。“但你们会被追捕。你们必须要离开普拉西斯，并保持一段时间不与外界联系。”
Suddenly Wolff began to feel the immensity of it all."Can you get Burak and Tesla out of lockup without arousing suspicion·"
沃尔夫突然间明白，此事涉及面之广，超出预期。“你能将伯拉克和泰斯拉从牢房弄出来，又不引起怀疑么？”
"I think so," Lang answered him from the com.
“我看行，”朗回答的声音从通讯器传出。
Wolff heard him tell the guards in the confinement area to have the two XTs brought to the laboratory for testing. Then he saw Lang's face pale.
沃尔夫听到他通知卫士们将那两个关在禁闭区的外星人带到实验室作测试。随后，他看到朗脸色变得一片苍白。
"What is it·"
“怎么了？”
"They've already been released," Lang said."On Colonel Wolff's request."
“他们已经被释放了，”朗说：“应沃尔夫上校的要求。”
Elsewhere in the fortress, Burak and Tesla were moving cautiously along an empty corridor space, closing on an area that had been designated for the Regent and his retinue. Only minutes before, they had overpowered their armed escorts; it had proved as simple a matter as it had been to inveigle information concerning the location of the Regent's guest quarters. Tesla was whispering self-congratulatory praises to himself now, while Burak remained in the larger being's shadow, fearful of discovery by Human personnel.
在堡垒的另一个地方，伯拉克和泰斯拉谨慎地沿着一条空荡的通道前行，渐渐接近了指定给瑞金特及其随从居住的区域。就在几分钟之前，他俩轻松制伏了武装看守，也同样轻松地骗取了瑞金特居住的宾馆位置。这时泰斯拉在心里对自己轻声道贺，而伯拉克跟在大块头的影子里，生怕被人类船员发觉。
"What are you shivering about·" Tesla said, coming around, bold and aggravated. He motioned broadly to the corridor."Fate has cleared a path for us."
“你为什么发抖？”泰斯拉转过身来，怒冲冲大声问道。他毫无顾忌地指着通道，说：“命运已经为我们扫清了道路。”
Burak had to admit that that seemed to be the case. They had seen no one since leaving confinement; in fact, it was almost as if someone were running along ahead of them, sweeping the place clean. But what Tesla didn't realize was that Burak was as frightened of fate as he was anything else. It was fate that kept his planet locked in the recurring past; fate that had gotten him into this mess to begin with...
伯拉克不得不承认情况的确如此。自从离开了禁闭室，他们一个人也没有看到。实际上，就像是有人在他们前面开路，已把这地方清扫一空。但泰斯拉没认识到的是，伯拉克对命运有着非同寻常的恐惧。正是命运将他的星球锁在周而复始的旧日时光；正是命运将他卷入这场混乱的谜局……
"I can feel his presence," Tesla announced, stopping short. Burak bumped into him and backed up a step. Tesla appeared to be growing larger as he approached his quarry."Soon, my friend, soon."
“我能感到他的存在，”泰斯拉高声说道，脚步停顿了一下。伯拉克一头撞上了他，后退一步。泰斯拉离猎物越来越近，同时身体似乎越发高大了。“快了，朋友，快了。”
It dawned on Burak that the Invid had more on his mind than talk, and he wanted no part of murder. He said as much to Tesla as they approached an intersection midway along the corridor."I-I'll wait for you here-you know, s-stand guard."
伯拉克豁然领悟到，这个因维人的心思很多没说出来，而他一点也不想参与谋杀。他们走到中途的一个通道交叉口时，他说：“我——我在这里等你——你知道，得放——放哨。”
Tesla looked down at him."Fine. You do that," he sneered, and moved off into the perpendicular corridor.
泰斯拉低头看他。“好的，你来放吧。”他嗤笑一声，便动身进入那条直角相交的通道。
A short distance from the intersection Tesla came upon the first line of Invid sentries. Recognizing the Regent's chief scientist, they immediately genuflected and offered their salute. Then four of the Regent's elite soldiers came forward to escort Tesla into the Regent's private chambers.
从交叉口进去不远，泰斯拉便遭遇了因维哨兵的第一道防线。他们认出了瑞金特的首席科学家，立刻跪地行礼致敬。随后四位瑞金特的精锐战士主动上前，护送泰斯拉进入摄政王的私人房间。
"Tesla!" the simulagent gasped, spilling a lapful of fruits to the floor as he stood up."They've released you·" His snout went up in an approximation of a laugh."I knew I could do it!"
