Read Online Star Crusades Nexus: Book 05 - Prophecy of Fire by Michael G. Thomas - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michael G. Thomas
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Only the approach of more creatures tore her gaze from the object.
“This is the end!” hissed a voice from somewhere further back.
The mechanical voice sent a shiver through her body as though somebody had gently run a finger down her spine. She shuddered and adopted a solid fighting stance. Her left foot forward, knees bent, and both hands lifted as though about to box. The blade hung down in the classic ice pick grip favored by many knife fighters.
Not yet!
Two more creatures launched at her, and she hacked and stabbed, throwing their bodies over the edge. A third followed behind, but this one avoided her blow and struck her leg. The armor tore off as if only attached by thin straps, and a streak of blood appeared. The cut was deep, and it continued to strike at her with its pincer-like arms and foul head. She was close enough to see the expanded ribcage, thick muscles, and exaggerated teeth. It was like a biblical demon intent on tearing her apart.
Stab and don’t stop stabbing till its dead!
She remembered her Marine Corps training, the voice of her instructors repeated over and over in her head. Her movements and stance altered as she moved into a machine-like state where her reactions and muscle memory took over. First of all, she slashed at its neck and then as it pulled back, she sidestepped by swinging her left leg back behind her and to her right so that she twisted around. With a single firm motion, the blade stabbed backward and into the thing’s chest. That was far from the end, however, and in less than three seconds, she’d stabbed it another seven times in the same place. Her training worked well, and it was on the ground, blood oozing from a dozen wounds.
“Is that it?” she asked bitterly.
She was granted a short respite as the greatest of the beasts arrived. As came nearer, the smaller ones scattered, out of fear or reverence she couldn’t tell. This one was massive, like a demon from hell and larger than any Biomech she’d ever seen. It moved on a pair of short robotic legs and trailed a lizard like tail. Its multiple arms were spiked and barbed, and its head shrunken down and protected by metal plating. It clunked toward her with all manner of soul-destroying sounds moving with it. Teresa lifted herself back to her feet and somehow found another of the blades in her left hand. Both dripped black blood into a growing pool on the ground.
“What are you?” she tried to call out, but again there were no words.
The machine monster continued forward until it was a few meters away and then stopped. For a second it seemed the thing had broken down, but then it lowered itself by bending its legs in an impossible fashion. The center of its armored carapace opened wide, revealing a tortured human figure inside. She gazed at its blood-covered flesh until she could make out its eyes. For a second, she didn’t recognize the person.
Me?
Teresa stumbled back, one foot sliding off the ledge, and then she was falling. She looked up. The machine did nothing more than look down at her as she vanished into the blackness, her limbs flailing, and again she tried to cry out. This time a muffled sound managed to make it out, and her eyes opened to blackness.
What the hell was that all about?
The imagery was already starting to fade, and as she sat up in her bed and wiped her sweat-covered brow, the thoughts of the massive machine and its cohorts of terrifying biomechanical creatures faded from her conscious mind. She rubbed her eyes and waited for a second as they adjusted to reveal the small, very dark room. It was her quarters and once again, she had been dreaming of the creatures and monsters of her violent past.
This has got to stop. Why can’t you dream of something else for a change?
With effort, she leaned over and slid her feet out of the bed and onto the cool floor of her temporary quarters. The cold ran up through her limbs, and she shuddered before realizing she was naked bar her
“This is the end!” hissed a voice from somewhere further back.
The mechanical voice sent a shiver through her body as though somebody had gently run a finger down her spine. She shuddered and adopted a solid fighting stance. Her left foot forward, knees bent, and both hands lifted as though about to box. The blade hung down in the classic ice pick grip favored by many knife fighters.
Not yet!
Two more creatures launched at her, and she hacked and stabbed, throwing their bodies over the edge. A third followed behind, but this one avoided her blow and struck her leg. The armor tore off as if only attached by thin straps, and a streak of blood appeared. The cut was deep, and it continued to strike at her with its pincer-like arms and foul head. She was close enough to see the expanded ribcage, thick muscles, and exaggerated teeth. It was like a biblical demon intent on tearing her apart.
Stab and don’t stop stabbing till its dead!
She remembered her Marine Corps training, the voice of her instructors repeated over and over in her head. Her movements and stance altered as she moved into a machine-like state where her reactions and muscle memory took over. First of all, she slashed at its neck and then as it pulled back, she sidestepped by swinging her left leg back behind her and to her right so that she twisted around. With a single firm motion, the blade stabbed backward and into the thing’s chest. That was far from the end, however, and in less than three seconds, she’d stabbed it another seven times in the same place. Her training worked well, and it was on the ground, blood oozing from a dozen wounds.
“Is that it?” she asked bitterly.
She was granted a short respite as the greatest of the beasts arrived. As came nearer, the smaller ones scattered, out of fear or reverence she couldn’t tell. This one was massive, like a demon from hell and larger than any Biomech she’d ever seen. It moved on a pair of short robotic legs and trailed a lizard like tail. Its multiple arms were spiked and barbed, and its head shrunken down and protected by metal plating. It clunked toward her with all manner of soul-destroying sounds moving with it. Teresa lifted herself back to her feet and somehow found another of the blades in her left hand. Both dripped black blood into a growing pool on the ground.
“What are you?” she tried to call out, but again there were no words.
The machine monster continued forward until it was a few meters away and then stopped. For a second it seemed the thing had broken down, but then it lowered itself by bending its legs in an impossible fashion. The center of its armored carapace opened wide, revealing a tortured human figure inside. She gazed at its blood-covered flesh until she could make out its eyes. For a second, she didn’t recognize the person.
Me?
Teresa stumbled back, one foot sliding off the ledge, and then she was falling. She looked up. The machine did nothing more than look down at her as she vanished into the blackness, her limbs flailing, and again she tried to cry out. This time a muffled sound managed to make it out, and her eyes opened to blackness.
What the hell was that all about?
The imagery was already starting to fade, and as she sat up in her bed and wiped her sweat-covered brow, the thoughts of the massive machine and its cohorts of terrifying biomechanical creatures faded from her conscious mind. She rubbed her eyes and waited for a second as they adjusted to reveal the small, very dark room. It was her quarters and once again, she had been dreaming of the creatures and monsters of her violent past.
This has got to stop. Why can’t you dream of something else for a change?
With effort, she leaned over and slid her feet out of the bed and onto the cool floor of her temporary quarters. The cold ran up through her limbs, and she shuddered before realizing she was naked bar her
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