Ice Guard(科幻战争)-第6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！


first　out　there；　ready　to　lead？　There　was　no　point　in　thinking　like　that。　Gavotski　and　the　others　had
things　under　control；　for　now。
Only　one　mutated　leopard　remained　upright；　and　it　was　howling　and　twisting　in　the　crossfire　of
five　las…beams。　It　occurred　to　Steele　to　wonder　if　the　beasts　were　native　to　this　world；　perhaps
confined　to　its　polar　regions　before　the　cold　had　spread。　Or　could　they　actually　have　evolved；　even
in　the　short　time　since　a　permanent　winter　had　fallen　over　Cressida；　to　suit　their　altered　climate？
He　used　his　momentary　respite　to　survey　his　new　surroundings。
Two　metres　above　him；　the　front　end　of　his　battered　vehicle　protruded　from　the　glacier’s　sheer
face。　As　he　watched；　the　Termite’s　great　horn　crumpled　and　its　wreck　was　dragged；　screeching；　back
31
into　the　ice。　A　moment　later；　it　had　been　swallowed　up；　and　a　fresh　layer　of　ice　had　formed　across
the　mouth　of　the　tunnel　it　had　made。　No　sign　remained　that　the　Termite；　or　indeed　its　passengers；
had　ever　been　up　there。
Borscz；　Barreski　and　Grayle　were　on　the　ground　beside　Steele；　struggling　to　disentangle
themselves　from　each　other。　Borscz　was　the　first　to　break　free　from　the　scrum；　and　he　rushed　to　join
in　the　near…ended　battle　with　gusto。
In　front　of　Steele；　there　was　a　forest。　Its　near　edge　was　almost　parallel　with　that　of　the　glacier；
leaving　only　a　narrow　strip　of　land　between　them；　eighty　metres　wide　or　less。　Like　the　glacier；　the
forest　stretched　out　far　to　each　side　of　him；　a　great　deal　further　than　even　his　bionic　eye　could　see。
It　was　a　forest　not　of　wood　but　of　ice　—　of　obscene；　twisted　sculptures；　mockeries　of　the　natural
shapes　they　had　presumably　replaced；　growing　thick　around　the　trunks　but　branching　out　into
grasping；　clawing　talons　as　they　reached　upwards。　The　ice　trees　grew　high　and　thick　enough　to　blot
out　the　already…scant　daylight　and　the　shadows　between　them　were　dark　and　foreboding。　Their
surfaces　were　encrusted　with　the　ever…present　purple　fungus；　and　Steele’s　sensitive　nose　wrinkled　at
its　overripe　stench。
He　could　detect　something　else　too：　a　movement。　There　was　something　out　there。
He　activated　his　eye’s　zoom　function。　It　took　the　augmetics　a　long　second　to　react　to　his　thought
but　then　the　colonel’s　gaze　probed；　searching；　penetrating　the　ice　forest’s　dark　depths；　and　there…
There　it　was…　for　a　moment　at　least：　a　humanoid　creature；　covered　in　light　grey　fur；　or　maybe　it
was　just　wearing　a　fur　coat。　Steele　couldn’t　tell　—　because　before　he　could　adjust　his　focus　to　see
the　creature　more　clearly；　it　was　off　again；　a　blur　of　motion　despite　its　odd；　shambling　gait。　It
disappeared　behind　an　especially　fat　tree；　and　he　had　lost　it。
Unless；　he　thought；　he　acted　now。
There　was　no　time　to　second…guess　his　instincts；　this　time。　The　figure　might　have　been　a　Chaos
scout；　in　which　case　Steele　couldn’t　let　it　go；　couldn’t　allow　it　to　take　news　of　the　Ice　Warriors’
presence　in　this　area　to　its　masters。　So；　he　drew　his　lasgun　and　set　off　in　pursuit　of　it　yelling　to
Troopers　Blonsky；　Palinev　and　Pozhar　to　follow　him。　The　rest　could　catch　up　once　the　final　snow
leopard　was　dead。
