Polar Shift (NUMA Files 6)

"Almost," Barrett said. "It was a bit of a problem hooking up the power source, but we finally jury-rigged a system that should work okay."

"I'm more curious about the dynamos. Where did you get so many at such short notice?"

"Special order from NUMA," Zavala said. "They were going to go into some new ships before I borrowed them temporarily."

"New power source. New antenna. Is it all going to come together?"

"I think so," Barrett said. "That is, I'm ninety-nine percent sure, according to the computer models I've done."

Austin shook his head. "It's that one percent that worries me. Can we do it all by tomorrow morning?"

Barrett chuckled, thinking Austin was joking. Then he noticed the serious expression in Austin's e

yes. "Something going on?'

Austin relayed Trout's account of the mysterious liner.

Barrett slammed his fist into his palm. "I told Tris months ago about my idea of using a single ship to concentrate the transmission. I even gave him the plans for the switch. He said it would take too much time. Guess I shouldn't be surprised he was lying again."

"About that schedule?" Austin said.

Barrett's eyes blazed with anger. "We'll be ready," he said.

Leaving Barrett to his work, Austin and the others climbed back down the plane's gangway. Austin asked where he could pitch in. Zavala ticked off a short list of last-minute supplies. Austin walked away from the activity where it was quieter and made his phone calls. In every instance, he was told that the material would be delivered quickly. He was walking back to the plane when he saw that Karla had followed him. She had evidently been watching as he made the calls.

"I've got a favor to ask," she said. "I want to go on the plane."

"This is the part where the hero says, 'It could be dangerous,' " Austin said.

"I know. But it was also dangerous back on Ivory Island."

Austin hesitated.

"Besides," Karla said. "What could be more risky than riding with you in a Stanley Steamer?"

Austin would have to tie Karla up to keep her from boarding the plane. He smiled and said, "Neither of us is going anywhere unless we get back to work."

She threw her arms around him and planted a warm kiss on his lips. Austin vowed to devote more time to pleasure after this job was done.

As they made their way back to the plane, a car pulled up. A tall figure got out from behind the steering wheel and limped toward them. It was Schroeder.

"What are you doing here?" Karla said.

"I'm more curious about how you got past the gate," Austin said.

"The usual formula. A combination of bravado and false identification."

"You're supposed to be resting in a hospital bed," Karla scolded.

"A hospital is not the same as a prison," Schroeder said. "They let you go if you sign a paper. Do you think I could stay in bed knowing you were doing this?" He gazed with wonderment at the plane under its bright lights. "Ingenious. Do you really think you can neutralize the reversal from the air?"

"We're going to try," Karla said.

"We? You're not going on this mission? It might be dangerous."

"You sound like Kurt. I'll tell you the same thing I told him. My family is responsible for this mess. It's my responsibility to help clean it up."

Schroeder laughed. "You're Lazlo's granddaughter, without doubt. Stubborn, just like him." He turned to Austin. "Take good care of her."