The Immortality Option by James P Hogan

Author:James P Hogan [Hogan, James P]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 0345379152
Google: os3yAAAAMAAJ
Amazon: 1604504579
Barnesnoble: 1604504579
Goodreads: 849490
Publisher: Del Rey
Published: 1995-01-23T05:00:00+00:00

23

THE TRAIL WOUND DOWN A HILLSIDE PAST GROVES OF spring formers, die casters, and rotary grinders in an out-of-the-way valley on the edge of the forests in southern Kroaxia. Below, the machinery stood taller around clumps of transfer presses and drop forges lining the banks of the river conveying its burden northward toward the principal city, Pergassos.

Clad in heavy, hooded cloaks and woodsmen’s boots, and pacing their step with staffs of duralumin tubing, Thirg and Brongyd made their way downward from the rise they had crossed, while Rex ran ahead, rooting and sniffing in the undergrowth of discarded parts and metal tailings. The Taloids carried packs slung across their backs and walked with the strong, sturdy stride that came from many brights spent living among outdoor people and trekking over mountain passes.

Much had happened since their escape, with a group of other captives, from the village of Quahal during the clash between the Lumian dragon fighters and the Redeeming Avengers. The countryside was alive with spies, Avengers, and other proselytizers of the Lifemaker’s True Faith, all playing on the people’s recent insecurities in order to denounce the heresies of Kleippur in Carthogia and calling for a return to the older values. Unsure what kind of reception to expect in any place they were not known and with armed Avengers out looking for them to get even for what had happened at Quahal, the fugitives had split up into ones and twos and gone into hiding or tried making their way by different routes to safety. Thirg and Brongyd had lain low for many brights, avoiding the towns, staying on the move, and all the time laying false trails of rumor to throw off their pursuers. Finally they had judged it safe enough to come out of the hills to try crossing Kroaxia and the northern desert to enter Carthogia.

“Ah, I think I see it now.” Thirg stopped to study the way ahead. “Yes, this looks familiar.” He pointed at a sluggish collection of roller conveyors and chutes sending oddments down toward the river and almost obscured by the wire tangles of a mostly defunct cable-spinning line. “He used to live by that brook. There should be a clearing just past the wall beyond it there. It used to be the side of a motor pit that existed here long ago.”

“Let’s hope he’s still there,” Brongyd said. “My feet could use a plate, Thirg. And I can feel dust in the joints that a cool Michelube would do wonders for.”

Ahead of them, Rex stiffened suddenly and looked up, coolant vanes bristling and collector horns pricked. At the same instant a din of short alarm-siren wails and cutter gnashings broke out behind the thicket of lattice works ahead. Thirg called for Rex to stay back. It stood, snorting methane vapors, while the two robs hurried to catch up. Then another mecanine bounded into view and stopped a short distance away, facing them along the trail. It was large and fierce-looking, with a

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.