“泰斯拉！”替身惊讶得透不过气，站起身时膝上堆放的果子滚落一地。“他们把你放了？”他的尖嘴翘起，表情像是在笑。“就知道我能办成！”
Tesla regarded the gesture with indifference, too caught up in the moment to realize just who and what he was dealing with.
泰斯拉对他的态度却反映冷漠，此时他的心里根本没工夫考虑摄政王同什么人办了什么事。
"I have things to discuss with you, sire," he said, taking a menacing step forward.
“我有事与你商讨，殿下，”他一边说，一边威胁地上前一步。
"Yes, I'm sure you do! Tesla, I'm delighted to see you."
“当然，你一定有话说！泰斯拉，见到你我真高兴。”
"We'll see," Tesla told him."But perhaps you should reserve judgment until you've heard me out."
“这话先放放，”泰斯拉告诉他，“不过等你听完的时候，也许你就不会保留现在的看法了。”
The simulagent's elongated brow wrinkled. There was something in Tesla's tone...His black eyes began to dart around the room. The guards, he remembered, and made a move toward the door.
替身皱起了细长的眉毛。泰斯拉的语调有异常……他黑色的双眼开始扫视四周。卫兵，他想起来了，于是朝门走了一步。
"Don't even think of it," Tesla said, stepping into his path. He thrust a powerful finger into the simulagent's chest and held his other hand up for inspection."Five fingers, Regent. Five! There was a time when your wife alone had five fingers. Doesn't that tell you something about me·"
“想都别想了，”泰斯拉拦在他面前说道。他伸出一根手指，用力捅在替身的胸口前，又举起另一只手审视着。“五根手指，瑞金特。五根！还记得么，曾经只有你妻子一个人有五根手指。这样，你对我是不是有了新的了解呢？”
At Tesla's shove, the false Regent fell backward onto a table that somehow managed to support his bulk."Tesla, you're mad! What are you trying to do·"
泰斯拉一推，冒牌瑞金特倒退一步，撞在桌上，才支撑住了他的身躯。“泰斯拉，你疯了！你要干什么？”
"Mad· Anything but mad, Your Highness! I have been ingesting the fruits of other worlds, while you've been playing silly war games with these Humans. And as a result I've had my inner eye opened to transcendent realities, while you've set your gaze on meaningless conquests. I have been evolving, while you have sunk to your neck back into the slime that gave us birth. The fruits were meant for you, but it is Tesla who has reaped their subtle benefits. You used to ridicule my delvings into such things, but regard me now: I live, Regent," Tesla intoned, raising his arms above his head,"and you will die unless you abdicate to me!"
“疯了？一点也没有，殿下！我摄取了其它世界的果子，而那时你正和这些人类玩着愚蠢的战争游戏。结果就是：我的内在之眼开启了，看到了超验的现实，而你就将眼光放在了毫无意义的征服之上。我进化了，而你将脖颈缩入诞生我们的泥土。果子原本为你准备，但泰斯拉收获了它们精妙的益处。你曾经耻笑我对此潜心探究，但现在看着我：我还活着，瑞金特，”泰斯拉吟诵着，双臂高举过头，“而你，若不将王位交与我，只有死亡！”
The simulagent opened his mouth to cry for help, but nothing emerged.
替身张口想大喊救命，但徒劳无功。
"Kneel before me!" Tesla demanded, gesturing to the floor.
“在我面前跪下！”泰斯拉指着地面，要求道。
Paralyzed with fear, the simulagent gulped and found his voice."Tesla, listen to me: you don't understand. I-"
替身恐惧得无法动弹，咽了一口气之后，才说出话：“泰斯拉，听我说：你不明白，我——”
"Kneel before me!"
“在我面前跪下！”
"I-"
“我——”
Tesla grabbed the false Regent by the cowl and dragged him to his knees."I will rule in your place. I will lead our race from this moment on. Do you agree to it·"
泰斯拉一把抓住假摄政王的肉甲，把他拖到地上跪下。“我将取代你的统治。从今往后，我将统领我们这一族。你同意吗？”
"Tesla," the simulagent pleaded."I can't agree-"
“泰斯拉，”替身恳求道，“我无法同意——”
"Fool! Would you force me to kill you!" His hands were clasped around the simulagent's thick neck now.
