Death World(科幻战争)-第18部分

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by　only　three　spines　and　professing　a　false　confidence　that　he　had　sucked　most　of　the　poison　out　of
his　bloodstream。　Greiss　gave　him　a　sceptical　look；　but　Lorenzo　was　able　to　return　it　with　clear；
focused　eyes。　Maybe；　he　thought；　he　would　be　alright　after　all？
Myers　returned　a　few　minutes　after　that—having　stayed　to　view　the　aftermath　of　the　Jungle
Fighters’　incursion—and　Lorenzo　could　tell　from　his　broad　grin　that　he　had　the　news　they　wanted　to
hear。　“We　gunned　down　three　greenskins　altogether；”　he　reported；　“and　wounded　a　few　more。　They
lost　another　three；　and　most　of　the　gretchin；　to　their　own　traps。”
“They　called　for　replacements？”　asked　Greiss。
Myers　shook　his　head。　“Just　spread　their　sentries　more　thinly。　“It　worked；　sergeant。　Judging　by
the　way　they’re　looking　around　and　pointing　guns　at　the　plants；　they　think　the　planet　did　this　to
them。”
“How　many　orks　left？”　asked　Armstrong；　performing　a　quick　mental　calculation。　“Six？”
“Five；”　said　Myers。　“One　went　and　stood　itself　right　next　to　my　bush。　I　caught　a　jungle　lizard
creeping　up　on　me。　I　couldn’t　resist　it。　I　gave　it　a　flick　with　my　lasgun；　catapulted　it　onto　the
greenskin’s　shoulder。　The　lizard　stuck　the　ork’s　neck　with　its　tongue　before　it　could　move。　It　was　on
the　ground；　thrashing　and　howling；　when　I　slipped　away。”
“Five　orks；”　said　Greiss；　“and　how　many　gretchin？”
“I　reckon　about　four。　Five；　maybe；”　said　Myers。
“Not　bad；”　mused　Armstrong。　“We　got　the　greenskins　down　to　less　than　half　strength；　and　they
don’t　even　know　they’re　under　attack　yet。”
The　Jungle　Fighters’　next　step　was　to　make　their　presence　well　and　truly　felt。
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They　synchronised　their　assault；　bursting　out　of　cover　from　six　points　simultaneously；　their
lasguns　flaring。　Lorenzo；　Braxton；　Greiss；　Armstrong　and　Storm　took　an　ork　each；　though
Armstrong　had　grumbled　under　his　breath　about　being　assigned　one　that　was　already　injured。　As
Lorenzo　fired　repeatedly　at　his　target；　he　was　aware　of　gretchin　scampering　away　towards　the　mine；
intent　on　taking　a　warning　to　their　warboss。　That　was　Myers’　job：　to　stop　them。
Myers’　las…bolts　struck　the　stunted　creatures　unerringly；　often　finding　the　best　angles　from　which
to　penetrate　two　or　three　of　them。　Two　gretchin　fell；　and　the　remaining　three　were　deterred　from
their　course；　giving　Myers　the　chance　to　get　between　them　and　the　mine　tunnel。　The　single　ork　that
had　been　guarding　the　entrance　had　been　lured　away　by　Greiss；　now　it　hesitated；　glancing　back；　not
sure　whether　to　press　its　attack　against　Greiss　or　to　tackle　this　new　foe。　In　the　event；　it　was　spared
that　decision。　One　of　Greiss’　las…bolts　passed　through　the　ork’s　thick　skull　and　fried　its　brain。
Lorenzo’s　ork　was　thundering　towards　him；　weakened　but　not　defeated。　He　dropped　his　gun；
pulled　his　Catachan　fang；　and　greeted　his　opponent　with　a　well…aimed　slash　to　the　throat。　The　ork
was　dead；　but　still　fighting。　Lorenzo　avoided　its　clumsy　grasp；　but　almost　fell　as　it　rammed　him　with
its　shoulder。　The　ork　toppled；　catching　him　off…balance；　and　bore　him　down　with　its　weight。　Its　left
hand　was　trapped　beneath　it；　but　it　seized　his　throat　with　its　right；　and　Lorenzo　grabbed　a　chunky