As　Steele　crossed　the　tree　line；　he　was　plunged　into　an　eerie　gloom；　and　the　aperture　of　his
bionic　eye　widened　to　compensate。　The　recent　snowfall　had；　for　the　most　part；　not　touched　the
ground　here。　The　soil　was　black　and　infertile；　but　the　roots　of　many　of　the　ice　trees　protruded　from　it
like　tripwires；　and　patches　of　the　slippery　fungus　were　everywhere。　Steele　had　to　slow　his　pace；
watch　his　step。　Even　so；　he　almost　lost　his　footing　—　and　as　he　caught　himself；　he　felt　a　sharp；
slicing　pain　to　his　left　shoulder。
He　had　brushed　against　a　tree　trunk；　and　it　was　razor　sharp。　Its　edge　had　cut　right　through　his
greatcoat；　through　its　layers　of　plasfibre　and　thermoplas；　to　score　his　skin。　He　turned　to　deliver　a
warning　to　his　troopers；　but　saw　that　they　had　discovered　the　danger　for　themselves。
They　proceeded　as　best　they　could　after　that。　Steele　used　his　power　sword　to　cut　away　some　of
the　more　treacherous　branches　in　his　path　—　even　without　its　energy　field　active；　the　well…honed
blade　sliced　easily　through　the　ice。　Still；　it　was　several　minutes　before　he　reached　the　spot　in　which
the　grey…furred　figure　had　lurked　—　and；　by　then；　he　was　not　at　all　surprised　to　find　no　sign　that　it
had　ever　been　there。
Blonsky　and　Pozhar　had　fallen　behind；　but　the　smaller；　slighter　Palinev　had　been　able　to　keep
pace　with　his　colonel；　slipping　through　the　forest　as　if　its　traps　and　snares　were　little　impediment　to
him。
“There　was　something　here；　sir；”　he　reported。　“You　can　see　where　its　breath　has　started　to　melt
this　tree。　I　could　search　for　its　tracks；　but　they’ll　be　hard　to　follow　on　this　ground。”
“No；”　said　Steele。　“Thank　you；　Trooper　Palinev；　but　we　don’t　have　time　for　that。”
“It　does　look　bleak；　sir；　if　you　don’t　mind　my　saying　so。　We’ve　lost　the　Termite。　Our　escape
route　through　the　ice　has　closed　behind　us；　so　that　even　if　we　do　find　Confessor　Wollkenden；　we’ve
32
no　way　of　getting　back　to　Alpha　Hive　with　him。　We　must　be　at　least　twenty　kilometres　from　his
crash　site；　and　it　seems　our　enemies　know　we’re　here。”
Steele　couldn’t　have　summed　up　the　situation　more　succinctly　himself。
“We　should　get　back　to　the　others；”　he　said。　“We　have　a　great　deal　of　work　to　do。”
33
CHAPTER　SIX
Time　to　Destruction　of　Cressida：　40。42。39
Pozhar　was　beginning　to　wonder　what　he　was　doing　here。
He　was　a　front…line　fighter；　not　a　scout。　Stealth　was　no　more　a　virtue　of　his　than　was　patience。
Bad　enough；　he　thought；　that　Steele　had　had　the　Termite　flee　from　a　single　artillery　unit；　bad　enough
they　had　let　the　enemy　have　that　victory。　At　least；　he　had　thought；　when　they　got　to　where　they　were
going；　when　he　was　able　to　climb　out　into　the　open　again　at　last；　he　would　have　the　chance　to　flex
his　muscles。
The　mutated　snow　leopards　had　been　a　welcome　diversion　—　and　Pozhar　felt　confident；
although　it　was　impossible　to　know　for　sure；　that　his　las…beams　had　finished　off　two　of　them。　But
then　Steele　had　directed　his　squad　into　the　ice　forest　and　warned　them　of　the　overriding　need　for
caution。
And　Pozhar　had　come　to　realise　that　the　ice　forest　was　almost　as　constricting；　almost　as
claustrophobic；　as　the　inside　of　the　Termite　had　been。
The　further　they　had　ventured　between　its　vile；　warped　trees；　the　more　densely　those　trees　had
