“What’s that supposed to mean?” Eric demanded, as Nicole gripped his arm.

“Travis,” the Major’s voice said over the speaker, “why don’t you explain our little plan?” The flush of victory was so clearly evident in his voice that Eric felt his stomach drop. This was not just another bluff—the Major was pulling out his trump card. “Did Nicole happen to mention her little accident in the Monitoring Room the other day?”

Nicole’s fingernails dug into Eric’s arm as she visibly jumped, her face drained of color.

“It wasn’t an accident, Eric,” the Major broke in. “We put a little device in her back, which, like your explosives, is electronically controlled. We regret that you doubt our word and force us to provide a demonstration.” There was a pause, and then with sadness he added, “I’m truly sorry, Nicole.”

Before Eric could react, Nicole gasped, then screamed in agony as her back arched violently. She staggered against him, clutching wildly for his arm. He grabbed for her and held her as her body jerked in violent spasms, each wrenching shudder driving screams of agony out of her throat.

As suddenly as it started it left her, and she collapsed, nearly dragging Eric down with her, gasping in huge, desperate, hungry gulps of air. His face a twisted mass of shock and horror, Eric laid her down gently on the carpet. Chet and Dick leaped to help him. As Chet reached for her wrist to check her pulse, her eyes fluttered open.

“It causes us great sorrow to resort to that,” the Major said softly, “but you leave us no choice. We’d like to start some serious negotiations now.”

Eric leaped to his feet, his eyes wild. “You animal! What kind of monster are you?”

“My little kingdom, as you so condescendingly call it, happens to be very important to me,” the Major said triumphantly. “I will save it.”

“Though we could, we will not kill her,” Travis broke in evenly. “But we can produce that kind of pain at will and prolong it indefinitely.” Eric stared up at the speaker, his eyes wild. “Give it up, Eric. You’ve got one minute to surrender, or we turn it on again.”

“Eric.” Nicole’s voice was a hoarse whisper. He dropped to his knee and gently cradled her head against him. “You can’t surrender.”

“Shhhh,” he soothed, pulling her close against him.

“You can’t give up!” she cried, trying to raise up.

Eric looked up and stared into the faces of the men.

“There’s no choice,” Chet said, his voice barely above a whisper. Dick nodded in agreement. Eric turned to Clayne. He started to shake his head; then he looked at Nicole and turned away quickly.

“Thirty seconds,” Travis called.

“I’ve got to have more time,” Eric shouted, not looking up.

“Twenty-five seconds.”

“No, Eric,” Nicole whispered. “Don’t do it. Please! Not for me.”