David L. Robbins - Endworld 12 - Houston Run.pdf

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Houston Run
#12 in the Endworld series
David Robbins
Chapter One
A bright red pinpoint of light appeared in the center of the Clarke
Model 2001 Computer, the navigational console for the Klinecraft Hover
jet.
"One hundred miles and closing," AS-1 announced. He occupied the
middle seat in front of the control console, his seven-foot frame erect in
his chair, his blue orbs scanning the digital display above the red light.
"Ready for target identification and isolation," IM-97 declared from his
cushioned green seat to the right of AS-1.
In the contoured chair to the left, OV-3 flicked a silver toggle switch on
the large console and a square screen before him brightened. His right
hand moved across a bank of typing keys below the seven-inch-wide
screen, his fingers stabbing individual letters with astonishing rapidity.
"ACTIVATED" flashed onto the screen in black block letters.
OV-3 typed his request into the computer. As a last-minute addition to
the retrieval crew, he wanted to review the target data once again.
"SUBJECT: BLADE," the Clarke responded at the top of the screen, and
immediately the display filled with the subject's background and
 
peripheral data. OV-3 scanned the material.
Blade is the current head of the Warriors, the elite combat unit
responsible for the security of the Home and the preservation of the
Family. (Correlation: see Family & Home.) He is believed to be responsible
for terminating the Doktor. Intelligence also indicates Blade terminated
Samuel II. Recent activites include confrontations with the Technics in
Chicago, and with the Soviets in Philadelphia. This subject is considered
to be extremely dangerous.
While all of the Warriors are known to be skilled fighters, many have
specialized in certain weapons. Blade is an expert with knives, particularly
the large type referred to as the Bowie knife. He invariably carries two
such knives, in addition to whatever other arms he might require for
missions outside the Home. Intelligence has confirmed his use of a
Commando Arms Carbine on several occasions.
Physical Characteristics: Intelligence has not acquired a photograph, and
the following is based on personal descriptions. Height: approaching seven
feet. Weight: estimated between 220-260. Build: exceptionally strong
biological organism. Described as "all muscle from head to toe" by one
witness. Hair: dark. Worn medium length. Eyes: gray. Distinguishing
marks: none known. Marital status: married to Family member named
Jenny. One son, Gabriel. END OF REPORT.
OV-3 pursed his thin lips. The file on Blade was unusually thin. His
hands raced over the keys, accessing the correlative material.
SUBJECT: FAMILY.
The Family resides in a walled compound in northwestern Minnesota.
(Correlation: see Home.) Androxia has not established diplomatic
relations with the Family. Evolutionary Scale Rating; 4. Industry: none.
The Family's economy is broadly communal. Stewardship is vested in the
oldest members, designated as Elders. These Elders are responsible for the
Family's educational system and for formulating formal Family policy.
One Family member is chosen as Leader of the entire Family. Exact
Family membership is unknown, but Intelligence believes that it is less
than one hundred. Children are reared in close-knit family units. The
Family is socially primitive and scientifically ignorant.
History: Little is known. Most members are believed to he the descendents
 
