Ice Guard(科幻战争)-第8部分

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“Then　you　had　best　hope　your　flamer　does　not　jam；”　said　Borscz　cheerfully；　“or　run　out　fuel；　and
that　you　do　not　miss　with　your　first　shot；　because　one　is　all　you　will　get。　After　that；　my　hands　will　be
around　your　throat；　and　there　will　be　no　doubt　about　the　outcome　then　—　because　my　hands；　I　can
rely　upon。”
“Oh；　I　never　miss；”　Barreski　assured　him；　“you　can　count　on　that。”
The　Validian　captain　had　warned　Steele　about　the　lake。
He　had　led　his　company　around　it　—　but　it　had　taken　him　the　better　part　of　a　day　to　do　so；　and
they　had　run　into　more　than　one　small　Chaos　encampment　in　the　process。　Steele　had　decided　that；　if
it　was　at　all　possible；　he　would　take　his　squad　across；　the　lake；　according　to　the　Validian；　was　far
narrower　than　it　was　long。
And　so　it　was　that；　after　a　short；　uneventful　trek　from　the　forest；　the　Ice　Warriors　came　to　the
nearest　bank　of　the　lake　and　stumbled　to　a　halt。　Steele　dropped　to　one　knee；　drew　a　long…bladed
knife　and　held　it　so　that　its　tip　rested　on　the　frozen　surface。　He　pushed　it　down　slowly；　measuring　the
resistance　it　encountered；　feeling　when　that　resistance　ended；　when　the　knife　tip　had　penetrated　the
ice　and　emerged　into　the　water　beneath　it。　By　the　time　it　did；　he　was　pleased　to　note　that　the　knife
was　buried　almost　to　its　hilt。　The　ice；　he　judged；　was　more　than　thick　enough　to　support　ten　men。
Even　so；　the　heavy　Borscz　was　understandably　apprehensive。　He　let　the　others　get　a　short　way
ahead　of　him　before　he　gingerly　placed　one　foot　on　the　ice；　and　then　slowly；　carefully　eased　his
great　bulk　onto　it。　By　the　time　he　had　taken　four　or　five　steps　in　this　manner；　however；　he　was
beginning　to　grow　in　confidence；　and　he　soon　caught　up　with　his　comrades。
The　Ice　Warriors　had　fanned　out　so　as　not　to　concentrate　their　weight　in　any　one　spot。　They
moved　slowly；　focusing　on　their　feet；　mindful　of　the　likely　consequences　should　any　of　them　slip
and　fall。　Steele　kept　his　ear　attuned　to　the　cracking；　creaking　sounds　of　the　ice　under　pressure；
hoping　that　those　sounds　would　warn　him　in　time　if　the　pressure　became　too　great。
The　lake；　he　had　been　told；　was　a　kilometre　across；　but　it　took　his　squad　almost　half　an　hour　to
reach　the　halfway　point。　By　then；　he　could　see　the　far　bank；　a　black　mass　in　the　gathering　gloom。
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And　it　was　shortly　after　that；　when　the　Ice　Warriors　were　at　their　most　exposed；　their　most
vulnerable；　that　the　first　shot　rang　out。
“Sniper！”　yelled　Palinev　as　a　section；　of　the　ice　exploded　a　few　metres　to　his　right。
Steele　replayed　the　last　second　in　his　mind；　and　found　that　his　bionic　eye　had　picked　up
something　that　he　hadn’t　noticed　at　the　time：　a　muzzle　flash；　coming　from　the　dark；　rounded　shape
of　a　hill　to　the　north…east。　He　relayed　this　information　to　the　others；　and　tried　to　zoom　in　on　the　spot
in　question。
His　eye’s　Heads…Up　Display　flagged　up　the　outline　of　a　man’s　head　and　shoulders；　and　identified
the　weapon　he　was　holding：　a　long…las。
Fortunately；　the　sniper　wasn’t　a　very　good　shot；　at　least　not　at　this　range。　Unfortunately；　he
didn’t　have　to　hit　the　Ice　Warriors；　not　when　he　could　shoot　the　ground　out　from　beneath　them。　Two
