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tallest structure…the 1；675…foot Trump Building； which the hive encased like a wasps' nest just short of its summit…and moved all potential troublemakers to nearby Protoculture farms。 With Reflex Point at close proximity； the city's residents （who numbered less than one…tenth of one percent of the city's prewars population） posed no threat to the Regis's domain； and Mannatan was one of the few places where her Controllers and bio…constructs actually patrolled the streets on foot。
Everyone was naturally eager to visit the city； but Scott was wary about all of them entering at once。 He wasn't sure just how closely the Regis had been monitoring their recent movements； but given the reappearance of the green…haired Human woman and the orange and green mand ship； it seemed reasonable to assume that the team was still a high…priority concern at Reflex Point。 And with access to the city limited to a single two…tiered bridge near the northern tip of the island； Scott was against taking any unnecessary risks。 Lancer was the obvious choice for advance man because he had already seen the city…years ago； before the Invid invasion； when Mannatan was on the ascendant。 Rand would serve as backup； and Annie would acpany them； if only to keep up appearances。 The two men would carry hand blasters。
Scott's intuitions proved correct； inasmuch as the Regis had indeed made elimination of the team one of her top priorities； especially since she had lost Ariel to them； and was noticing a certain reluctance on Sera's part。 But in some ways this was as intriguing to her as it was baffling…allowing her to recall her own attractions to Zor so long ago。 So she elected to place Sera and Corg in temporary mand of the city's central hive to observe the results。 She did this mostly because she had pressing concerns of her own at this point。 The long…awaited trigger point of the Flower of Life was drawing near； but at the same time there was evidence of the imminent arrival of the Human forces who had battled her husband； the Regent； on Tirol and other worlds。 And if they arrived before the Flowers came to full fruition； the entire scheme of the Great Work would be jeopardized。
Nine Urban Enforcers marching in a diamond…shaped formation were patrolling a quadrant in the lower part of the island city just now； an area where the towers were especially tall； making the sunless streets feel all the more narrow。 Security had been breached earlier that same day； sensors had detected the presence of an unauthorized entry into the city and the energy signatures of Robotech mecha。 Shock Troopers and Pincer Ships were hovering overhead； while Scouts covered the miles of waterfront。
〃Urban Enforcer squadron；〃 boomed the Regis's voice over the foot soldiers' mand net。 〃Proceed in formation to the East River； divide into units； and search all abandoned buildings for any sign of the rebels。 They must not be allowed to slip through our grasp this time。〃
The nine were huge cloven…foot； bipedal creatures outfitted in black…and…white battle armor； with rifle/cannons affixed to both forearm sheaths。 Their smooth eyeless heads were almost ically small； almost dolphinlike beneath the helmets； with a single round scanner for a mouth…a red jewel in the elongated jaws of the helmet。 Over what could have been the bridge of the leaders' snout was an inverted triangular marking of rank。
Most of the residents had scattered from the streets and returned to their homes。 Street stalls had shut down； and mongrel dogs were having a field day。 There were two Humans； however； who made no move as the soldiers approached。 They were hunkered down on the sidewalk； their backs to the wall of a ruined building； tattered clothing pulled tight around them； hats pulled low on their heads。 Their temerity would have been suspicious had the pair not been representative of that class of Humans who had a penchant for street life and were often addicted to any number of intoxicating concoctions。 Nevertheless； in light of the present emergency； one of the soldiers saw fit to stop and investigate the duo。
〃Investigating Human life…forms。。。〃 the Invid told his superior； aiming a scanner。 〃Sensors indicate no active Protoculture； yet their lack of reaction warrants further observation。〃
The squad stopped to have a look； but after a moment the leader made a dismissive gesture with its right arm。 〃Do not waste time with these derelicts。〃
〃But they do not fit the standard Human profile；〃 the soldier began to object。
〃Do as I mand；〃 the leader said more harshly。 〃These could hardly be the rebels we seek。〃
As the soldiers moved off； a whispered and muffled voice rose through the clothing of one of the men。 〃Can we get up now？ I can't breathe…the kid's smothering me in here！〃
〃Not yet；〃 said his panion； taking care to keep still。 〃Let them get a little farther down the street。〃
Shortly； Lancer straightened up； removed the brown cap； and flashed a self…satisfied grin at the now deserted street。 〃Okay；〃 he said。
Beside him； Rand was in a panic。 〃e on； Annie； open up the blanket！ I've got about thirty seconds worth of air left！〃
Lancer stood up in his tatterdemalion threads； while Annie tossed aside the blanket she had wrapped around her shoulders。 She had been sitting on Rand's shoulders beneath the makeshift cape for the past ten minutes or so。 Adroitly now； she leapt off him and removed her dark shades and gray fedora。
Behind her Rand was massaging circulation back into his score neck。 〃My head！ Jeez； Annie； why couldn't you have…〃
〃Lancer； I thought you said they called this place Fun City；〃 she plained； ignoring Rand。 〃Well； it's been a pretty big disappointment so far！ All we've done is dress up like bums and hide from the Invid。 When do we get to have some real fun； huh？！〃
〃When are you gonna learn？〃 Rand said angrily； waving a fist over her head。 〃What d' ya think； we're in an amusement park or something？ Remember what we're here for。〃
She made a face and stuck her tongue out at Rand。
Lancer had stripped off his costume and was back to his usual black trousers； tank top； and leather knee boots。 〃Knock it off；〃 he told Annie。 〃We have about fifty blocks to cover； so let's move it。〃
Burdette was right about the place being unguarded。 There were a few Urban Enforcer troops stationed out front； but the trio had no problems getting around them and were soon in the basement of the building； closing on the duct system the Robotech officer's map indicated would lead them to the main storage room。 It was at this point that they were supposed to head back downtown to rendezvous with Scott； but Lancer insisted that they make certain the information was correct and follow through with the break…in without waiting for the diversions Rook and Lunk had planned。
Rand went along with the idea （Annie didn't have to be convinced）； and in a short while they were pushing out the grate of the duct that emptied into the Protoculture storage area itself。 It was a dimly lit theater with an elaborate stage； but all it housed now were stacks and stacks of crated Protoculture canisters。 Rand went over to one of the crates and pried open the lid。
〃There's enough here to t