Ice Guard(科幻战争)-第5部分

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pointed　out；　quite　reasonably；　that　the　Imperial　Guard　had　suffered　more　than　its　fair　share　of
deserters　and　turncoats　on　Cressida。　With　nine　pairs　of　eyes　focused　on　the　search　for　Confessor
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Wollkenden；　it　was　perhaps　advisable　to　have　the　tenth　pair　turned　inwards；　watching　the　squad
itself。
The　shelling　had　ceased　at　last。　Grayle；　it　seemed；　had　been　right：　the　unseen　gunner　had　just　been
taking　potshots；　and　he　had　evidently　decided　to　maintain　his　position　rather　than　be　enticed　into
pursuing　a　handful　of　enemy　vehicles。
For　the　past　few　minutes；　the　only　thing　protecting　the　Termite　had　been　the　cloud　kicked　up　by
a　handful　of　smoke　bombs　dropped　by　Palinev　and　Mikhaelev。　By　the　Emperor’s　grace；　it　had　been
enough。　A　few　more　explosions　had　vibrated　through　the　passenger　compartment；　but　none　had
come　close　enough　to　cause　real　damage；　and　Barreski；　who　had　moved　up　to　the　front　seat　beside
Grayle；　reported　that　the　all…important　borer　was　intact。
Grayle　ploughed　on；　across　land　that　had　once　been　fertile　fields　but　was　now　coated　with　grey
slush　and　the　ever…present　purple　fungus。　He　itched　to　put　his　foot　down；　to　coax　a　little　extra　speed
out　of　the　grumbling　engine；　to　make　up　for　the　time　they　had　lost　to　their　unplanned　diversion。　He
didn’t　want　to　outpace　the　Chimeras；　however。
There　were　four　of　them；　each　protecting　one　face　of　the　Termite；　and　they　were　just　starting　to
have　trouble；　struggling　to　find　traction　as　the　ground　beneath　them　grew　more　icy　and　treacherous。
As　the　convoy　proceeded；　the　snow　became　deeper　until　it　was　piled　almost　to　the　tops　of　their
tracks。　The　Chimeras　were　equipped　with　dozer　blades　and　crewed　by　experienced　Ice　Warriors；　but
still　the　going　was　painfully　slow。　With　Gavotski’s　permission；　Grayle　got　on　the　vox　to　the
Chimera　drivers　and　arranged　to　take　point。
Shortly　after　this；　Grayle　got　his　first　sight　of　the　glaciers　—　and　even　he；　who　had　been　brought
up　amid　the　icescapes　of　Valhalla；　let　out　a　low　whistle　through　his　teeth。　The　glaciers　formed　an
unbroken　line　in　the　middle…distance；　dwarfing　the　paltry　vehicles　that　approached　it。　He　found
himself　nursing　an　unworthy　thought；　one　of　which　he　thought　Trooper　Borscz　would　have
approved：　that　very　little　of　what　the　Imperium　of　Man　had　ever　built　could　compare　with　such
natural　splendour。
They　were　rumbling　along　the　base　of　a　U…shaped　valley；　and　Gavotski　cautioned　the　troopers　to
go　easy　with　the　flamers　lest　they　bring　an　avalanche　down　on　the　Termite。　There　had　been　no　signs
of　trouble　for　almost　an　hour；　and　at　last　Steele　gave　the　order　to　release　the　escorts　from　service。
The　Chimeras　fell　away；　a　couple　of　their　drivers　voxing　Grayle　with　good　luck　messages。　The
Termite　was　finally　alone；　and　Grayle　pointed　it　at　the　sheer　ice　face　that　was　looming　before　them。
Tactical　maps　suggested　that　the　glaciers　formed　an　almost　unbroken　ring　around　a　great　swathe
of　Chaos…held　territory。　Grayle　had　no　doubt　that　the　few　routes　in　or　out　of　the　area　would　be　under
heavy　guard。　The　last　thing　the　Chaos　forces　would　expert　was　for　their　enemies　to　strike　through