more　beams　punched　through　the　ice；　and　blew　up　jets　of　water。　The　Ice　Warriors　returned　fire；
dropping　into　defensive　crouches　in　the　absence　of　cover　to　minimise　their　profiles。　Their　own
lasguns；　Palinev’s　excepted；　didn’t　have　the　range　of　the　long…las　—　even　if　they　hit　their　target；　it
would　be　with　half…strength　beams。　Still；　they　could　encourage　the　sniper　to　keep　his　head　down。
Palinev　looked　surprised　when　Steele　came　up　behind　him　and　snatched　his　long…las　from　his
hands。　“No　offence；　trooper；”　he　muttered；　“I　just　think　my　aim　might　be　a　little　better　than　yours。”
Gavotski　saw　what　Steele　was　doing；　and　ordered　the　rest　of　the　squad　to　withdraw；　to　keep　up　the
covering　fire　but　to　make　for　the　far　side　of　the　lake　as　they　did　so　—　and　to　sacrifice　caution　now
for　speed。
Steele　was　trying　to　focus　on　the　sniper　again　when　another　beam　hit　the　ice　directly　in　front　of
him；　and　the　ensuing　eruption　threw　him　off　his　feet。
He　landed　heavily　on　his　back　and　was　winded；　almost　dropping　his　weapon。　The　frozen　surface
beneath　him　cracked；　and　for　an　instant　Steele　thought　he　might　crash　right　through　it。　His　relief
when　this　didn’t　happen　was　short…lived。　The　twin　impacts　of　las…beam　and　Ice　Warrior　had　begun　a
chain　reaction　in　the　ice；　and　he　could　hear　the　fault　lines　widening　and　spreading。
And　then　the　rest　of　his　squad　saw　it　too；　as　great　fissures　began　to　appear　around　Steele；　and
met　to　carve　out　little　floating　ice　islands。
He　couldn’t　stand。　His　weight　was　only　supported　because　it　was　evenly　distributed；　and　this
wouldn’t　help　him　for　much　longer。　His　comrades　couldn’t　reach　him　without　sharing　his　fate；　and
they　had　their　own　problems　anyway。
Unable　to　save　himself；　Steele　did　the　only　thing　he　could　to　save　them。
He　shouldered　the　long…las；　lifted　his　head；　and　willed　his　bionic　eye　to　work　for　him。　He　smiled
as　his　HUD　locked　onto　the　distant　sniper；　and　he　squeezed　the　trigger　and　felt　the　recoil　of　his
weapon　driving　him　down；　down；　down…
There　were　some　things　in　life；　Steele　thought；　that　it　was　best　not　to　know。
He　didn’t　need　to　know　the　exact　temperature　of　the　freezing　water　into　which　he　had　been
plunged；　nor　the　combined　weight　of　the　armoured　greatcoat　and　the　packed　rucksack　that　were
dragging　him　towards　the　lake　bed。　He　would　rather　not　have　been　able　to　hear　the　ice　re…forming
above　him；　sealing　him　in　this　flooded　tomb。
And　yet　still　his　augmetics　insisted　on　seeking　out　such　information；　presenting　it　to　him　as　if　he
might　draw　some　useful　conclusion　from　it；　as　if　he　didn’t　already　know　what　the　only　conclusion
could　be。
Any　other　man　would　have　been　blissfully　insensate　by　now；　his　brain　numbed　by　the　cold。　Any
other　man　would　have　been　at　peace。　Not　Steele。
His　head　was　awhirl　with　numbers。　They　filled　it　to　bursting　point；　demanded　his　attention；
demanded　that　he　must　know　everything；　every　tiny　detail　of　his　impending　fate。　And；　above　it　all；
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that　damned　internal　chrono　was　pounding　at　his　temples；　counting　down　to　a　new；　more　imminent；
deadline　now…
…ticking　off　the　few　remaining　seconds　of　Colonel　Steele’s　life…
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CHAPTER　EIGHT
