Steal The Sun(战争间谍)-第28部分

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to　invading　Japan。”
Finn　paused；　but　Kestrel　neither　moved　nor　spoke。
“Japan　will　fight　to　the　last　child；　hoping　to　drive　the　cost　of　unconditional　surrender　so　high
that　America　will　accept　a　lesser　peace；　one　with　room　for　Japanese　pride。　But　that　won’t
happen。”　He　paused　momentarily；　remembering　Okinawa；　green　jungle　and　sea　and　dying
children。　“Russia　will　conquer　China　on　the　way　to　declaring　war　on　Japan。　When　Japan　is
crushed　–　and　that　is　inevitable　–　Russia　will　demand　part　or　all　of　Japan　in　payment。　At　best；
Japan　will　be　like　Germany；　divided。　At　worst；　Japan　will　belong　to　Russia；　a　subject　race　with
neither　pride　nor　future。”
Finn　waited。　Kestrel　still　did　not　speak。　Wind　keened；　filling　the　silence。
“Do　you　believe　Russia　is　your　ally？”　asked　Finn。　“Do　you　know　that　Russia　has　refused　to
approach　America　to　sue　for　peace　on　Japan’s　behalf？　Russia　doesn’t　want　the　war　to　end　yet。
Russia　wants　America　to　invade　Japan。　If　the　war　continues　long　enough；　Russia　will　rule　the
world。”
“But　I’ve　seen　what　the　atomic　bomb　can　do！”　said　Kestrel。　He　leaned　forward；　and　his　voice
was　resonant　with　suppressed　emotion。　“Japan　will　be　bombed　into　unconditional　surrender。

How　is　that　different　from　being　subjugated　by　the　Russians？”
“If　there　is　an　invasion；　Japan　will　surrender　to　a　conquering　army。　If　there　is　an　atomic　bomb；
Japan　will　surrender　to　the　sun　–　there　can　be　no　loss　of　face　in　that。”
It　was　the　same　thing　Kestrel　had　told　his　superiors　in　Japan；　but　it　was　a　bitter　thing　to　hear　on
an　enemy’s　lips。　No　man　can　fight　the　sun。
“America　would　occupy　Japan；”　said　Kestrel；　feeling　anger　fight　with　fever　for　control　of　his
body。
“But　America　won’t　insist　on　destroying　Japan。　Even　now；　we’re　rebuilding　our　former　enemies
in　Europe。　What　is　Russia　doing？”
“Perhaps　Russia　is　wiser。　What　she　exterminates　now；　she　won’t　have　to　face　in　the　future。”
Finn　smiled　narrowly。　“I　agree。　But　which　country　would　you　rather　see　defeat　Japan？　That’s　all
that　is　left　to　you；　Kestrel　–　a　choice　of　conquerors。”
“Japan　signed　a　Neutrality　Pact　with　the　Russians。”
Finn’s　laughter　was　hard；　humorless。　“You’re　not　stupid　or　naive。　Don’t　pretend　to　be。”　Finn
looked　at　his　watch。　“You　have　three　minutes　to　choose　your　conqueror。”
“You　don’t　know　what　you　ask！　Have　you　seen　what　that　bomb　can　do？”
“I’ve　seen　Japanese　mothers　murder　their　own　children　rather　than　surrender。　Is　the　atomic
bomb　worse　than　that？”
Kestrel　closed　his　eyes；　fighting　to　control　himself。　How　could　he；　one　man；　choose　his　country’s
future？　What　Finn　asked　of　him　was　impossible。　His　anger　drained　into　an　anguish　worse　than
any　pain　he　had　known　before。　Yet　when　he　spoke；　his　voice　was　calm。
“If　I　choose　Russia　as　Japan’s　conqueror；　I　suppose　you’ll　torture　me　to　find　out　where　the
uranium　is。”　Kestrel　contempt　was　plain　in　his　smile。
“I　don’t　have　time　to　break　you；”　said　Finn　in　a　matter…of…fact　tone。　“I’ll　have　to　kill　you。”
“But　then　you　would　lose　the　uranium　forever。”
“So　would　Russia。”
For　the　first　time；　Kestrel　looked　surprised。　“Russia？”