of a survivalist group.
Disposition: Primator has decreed their eventual subjugation and
assimilation into the genetically controlled work pool once Androxia has
assumed ascendancy. Rectification will be necessary. The Family is known
to believe in the fallacious concept of "love," and actively promotes belief
in a non-existent "Spirit" source and sustainer. END OF REPORT.
OV-3 read the last section twice. Such degenerates deserved to be
exterminated. Why would Primator deal so mercifully with these
biological organisms? The genetics might be useful for menial functions,
but otherwise they were hopeless. He stared at the monitor. The
information on the Family as a whole, like that on Blade, was singularly
sparse. He decided to punch up the report on the Home, and promptly did
so.
SUBJECT: THE HOME.
The Home is a thirty-acre walled compound in northwestern Minnesota,
near Lake Bronson State Park. Exact date of construction is unknown, but
it is believed to have been built over one hundred years ago, just prior to
the outbreak of World War III. The compound is surrounded by
20-foot-high brick walls. An interior moat provides additional protection
from potentially hostile forces. Entrance is afforded by a drawbridge
situated in the middle of the west wall. The eastern half of the compound
is maintained in a natural state or utilized for agricultural purposes. The
western half is devoted to socialization. Intelligence has not mapped the
interior.
The Home is defended by 12 to 15 (estimates vary) Warriors. These
Warriors are highly trained professionals. They are divided into Triads.
Known Triads: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omega. There may be more.
Known Warriors: Blade, Hickok, Geronimo, and Yama. (Correlation: see
individual Warriors.)
Disposition: Primator has decreed destruction after subjugation of
occupants. Prominence Rating: 0. END OF REPORT.
OV-3 glanced at AS-1. "Intelligence has not compiled an adequate file
on our target," he stated.
AS-1, his attention on the 2001 console, nodded. "Did you view the data
on the Home?" he asked.
 
"Affirmative," OV-3 replied.
"And did you note the Prominence Rating?" AS-1 inquired.
"A zero," OV-3 noted.
"Which explains our lack of information," AS-1 said. "The Family is so
low on the list, they were deemed inconsequential. Intelligence has been
concentrating on the primaries, on the Technics, the Soviets, and the
Civilized Zone."
"I understand that," OV-3 commented. "I do not understand why we
are expending precious fuel to fly to a small, inconsequential outpost
merely to retrieve one organism."
"Primator wants this organism," AS-1 mentioned.
"Did Primator elaborate on his rationale?" OV-3 asked.
"No," AS-1 responded.
"I can supply a secondary reason," IM-97 chimed in.
"What is it?" OV-3 questioned.
"Clarissa," IM-97 revealed.
OV-3 gazed out the canopy of the Klinecraft Hoverjet at the stars in the
night sky. "Most odd," he remarked. "What does Clarissa want with this
organism?"
AS-1 shook his head. "I was not told."
"Nor was I," IM-97 said. "But I do know Clarissa petitioned Primator
for the organism, and Primator assented."
AS-1 leaned over the console. "Initiate target identification and
isolation," he ordered.
"Engaged," IM-97 said, and pressed a white button near his right hand.
A small screen, laced with an overlaid grid, hummed and glowed with a
diffuse pink light.
 
AS-1 studied the digital display above the red light. "Ten miles to
target," he informed the others.
"What if this Blade resists?" OV-3 inquired.
"We take him alive," AS-1 said. "Primator was specific in his
instructions. Any harm to the organism will result in dismantlement."
"And if the other Warriors interfere?" OV-3 probed.
"Any intervention is to be summarily negated," AS-1 stated.
"Understood," OV-3 said.
"Commencing deceleration," AS-1 declared.
The Klinecraft Hoverjet slowed to a mere fraction of its cruising speed.
"Two miles to target," AS-1 told them.
OV-3 reached over and depressed a brown lever. "External lights
extinguished."
"Activating Stealth Mode," AS-1 stated, and punched a black button. In
the Stealth Mode, the Hoverjet's engine operated with a muted whine
detectable for a range of only 25 yards.
IM-97 peered at the illuminated grid. The Burroughs Infra-Sensor
Module, an optional attachment on the 2001 Computer, required several
minutes to attain peak functional capability. He rested his hands on a pair
of knobs below the grid, waiting for the word from AS-1.
The Hoverjet continued to wing slowly toward their destination. A
minute passed in relative silence. Two minutes.
AS-1, his eyes locked on the digital display, nodded. "We are over the
south wall."
"Infrared operational," IM-97 said, twisting the knob in his left hand.
Dozens of red blips materialized on the grid. "Multiple possibles within
range."
"Adjust the sensors," AS-1 directed, "Scan for physical dimensions,
 

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