green　finger　in　each　hand　and　strained　to　pry　them　apart。
The　ork　ran　out　of　strength；　and　its　eyes　rolled　back　into　its　head　as　it　heaved　its　final　breath。
Lorenzo　pulled　himself　out　from　under　it；　in　time　to　see　Sergeant　Greiss　gunning　down　the　last　of
the　gretchin。　The　rest　of　his　squad　were　already　pulling　ork　corpses　into　the　foliage；　hiding　them；
and　Lorenzo　followed　suit。　None　of　their　targets　had　survived　to　spread　word；　but　it　was　possible
that　the　sounds　of　battle　had　carried　into　the　mine。
Lorenzo　waited；　crouching　silently；　watching　the　tunnel　entrance；　the　blood　of　his　dead　enemy
seeping　into　his　boot。　After　a　minute　or　so；　something　stirred　down　there；　and　Lorenzo　tensed　at　the
sight　of　an　oncoming　light。
It　was　another　barrow…pushing　ork。　Evidently；　it　hadn’t　heard　anything　amiss；　because　it　strode
right　out　into　the　clearing　and　stood　there；　blinking　in　the　harsh　light　of　the　lanterns；　just　beginning
to　register　the　fact　that　it　was　alone。
It　dropped　its　barrow；　which　teetered　and　upturned　itself；　spilling　its　contents。　A　look　of
confusion；　tinged　with　fear；　began　to　spread　across　the　ork’s　face—and　froze　there　as　multiple　lasbolts
stabbed　out　of　the　darkness　to　impale　it。
The　Jungle　Fighters　emerged　into　the　clearing　again；　and　Greiss　jabbed　the　fallen　ork　with　his
toe　to　check　that　it　was　really　dead；　that　it　wouldn’t　spring　up　and　surprise　them。　Myers　asked　if　they
should　burn　the　bodies；　to　prevent　the　planet　from　making　use　of　them。　Greiss　concluded；
reluctantly；　that　they　had　no　time；　that　their　work　here　could　be　discovered　at　any　moment；　and　that
they　would　just　have　to　take　that　chance。
They　headed　into　the　mine　tunnel；　in　single　file；　Storm　taking　point　wearing　an　ork　miner’s
helmet；　lighting　their　way　through　the　darkness。　Myers　was　behind　him；　then　Armstrong；　Braxton；
Lorenzo　and　finally　Greiss；　his　knife　drawn；　ready　for　anything　that　might　try　sneaking　up　on　them
from　behind。
They　had　taken　only　ten　steps；　hardly　left　the　lights　of　the　clearing　behind　them；　when　they　came
across　another　ork　with　a　barrow。　Its　helmet　beam　dazzled　Lorenzo—but　Storm’s　beam　blinded　the
ork　in　turn　so　that；　for　a　fateful　moment；　it　didn’t　recognise　the　intruders　for　what　they　were。
Sergeant　Greiss　had　decreed　that　lasguns　should　only　be　used　now　when　strictly　necessary—not　just
because　they　were　low　on　ammo；　but　because　who　knew　how　far　the　sound　would　carry　through
these　tunnels—so　Storm　leapt　at　the　creature　with　a　muted　snarl　and　his　Catachan　fang　raised　and；
impressively；　he　gutted　it　before　it　could　raise　much　more　than　a　whimper。
Storm　took　the　dead　ork’s　helmet　and　passed　it　back　along　the　line　to　Greiss；　who　turned　off　the
helmet’s　light　but　placed　it　on　his　head　for　future　use。　Then　they　crept　on　downward；　the　slope　of　the
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tunnel　becoming　more　pronounced　until　Lorenzo　judged　that　they　were　descending　below　ground
level。
He　eyed　the　precarious　wooden　struts—most　of　them　just　branches　chopped　to　size；　still
sprouting　offshoots　and　leaves—that　were　wedged　into　the　passageway　supporting　the　increasing
weight　of　the　earth　above　their　heads。　He　didn’t　trust　them。