“You　should　have　killed　Masarek’s　woman。　She’s　here；　in　Manzanar。　And；　unlike　Japan；　Russia
can　take　that　uranium　and　turn　it　into　a　bomb。”　Finn’s　smile　was　grim。　“You’re　not　the　only　one
making　choices　tonight。”
“A　choice　of　evils；”　Kestrel　hesitated。　Pain　seeped　into　his　voice。　“That’s　not　much　choice　at
all。”
“It’s　the　only　kind　men　get。”　Finn　glanced　at　his　watch。　“Two　minutes。”
Takeo’s　Apartment；　Manzanar
42　Hours　47　Minutes　After　Trinity
Ana　hesitated　in　front　of　the　barracks　door；　torn　between　the　cold　wind　and　her　father’s　anger。
She　pulled　open　the　door。
Vanessa　lunged；　grabbing　Ana’s　hair。　The　silenced　gun　was　like　a　cold　finger　laid　along　Ana’s
neck；　seeking　a　target　in　the　room　beyond。　Her　eyes　moved　quickly；　seeing　everything。
At　the　first　sound；　Finn　had　thrown　himself　aside　and　reached　for　his　gun。　He　never　heard　the
bullet　that　hit　him。　A　searing；　paralyzing　pain　went　through　his　left　shoulder。　From　the　corner　of
his　eye　he　saw　the　gun　turn　on　him。　He　felt　the　sinking　agony　not　of　fear；　but　of　helplessness。　He
gathered　himself　for　a　futile　lunge。
“Run；　Ana！”　yelled　Kestrel　in　Japanese　as　he　heaved　the　water　pitcher　across　the　barracks；
ruining　Vanessa’s　aim。
But　Ana　could　not　escape　Vanessa’s　grip。　The　Russian’s　gun　centered　on　Kestrel　rather　than　on
Finn。　“Don’t　move！”　she　commanded。
Ana　stared　at　Finn；　then　at　Kestrel。　“I’m　sorry。　I　didn’t　know　she　was　behind　me。”
“Speak　only　Japanese　to　me。　That　way　at　least　one　of　our　enemies　will　not　understand。”
“What’s　he　saying？”　demanded　Vanessa　harshly。　“Tell　him　to　shut　up！”

Finn’s　eyes　flicked　from　Kestrel　to　Vanessa　as　his　hand　moved　by　increments　toward　the　gun　in
the　small　of　his　back。　Vanessa’s　blue　eyes　shifted。　The　gun　muzzle　twitched　toward　him。
“No　one　leaves　Manzanar　unless　I　personally　give　the　OK；”　said　Finn　calmly。
The　gun　muzzled　hesitated。
“There　are　patrols　out　on　the　camp’s　perimeter；　and　the　highway　is　blocked　in　both　directions；”
he　added。　“Without　me；　you’re　dead。”
The　satisfaction　he　took　from　his　words　was　clear　in　his　voice。　He　was　not　bluffing；　and　Vanessa
knew　it。　Her　expression　became　as　smooth　as　a　graveyard　angel’s。　She　looked　away　from　Finn；
toward　Kestrel。
“Ask　him　where　he　hid　the　uranium；”　Vanessa　said　coldly　to　Ana。　When　Ana　did　not　speak
immediately；　Vanessa’s　fingers　dug　deeply　into　Ana’s　hair　and　twisted。　“Ask　him！”
“What　are　we　going　to　do？”　said　Ana　in　Japanese。
“Say　nothing；”　answered　Kestrel。
“Well？”　demanded　Vanessa。
“He　won’t　tell　me；”　gasped　Ana；　her　face　distorted　by　pain。
“I’ll　kill　you　unless　he　talks；”　said　Vanessa。　“But　once　I　have　the　uranium；　you’re　both　free。　And
I’ll　make　sure　no　one　follows　you。”
Ana　pretended　to　translate；　her　voice　thin　with　fear。
Kestrel　waited　until　Ana　was　silent。　His　face　was　expressionless。
“She’ll　kill　us　as　soon　as　she　has　the　uranium。”　The　flatness　of　his　voice　needed　no　translation。
“Tell　him；”　said　Vanessa；　“that　I’ve　changed　my　mind。　I’ll　kill　him　first；　then　you。”
Kestrel　listened　to　Ana’s　pleas　and　shook　his　head。　“No；　Ana。　Not　for　my　life。　Not　for　yours。”
Then　fear　raced　in　his　blood　as　he　realized　that　his　vulnerability　lay　in　Ana；　not　in　himself。
Vanessa　read　Kestrel’s　answer　in　Ana’s　tears。　With　a　final；　cruel　twist；　she　forced　Ana　to　her