“傻瓜！你在逼我杀了你！”这时，他的双手钳住了替身粗壮的脖子。
"-"
“——”
"Abdicate!"
“退位！”
"-"
“——”
"Surrender to me!"
“给我屈服吧！”
"-"
“——”
The simulagent's four-fingered hands tore desperately at Tesla's own, but could not counter the strength madness had lent them. Tesla's powerful thumbs found soft and vulnerable places as he continued to squeeze the life from his would-be foe. Black eyes bulged and a horrible death rattle began to emerge from the simulagent's ruptured throat. Then it was over.
替身用两只四指大手拼命撕扯着泰斯拉的手，但敌不过疯狂赋予泰斯拉的力量。泰斯拉继续将生命力从他的假想敌体内挤走，有力的拇指捏到了柔软脆弱的要害之处。替身黑色的双眼突出，一阵恐怖的喀喀的死亡之声从他断裂的喉头传出。之后，一切都结束了。
He withdrew his hands and stepped back, as if waking from some somnambulistic experience. The Regent's body was sprawled on the floor below him, already drained of life's vernal colors. This being, who had been like a father to him...And suddenly Tesla knew a gut-wrenching fear-a fear intense enough to engulf all the anger and hatred and maniacal urges he had given vent to only a moment before. He turned to the door, down in a fugitive's stoop, fluids running wild within him. He had been misguided! He could not take the Regent's place! The Regis would murder him for his betrayal. He would be devolved to the lowliest life-form, a mere troglodyte, exiled from his own kind. And what was he to do now·...
他缩回手，后退一步，好像刚从梦游里清醒过来。瑞金特的尸体在他脚下，瘫卧在地板上，已经没有一丝生气。这个人，曾如同他的父亲一般……突然间，泰斯拉体会到了内脏绞痛般的恐惧——如此强烈的恐惧，吞没了所有愤怒、仇恨、还有仅仅片刻之前他才释放出的疯狂渴求。他转身向门走去，垂头丧气，弯腰驼背，感到体内血流汹涌。他误入了歧途！他无法取代瑞金特的地位！瑞吉斯会因为背叛而处死他。他将会退化成最低等的生命，被同类放逐的野蛮人。而现在又该做什么？……
He remembered the Sentinels. Surely Wolff would be returning to Praxis, he thought. He would persuade Wolff and the others to take him along, remain with them until all this blew over. The Regis might rule for a time, but sooner or later he would assume his rightful place and rule by her side-the Sentinels would encourage him to do so!
他记起了哨兵同盟。当然，沃尔夫会回到普拉西斯，他想。他会劝说沃尔夫和其他人带上他一起走，这事平息前，都一直和他们一道。瑞吉斯或许将统治一段时间，但迟早他会获取自己的正当地位，在她身边一起统治——哨兵同盟也会鼓励他这么做的！
Tesla gave a final look at the body. He began composing himself for the guards, then realized that no such charade was necessary. With the Regent dead, they were little more than mindless devices; it was possible they wouldn't even remember Tesla's visit.
泰斯拉最后看了一眼尸体。他正准备为应付卫兵编托辞，随后又认识到这种花招已经没有意义了。瑞金特一死，他们全和无脑机器差不多；甚至他们都不会记得泰斯拉来访问过。
With these things in mind, he opened the door.
他打开门的时候，胸有成竹。
Lang, Wolff, and the others had split up to search the fortress for Burak and Tesla, after agreeing on a time to rendezvous in the shuttle launch bay. With an all-Human crew aboard-save the Regent and his retinue-there wasn't much chance of the XTs escaping detection; but one never knew what to expect from Tesla. There was no time to investigate the release order that had freed them, either, but Lang promised to look into the matter later on.
朗和沃尔夫等人分两路在堡垒里搜寻伯拉克和泰斯拉的踪影，约好时间在穿梭机发射区会合。除了瑞金特和随从，堡垒上的船员都是人类，因此外星人蒙混过关的机会不大；但谁也不知道泰斯拉会惹出什么麻烦。目前也没时间调查那个释放他俩的命令，但朗允诺今后一定会调查。
It was Exedore who discovered Burak lurking in one of the corridors near the ship's designated Invid sector. It occurred to him that the fortress seemed unusually deserted, but he barely gave it a second thought. He was explaining the need for urgency to the Perytonian when Tesla showed up all in a rush, looking like he had just seen the face of the Creator.