become　packed。　Already　Pozhar　had　been　scratched　three　times　by　their　sharp　edges；　and　he　was
starting　to　ache　with　the　effort　of　walking　with　his　elbows　damped　to　his　sides；　his　head　bowed；
checking　the　ground　for　the　treacherous　purple　fungus　before　he　dared　to　take　each　step。
Still；　as　bad　as　this　was　for　him；　he　thought；　it　was　far　worse　for　Borscz；　who　was　visibly
straining　to　rein　in　his　massive　form；　and　who　let　out　an　aggrieved　yelp　every　few　minutes。　Borscz’s
greatcoat　was　so　crazed　with　cuts　by　now　that　Pozhar　was　expecting　great　squares　of　its　fabric　to
start　falling　away。
He　longed　to　set　eyes　on　another　snow　leopard　or　two；　something　against　which　he　could　cut
loose　—　but　the　ice　forest　seemed　sterile；　devoid　even　of　birds；　an　entire　area　scoured　of　life；　given
over　to　the　creeping　rot　that　was　destroying　this　world。
Pozhar　shivered　at　the　thought；　and　decided　that　on　reflection　this　was　far　worse　than　being
cooped　up　in　any　vehicle。　Out　here；　he　could　feel　the　Chaos　corruption　in　the　air；　pressing　in　on　him
like　a　physical　force；　battering　him。　He　wanted　to　yell　defiance　at　it；　to　fight　back。　He　wanted　to
hack；　slash　and　burn　this　accursed　place　down。
“Just　give　me　a　couple　of　flamers；”　seethed　Barreski；　who　had　obviously　had　the　same　thought；
“and　I　guarantee　you　there’ll　be　nothing　left　standing　here　in　ten　minutes。　We’d　be　wading　through
water　the　rest　of　the　way　to　the　crash　site。”
“And　the　Chaos　forces　would　hear　us　coming　ten　kilometres　away；”　said　Borscz。
“Just　making　a　point；　that’s　all；”　said　Barreski。　“I’d　put　my　faith　in　Imperial　firepower　over
anything　Chaos　can　muster　any　day；　no　contest。”
“Forgetting　what　happened　to　the　Termite；　are　we？”　asked　Mikhaelev　wryly。
Anyway；　there　were　no　flamers　—　only　the　one　that　Barreski　had　been　carrying；　and　it　was　out
of　fuel。　There　had　been　no　time　for　the　Ice　Warriors　to　salvage　anything　more　than　their　standard　kit；
worn　or　carried　in　their　rucksacks；　from　the　stricken　Termite。　Mikhaelev　in　particular　was　mourning
the　loss　of　his　missile　launcher；　being　now　a　heavy　weapons　expert　with　no　heavy　weapons。
Pozhar　heard　a　noise　ahead　of　him；　glimpsed　a　moving　shape　and　reacted　with　lightning　speed。
By　the　time　he　recognised　Trooper　Palinev；　he　was　already　staring　at　his　comrade’s　slender　form
34
through　his　lasgun　sights。　An　instant　later；　and　Pozhar　would　have　pulled　the　trigger。　He　chafed　at
having　to　hold　himself　back。
Palinev　had　adapted　to　his　surroundings　with　enviable　ease。　He　moved　between　the　ice　trees　like
a　ghost；　seeming　to　know　instinctively　where　to　step；　and　when　he　had　to　twist　or　hop　to　avoid　a
grasping　branch　or　a　protruding　root。　“I’ve　scouted　two　kilometres　ahead；　sir；”　he　reported　to　Steele；
“but　there’s　nothing；　nothing　at　all。　The　ice　forest　stretches　as　far　as　I’ve　seen。”
Gavotski’s　lips　tightened　with　disappointment。　“Maybe　we　should　have　tried　to　go　around　it
after　all。　If　it　gets　any　thicker—”
Steele　interrupted　him。　“We’ll　cross　that　bridge　when　we　come　to　it；　sergeant。　In　the　meantime；
assuming　that　the　forest　does　reach　all　the　way　to　our　destination；　if　we　maintain　our　current　bearing