knees。　She　laid　the　gun　muzzle　along　Ana’s　temple　and　took　aim　at　Kestrel。
“No！”　screamed　Ana。　“I　know　where　it　is！　Don’t　shoot　him！”
“Ana！”　shouted　Kestrel；　“No！”
“Where　is　it？”　Vanessa　whispered。
“In　the　desert；”　Ana　cried　out。　“We　buried　it　in　the　desert。”　She　did　not　look　at　Kestrel。　“I’ll
take　you　there。　Don’t　shoot　him！　I’ll　take　you！”
Slowly；　Vanessa　lifted　the　gun。　“Tell　him　to　get　up；”　she　said。　“He’s　coming　with　us。”
“He’s　sick；”　said　Ana。　“He　can’t　–　“
Vanessa’s　open…handed　slap　silenced　her。　“Tell　him！”　Vanessa　gave　Finn　a　cold　glance。　“You
too。　Get　up。”
Finn　stood；　testing　the　extent　of　his　injury。　Beneath　the　pain；　bone　and　muscles　were　intact。　The
wound　was　not　much　worse　than　a　crease。　He　used　the　tentative　motions　of　an　old　man；　inviting
Vanessa　to　underestimate　him；　trying　to　get　within　reach　of　her　white　neck。
Wind　rattled　against　the　windows；　making　hollow　fluttering　sounds；　like　a　bird　beating　against　a
glass　cage。　Ana　stayed　on　her　hands　and　knees；　her　eyes　fixed　on　the　floor。
Finn　leaned　against　the　wall；　measuring　the　distance　to　Vanessa　and　her　soft…voiced　pistol。　Too
far。　She　was　good　at　what　she　did。　He　looked　at　Kestrel；　wondering　if　he　had　made　his　choice
yet；　and　if　so；　which　conqueror　he　had　chosen。
“Turn　around；”　said　Vanessa　to　Finn。　“Put　your　hands　on　the　wall。　Quickly！”
Finn　turned；　but　not　quickly。　Vanessa　had　only　the　single；　black…and…white　choice　–　kill　Finn　or
let　him　live。　He　had　all　the　thousand　gray　choices　in　between。
The　silencer　rested　at　the　base　of　Finn’s　skull。　He　stood　very　still　while　Vanessa’s　free　hand
probed　and　patted　him　in　a　travesty　of　intimacy。　The　position　was　as　awkward　for　her　as　it　was
for　him；　and　almost　as　dangerous。　She　had　to　work　very　quickly。　She　found　his　。45　and　his　knife
and　kicked　them　across　the　floor　to　the　far　corner　of　the　apartment。
Finn　watched　the　weapons　slide　away　beyond　reach。　He　put　them　out　of　his　mind。　They　were
simply　tools。　Useful；　but　not　necessary。　He　could　kill　without　them。
Page　145
Ana　and　Kestrel　were　also　searched。　Ana　was　not　armed。　Kestrel’s　knife　went　sliding　across　the
room。　Vanessa　stepped　back；　pulled　off　her　silk　scarf　and　threw　it　to　Ana。
“Tie　them　together；　knee　to　knee。　If　the　scarf　comes　off；　I’ll　kill　both　of　them。”
Ana　fumbled　with　the　long；　narrow　scarf；　joining　Kestrel’s　right　knee　to　Finn’s　left。　As　she　tied
the　last　slippery　knot；　she　rested　her　cheek　for　an　instant　against　Kestrel’s　leg。　“I’m　sorry；”　she
whispered。
Kestrel’s　hand　brushed　Ana’s　cheek。　When　she　stood；　there　were　tears　on　her　face　and　his
fingertips。　Without　meeting　Kestrel’s　eyes；　she　went　and　opened　the　outside　door。

Manzanar
42　Hours　57　Minutes　After　Trinity
Finn　and　Kestrel　moved　with　surprising　agility；　adjusting　to　the　odd；　three…legged　gait　enforced
by　the　scarf。　Ana　led　the　way　to　the　fence；　skirting　gardens　and　chicken　coops。　Vanessa　walked　in
the　rear；　close　enough　to　control　them；　far　enough　to　be　beyond　their　reach。
Beyond　the　fence；　darkness　and　silence　were　complete。　No　voices　called　across　the　barracks
row；　no　windows　radiated　squares　of　light。　The　wind　moaned；　powerful　and　restless；　redolent　of
