Ice Guard(科幻战争)-第13部分

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were　crowding　the　balconies　above　them。　Steele　kept　his　squad　moving；　steering　clear　of　open
squares；　hugging　the　walls　of　buildings；　making　sharp　turns　beneath　archways　and　bridges。
The　strategy　proved　successful。　The　fire　from　above　dropped　off；　the　traitors　finding　it　hard　to
track　the　fugitives　below　them；　impossible　to　target　them　when　they　did。　Some　of　them；　frustrated；
were　swarming　down　ladders；　just　trying　to　get　closer；　but　making　themselves　easy　pickings　for　the
Ice　Warriors’　guns。
They　were　gaining　ground；　putting　their　foes　behind　them；　closing　in　on　the　Ice　Palace；　and　for　a
moment　Grayle　thought　they　might　actually　make　it。　But　then；　the　deep…throated　roar　of　an　engine
heralded　the　onset　of　a　new　peril。
Steele　must　have　heard　the　bike　coming　—　but　it　was　too　fast；　there　had　been　no　chance　of
avoiding　it。　It　shot　out　from　a　narrow　alleyway；　squat　and　black；　its　twin…linked　bolters　spitting　out
death　metal。
Even　ridden　by　a　cultist　or　a　traitor；　it　would　have　presented　a　significant　threat　to　the　Ice
Warriors。　But　the　rider　of　this　bike　was　no　mere　traitor。　His　eyes　were　dead；　his　face　criss…crossed
with　badly　stitched　scars；　and　his　features　warped　so　that　his　lips　were　forever　twisted　into　a
disdainful　leer。　The　rider’s　muscular　frame　was　made　even　bulkier；　more　imposing；　by　a　suit　of　jetblack
power　armour　—　and　that　armour　had　been　daubed　with　red　Chaos　sigils；　and　bristled　with
spikes　on　which　had　been　impaled　a　number　of　cracked；　blank…eyed　skulls。
A　Chaos　Space　Marine！
He　was　standing　in　his　broad　saddle；　leaning　eagerly　over　his　handlebars；　slashing　at　the　air　with
a　chattering　chainsword。　Grayle　found　himself　running　at　full　pelt；　almost　before　Steele　had　given
the　order　to　do　so；　with　Gavotski；　Blonsky　and　Pozhar　beside　him。
He　hesitated　as　he　reached　the　nearest　corner；　glanced　back；　and　saw　that　Palinev　had　actually
run　at　the　oncoming　monster。　The　Chaos　Space　Marine　swiped　at　the　scout　with　his　chainsword。
Palinev　twisted　nimbly　and　avoided　the　blow　by　a　hair’s　breadth。　It　was　one　of　the　bravest　things
Grayle　had　seen；　albeit　somewhat　undermined　by　the　terrified　expression　on　Palinev’s　face。　It
seemed　he　had　put　a　little　too　much　trust　in　his　own　speed　and　agility；　hadn’t　expected　the　sword　to
cut　quite　as　close　as　it　had。
He　slipped　around　behind　the　bike　and　was　gone；　haring　up　the　alleyway　from　which　it　had
emerged。　The　Chaos　Space　Marine　tried　to　wrestle　his　vehicle　around　on　its　axis；　to　follow；　but　only
succeeded　in　unseating　himself　—　as　Palinev　had　no　doubt　hoped　he　would。　He　fell　hard　on　his
shoulder；　and　the　bike　veered　off　into　a　wall；　but　its　rider　was　back　on　his　feet　in　a　second。
Grayle　didn’t　wait　to　see　what　he　did　next；　who　he　would　go　after。　Whichever　of　the　Ice
Warriors　drew　the　short　straw；　he　would　probably　end　up　dead　—　and　the　only　chance　the　rest　of
them　had　was　to　be　long　gone　before　that　happened。　So；　Grayle　and　Pozhar　ran　one　way；　Gavotski
and　Blonsky　the　other；　and　Grayle　was　so　worried　about　what　might　be　closing　behind　him　that　he
almost　didn’t　see　what　was　waiting　ahead。
He　was　rushed　by　two　traitors；　one　from　each　side。　He　sidestepped　the　first；　and　greeted　the
