Fury by Mike Sheriff

Author:Mike Sheriff [Sheriff, Mike]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic, Action & Adventure, Military
ISBN: 9780995276642
Google: EsvcDQAAQBAJ
Publisher: The Appended Press
Published: 2016-12-12T05:00:00+00:00

*

PYROS GRABBED A hard-point on the bridge’s forward bulkhead to stay on his feet. He fixed his gaze on the gray horizon beyond the windows to settle his stomach.

For twenty-four hours they’d been at the mercy of the Sea of Storms. Despite deploying lateral stabilizers and four sea anchors, the aeroshrike pitched and rolled like a plaything in the hands of Sha. Nausea had rendered half the crew immobile; repairs to the hydrogen cells and starboard engine were taking twice as long as a result.

Julinian lay on the deck on the bridge’s port side, curled up in the fetal position, hands cradling her ashen face. She’d foundered hours ago and hadn’t moved since. Narses remained on his feet, wedged between two consoles on the starboard side for balance, but his complexion had taken on a greenish hue. He looked seconds away from soiling his splendid mianfu with gobbets of grooll.

Another thirty-foot wave smashed against the bridge windows. Its thunderous roar blotted the laments of the crew.

Narses groaned. “How much longer will this take?”

“The latest estimate was thirty minutes.”

“That was over an hour ago!”

Pyros shrugged. “The crew are working as fast as they can.”

Given the conditions, the repairs might take hours longer. The delay had granted Daoren and the others time to make good on their escape. They’d be hundreds of miles away by now. With one aeroshrike left to continue the search, they might never be found. The thought gave Pyros comfort, but the forced delay had a downside.

The tumbling turbine section had sheared off the air-link’s primary and secondary transceiver antennas. The vessel’s supply stores carried spares, but their installation required working high atop the gas envelope. A team of six men had been up there for twelve hours, braving the wretched conditions with only a single safety line for protection.

The second aeroshrike’s destruction negated a pressing need for air-link communications, but he’d easily convinced Narses otherwise. He’d neglected to tell the Unum Potentate why the repairs were vital.

Pyros ached to hear from Commander Cang. The Unum’s meeting with the district commanders would have taken place yesterday morning. Not knowing the reason for the meeting had caused more gastric distress than the storm-tossed sea.

A dust-strewn Jiren stumbled onto the bridge. She picked her way forward, weaving with each roll of the deck. “The repairs are complete, sire.”

“The air-link transceivers, too?”

“Yes.”

“Any injuries?”

“None, sire.”

“Well done.” Pyros grasped her shoulder as much for balance as in gratitude. “Tell your men I’m proud of their—”

“Recover the stabilizers and sea anchors!” Narses said, still wedged between the consoles. “Set trim planes for launch!” He clutched his belly and dry-heaved. “Full . . . speed ahead . . . all airscrews!”

Pyros grunted. He couldn’t tell what Narses was more eager for; resuming the pursuit, or getting off the sea’s angry surface.

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