sage　and　desolation。
They　were　alone　in　the　night；　ill　at　ease　in　the　desert　–　except　for　Finn。　Like　the　thousand　choices
between　life　and　death；　the　desert　belonged　to　him。
“Where　are　the　patrols？”　Vanessa　asked　him。
“I　don’t　know。”　Finn　smiled。　“The　purpose　of　patrols　is　to　be　hard　to　find。”
“If　they　take　us；　you’ll　be　the　first　to　die。”
Finn　swung　his　bound　leg　forward　in　time　with　Kestrel’s　movements。　They　adjusted　to　their
mutual　bond　quickly。　Beyond　the　fence；　progress　was　more　difficult。　Sagebrush　and　cactus　grew
closer　together；　loose　sand　clung　to　their　feet；　and　the　moon’s　half…smile　gave　only　the　illusion　of
light。
Suddenly　Ana　dropped　behind　a　clump　of　salt　cedar。　At　the　same　instant；　Finn　sensed　the
movement　of　a　patrolling　sentry。　He　crouched　and　froze　in　midstride；　afraid　that　Vanessa　would
kill　all　of　them；　leaving　the　uranium　buried　in　the　desert　where　no　one　could　find　it。　The　outline
of　Finn　and　Kestrel　became　indistinguishable　from　the　brush。　The　soldier’passed　twenty　yards
away；　never　knowing　how　close　he　came　to　death。
Finn　waited；　sweating；　holding　Kestrel　immobile；　until　the　sentry’s　footsteps　thinned　into　silence
and　wind。　He　let　out　his　breath　and　bent　over　Kestrel；　who　was　working　over　the　knots　binding
him　to　Finn。
“How　much　further？”　asked　Finn　under　his　breath　as　he　pulled　Kestrel　upright。　The　Japanese
did　not　answer。　The　scarf　felt　looser；　but　not　enough　to　slip　free　of。　Finn　swore　silently　and
vowed　to　feel　Vanessa’s　neck　beneath　his　hands。
Silver…white　against　the　sky；　a　dead　branch　stuck　up　from　the　opposite　edge　of　a　shallow　ravine。
Ana　hesitated；　then　descended；　sinking　ankle　deep　into　small　windrows　of　sand。　Kestrel　and
Finn　slithered　after　her；　staying　upright　only　by　the　trained　reflexes　they　shared。
Tension　crept　over　Finn’s　body；　stiffening　him；　making　him　clumsy。　He　forced　himself　to
breathe　deeply；　relaxing　clenched　muscles　until　he　moved　freely　once　more。　Beside　him　in　the
backness；　Kestrel’s　breathing　slowed　and　deepened；　as　though　he　were　gathering　himself　for　a
great　effort。
The　climb　out　of　the　ravine　was　accomplished　in　a　three…legged　rush。　Just　over　the　top；　Kestrel
tripped　and　dragged　Finn　down。　Instinctively；　Finn　tried　to　roll　clear；　but　was　held　by　the　scarf。
Pain　exploded　in　his　shoulder。　Grimly；　he　pushed　himself　to　his　hands　and　knees；　grabbing　a
fistful　of　sand　as　he　rose。
“Get　up！”　hissed　Vanessa。
“In　thirty　steps　she’ll　kill　us；”　murmured　Kestrel　as　he　struggled　to　his　feet。　His　tone　betrayed
nothing　of　his　thoughts；　and　the　choice　he　must　make　very　soon。

“Up！”
Finn　looked　out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　hoping　Vanessa　would　be　within　reach。　She　was　not。
Sand　ground　into　his　raw　shoulder。　The　would　bled；　thick　and　hot。　He　ignored　it。　He　helped
Kestrel　stagger　to　his　feet；　steadying　both　of　them　with　his　strength。　As　they　hobbled　forward；
Finn　counted　steps　beneath　his　breath。
“Fifteen。　Make　up　your　mind　before　she　does　it　for　you。”
Kestrel　heard；　but　said　nothing。　Finn　smothered　his　fury；　if　they　spent　their　energy　trying　to　kill
each　other；　Vanessa　would　surely　win；　“Choose；　damn　you！”　hissed　Finn。
Kestrel’s　answer　was　lost　in　the　night　wind。