Time　to　Destruction　of　Cressida：　35。14。56
Gavotski’s　first　impulse；　as　Steele　fell　through　the　ice；　was　to　dive　in　after　him。　Holding　himself
back　was　the　hardest　thing　he　had　ever　had　to　do；　but　he　could　not　have　survived　immersion　in　the
freezing　lake。　The　only　thing　he　could　do　for　the　colonel　no；　and
bring　honour　to　Steele’s　name　by　ensuring　the　completion　of　his　final　mission。
After　all　the　noise　and　the　frenzy　of　the　past　few　seconds；　the　silence　that　fell　now　felt　unnatural；
dreadful。　It　seemed　that　Steele’s　dying　shot　had　struck　true；　because　the　sniper　fire　from　the　hill　had
ceased　—　but　no　one　was　thinking　about　that　now。　The　Ice　Warriors　were　standing；　gaping　at　the
jagged　ice　hole　that　had　swallowed　their　leader。　A　hole　that　was　rapidly　frosting　over　again；
resealing；　until　there　was　no　trace　that　it；　or　Steele；　had　ever　been　there。
They　were　well…used　to　death；　these　soldiers。　They　had　lived　in　its　shadow　all　their　lives；　knew　it
could　strike　at　any　moment　and　from　any　quarter。　But　Colonel　Steele　had　seemed　like　the　strongest
of　them；　somehow　the　least　mortal；　and　his　passing　was　a　shock　to　them　all。
“Everyone；　get　back！”　growled　Barreski　—　and　his　flamer　flared；　and　melted　a　fresh　hole　in　the
ice；　making　the　water　beneath　it　steam。　If　Steele　was　somehow　still　conscious　down　there；　trying　to
surface；　then　he　had　another　chance；　a　few　more　seconds；　in　which　he　could　do　so　—　and　as　unlikely
as　it　seemed；　the　Ice　Warriors　clung　to　that　hope；　staring；　waiting；　hoping…
…until；　to　Gavotski’s　astonishment；　a　gloved　hand　broke　the　surface；　fumbling；　reaching；
flailing；　finding　purchase　—　and　Colonel　Stanislev　Steele　hauled　himself　up；　losing　strength
halfway；　collapsing　face　down　with　his　legs　still　dangling　in　the　water。　Everyone　started　forward　at
once；　but　Gavotski　threw　up　a　warning　hand；　and　beckoned　only　Palinev　to　follow　him　onto　the
weakened　ice　where　the　colonel　lay。　They　gripped　Steele　under　his　shoulders；　dragged　him　clear　of
the　danger　area；　and　brought　him　back　to　the　others。　His　skin　had　a　pale　blue　tint。
It　was　Anakora　who　noticed　that　he　wasn’t　breathing。
Gavotski　knelt　by　Steele’s　side；　blew　air　into　his　lungs　and　gave　him　chest　compressions　until　he
jerked　back　to　life。　Steele　sat　bolt　upright；　so　suddenly　that　it　made　everyone　jump；　and　he　spat
water　from　his　mouth。　His　head　turned　as　he　surveyed　the　concerned　faces　of　the　comrades　gathered
around　him。　This　close　up；　Gavotski　could　see　the　lenses　tilting　and　turning　in　Steele’s　bionic　right
eye。　The　left　eye；　Steele’s　real　eye；　was　open　but　dead；　staring　blankly。
“How　is　he　alive？”　breathed　Blonsky。
“He　shouldn’t　be；”　said　Gavotski。　“His　brain　should　have　shut　down　in　that　water。　I　think　some
parts　of　it　did；　but…　but　the　colonel’s　brain　isn’t　entirely　organic。”
Barreski　grinned；　and　nudged　Borscz　in　the　ribs　“You　see？　His　augmetics；　the　machines　in　his
head；　they　have　saved　his　life！”
Steele’s　eyes；　both　of　them；　rolled　back　into　their　sockets。　Gavotski　caught　his　head　before　it
could　fall；　and　lowered　him　down　gently。　“We　must　dry　him　off；”　said　Anakora；　“and　take　him
someplace　warm。”
“Look　around　you；”　said　Mikhaelev。　“There　is　no　such　place。”　However；　he　joined　the　other　Ice
Warriors　in　searching　his　rucksack；　finding　spare　items　of　clothing。　In　fact；　as　the　trooper　with　the
