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"We got most of the C-4 in Pacific Command ready to blow, boss", Thunderbird said to Valentine.
"Dunno if it'll bring the whole shebang down", a Bear feeding wire into one of the holes said. "Depends on how strong those supporting towers are".
"How did you get all that past the bomb dogs?" Silas asked.
"The dogs were in the Resistance Network too", Miss L. said.
"Not... not you too?"
" 'Fraid so, Sly".
"This bang better work, or we're going to have a hell of a fight getting out of here", Thunderbird said.
"I'd like to avoid that if I can", Valentine said.
"What's the alternative?" Miss L. asked.
"We'll negotiate", Valentine said. "They've got something we want - those people and Lifeweavers I saw in that tank up there. We've got something they want, an intact tower".
"They won't listen to us", the Bear at the wires said.
"They'll listen to him", Valentine said. "Care to deliver terms? Not of surrender, just an exchange of hostages".
"What hostages do you have?" Silas asked.
"You, for a start. Maybe they grabbed a few others on the way here. Bridge sentries and such".
"I'm not sure I want to stand in front of Seattle and start naming terms", Silas said.
"Then we'll shoot you and blow the fucker", Thunderbird responded. His hand dropped to his pistol holster.
"I suppose I could try", Silas said.
"Good luck", Valentine said, and meant it. "If it doesn't work out, try and get out of the center tower. You've got fifteen minutes from when you disappear in that tower. Any troops show up on the plaza, we blow it".
Silas gulped, looked up at the towering mushroom cap. "I'll see what I can do".
Valentine watched him ascend the scaffolding, stopping to gape at one of the frozen Reapers. He made it to the door. The organic mouth admitted him.
"Can I stop loading clay into this tower?" one of the Bears on the demo team whispered.
"Sure", Thunderbird said. "Hope this works, Valentine".
Gide returned from her sniper perch, hugged Valentine. "Long time no see".
"Thanks for keeping the Reapers off me".
"They're your fancy bullets. You want the gun back now?"
"I think it's in better hands with you".
Miss L. checked her watch every two minutes, reading the time to Valentine. They heard trucks pulling up on the roads around the plaza.
Then the mouth opened. Rafferty came out, crossed the bridge from the scaffold, carrying a little girl wrapped in a blanket. "They're coming! They're coming! Turn off the bombs!" Rafferty called.
Seven other humans who emerged, rather shakily, still glistening with the solution they'd been suspended within, must have been favorites to the Pacific Command soldiers. Some of them cheered.
"I don't see any of the Lifeweavers", Valentine said. "Maybe this is a down payment against our leaving".
