Death World(科幻战争)-第3部分

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continued；　“‘I　don’t　like　deathworlders。　I’m　making　it　my　mission　to　whip　you　lot　into　shape。　You
hear　me；　Greiss？　On　your　knees　and　lick　my　shiny　black　boots。　And　when　you’re　done　with　that；
you　can　kiss　my—’”
“If　I　were　you；”　snarled　a　voice　from　behind　him；　“I’d　be　careful　what　you　say　about　an　officer
of　the　Imperium。”
Woods　didn’t　even　glance　back　to　see　who　was　talking；　though　Lorenzo　could　see　that　it　was　a
broad…shouldered；　square…headed　Validian　sergeant。
“Don’t　care　what　his　rank　is；”　said　Woods　offhandedly；　“he’s　still　a　damn　idiot。”
“You　want　to　repeat　that　to　my　face？”
Greiss’　eyes　narrowed。　“Stand　down；　sergeant；”　he　growled。　“I’m　in　command　of　these　men。
You　have　a　problem　with　them；　you　bring　it　to　me。”
“Mackenzie　was　right　about　you　deathworlders；”　the　Validian　sneered。　“You’ve　no　discipline；
no　respect。”
“Where　we　come　from；”　murmured　Muldoon；　idly　sharpening　his　night　reaper　blade　on　a　piece
of　flint；　“respect　is　earned；　not　given。”
“You　come　charging　in　here；　all　gung…ho；　bad…mouthing　our　people；　thinking　you　can　just　take
over。”
“And　here　I　thought　you　begged　us　to　come；”　said　Woods；　“because　your　lot　couldn’t　do　your
jobs　properly。　What’s　the　problem—sun　too　hot　for　you？”
“We’ve　been　here　eighteen　months；”　snapped　the　Validian；　“and　we’re　winning　this　war。　We’ve
driven　the　orks　right　back；　there　hasn’t　been　an　attack　on　this　encampment　or　any　other　in　three
weeks。　If　you　wanted　to　help；　you　should　have　been　here　when　we　were　cleansing　areas；　holding　the
line；　facing　ambushes　day　and　night。　But　no；　true　to　form；　you　glory　hounds　show　up　in　time　for　the
mopping　up　and　claim　all　me　credit。”
Greiss　was　on　his　feet；　his　lip　curling　into　a　dangerous　snarl。　“Have　you　quite　finished；
sergeant？”
Woods　stood　now；　too；　on　the　pretext　of　clearing　away　his　half…empty　bowl。　“It’s　okay；
sergeant；”　he　said；　“just　a　bitter　old　man　letting　off　some　steam—and　can　you　blame　him？　Can’t　be
many　Imperial　Guard　regiments　have　had　to　go　crying　for　reinforcements　against　a　few　trees　and
flowers。”
The　Validian’s　eyes　bulged　and　his　face　reddened。　He　pulled　back　his　fist；　but　Woods　had
anticipated　the　move。　He　sidestepped　the　sergeant’s　blow；　and　simultaneously　took　hold　of　his
attacker；　using　his　own　weight　to　flip　him　onto　his　back　on　the　table。
The　move　had　the　effect　of　bringing　the　rest　of　Lorenzo’s　squad　to　their　feet；　as　they　leapt　to
avoid　flying　cups　and　bowls。　Two　tables　away；　the　Validian’s　fellows　were　also　pushing　back　their
chairs　and　standing。　Their　downed　sergeant　tried　to　right　himself；　but　Woods　was　keeping　him　offbalance。
The　sergeant　kicked　out；　and　Woods　danced　out　of　the　way　of　his　boot。　As　the　sergeant
swung　his　legs　over　the　side　of　the　table　and　made　to　stand　at　last；　Woods　head…butted　him—the
fabled　“Catachan　Kiss”—and　his　nose　splintered　in　a　fountain　of　blood。
The　first　two　Validians　came　at　Woods；　but　Armstrong　and　Dougan　intercepted　them。　It　looked
like　Steel　Toe　was　just　trying　to　calm　things　down；　even　at　this　stage；　but　his　efforts　were　futile：　as　a
Validian　took　a　swing　at　him；　he　responded　with　a　punch　to　the　jaw　that　laid　him　right　out。　Another
