Double Eagle(科幻战争)-第21部分

快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！


Once　the　column　had　passed　down　onto　the　decent　hard　roads　along　the　Lida；　the　going　had　been
good；　despite　cratering　and　the　constant　threat　of　air　attack。　They’d　met　with　relief　units　along　the
route；　which　brought　them　much　needed　food；　medicae　supplies　and　fuel。　It　had　begun　to　feel　like
they　were　rolling　back　into　civilisation　after　the　weeks　of　hardship　and　struggle。
But　the　war　had　somehow　overtaken　them。　The　Littoral　and　the　Peninsula　had　taken　a　pasting。
From　Nivelle；　the　skies　of　Ezraville　formed　one　vast　storm…cloud　of　black　smoke。　Aircraft；　often　too
high　to　identify；　went　over　all　the　time。　They　had　grandstand　seats　for　several　huge　air　battles　over
the　valley：　specks　moving　and　circling；　spiralling　and　turning；　leaving　brief；　intricate　filigrees　of
contrails；　darting　sparks　and　flashes。　Burning　machines；　like　meteors　on　re…entry；　had　fallen　out　of
the　heavens　into　distant　pastures。
Operating　at　rooftop　height；　Munitorum　lifters　and　Valkyrie　carriers　passed　overhead　regularly；
zipping　back　and　forth　along　the　column。　Many　were　extracting　the　more　seriously　wounded　for
treatment　at　the　coastal　hospitals。
Munitorum　directives　had　ordered　the　columns　to　Ezraville　where　mass…barges　and　VTRPs　were
waiting　to　evacuate　them　to　the　northern　shores。　That　was　the　plan；　at　least。
In　reality；　the　roads　had　become　increasingly　full　as　the　column　caught　up　with　other　convoys；　or
met　more　elements　moving　in　from　other　directions。　And　the　mass　exodus　wasn’t　all　military。
They’d　driven　past　long　processions　of　civilian　refugees；　families　with　children；　walking　by　the
roadsides；　pushing　their　abbreviated　lives　on　hand　barrows。
Matredes　rejoined　them。　LeGuin　had　sent　him　off　looking　for　any　Munitorum　seniors　working
the　file。
“There’s　some　good　news；”　Matredes　said　as　he　clambered　up。　“We’re　jammed　here　because　the
evacuation　is　almost　overwhelmed。”
“That’s　good　news？”　said　LeGuin。
“According　to　the　senior　I　spoke　to；　yes；　sir。　About　thirty　per　cent　more　of　us　have　made　it　home
than　they　were　expecting。　They’ve　been　scrambling　to　organise　more　VTRPs　from　the　northern
shores　to　help　with　the　demand。　Lord　Militant　Flumel　didn’t　manage　to　kill　quite　as　many　of　us　as
they’d　feared。”
“Not　like　a　lord　militant　not　to　do　his　job　properly；”　sniped　LeGuin。
Viltry　smiled；　but　he　knew　that　it　was　good　news　in　the　long　run。　If　more　of　the　land　force　was
making　it　home；　then　a　stronger　host　could　be　regrouped　for　the　phase　of　war　to　come。　It　made　his
efforts；　and　the　labours　of　all　the　pilots；　seem　much　more　worthwhile。
“The　other　problem　appears　to　the　people；”　said　Matredes。　“Civilians　are　leaving　Ezraville　in
droves；　and　refugees　are　pouring　in　from　the　Littoral。　Whole　highways　are　shut　down　with　refugee
traffic。”
“So　we’re　stuck　here？”
“The　Munitorum　are　advising　any　units　with　decent　fuel　and　fair　running　to　divert　east。
Evacuation　centres　are　being　established　at　several　of　the　coast　towns　along　from　Ezraville　to　ease
the　pressure　there。　It　means　cross　country；　that　way—”　Matredes　pointed。　“Then　we　should　hit　some