The　ground　shook　again　then；　as　if　to　underscore　his　fears；　and　Lorenzo　swallowed　as　the
makeshift　struts　rattled　fiercely　and　a　shower　of　loose　soil　fell　about　his　ears。　He　couldn’t　tell　if　this
tremor　was　lighter　or　heavier　than　the　first　two；　he　only　knew　that　it　felt　more　ominous　down　here；
where　it　wasn’t　just　below　him　but　around　him　and　above　him　too；　and　where　he　knew　there　would
be　nowhere　to　hide　from　a　more　severe　quake；　no　way　to　avoid　being　buried　alive。
“You　realise；”　said　Braxton；　putting　Lorenzo’s　own　thoughts　into　words　as　the　tremor　subsided；
“if　this　place　caves　in；　we’ll　have　come　all　this　way　for　nothing。　Rogar　will　have　dealt　with　Big
Green　for　us。”
“Maybe；”　grunted　Greiss；　“and　maybe　not。　Maybe　he’ll　just　slip　away　through　his　escape　tunnel；
wherever　that　is；　and　maybe　it’ll　take　us　a　year　to　find　him　again。　No；　I　don’t　care　if　this　whole　damn
world　blows　itself　apart　around　us—I　for　one　am　not　backing　out　of　this　on　a　‘maybe’。　Far　as　I’m
concerned；　that　brute’s　still　alive　until　I　clap　my　own　eyes　on　his　stinking　corpse！”
Lorenzo　became　aware　of　a　sick　ache　in　his　stomach；　and　he　fought　down　a　surge　of　bile　in　his
throat。　His　skin　felt　hot；　prickly；　and　he　was　short　of　breath。　The　symptoms　came　from　nowhere；　and
at　first　he　thought　the　tunnel　must　have　caused　them；　this　unfamiliar；　claustrophobic　environment。
Then　he　remembered　the　effigy；　and　its　spines。
His　precautions　had　done　him　no　good。　Rogar　III’s　poison　was　coursing　through　his　veins。　He
knew　he　should　tell　the　others；　warn　them　in　case　he　went　crazy　like　Muldoon　had；　became　a　threat
to　them。　But　then　they　would　probably　have　left　him　behind；　to　die　on　his　back　like　Woods；　and　he
couldn’t　face　that。　Not　when　they　were　so　close　to　their　goal。　Not　when　he　was　so　close　to　a　chance
to　earn　his　name；　at　last。
He　would　earn　his　name。　Lorenzo　swore　that　to　himself。　He　didn’t　know　how—but　if　he　couldn’t
find　a　way　down　here　with　a　world　against　him；　then　where　could　he？　A　way　to　surrender　his　life　for
his　squad；　for　his　cause；　for　a　chance　to　be　remembered；　and　he　knew　he　wouldn’t　hesitate　this　time。
Because；　this　time；　he　had　nothing　to　lose。　This　time；　he　was　dying　anyway。
Might　as　well　go　out　in　a　blaze　of　glory。
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CHAPTER　SIXTEEN
Sergeant　Greiss　swore　under　his　breath。
The　orks’　mine　tunnel　had　opened　into　a　cave—and　Lorenzo　could　see；　from　the　lack　of　wooden
props　and　the　uneven　texture　of　the　rock　where　Storm’s　light　fell　upon　it；　that　it　was　natural。
Passages　snaked　from　the　cave　in　all　directions—ominous　black　holes　in　the　walls。
“Looks　like　the　greenskins　have　bust　their　way　into　a　whole　underground　complex；”　Greiss
grumbled。　“Could　spread　for　kilometres。”
“What　do　we　do　now；　sergeant？”　asked　Braxton。
Before　Greiss　could　answer；　Myers　let　out　a　“Ssshh；”　and　held　up　his　hand　for　silence。　A　second
later；　they　all　heard　it：　lumbering　footsteps；　echoing　from　the　walls　until　there　was　no　way　of
knowing　which　direction　they　came　from。
Storm　snatched　off　his　helmet；　snapped　off　the　light；　and　the　Jungle　Fighters　dispersed；
navigating　by　memory　in　the　total　darkness；　finding　nooks　into　which　they　could　squeeze。　Lorenzo
found　himself　in　the　mouth　of　a　narrow；　twisting　passageway；　and　feared　for　a　moment　that　it　was