six　Guardsmen　surged　forward　as　one；　and　Myers　and　Storm　leapt　onto　the　table　and　stood　back　to
back；　lashing　out　with　fists　and　feet。
In　just　seconds；　an　all…out　brawl　had　broken　out。　No　guns　or　knives　were　drawn；　but　nor　were
any　punches　pulled。　Even　Landon　joined　in　with　gusto；　pummelling　away　at　the　stomach　of　a　man
two　heads　taller　than　himself　until　he　staggered　and　passed　out　through　sheer　inability　to　draw
breath。
15
A　pug…nosed；　unshaven　sergeant　came　at　Lorenzo　with　a　chair　raised　over　his　head。　Lorenzo
ducked　under　the　makeshift　weapon；　and　threw　himself　at　its　wielder。　His　head　impacted　with　the
soft　tissue　of　the　sergeant’s　stomach；　and　they　went　rolling　end　over　end　on　the　dirt…streaked　floor。
The　violence　was　spreading　like　unchecked　fire。　Other　squads　were　pulled　into　the　fray；　taking
sides　according　to　regimental　loyalty。　Validian　reinforced　Validian；　Catachan　reinforced　Catachan；
until　the　entire　hall　had　erupted　into　a　cacophonic　mass　of　screams　and　yells　and　crashes　and　the　dull
smacks　of　fists　and　feet　against　flesh。　Out　of　the　corner　of　his　eye；　Lorenzo　saw　two　ogryns
ploughing　into　the　melee；　picking　up　men　by　the　throat　two　at　a　time　and　knocking　their　heads
together。
He　had　managed　to　get　on　top　of　his　opponent；　surprising　the　sergeant　with　his　litheness。　He
pinned　him　with　a　knee　to　his　chest；　and　drove　his　knuckles　repeatedly　into　the　sergeant’s　face—
until　two　Guardsmen　seized　him　from　behind；　and　tore　him　away。　Lorenzo　had　seen　them　coming；
but　in　the　midst　of　such　chaos　it　was　impossible　to　avoid　all　the　possible　threats。　Still；　he　was
prepared　for　this　one。　He　thrust　his　elbows　back；　catching　his　would…be　captors　off…guard；　and　threw
himself　into　a　forward　roll；　wrenching　their　hands　from　his　shoulders。　He　dropped　into　an　alert
stance；　expecting　the　Validians　to　come　at　him　again；　but　they　had　other　problems。　Greiss　had　just
waded　into　them。
The　sergeant　planted　his　hand　in　one　man’s　face；　and　pushed　him　back　with　enough　force　to
send　him　sprawling。　Then　he　concentrated　his　efforts　on　the　other；　his　expression　feral；　a　zealous
gleam　in　his　eyes　as　he　laid　into　his　victim　with　a　barrage　of　punches　so　fast　and　furious　that　their
sheer　force　kept　him　upright　for　a　second　after　he　was　knocked　cold。
Dougan　was　in　trouble。　He　was　surrounded；　and　it　looked　like　his　artificial　leg　was　playing　up
again；　slowing　him　down。　Lorenzo　flew　to　the　older　man’s　assistance；　but　two　more　Validians　rose
up　in　his　path。　He　transferred　his　momentum　to　his　fist；　and　drove　it　into　the　first　man’s　skull。　The
second　made　a　grab　for　Lorenzo’s　throat；　and　simultaneously　knocked　his　legs　out　from　under　him。
For　an　instant；　he　was　suspended　in　midair；　choking。　He　managed　to　plant　his　hands　on　his
attacker’s　shoulders；　and　bring　up　his　feet；　kicking　at　the　Validian’s　chest。　They　both　fell；　but
Lorenzo　spun　and　hit　the　ground　on　his　feet；　and　was　ready　for　the　first　Validian　as　he　came　at　him
again。
In　the　meantime；　Muldoon　had　come　to　Dougan’s　aid；　letting　out　a　war　cry　as　he　bowled　into　the
men　surrounding　his　comrade　and　scattered　them。　Dougan　got　his　second　wind；　hoisted　one　foe　by
the　scruff　of　his　flak　jacket　and　hurled　him；　arms　and　legs　thrashing　furiously；　into　another。　The