decent　roads。”　He　pulled　a　scrap　of　paper　out　of　his　pocket。　“I　wrote　down　the　names：　Fetona；　St
Chryze；　Langersville。　I　can　find　them　on　the　chart。”
LeGuin　shrugged。　“We’ve　got　fuel　and　traction。　What　do　we　think？”
127
“Better　than　sitting　here；”　Matredes　ventured。
“What’s　another　few　kilometres？”　said　Emdeen。
“East　suits　me；”　Viltry　said。
“Let’s　do　it；”　said　LeGuin。
It　took　them　another　hour　to　spread　the　word　and　recruit　about　forty　machines　to　come　with
them。　LeGuin　made　sure　they　were　all　in　decent　repair。　He　didn’t　want　stragglers。　The　damaged；　the
struggling；　they　could　stay　with　the　main　tide　of　traffic。
After　that；　once　he’d　voxed　numbers　and　details　into　Munitorum　despatch　and　got　an　all…clear；　it
took　another　two　hours　to　manoeuvre　out　of　the　line。　It　was　hard　work；　like　a　stalemated　round　of
regicide；　with　nowhere　to　back　up　or　turn。　Arguments　flared。　LeGuin　and　Viltry　had　to　jump　down
and　break　up　a　brawl　between　the　crew　of　a　Gerzon　regiment　halftrack　and　the　men　from　a　44th
Light　Chimera　that　had　accidentally　rammed　it。
Finally；　the　commander　of　a　Pardus　Conqueror；　The　Stuff　of　Legend；　managed　to　find　a　turning
space　in　the　gateway　of　a　canning　plant；　and　lanced　the　pressure　by　creating　a　new　exit　route　with
his　dozer　blade。　He　leveled　a　line　of　stone　privies　and　yards　behind　a　terrace　of　habs；　then　churned
forward　through　a　blighted　orchard　and　a　series　of　fenced…off　market　gardens；　boisterously　cheered
on　by　the　onlookers。
Vehicles　began　to　edge　out　and　follow　him。　Roaring　smoke；　the　Line　of　Death　was　the　sixth
vehicle　clear。　They　clattered　across　the　ruin　of　the　market　gardens　and　out　onto　pastureland；　where
they　rolled　up　and　waited　as　the　others　trickled　out　and　joined　them。　Nine　Pardus　tanks；　eleven　from
the　Gerzon　Heavy；　six　from　the　2nd　Balchinor　Tracked　Company；　three　Hydra　platforms；　and
sixteen　assorted　troop　carriers　and　half…tracks　laden　with　Guardsmen。　By　common　consent；　LeGuin
had　command。　This　was　due　in　part　to　the　fact　it　had　been　his　idea；　but　also　because　the　Line　had
earned　itself　a　reputation　by　bringing　down　the　bat　on　the　previous　afternoon。
LeGuin　gave　the　command；　and　they　rolled　out；　kicking　up　mud　as　they　crossed　the　pasture　onto
uncultivated　land。
It　was　a　rough　ride。　Viltry　sat　in　the　turret　and　clung　on。
But　they　were　moving　at　last。
Theda　MAB　South；　14。02
“Handing　off；”　said　Eads。
“Thank　you；　Flight；”　said　his　shift　replacement。　“I　have　control。”
As　the　replacement　controller　took　position；　Darrow　helped　Eads　remove；　clean　and　stow　his
augmetic　links。　Both　of　them　were　light…headed；　frazzled。　The　demands　of　their　work　had　not
slackened　one　bit　for　the　duration　of　their　shift。
“Good　luck；”　Eads　said　to　the　new　flight；　but　the　man　was　already　too　busy　coming　to　terms
with　the　pandemonium　in　his　catchment　to　respond。
Darrow　waited　while　Eads　spoke　quietly　to　the　deck　officer；　then　escorted　him　up　out　of　the
hubbub　of　the　rotunda。　Eads　had　his　cane；　but　he　held　Darrow’s　arm　and　allowed　the　younger　man
to　lead　him。　He　was　exhausted。
They　went　up　into　the　atrium。
“I　can　see　you　all　the　way　back　to　your　quarters；　sir；”　Darrow　said。
