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now, before the odds against success got any less. And it seemed he was
getting others to go along.
Then, at 3:35, Di Milestro s private channel from Sacramento brought the terse
statement that
McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, one of the Federation s primary bases
flying combat and support operations for the central sector of the front, and
the air logistics center at Tinker, southeast of Oklahoma
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City, had been obliterated. Not simply attacked, but obliterated. Nine
minutes later, it was the turn of the bomber and missile-support base at Grand
Forks, North Dakota. They were being picked by something in polar orbit. The
next sweep could be north-south through California. If so, Edwards would
surely be a prime target.
Cade came around from the cubicle that Di Milestro and Gerofsky were using and
into the cubbyhole where Hudro and Yassem were talking to a technician in
Cairns. Hudro, get onto the plane crew out at
Edwards! Cade exclaimed. Tell them the hold s off. We re on our way now
!
Hudro looked startled. What s happened?
Vrel was nearby, looking across in alarm. Cade turned to him. Vrel, bring the
flyer here from the other building. We re loading up. On Vrel s other side,
Nyarl was juggling data on one of the screens. Time to wrap up, Cade told
him. That s Yassem s job now. Get the stuff sorted out now that you need to
take. And then, finally answering Hudro s question, We just got an answer to
the air strikes. They re wiping out our main bases. Vrel nodded. There was no
need to say anything. He hurried away. Luke finished a call he had been
making. Can you organize getting everything to be loaded up to the lobby?
Cade said to him, at the same time pulling out his phone. See if you can get
a cart from somewhere. He tried Clara s regular number. A voice told him
calls were being switched to the answering system. He punched in Clara s
priority code. Where are Marie and Dee?
I m here, Marie said from behind him. She had come over from the far side of
the room to investigate the commotion. Dee s upstairs talking supplies.
Go find her. We re moving now.
Why? What s happening?
Clara s voice answered sleepily. Tell you later. . . . Hi, Clara? It s
Roland. Marie turned and disappeared toward the door.
What time is it? I had to take a break.
Sorry, but things have changed. We re leaving right away. Chester will give
you the whole story.
Briefly, they ve started zapping air bases, and I don t want to wait for
Edwards to be next. I guess you ll be the one keeping an eye on things at this
end. We need to agreee who else you need to stay on here.
Well, Luke, I guess. . . . Clara and Luke had known each other for years.
She was still having trouble surfacing.
Yassem, we already decided, Cade said.
Does that mean Hudro will be staying too?
I don t think we can let him. Neither of them knows anything about LA or
anyone here. I d rather it be
Vrel. Besides, we ll need an on-board expert in Hyadean technical and military
matters. That can only be
Hudro. Dee can stay with Vrel.
Fine. Clara sounded more herself now. Do you want me to come over there? It
would take me about thirty minutes.
No, get some rest. We ll be in touch.
Then . . . good luck. You take care, Roland. Of yourself and those others.
Bring them all back in one piece.
You too. Bye.
As Cade repocketed his phone, he realized that Gerofsky had joined him and had
been listening. For a moment, the major seemed to have difficulty finding
words. Look, Cade . . . You were right, and we were wrong. I d like to do
more to help. Chester has to stay here as the contact man with Sacramento. But
you don t know what you ll run into out there. You re going to need someone
along who can deal with military people and situations. . . . Well, what I m
saying is . . .
Cade managed a tired grin. It s okay. You don t have to spell it out. And the
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answer s sure. Welcome to the team.
It was a little after 4:15 . . when the flyer finally rose from the city and
headed east of north for
A M
Palmdale. The night was clear with no moon. From above Pasadena, trains of
lights showed on the darkened roads below, all heading northward to the
desert. En route, Nyarl checked with the Catacombs.
Yassem reported that the link from Cairns was sending, but so far there had
been no response from the
Querl. President Jeye wasn t backing down. The Federation had just launched
IRBMs at Union air bases in Alabama and Ohio. Nobody aboard the flyer had much
else to say.
Radio traffic indicated that flight operations were busy at Edwards. Ignoring
ground control procedures, Hudro brought the flyer skimming in low over the
perimeter fence to land at the hangars at the north end where the C22-E was
waiting. The transfer of bodies, equipment, and bags still in the flyer from
Cade s house that morning took place swiftly against a background of engine
roars and black shapes lifting off into the night. The captain, Bob Powell,
told them that operational aircraft were being dispersed to other fields and
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