ogryns　were　still　cracking　skulls；　the　Validians　now　realising　what　they　had　taken　on；　almost
trampling　each　other　to　get　away　from　the　misshapen　creatures。
One　particularly　hapless　specimen　backed　into　Lorenzo；　eyes　wide　with　fear；　just　as　the
Catachan　finished　putting　down　his　own　two　opponents。　In　the　heat　of　a　terrified　moment；　the
Validian　broke　the　unspoken　rule；　by　drawing　his　lasgun。
Lorenzo　was　on　him　before　he　could　aim　it。　The　gun　dropped　from　the　Guardsman’s　grasp　as
Lorenzo　seized　his　arm　and　twisted　it　until　the　bone　snapped。　The　Validian　let　out　a　yelp　and　fell　to
his　knees；　but　he　had　foregone　any　right　to　sympathy　or　mercy；　and　Lorenzo　knocked　him　cold　with
a　spinning　kick　to　the　head。
His　keen　ears　caught　the　sound　of　a　whining　voice；　straining　to　be　heard　across　the　tumult。
Commissar　Mackenzie　had　just　strode　into　the　hall；　and　he　was　demanding　calm；　to　no　avail。　At　his
heels；　however；　was　Graves—and　when　the　colonel　spoke；　Catachans　and　Validians　alike　fell　still。
“Just　what　the　hell　is　going　on　here？”　Graves　roared；　his　voice　resonating　in　the　sudden　guilty
hush。
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CHAPTER　THREE
“I　said；　what　the　hell　is　going　on？　What　do　you　think　you’re　doing？”
Colonel　Graves　strode　deeper　into　the　mess　hall；　his　blazing　eyes　darting　from　Catachan　to
Validian　to　Catachan；　sharing　around　the　force　of　his　scorn。　“I’ve　seen　acid　grubs　behave　with　more
dignity。　You’re　meant　to　be　on　the　same　side！”
Mackenzie　scuttled　after　him。　“Do　you　see？”　he　fumed。　“This　is　why　I　was　opposed　to　bringing
Jungle　Fighters　into　this　campaign。”　He　raised　his　voice　to　address　the　hall。　“I　want—no；　I
demand—to　know　who　the　ringleaders　were　behind　this　disgraceful　display。　Names　and　ranks！”
A　few　eyes　were　cast　down；　a　few　feet　shuffled；　but　the　Validians　were　no　more　willing　than　the
Catachans　were　to　tell　on　their　own。　In　the　face　of　their　intransigence；　the　commissar’s　face　grew
steadily　redder。
“Sergeant　Wallace！”
The　unlucky　Validian　who　the　commissar　had　singled　out　snapped　to　attention；　and　reported；
“My　apologies；　sir；　I　didn’t　see　how　the　incident　started。　My　men　and　I　only　acted　to　calm　the
situation　when　it　seemed　to　be　getting　out　of　hand。”
Mackenzie　got　the　same　story；　almost　verbatim；　from　his　next　two　sergeants。
Lorenzo　sensed　a　surreptitious　movement　behind　him；　and　he　turned　to　see　that　the　sergeant
whose　nose　Woods　had　broken　was　being　helped　to　his　feet；　a　piece　of　cloth　clasped　to　his　bloodied
face。　He　was　glaring　venomously　at　the　cause　of　his　woes；　but　Woods　returned　his　gaze　with　a　smug
grin　and　cracked　his　knuckles　into　his　palm。
It　was　this　look　that　Commissar　Mackenzie　caught；　and　he　bustled　over　to　the　pair；　his　nostrils
flaring　with　self…righteous　zeal。　“Enright？”
The　bloodied　sergeant　shrugged　helplessly；　using　his　cloth　as　a　shield　from　interrogation。
Mackenzie　clicked　his　tongue　in　impatience；　then　dismissed　Enright　and　the　two　Guardsmen　who
were　supporting　him　with　an　impatient　hand　movement。　The　trio　made　their　way　to　the　door；　and　no
doubt　to　whatever　medical　facility　this　camp　offered。
Mackenzie　fixed　Woods　with　a　shrivelling　glare；　which　he　then　turned　upon　the　Catachans