爱克西多发现了伯拉克，他就鬼鬼祟祟地待在堡垒指定给因维人的那块区域附近的通道中。爱克西多突然意识到堡垒看起来空寂得不寻常，但他也没有更深入地去想。他正向佩里顿人解释事态的急迫时，泰斯拉匆匆忙忙出现了，样子就像刚刚亲眼见过造物之主一般。
"Where have you been·" Exedore said, toe-to-toe with the towering Invid.
“你去哪里了？”爱克西多问道，与比他高大得多的因维人相对而立。
Tesla began to stutter a response, then remembered himself and said,"I don't have to answer to some Zentraedi clone."
泰斯拉结结巴巴，正要答话又想起了自己的身份，说道：“我没必要向天顶星克隆人交代。”
Exedore bristled at the comment, but decided against engaging in what would be a useless argument. Instead, he drew a handgun, informed the two of Wolff's departure plans, and hurried them along to the hold. Wolff, Janice, and Sarna were already there, anxious to get under way. The guards-some of whom were part of the plan-had already been dispatched, so it was safe for the moment for both Lang and Exedore to be on the scene.
爱克西多被这句话惹恼了，但决定还是避免陷入无谓的争执。他拔出一支手枪，向俩人通知了沃尔夫的出发计划，并催促他们一路加紧步伐，前往指定船舱。沃尔夫、贾妮斯和莎娜已经在那里了，焦急地等待启程。卫兵们——其中有些人也参与了这个计划——已经被派到别处，所以此时朗和爱克西多出现在这里是安全的。
"I guess this is good-bye for a while," Wolff was saying while Sarna and an armed Janice escorted Burak and Tesla aboard."I don't know what to say, Lang."
“我想这次分别，再见要很久以后了。”沃尔夫说，莎娜和持枪的贾妮斯则押送着伯拉克与泰斯拉上船。“我不知该说些什么，朗。”
"Just pray we're not too late," Lang said soberly. He offered Wolff his hand."Godspeed, Colonel."
“就祈祷我们还不算太迟吧。”朗严肃地说。他朝沃尔夫伸手，准备握手告别：“马到成功，上校。”
Wolff stepped back and saluted Lang and Exedore, gave one last look around the bay, and hastened up the ramp.
沃尔夫后退一步，朝朗和爱克西多敬礼，最后对港区环视一周，迅速升起了舷梯。
Lang said,"Have we done the right thing, Exedore·"
朗说：“我们做的是正确的事吗，爱克西多？”
"We do what we can," the Zentraedi told him.
“我们做了力所能及的事情。”天顶星人告诉他。
They didn't wait around to watch the launch.
他们没有等到发射，便离开了这里。
"They're on their way, General," Colonel Adams reported to Edwards a short time later."Your orders·"
“他们按计划行动了，将军。”过了一会儿，亚当斯上校向爱德华兹汇报。“您下命令吗？”
"Your men are to give pursuit, but tell them to keep their enthusiasm in check. Just be sure it looks good, and make certain that the ship is allowed to fold. I don't want any slipups now."
“派你的人去追击，但是告诉他们要控制一下情绪。要确保场面上很好看，还要保证能让那艘船折叠。我不希望有任何闪失。”
"Roger, sir," Adams said, and signed off.
“遵命，长官。”亚当斯说完便收了线。
Edwards collapsed onto his bed, weary from the choreographing the plan had entailed. Freeing the aliens, supplying them with what they needed to know, keeping the corridors clear, instructing the guards in confinement and in the shuttle bay how to behave...It was more than most men could have handled. But then again, Edwards reminded himself, he was not most men.
爱德华兹放松地躺在床上，编排这个计划所需的各种要素让他十分疲惫。释放两个外星人、给他们提供需要知道的信息、清空各条通道、给禁闭室和穿梭机港区的卫兵发指令如何行动……这远远超出了绝大多数人处理的能力。但又一次，爱德华兹提醒了自己，他并非平凡之辈。
And so far things had gone off without a wrinkle; the Invid imposter was surely dead, and Wolff was a criminal. The council could not help but see things his way from now on, and the threat of a stepped-up war with the Invid would result in the construction of the fleet he needed to carry out his more important plan: the eventual conquest of Earth.
而且目前为止，事情进展的非常平顺；冒牌摄政王必死无疑，而沃尔夫成了罪犯。委员会除了按他的方向行事之外，别无他路可选；而与因维人紧迫的战争威胁会为他建造所需的舰队，从而执行自己更重要的计划：最终征服地球。