Rift Warrior: The Techborn by B. V. Larson

Author:B. V. Larson [Larson, B. V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Iron Tower Press
Published: 2024-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 21

I awakened with a start. The sound of splintering wood had jolted me from a restless sleep.

Dawn light filtered through the cracks in Silas’ squalid hut. It took me a second to figure out the old man was gone.

I grabbed Kade’s shredder, the weight feeling good in my hands.

That’s about all the time I had before the door burst open. Two Techborn soldiers stormed in, all swagger and bravado.

Not being in the mood to answer questions or grovel, I opened fire. A blast of heavy bullets echoed loudly in the small space.

The first man dropped with about seven slugs in him that found a way past his armor. Good thing they only wore chest plates. The second guy got off a burst from his shredder, spraying the wall over my head with bullets. I rushed him, dodging the hail of lead. He wasn’t all that good with a full automatic. He let the recoil push his barrel up, and he was chipping the ceiling.

A lack of training? Or sheer panic after he saw his buddy bite it?

I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. I tackled him to the ground. We grappled, his shredder still clattering away. Old man Silas was going to have to buy some new clay pots after today.

My hands found his throat, and I squeezed with all my strength. He thrashed beneath me, but I held on, watching the life drain from his eyes. He never really had a chance, as I was about two sizes bigger than he was. During moments like this one, I cherished every day I’d wasted admiring myself in the mirrors at the gym.

It was over in about a minute. I stood, breathing hard. There were two dead Techborn at my feet. Not a bad start to the day. But the situation raised some questions. How did they find me? And where the hell was the Preacher?

I searched the bodies, looking for clues. Nothing. Just standard issue gear and weapons. I pocketed some ammo for my shredder. They were hungry weapons.

Stepping outside, I scanned the area. Cinder Hollow was quiet. Apparently, when gunfire broke out here people didn’t come running to find out why. Wise.

There was no sign of any other Techborn. I had to find Silas and figure out our next move. The Dusters were counting on us—this intrusion made that doubly clear. If these two had found me, well, more of them were bound to follow.

I set off walking through the settlement. My shredder was in my hands, at the ready. The Techborn had made their first move. Now it was my turn.

The dusty street grew steadily warmer as I walked in the fresh light of dawn. Pretty soon, the sun would be glaring down like an accusatory eye.

Near the gates, I found him. Silas was kneeling in the dirt. He was cradling something in his arms.

No, not something. Someone. I moved closer, feeling a cold ball of dread settle in my guts.

It was the boy—Jared. His small body was limp, lifeless.

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