“No　need；　Enric。　A　little　walk；　a　little　solitude；　that　might　do　me　good。　You　should　get　to　your
own　bed。　Deck　says　we’re　needed　again　at　midnight。”
“Yes；　sir。”
“Darrow？”
“Yes；　sir？”
“This　is　off　the　record；　you　understand？”
“Yes；　Flight。”
128
“When　you　get　back　to　your　billet；　pack　your　things。　Pack　them　now；　so　you　can　travel　light　and
fast。”　Darrow　frowned。　“Why；　sir？”
“Banzie　reckons　we’re　all　going　to　be　pulled　out。　It’s　not　official　yet；　but　he’s　sure　that’s　the
Navy　thinking。　Another　four　or　five　days；　and　Theda　will　be　unviable　as　a　field。”
“God…Emperor…”　Darrow　breathed。
“They’re　winning；　son。　No　matter　how　hard　we　fight；　this　sky　pretty　much　belongs　to　them。　The
Navy’s　going　to　pull　its　wings　out；　general　evac。　Move　them　to　safer　fields。”
“Where；　sir？”
“Maybe　Zophos；　the　Midwinters。　Possibly　St　Hagen。　Apparently；　Tacticus　is　evaluating。”
Darrow　felt　hollow。　He　looked　away。　The　echoing　atrium　was　empty　apart　from　other
Operations　personnel　plodding　out　from　their　shift。
“Are　we—”　he　began。　“Are　we　going　to　lose　this？”　he　asked。
“No；”　said　Eads。　“Retreat　is　a　hard　thing　to　deal　with；　but　you’ll　be　a　better　warrior；　Enric；　if　you
realise　that　sometimes　that’s　the　only　way　to　win。　Throne；　if　retreat　equalled　defeat；　then　we　might
as　well　have　run　for　the　hills　the　moment　the　land　armada　was　turned　back　from　the　gates　of
Trinity。”
“Sir。”
“I　know　it　hurts；　Darrow。　It　wounds　a　man’s　pride。　But　you　have　to　see　it　all。”　There　was　no
irony　in　Eads’s　voice。　“Retreat；　regroup；　gather　our　strengths；　try　again。　That’s　what　we’re　doing。
That’s　why　we’ve　fought　so　hard　to　get　the　land　forces　home。　So　they　can　turn　and　fight　again；
renewed。　Go　read　some　history　slates；　Darrow。　Wars　have　been　won　that　way。　And　many　others
have　been　lost　by　men　too　proud　to　acknowledge　the　sense　of　a　tactical　withdrawal。”
Darrow　nodded。
“Darrow？”
“I　nodded；　sir。　My　apologies。”
“Get　some　sleep。　I’ll　see　you　at　midnight。”
Darrow　saluted。　Eads　moved　away　across　the　marble　floor；　his　cane　twitching。　“Call　that　a
salute？”　he　said　over　his　shoulder。
Darrow　wandered　outside。　The　air　was　murky　and　stank　of　fyceline。　A　few　Operations　personnel
from　the　last　shift　loitered　around　under　the　portico；　smoking　and　chatting；　or　just　lounging　on　the
damp　steps　in　aching　relief。
He　saw　Scalter　nearby；　smoking　a　lho…stick。　Even　from　a　distance；　Darrow　could　see　how　much
Scalter’s　hands　were　shaking。　He　had　just　decided　to　go　and　confront　the　man；　when　he　realised
something。
He　drew　his　own　hands　from　his　pockets　and　looked　at　them。　They　were　shaking　too。
“Need　something？”　asked　Scalter；　noticing　him。
“No；　sir。　I’m　fine。”
“Something　wrong　with　your　hands？”
“No。”　Darrow　joined　him。　“Actually；　just　the　shakes。”
“Tell　me　about　it。　We　all　get　that。　Tension　and　fatigue。”
“Yes；　sir。”
Scalter　offered　Darrow　his　pack。　“No　thanks；　sir。”
“Heading　for　the　simulators？”　Scalter　asked。　“I’ve　seen　you　there。”
“I　might。　You？”
Scalter　nodded　his　head　at　the　airfield　before　them。　“What　do　you　think？”　he　asked。
Darow　looked　out　across　the　MAB。　Parts　of　the　field　were　shredded　with　craters　and　bulldozed
heaps　of　debris。　Along　the　east　fence；　the　wrecks　of　bombed　out　and　crashed　planes　had　been　piled
