by Kelne » Mon Feb 13, 2006 5:59 am
'Well done, Paige,' Kelne sent, with ringing sarcasm, 'You have established that we would prefer that you not die.' Kelne rather doubted that Paige kept the Fortune running single-handedly, and even if she did, it was perfectly possible to sail back, though the trip would be longer and more hazardous.
No, Paige was by no means indispensable. Nobody was, when all was said and done. Of course, he had no intention of bringing this to her attention - that would just get her arguing the point or back into 'You want to kill me' mode. Neither of which suited him. For that matter, he didn't want her believing that her exalted position insulated her from the consequences of her actions. Still, that point could be pounded into her thick skull later.
'With that established, perhaps you would care to rejoin the group, as opposed to running off to play hostage?'
Not that he intended to give her any option in the matter. Only the promise of her certain death otherwise would prevent him from hauling her back.
"Idiot woman," he muttered, even as he set about working out the odds. He figured they could get to within about 200 metres of Paige before their adversary tried to make good on its threat. Though he had no way of knowing for certain, he was gambling that its control over the creatures of the desert was less than absolute. A well-timed distraction might succeed in breaking that hold, at least long enough to get Paige off the ground. If the distraction was only momentary, it could still be long enough for him to get Jak into range for blasting any lurking snakes.
Speaking of which, it was time to fill Jak in on the plan. "I'm going to get as close as I can and then try and disrupt its control of anything near Paige," he said quietly, "If you see anything, blast it. No sense taking chances. We get in, grab her, and get the hell out again."