Fifteen Hours(科幻战争)-第20部分

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their　heads　come　off　pretty　easy。　All　right；　new　fish。　Now　you　try　one。”
In　the　aftermath　of　battle　came　the　clean…up。　Around　them；　while　other　Guardsmen　tended　to　the
wounded　or　repaired　the　shell…damaged　emplacements　and　militia　auxiliaries　carried　in　new
ammunition　and　supplies　to　replace　those　expended　in　the　fighting；　Larn　and　Bulaven　had　been
detailed　to　the　task　of　beheading　fallen　orks。　Dubiously；　Larn　picked　an　ork　at　random　from　the
dozens　of　bodies　lying　nearby　and　placed　the　sharp　end　of　his　entrenching　tool　across　its　neck。
Following　Bulaven’s　earlier　example　he　drew　the　blade　back　and　forth；　feeling　the　resistance　as　it
cut　through　the　skin　and　into　flesh。　Then；　raising　his　foot　he　stamped　down　on　the　spade　head；
pushing　the　blade　perhaps　a　quarter　of　the　way　into　the　ork’s　neck。　Readjusting　his　position　to　put
more　force　into　it　he　stamped　again；　harder　this　time；　then　again；　until　at　the　fourth　blow　the　ork’s
head　finally　came　free　to　roll　away　across　the　frozen　ground。
“That’s　good；　new　fish；”　Bulaven　said。　“Try　to　make　sure　you　are　standing　right　over　the　spade
though　when　you　stamp　on　it。　That　way　you　will　put　more　of　your　weight　behind　it。　It　makes　the
work　easier　and　takes　less　effort。　We　have　a　lot　more　corpses　to　do　before　our　job　is　done。”
“But　why　do　we　need　to　do　it？”　Larn　said　to　him。　“They　are　dead　already；　aren’t　they？”
“Maybe；”　Bulaven　said。　“But　is　always　better　to　make　sure　with　an　ork；　just　to　be　on　the　safe
side。　They　are　tough　bastards。　You　can　shoot　one　in　the　head　and　think　he’s　dead；　only　for　him　to
suddenly　get　up　and　start　walking　about　a　few　hours　later。　Believe　me；　I’ve　seen　it　happen。”　Then；
noticing　Larn　casting　worried　glances　at　the　bodies　lying　all　around　them；　he　smiled。　“Ach；　you
needn’t　worry　about　these　ones；　new　fish。　If　any　of　them　were　capable　of　moving；　they’d　be　trying
to　kill　us　by　now　already。　We’ll　have　their　heads　off　long　before　any　of　them　that　are　still　alive　have
had　time　to　heal。　Then；　the　militia　auxiliaries　will　take　the　bodies　away　for　burning　to　get　rid　of　the
spores。”
“Spores？”　Larn　asked。
“Oh　yes；　new　fish。　Orks　grow　from　spores。　Like　mold。　Leastways；　that’s　what　Scholar　says。　I
can’t　say　I’ve　ever　seen　it　happen　myself；　mind。　But　I’m　prepared　to　take　his　word　for　it。　You　should
ask　him　about　it　later。　He’ll　tell　you　all　about　it。　You　know　Scholar；　he　loves　telling　people　about
things。”
Apparently　satisfied　that　Larn　now　knew　what　he　was　doing；　Bulaven　turned　away　quietly
whistling　a　cheerful　tune　to　himself　as　he　began　to　deprive　more　dead　orks　of　their　heads。　In　his
wake；　Larn　set　to　the　same　task　of　decapitation。　It　was　gruesome　and　tiring　work；　and　Larn　quickly
found　his　boots　and　the　spade　head　were　stained　black　with　viscous　alien　blood。　Soon；　he　was
sweating　under　his　helmet；　the　salt　of　his　sweat　irritating　the　head　wound　he　had　sustained　during
the　battle。
In　the　aftermath；　telling　him　he　was　lucky　and　it　was　only　a　scalp　laceration；　Medical　Officer
Svenk　had　bandaged　it　for　him　while　Corporal　Vladek　had　supplied　him　with　a　new　helmet　—
something　for　which　Davir　had　been　particularly　scathing。　What　is　it　with　you　and　helmets；　new　fish；