around　him　until　he　saw　the　sergeant’s　stripes　on　Greiss’　arm。　“Perhaps　you　can　shed　some　light　on
this　matter；　sergeant？”
“Greiss；　sir。”
“Sergeant　Greiss。　You　seem　to　have　had　a　ringside　seat　for　the　worst　of　it。”
“My　apologies；　sir；”　said　Greiss　in　a　faintly　mocking　tone；　“I　didn’t　see　how　the　incident　started。
My　men　and　I　only　acted　to　calm　the　situation　when　it　seemed　to　be　getting　out　of　hand。”
One　of　the　Catachans　let　out　a　harsh　laugh；　but　Mackenzie　wasn’t　amused。　He　cast　another
distasteful　look　at　Woods；　and　snapped；　“It　seems　clear　to　me；　Sergeant　Greiss；　that　you　and　your
squad　were　responsible　for　this　outrage；　and　I　intend　to　make　sure　you　regret　it。　How　would　you
feel；　Greiss；　about　sleeping　out　in　the　jungle　tonight？”
Greiss’　eyes　lit　up。　“Delighted　to；　sir。”
That　wasn’t　the　answer　Mackenzie　had　been　expecting；　and　he　seethed　impotently。　“Let　me　tell
you；　Sergeant　Greiss；　what　happens　to　Guardsmen　who　disrespect　their　senior　officers。”
“I’m　all　ears；　sir；”　growled　Greiss。
17
Mackenzie　flushed。　“We　bury　them。　Let　me　tell　you　what　it’s　like；　Greiss。　It’s　too　small　for　you
to　stand；　too　narrow　for　you　to　sit　down。　You’ll　spend　the　night—as　many　nights　as　I　choose—in　the
most　uncomfortable　position　you　can　imagine；　until　you　think　your　spine　will　crack。　You’ll　feel
spiders　gnawing　at　your　feet；　you’ll　be　at　the　mercy　of　the　jungle　lizards。　And　during　the　day—in　the
daytime；　when　the　sun’s　beating　down　on　you　and　you　don’t　have　the　room　to　lift　an　arm　to　shade
your　eyes—in　the　daytime；　Greiss；　let　me　tell　you；　you’ll　start　to　wish　you　were　dead。”
Graves　had　moved　silently　to　the　young　commissar’s　side。　He　cleared　his　throat　now；　and
murmured；　“May　I　remind　you；　sir；　that　we　need　these　men　fresh　and　active　for　duty　in　the　morning？
I　don’t　see　much　point　in　pursuing　this　matter。　Especially—”　and　he　laboured　this　point　particularly
heavily　“—with　no　evidence　to　lay　charges　against　any　individual。　No　harm　done；　I’d　say。　In　fact；
it’s　probably　best　for　all　sides　they　got　it　out　of　their　systems。”
Mackenzie　said　nothing　for　a　moment—and　Lorenzo　expected　him　to　snap　at　the　colonel　the
way　he　had　at　Lieutenant　Vines。　Instead；　he　seemed　to　accept　the　quiet　wisdom　in　Graves’　words。
He　turned　and　marched　stiffly　out　of　the　door；　the　tension　in　the　hall　diffusing　in　his　wake。　People
began　to　pick　themselves　up；　to　collect　scattered　bowls；　chairs　and　tables　and　to　tend　to　their
wounded；　Catachans　and　Validians　working　together　to　restore　order。
“For　any　of　you　girls　who　were　fretting；”　announced　Colonel　Graves；　“B　Platoon　have　voxed　in。
They’ve　had　some　casualties—lost　eight　men—but　most　of　them　are　still　standing；　and　they’re
making　their　way　to　us；　ETA　11。00。　In　view　of　this　delay；　Commissar　Mackenzie　has　decided　not　to
wait。　All　Jungle　Fighters　are　to　assemble　in　the　briefing　hut　in　twenty　minutes。”
Lorenzo　slept　under　the　stars　that　night；　on　a　bed　of　leaves　picked　from　the　edge　of　the　jungle　and
carefully　tested　for　hidden　spines　and　poison　sap。　Basic　quarters　had　been　provided　for　the
Catachans；　but　there　weren’t　enough　bunks　for　all　of　them—and　most　would　have　chosen　to　sleep
outdoors　anyway。　It　had　been　too　long。