up；　simply　to　clear　usable　space。　Smoke　twisted　up　from　recent　hits。　Navy　craft　were　landing　in
flocks；　some　pouring　vapour。　Crews　rushed　out　onto　the　field。　In　the　hardstands；　the　Apostles　were
129
warming　up；　munitions　trains　clattering　clear。　Darrow　heard　the　brutal；　buzzing　pulse　of　primers
starting　engines。
Beyond　the　field；　the　towers　of　Theda　itself　rose　in　crumpled　majesty。　Columns　of　smoke
writhed　from　the　city；　darkening　the　sky。　Fires　blazed。　There　were　gaps　in　the　city　skyline　where
familiar　buildings　had　been　destroyed。　Raid　sirens　were　wailing。
“I　think　I’ll　head　for　the　simulators；”　Darrow　said。
130
DAY　265
Western　District　Theda；　10。02
The　intake　of　wounded　had　filled　the　infirmaries　of　Theda　to　bursting。　Jagdea　had　been　transferred
right　across　the　city　to　a　hab　clinic　in　the　Western　Districts；　a　four　storey　pile　of　rotting　brick　that
had　been；　over　the　years；　a　sanatorium；　a　refuge；　and　a　scholam　for　wayward　youths。　The　building
was　in　poor　repair。　The　air　reeked　of　disinfectant　and　mildew。
Blansher　found　her　at　the　end　of　a　long；　grim　gallery；　gazing　out　of　the　windows　onto　a　street
where　files　of　civilians　were　waiting　in　the　rain　for　travel　permits。
She　looked　pale　and　thin。　Her　left　arm　was　bound　up　in　a　heavy　sling。　Blansher　noticed　that
under　her　dressing　gown；　she　still　wore　the　trousers　of　her　flight　suit。
“Hey；　Mil；”　she　said。
“Bree。　How’s　the　arm？”
“Okay。　Another　day　or　two；　they　reckon。”
“We　miss　you。　The　wing　all　send　their　best。”
“Keeping　them　in　line；　I　hope？”
“They　wouldn’t　dare　mess　with　me。”
She　grinned。　“Want　a　seat？”　she　said；　getting　up　out　of　her　bath　chair。
“I’m　fine；”　he　said。
“Sit　down；　Mil。　You　look　fit　to　drop。　I’ve　been　sitting　all　day。”
Shrugging；　he　sat　down　in　the　old；　wheeled　invalid　chair。　He　settled　back；　elbows　out。
“So…　how　are　these　for　speed？”　he　asked。
She　leaned　against　the　wall　by　the　window　and　gestured　down　the　long；　lino…floored　hall　with
her　good　hand。　“Try　it　out。　Not　much　reheat；　but　if　you　really　push　it　you　can　achieve　lift　by　the　time
you　reach　the　dispensary。”
Using　his　hands；　he　milled　the　big　handwheels　back　and　forth。
“How’s　it　been？”　she　asked。
“We’ve　been　up　once。　A　nasty　tangle　over　St　Chryze。　Aggie　stung　one；　and　so　did　I。”
“All　safe？”
“A　hard　round　went　through　Zemmic’s　side…pane　and　snapped　his　chain　of　lucky　charms；　so　he’s
really　low。　But　yes。　All　safe。”
“Cordiale？”
“Fixed　up；　and　fit　for　the　next　sortie。”
“How’s　my　baby　Zero…Two？”
“A　mess；　Bree。　But　she’ll　live。　They’re　working　on　her　now；　but　she’ll　have　to　be　shipped　by
carrier　t—”
Blansher　stopped。　“Damn；”　he　said。　“And　there　I　was　going　to　break　it　to　you　gently。”
“Shipped　out？”　asked　Jagdea。　“Since　when？”
“Since　06。00　hours　this　morning。　Navy　directive。　Apparently；　Ornoff’s　decided　it’s　time　to　quit
the　coast。”
“Where　to？”
“For　us；　Lucerna　MAB　in　the　Midwinters。　That’s　need…to…know；　obviously。”
131
“Of　course。”
“The　mass　land　evac　is　now　well　underway。　Theda’s　almost　empty；　the　population　fleeing。
We’re　giving　ground。　From　the　islands　we　can　keep　our　bases　out　of　strike　range　of　the　enemy　for　a
while；　and　keep　them　off　the　evac　fleets。　Throne　alive；　Bree；　you’ve　never　seen　so　many　massbarges！”