second　with　his　lasgun　butt；　striking　his　jaw。　As　the　traitor　reeled；　Grayle　grabbed　him　by　the
shoulder；　and　spun　him　into　his　comrade。　While　both　were　off…balance；　he　stepped　back；　brought　up
his　gun；　then　thought　about　the　noise　it　would　make；　the　attention　it　would　draw；　and　thrust　his
bayonet　instead　through　the　first　traitor’s　kidney　until　he　choked　on　his　own　blood。
The　second　traitor　made　to　run；　but　Pozhar　—　following　Grayle’s　lead　in　not　firing　his　gun　—
brought　him　down　with　a　low　tackle。　The　traitor　opened　his　mouth　to　yell　out；　but　Pozhar　filled　it
with　his　fist。　Then　he　drove　his　gun　butt　repeatedly　into　the　traitor’s　head　until　he　was　quite　certain
that　he　was　dead。
“Quickly；　in　here！”
Grayle　whirled　around；　brought　up　his　gun；　and　saw　a　slim；　fair…haired　young　man　in　its　sights。
The　man　was　wearing　a　basic　blue　worker’s　smock；　he　certainly　didn’t　look　like　a　traitor　or　a　cultist。
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Still；　Grayle　wasn’t　the　only　Ice　Warrior　to　be　suspicious；　and　the　new　arrival　blanched　as　he　found
himself　staring　down　two　lasgun　barrels。
The　man　threw　up　his　hands　to　show　that　he　was　unarmed。
“I　can　help　you；”　he　said；　'but　you　have　to　come　now。　We　don’t　have　long。”
“How　do　we　know　this　isn’t　some　trick？”　demanded　Pozhar。
“I　don’t　know　how　to　convince　you；”　said　the　man；　'but　I　am　loyal　to　the　Emperor；　praise　His
name。　I　am　one　of　the　few　men　left　in　this　city　who　is。　And　the　Traitor　Guardsmen　are　moving　to
surround　you　again。　If　you　stay　out　here；　you’re　dead　for　sure　—　you　may　as　well　take　your　chances
with　me。”
Grayle　looked　at　Pozhar；　and　could　see　that　they　were　both　thinking　the　same　thing：　that　the
stranger　was　right。　He　was　their　best　hope。　So；　Grayle　turned　to　him　with　a　nod；　and　said；　“Okay；
lead　the　way。”
“But　if　you　are　lying　to　us；”　Pozhar　hissed；　“it　won’t　matter　how　many　friends　you　have　waiting
back　there；　what　sort　of　a　trap　you　might　be　leading　us　into；　I　will　fight　my　way　to　you　and　I　will　cut
your　throat　—　with　my　dying　breath　if　I　have　to。”
Steele　was　running　with　Anakora；　Barreski　and　Mikhaelev　when　he　heard　the　bike　roaring　up　behind
them。　It　came　screaming　past　the　Ice　Warriors；　skidded　to　a　halt　in　their　path；　and　its　rider　was
already　in　mid…leap　towards　them。
They　greeted　him　with　las…fire；　but　they　may　as　well　have　been　shining　flashlights　in　his　face　for
all　the　effect　it　had。　Steele　ducked　beneath　the　Chaos　Space　Marine’s　chainsword；　while　Anakora
drove　her　bayonet　at　him。　She　was　aiming　for　an　armour　joint　but　missed；　and　the　tip　of　her　blade
snapped　off。　The　Chaos　Space　Marine　grabbed　her　by　the　greatcoat；　lifted　her　and　flung　her　away
like　a　piece　of　trash。
Barreski　took　the　opportunity；　while　his　foe　was　distracted；　to　attempt　to　drive　his　power　fist　into
his　stomach。　The　Chaos　Space　Marine　caught　Barreski’s　hand　and　squeezed；　and　the　gauntlet　broke
with　a　shower　of　sparks。　Barreski　was　barely　able　to　pull　out　his　hand　in　time　to　spare　it　the　same
fate。
Steele　was　aiming　his　laspistol；　looking　for　an　opening；　when　the　chainsword　lashed　out　at　him
again。　He　could　smell　the　engine　oil　on　its　whirring　teeth　as　he　stumbled　backwards　away　from　it。
The　Chaos　Space　Marine　was　focusing　his　attacks　upon　him。　He　must　have　seen　the　rank
