11 "Yes," explained the Warlock, "all the women
and children on this side of the city are being flown out. Buses and
cars are taking them out on the other sides. But we have to be careful.
They've got sentries posted on all the highways. We've got them spotted
but we have to be careful. They've said 'no evacuations,' but we know
we can't meet their demands, so we have to get as many out as we can."
12 "Agreed," Bullet complimented, "where do they have the bomb?"
13 "In the Comet Towers," Red Crow told him, "top floor. Our people say
if it's detonated there, it will have an almost total effect on the
city. They placed well. They might be crazy, but they're not dumb."
14 "What have you got for weapons around the building?" Bullet asked.
15 "Rifles and rocket launchers. They say if we bring in any big pieces
they'll set off the bomb."
16 As they drove back to the city, the Driver handed Red Crow the radio
telephone. "It's THEM!" he snorted.
17 Red Crow took the telephone. "What do you want?" he asked. "Yes, of
course there's a lot of activity at the airport! There's ALWAYS a lot
of activity at the airport. Yes, a whole lot of planes DID just land.
They had a problem on the runway, and the planes got backed up. No,
we're NOT trying to trick you. We're trying to meet your demands, but
we're having trouble. Some of the outlying districts won't surrender
the boys you want. They don't believe you'll set off the bomb, and now
we're getting threats from The National and World Speaker that if we
don't take you, they'll send in troops.
18 We're setting up defenses at the airport and we STILL think we
should move some anti-aircraft guns to the roofs of the buildings
around you. If an attack comes, it will be by helicopter. All right,
that's up to you. We're trying to meet your demands. We still have
thirty hours, so cool it for a while!" He put the receiver back in
place and