along　this　very　route　that　the　orks　were　approaching。　Then　the　footsteps—two　sets；　he　estimated—
seemed　to　move　around　him；　and　he　saw　the　bobbing　beam　of　a　helmet　light；　and　then　there　were
two　hulking　shapes　in　the　cave；　striding　toward　the　exit　tunnel。
Then　the　Jungle　Fighters　were　upon　the　orks；　Storm　reaching　them　first；　leaping　onto　the　back　of
the　nearest　and　drawing　his　blade　across　its　throat。　Greiss　and　Braxton　crashed　into　the　second
creature；　staggered　it；　and　Lorenzo　lent　his　shoulder　to　their　efforts　and　it　fell；　three　knives　plunged
into　its　chest　and　stomach。
“You　notice　something？”　asked　Armstrong；　as　the　others　confirmed　their　kills。　“These　two　were
going　up　to　the　surface；　but　they　don’t　have　barrows。　No　pickaxes；　no　spades；　just　guns。”
“You　think　they　suspect　something？”　murmured　Greiss　darkly。
“I　think　Big　Green’s　maybe　starting　to　wonder　what’s　been　happening　to　his　barrow　boys。　Or
maybe　the　sentries　up　top　were　supposed　to　report　in。　Either　way；　I’ll　bet　these　two　were　coming　to
investigate。”
“When　they　don’t　come　back　either…”　breathed　Myers。　“Alright。”　Greiss　nodded。　“We’ve
got—how　long　would　you　say？—a　few　minutes　before　all　hell　breaks　loose　down　here。　Meantime；
we　need　to　make　inroads　into　these　caves；　make　sure　the　warboss　can’t　go　nowhere　without　getting
past　us　first。　Anyone　else　hear　that？　Sounds　like　digging？”
Myers　reported　that　he　did　hear　it—and；　screwing　up　his　face　in　concentration；　Storm　agreed。
Lorenzo　didn’t　hear　a　thing；　and　he　scrabbled　at　the　insides　of　his　ears　in　frustration；　evacuating
more　of　Rogar　III’s　mud。　The　effort　disturbed　his　equilibrium；　and　his　brain　performed　a　lurching
spin。　The　sickness　in　his　stomach　made　another　surge　for　his　throat；　and　he　swallowed　it　down。
Greiss　and　Myers　followed　the　digging　sounds　to　the　right…hand　side　of　the　cave；　and　Myers
located　a　tunnel　that　was　wider　and　straighter　than　the　others；　its　floor　a　little　smoother。　“I’d　say
there’s　been　a　few　barrows　pushed　up　this　way；　sergeant；”　he　reported—and；　standing　at　the　tunnel
entrance；　even　Lorenzo　could　now　hear　the　distant　clink　of　metal　against　rock　from　somewhere
below。
“Right；”　sighed　Greiss；　“this　is　how　it’s　going　to　have　to　be。　We　split　into　three　teams。　Patch　and
Lorenzo；　you　follow　this　tunnel　here。　Braxton；　you’re　with　me—we’ll　take　the　passage　those　two
orks　came　up　from。　Bullseye；　Wildman；　you　wait　around　here　a　while；　stick　to　the　shadows。
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Chances　are；　there’ll　be　more　greenskins　along　soon；　and　I’m　betting　once　they　find　their　buddies’
corpses　littering　the　place；　they’ll　send　word　back　to　the　big　boss。”
“We　can　follow　’em；”　concluded　Storm。　“Right；　sergeant。”
Everyone　seemed　happy　with　that　plan；　and　Lorenzo　didn’t　want　to　be　the　one　to　object。　Still；　he
felt　numb。　His　chances　of　being　the　one　to　find　the　warboss　had　just　been　slashed　by　two…thirds。　He
pictured　himself　dying　quietly　in　a　dark　tunnel　somewhere；　while　Greiss　and　Braxton；　or　Myers　and
Storm；　stumbled　upon　their　target　and　grabbed　all　the　glory。　He　wouldn’t　let　that　happen。
Greiss　handed　him　the　miner’s　helmet　from　one　of　the　dead　orks；　and　Lorenzo　jammed　it　onto