“I　like　islands；”　said　Jagdea　thoughtfully。　“They　remind　me　of　home。”
“We’re　flying　the　Bolts　out　at　09。00　on　the　268th；　three　days　from　now；　situation　permitting。
Your　bird　will　be　packed　off　this　afternoon　on　one　of　the　freight　barges。”
“Don’t　you　bloody　leave　me　here！”　Jagdea　said。
“Of　course　not；　Bree。　I’ll　arrange　a　transport　to　collect　you；　maybe　around　08。30　that　morning。
The　Navy　will　be　scooping　off　personnel　using　Valkyries　and　Oneros。　You’ll　be　with　us　by　noon。”
“I’d　better　be；”　Jagdea　warned。　“I　don’t　want　to　die　here　in　this　dump。”
“Oh；　trust　me；”　said　Blansher。　He　was　still　rolling　to　and　fro　in　the　bath　chair；　playing　like　a
child。　“When　have　I　ever　let　you　down？”
“Never；”　she　replied。
“You　see？”
“What　about　Espere？”　she　asked。
“Already　gone　north；　medicae　evac。　I　checked。　He’s　in　a　care　unit　in　Enothopolis　as　we　speak。”
Blansher　got　up　out　of　the　chair；　and　rolled　it　around　for　her　to　sit　again。　“I　should　go；”　he　said。
“We’re　due　up　at　11。00　hours　and　my　ride　is　waiting。”
“Good　flying；”　she　said。
“Take　care　of　yourself；”　Blansher　paused。　“Well；　well；　looks　like　you’ve　got　another　visitor。”
Jagdea　looked　around。　Wing　Leader　Seekan；　splendid　in　his　white　suede　coat；　was　coming　down
the　hallway。
“Friends　in　high　places；”　Blansher　said。
He　walked　away；　giving　Seekan　a　salute　as　he　passed　him。　Seekan　returned　it　respectfully；　and
then　walked　on　to　join　Jagdea　under　the　stained；　aged　window。　She　remained　standing。
“Leader。”
“Commander。　How　are　you？”
“Alive。　I　didn’t　expect　to　see　you　here。”
Seekan　shrugged。
“Have　a　seat；”　Jagdea　suggested；　nodding　her　head　towards　the　bath　chair。
“I’m　fine；　commander。　I…　I　came　for　two　reasons。”
“Did　you　now？”
“The　first　is　as　a　matter　of　courtesy。　From　one　flight　leader　to　another。　Major　Ludo　Ramia　of　the
Apostles　was　lost　in　action　last　night。”
“I’m　sorry　to　hear　that；　leader。”
Seekan　cleared　his　throat　awkward。　“I　intend　to　offer　his　place　to　Flight　Lieutenant　Larice
Asche。　Her　record；　especially　in　recent　days；　has　been　remarkable。　Ten　kills　in　one　sortie。”
“Ten　indeed。”
“I　wanted　to　ask　your　permission；　commander。”
“My　permission？”
“Before　I　ask　her。”
Jagdea　limped　over　to　the　bath　chair　and　sat　down　in　it。　She　felt　dazed；　hurt；　as　if　something
precious　had　been　stolen　from　her。
“Larice　is　one　of　my…”　She　stopped　and　corrected。　“Larice　Asche　is　my　best　pilot。　I　will　miss
her。　But　I　know　the　form。　The　Apostles　ask；　you　don’t　refuse。　I’m　flattered　you　even　ran　it　past　me
132
at　all。　Larice　will　be　overjoyed。　It’s　an　honour。　Of　course　she’ll　accept。　The　first　Phantine　aviator　to
make　the　Apostle　grade。”
“The　first　female…”　Seekan　said。
“Not　a　distinction　we　ever　make　on　Phantine；　sir。”
“The　Navy　is　rather　old　fashioned；　mamzel；”　he　smiled。　“So；　I　have　your　permission？”
Jagdea　shook　her　head　and　chuckled。　“It’s　as　if　you’re　asking　me　for　her　hand　in　marriage。”
“I　am；　in　a　way。　Till　death　parts　us。”
Jagdea　looked　up　at　him。　“Make　her　a　hero。　A　legend。　That’s　all　she　wants；　Seekan。　That’s　all　I
want　for　her。”
“I　will；”　he　said。　“Thank　you。”
“What’s　the　second　reason？”　she　asked。
“Pardon　me？”
“You　said　you’d　come　here　for　two　reasons。　You’ve　robbed　away　my　best　wingman。　I　dread　to