closest　build　to　Steele’s；　he　donated　his　greatcoat；　swapping　it　for　the　colonel’s　sodden　one。
Other　than　that；　there　was　little　anyone　could　do。
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“The　colonel　will　be　OK；”　said　Gavotski；　as　much　to　convince　himself　as　to　raise　the　troopers’
morale。　“He　was　only　in　the　water　for　a　couple　of　minutes；　and　I’ve　seen　people　survive　after　ten
times　that　long。　He’ll　wake　up　when　he’s　ready。”
There　were　voices　coming　from　the　far　side　of　the　rise。
Palinev　dropped　onto　his　stomach；　scrambling　the　rest　of　the　way　up　on　his　elbows。　Cautiously；
he　raised　his　head　—　and　his　heart　leapt　into　his　throat。
The　night　had　well　and　truly　fallen；　over　an　hour　ago。　There　was　no　moon　in　the　sky；　and　few
stars。　Even　Palinev　could　barely　see　his　hand　in　front　of　his　face。　Still；　Gavotski　had　insisted　they
press　on。　It　was　what　Steele　would　have　wanted。
Gavotski　had　asked　his　troopers　to　carry　the　colonel　two　at　a　time；　in　shifts。　Instead；　Borscz　had
volunteered　to　do　the　job　alone。　He　had　slung　Steele’s　unconscious　body　across　his　shoulders　and
hefted　him　with　apparent　ease。
And　now　they　had　reached　their　goal　at　last。
At　least；　their　scout　had　reached　it。　The　ship　lay　beneath　him：　an　Aquila　lander；　its　red　wings
proudly　unfurled　like　those　of　the　two…headed　Imperial　eagle　after　which　it　had　been　designed　and
named。　But　this　eagle’s　back　was　broken；　its　legs　buckled。　It　sagged　in　the　middle；　listing　to　one
side；　and　it　took　Palinev　a　minute　to　locate　its　detached　and　half…buried　tail　fin　through　his　field
goggles。
This；　then；　was　the　ship　in　which　Confessor　Wollkenden　had　been　travelling；　the　ship　that　had
been　shot　down；　the　ship　that　Colonel　Steele　and　his　squad　of　Ice　Warriors　had　been　dispatched　to
find。　And；　in　confirmation　of　their　paymasters’　worst　fears；　there　had　been　a　battle　here。　A　battle
that　the　Imperium　had　lost。
The　ground　was　strewn　with　burnt　and　broken　bodies。　Bodies　in　red　and　gold。　Palinev　swept　the
goggles　over　them；　searching　for　a　hint　of　Ecclesiarchal　robes　among　them。　There　was　still　a　chance
that　Wollkenden　had　escaped　the　carnage；　and　let　his　willing　guards　lay　down　their　lives　for　him。
Without　a　closer　inspection；　though；　it　was　impossible　to　tell　for　sure。
And　for　now；　Palinev　was　more　concerned　with　the　living。
Chaos　cultists。　The　area　in　front　of　the　lander　teemed　with　them：　ordinary　men　and　women；
once；　most　likely　born　on　Cressida　itself。　They　had　probably　worked　in　its　mines；　served　the
Emperor　in　exchange　for　His　shelter　and　His　succour。　Until　their　minds　had　snapped。　Until　they　had
succumbed　to　the　infection　of　their　world。　Now；　they　dressed　in　robes　of　black　and　prayed　to　a
different　pantheon。　Some　had　even　had　their　faces　tattooed　with　the　obscene　eight…pointed　star　of　the
Chaos　gods。
The　cultists　had　built　a　fire；　and　gathered　around　it　to　warm　themselves。　Its　bright　orange　flames
ruined　Palinev’s　night　vision；　but　on　the　plus　side　they　cast　a　spotlight　on　his　enemies　while
deepening　the　darkness　around　him。
The　cultists　had　been　looting　the　stricken　lander　—　or　rather；　they　had　been　directing　a　number
of　grovelling　mutant　slaves　to　do　the　job　for　them。　Two　especially　deformed　specimens　appeared　in