“What’s　he　saying？”　whispered　Vanessa。
“His　prayers；　for　all　I　know；”　said　Finn；　anger　in　his　voice。　He　yanked　Kestrel　upright。　“He’s　out
of　his　head　with　fever。”　He　stopped；　hoping　Vanessa　would　come　too　close。　Beside　him；　Kestrel
waited；　poised。　Finn　did　not　hear　his　words　to　know　Kestrel　had　decided　to　kill　Vanessa　before
he　tried　to　kill　Finn。
“Hurry　up！”　Vanessa　commanded。
“If　you　want　speed；　untie　us。”
Vanessa　laughed。
Ana　walked　on　very　slowly；　looking　for　the　dark　shapes　of　branches　against　the　pale　blur　of　the
desert　floor。　She　cast　about　until　she　found　the　other　branches　Kestrel　had　used　as　markers。　The
first　branch　pointed　to　the　base　of　a　huge　sagebrush　clump　a　few　feet　away。　Wind　gusted　coldly…
Ana　looked　at　the　base　of　the　sagebrush；　but　could　see　no　pale　curve　of　metal　rim。　She　knelt；
searching　the　ground　with　growing　agitation；　sand　running　cold　between　her　frantic　fingers　until
she　raised　her　hands　in　despair。
“It’s　gone！”
Ana’s　cry　was　too　pitiful　to　be　doubted。　Vanessa　trotted　forward；　making　a　wide　arc　around　the
men。
“It’s　gone；”　said　Ana　over　and　over。　“Gone　gone　gone　–　“
A　vicious　slap　rocked　her　head　back。
“Don’t　lie　to　me；　you　little　bitch！　Dig！”
Ana　began　digging　at　random；　not　even　trying　to　avoid　Vanessa’s　continuing　blows。
Finn　felt　Kestrel　stiffen。　“Is　this　the　right　place？”　he　whispered；　holding　Kestrel　back。　“The
world　looks　different　at　night。”
“That　branch。　The　big　sage。　The　number　of　steps。　Yes。”
“The　wind；”　Finn　whispered。
Ana’s　fingernails　scraped　across　the　metal　rim　of　the　bucket。　She　dug　frantically；　throwing　sand
and　rocks　into　the　wind。　Finally　she　yanked　the　bucket　free　and　dumped　out　its　contents。　The
smaller　piece　of　uranium　thumped　to　the　ground。　The　scarlet　foil　looked　black　in　the　wan　light。
“Is　that　all　of　it？”　asked　Vanessa；　sighting　down　the　bulbous　silencer　to　the　base　of　Ana’s　skull。
Pleasure　rippled　in　Vanessa’s　voice。　The　delight　she　took　in　the　kill　was　the　first　weakness　Finn
had　seen　in　her。　He　gathered　himself　to　leap　forward　the　instant　Vanessa’s　pleasure　distracted
her。
Silk　tightened　around　his　knee；　reminding　him　that　he　could　not　move　without　Kestrel’s
cooperation。　The　gun　settled　lower；　almost　caressing　the　nape　of　Ana’s　neck。　His　fist　clenched
around　a　handful　of　sand；　Finn　inched　forward。　When　Vanessa　pulled　the　trigger；　he　wanted　to
be　close　enough　to　crush　her　neck　with　the　edge　of　his　hand。　At　the　very　least；　he　had　to　be　close
enough　to　hurl　sand　into　her　eyes。
“There’s　another　piece　of　uranium；”　said　Kestrel。　“Tell　her；　Ana！”
“There’s　another　bucket　over　there；”　Ana　told　Vanessa；　oblivious　to　death　poised　behind　her。
The　gun　retreated。　“Get　it。”
Ana　hurried　to　the　next　clump　of　sagebrush。
Kestrel　had　listened　to　Vanessa；　and　watched。　He　knew　she　would　begin　killing　the　instant　the
second　piece　of　uranium　was　uncovered。　He　shifted　his　stance；　preparing　for　a　desperate　leap　at
Vanessa；　knowing　she　was　too　far　away　to　reach。
“Do　you　have　it？”　Vanessa　called　to　Ana。
“No。”
“Dig　faster！”
Finn　eased　forward　while　Vanessa’s　attention　was　on　Ana。　Kestrel　seemed　to　anticipate　the
movement；　and　cooperate。　Finn　wondered　if　Kestrel’s　plan　was　the　same　as　his　own：　kill