his　head　and　practically　dragged　Armstrong　away；　down　the　tunnel　towards　the　digging　sounds。
“Steady　on；”　whispered　Patch　in　his　ear；　“you’ll　run　straight　into　the　greenskins　at　this　rate。”　But
Lorenzo　wasn’t　listening。　He’d　had　a　lifetime　of　being　too　cautious。　All　he　cared　about　now　was
covering　as　much　ground　as　he　could。　More　ground　than　the　other　two　teams　could　cover。　Being　the
first　to　find　the　ork　warboss。　Earning　his　name；　before　it　was　too　late。
There　were　lights　up　ahead—harsh；　like　the　lanterns　outside。　Lorenzo　switched　off　his　helmet　beam
and　crept　forward；　Armstrong　at　his　heels。
The　tunnel　they　were　following　took　a　sharp　dip；　its　gradient　so　steep　that　they　were　halfwalking；
half…sliding。　The　sounds　of　picks　and　shovels　were　unmistakeable　now；　and　there　was
something　else。　The　squeak　of　a　wheel。　Armstrong　tapped　Lorenzo　on　the　shoulder　and　indicated　a
side　passageway；　narrow　and　level；　also　well　lit。　Lorenzo　nodded；　and　they　slipped　into　it；　and
pressed　themselves　against　its　walls　so　the　light　wouldn’t　cast　their　shadows　across　the　junction。
An　ork　appeared；　grunting　as　it　strained　to　push　a　loaded　barrow　up　the　slope。　Lorenzo’s　hand
moved　to　his　lasgun；　knowing　that　if　the　creature　saw　them　their　cover　was　blown。　It　only　had　to
yell　out。　To　his　relief；　it　moved　on。　Let　Myers　and　Wildman　take　care　of　it　when　it　reached　them；　he
thought。
They　moved　further　down　the　side　passageway；　until　the　right…hand　wall　fell　away　and　they　were
in　a　natural　gallery；　looking　out　across　a　vast　cavern。　Its　floor　lay　some　ten　metres　below　them；　its
far　wall　was　four　times　that　distance。　The　cavern　was　swarming　with　orks；　hefting　tools；　battering　at
the　walls；　breaking　off　chunks　of　rock　that　gretchin　gathered　and　piled　into　waiting　barrows。　The
area　was　lit　by　six　lanterns；　squeezed　into　niches　at　varying　heights；　connected　by　tangles　of　thick
cabling。　There　was　a　lantern　beside　the　Jungle　Fighters；　on　the　gallery；　lying　on　its　side—and　they
crouched　behind　it　so　any　ork　that　glanced　their　way　wouldn’t　see　them　behind　its　intense　light。
Lorenzo　scanned　the　throng　with　his　eyes；　fervently　hoping　to　find　an　ork　with　cleaner；　better
armour　than　the　others；　an　ork　that　was　giving　the　orders；　an　ork　perhaps　a　little　larger　than　its
fellows。　He　was　disappointed。
“Another　nine；　ten　passageways　off　this　chamber；”　breathed　Armstrong。　“This　place　is　like　a
maze！”
“I　don’t　know；”　Lorenzo　muttered。　“Most　of　those　tunnels；　I　think　the　orks　dug　themselves—and
I　think　they’re　still　digging　them。　See　how　the　gretchin　keep　coming　back　along　them　with　more
rubble。　I’m　betting　most　of　them　are　dead　ends。”
“Doesn’t　mean　we　won’t　find　Big　Green’s　quarters　down　one　of　them。”
Lorenzo　conceded　the　point；　but　nodded　towards　a　wide　tunnel　entrance　below　them　to　the　left。
“Seems　to　be　a　lot　of　coming　and　going　through　there；”　he　remarked；　“and　the　passageway　we’re　in
heads　in　that　direction。　I　think　it’s　worth　a　look。”
“Your　call；”　said　Armstrong。
They　crept　on；　until　rock　closed　in　around　them　again　and　their　passageway　dipped　and
narrowed　and　came　to　an　abrupt　end。　Its　floor　didn’t　quite　meet　the　wall；　however；　and　Lorenzo
peered　through　the　gap　thus　created　and　saw　another　passageway　below。　Even　as　he　watched；　an　ork