The　sounds　of　the　jungle　at　night　brought　a　feeling　of　calm　to　Lorenzo。　The　rustle　of　a　breeze　in
its　leaves；　the　caws　and　cackles　of　nocturnal　predators；　the　gurgle　of　water—or　some　other　liquid—
carried　from　far　away。　He　wished　he　could　be　deeper　inside　it。　The　area　cleared　out　by　the　Validians
had　an　acrid　burnt　scent　to　it。　Lorenzo　was　used　to　having　a　canopy　of　green　above　him—but　tonight
it　was　black；　and　freckled　with　the　white　points　of　distant　suns。　The　night　sky　was　crystal　clear；　the
air　warm。　It　was　as　if　Rogar　III　was　showing　him　its　good　points；　its　aesthetic　qualities。　As　if　it
wanted　to　lull　him　into　a　sense　of　security　by　hiding　its　true；　savage　beauty　from　him。　Lorenzo
wasn’t　fooled。　He　looked　forward　to　the　morning；　to　testing　this　world’s　mettle。
He　thought　back　to　Mackenzie’s　briefing；　and　suppressed　a　thrill。　The　commissar　had　been
furnished　with　a　list　of　the　Catachan　squads；　and　had　assigned　them　to　various　missions。　B　Platoon
had　drawn　the　short　straw　in　their　absence；　they　would　arrive　at　the　encampment　to　find　that　their
comrades　had　moved　out　and　left　them　to　reinforce　the　security　details　here。　If　they　were　lucky；　the
orks　would　provide　a　distraction　or　two　to　break　up　the　monotony。
The　rest　of　the　Catachans　were　to　do　what　the　Validians　could　not：　take　the　fight　to　the　orks
themselves。　Which　meant；　of　course；　fighting　the　jungle　too。
“I　know　what　you’re　all　thinking。”　Colonel　Graves　had　added　to　Mackenzie’s　speech。　“It’s　a
jungle　world；　maybe　even　a　deathworld；　nothing　you　haven’t　seen　before。　Well；　believe　me；　Rogar
III　is　different。　The　commissar　here　tells　me　that；　a　year　ago；　this　place　was　a　little　green　corner　of
paradise。　Well；　I　don’t　know　what’s　happened；　and　to　tell　the　truth　I　don’t　much　care—but　as　you
ladies　can　see；　this　isn’t　paradise　anymore。”
Later；　Donovits　had　tossed　around　a　lot　of　phrases　like　“climate　change”　and　“axis　shifts”—but
Lorenzo　hadn’t　cared　much。
He’d　been　more　interested　in　hearing　how　the　Imperium’s　attempts　to　expand　its　encampments
had　met　with　failure。　It　was　a　full…time　job　for　a　squad　of　Guardsmen　to　maintain　this　one；　small
18
though　it　was。　For　every　jungle　creeper　they　burnt　away；　two　more　seemed　to　replace　it—and　their
rate　of　growth　was　prodigious。
“When　the　Explorators　came　to　Rogar。”　Graves　had　said；　“they　recorded　some　weird　energy
signature。”　Of　course；　Lorenzo　had　already　known　that；　thanks　to　Donovits。　“Now；　I’m　not　saying
there’s　anything　in　that—just　warning　you　hotheads　not　to　get　too　cocky。　We　don’t　know　what　this
deathworld　has　to　throw　at　us；　but　we　do　know　a　couple　of　hundred　Guardsmen　have　died　trying　to
find　out。”
Mackenzie　had　displayed　a　rough　map　of　the　area；　and　pointed　out　the　known　ork　strongholds。
He　was　planning　an　attack　on　one　of　these；　intelligence　suggested　that　it　was　lightly　defended；　the
orks　depending　on　the　jungle　itself　to　protect　them。　A　derisive　snort　had　gone　up　from　the　Catachans
at　this　point。
The　whole　of　A　Platoon；　ogryns　and　all；　was　committed　to　this　offensive；　while　two　of　D
Platoon’s　four　squads　were　to　set　traps　and　lay　in　wait　for　reinforcements　from　the　other　ork　camps。
Other　squads　would　target　supply　lines—hit　and　run　tactics；　to　divide　the　enemy’s　attention。
