Spawn of Laban by E. C. Tubb

Author:E. C. Tubb [Tubb, E. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science fiction
ISBN: 9780575107830
Publisher: DAW Books
Published: 2011-09-29T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Luden woke to the jarring of the attention signal from the communicator on his wrist. “Yes?”

Saratov’s voice came thinly from the instrument.

“Trouble, Jarl. Cap’s communicator has been destroyed.”

“When?”

“Just now. The board flashed the alarm.”

“Where?”

“South, somewhere in the Frusi Outlands.” Saratov was puzzled. “But the girl was taking Cap to the Addaraha Hills, wasn’t she?”

“She could have changed her mind.” Luden glanced at the watch; the illuminated dial showed that it was an hour to dawn. “Is Veem with you?”

“Yes. When do we leave, Jarl?”

To the giant it was simple—the ruined communicator meant that Kennedy was in trouble and needed help, but Luden recognized the complications. Quickly he assessed them: if the girl had been bait, then Kennedy was in a trap and the communicator could have been deliberately ruined to test his authenticity, if the Mordain responded, then he could be killed before any rescue could be made. On the other hand delay could be fatal.

“I’m coming right over, Penza. Be ready to leave immediately.”

“Up and down, Jarl?”

“Yes.”

This simple maneuver—the vessel was lifted high into space and then set down into the atmosphere further to the south—was a precaution against being tracked by surface craft. It also had the added advantage of providing a wide-angle scan.

Luden studied the screens as Chemile handled the controls. The ground below held a greenish tinge, the result of light-amplification. The green was dotted with dull red points: heat-sources from animals, others which moved far to the north.

“Fliers,” said Chemile. “A string of them. Could Cap be in one of them, Jarl?”

“It is a remote possibility, Veem, but we must be precise in what we do. Time could be of the essence. It is most likely Cap will be within the building Amet Krish’s man investigated if he is being held prisoner.” Luden grunted as a blurred shape appeared on the screen. “That could be it.”

It expanded as they fell toward it, a grim, enigmatic place, one end bright with emitted radiation. Luden cut the filters and saw nothing but darkness; the brightness had been caused by residual heat.

“Penza!”

“Ready, Jarl.” The giant was in the turret at the guns. “Shall I blast it?”

“No. Fire a short burst of self-propelled missiles to one side. That should encourage anyone in there to make an appearance. Now!”

Saratov tripped the release of the large-caliber multiple sprom cannon. Dirt and flame spouted from a point close to the building, ran in a line of gouging destruction, ragged craters glowing in the screens with violent heat.

“Nothing.” Chemile snorted his disgust. “Either they’re all dead or the building is deserted. Shall we go after the fliers, Jarl?”

“Wait!” Luden leaned closer to the screens. A shaft of brightness on them showed with transient brilliance, a red glow remaining at the point of impact. “Someone’s firing a Dione. It could be Cap.”

Kennedy came running forward as they landed, face soiled with dirt, clothing torn, a streak of dried blood lying thick over one cheek. The man behind him was in even worse condition, staggering, halting to fight for breath, his eyes glazed and wild beneath his shock of red hair.

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