insignias　on　Steele’s　coat；　identified　him　as　the　leader。　He　had　chosen　his　victim；　the　other　three　Ice
Warriors　were　just　an　inconvenience；　a　minor　one　at　that。　Steele　offered　up　a　prayer　to　the　Emperor
—　not　for　his　own　life；　because　he　knew　this　was　lost；　but　that　he　could　occupy　this　monster　long
enough　for　his　comrades　to　get　clear。
He　ran；　knowing　he　would　not　get　far；　hoping　that　he　could　get　just　far　enough。　He　could　hear
the　jackhammer　footsteps　of　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　behind　him　—　it　had　taken　him　less　than　a
second　to　cast　Barreski　and　Mikhaelev　aside；　to　set　off　in　pursuit　of　his　true　prey　—　and　then　he
heard　the　whine　of　a　jump　pack。
Steele　threw　himself　onto　his　stomach；　and　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　hurtled　over　him；　having
not　expected　such　quick　reflexes　from　a　Guardsman。　Scrambling　to　his　feet；　Steele　raced　for　a　litterstrewn
alleyway；　slipped　through　a　gateway；　hauled　himself　into　a　burnt…out　building　through　an
open　window；　and　ran　out　through　the　main　door。
He　ducked　behind　a　statue　of　a　great　Imperial　general；　and　tried　to　control　his　breathing；　not　to
make　the　slightest　sound。
And　the　statue　exploded；　shredded　by　the　explosive　payload　of　a　bolt　pistol。
The　Chaos　Space　Marine　was　upon　Steele　again；　marching　through　a　cloud　of　dust　and　debris；
and　for　the　third　time　Steele　only　just　avoided　being　sliced　in　two　by　his　chainsword。　There　was　no
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running　now；　no　one　to　get　between　him　and　his　attacker；　and　no　hope　of　matching　him　for　sheer
strength。
He　drew　his　power　sword　anyway；　and　triggered　its　energy　field。
He　was　in　this　fight　to　the　death；　and　he　had　no　doubt　that　he　would　be　the　one　to　die。　But　by　the
time　Colonel　Stanislev　Steele　went　down；　his　killer　would　be　left　in　no　doubt　that　he　had　just　gone
toe　to　toe　with　an　Ice　Warrior。
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CHAPTER　THIRTEEN
Time　to　Destruction　of　Cressida：　16。24。39
“The　Chaos　worshippers　don’t　come　down　here；”　said　the　man　in　the　worker’s　smock。
“I　can　see　why　not；”　muttered　Grayle。
They　were　picking　their　way　along　a　dark；　dank　tunnel；　lit　only　by　the　yellow　glow　of　their
lamp…packs。　Their　guide；　who　had　introduced　himself　as　Tollenberg；　had　led　Grayle　and　Pozhar
through　a　concealed　manhole　in　the　basement　of　an　office　building。　The　foul　smell　had　been　the　first
thing　to　hit　Grayle。　He　had　been　wading　ankle…deep　in　cold；　rank　water　before　he　realised　what　this
was：　a　sewer　pipe。
“Oh；　they’ve　tried　a　time　or　two；”　Tollenberg　went　on。　“Mangellan　knows　we’re　here；　even　if　he
underestimates　our　numbers　and　our　fortitude。　He’s　sent　cultists　to　find　us。　I　don’t　think　he　knows
how　extensive　these　tunnels　are；　doesn’t　realise　it’s　a　maze　down　here。　It’s　all　too　easy　to　get　lost；
easier　still　to　walk　into　an　ambush。”
They　climbed　up　onto　a　crumbling　ledge；　and　slipped　through　an　iron　door　that　had　been　left
rusted　half…open。
Then　Tollenberg　led　them　down　a　long　ladder；　its　rungs　made　slippery　by　a　continual　dribble　of
the　foul　water。　At　its　base；　they　found　another　tunnel；　apparently　identical　to　the　one　above。
“We’ve　had　time；　you　see　—　those　of　us　still　loyal　to　the　Emperor；　still　free。　We’ve　had　time　to
find　our　way　around；　draw　up　maps；　scope　out　the　best　hiding　places。　We　can　get　from　one　side　of
