" If we can get to the Judge Advocate, we can stop Roelf! But I'm not going without you! "
" It is not your choice, Dyan. " Olaf said, laying his hand on Dyan's shoulder. " We cannot all escape. And we have a better chance of getting to the J.A. if we know that the warning has reached our friends in Etahrnal. Now come with me. "
" Go, son. It must be this way. All will be well with us once you are on your way. "
Dyan stared at his Father, as if seeing him as the man he really was, instead of as a son sees his father. Dyan saw, for the first time, a man willing to sacrifice his life for what he believed in, for a higher ideal than Dyan knew. And the young man made his decision.
" I will go, Father. " was all he said.
The three crawled across the floor to a small alcove near the overturned desk. Olaf tore several knick-knacks from the recessed shelves and the rear of the alcove slid aside, revealing a tiny chamber. He steered Dyan into the space and addressed the boy.
" This lift will drop to a hanger below us. When the door opens, leave the car immediately as the shaft will collapse above you. To give the escapee more time. " The grey-haired officer explained, " A fighter is hangered there. Get in and strap in. The autolaunch sequence will begin as soon as the canopy is locked down. You will come out into a canyon East of the city. The Navcomp. will get you to the plains. From there you must fly 112 degrees until you reach Etahrnal. They will bring you in once you're in their airspace. No doubt you will be followed. Your ship is unarmed, for speed. Once you clear the canyon, lock the throttles full open until you get to the UHR. " Olaf paused then and looked at Dyan for a moment.
" More than you know depends on your success, Dyan. I know you will do your best. As your godfather, you have always made me proud. I love you, boy. Good-bye. "
With that, the old officer returned to the desk. Charl and Dyan stood in the alcove, face to face. Neither spoke for a moment. Then Dyan handed his father the heavy pistol Charl had given Dyan at the boy's commissioning.
" I think you may need this more than I, Father. " the younger VunDoerf said quietly.
" Perhaps. son. I hope it doesn't come to that. But you must go now, son. All I can tell you is that you do this for me now, but you will understand the rightness of this in time. Good-bye my son. I love you. " the older man said.
" I love you too, Father. Good-bye. " the young man said.
Stepping back into the car, Dyan activated it's mechanism. He looked out at his father as the door slid closed. Tears glistened in Charls' eyes.
" Don't come back, Dyan. " Charl told his son quickly, " You can never come back. "
Just before the door sealed Dyan called back to his father. " I'll be back for you, Father, no matter what! I'll be back! " then the door shut and the car lurched around Dyan.
Charl crawled back beside his life-long friend.
" Well, he's gone, Ollie. It's the best we can do this time. " Charl said.
" I know that was hard, Charl, but we had no choice. Besides, you know that the Commander will take care of the boy. "
" Yes, I know. But I'd have preferred another way. "
" I know, Charl, I know. Perhaps it was meant to be this way. " Olaf told Charl.
" Maybe. "
Just then the floor shuddered beneath the two men and they heard a dull rumble.
" He's made the hanger, Charl. In another minute he will be on his way. " Olaf informed his friend.
" Then we would best serve him by creating something to draw away attention. " Charl VunDoerf said, hefting the heavy service pistol.
Olaf Gundersun checked the charge in his own weapon and said " I always hated waiting. "
The two old men leaned around the oak desktop and opened fire on the rifle squad sent to arrest them.
