Web of Chaos by Sydney J. Bounds

Author:Sydney J. Bounds [Bounds, Sydney J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Venture
Published: 2019-01-01T22:00:00+00:00

*

Commander Shere’s hands had the shakes, and he cursed as he fought to bring the Hammer’s ferry down on manual. It was a long time since he’d had to pilot himself, and the view beyond the window was a nightmare; Null-T ships in orbit and the sky filled with ferries coming and going. His anxious gaze raked the spacefield, searching for the cyb-ship that had brought Bowman here.

His white uniform was creased and marked, his beard matted; belted at his waist was a laser gun he itched to use on the traitor. Bowman had to be stopped – nothing else mattered.

His eyes glittered and his mind ran on a single track, like an express out of control. Hatred drove him.

He located Janine, but there was not room enough to land close by; he waited for a ferry to lift, then dropped into the vacant slot. He stepped through the lock, a giant with a flaming red beard and his hand on the laser.

The humidity hit him and made him gasp. He started towards the cyb-ship and within a few steps was wringing wet; sweat poured down his face.

He pushed through a line of evacuees and someone asked: “Are you taking us?”

Shere scowled and pushed on.

An official approached, clutching a clipboard. “What ship are you?”

Shere ignored him. Then, from the corner of his eye, he glimpsed three figures walking from a distant building towards a hovercraft. Even in the pale green light there was something familiar about one of them: Bowman! He was disguised in a slicker and helmet, but that didn’t hide him from the commander’s sharp eyes.

Shere began to run, drawing his laser.

He saw Bowman board the hover and cursed in frustration. The craft lifted with a roar of motors and moved towards the forest, gathering speed.

He slowed to a walk, panting. He needed a hovercar and he soon spotted one; it had been unloaded and the pilot was outside, bending down to inspect the air ducts.

A line of evacuees got in his way. Shere screamed at them, waving the laser. “Out of my way! Navy business!”

He stumbled on.

An official loomed up. “What’s going on? Who are you?”

Shere elbowed him aside. Bowman couldn’t be allowed to escape now.

As the commander approached, panting and wild-eyed, the pilot saw him and straightened up. His mouth opened to speak – and Shere hit him and sent him sprawling.

Commander Shere dived into the cockpit, slid into the seat and slammed the door shut. He studied the controls. He couldn’t remember when he’d last driven a hover, but the knowledge was still there. He thumbed the starting button and listened to the engine hum to life. The car lifted. He grasped the levers with both hands and sent the machine skimming forward.

He drove into the forest in pursuit.

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