Davir　had　said。　First；　you　use　one　to　heat　a　gretch’s　brains　in。　Then；　you　go　and　get　yourself　shot　in
the　head。　What　will　you　use　the　next　one　for？　A　soup　bowl　perhaps；　or　a　planting　pot　for　some
flowers？　But；　much　to　his　own　surprise；　Larn　found　he　was　longer　irritated　by　Davir’s　constant
complaints　and　insults。　He　owed　him　a　debt　now。　No　matter　how　much　the　runtish　trooper　might
protest　to　him　that　it　had　all　been　a　mistake；　even　an　accident；　Davir　had　saved　his　life。
Then；　pausing　in　his　work　to　wipe　the　sweat　from　his　forehead；　Larn　noticed　a　gathering　redness
in　the　sky。　Turning　to　face　the　ork　lines　in　the　east；　he　saw　the　sun　was　setting。　He　saw　it；　and　he
was　amazed。
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It　was　beautiful。　Extraordinary。　More　breathtaking　and　vivid　even　than　the　sunset　he　had　seen　on
his　last　night　at　home。　The　sun　that　had　so　often　seemed　cold　and　distant　above　him　had　at　last
grown　to　become　a　warm　red　orb；　the　sky　once　grey　around　it　had　transformed　and　given　way　to　a
dazzling　symphony　in　flaming　shades　of　scarlet。　Watching　it；　Larn　found　himself　enraptured　by
awe。　Moved　to　the　very　depths　of　his　soul；　he　stood　there　transfixed。　Hypnotised。　Who　knew　there
could　ever　be　such　a　sun；　he　thought　in　wonder。　Who　knew　there　could　be　such　beauty　here？　And　no
sooner　had　that　thought　occurred　than　it　seemed　to　him　it　had　all　been　worth　it。　All　the　things　he　had
been　through。　The　fear。　The　hardship。　The　danger。　The　isolation。　All　the　carnage　he　had　seen　and　all
the　horrors　he　had　witnessed。　All　of　them　now　seemed　worthwhile。　As　though　by　right　of　his
passage　through　hell　he　had　paid　the　price　that　had　allowed　him　this　brief　perfect　moment　of　quiet
and　reflection。
“Are　you　all　right；　new　fish？”　he　heard　Bulaven　say　beside　him。　“Is　your　head　wound　bothering
you？　You　have　been　standing　there　a　long　time　now；　just　looking　at　the　sky。”
Turning；　Larn　saw　Bulaven　facing　him　and　felt　moved　to　tell　him　about　the　sunset。　There　were
no　words　for　his　epiphany；　no　way　to　communicate　what　he　was　feeling　to　another。　Unable　to
express　his　emotions；　for　a　moment　he　was　silent。　Then；　seeing　Bulaven　staring　at　him　in　concern
and　curiosity；　Larn　felt　he　should　say　something　—　anything　—　lest　the　big　man　should　start　to
think　he　had　lost　his　mind。
“I　was　just　struck　by　how　strange　this　place　is；”　he　said；　forced　to　retreat　to　more　commonplace
matters。　“To　have　a　sun　that　sets　so　late　in　winter。”
“Winter？”　Bulaven　asked　in　good…natured　confusion；　looking　around　at　the　frozen　corpsecovered
battlefield　around　them。　“But　it　is　summer　hereabouts；　new　fish。　Good　thing；　too。　In　winter；
life　in　Broucheroc　can　really　start　to　get　nasty。”
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CHAPTER　SIXTEEN
23：01　hours　Central　Broucheroc　Time
A　Visitor　from　General　Headquarters　—　The　Reconnaissance　Mission　—　Expressions　of　Disquiet
Among　the　Ranks　—　Into　No…Man’s　land　—　Alone　in　the　Darkness
“You　have　done　well；　sergeant。”　Lieutenant　Karis　said。　“By　holding　out　against　that　last　assault　you
have　delivered　a　crippling　blow　to　the　activities　of　the　orks　in　this　sector。　And　you　may　be　assured
your　efforts　in　that　regard　have　been　recognised　and　will　be　rewarded。　It　is　not　official　as　yet；　of
