Chapter 72
Peter: “knowledge of motion, but not of stillness”
“Where did they go?” growled the Honcho, even though he was pretty sure he already knew.
“North,” said Jeffrey. His voice had an impatient edge to it. “Back to Rado, of course. Where else would they go? The question is, what can we do about it?”
“Nothing. If we had the fuel, and could get an ancient airplane working, and had a trained pilot ready, then maybe we could intercept them. But we don't.” Peter sighed and rested his chin on his first, his elbow on the top of his desk. “So the answer is, there is nothing we can do...except speed up our timetable. Now that Ricky's going to give us the swizzles and everflames we need, we'll start getting some fuel for the vehicles soon.”
“Maybe we should invade someone else first.”
He shook his head. “Can't do that. If we wait too long, Rado'll be building up their own army equipped with swizzle guns. They have at least two people who can make 'em now. So we have to get up there before they have time to make a lot of them. And there's another reason.”
“What's that?”
“From the reports of the men, when the wizard rescued the Governor's daughter they were at a comm site reporting in. So Rado knows about the rail-bangers now.”
“You think they'll tell other countries?”
“Not at first. I'm betting the first thing they'll do is try to set up their own version. But it's only a matter of time before it leaks out from them.”
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