The Wreckage of Paradise.pdf - Dice

“Defiance,” Buniel said, his voice sour. “You thinkthey’d interfere?”they areshort-sighed. They’remostlikelyto see this.. .thing.. . only as a resource. A factory for blanks.”“Why can’t they make their own?” Mitch asked. Mukikellaughed.“My friend, this Tree’s acts are anathema to our cause.We threw down the gauntlet by making man know himself.What Defiance lord, even their archduchess, would betrayLucifer by taking that gift away?” Mukikel shook her head.“No, we cannot duplicate this creature’s crimes, no matterhow convenient.”“But you think they would ... let it slide. Ignore it. Besilently complicit,” Buniel said.“To supply themselves?” She shrugged. Who can say?And they can always say that it is not their job to battle theEarthbound.”“Then let Victory do it!”‘Yes, Victory without the aid of Defiance. Withoutbackup and supply and support and protection. What asplendid notion,” Mukikel said.‘We all know what happens to Victory cadres who antagonizethe Defiant,” Shadrannat said, her voice gloomy.“If this thing’s so dangerous,” Mitch asked, “why are weeven staying nearby it?”Mukikel smiled at him. “A very good question,” shesaid. “The answer is, we aren’t. Not for long. Once I getconfirmation from Durdielthat he has the blanks in hand.. . ”She paused, listened, smiled. “Yes ... now we can drive toLake Meade, where there’s a Master of the Paths. He cantake us to Canada, where we have a better stronghold.” Sheglanced at her watch. “In fact, we should get going.”“I’ll pay,” Shadrannat said.“Okay. I’m going to go gas up the van. You guys wantsnacks? There’s a convenience store.”‘Yeah, and I’m gonna see a man about a dog,” Chucksaid, heading for the bathroom.Mitch looked around as the group stood, but Shadrannatseemed to have one eye on him even as she settled their bill. With