and　speed　and　encounter　no　further　hostile　life…　assuming　all　that；　we　should　be　able　to　reach　the
crash　site　in…”
He　hesitated　for　a　second；　and　his　eyes　—　both　the　real　one　and　the　augmetic　—　glazed　over。
Pozhar　stared　at　his　commander　in　fascination　—　but　then　Steele’s　eyes　cleared　and　he　concluded；
“Approximately　four　hours　and　forty…seven　minutes’　time。”　And　Pozhar　wanted　to　scream。
Palinev　was　alone　again。
He　didn’t　mind　that。　He　had　become　used　to　solitude；　welcomed　it　even。　It　was　a　long　time　since
he　had　been　in　an　environment　as　quiet　as　the　ice　forest　was；　far　from　the　sounds　of　battle　or　even
from　the　thrum　of　an　engine。　He　knew　he　had　to　be　careful　not　to　let　the　quiet　fool　him。　Likewise；　he
was　sure　to　examine　every　ice　tree　that　came　into　his　view；　even　though　the　aberrant　shapes　had
long　since　lost　the　power　to　fascinate　or　even　to　repel　him；　had　begun　to　take　on　a　monotonous
quality。
Palinev　couldn’t　take　anything　for　granted；　couldn’t　drop　his　guard　for　a　second。　The　others
were　depending　on　him。　The　information　he　could　gather；　alone　and　unseen；　could　prove　vital　to
them。　But　it　came　with　a　risk　attached。　If　he　were　to　walk　into　an　ambush；　if　he　were　to　be　captured；
then　the　enemy　would　know　that　his　comrades　were　behind　him；　and　they　would　be　prepared。
One　mistake；　and　Palinev　knew　he　could　take　his　entire　squad　down　with　him。
He　had　left　them　almost　an　hour　ago。　It　was　time　to　drop　back；　he　thought；　and　report　in　to
Steele　again；　just　to　reassure　the　colonel　that　he　hadn’t　run　into　trouble；　that　the　way　ahead　was　still
safe。　Cradling　his　Guard…issue　compass　in　his　palm；　Palinev　reoriented　himself。　He　was　confident
that　he　could　retrace　his　steps　by　memory；　but　there　was　no　harm　in　a　double…check。　If　he　strayed　off
course　by　even　one　half　of　a　degree；　he　was　likely　to　miss　his　comrades　altogether。
He　was　about　to　set　off　when　a　sound　made　him　freeze。
It　had　been　almost　nothing　—　the　tiniest　of　scrapes；　perhaps　a　rustle　of　fabric　—　and　yet；　it　had
not　been　a　natural　sound。　Palinev　knew　this　because　he　had　taken　the　time　to　attune　himself　to　the
natural　sounds　of　the　forest；　such　as　they　were：　the　faintest　warbling　of　the　wind　between　the　trees；
the　occasional　pops　and　cracks　as　a　newly　frozen　shape　settled；　or　perhaps　even　grew？
As　quickly　and　as　quietly　as　he　could；　taking　only　one　careful　step；　Palinev　tucked　himself　in
behind　the　nearest　ice　tree；　and　dropped　to　his　haunches。　He　drew　his　combat　knife　from　his　boot；
recited　the　Litany　of　Stealth；　made　sure　that　his　breathing　was　as　soft　as　the　breeze；　and　waited。
As　he　had　expected；　a　figure　came　into　view。　It　was　a　man；　as　slight　of　stature　as　Palinev　was。
He　was　wearing　an　armoured　helmet　and　a　tight…fitting　flak　jacket；　also　like　Palinev’s；　except　that
where　his　was　a　bottle　green　in　colour；　the　stranger’s　was　a　bold　red　with　gold　highlights。　It　was
hardly　good　camouflage　material。
Palinev　thought　that　he　recognised　the　colours；　though　he　couldn’t　name　the　regiment　to　which
they　belonged。　Evidently；　though；　this　man　was　an　Imperial　soldier　—　or　at　least；　he　had　been　once。
He　was　holding　a　lasgun；　keeping　it　ready　as　he　crept　from　one　tree　to　another：　a　scout。　The　question
