Imperial Black by David Bishop

Author:David Bishop
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Abaddon Books

"Why didn't you tell her what happened in Rudinshtein?" Spatchcock was crouching by Dante, trying to talk some sense into him. "Flintlock and I saw the whole thing from the wall of the Governor's mansion. You had good reason for doing what you did. She'll understand if you explain to her."

"She won't understand," Dante replied bleakly. "We all know what serpent-wire does to a person, we saw enough of it during the war, but Mai didn't. Besides, maybe I don't want her forgiveness."

Flintlock shook his head. "You want her hating you? Why, as some sort of punishment? Rai volunteered for that mission. He knew the risks, we all did. What happened to him wasn't your fault."

"I pulled the trigger."

"It was a mercy killing!"

"Mai doesn't see it that way."

"Then I'll make her understand," Flintlock said, but a popping noise in the distance stopped him. "What was that?"

"Gunfire!" Dante was already running with his Huntsman 5000 clutched in one hand. Spatchcock and Flintlock followed him. Mai stood in the open, peering at the nearest mountain.

"It came from up there," she said. "Wind can carry sound for miles."

The four of them listened intently, waiting for another gunshot. Instead they heard a bell chiming, each strike low and resonant on the breeze.

The strikes are not in any pattern or rhythm, the Crest noted. The clustering of chimes suggests panic more than anything else.

A second shot was heard and the bell stopped ringing. After that nothing was audible beyond the whistling of the wind.

Dante slung his rifle over one shoulder. "We knew the Imperials were ahead of us, but we didn't know how far - until now. If we want to overtake them, we'll have to travel light. Gather any essentials we need from the yaks, then release the animals. From now on we go by foot, at speed. Any questions?" Nobody spoke. "Good. Remember why we're here." He made eye contact with Mai. "Nothing else matters at the moment. We leave in five minutes."

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.