DogForge by Casey Calouette

Author:Casey Calouette [Calouette, Casey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-10-07T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Plate

Grit and slag crunched under Denali’s feet as she led her squad into the armory. They jumped to the side as a platoon of dogs in freshly forged armor marched by. The armor was large, thick, blocky at points, and thoroughly designed to take a beating.

Denali couldn’t wait to get her own suit.

She glanced back at her squad and ordered them forward. Her eyes caught on Samson and she quickly looked away.

The tension between Denali and Samson had simmered in the days since the first squad practice. The next round went better, and the one after that they actually scored. But still, Samson and Denali did their best to ignore each other.

She didn’t expect Samson to see it her way, nor did she really want to see it his way. His betrayal, anger, and attempt at revenge, seemed so long ago. But still, those events pained her deeply.

The squad was excited. They stepped lightly, their eyes sparkled, and they sucked in every detail. Even Samson was keyed up, today was the day.

“Squad Leader Denny!” Sergeant Roo barked. “Take you’re time, young lady,” he said sarcastically. “Now move!”

“Squad, double time!” Denali ordered and they sprinted into the heart of the armory.

Great forges and presses crashed down and shook the floor. Cascades of sparks spread out like glowing chaff in the wind. It smelled of burnt metal and electronics.

Denali snuck a glance down the line. Squads of conscripts were lined all through the factory. She wondered how many dogs were on Forge—for that matter, how many did they take from her home? The heads were like a blur and she couldn’t get a count, but guessed at over a thousand.

“What an army,” she mumbled.

And this is just where they’re trained.

Denali thought he sounded a bit less abrasive then usual. Almost a touch excited. Maybe she was starting to impress some of her emotions on him.

She tried to hide her excitement but couldn’t help sneaking glances at the suits of armor. They were everywhere, in racks, on gantries, and all for them.

Bellow couldn’t contain his excitement. His tail wagged and thumped against conscripts on either side. He tried to stop, but instead his butt wiggled and his tail stayed straight. Sergeant Roo shot him an angry glance and he whined excitedly.

Denali couldn’t help but smile.

This was it, the day that all conscripts would become even. The mechanical strength that the suits brought would be linked to the implants on the dogs’ bodies. They would become one with the suit. Denali finally had her dream, she’d be a runt no more.

Remember, Cicero echoed in her mind.

She sighed to herself and wished she was allowed a guilty thought without some ancient relic popping into her head.

I heard that.

A dog stepped out from a heavy hatch and stared at the conscripts. He was a large dog with a patchwork of shaggy brown, white and orange fur. Both front legs were mechanical implants. One eye glowed a dull green while the other looked milky. His ears flowed down over his head in a great cascade.

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