Mad Queen by M.R. Forbes

Author:M.R. Forbes [Forbes, M.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 19

The industrial district stretched before Ironside like a maze of smoke-belching forges and clattering machinery. Steam hissed from vents along towering brick walls. The acrid scent of molten metal and chemical solvents burned his nostrils. The architecture reminded him of the great foundries of his youth—massive stone buildings with soaring arches and reinforced buttresses—but these structures hummed with the energy of advanced manufacturing systems rather than simple hammers and anvils.

Through grimy windows, he could make out assembly lines where workers bent over weapon components. Energy rifle barrels gleamed on conveyor belts, and armor plating moved through automated welding stations that painted the air with brilliant sparks. The entire district had clearly been retooled from civilian production to military manufacture. Judging by the newness of the machinery and the lag of an assembly line not fully optimized, probably within the last few weeks.

The wail of security alarms echoed off the industrial canyon walls, growing more distant but still audible. Behind him, he could hear the rumble of vehicles moving through the spaceport's perimeter roads, search teams spreading outward like ripples from a dropped stone.

As a patrol of Ursan garrison soldiers jogged toward the mouth of his alley, Ironside pressed himself against the shadowed wall of a manufacturing complex. Their armor clinked with each step, while their eyes swept the surrounding area.

When they disappeared around a corner, he resumed his careful progress deeper into the district. The stolen energy rifles, representing the closest thing to currency he possessed, felt awkward slung across his shoulders. Their unfamiliar weight threw off the natural balance that sword work demanded, but survival required pragmatic thinking over personal preference.

A factory door stood propped open. He sidled up to it, warm air flowing outward carrying the scent of heated metal and machine oil. Inside, workers in stained protective coveralls operated massive presses shaping armor components. Beyond them, an open door led into a back area lined with lockers. A couple of the lockers had fresh coveralls hanging from them, likely replacements for work clothes that had failed beyond repair.

Ironside studied the garments. They would provide perfect camouflage, allowing him to blend in among the district's workforce while search teams focused on more obvious hiding places. Even passing through the occupied factory, the theft would be simple for him. He could circumvent the workers, slip into the locker room, pull on the coveralls, and walk out like he belonged there.

His honor demanded otherwise. These uniforms belonged to working people, probably all they owned beyond basic necessities. Taking them would leave some laborer without proper clothing for his job, possibly leading to dismissal or worse punishment from Draconite supervisors.

No. He wouldn't steal, no matter how desperate his circumstances were. He would find another way.

Ironside continued deeper into the industrial maze. Behind him, more vehicles rumbled past while searchlights began sweeping the area in methodical patterns. The net was tightening, but it hadn't closed yet.

Or had it?

Again, the sound of boots on stone echoed across the loading dock, this time from two directions at once.

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