the　hive　to　the　other　now；　from　its　top　to　its　bottom；　without　leaving　these　pipes　for　more　than　a　few
strides。　We　can—”
Tollenberg　came　to　an　abrupt　halt；　fell　silent；　and　held　up　a　hand　for　the　Ice　Warriors　to　do
likewise。　They　switched　off　their　lights　and　stood　waiting　in　the　darkness；　in　the　quiet；　and　they
could　all　hear　it：　footsteps；　sloshing　towards　them　from　behind　another　opening　in　the　brick　wall。
Footsteps　that　now　fell　silent；　as　if　the　people　making　them　had　also　realised　that　they　weren’t　alone；
were　also　standing　and　waiting。
Cautiously；　Tollenberg　tapped　his　lamp…pack　against　the　wall；　three　times；　paused；　then　tapped
twice　more；　each　knock　echoing　along　the　tunnel　behind　and　ahead　of　them。　A　moment　later；
answering　knocks　came；　four　in　quick　succession；　and　Tollenberg　relit　his　pack。
“It’s　OK；”　he　said。　“They’re　friends。”
They　met　at　the　tunnel　junction；　Tollenberg　embracing　a　middle…aged　woman　with　tied…back　red
hair；　who　wore　a　blue　smock　like　his；　while　Grayle　and　Pozhar　were　delighted　to　find　her
accompanied　by　two　comrades：　Gavotski　and　Blonsky。
“We　have　people　searching　the　whole　of　this　sector；”　explained　Tollenberg。　“With　luck；　they’ll
find　a　few　more　of　your　fellows　yet。”
“But　why？”　asked　Pozhar　impatiently。　“What　do　you　want　with　us？”
“Where　are　you　taking　us？”　asked　Blonsky。
“Somewhere　safe；”　said　Tollenberg。
Anakora　was　alive。
Her　encounter　with　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　had　lasted　all　of　about　three　seconds；　and　was　a　blur
in　her　memory。　She　only　knew　that　she　had　hit　the　ground　hard；　been　winded；　and　now　she　could
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hear　the　growling　of　a　chainsword　blade。　It　filled　her　ears；　seeming　to　come　from　right　beside　her　—
but　as　she　picked　herself　up；　as　she　made　herself　look；　she　saw　that　she　was　alone　in　the　gutter。
She　could　hear　the　retort　of　las…fire；　too　—　from　a　pistol；　if　she　was　not　mistaken。　Colonel
Steele！
She　didn’t　stop　to　think。　She　pounded　down　the　street；　heedless　of　the　risk　to　herself；　of　the
possibility　that　more　traitors　might　be　lurking　between　the　buildings。　And　she　wasn’t　running　away
from　the　sounds　of　battle；　as　would　have　been　the　sensible　thing　to　do；　the　right　thing；　as　Barreski
and　Mikhaelev　must　have　done　already。　No；　Anakora　ran　towards　them　—　and　she　realised　as　she
did　so　that　those　sounds　ought　to　have　ceased　by　now；　that　no　human　opponent　of　a　Chaos　Space
Marine　could　have　survived　this　long。　It　just　wasn’t　possible。
Rounding　the　next　corner；　she　saw　that　the　impossible　was　happening。
Beside　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　in　his　black　power　armour；　Steele　looked　small　and　helpless。
Still；　somehow　he　was　managing　to　go　toe　to　toe　with　him。　He　ducked　each　blow　almost　before　it
was　thrown；　or　parried　it　with　his　blue…flaring　power　sword；　making　his　foe　look　clumsy。　He　aimed
the　majority　of　his　thrusts　at　the　Chaos　Space　Marine’s　face；　and　some　of　them　had　got　through。
Even　as　Anakora　watched；　Steele　drew　blood　again；　scoring　a　red　line　across　the　bridge　of　his
opponent’s　nose；　a　fresh　scar　to　add　to　his　collection。
The　Chaos　Space　Marine　didn’t　flinch；　hardly　seemed　to　register　the　shallow　cut；　his　system　no
