Toxic by Stéphane Desienne Page B

Below them, the ground looked like a uniform surface, without details allowing him to determine his altitude. Of course he had the information before his eyes and the integrated security would have taken control in the event of a failure or too slow of a reaction. His nasal vents contracted upon remembering the number of times he had deactivated them in operation. That seemed long ago. Working for the Combinate... it made him a sort of careerist. From then on, he had held a position. Naakrit and his mercenaries gaged him only in that light.
    Ten octames away from the tree tops, the repulsors slowed his fall and then vertically stabilized him. Just beside him and at the same height, he made out two glows, those of the tactical displays incorporated into the helmets of Kjet and Sarejt.
    They flew over the woods, skimming the slender tips of the tall conifers. The planet had evolved to contain a significant variety of vegetation. He promised himself that he would spend a bit of time studying it as soon as he could. The soft landing didn't disrupt the sepulchral calm of the environment. A row of green vehicles, with wheels and tracks strangely intact, bordered an avenue that led to a rectangular building partially covered with lichen and undergrowth.
    “According to the information on the tera-server, humans built this type of installation to bury their nuclear missile silos,” the abza'n mentioned.
    Her inflections clearly showed a sort of amused disdain for the use of obsolete technology. The Sybarian failed to specify that this was the case with most of the races that had arrived at an advanced stage. Jave kept silent while Kjet removed a light vehicle from his arm, which rolled for a few meters before stopping against a concrete parapet. It continued its inspection up until the massive doors which marked the main entrance to the underground base.
    “The path is clear.”
    He detached a holster from his thigh and took out several dozen scouts. The swarm of insectoids rushed down inside.
    “The recon pods will stream to the tactical database.”
    The mercenaries followed procedures learned in training or in action. Their way of going about things steered them clear of unpleasant surprises, even if deep down they knew that this world didn't offer any serious opposition to them.
    “Six levels in total,” Kjet announced. “The premises seem to be in better shape than in New York.”
    The news delighted the emissary. “I’m going in.”
    “You have to wait for the complete structure scan.”
    Jave didn't pay attention to Sarejt's remark. She would never cross the line by giving him a direct order. On the other hand, Naakrit had made her responsible in the event that he got into trouble. The Sybarian, therefore, followed in his footsteps. Kjet brought up the rear.
    One by one, the trio crossed the corridor, the far end of which ended in a double door which was smashed open. Their displays, which incorporated night vision filters, showed a vertical tunnel which resembled the former elevators of the Dubai tower. Their armor was just too big to fit.
    “OK, we're going to go out, take off our PASs and come back. Lights and agrav suspensors for everyone,” Jave declared.
    They got on their way. The emissary noted that Kjet seemed a little anxious. Separated from his metal protection, the cold air bit his flesh and filtered between his scales. The body temperature of reptilians dropped very quickly. The mercenary had nonetheless made sure he had a heat suit. He was also equipped with an agrav belt, to which he attached a short-barrel flame-thrower.
    A few minutes later, Sarejt cut down the door with her vibroblade to open up the passage and one by one, they started down the tunnel until reaching the first level.
    “Scan of sections two and three complete.”
    The opening led to a hallway which split into two parallel corridors. Worn down armchairs and tables – some of them broken – furniture, thousands of pages and files