Max Frontier (Exodus Ark Book 2) by J.N. Chaney

Author:J.N. Chaney [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2020-12-05T22:00:00+00:00

15

The concussion grenade bought us a head start, but that didn’t mean they wouldn’t give pursuit eventually or send more foot soldiers after us.

We found ourselves in a labyrinth of natural and artificial passageways with no way of knowing whether any given path would turn out to be a dead end, in which case we’d be trapped and forced to defend against a siege.

In that scenario, death or recapture was inevitable.

The Volcuri civilians ignored us as we ran past, not even sparing us curious glances. They went about their tasks with the same unsettling indifference they’d shown before.

Even on emotional dampeners, if a group of prisoners had run through the Black Shield Corps headquarters, every single soldier there would have at least reacted. What was wrong with these people?

We rushed down the corridors, past more civilians who continued to go about their business. I realized that they were completely vulnerable, with no way to stop us except beak and claw.

The Volcuri citizens thinned out as we wound through the caves, telling me that we were headed somewhere less populated.

I couldn’t tell how close the soldiers were because our footsteps echoed off the rock walls, filling my ears and distorting any other signs that might help me pinpoint our pursuers. They might be a few hundred meters behind us, or we might have lost them completely in the maze of cave tunnels.

Dr. St. John was keeping up, but out of everyone he was the weak link. The scientist didn’t stay in the same physical condition as the rest of the team, and the man was lagging behind.

“Take point,” I told Oliver, doubling back. “Take whatever route you think might lead out. I’m going to help St. John.”

The tracker took over the lead with a grunt, leaving me to take up the rear. Dr. St. John panted, and I could tell he wouldn’t be able to keep the pace.

“Need . . . a . . . break,” he wheezed.

I glanced to where the others were starting to pull away. If I called for them to slow down, they would, but I wouldn’t risk them that way. Not even for the scientist. There was, however, an alternative.

“Hold on tight, Doc,” I said.

“What?”

He only had a second to look confused before I picked the smaller man up and threw him over my shoulder in a fireman’s carry. The added weight didn’t feel like much more than a full pack, and I took off at a dead run to catch the others.

The tunnel led to what appeared to be an agricultural system. Neat rows of rich soil showed the beginning of new life. Tiny neon leaves poked out of the ground under simulated lighting.

Further on, another large chamber held pens filled with different animals. They didn’t moo, but I got the sense they were livestock all the same. As usual, the few workers I spotted went about their tasks without looking up.

Just ahead of me, Tara looked back, her eyes searching. I thought maybe she was checking to see where I was, but her gaze went past me.

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