course；　but　between　you　and　me　I　understand　you　are　to　be　decorated　while　your　unit　is　to　receive　a
citation。”　In　reply；　Chelkar　was　silent。　Five　minutes　ago　he　had　been　supervising　the　repairs　to　the
company’s　defences　when　Grishen　had　voxed　him　with　the　news　an　officer　had　arrived　and　was
waiting　to　see　him　in　the　command　dugout。　Hurrying　tiredly　to　meet　him；　Chelkar　had　found　himself
confronted　with　a　fresh…faced　junior　lieutenant；　all　spit…shine　boots　and　folded　creases；　a　swagger
stick　poking　out　at　a　jaunty　angle　from　beneath　his　arm。　Though　Chelkar　had　at　first　wondered　if
Sector　Command　had　finally　got　around　to　sending　them　a　nee　apparent　the
lieutenant　had　come　here　on　behalf　of　General　Headquarters。　A　situation　that；　to　Chelkar’s
experience；　was　unlikely　to　bode　anything　but　ill。
“Did　you　hear　me；　sergeant？”　the　lieutenant　said。　“They　are　going　to　give　you　a　medal。”
“I　will　have　to　remember　to　put　it　with　the　other　ones；　lieutenant。”　Chelkar　said；　feeling　so
exhausted　and　bone…weary　he　no　longer　cared　if　his　tone　was　properly　diplomatic。　“But　I　am　sure
you　didn’t　come　all　this　way　and　dragged　me　away　from　my　duties　just　to　tell　me　that。”
Stung　by　his　bluntness；　the　lieutenant’s　face　briefly　tightened　into　a　look　of　displeasure。　Then；
abruptly；　his　mood　softening　and　becoming　patently　false；　he　adopted　a　more　conciliatory　manner。
“You　are　right；　of　course；　sergeant。　And　may　I　say　what　a　pleasure　it　is　to　hear　some　plain
speaking　for　a　change。　That　is　why　I　was　so　happy　to　get　this　chance　to　come　to　the　front。　Not　that　I
find　my　duties　at　General　Headquarters　in　any　way　irksome；　you　understand；　but　at　GHQ　one　can　so
often　forget　the　realities　of　frontline　life　in　the　Guard。　We　are　soldiers；　you　and　I。　We　don’t　do　what
we　do　for　honours　and　medals。　We　do　it　selflessly　in　the　name　of　duty　and　for　the　greater　glory　of
the　Imperium。”
I　don’t　know　what　is　more　sickening；　Chelkar　thought　bleakly。　The　fact　that　someone　has
obviously　told　him　an　officer　should　try　to　strike　up　a　rapport　with　the　lower　ranks；　or　the　fact　that
he　is　so　inept　and　insincere　in　trying　to　do　it。　Why　is　it　whenever　you　hear　one　of　these　rear　echelon
heroes　talk　about　selflessness　you　always　know　they　are　desperate　to　win　a　medal？　This　one’s　a
glory　hound；　all　right；　you　can　see　it　in　his　eyes。　He　probably　heard　about　some　suicide　mission　at
GHQ　and　volunteered　right　away。
“Yes；　lieutenant；”　Chelkar　said；　hoping　that　at　last　the　pipsqueak　pedant　before　him　might　get　to
the　point。　“And；　talking　of　duty；　I　am　assuming　there　is　some　matter　with　which　you　need　my
company’s　assistance？”
“Not　the　whole　company；　sergeant；”　the　lieutenant　replied　blithely。　“I　just　need　some　men　to
accompany　me　into　no…man’s　land　on　a　mission　towards　the　ork　lines。　A　five…man　fireteam　to　be
precise。　Of　course；　I　leave　it　entirely　up　to　you　which　fireteam　to　pick。　Though　I　have　always
considered　three　to　be　a　lucky　number。”
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“We　will　be　going　into　no…man’s　land　tonight；”　the　lieutenant　said；　while　Larn　heard　a　sharp　intake
of　breath　from　the　other　members　of　the　fireteam　beside　him。　“General　Headquarters　wishes　to
