"I don't know yet. I'm making this up as I go along. But maybe if I can
get in close to him, I can try to slow him down." What would happen, he
was wondering, if Ramirez saw him again? Just shoot him on sight? It
was possible, but then again maybe not. It was worth a try. "But you've
got to help. Create a diversion that'll give me an opening."
"All right, then." She shrugged. "Just tell me what you want me to do."
Now he was fiddling with his Walther, checking how many rounds were
left in the clip. There were two. He cocked it, then slipped it into
the back of his belt, pulling down the shirt over it.
"See that window there?" He was pointing toward the glassed-in viewing
station of Launch Control that overlooked the pad and the vehicles. "I
want to get him there, where you can see us both. Then when I give a
signal, a thumbs-up, I want you to open fire."
"On you both?" She looked incredulous.
"How about trying very hard not to hit either one of us. Just start
firing and distract them. Then I'll try to take care of Ramirez.
Somehow."
"You know, I don't know why you're doing this, but it seems awfully
dangerous."
"Maybe I'm trying to make amends for being such a screw-up." He was
half serious.
"That's very noble, but frankly I think we'd better wait for your
friends from ARM." She picked up the automatic and examined it again,
then looked him over. 'To be brutally honest, they've got a slightly
better track record."
"Good point. Except now they've got a casualty to worry about, and
we're running out of time. So this has to be solo." He kissed her, this
time on the lips. "Wish me luck."
"You're really going to do it, aren't you?"
"I'm going to try." He finished tucking in his shirt.
"You're crazy. You won't listen to anybody."
"Sometimes that's a help." He kissed her again, more lightly than he
wanted to. Was she still mad? It was hard to tell, but she was
definitely distant. "Okay, get ready. And for God's sake, don't hit me.
Fire wide."
"Wide?" She grinned.
"Extremely wide."