the　hatchway；　struggling　ent　locker。　It　got　out　of　their　control　and　hit　the
ground　with　a　crash；　and　an　enraged　cultist　yelled　in　the　mutants’　faces　and　assaulted　one　of　them
with　a　lasgun　butt。
One　thing　was　clear　in　Palinev’s　mind：　if　Confessor　Wollkenden　was　indeed　alive；　then　he　was　a
long　way　from　here。
Gavotski　concurred　with　that　assessment。
“We　need　to　capture　a　few　of　those　men　alive；”　he　considered；　“make　one　of　them　talk。　Have
they　seen　the　confessor？　Are　they　holding　him？”　He　spoke　in　a　low　voice；　because　the　enemy　camp
was　only　a　few　hundred　metres　away。
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“How　many　did　you　see；　Palinev？”　Pozhar　asked　eagerly。
“It　was　hard　to　tell；”　said　the　scout；　“in　the　dark　and　with　all　the　activity。　At　least　ten　cultists；
maybe　four　or　five　mutants；　although　there　could　have　been　more　inside　the　lander。　They　didn’t
seem　too　well…equipped。”
“From　the　way　you　describe　it；”　said　Mikhaelev；　“we　have　the　terrain　on　our　side　this　time。　We
can　take　cover　at　the　top　of　that　rise；　start　shooting　and　have　half　of　them　down　before　they　know
where　we　are。”
Palinev　nodded。　“There’s　nowhere　for　them　to　run。”
Gavotski　had　been　worried　about　leading　the　squad　into　combat　again　today。　They　were　clearly
exhausted；　although　none　of　them　would　have　admitted　to　it。　He　was　feeling　the　effects　of　his
exertions　himself。　But　Mikhaelev　was　right；　this　seemed　like　it　would　be　an　easy　victory　for　them　—
and　maybe　they　needed　that　right　now。
And　then　there　was　the　ship；　of　course。　If　the　Ice　Warriors　could　recapture　it；　then　it　could
provide　them　with　shelter　and　some　warmth　for　the　night。　They　would　all　benefit　from　that；　Steele　in
particular。　Borscz　had　set　the　colonel　down　while　they　talked。　He　had　settled　into　what　seemed　like
a　comfortable　sleep；　his　breathing　deep　and　regular；　and　his　colour　was　improving。
“OK；”　said　Gavotski　at　length；　“let’s　do　this。　Barreski；　Mikhaelev；　take　point。　Palinev；　if　you　can
sneak　around　to　the　other　side　of　the　camp；　or　as　near　as　you　can　manage；　you　can　pin　the　cultists
down　if　they　start　to　run。　Everyone　try　to　avoid　hitting　the　lander；　I　don’t　want　it　damaged　any　more
than　it　is　already。　That　means　no　explosives；　Barreski。　There’s　a　small　chance　that　the　engines　are
still—”
He　didn’t　get　any　further。
Steele’s　eyes　snapped　open；　and　he　opened　his　mouth　and　let　out　a　long；　full…throated　scream。　A
scream　that　the　cultists　couldn’t　have　failed　to　hear。
Pozhar　didn’t　wait　for　orders；　didn’t　even　wait　for　the　echoes　of　the　scream　to　die　down。　The　enemy
knew　where　they　were。　Any　second　now　they　would　appear　at　the　top　of　the　rise　that　separated
them；　start　picking　off　the　Ice　Warriors　like　targets　on　a　range。　Unless　the　Ice　Warriors　could　gain
and　secure　that　vantage　point　first。
Pozhar　raced　as　fast　as　he　could；　threw　himself　onto　his　stomach　at　the　top　of　the　slope；　and
started　firing　before　he　knew　what　he　was　firing　at。　He　was　rewarded　by　the　sounds　of　growls　and
squeals。　The　cultists　had　sent　the　mutants　ahead；　and　before　Pozhar　knew　what　was　happening　one
of　them　had　crested　the　rise；　between　his　las…beams；　and　leapt　upon　him。
It　was　a　huge；　shambling　creature；　covered　in　grey　fur。　It　hit　Pozhar　like　a　brick；　and　tried　to