passed　along　it；　he　could　almost　have　reached　down　and　touched　its　head。　He　listened　a　moment；　but
the　only　sounds　he　could　hear　came　from　the　main　chamber　behind　and　below　them。　He　glanced　at
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Armstrong；　who　nodded—and　Lorenzo　lowered　himself　through　the　hole；　until　he　was　hanging　from
his　fingertips；　then　let　himself　drop。
The　world　gave　another　spin　as　he　hit　the　ground；　and　he　lost　his　balance　and　fell。　He　picked
himself　up　quickly；　humiliated；　and　gestured　up　to　Armstrong　that　he　was　alright。　He　had　guessed
right。　This　tunnel　sloped　back　down　to　the　main　chamber　in　one　direction；　climbed　more　gently　into
darkness　in　the　other。　He　could　only　see　a　short　way　in　the　lantern　light　that　bled　up　from　below；　but
it　was　enough　to　see　that　the　tunnel　walls　were　riddled　with　openings。
At　Lorenzo’s　signal；　Armstrong　joined　him；　hampered　by　his　dead　arm　but　still　affecting　a　more
graceful　landing　than　his　comrade　had　managed。
Two　orks　were　coming　their　way。　Quickly；　they　clucked　into　the　nearest　of　the　openings；　and
found　themselves　pushing　through　a　tattered　curtain。　Beyond　this；　a　small　cave　was　littered　with
skins　and　debris；　and　Lorenzo　realised　that　orks　had　been　sleeping　here。　Fortunately；　there　were
none　present　at　the　moment。
A　little　further　up；　the　tunnel　levelled　out　and　split　into　three；　and　they　followed　the　left…hand
branch。　They　found　more　quarters；　some　rumbling　with　the　grunts　and　snores　of　sleeping　residents；
some　apparently　empty。　Some　had　lights　within；　spilling　around　the　edges　of　their　curtains—and　in
one；　the　curtain　was　pulled　aside　and　four　orks　sat　around　a　flat…topped　boulder；　playing　with
knuckle　dice。　Lorenzo　and　Armstrong　didn’t　dare　risk　passing　that　cave；　so　they　backtracked　and
chose　another　path　from　the　three…way　junction。
Lorenzo　felt　angry。　What　the　orks　were　doing　here—it　was　wrong。　At　least；　when　the　men　of
Catachan　tamed　a　deathworld；　it　was　a　fair　fight。　They　didn’t　burrow　under　its　skin；　try　to　destroy　it
from　within　like　a　virus。　The　thought　of　it　made　him　itch；　made　the　sickness　rise　in　his　stomach…
He　wasn’t　sure　why；　didn’t　know　where　these　feelings　were　coming　from；　because　it　wasn’t　as　if　the
Imperium　had　never　strip…mined　a　world。　Maybe　just　not　a　world　like　Rogar　III…
They　came　across　a　particularly　large　entranceway　and　Lorenzo　hesitated；　wondering　if　this
could　be　the　cave　to　house　the　warboss。　He　didn’t　want　to　poke　his　head　around　the　curtain；　though：
he’d　have　been　unlikely　to　see　anything　in　the　dark　and　he　might　have　disturbed　somebody。
Anyway；　he　could　hear　at　least　three　different　snores　from　within—and　it　was　probable；　he　thought；
that　the　orks’　warboss　had　a　cave　to　himself。
A　moment　later；　however；　more　footsteps—shuffling　unexpectedly　from　an　unseen　tunnel；　little
more　than　a　fissure　in　the　rock—forced　the　two　Jungle　Fighters　to　duck　into　another　cave。　And　this
one　was　occupied。
Lorenzo　held　his　breath；　and　not　just　because　of　the　stink　of　ork　bodies　around　him。　He　could
just　make　them　out：　three　festering　lumps　crammed　together　on　the　floor。　He　had　almost　stepped　on
one　as　he’d　entered；　and　he　eased　his　foot　away　from　it。　For　a　moment；　he　thought　he　had　left
Armstrong　behind　outside；　s