think　what　the　other　cause　is。”
“I　merely　wanted　to　enquire　after　your　health。　I　was　concerned　when　I　heard　the　news。”
“I　thought　you　Apostles　didn’t　care　about　injury　or　death？”
“We　just　don’t　care　about　each　other；”　he　said。　He　looked　round　for　a　moment。　“I　must　be
getting　along。　May　the　Emperor　protect　you；　commander。”
She　nodded。
Only　when　he　was　out　of　sight　down　the　length　of　the　long　hallway；　did　she　notice　the　long
stemmed　bloom；　its　petals　a　rich　Imperial　purple；　that　he　had　left　on　the　window’s　sill。
Langersville；　15。16
From　the　hills　above　the　foreshore；　it　looked　as　if　parts　of　the　coastline　were　breaking　off　and
drifting　out　to　sea。
LeGuin’s　convoy　had　reached　the　headland；　and　was　now　crawling　down　into　the　seaport；　just
one　small　part　of　the　teeming　forces　seeking　evacuation。
Threatening　skies　drifted　above　them；　and　a　brisk　sea　breeze　washed　them。　Schools　of　Valkyries
burned　off　fields　on　the　lower　slopes；　heading　out　to　sea。　Viltry　could　see　Oneros　prepping　for　takeoff。
At　the　docks；　VTRPs；　pontoons　and　mass…barges　slugged　away　from　the　shore。　The　mass…barges
were　enormous　cargo　ships；　belching　smoke　from　their　stacks；　their　open　bellies　laden　with　armour
and　carriers。　As　they　plied　out　into　the　deeper　waters；　others；　riding　light　and　empty；　were　piloted　in
to　the　dock　quays。
The　VTRPs—Vertical　Thrust　Raft　Platforms—were　colossal。　Each　one　was　an　armoured
rectangle　five　hectares　square；　suspended　over　the　water　by　monumental　vector　engines　at　the
corners　and　edges。　As　they　slid　up　to　the　quays　and　dropped　their　metal　ramps；　squadrons　of　armour
rolled　onto　them。　The　noise　of　their　thrusters　filled　the　bay。
Marshals　directed　the　boarding　armour　to　their　stands；　lining　them　up。　An　entire　regimentstrength
could　be　swallowed　onto　one　raft。
Humming　like　monsters；　laden　VTRPs　gusted　out　into　the　open　sea。
“There’s　our　ride；”　said　LeGuin。
Viltry　nodded。　“Theda。　How　far；　do　you　think？”
LeGuin　consulted　his　chart　slate。
“About　three　hundred　kilometres　east。　Why？”
“Time　I　got　going；”　Viltry　said。
LeGuin　frowned。　“We’ll　miss　you；　Osk。”
“You　too。　It’s　been　quite　an　experience。”
133
Viltry　shook　LeGuin　by　the　hand。
As　Viltry　got　down　off　the　tank；　Matredes　hugged　him；　and　Emdeen　slapped　his　arm。
“Good　luck！”　Viltry　shouted　as　the　Line　of　Death　began　to　roll　forward。
“And　to　you！”　yelled　back　LeGuin。
“The　Emperor　protects！”
LeGuin　said　something；　but　the　racing　engines　blotted　it　out。
Viltry　stood　on　the　hillside　for　a　while　as　the　slow　column　threaded　past　him　and　LeGuin’s　tank
was　out　of　sight。
Then　he　ran　down　the　grassy　bank　towards　the　coastal　highway；　and　began　to　flag　down　the
Munitorum　transports　speeding　east。
Theda　MAB　South；　16。10
As　soon　as　his　skids　settled　on　the　handstand；　Marquall　killed　the　fans　and　let　the　ground　take　the
fourteen　tonnes　of　serial　Nine…Nine　“Double　Eagle”。　He　sat　for　a　moment；　canopy　still　locked；　his
head　resting　back　against　the　seat　and　his　eyes　closed。　They’d　just　run　their　third　sortie　of　the　day；　a
snap　call　up　and　into　a　bomber　pack。　Brief；　bitter　fighting　had　followed。　Marquall　had　nearly　been
stung　twice；　on　both　occasions