the　great　ice　walls。　Like　the　orks　that　had　once　invaded　his　home　world；　they　were　in　for　a　rude
surprise。
“Hey；　Trooper　Borscz；”　Barreski　called　back　over　his　shoulder；　“we’re　almost　there。　Should　I
start　up　the　borer；　or　would　you　rather　get　out　and　dig　your　way　through　the　ice　with　your　bare
hands　and　your　teeth？”
“Impact　with　the　ice　face　in　thirty　seconds；”　reported　Grayle。　“You　ready　there；　Barreski？”
“Always；”　Barreski　said；　his　hands　moving　over　the　controls　with　practiced　ease；　although　to　the
best　of　his　fellow　tanker’s　knowledge　he　had　never　been　in　a　vehicle　like　this　one　before。　The
Termite’s　great　white　borer　dropped　into　the　ready　position；　so　that　it　blocked　Grayle’s　view　through
his　front　shield。　He　wasn’t　missing　much；　he　thought。　For　the　past　few　minutes；　all　he　had　been　able
to　see　was　the　flat；　grey　surface　of　the　approaching　glacier。
He　began　to　count　down；　as　Barreski　started　the　drill　head　turning；　“Impact　in　ten…　nine…
eight…”
“Anyone　want　to　bet　Grayle　and　me　we　can　punch　our　way　through　this　berg　without　even
slowing　down？”
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Barreski　fired　off　a　quick　burst　from　all　four　of　the　borer’s　flamer　attachments；　and　Grayle　could
see　the　telltale　orange　halo　flaring　around　the　drill　head。　The　great　grey　wall　was　running　with
rivulets；　steaming　a　little；　but　still　it　looked　like　nothing　more　than　a　solid　mass　of　rock　as　it　rushed
up　to　meet　the　Termite’s　front　shield；　and　even　Grayle　had　to　fight　the　urge　to　flinch　from　it。
“Three…　two…　one…”　he　counted；　through　clenched　teeth。
And　he　pressed　down　hard　on　the　accelerator　pedal；　rising　to　Barreski’s　boastful　challenge；　as
the　countdown　reached　zero。
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CHAPTER　FIVE
Time　to　Destruction　of　Cressida：　43。15。08
The　Termite　bucked；　a　shudder　slamming　through　its　plasteel　body　as　its　horn　impacted　with　the
great　wall　of　ice。
But　the　impact　was　only　momentary；　because　then　the　driver’s　front　shield　was　pelted　with
jagged　shards；　spattered　with　melted　water；　and　the　engine　howled　in　protest　as　it　fought　to　make
headway　against　a　force　of　nature　that　should　by　rights　have　been　immovable…　and　succeeded。
Barreski　fired　the　borer…mounted　flamers　again；　regretting　only　that　he　had　to　do　so　remotely　and
couldn’t　feel　their　kick　to　his　shoulder。　The　Termite　wheezed　and　shuddered；　and　a　fresh　wave　of
water　broke　over　its　front；　but　its　tracks　had　gained　purchase；　and　the　vehicle　surged　forwards。
The　hard　part　was　done。　They　were　inside　the　glacier　and　the　borer　had　found　its　groove；　its　drill
head　shredding　the　ice　in　its　path　like　paper。　All　they　had　to　do　now　was　keep　up　their　momentum；
and　stay　on　a　constant　bearing。
In　the　absence　of　a　clear　view　ahead；　Grayle’s　gaze　was　fixed　to　the　compass　—　while；　for　his
part；　Barreski　yearned　for　a　greater　challenge　than　that　of　just　keeping　the　drill　head　spinning。　He
was　about　to　get　his　wish。
The　ice　had　closed　in　around　the　Termite；　and　the　walls　and　the　roof　of　its　self…made　tunnel　were
pressing　in　on　it；　squeezing　it。　This　was　to　be　expected；　of　course　—　and　at　first　Barreski　thought
little　of　the　occasional　groan　from　the　plasteel　above　him；　although　he　could　feel　the　increased
