Titan Hoppers by Rob J Hayes

Titan Hoppers by Rob J Hayes

Author:Rob J Hayes [Hayes, Rob J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rob J. Hayes
Published: 2022-07-11T16:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER 23

“I froze,” Iro said quietly as they walked along what appeared to be an empty promenade. There were small rooms to either side of them, empty windows staring out. Above, a walkway ran either side of the thoroughfare. Every dozen paces or so, a square planter filled with dirt stood in the centre of the promenade. Some had trees growing out of them, huge things that were spilling out of their designated space, roots erupting from the soil to quest along the metal ground in every direction. Others were empty, nothing but the decaying remains of the tree left to prove they were ever full.

“It happens to us all,” Bjorn said, not bothering to lower his voice at all.

“It didn’t happen to you.”

Bjorn chuckled. “No. But I was making up for being swatted out of the air by a baby bhur beast last time. I can’t be useless two Hops in a row!”

“Apparently I can,” Iro said, feeling maudlin. The emptiness of the promenade wasn’t helping. It had a strange feeling to it like it was meant to be populated. It was a huge open space and he could imagine it filled with people chatting, playing, offering goods or services. They used to do that, he’d read it in a history book. Once, before the fleet’s ships had started to fail, people owned things, made things, sold things to others. “Every time there’s a monster, I just freeze up. I can’t move.”

Bjorn shook his head, one eyebrow raised. Then he nudged Iro with his arm. “You’re too hard on yourself, Iro. Besides, someone needs to hang back, protect the Paladins.”

Iro was glad none of the Paladins heard that. They were all more useful than him against the rustlings. Every one of them getting involved, while he just stood there.

Franka held up a hand, calling for a halt. They all slowed to a stop around a particularly large and gnarly tree that looked like it was clawing its way out of the planter and up to the walkway above.

“Do you hear that?” the Surveyor asked. Snappy clacked. “Not you. Shut up. Anyone else? Hear the buzzing?” She pointed to her ear.

Most of the trainees shook their heads. Iro saw Ylfa lean across to Ingrid and whisper, “Looks like she’s lost it.”

Franka seemed insistent. “Well, luckily I hear it and you’re all following me. So lets investigate.”

Master Rollo looked like he was about to argue, but Franka turned and stormed off. Master Rollo sighed, shrugged, and followed without a word.

Franka led them off the promenade through an alley between two buildings Iro hadn’t even realised was there until she pushed aside some old, dusty bones. Iro nudged one of the bones with his foot. Whatever they had once been, it wasn’t human. It was easy to forget that monsters lived on the titan, breeding and hunting, and doing whatever it was monsters did when not attacking people. For some reason no one had ever explained, monsters banded together to hunt down



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