Ancestral Machines by Michael Cobley

Author:Michael Cobley [Cobley, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780316221207
Publisher: Orbit
Published: 2016-01-12T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It was dark and cramped inside the Zavri troop lander, with only shipboard system indicators providing the meagrest of glows to brighten the gloom. The lander engines moaned high and loud as the craft swooped into the heart of Armag City, braking strongly for touchdown. The impact gave everyone a jolt, then the pitch of the engines slowed and dropped. Akreen nodded to Temek, the strike squad-leader, and the main boarding hatch unsealed, hinging down to become the disembarkation ramp.

At the head of twelve shining Zavri fighters, First Blade Akreen walked out into the smoke-hazy air of Armag City. The Lord-Governor’s tower loomed imposingly nearby and moments later they were approached by an officer in the sheer black uniform of the Governor’s compound guard.

“First Blade, it is a great honour to welcome you to our city. I am Pro-Captain Yorez–how can we—?”

“Pro-Captain, we are in pursuit of dangerous extremists reported to be operating in this part of the city. Have you heard any reports of intruders that might match this description?”

“Indeed, yes! A group of armed terrorists gained access to the tower through a second-floor balcony–I saw it with my own eyes.”

“I assume that you have sent your men in after them.”

An agonised look came over the pro-captain’s face. “Sir, earlier today the Lord-Governor ordered us to seal the tower and admit no one, including ourselves, whatever the reason.”

“And what if I wish to enter the Lord-Governor’s tower to continue my pursuit?”

“Honoured First Blade, I was given the strictest of instructions…”

“Pro-Captain Yorez, I am conducting the operation under the express authority of the Shuskar Gun-Lord Xra-Huld himself. I strongly advise you to order that the tower entrance be unsealed.”

The pro-captain’s face went pale at the mention of Xra-Huld; he swallowed hard, then gave a swift, sharp salute.

“First Blade, by your command.”

Minutes later the line of tall silvery figures had reached the head of the wide ornamental stairs that led up to the tower’s majestic entrance, triple doors of masterforge steel inlaid with fireglass. Once all the squad were inside, Akreen ordered Temek to close up the doors and seal them from the inside. He was intent on completing this mission as swiftly and efficiently as possible–Gredaz’s advice to proceed to the Zavri holdworld, Drevaul, and its portal gate, was constantly in his thoughts.

The grand entrance hall was dark, with only a handful of muted maintainer lights indicating the location of doors to ancillary chambers and the main curving staircase. Once he had all twelve Zavri gathered around him, Akreen paused to take in the encompassing grandeur but only for a moment.

“You have been told that we are in pursuit of armed and dangerous terrorists,” he said. “I can now tell you that the ones we hunt are no ordinary extremists, fostered in some diseased slum on one of the agri-worlds. They are in fact advance scouts sent here by one of the civilisations that border on the territory where the Warcage is currently at rest.

“Intruders such as these will

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