James P. Hogan Life Maker 1 Code of the Lifemaker

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ship. "Ship One to Surface One. It doesn't seem to be an attack. In fact I'm
not convinced they even know we're here at all. They started off fast just
after their tail-end-Charlie arrived up front. It looks more like they're
trying to lose that other bunch behind them."
"Surface Two to forward observation post. Do you see evidence of weapons or
hostile intent?"
"Negative, sir."
"We'll sit tight and see," Giraud's voice said. "Hold it for now."
"All units, hold your fire," Wallis instructed.
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ifemaker.txt
On the screen of his wristset, Zambendorf followed the progress of the
Taloids coming up the far side of the rise. It was unbelievable clothed
robots sitting astride four-legged, galloping machines, now only a few hundred
yards away.
"Do you see them?" Thirg called as Dornvald glanced back. Thirg was having
enough trouble clinging to the madly heaving mount beneath him as it tackled
the steepening rise, without daring to turn his own head.
"Just coming out onto the flat," Dornvald shouted back. "At least we're on"
the open ground. We should gain more distance now."
"There are heat lights shining from places above us on both sides," Geynor
called from Dornvald's other side.
"I see them."
"What manner of thing shines thus in the desert?"
"Who knows what guards the lair of dragons?"
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Dornvald, Thirg, and Geynor reached the top of the rise together with Rex
whirring excitedly a few yards behind, and plunged on over its rounded crest.
An instant later they had crashed to a stunned halt, their mounts rearing and
bucking. The remaining outlaws stopped in confusion behind as they appeared in
ones and twos over the hill.
Before them, towering proudly inside a halo of almost brilliant dragon light,
was the King of Dragons, attended by servants lined up before it in humble
reverence. It was smooth and elongated, and had tapered limbs much like the
dragon that had appeared over Xerxeon, but far larger. Its eyes shone like
fires of violet, but it made no move as it stood, watching silently. Thirg
could do nothing but stare, dumbfounded, while Dornvald and
Geynor gazed at the Dragon King in wonder. Rex was backing away slowly, and
behind them several of the outlaws had dismounted and fallen to their knees.
Then Thirg realized that one of the dragon's servants was beckoning with both
arms in slow, deliberate movements that seemed to be trying to convey
reassurance. The servants were not robeings as he had first thought, he saw
now; they were of roughly similar shape, but constructed not of metal but some
soft, bendable casing more like artificial organics from artisans'
plantations . . . like children's dolls. What manner, then, of artificial
beings were these? Had the Dragon King manufactured them to attend its needs?
If so, what awesome, unimaginable powers did it command?
The servant beckoned again. For a few seconds longer, Thirg hesitated. Then he
realized the futility of even thinking to disobey; who could hope to defy the
wishes of one with such powers? Without quite realizing what he was doing,
Thirg urged his mount forward once more at a slow walk and entered the circle
of violet radiance. Nothing terrible happened, and after exchanging
apprehensive glances, Dornvald and Geynor followed him. The others watched
from farther back, and one by one found the courage to move forward. Those on
the ground rose slowly. Then Fenyig, who was standing with the rearguard on
the top of the rise behind and looking back anxiously called, "Pray to the
dragon to protect us, Dornvald. The soldiers are below already, and almost
upon us."
No sooner had he shouted his warning when the first missile from a
fireball-thrower sailed over the ridge and splattered itself across an ice
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ifemaker.txt boulder. The second hit one of the pack steeds squarely, and the
animal fell screeching with its midbody engulfed in violet flames. On the
rise, Fenyig and his companions scattered amid a hail of projectiles hurled
from below, one of them slumping forward with a corrosive dart protruding from
his shoulder. More balls fell, and one of them ignited something metallic
halfway up one of the overlooking slopes.
"Number two searchlight emplacement hit!" a voice shouted over the radio.
"No casualties."
"Near miss on Yellow Sector. We've got equipment burning from splashes of
incendiary."
Another ball landed just in front of the assembled reception party, which
broke ranks and fell back toward the lander in alarm. "That one almost got the
ship!" a voice yelled.
"Colonel Wallis, engage with maximum force in the approach zone," Giraud
ordered.
"All forward units, fire for effect! Launch gunships and engage enemy below
point three-seven hundred!"
Thirg whirled to look behind as a thundering roar erupted suddenly from below
the rise, mixed with a hail of chattering, loud swishing sounds, and deafening
concussions. More roars came from overhead. He looked up. Two of the small
dragons were climbing; then violet-flaming darts streaked down and out of
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view, and an instant later more concussions from beyond the rise jarred his
ears. He had never in his life experienced anything like this.
His senses reeled. He sat frozen, his body and his mind paralyzed by terror.
And then all was quiet. He looked around fearfully. Dornvald and Geynor were [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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