"Nobody can help," Olmy said. Even across thirteen hundred years, the Death bent and hobbled his people with scar tissue. That became clear to him, looking at her, gauging her differences; the Nexus had been forged in the Death, the Naderites had come to power as a result. . . . And how many of their prejudices, how much of their willful blindness, was a drawn-out echo of Patricia's pain?

"If help is impossible for her, then it hurts me to think," the Frant said.

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Gerhardt carried the roll of maps from his makeshift command headquarters.

"They control the southern end of the first chamber—including the science team compounds—and the elevators to the south polar bore hole. They're still fighting us in the second chamber, but it looks like a stand-off—Berenson sent half his troops from the fourth chamber as soon as the alert was sounded. They crossed the bridge under heavy fire. The Russians didn't try anything in the third chamber—and they're scattered in the fourth, not very effective." Gerhardt smoothed the map down with a sweep of one hand. "We don't have the strength to wipe them out, but they don't have the strength to take more ground than they already have. And so far they haven't responded to our overtures."

"We still have people in the staging areas?" Lanier asked.

"Yes, and they can hold out there for months—we hadn't shipped down the last load of food and supplies. Fourth chamber is self-sufficient, and Berenson's troops are definitely in control there, so it looks like the only problem will be the first and second chambers. Our soldiers have supplies for about two weeks. Unless we drop supplies to them from the axis—we're studying that proposal now—they'll run out."

"How are we handling the heavy-lifters outside?"

"Still haven't let them in. There's one we suspect is carrying heavy equipment to be dropped into the second chamber from the axis. We don't want them breaking through the barricade. They don't sound happy, but they can cool their heels for a few days without any problems."

"They've offered to surrender?"

Gerhardt shook his head. "No. Pletnev broadcast his little speech, but he's not going to turn his ships over yet. He's offered to try to negotiate an end to hostilities. The heavy-lifter crews want to join their comrades. They know they can't go home, and I suspect they know their troops inside are under strength because of the carnage in the bore hole."

"Such a goddamn desperate maneuver. . .”