wrest　his　lasgun　from　him。　He　fought　it；　and　they　rolled　down　the　slope　together。　As　they　reached　its
foot；　Borscz　leapt　into　the　melee；　and　seized　the　mutant’s　head　between　his　hands　as　if　he　thought　he
could　crack　its　skull　open　—　but　it　was　too　strong；　even　for　him。　With　an　animal　roar；　it　broke　his
hold　and　rounded　on　him。
The　mutant　lashed　out　with　a　gnarled　talon；　and　Borscz　wasn’t　fast　enough　to　back　out　of　its
way。　Three　parallel　tears　opened　across　his　chest；　and　the　burly　Ice　Warrior　went　down。
The　mutant　turned　to　Pozhar　again　as　he　was　still　scrambling　to　his　feet；　still　fumbling　with　his
weapon。　It　leapt　at　him；　and　he　delivered　four　rapid…fire　bursts　to　its　stomach；　but　they　weren’t
enough　to　stop　it。　He　went　down　for　a　second　time；　with　the　creature　on　top　of　him；　bleeding　onto
him。　Its　brow　was　low；　pronounced；　and　its　narrow；　crazed　eyes　bored　into　Pozhar’s　skull　as　he
fought　to　keep　its　blood…dripping　talons　at　bay　with　the　stock　of　his　lasgun。
It　was　Borscz　who　came　to　his　rescue　again　—　Borscz　who；　incredibly；　must　have　kept　himself
awake；　lifted　his　massive　body　from　the　ground　by　sheer　force　of　will　and　the　strength　of　his　own
two　arms。　He　landed　heavily　on　the　mutant　from　behind；　gripped　its　ribs　between　his　knees；　and
drove　his　meaty　fists　again　and　again　into　its　head　until　it　was　insensate。　Pozhar　slipped　out　from
48
beneath　its　bulk　as　the　mutant　rallied；　as　it　tried　to　throw　Borscz　from　its　back　but　found　that；　this
time；　his　grip　was　unbreakable：　he　was　literally　holding　on　for　his　life。
Pozhar　fired　again；　aiming　three　more　point…blank　beams　at　the　gaping　wound　in　the　mutant’s
stomach。　He　must　have　struck　something　vital；　because　the　mutant　fell　at　last　—　but　it　fell
backwards；　and　it　landed　hard　on　top　of　the　still…clinging　Borscz。　It　was　the　final　straw　for　the　Ice
Warrior：　his　eyelids　fluttered　and　closed。　Pozhar　saw　that　his　comrade　was　still　breathing；　shallowly；
but　he　was　bleeding　from　his　chest。　Borscz　needed　synth…skin；　needed　someone　to　close　his　wounds
for　him；　and　he　needed　it　soon。　Pozhar　could　have　helped　him；　but　it　would　have　cost　him　precious
seconds；　rummaging　through　his　field　rucksack　for　his　Guard　issue　medi…pack。
He　surveyed　the　scene　around　him。　Another　four　mutants　had　appeared　over　the　rise；　all　of　them
with　the　same　grey　fur；　and　each　of　them　appeared　to　be　as　tough　as　the　first　one　had　been。　Two　of
them　were　on　fire；　no　doubt　the　work　of　Barreski　and　his　flamer；　but　still　they　fought　on。　One　of
them　had　Gavotski　in　a　bear　hug；　no　doubt　hoping　he　would　burn　with　it。　Having　seen　how　resistant
the　creatures　were　to　las…fire；　Anakora　and　Blonsky　were　attacking　it　with　bayonets；　trying　to　loosen
its　grip　on　their　sergeant。　Another　mutant　was　attempting　to　get　Palinev　in　a　similar　hold；　but　for
now　his　agility　was　keeping　him　out　of　its　clutches。
As　Pozhar　watched；　another　creature　staggered　under　a　barrage　of　las…beams　from　Grayle　and
Mikhaelev　—　staggered；　but　did　not　fall。　The　mutants　were　doing　their　job　well；　keeping　their　foes
occupied。　The　Ice　Warriors　had　given　up　all　hope　of　securing　the　rise　as　the　first　robed　cultist
appeared　at　its　top；　and　levelled　a　lasgun；　able　to　take　his　time　and　choose　his　target。
It　was　all　the　exc