pressure　as　if　the　air　itself　had　become　denser。　An　especially　heartfelt　groan　from　behind　him；　he　put
down　to　one　of　his　comrades　back　there；　almost　certainly　Trooper　Borscz。
But　the　groans　from　the　hull　were　becoming　more　frequent；　and　louder。
And　then；　Grayle　reported　that　their　speed　had　dropped。
Barreski　knew　what　to　do。　He　pressed　the　flamers　into　service　again；　to　ease　their　path　through
the　ice；　and　the　driver　seemed　satisfied。　But　no　sooner　had　Barreski　removed　his　hands　from　the
trigger　controls　than　Grayle　frowned；　shook　his　head　and　announced　that　they　were　slowing　again。
They　repeated　the　sequence　twice　more；　with　the　same　results；　until　Barreski　was　starting　to
worry　about　depleting　the　flamers’　promethium　tanks。
“Looks　like　we’re　going　to　lose　that　bet；　Grayle；”　he　said　through　clenched　teeth。
Then　the　hull　emitted　a　particularly　violent　crack。　Borscz　leapt　to　his　feet　in　alarm　and　banged
his　head　on　the　roof。
“Are　you　certain　the　machine　can　take　much　more　of　this？”　he　moaned。
“A　couple　of　minutes　ago；”　said　Grayle；　“I’d　have　guaranteed　it。　Now—”
“Now　what？”　Colonel　Steele　was　on　his　feet　too。　With　two　long　strides；　he　was　with　Barreski
and　Grayle；　leaning　between　them；　examining　the　dashboard　runes。　“What’s　happening　out　there；
Grayle？”
“I　don’t　know；　sir。　The　Termite　is　performing　at　peak　efficiency。　Better　than　peak。　It’s　the　ice；
it’s…　I　know　this　sounds　impossible；　but　I　think　it　might　be　replenishing　itself；　reforming　as　fast　as
we　can　bore　through　it。”
“He　could　be　right；”　said　Gavotski。　“We　know　that　Cressida’s　change　of　climate　has　no　natural
explanation。　We　know　the　taint　of　Chaos　is　in　the　soil；　lending　it　abnormal　properties。　Why　not　in
the　water　as　well？”
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“I　knew　it；”　Borscz　groaned；　dropping　back　into　his　seat。　“The　tunnel　is　closing　behind　us。　We
are　going　to　be　trapped　in　here；　in　this　tin　coffin；　forever。”
“Not　if　I　can　help　it！”　snarled　Barreski。　He　fired　the　flamers　again；　and　manipulated　the　borer；
making　it　describe　a　small　circle　as　it　drilled；　widening　its　tunnel。
“That’s　helping；”　reported　Grayle；　“but　we　still　aren’t　making　the　progress　we　should。”
“And　we　can’t　keep　this　up　for　long；”　Barreski　added；　still　mindful　of　his　dwindling　fuel
supplies。
“The　ice！”　cried　Anakora。　“It　is　forcing　itself　in　here！”　With　a　glance　back　over　his　shoulder；
Barreski　saw　that　she　was　right。　Crushed　ice　was　squeezing　through　the　gun　emplacements　in　the
Termite’s　side；　as　if　being　pushed　by　an　external　force。　Six　troopers　leapt　to　the　guns；　doing　their
best　to　discourage　the　intrusion；　but　both　Palinev　and　Mikhaelev　immediately　reported　that　their
flamers　had　seized　up。
“What’s　your　assessment；　Grayle？”　barked　Steele。　“Can　we　make　it　to　the　other　side　of　this
thing？”
“No；　sir；”　said　Grayle；　“I　don’t　think　we　can。”
“Well；　we　certainly　can’t　back　up；”　said　Gavotski。　“We　don’t　have　the　room　to　swing　the　borer
around。”
“If　we　changed　our　heading　to　oh…seven…nine；”　said　Grayle；　“we　could　be　through　the　ice　a　lot
faster。　It’d　take　us　a　fair　way　off　course；　though。”
Steele　pulled　up　a　tactical　map　on　his　data…slate；　nodded；　and　said；　“It’s　our　best　hope。　Make　that
course　correction；　trooper。”
As　Grayle　moved　to　obey；　another　almighty　crack　drew　ten　pairs　of　worried　eyes　upwards。　A