was；　for　whom　was　he　scouting？　There　were　no　visible　signs　of　Chaos　mutation　on　the　stranger；　but
that　didn’t　prove　anything。
35
Palinev　waited　until　the　man　had　drawn　almost　level　with　him；　waited　for　his　questing　eyes　to
turn　away　from　him。　Then　he　slipped　out　from　behind　his　tree；　and　into　the　shade　of　another。　He
repeated　this　manoeuvre　twice　more；　each　time　drawing　closer　to　his　unsuspecting　prey；　and　moving
further　around　behind　him。
When　at　last　he　was　close；　almost　close　enough　to　reach　out　and　touch　the　nape　of　the　other
scout’s　neck；　then　Palinev　pounced。　His　prey　heard　him　coming；　too　late；　didn’t　even　have　time　to
spin　around。　Palinev　was　on　the　man’s　back；　his　left　arm　locked　around　his　shoulders；　his　right　hand
holding　his　knife　to　the　man’s　throat。
“A　friendly　warning；”　he　hissed。　“If　you　try　to　shout　to　your　people；　if　you　speak　at　all　other　than
to　answer　my　questions；　I　will　slit　your　vocal　cords。”　He　would　have　done　it　by　now　if　only　he　had
been　sure；　if　he　had　seen　any　proof　that　this　man　was　a　traitor。　“Who　are　you？”　he　asked。　“Answer
me！”
“Trooper　Garroway；”　the　other　scout　spat　defiantly；　“of　the　14th　Royal　Validian　regiment　of　the
Imperial　Guard。　Kill　me　if　you　like。　Kill　us　all；　but　it　won’t　save　you。　They　will　send　a　hundred
thousand　more　like　me　—　a　million　more　—　and　they　won’t　rest　until　this　world　is　scoured　clean　of
your　filth；　reclaimed　for　the　Golden　Throne！”
“You’re　Imperial　Guard？”　queried　Palinev。　“What　are　you　doing　out　here？　This　is　Chaos…held
territory。”
His　prisoner　relaxed　a　little　in　his　grip；　and　this　told　Palinev　more　than　words　could　have　said。
Garroway　was　relieved；　not　afraid；　to　have　found　himself　in　the　hands　of　a　fellow　Guardsman。　He
was　telling　the　truth。
“There　are　just　under　four　hundred　of　our　company　left；”　said　Garroway。　“We　were　helping
civilians　out　of　Iota　Hive　to　the　north…west　of　here。　When　it　fell；　we　were　ordered　back　to　Alpha；　but
the　glaciers　closed　in　front　of　us；　blocking　our　path。　We　don’t　have　a　vox…caster　any　more；　so　we
couldn’t　call　for　assistance。　We　have　no　maps。　We’ve　just　been　trying　to　find　a　way　through；　but　the
Chaos　army　is　behind　us。　We　were　forced　to　take　cover　in　this…　this　forest；　whatever　it　is。”
Palinev　let　go　of　him。　“Palinev；”　he　introduced　himself；　“Valhallan　319th。”
Garroway　turned　to　face　him；　and　his　eyes　narrowed。　“You’re　an　Ice　Warrior？”
“Don’t　let　the　lack　of　a　greatcoat　fool　you。　I　move　a　lot　better　without　it。”
“Yeah？　I　can’t　say　I’d　turn　down　the　chance　of　a　little　protection。　When　my　regiment　first　came
to　Cressida；　sure　it　was　cold；　but　not　like　this。　Maybe　it’s　different　for　you；　coming　from　an　ice
world；　but　we’re　losing　men　by　the　hour。　But…　but　you’ve　found　us　now；　they　sent　someone　for　us
at　last！”
“Ah；”　said　Palinev；　“no；　I’m　afraid　they　didn’t。　We’re　on　a　mission　of　our　own。”　He　frowned。
“And　if　the　enemy　is　behind　you；　that’s　going　to　mean　trouble　for　us。”
“You　can　guide　us　out　of　here；　at　least；”　said　Garroway。　“You　found　your　way　past　the　glaciers；
you　can　tell　us　how　to　get　out…　can’t　you？”
“We　should　report　back　to　our　commanders；”　said　Palinev。　“I　should　think　they’ll　want　to　talk。”
They　came　together　not　long　after　that：　the　Valhallans　in　green；　the　Validians　in　red；　their　paths