Lorenzo’s　squad　had　been　the　last　to　learn　its　assignment—and　its　ten　men　had　let　out　a　cheer
when　Mackenzie　had　explained　that　it　was　the　most　vital；　and　most　dangerous；　of　all。　The
commissar　had　shouted　at　them　to　be　silent。
“One　particular　ork　has　been　giving　us　trouble；”　he　had　said。　“Their　current　warboss　in　this
region。　You　know　how　it　is—we　take　out　one；　another　takes　its　place。　But　this　one　has　a　few　more
brain　cells　than　most。　The　troops　have　taken　to　calling　him　Big　Green。　He’s　actually　got　the　beasts
organised；　to　an　extent。　Their　last　few　raids　on　us　were　almost　well　planned。　And　this　ork　has　a　keen
sense　of　self…preservation。　Most　warbosses　lead　from　the　front；　this　one　stays　behind　the　lines。　He’s
become　a　legend　to　the　orks；　if　only　because　he’s　lasted　longer　than　his　predecessors。　He’s　good　for
their　morale。　Too　good。　I　want　him　dead！”
According　to　the　commissar；　the　Imperial　Guard　had　been　close　to　finding　the　warboss’　hideout
when；　in　his　own　words；　“the　jungle　became　impassable”。　They　knew　its　general　location；　but　the
lair　itself　was　well　concealed。　The　Catachans’　job　was　to　find　the　ork　warboss　and　do　the　necessary
deed。　A　stealth　mission；　a　single　assassination。　Sounded　simple；　Lorenzo　thought。
Then；　Mackenzie　had　thrown　a　spanner　in　the　works。
“Given　the　importance　of　this　mission；”　he　had　said；　“I　will　be　leading　it　myself。　Silence！”　he
bellowed　in　response　to　the　Catachans’　howls　of　protest。
Sergeant　Greiss；　who　a　moment　earlier　had　sported　a　broad　grin　on　his　face；　now　looked　as　if　he
had　been　slapped。　“With　respect；　sir；”　he　had　growled；　“you　aren’t　a　Jungle　Fighter。　Better　if　the
men　take　their　orders　from　someone　used　to—”
“Contrary　to　popular　belief；　sergeant。”　Mackenzie　had　sneered；　“they　do　teach　us　to　do　more
than　sit　around　and　drink　amasec　in　officer　training。　I　am　fully　qualified　in　jungle　warfare—and
more　importantly；　in　command。　Now；　I’m　sure　your　style　of　leadership　is　adequate　for　charging　at
the　enemy　with　your　bayonets　fixed—but　this　is　to　be　a　precision　strike。　For　that　to　work；　I　need…”
He　raised　his　voice　to　speak　over　the　growing　grumbles　of　dissent。　“I　need　a　well…drilled；　efficient
squad　of　men；　who　know　what’s　expected　of　them　and　plaint。
With　respect；　sergeant；　I　doubt　you　can　provide　that。”
Lorenzo　wasn’t　looking　forward　to　serving　under　Mackenzie。　Still；　he　wouldn’t　have　swapped
this　assignment　for　any　other。　He　felt　proud　at　the　thought　that　Colonel　Graves　might　have
recommended　his　squad　above　all　others—although　he　wasn’t　kidding　himself。　He　knew　that；　if　they
had　been　recommended；　it　would　have　been　for　Greiss’　experience　or　the　distinguished　war　records
of　Dougan　and　Armstrong。　Chances　were；　the　colonel　didn’t　even　know　Lorenzo’s　name。　Anyway；
it　seemed　more　likely　that　Mackenzie　had　made　the　choice　himself；　probably　just　for　the　opportunity
to　laud　it　over　Greiss。
The　Catachans　had　insisted　on　providing　their　own　night　watch；　to　the　chagrin　of　the　Validians
already　standing　sentry　over　the　camp。　Lorenzo　had　volunteered　for　the　duty；　but　he　hadn’t　been
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quick　enough。　He　slept　soundly；　knowing　he　was　safe　in　the　char