know　whether　the　orks’　hold　on　their　territory　has　been　at　all　weakened　by　their　recent　losses。
Accordingly；　we　are　ordered　to　advance　by　stealth　to　within　sight　of　their　lines　and　scout　out　their
defences　and　dispositions　under　cover　of　darkness。　Then；　we　will　return　to　our　own　lines　before　the
orks　are　any　the　wiser。　A　simple　and　straightforward　enough　mission；　I　am　sure　you　will　all　agree。”
Going　about　their　duties　as　the　clean…up　proceeded　outside；　Larn　and　the　others　had　been
summoned　to　the　command　dugout　to　hear　a　briefing　from　a　stiff…necked　young　lieutenant　called
Karis。　Now；　standing　before　the　sector　map　pinned　to　the　wall　behind　him；　the　lieutenant　pointed　at
something　on　the　map　with　his　swagger　stick　as　the　briefing　continued。
“Let　me　make　it　clear　this　is　strictly　a　reconnaissance　mission；”　he　said。　“And；　as　such；　it　relies
entirely　on　stealth。　We　are　not　to　engage　the　enemy　unless　forced　to　do　it　by　the　direst　circumstance。
With　that　in　mind　we　will　maintain　total　light　and　noise　discipline　at　all　times　and　follow　a　route
through　no…man’s　land　designed　to　aid　us　in　our　attempts　to　stay　unseen。　If　we　are　spotted　by　scouts
or　lookouts；　we　will　attempt　to　dispose　of　them　in　as　quick　and　quiet　a　manner　as　possible　—　only
withdrawing　from　no…man’s　land　if　it　is　clear　our　mission　has　become　untenable。　Now；　I　think　that
about　covers　everything。　Are　there　any　questions？”
No　one　answered　and　looking　at　the　faces　of　the　men　about　him　—　Davir；　Bulaven；　Scholar；
Zeebers　—　Larn　sa。　As　though　they　were　every　bit　as　uneasy　at　the
prospect　of　a　mission　into　no…man’s　land　as　they　had　been　earlier　when　it　seemed　The　Big　Push
might　be　upon　them。　Watching　them；　Larn　was　gripped　by　a　sudden　revelation　that　he　realised
onplace　to　the　others。　In　Broucheroc　the　danger　never　ended：　there
were　always　new　battles　to　fight。　New　ways　for　a　man　to　get　himself　killed。
“Good；”　Lieutenant　Karis　said　when　it　became　clear　there　were　to　be　no　questions。　“You　now
have　twenty　minutes　to　check　your　equipment　and　make　your　preparations。　Zero　hour　is　at　00。00
hours。　We　go　into　no…man’s　land　at　midnight。”
“A　simple　matter；　he　says；”　Davir　grumbled　afterwards。　“I　tell　you；　someone　should　take　that　stupid
bastard’s　swagger　stick　and　shove　it　right　up　his　arse。”
They　were　in　the　barracks　dugout。　In　the　wake　of　the　briefing　with　the　lieutenant；　they　had
returned　there　to　be　issued　with　black　dubbing　and　lasgun　lubricant　by　Vladek。　Now；　their　faces　and
all　their　equipment　painted　black；　their　knives　and　pistols　oiled　to　glide　silently　from　their　sheaths；
they　made　their　final　preparations　while　time　counted　down　to　midnight。　As　they　did；　Larn　was
suddenly　struck　by　the　thought　he　had　been　in　Broucheroc　almost　exactly　twelve　hours。　Another
three　hours　to　go；　he　thought；　and　I　will　have　made　my　fifteen。
“You　ask　me；　it　is　the　new　fish’s　fault；”　Zeebers　spat　with　sudden　venom。　“He　is　unlucky。　A
jinx。”
“Shut　up；　Zeebers；”　Davir　spat　back。　“Bad　enough　I　have　to　go　stumbling　around　no…man’s　land
in　the　dead　of　night；　without　having　to　hear　you　mewl　and　puke　about　luck　and　numbers　like　some
halfwit　gambler　on　a　losing　streak。　Shut　up；　or　after　I’m　finished　shoving　the　swagger　stick　up　the
lieutenant’s　arse　I’ll　stick　my　lasgun　up　yours。”
