The Plague Forge: The Dire Earth Cycle: Three by Jason M. Hough

Author:Jason M. Hough [Hough, Jason M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 2013-09-23T22:00:00+00:00

Darwin, Australia

31.MAR.2285

IN THE END Arkin had offered to pilot the hauler himself, rather than risking the involvement of one of his pilots in the whole endeavor. The short hop across the water, undertaken many times per day and largely automated, was one the plant manager had taken upon himself to learn over the years. “Don’t have the luxury of hiring young pilots out of the air force anymore,” he’d said. “The only good one to come up since the plague hit took off to join one of the scavenger crews, and that was a couple of years ago.”

He’d meant Angus, Sam realized. She’d said nothing, and neither had Skadz.

Twinkles of fading orange sunlight glinted off the water below. The flotilla of boats, barges, and improvised rafts that crowded Darwin’s aura-protected shore lifted and fell as a gentle surf pushed beneath them.

“It’s a bit sad, isn’t it?” Sam asked, not speaking to either man in particular.

Skadz looked at her with mild annoyance. He always hated starting an op without a real plan.

Prumble, though, seemed relaxed, even happy, feet propped up on the duffel bag that held his custom-made environment suit. “Hmm?” he asked.

“All these boats, stuck here,” Sam explained. “I mean, the life of a sailor is all about the freedom to travel at will, to enjoy the open water, you know? It’s bad enough to have to live your life trapped in one city, but to do so while living on a perfectly mobile vehicle … It’s depressing.”

Skadz rolled his eyes and went back to staring at the roof of the cabin. No doubt he was playing out scenarios in his mind, trying to win the chess game before it started.

“There she is,” Prumble said, his face suddenly pressed against the window. He was looking at the ocean below.

“What did they decide?” Sam asked.

“Take a look for yourself.” He leaned back in his seat so she could see past him. Below she saw the edge of the flotilla. Despite the fact that nearly half of the precious aura generated by the alien cord covered water, the ships that had made it to Darwin mostly clustered together along the shore for the simple reason that they had to get supplies just like any other dwelling. Fish and rainwater would only go so far. A few boats, though, anchored farther out. Some were abandoned, already listing steeply and soon to be relics for the ocean floor. Most were fishermen, scavengers in their own right trying to bring in a haul of protein for the hungry city.

Prumble’s thick finger pointed at a dark mass beneath the waves, lurking just a few hundred meters from the flotilla’s border. A white shirt tied to one of the antenna masts that studded the bridge indicated the crew had voted to go along with the plan. Arkin and June, seated side by side in the cockpit, both turned and smiled at Prumble, though June looked decidedly more enthusiastic.

She forced her attention back to the submarine. “It’s … gigantic.

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