hairline　fracture　had　appeared　in　the　hull；　stretching　half　the　length　of　the　passenger　compartment。
“You　see；　Trooper　Borscz；”　said　Mikhaelev　nervously；　“you　didn’t　have　to　worry　about　our
being　trapped　in　here。　The　ice　is　going　to　crack　this　vehicle　open　like　an　eggshell　and　crush　us　all　to
death　instead。”
“You　think　the　ice　caused　that　crack？”　Pozhar　joked；　half…heartedly。　“That’s　from　where　Borscz
banged　his　great　head　up　there！”
“Can　you　bring　the　back　end　of　the　borer　down　a　little？”　Gavotski　enquired　of　Barreski。　“Use　it
to　protect　the　roof。　I　know　it　would　slow　down　the　drilling；　but—”
“Can’t　do　it　anyway；　sergeant；”　said　Barreski。　“I’m　trying；　but　the　ice　is　already　packed　in　too
tightly　under　there。　The　borer　is　stuck　at　this　angle。”
“It’s　a　race；　then；”　said　Steele；　his　voice　remarkably　calm　under　the　circumstances；　“between　us
and　the　ice。　I’m　relying　on　the　two　of　you；　Grayle；　Barreski。　Do　whatever　you　have　to　do。　Just　keep
us　moving；　as　fast　as　you　can　manage。”
“Aye；　sir；”　said　Grayle。　Then　he　turned　to　Barreski；　raising　his　voice　to　be　heard。　“I　can　reroute
some　power　to　the　borer　from　the　engine。　The　harder　that　drill　works；　the　less　the　engine　has　to　do
anyway。”
“Another　flamer　down；”　reported　Blonsky　from　behind　them。
“I　could　do　with　one　of　those　things　up　here；”　Barreski　shouted　back。　“Rip　one　out　of　an
emplacement　if　you　have　to。”　He　was　operating　the　borer…mounted　flamers　—　just　three　of　them
now；　as　the　fourth　was　returning　jammed　signals　—　almost　constantly；　but　still　the　front　shield　was
being　battered；　not　by　mere　shards　of　ice　now　but　by　great　chunks　of　it；　which　hit　like　rocks。
The　Termite’s　roof　was　beginning　to　bulge　inwards　with　the　increasing　pressure　upon　it；　and　the
Ice　Warriors　in　the　passenger　compartment　were　up　to　their　ankles　in　freezing　slush。　Barreski　was　so
engrossed　in　his　task　that　he　hardly　heard　Grayle’s　voice；　announcing　that　at　their　current　speed　they
would　be　through　the　glacier　in　one　more　minute。　It　seemed　like　the　longest　minute　of　his　life；　and
especially　so　when　his　flamers；　only　two　of　them　working　now；　used　up　the　last　of　their　reserves　and
sputtered　to　a　halt。
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He　turned；　and　found　Palinev　at　his　shoulder　with　a　hand　flamer　as　requested。　Barreski　leapt
from　his　seat　and　snatched　the　weapon　from　the　smaller　man；　even　as　the　ice　smashed　through　the
front　shield　at　last；　coming　at　them　like　an　avalanche。
Grayle　had　no　choice。　He　couldn’t　leave　his　position　or　they　were　all　done　for。　He　met　the
oncoming　ice；　head　down；　eyes　closed；　breath　held；　hands　gripping　the　controls　for　dear　life。
Barreski　met　it　with　a　jet　of　flame；　driving　it　back。　Melted　water　gushed　into　the　Termite’s　controls；
angering　the　machine…spirits；　which　responded　with　a　salvo　of　little　explosions　—　but　he　couldn’t
worry　about　that　now。
Borscz　was　standing　on　a　seat；　bearing　the　weight　of　the　roof　on　his　shoulders；　but　the　walls　of
the　passenger　compartment　were　starting　to　bulge。　The　one　to　the　left　burst　at　last；　even　as　the
engine　uttered　its　final　gasp。
Then；　the　Termite’s　front　end　emerged；　with　a　cough　and　a　splutter；　into　the　open　air；　and　fell
still。
