Logos Run

Logos Run by William C. Dietz

Book: Logos Run by William C. Dietz Read Free Book Online
Authors: William C. Dietz
Ads: Link
pole. Dyson nodded gratefully. “Thank you.”
    But the decision to let Phan terminate the robot had nothing to do with compassion, a fact that soon became apparent. A howl of protest went up from the crowd gathered on the plaza below as the subject of their hatred was released from its suffering, and there was a sudden swirl of activity as various holy men pointed up at the building from which the shot had originated, and urged their followers to attack. The response was immediate, as half a dozen snipers opened fire on Techno Society headquarters, and scores of warriors began to scale the wooden ladders that would carry them up onto the highest bench. “Now we know who their leaders are,” Shaz stated coldly. “Kill them.”
    Phan smiled, secured a fresh grip on her weapon, and went to work. Her aim was good, and each death sent ripples out through the ethers, which rolled over Dyson like waves of pain. He staggered backward, brought his hands up to his temples, and slid down the rear wall to sit on the floor.
    Meanwhile, having volunteered to act as the assassin’s spotter, Shaz brought a small pair of binoculars up to his eyes and directed Phan’s fire. They made a good team. Leader after leader fell, and, as they did, the attack began to falter.
    Then, having reloaded numerous times, the assassin went to work neutralizing those snipers who still survived, while the combat variant fired both pistols into the crowd directly below. The ensuing slaughter lasted for less than a minute before the holy warriors broke and ran. Dozens lay dead, their bodies akimbo, their spirits still filled with hatred. Some of the fallen groaned, or called for help, but were soon dispatched by cudgel-wielding metal men who prowled the battlefield like hooded angels of death. “Well,” Shaz remarked lightly, “that went reasonably well.”
    “Yes, it did,” the local operative agreed gratefully. “But even though the ignorant bastards didn’t know what they were doing, one aspect of their attack was successful.”
    The combat variant looked up from reloading a pistol. “And what, pray tell, was that?”
    “The gate,” the functionary replied sadly. “The explosion took it off-line.”

FOUR
    The spaceship Shewhoswimsthevoid
    Those who travel aboard our starships can expect to eat only the finest food, prepared by expert chefs, and served by the most solicitous waiters in the empire.
     
—From promotional material produced by the Cylar Line
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tas was ensconced in his favorite chair, gnawing on a well- seared arm bone, when his older brother entered the compartment. “Look at that!’ Tas said, using the humerus as a pointer. “The slimeballs are up to something.”
    When Mog looked up at the video monitors he realized that Tas was correct. A large percentage of the ship’s passengers had gathered together toward the center of the hold. And, given the recent “harvest,” the outlaw knew why. “You reckon they’ll come after us?” Tas wanted to know.
    “It’s too early to tell,” Mog replied judiciously. “They might decide to fortify the hold in order to keep us out.”
    “It won’t work,” Tas predicted, as he sprinkled salt on his meat. “We always get in. . . . Don’t we, Mog?”
    “Yup,” the larger man agreed, as he fingered his beard. “We always do. . . . But I want you and Ruk to stay sober for a while. There could be some fighting during the next twelve hours or so.”
    “You can count on me,” Tas said, through a mouthful of food.
    “I know that,” Mog replied, “and I take comfort from it. See the man wearing the short red jacket? The one standing in front of the rest? Watch him. . . . He looks like a leader.”
    “I will,” the younger man promised. “He lives with the pretty woman.”
    “And she belongs to me ,” Mog emphasized as he turned to leave. “And don’t forget it.”
    Tas knew the female was off-limits, but a man can dream, and the cannibal’s

Similar Books

WLT

Garrison Keillor

Housecarl

Griff Hosker

Scion of Ikshvaku

Amish Tripathi

The White Earth

Andrew McGahan