doubt　flooded　with　painkilling　drugs。　Anakora　knew　that；　in　contrast；　one　punch　from　him　would　be
enough　to　break　Steele’s　neck；　one　hit　from　his　chainsword　enough　to　decapitate　him。　Steele’s
reflexes；　or　his　augmetics；　only　had　to　let　him　down　once　and　he　would　be　dead。
Her　first　las…beam　glanced　off　the　Chaos　Space　Marine’s　armour。　She　had　been　trying　to　find　a
joint；　hoping　to　blow　it　open；　but　with　Steele　in　her　line　of　fire　she　had　to　err　on　the　side　of　caution。
The　Chaos　Space　Marine　didn’t　even　look；　never　took　his　eyes　off　Steele。　He　simply　drew　his　bolt
pistol　with　his　left　hand　and　loosed　off　a　short　burst　in　Anakora’s　direction。　For　a　blind　shot；　it　was
horribly　accurate；　and　she　was　barely　able　to　leap　back　around　her　corner　as　a　chunk　of　the　wall　was
blown　out　behind　her　head。
She　tried　two　more　beams；　each　provoking　an　answering　burst　of　bolts；　before　she　decided　that
she　needed　something　bigger。
A　big　green　truck　was　parked　on　the　street；　a　few　metres　away。　The　door　to　the　cab　hung　loose；
and　Anakora　yanked　it　open　so　hard　that　she　wrenched　it　from　its　hinges。　She　hadn’t　driven　a
vehicle　since　her　training；　she　was　hardly　a　specialist；　but　she　could　remember　the　basics　and　she
had　seen　Grayle　at　work。
She　hauled　herself　up　into　the　driver’s　seat；　closed　her　eyes；　muttered　a　fervent　prayer　to　the
engine’s　machine…spirits　and　almost　brimmed　over　with　gratitude　towards　them　when　they　came
alive　for　her。
The　frame　of　the　truck　juddered　as　she　pulled　away；　and　the　vehicle　proceeded　in　fits　and　starts；
and　almost　stalled。　But　Anakora　was　getting　a　feel　for　its　workings；　and　she　picked　up　speed　as　she
pulled　the　steering　wheel　around　hard。　And　now　Steele　and　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　were　dead
ahead　of　her。
They　heard　her　coming；　of　course。　She　had　been　counting　on　that；　counting　on　Steele　being　able
to　get　out　of　her　way　somehow。　As　the　chainsword　lashed　out　again；　he　feinted　and；　instead　of
ducking　beneath　its　teeth；　he　darted　inwards；　caught　the　Chaos　Space　Marine’s　elbow；　and　twisted
and　pushed　for　all　he　was　worth。
He　couldn’t　overbalance　his　opponent　—　he　was　too　strong；　too　heavy　—　but　he　did　make　him
shift　his　footing；　and　that　gave　Steele　the　tiniest　of　openings。　It　gave　him　time　enough　to　disengage
from　the　battle；　and　to　throw　himself　backwards。　Seeing　what　he　was　doing；　the　Chaos　Space
Marine　made　a　grab　for　him；　tried　to　make　a　human　shield　out　of　him；　but　Steele　was　just　a　fraction
too　fast　for　him　—　and　Anakora　had　a　clear　ran　at　her　target。　She　floored　the　accelerator　pedal。
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The　Chaos　Space　Marine　whirled　to　face　her；　flexing　his　powerful　leg　muscles；　making　to　jump。
For　a　moment；　Anakora　thought　he　was　actually　going　to　make　it；　thought　he　was　going　to　leap　up
onto　the　bonnet；　thrust　his　hands　through　the　windscreen　and　find　her　throat。　But　then　the　track
smacked　into　him；　and　carried　him　ten　metres　or　more；　before；　with　a　rending　and　a　screeching　of
metal　and　plasteel；　it　slammed　him　hard　into；　and　almost　through；　a　solid　stone　wall。
Anakora　was　flung　forward；　and　her　head　hit　the　windscreen；　shattering　the　plexiglas。　Her
helmet　protected　her；　but　she　was　dazed。　She　thought　the　sensation　she　could　feel　in　her　stomach；
