Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [8]
'Commence firing.'
EDF weapons spat out projectiles and energy bolts, raining destruction on the colony. Nearly half of the people were annihilated before the rest realized what was happening. The frantic survivors scattered in all directions, running to find shelter.
Mantas set croplands on fire, exploded cisterns and grain silos. The bright polymer huts turned into puddles and smoking ash. People dropped like flaming matchsticks. Diligent Soldier compies blasted a crater twenty metres in diameter simply to obliterate one panicked fugitive. They were very thorough.
'Do not damage any original Klikiss structures. Those are ours.'
Beside him, Ilkot said, That will require a more cautious attack to complete our objective.'
'A more personal attack,' Sirix agreed, flexing his sharp pincers as he remembered the kinesthetic experience of killing Louis Colicos. 'I will go down myself to take charge.'
His Juggernaut descended toward the smoking ruin of the colony. All the while, the ship's comm systems recorded the anguished cries, screams of terror, and bellows of rage and disbelief. Sirix decided he would replay them later and savour the images. It was just the sort of thing a breedex would have done.
Here on Wollamor, he and his black robots would regroup and plan for their next victory. His ship landed amidst dust and smoke and flames, and he hoped he would still find a few humans alive, so that he could take care of them himself.
Three
Sarein
The chamber deep inside Hansa HQ had thick walls, no windows, and harsh lighting. Sarein's breath caught I with claustrophobia the moment she entered. With the gigantic pyramid pressing around her, she could feel the weight of the political problems that bore down on them all.
I am trapped here, far from Theroc. Sarein was no longer sure which side she would better serve. So much had changed. I can't even tell any more whether Basil considers me a friend or an enemy.
Although Earth was saved during the final battle against the hydrogues, the Terran Hanseatic League had become a casualty of the events that followed. The trade-oriented government, its figurehead King, and the colonies had been lost through miscalculation, diplomatic insults, and sheer neglect. The mistakes were primarily Basil's, though he would never admit as much. The Chairman would make others pay for those errors. She wondered if that was why he had summoned his few loyal advisers here to meet with him in such extreme privacy. either heads were about to roll, or cautious plans would be made. These days, an anxious Sarein never knew what to think, so she had learned to keep quiet.
The Chairman was already at the table, looking disappointed in the universe. He was impeccably dressed, and his handlers had touched up his appearance, but Sarein's heart sank to see him. She had known and loved this man for many years, but Basil appeared old and washed out. Even before the hydrogue conflict, he had not been a young man, though rejuvenation treatments and anti-aging drugs from Rhejak had kept him fit, healthy, and energetic. No medical remedy could alleviate the pressures that were taking their toll on him.
When he saw her enter the thick-walled room, his expression remained hard and distant. He didn't smile or offer her a warm glance, which cut her deeply. They'd been so close once. Sarein had been Basil's protegee, and he had guided her through the web of Hansa politics. Now, she wasn't sure that he felt anything for her. She couldn't even remember the last time they had made love.
She lifted her chin and found her seat, ready to get down to business. Already present were General Kurt Lanyan, commander of the Earth Defence Forces (or what was left of them), and pale Eldred Cain, the Deputy Chairman and the Chairman's heir-apparent. If Basil had been a different sort of man, he would have gracefully retired long ago. If Basil had been a different sort of man…
Captain McCammon, wearing