Ohm swiveled and with a western style quick-draw commenced to fire his fierce laser at the computer – as Professor Ping jumped aside with a curse. But Ohm’s look of triumph faded quickly, as the beam splashed against an invisible barrier, just short of its target.

“An energy shield. Highly anomalous tech, for this level of planetary development,” Nuts commented. “Let alone three hundred years ago.”

“Anomalous, indeed,” Guts agreed and turned to the prisoners. “You Spertins did that.”

Earl Dragonlord’s shrug was eloquent confirmation. “Of course. You don’t think the locals could manage anything more complicated than a toaster?”

“Well, this explains much,” I interjected in order to forestall a lynching. I had already suspected something like this – one reason why I agreed so readily to help Coalshack place his charges, knowing they would likely fail. “The computer itself is certainly Spertin-enhanced. In fact, I’ll wager you guys were the ones who meddled in the social order here, causing all the hopeful compromises to collapse, so you could experiment with weaponized undead.”

Earl only replied with a faint, confirming grin.

Katske and Ping, side by side, commented sadly.

“The peace…”

“…the carefully negotiated arrangements between Standards and the others…”

“…you sabotaged that?”

“Bastards.” Sully shook so with anger that Moulder complained from the bag.

“Who gave you the right!”

Lorg offered the most-eloquent remark, growling and taking a step toward Earl – as Captain Ohm’s pistol – apparently our only one – rattled and ran out of juice.

Heedless of Lorg’s looming threat, the Sphinx-rider laughed.

“The machine is protected. Moreover, tonight my Nomort comrades will swoop in and finish off you FAW weaklings. Then it won’t matter if the Standards bring their armies. We’ll order up an extra strong dose of Leininger toxin to spread through all the cities and especially here. Their battle dead will only reinforce my forces and—”

Captain Ohm interrupted the tirade, holding back Lorg with an upraised hand.

“Then we’ll have to prevent it.”

“Oh? And how do you plan to do that, demmie?” Sphinx taunted.

“Why, the old-fashioned way, of course.” Ohm reholstered his weapon and took a step toward the computer.

I felt a creepy combination of understanding, dread and anticipation.

“Captain, are you sure? It’s pretty drastic… and you’re out of practice.”

“What?” Dragonlord frowned in confusion. “What are you planning—”

Ohm reached out to tap the force field once, twice, clearly drawing pleasure from the painful sparks he raised. Then he backed up a couple of paces, surveyed the flashing lights, and said:

“Computer! Are you willing to entertain a few concepts?”

Earl and his sphinx-riding colleague looked at each other, then inquisitively at me and Commander-Surgeon Paolim.

“What is he doing?”

“Just watch!” Guts answered, relishing the moment. And if demmies still had tails, his would be wagging like a Plasma Rock metronome.