converging　in　the　heart　of　the　white　forest。
They　had　been　expecting　each　other；　of　course；　thanks　to　their　respective　scouts。　A　few　of　the
troopers　exchanged　strained　pleasantries；　and　Colonel　Steele　and　the　Validian　commander；　a　freshfaced
young　captain；　sought　each　other　out　and　moved　to　one　side　for　a　private　conference。
The　rest　of　the　Guardsmen　took　this　as　a　cue　to　relax；　to　recharge　themselves　as　best　they　could。
Their　surroundings；　however；　offered　them　scant　comfort。　It　was　almost　impossible　for　a　man　to　sit
down　without　touching　the　deadly　tree　trunks　or　roots　—　and　after　trying　for　a　time；　holding
themselves　in　unnatural　positions　until　their　muscles　ached；　many　of　them　gave　up　and　stood　again。
36
Few　of　the　Validians　could　sit　still　anyway。　They　stamped　their　feet；　rubbed　their　arms；　did　all
they　could　to　stave　off　the　biting　cold。　Mikhaelev　watched　them；　their　bright　colours　spread　through
the　forest　as　far　as　he　could　see；　and　he　shook　his　head　and　sighed。　Here　they　were；　these　brave　men；
doing　the　Emperor’s　work；　and　their　leaders　couldn’t　even　equip　them　with　the　right　clothing　for　the
job。
In　a　perfect　Imperium；　of　course；　the　Validians　wouldn’t　have　been　assigned　to　this　frozen　world
at　all；　unused　as　they　were　to　such　conditions。　Somewhere；　no　doubt；　a　low…level　clerk　had　looked　at
his　slate；　seen　how　many　Guardsmen　were　dying　from　hypothermia　on　Cressida；　weighed　this
against　the　cost　of　a　few　million　armoured　greatcoats　and　chosen　to　do　nothing。
Mikhaelev　was　standing　with　three　of　his　comrades；　Anakora；　Borscz　and　Pozhar。
“What　do　you　think　they　are　saying？”　Borscz　asked；　inclining　his　head　towards　Steele　and　the
captain。
“They’ll　be　making　plans　to　fight；”　said　Pozhar　with　more　hope　than　certainty。　“According　to
Trooper　Palinev；　the　Chaos　army　is　on　the　Validians’　heels。　That　puts　them　in　our　path。　We’ll　have
to　shoot　our　way　through　them。”
Anakora　shook　her　head。　“This　is　meant　to　be　a　stealth　mission。　If　we　start　a　full…scale　battle
here；　it　will　lead　every　heretic　in　the　area　to　us。　Even　with　the　Validians’　help；　we　would　be
hopelessly　outnumbered。”
“I’m　talking　about　a　lightning　strike；”　said　Pozhar。　“Take　the　Chaos　scum　by　surprise；　and　be
long　gone　before　the　reinforcements　arrive。　The　heretics　think　they’re　safe　here；　cowering　behind
their　walls　of　ice。　We　can　teach　them　different。”
Borscz　grinned　at　that。　“We　can　be　like　our　ancestors；　no？　We　can　strike　at　our　enemies’　very
heart；　as　those　mighty　heroes　did　against　the　invading　orks。”
“We　can　teach　them　to　fear　us！”　said　Pozhar；　his　eyes　gleaming　at　the　prospect。
“Yeah；”　said　Mikhaelev　dryly；　“a　lesson　that　will　stay　with　them　for　all　of　about　a　day　and　a　half
before　they’re　virus　bombed　out　of　existence。”
“Trooper　Mikhaelev　is　correct；”　said　Anakora。　“There　is　no　purpose　in　our　fighting　and　perhaps
dying　when　it　would　not　advance　our　cause。”
“Then　what　do　you　suggest？”　asked　Pozhar。　“That　we　turn　tail　and　run？”
“Colonel　Steele　will　find　a　way；”　asserted　Borscz　loyally。　“He　has　not　brought　us　this　far　to　give
up　on　our　mission　just　yet。”
“No；”　said　Mikhaelev；　with　a　tight　smile；　“I　should　think　not。”
Anakora　was　starting　to　s