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"Probably not," said Victor. "The other lander would simply change course and avoid it."
"So we need another way to take out the second lander," said Shenzu.
"A way they don't anticipate," said Benyawe.
"We don't have any other weapons," said Deen.
"Yes," said Mazer. "We do. We have the launch tubes. Each is like the barrel of a gun. Victor, you knew how to seal off the tubes and open them. Do you also know how to launch something in them as well?"
"I watched the Formics do it," said Victor. "I studied the mechanism. Yes. We can launch something."
"What exactly?" said Deen. "Last time I checked we didn't have a giant bullet in our ammo packs."
"The ship debris from the cargo bay," said Mazer. "We load a bunch a scrap into the tubes and we fire it like shrapnel."
"Won't that just bounce off the lander?" said Deen.
"The launch tubes are extremely powerful," said Victor. "And I know how to increase the tension in the springs. It would fire like a cannon. It would rip through anything."
"Theoretically," said Deen.
"There's no guarantee of anything, if that's what you mean," said Victor. "But I think it could work."
"How do we move ship debris from the cargo bay to the tubes?" asked Shenzu.
"The same way the Formics move anything big," said Mazer. "We use the big carts. Victor showed us the passageway. From here to the cargo bay isn't far. There won't be any resistance. The debris is all weightless. We could move it easily if we work together.
"There are eight of us," said Deen. "How are we supposed to do all of this before the landers arrive?"
"Victor goes to the helm," said Mazer. "The rest of us go to the cargo bay and start turning nozzles. When the nozzles are ready, we load as much wreckage into the big carts as we can carry and hurry back here. Then we load the tubes and we're in business."
"I'll need a pair of eyes," said Victor. "Someone will have to go back outside and lie flat against the hull. They'll have to help me aim and tell me when to fire. I don't know how to use the Formics' targeting system."
"I can do that," said Deen. "I won't be much use in the cargo bay with these legs. I have to be helpful somehow. Victor could carry me outside and anchor me down before he goes to the helm."
"I can do that," Victor agreed. He turned to Lem in the holopad. "We're going to need some time, Lem. Can you stall the landers?"
"That's like asking a bunch of dragonflies to stop a passenger jet," said Lem.
"There are other ships," said Victor. "Call them all. Every ship in your father's fleet in near-Earth orbit. Every ship on Luna. Get the Valas involved. Get them all involved."
"I'll do what I can," said Lem. "But hurry. We won't be able to hold them for long. If at all." He disconnected.
"Benyawe," said Victor. "What are the radiation levels now?"
"Low enough," she said. "We're good to go."
"Then let's move," said Mazer.
They flew down to the bottom of the tube where there was a small airlock. Mazer opened it and led the group through. Victor and Deen stayed behind and watched Mazer lead the others into the passageway that led to the cargo bay. When they had disappeared, Victor said, "Are you sure you're up for this?"
Deen smiled. "Hey, I got the cake job. I lie around and give you orders. That's like being on holiday. Plus I get a front-row seat to all the fireworks."
Victor flew him back up to the top. They removed the manhole Wit had cut and climbed back outside. They found a spot on the surface of the ship halfway between the launch tube and rotated nozzles. Victor lowered Deen to the hull and laid him gently on his back, anchoring him in place with disc magnets that he secured to Deen's belt.
When he was done, Victor pulled on the magnets, testing their strength. "There. You're not going anywhere."
Deen was hugging his rifle to his chest. "How am I supposed to direct you in rotating the ship?"
