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h him。
In addition to Lang's own security force there were Jokers and Diamondbacks； people from the technical and support units； Destroid types from the Old Ironsides and Walking Steel squadrons； and infantry doggies like the men and women from Hell's Hoplites。
Many were still straddling the fence； though； and Edwards's forces were organized； highly disciplined and motivated； and loyal to him alone。 He and his opposition had one another in an uneasy stalemate； but everyone knew it couldn't last for long。
So； the request for a meeting with Lang； in Lang's own stronghold； had e as something of a surprise。 The obvious lessons of the Trojan Horse gave the scientist pause； but the off chance that a power struggle could be averted made him agree to the confrontation in the end。
Edwards's VTs veered off in pliance with the warnings； and the general himself stepped forth from his armored limo once it was inside a garage…bunker。 Edwards looked around warily before exiting the car； he had begun sensing some troubling and lethal presence near him in recent days…a menacing shadow he could never quite see out of the corner of his eye。 Sometimes he thought it was a phantom image brought on by his brain…boost； and other times he was sure that there was somebody poised in the darkness； waiting to kill him。
But he had no qualms about going into Lang's den； really； fools like the good doctor always played by the rules； which was why they were always fated to lose。
Soon； the two were closeted together in Lang's inner sanctum； an alchemist's lair of bizarre experimental Robotech equipment； glowing retorts； and weird holographic displays of flora and fauna from that galactic region。
〃We're wasting time and resources with all this bickering。〃 Edwards got around to his pitch quickly。 〃I only want what's best for the REF！ For Earth and the Human race！〃
All the while； he was monitoring the sensors that had been built into his skullpiece； reading the alphanumerics and indicators that were projected onto the inside of his eye…lens。 It was the crowning achievement of his technical staff； the ultimate debugger。
Edwards knew that Lang had several monitoring systems that the scientist thought would catch every word and movement in the room； but the remotes built into Edwards's belt and epaulets and the fabric of his dress uniform would counter all that。 Lang was going to find himself with a lot of blank tape。
〃How can I prove that to you and the others？〃 Edwards finished。
Lang hadn't batted an eye。 〃Remain neutral during the hearing of Wolff and the others； since you have no real evidence。 Put all your forces under the direct mand of the council。 And most importantly； allow me and my teams to examine the Invid artifacts； or remains； or whatever else there is； under the Royal Hall。〃
〃No！〃 Edwards forgot himself； his fist pounding a table so that minor items leapt off it and scattered on the floor。
〃No？〃 Lang echoed mildly。 〃And why not； General？ Nothing to hide； surely？ So； when you permit me to investigate the catabs there； which your people so closely guard； then we can talk about your dutiful beneficence toward the REF。〃
〃You stay away from there； you damn black magician！〃 the general hollered。
〃And another thing；〃 Lang said mildly。 〃Major Carpenter and the Earth expedition are safely away。 The warning's gone forth； and there is nothing you can do about it。〃
The general was stunned for a moment。 He had had no idea that any of the new SDF…7 vessels had been fitted with a spacefold drive！ And now one was on its way to Earth； manded by an officer loyal to the council and to Lang； imperiling all Edwards's grand designs。
The general； provoked beyond words； lurched at the scientist； hands out to choke him。
Suddenly； Lang's hands were clamped around Edwards's wrists with a strength that threatened to crush them。 The general was being forced back and down to his knees。 There was a wild moment in which Edwards realized that Lang's strength wasn't Human…that Lang could quite easily kill him。
Edwards had e into Lang's bailiwick without bodyguards； though； because he was sure he had read the man。 〃Go。。。ahead；〃 he gritted。 〃Finish it； if you think you can！ Murder me！ Isn't that what your precious Shapings are all about？〃
The tremendous pressure from the scientist's grip fell away； and Edwards was left to rub numbed wrists。 He laughed a little hysterically。 〃No； you can't； can you？ That wouldn't be kosher with the Shapings of the Protoculture； would it？〃 He cackled to himself； struggling to his feet。
〃Stop your subversion now；〃 Lang said in a near monotone； 〃before there's any more bloodshed。 Adhere to your oath； and abandon these megalomaniacal dreams。〃
Edwards drew himself up； lips ing away from his locked teeth。 He would perhaps never again have a chance to tell Lang off in private； this would be the only moment when the two stood alone together out of the spotlight； as it were。
〃Here's the oath I'll serve；〃 he said in a voice so low it was barely audible。 But as he spoke it became louder。 〃I swear to kill Wolff。 I swear to exterminate Rick and Lisa Hunter and Breetai； after I've made them suffer enough。 The rest of you will either bow at my feet or die。 I swear to have Obstat and Huxley and all the rest of them on the council as my personal slaves…〃
It was on the tip of his tongue to say that he meant to subjugate Minmei； but that secret he managed to contain。 〃I swear to have the galaxy as my personal domain。〃
He backed away； flexing partially paralyzed fingers。 〃I swear revenge。〃
Lang didn't pursue him； indeed； Lang stood with hands locked behind his back now。 〃Then there's nothing to discuss。 But…one last question； if you will； General。〃
Edwards flashed a grin like a shark's。 〃What？〃
Lang's eyebrows met。 〃I understand why you despise Rick Hunter； his connection to your old nemesis； Roy Fokker； makes that obvious。 But whence es this loathing of Lisa Hayes Hunter？ What has she ever done to you？〃
Edwards forgot the pain； letting his hands fall to his sides。 〃You'll find out when the oh…so…saintly Hunters do： when it's too late。〃
He turned his back on Lang； striding out of the