Gavotski　gave　the　order　to　abandon　the　vehicle；　and　its　occupants　almost　fell　over　each　other　in
their　haste　to　obey。　Barreski　would　have　expected　the　technophobic　Borscz　to　be　the　first　out　—　but
with　the　back　half　of　the　Termite　still　trapped　in　the　ice；　its　roof　threatening　to　collapse；　the　burly　Ice
Warrior　chose　instead　to　continue　in　his　role　as　human　prop。
Barreski　was　just　as　surprised　to　see　the　colonel；　the　nearest　man　to　Grayle；　delaying　his　escape
in　order　to　dig　the　driver　out　of　the　ice　drift　that　had　buried　him。　He　went　to　help；　and　together　they
freed　his　fellow　tanker’s　head。　A　half…conscious　Grayle　blew　ice　from　his　nose　and　mouth；　and
murmured；　“Did　we　make　it？”
Then；　something　rammed　the　Termite　from　behind；　and　its　rear　end　stove　in；　compacting　the
back　half　of　the　passenger　compartment　—　fortunately　cleared　by　now　—　into　a　tangle　of　plasteel。
Hauling　Grayle　between　them；　Barreski　and　Steele　scrambled　out　through　the　hatch；　found　a
two…metre　drop　beneath　them；　and　dived　into　a　blanket　of　grey　snow。　Steele　landed　on　his　feet；　but
Grayle’s　weight　threw　Barreski’s　balance；　and　he　fell　and　rolled　onto　his　back；　just　in　time　to　hear　a
roar　of　“Incoming！”　and　to　see　Borscz’s　enormous　form　blotting　out　the　dull　grey　sky。
The　impact　was　tough　on　the　pair　of　them；　but　Barreski　got　the　worst　of　it。　He　felt　as　if　he　had
been　kicked　in　the　stomach　by　an　equatorial　yak。　For　a　moment；　all　he　could　see　was　a　haze　of　red。
He　was　tangled　in　Grayle’s　arms；　pinned　down　by　Borscz’s　bulk；　and　he　could　hear　the　grinding　and
rending　of　plasteel　above　him。　He　feared　that　the　mangled　remains　of　the　Termite　were　about　to
come　crashing　down　on　him　too。　And　there　was　another　sound；　too。　A　sound　that；　if　anything；　made
Barreski　even　more　concerned　for　his　immediate　future。
The　sound　of　las…fire。
The　creatures　had　been　waiting　for　them。
Anakora　didn’t　know　how　it　was　possible；　how　they　could　have　been　warned　of　the　Ice
Warriors’　approach　—　but　as　soon　as　she　dropped　from　the　Termite；　as　soon　she　planted　her　feet　in
the　snow；　they　converged　on　her；　three　of　them。
They　were　much　like　the　Chaos　hounds　she　had　fought　in　the　underhive；　all　teeth　and　claws　and
spines。　The　most　apparent　difference　was　that　their　fur　was　white；　with　patches　of　light　green　and
brown：　snow　camouflage。　It　would　have　done　them　more　good　if　they　had　been　able　to　contain　their
eager　growls　at　the　prospect　of　a　kill。　Even　so；　it　was　hard　to　see　where　the　shape　of　each　of　the
beasts　ended　and　its　surroundings　began；　almost　impossible　to　get　a　bead　on　any　of　them。
Anakora　loosed　off　three　shots　from　her　lasgun　anyway；　one　in　the　direction　of　each　of　the
beasts。　Then　she　ran　—　not　out　of　cowardice；　but　in　the　hope　of　drawing　the　creatures　away　from　the
wreckage　of　the　Termite；　and　from　the　nine　other　Ice　Warriors　who　were　about　to　emerge　from　it；
dazed　and　confused。　She　would　not　lose　another　squad　today。　Not　if　she　had　any　say　in　the　matter。
The　first　of　the　beasts　pounced　on　her　from　behind；　sinking　its　claws　into　her　shoulders。　Carried
by　the　momentum　of　her　run；　Anakora　fell　face　first　towards　the　snow　—　but　she　had　been　prepared
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for　this；　and　she　angled　her　descent　so　that　she　landed　side…on；　rolled　onto　her　back；　and　pinned　the
