"Michael Z. Williamson - The Humans Call it Duty" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williamson Michael Z)

lower branches, flowing along them like an elemental force, silent and determined.
They were sweating and gasping for breath, and had taken off their Helmets to get
better vision and cooling. That was good. He could see Gunner curve to the right up
ahead, and eyes wary, he tensed for action ... now!

A leap, a tuck, and Wes’ head was in his teeth. He somersaulted over, the
world twisting, gripping as tight as he could, and felt the neck snap. Sergeant
screamed, and Gunner tried to fire, but Sergeant was in the way. He moved to the
side, and Cap dodged the other way as Sergeant dropped his end of the litter and
tugged at his Gun. Cap tasted brains and sprang away, rolling off the path and into
the soft, leafy fronds of a downweed patch, which hid him as he slid down the hill
and over the edge of the ravine, roots and tendrils snagging him. Guns sounded
again, and he winced at pain in his side. He had been hit, but it wasn’t bad. Nor
would it matter if it had been bad. He was hunting. He had an Enemy to bring down.

Five.

He circled again, listening.

“—cant leave her here!” Sergeant said.

“Do you want to try getting to a weapon before that thing rips your throat
out? Mother of God, have they bioengineered those things?”

“I’ll carry her back, weapon slung, you do the same up front. Drop her if we
have to. At least she’ll have a chance!” Sergeant said.

“You didn’t hear me, Phil, I’m not carrying anything! I’m making that
rendezvous, and they are never sending me back without a full platoon. You file any
paperwork you want. I’d rather spend the war in jail than have that thing rip me to
death. I liked Cynd, but she’s not going to make it.”

There was the click of a Gun being readied. Sergeant spoke, “Sergeant
Second Class Willen Rogers, pick up that litter or I’ll shoot you right here!”

“You really are insane, you know that?” Silence. “Alright. Sorry. Nerves.
Let’s get the hell out of here.” The sound of their feet indicated they were carrying
the Litter, and Cap felt pleasure again. He would finish this, despite the wound. He
might die as he killed them, but David would be avenged.

They were still heading north, and Cap kept back a bit. Sergeant was watching
the trees. He was the tricky one, and Cap would save him for last. He wouldn’t die
quickly, and Gunner might shoot him while he fought with Sergeant.

Ahead was the upper branch of the creek. They would have to cross there,
and that’s where he’d kill them.

His side hurt severely, and he licked at it, tongue rasping through the fur. It
tasted of blood, and the bitter tang of other damage. But he wasn’t dead yet, and
there was still things that must be done.