Vanessa　and　then　kill　the　enemy　tied　to　him。
“I’ve　found　it！”
Finn　started　to　launch　himself　at　Vanessa；　but　she　turned　too　quickly。
“Stand　still　or　die　right　now；”　Vanessa　ordered。　The　pistol　pointed　directly　at　Finn’s　heart。　He
and　Kestrel　stood　very　quietly；　closer　to　Vanessa　than　they　had　been；　but　not　close　enough。
“Bring　it　here；”　Vanessa　said　without　looking　away　from　the　men。
Ana　yanked　the　bucket　out　of　its　shallow　hole。　Sand；　pebbles　and　the　foil…wrapped　uranium
spilled　out　as　she　upended　the　bucket　at　Vanessa’s　feet。　She　looked　down；　not　trusting　Ana。　The
instant　Vanessa’s　attention　moved；　the　men　crept　forward　a　few　more　inches。　They　were　less
than　eight　feet　from　the　women。
Finn　felt　the　sudden　tension　in　Kestrel’s　body　as　the　large　piece　of　uranium　thumped　down　close
to　its　deadly　mate。　He　remembered　the　accident　at　the　Los　Alamos　lab；　and　sweat　covered　his
body　despite　the　cold　wind。　Kestrel　stared；　looking　for　a　faint　blush　of　blue　light。
Vanessa　glanced　at　the　two　foil…wrapped　parcels；　irregular　and　lumpy。　She　smiled　and　brought
the　muzzle　to　bear　on　the　back　of　Ana’s　neck　as　Ana　bent　over　the　uranium。
“Don’t　be　so　eager；”　said　Finn。　“Or　do　you　plan　on　handling　the　uranium　by　yourself？”　His
voice　was　directed　to　Vanessa；　his　free　hand　was　clamped　on　Kestrel’s　wrist　to　hold　him　back。
“What　are　you　talking　about？”　said　Vanessa。　She　switched　her　pistol　to　her　left　hand　and　pointed
it　at　the　men。
Finn　took　a　half…step　forward　and　laughed。　“You　don’t　know　much　about　uranium；　do　you？”
“No　closer！”
Finn　stood　still。　The　muzzle　of　the　pistol　was　trained　on　his　heart。　For　a　moment　there　was　no
sound　but　the　wind。　Vanessa　watched　him　unblinkingly。　She　knew　that　uranium　could　be　deadly；
。but　she　had　no　idea　of　its　threshold　of　danger。　Nor　could　she　trust　Finn　to　tell　the　truth。　All　she
could　do　was　watch　his　reactions　as　Ana　handled　the　metal。
“Unwrap　it；”　she　ordered；　prodding　Ana　with　her　foot。
“No；”　whispered　Kestrel。
Vanessa　did　not　hear。　Nor　did　Ana。　Finn　did。　He　felt　Kestrel　tense　and　knew　that　something　was
going　to　happen　with　the　uranium　–　what　was　it　General　Groves　had　said？　Light；　some　heat　and
a　lot　of　radiation　if　the　two　pieces　were　brought　together。　Was　that　what　Kestrel　was　waiting　for；
a　flash　of　light　that　would　startle　Vanessa？　He　felt　Kestrel’s　sweat　where　their　legs　were　bound
together。
“I　hope　you　know　what　you’re　doing；”　he　said；　as　though　talking　to　Vanessa。
“Shut　up！”　–　Ana　took　the　smaller　parcel　and　began　to　unwrap　it。　The　soft　foil；　battered　by
rough　handling；　fell　away　in　pieces　beneath　her　fingers。　The　uranium　she　uncovered　had　a
nacreous　shine　in　the　moonlight。　She　reached　for　the　second　piece。
Finn　and　Kestrel　stood　as　one　man；　poised；　waiting　for　an　opening。　They　watched　each　layer　fall
away　from　the　larger　piece　of　uranium。　As　Ana　worked　off　the　last　layer；　the　heavy　rounded
metal　slipped　from　her　hands。　It　fell　on　top　of　its　mate　with　a　metallic　clang。　It　did　not　roll　away。
Blue　light　leaped　from　the　union；　a　primal　flash　of　energy　that　was　as　deadly　as　it　was
unexpected。

“What？”　Instinctively　Vanessa　raised　her　hand　to　shield　herself　from　the　uncan