“How　do　you　explain　it　then？”　Zeebers　said；　defiant。　“We’ve　had　nothing　but　a　bad　day　ever
since　the　new　fish　got　here。　He’s　a　jinx。　You　saw　what　happened　to　the　men　he　came　here　with　in
the　lander。”
“Shut　up；　Zeebers；”　Bulaven　rumbled。　Then；　while　Zeebers　fell　silent　and　scowled　at　him；　he
turned　to　Larn。　“Don’t　worry　about　what　Zeebers　said；　new　fish。　You’re　not　a　jinx。　I　only　wish　today
had　been　a　bad　day。　Fact　is；　every　day　in　Broucheroc　is　pretty　much　as　bad　as　this；　one　way　or
another。　After　a　while　you　just　get　used　to　it。”
“But　going　out　into　no…man’s　land　at　night　is　bad？”　Larn　asked；　hoping　the　big　Vardan　could　not
hear　the　nervousness　in　his　voice。　“Worse　than　usual；　I　mean？”
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“Yes；　new　fish；　it　is　worse；”　Bulaven　said。　“Especially　after　a　battle。　You　remember　I　told　you
how　sometimes　a　wounded　ork　will　seem　dead；　only　to　get　up　and　start　walking　about　a　few　hours
later？　Well；　right　now；　no…man’s　land　is　full　of　the　bodies　of　orks　we　shot　during　the　battle。　By　now
some　of　them　could　be　healed　already；　just　about　ready　to　wake　up　and　start　killing　again　while
we’ll　be　right　in　the　middle　of　them。　Then；　to　make　matters　worse；　we’ve　got　to　worry　about　running
into　gangs　of　gretchin　looking　for　spare　parts　as　well。”
“Spare　parts？”
“Orks　are　remarkably　tough　creatures；　new　fish；”　Scholar　said　by　the　side　of　him。　“If　one　of
them　loses　an　arm　or　leg　their　surgeons　will　just　staple　the　limb　from　another　dead　ork　to　them　to
take　its　place。　After　a　battle　such　surgeries　are　in　great　demand　—　so　they　tend　to　send　gangs　of
gretchin　out　into　no…man’s　land　to　cut　undamaged　limbs　from　the　corpses。　Of　course；　the　real　threat
lies　not　so　much　in　the　gretch　themselves；　but　in　the　danger　of　getting　into　a　firefight　in　the　middle
of　no…man’s　land　while　the　entire　ork　army　is　on　top　of　us。”
“The　short　version；　new　fish；　is　that　this　whole　damned　business　has　the　makings　of　a　first　class
snafu　from　start　to　finish；”　Davir　said。　“So；　this　is　what　I　say　we　do。　We　will　follow　Lieutenant
Arsehole’s　orders　so　long　as　there’s　no　shooting。　But　the　moment　the　shit　starts　to　fly　we　get　each
other　out　of　no…man’s　land　as　fast　as　we　can　and　to　hell　with　his　orders。　Now　enough　talking　and
let’s　get　outside。　We　need　to　spend　at　least　ten　minutes　in　the　dark　to　get　our　night　vision　working。
Considering　what’s　ahead　of　us；　I’d　say　we’re　probably　going　to　need　every　advantage　we　can　get。”
“Remember　the　signal；　new　fish；”　Bulaven　whispered　quietly　as　they　crouched　in　the　darkness　of
one　of　the　forward　firing　trenches　with　the　lieutenant　and　the　others　waiting　for　the　order　for　the
mission　to　begin。　“We　keep　to　comms　silence。　But　if　you　make　contact　with　the　greenskins　you
squeeze　the　comm　stud　at　your　collar　to　create　a　squelch　over　the　comm…link。　You　squeeze　it　three
times。　Three　squelches。　You　understand？　That　way　we’ll　know　it’s　you。　Now；　tell　me　it　again　so　I’ll
know　you’ve　got　it。”
“We　go　quiet；”　Larn　whispered　back；　reciting　the　things　Bulaven　had　already　told　him　twice。
“Staying　low　and　keeping　together　until　we　get　halfway　into　no…man’s　land。　Then；　while　Davir　and
the　lieutenant　go　forward　to　scout　out　the　ork　lines；　the　rest　of　us　spread　out　into　a　wide　diamond