Chaos　beast　with　her　weight。
It　squealed；　and　scrabbled　at　the　backs　of　her　legs　with　its　back　claws。　Anakora　could　feel　its　hot
breath　on　her　neck；　and　although　she　frantically　recited　the　Litany　of　Protection　under　her　breath；
she　knew　that　she　had　only　an　instant　before　the　beast　sunk　its　teeth　into　the　unprotected　flesh
between　her　helmet　and　her　greatcoat’s　collar。
She　shifted　her　grip　on　her　lasgun　and　thrust　it；　butt…first；　over　her　shoulder；　aiming　blindly；
gratified　to　feel　a　crunch　as　she　struck　the　beast　in　its　grotesquely　enlarged　fangs。　It　howled；　and　its
grip　on　her　shoulders　loosened。　Anakora　tore　herself　free　of　it；　even　as　the　second　beast　caught　up
with　the　first　and　leapt　at　her。
She　got　out　of　its　way　just　in　time。　The　second　beast；　unable　to　reverse　the　momentum　of　its
lunge；　landed　on　the　first　with　its　claws　outstretched；　and　virtually　gutted　it。　That　left　her　free；　for　a
moment；　to　defend　herself　against　the　third。　As　it　thundered　towards　her；　she　got　her　first　good　look
at　it。　She　saw　its　feline　features　and　its　whiskers　and　she　realised　what　the　beasts　were；　or　rather
what　they　once　must　have　been。
They　were　snow　leopards；　much　like　those　that　roamed　Valhalla’s　tundra。
She　blasted　at　the　oncoming　beast；　scoring　three　palpable　hits　—　but　it　was　tough；　tougher　than
the　Chaos　hounds　had　been；　and　it　would　not　fall。　It　leapt　for　her　throat；　and　Anakora　turned　her
lasgun　sideways；　using　its　barrel　to　protect　herself。　As　soon　as　the　snow　leopard’s　claws　hit　the
weapon；　she　hefted　it　over　her　head　as　if　it　were　the　bar　on　a　set　of　dumbbells；　simultaneously
dropping　to　her　knees。　Her　attacker’s　huge　body　was　carried　over　her　head；　but　it　reacted　fast；　faster
than　she　had　hoped；　and　by　the　time　Anakora　had　regained　her　footing　and　shouldered　her　lasgun
again；　the　snow　leopard　had　reined　in　its　momentum；　turned；　and　was　coming　at　her　again。
Her　only　hope　was　a　kill　shot；　right　through　its　eye；　into　its　brain。
It　was　impossible。
In　a　fraction　of　a　second　that　stretched　into　an　eternity；　Anakora　realised　that　she　didn’t　have　the
time　to　level　her　gun；　to　turn　it　to　protect　herself；　to　do　anything　else　before　she　was　eviscerated。　She
faced　her　death　with　a　heavy　sense　of　resignation。　She　turned　her　head　away；　felt　the　impact　of　the
beast　with　her　chest；　felt　herself　falling；　felt　the　spray　of　hot；　sticky　blood　on　her　face…
…　and　realised；　to　her　surprise；　that　the　blood　wasn’t　hers。
The　leopard　was　standing　over　her；　black　fluid　gushing　from　its　head；　streaming　into　its　eyes；
one　of　its　legs　burnt　off　below　the　knee；　fused　into　a　bloody　stump。　It　was　unable　to　see；　unable　to
run；　thrashing　in　pain　and　confusion；　and　it　seemed　to　have　forgotten　its　erstwhile　prey。
Then　it　was　struck　by　three　las…beams　at　once。　More　blood　and　offal　erupted　from　between　its
ribs；　and　the　beast　toppled　onto　its　side；　quite　dead。
Anakora’s　comrades　had　come　to　her　rescue。
Steele　ent　once　more。
He　should　have　anticipated　that　there　might　be　trouble　outside　the　Termite。　He　had　anticipated
it。　Should　he；　then；　have　left　it　to　his　troopers　to　help　Grayle？　Should　he　have　taken　point；　been　the
first　out　there；　ready　to　lead？　There　was　no　point　in　thinking　like　that。　Gavotski　an