the　feeling　that　the　world　was　tilting；　was　a　symptom　of　nausea；　until　firm　hands　took　her　shoulders；
and　she　was　distantly　aware　that　Steele　had　reached　into　the　cab；　grabbed　her；　and　was　dragging　her
out　of　there。
Even　so；　the　sword　was　inching　its　way　towards　the　colonel’s　heart；　howling　as　if　in　anticipation
of　the　moment　when　it　would　sink　its　teeth　into　his　flimsy　armour。
Anakora　raised　her　gun；　but　Steele　yelled；　“No！　Leave　me！　Find　the　others！　Complete　the
mission！　I’ll　hold　this　thing　off　for　as　long　as　I　can！”
She　was　rooted　to　the　spot；　still　unsure；　still　thinking。　If　only　I　could　find　some　way　to　die
instead　of　him。　She　couldn’t　be　the　one　to　report　to　the　others　that　he’d　fallen；　that　she　had　done
nothing　to　stop　it；　nothing　but　run。　She　couldn’t　do　that　again。
She　moved　around　behind　the　Chaos　Space　Marine；　putting　his　great　bulk　between　her　and
Steele。　She　set　her　gun　to　full　auto　and　pounded　him　with　las…fire　until　her　power　pack　was
exhausted　—　by　which　time　she　had　burned　through　his　armour　and　dislodged　a　shoulder　plate；　but
Steele　was　on　his　knees；　unable　to　keep　his　attacker　at　bay　for　much　longer；　and　through　clenched
teeth；　in　a　hoarse　voice；　he　yelled；　“Get　out　of　here。　That’s　an　order；　Trooper　Anakora。　Go！”
She　had　no　choice　now。　Anakora　ran　—　because；　if　there　was　one　thing　the　Imperial　Guard
instilled　in　its　troopers；　one　mantra　by　which　they　lived；　it　was　that　an　order　was　always　to　be
obeyed；　immediately　and　without　question。
That；　and　because　Steele　was　right；　because　she　couldn’t　achieve　anything　by　staying；　because
the　Emperor　would　have　disapproved　of　her　giving　her　life　in　a　lost　cause；　taking　the　easy　way　out。
Anakora　ran；　with　the　ghosts　of　Astaroth　Prime　howling　in　her　ears。
And　the　teeth　of　the　chainsword　gave　one　final；　piercing　scream　behind　her；　and　then　silence
fell。
That　damned　itch　had　spread　to　Pozhar’s　shoulder。
He　almost　wished　the　Chaos　Space　Marine　had　come　after　him　instead　of　choosing　another
target。　He　longed　to　be　discovered　by　more　Traitor　Guardsmen。
It　was　no　longer　just　that　he　wished　to　serve　the　Emperor　through　combat。　It　had　become　much
more　than　that。　When　Pozhar　was　fighting；　he　couldn’t　feel　what　was　happening　to　him。　He　could
believe　that；　when　the　fighting　stopped；　everything　would　be　all　right　—　that；　through　the　practice　of
exercising　his　muscles　in　a　righteous　cause；　he　could　somehow　cleanse　his　system；　force　a　reversal
of　the…　the…
He　couldn’t　even　think　the　word；　couldn’t　form　it　in　his　mind。
He　would　have　hacked　off　his　own　arm　to　keep　the　grey　fur　from　spreading；　had　there　been　a
way　to　do　that　without　betraying　his　shame　to　everyone。
He　tried　not　to　think　about　it；　tried　to　concentrate　on　the　gloomy　surroundings　of　the　sewer
tunnel　and　on　his　comrades。　Sergeant　Gavotski　was　walking　at　the　head　of　the　six…strong　group　with
Tollenberg。　The　rest　of　the　Ice　Warriors　were　behind　them；　with　the　red…headed　woman　bringing　up
the　rear。
“How　many　of　you　are　there？”　asked　Gavotski。
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“A　couple　of　hundred；”　said　their　guide。　“We　were　civilians　before　the　war：　miners；
administrators；　teachers。　When　Chaos　came　to　our　doorsteps；　we　gathered　in　the　chapels　to　pray　for
His　guidance。　When　the　chapels　fell；　He　led　us　into　these　tunnels。”
“You　sh