formation　with　you　at　the　base；　Zeebers　on　the　left　flank；　me　on　the　right；　and　Scholar　on　point。　If
any　of　us　see　or　hear　orks　…line：　one　squelch　for　you；　two　for　Zeebers；　three
for　me；　and　four　for　Scholar　—　so　that　way　the　others　will　know　where　the　orks　are。”
“Noise　discipline；　troopers；”　Lieutenant　Karis　whispered　testily。　Then；　cupping　his　hand　over　the
chronometer　on　his　wrist　as　he　pressed　an　illumination　stud　to　briefly　light　its　face；　he　gave　the
order。　“Zero　hour。　Time　to　move　out。”
With　Davir　in　the　lead；　they　climbed　over　the　lip　of　the　trench　and　crawled　out　into　no…man’s
land。　Then；　at　a　hand　signal　from　Davir　showing　the　way　before　them　was　clear；　they　stood　into　a
half…crouch　and　began　to　move　slowly　and　quietly　forward。　Ahead；　the　night　seemed　impossibly
dark；　the　stars　dim　and　distant。　Seeing　no　sign　of　a　moon　in　the　sky　to　guide　them；　Larn　found
himself　wondering　if　the　planet　even　had　a　moon　or　whether　it　was　just　hidden　from　his　view。
Whatever　the　case；　keeping　close　to　the　others　he　followed　them　further　and　further　into　the
forbidding　wasteland　between　the　human　and　ork　lines。　His　every　step　wary；　his　senses　sharp；　his
heart　beating　a　tattoo　of　restless　anxiety　in　his　chest。
Around　them　no…man’s　land　was　silent；　made　even　more　threatening　in　the　darkness　now　its　flat
and　desolate　surface　was　covered　over　with　the　shadowy　foreboding　shapes　of　so　many　bodies。
There　were　corpses　everywhere；　strewn　haphazardly　across　the　landscape　and　fallen　together　so
deeply　in　places　the　going　was　made　treacherous　with　splayed　limbs　and　uncaring　torsos。　Feeling
the　outstretched　fingers　of　unseen　hand　touch　his　ankle；　Larn　looked　down　in　sudden　terror
expecting　the　monstrous　form　of　a　wounded　and　reawakening　ork　to　rise　up　before　him。　Only　to　see
107
he　had　inadvertently　brushed　against　a　severed　hand　lying　in　the　mud。　Another　dead　hand　like　so
many　more　around　it。
They　advanced　further；　slowly　spreading　out　further　apart　from　each　other　until　they　reached　the
centre　of　no…man’s　land。　Then；　as　Davir　and　the　lieutenant　disappeared　from　view　to　go　scout　the
lines；　Larn　abruptly　realised　he　could　no　longer　see　the　others。　For　a　moment　he　fought　the　urge　to
call　to　them　on　his　comm　stud。　Then；　he　reminded　himself　they　had　been　ordered　to　maintain　vox
silence：　even　if　he　did　use　the　comm；　no　one　would　answer。　Nor　could　he　go　in　search　of　them。
Robbed　of　all　sense　of　direction　by　the　darkness　and　the　unfamiliarity　of　the　landscape　around　him；
it　would　take　him　a　miracle　to　find　anyone。　Worse；　hopelessly　lost；　he　could　easily　stray　into　the　ork
lines。　Terrified；　Larn　held　his　position　and　did　the　only　thing　he　could。
Alone　in　the　darkness；　he　waited。
Time　passed　and　as　he　stood　waiting；　afraid　that　every　shadow　might　belong　to　some　subtle　and
stalking　enemy；　Larn　realised　it　was　the　first　time　he　had　been　on　his　own　in　weeks。　More　than　that；
here　in　no…man’s　land；　surrounded　by　corpses　and　barely　within　a　stone’s　throw　of　thousands　of
sleeping　orks；　he　felt　more　alone　than　he　had　before　in　his　entire　life。　So　alone　now；　in　fact；　he　might
as　well　have　been　the　last　man　left　in　the　entire　galaxy。
Then；　deep　through　the　gathering　haze　in　his　mind　of　fear　and　loneliness；　La