consider
going with you."
Ashian turned the heavy rifle over in his hands. His
mind was racing as he looked at its totally alien shape. He must
work it so he could show Capac he was worth something. Fate was
balanced on a knife edge as the Currach tried in vain to operate
the metal contraption.
The forest was silent. The fire collapsed as a
burning log gave way in a shower of sparks and renewed
crackling.
Ashian was bemused. No matter how he prodded at the
rifle nothing seemed to happen.
Capac opened his mouth to criticise but his words did
not escape his mouth. Yellow angry fire erupted from the weapon in
Ashian's lap. The three natives fell over backwards as the harsh
loud chatter echoed through the trees, the leaves above them
honeycombed with holes as the uncontrolled muzzle leapt wildly in
Ashian's hands. The dirt of the clearing spouted dust as he strove
to bring the weapon under control.
Suddenly it stopped.
Ears rang with newfound silence as battered leaves
spun to the ground like soft rain. To Ashian's surprise Capac broke
out in laughter.
"It looks like we have some talking to do,
crusader."
Chapter Three
Rumblings.
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
William Shakespeare: Henry VI.
The young Sunlord radar controller aboard the Urisa
scanned the world below anxiously. The distress message had come
from a survey team deep in one of the forests and since then hadn't
responded to any calls. The controller tried yet again.
"Urisa to Coney Blue. Awaiting transmission and
status report."
Dread certainty rose within the Sunlord as nothing
but static greeting his call. He flicked a switch to interface with
Avatar.
UI:> Request update on android 39-LX and survey
team CB-221.
The computer responded instantly.
Android code 39-LX off line; last status report
97.540.32.209
Blood rushed to the controllers face. His six
fingered hands flew over the specially shaped keyboard.
UI:> Display last transmission
of 39-LX.
The computer responded with something he had never
seen before.
Access denied; mainframe
investigating survey team CB-221.
Avatar had refused him access. The controller got the
attention of the midshipman, who came stalking over, his large bulk
moving easily under the low artificial gravity of the ship. He
glanced at the radar controller's monitor.
"I picked up a distress call, sir, but Avatar has cut
me off."
The midshipman grunted. "She has taken over, she
knows to do better than you or I."
"What will it do? Shouldn't we inform the
Admiral?"
The midshipman gave him a piecing gaze. "How long
have you been in this position?"
"I normally work on the flight deck, but I am
relieving con-"
"Then perhaps you should go back there! I will not
have some ignorant frug questioning my authority. You should know
that Avatar takes priority. If she thinks the Admiral should know
she will tell him."
"But what will Avatar do?"
"Probably send out a A-squad to investigate. You
cannot underestimate the power of the computer, she is the true
commander of this vessel. Now get back to your work before I report
you for lounging."
Far on the other side of the massive battlecruiser
machinery whirred with life.
Gurhuin Sicil glanced up at this companion as an
alarm rang on the ceiling of the mess room. He put down his
nutripaste tube.
"Looks like Avatar wants us," he grumbled. "Always
when I am having lunch."
Jhakl laughed. "Last time I was caught in the
Erotocouch. It was a rude awakening."
The two Sunlords stood, large muscles bunching
beneath tight helicasuits. The helicasuit was a specially designed
suit constructed of microscopic interwoven fibres that gave the
suit toughness and durability, able to withstand a vacuum and also
high pressures. The lightweight helicasuit also shielded the wearer
from the sub-zero cold of space and could resist the
going with you."
Ashian turned the heavy rifle over in his hands. His
mind was racing as he looked at its totally alien shape. He must
work it so he could show Capac he was worth something. Fate was
balanced on a knife edge as the Currach tried in vain to operate
the metal contraption.
The forest was silent. The fire collapsed as a
burning log gave way in a shower of sparks and renewed
crackling.
Ashian was bemused. No matter how he prodded at the
rifle nothing seemed to happen.
Capac opened his mouth to criticise but his words did
not escape his mouth. Yellow angry fire erupted from the weapon in
Ashian's lap. The three natives fell over backwards as the harsh
loud chatter echoed through the trees, the leaves above them
honeycombed with holes as the uncontrolled muzzle leapt wildly in
Ashian's hands. The dirt of the clearing spouted dust as he strove
to bring the weapon under control.
Suddenly it stopped.
Ears rang with newfound silence as battered leaves
spun to the ground like soft rain. To Ashian's surprise Capac broke
out in laughter.
"It looks like we have some talking to do,
crusader."
Chapter Three
Rumblings.
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
William Shakespeare: Henry VI.
The young Sunlord radar controller aboard the Urisa
scanned the world below anxiously. The distress message had come
from a survey team deep in one of the forests and since then hadn't
responded to any calls. The controller tried yet again.
"Urisa to Coney Blue. Awaiting transmission and
status report."
Dread certainty rose within the Sunlord as nothing
but static greeting his call. He flicked a switch to interface with
Avatar.
UI:> Request update on android 39-LX and survey
team CB-221.
The computer responded instantly.
Android code 39-LX off line; last status report
97.540.32.209
Blood rushed to the controllers face. His six
fingered hands flew over the specially shaped keyboard.
UI:> Display last transmission
of 39-LX.
The computer responded with something he had never
seen before.
Access denied; mainframe
investigating survey team CB-221.
Avatar had refused him access. The controller got the
attention of the midshipman, who came stalking over, his large bulk
moving easily under the low artificial gravity of the ship. He
glanced at the radar controller's monitor.
"I picked up a distress call, sir, but Avatar has cut
me off."
The midshipman grunted. "She has taken over, she
knows to do better than you or I."
"What will it do? Shouldn't we inform the
Admiral?"
The midshipman gave him a piecing gaze. "How long
have you been in this position?"
"I normally work on the flight deck, but I am
relieving con-"
"Then perhaps you should go back there! I will not
have some ignorant frug questioning my authority. You should know
that Avatar takes priority. If she thinks the Admiral should know
she will tell him."
"But what will Avatar do?"
"Probably send out a A-squad to investigate. You
cannot underestimate the power of the computer, she is the true
commander of this vessel. Now get back to your work before I report
you for lounging."
Far on the other side of the massive battlecruiser
machinery whirred with life.
Gurhuin Sicil glanced up at this companion as an
alarm rang on the ceiling of the mess room. He put down his
nutripaste tube.
"Looks like Avatar wants us," he grumbled. "Always
when I am having lunch."
Jhakl laughed. "Last time I was caught in the
Erotocouch. It was a rude awakening."
The two Sunlords stood, large muscles bunching
beneath tight helicasuits. The helicasuit was a specially designed
suit constructed of microscopic interwoven fibres that gave the
suit toughness and durability, able to withstand a vacuum and also
high pressures. The lightweight helicasuit also shielded the wearer
from the sub-zero cold of space and could resist the
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