The Straight had been one of the finest avenues of old Cora. Ten thousand spans long with the magnificent Municipal buildings blocking the landward end, it pointed to the docks, source of all the wealth on show. The grandeur faded before the Glacier war and the bombers that gutted the Municipal had signalled the end.

On a normal day, Commerce Square would be bustling with the stalls of fresh produce and black imports. The stalls were up, but none of the hawkers were present. Bags of pulses had been piled up into barricades behind which riflemen scanned the mouth of the Straight.

The Municipal was a fortress. New stairways were camouflaged with ash and chokepoints and kill zones had been established on every floor. There were even escape routes across to nearby roofs. Shara and Fynn were atop the Municipal with the finest sharpshooters the city could provide. Shara was forming the most accurate sabots she could imagine, ready for a psychological blow with her first shot. “They are forming up at the end of the avenue.” Fynn announced into the field telephone.

The mobile command post pulled up side on behind the first company of infantry. The crew rushed out, unlatched the whole of the side panel and removed it. “There are six people around a map table, one of them is in civilian clothes, four radio operators and three clerks.”

Aurile relayed the information. “The civilian is the leader. Kill him.” Gerryl said.

“No.” Everyone looked at Aylo. “The man is an incompetent. But he has very good military advisers. You should kill them.”

“You are sure?”

“It will also scare him, and he can only make worse decisions when he is scared.”

“Very well. Who should she target?”

“Either side of Janssen should be officers with squares on their breast pockets. One of them would be best.”

“Or both. Shara likes to show off.” Aurile spoke the order into the telephone.

Shara locked her arm and steadied herself. Fynn stood beside her, touching her arm lightly and guiding her aim. There was a light pop, then another, and Shara stepped back and started flexing her arm.

The sharpshooters and their spotters kept their lenses on the command vehicle. They calculated windage, drop and flight time. One of the figures by the map table dropped, then another. There were gasps from the snipers, then silence and finally applause.

Shara and Fynn looked around at the sounds of appreciation. They had been staring at something else. Far out at sea, off white spikes were climbing into the sky.

Heavensent 9.10
Heavensent 9.8
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

The Waltzer had been captured with the twin cities. Its entire crew now worked in a prison detail on the plains, despite generous offers to any who would defect. So it had laid unused until the call had gone out for practice targets the wings could sink. Its weaponry had been judged outdated for the Southern navy, but all useful components had been stripped and it sailed toward its resting place with a skeleton crew. For the trials it was to have been powered up to full stream and steered on a random course by a clockwork mechanism in the wheelhouse.

Now the crew were blessing the left behind propellant and shells for the two and a half span main gun- intended to produce more spectacular explosions for the newsreel. There were just enough of them to load and fire the one gun, with barely enough people left for the engine room and bridge. The clockwork steerer had been thrown aside and engineer Arron Null had suddenly become a captain in the Southern navy.

The main gun on the Waltzer was vastly oversize for the ship, and had a limited arc of fire to prevent the recoil capsizing the vessel. To bring the gun to bear the ship had to face the enemy. It was heeled over as hard as possible as it turned. The spotter shouted contact and Null began twirling the wheel back. By the time they straightened out they would be aligned as nearly as necessary for the first shot.

“Two combat vessels, making speed for us. Eight transports or merchant ships.” the spotter reported.

“I see aeroplanes from landward!” the second spotter announced.

“The wing.” offered the radioman, “and two other planes.”

They were lined up with the attacking ships now. “Range to the transport ships?”

The spotters read off bearings and the radio operator calculated the distance. “We shall be in range in two hundred counts. Extreme range.”

“Sir….”

There was an explosion to the left and the spotter was knocked off his feet by the water it threw up. “Sir. We are being fired upon.” It was a redundant comment, but he was still dazed. “We could return fire.”

“We could, but that ahead of us is an invasion fleet. We do more harm if we sink the supply ships than if we go for the glory shot.” There was another explosion, behind them. They might not get to do any harm if their range was found.

A giant silver crescent passed overhead, little higher than Waltzer’s lookout nest, and banked toward the attacking ships.

Heavensent 9.9
Heavensent 9.7
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

“Do we have any information from the RADIF?”

“They say there are aeroplanes on a bearing of two- six- five.”

“How many?”

“A lot. They could not say more. The rockets have started landing.”

“Torpedoes will be little use against aircraft no matter how few or how many.” Karn commented.

“There must be some ships to follow that many aeroplanes. Try the spotter plane channels.”

The wing continued toward the approaching air fleet, on a pointless intercept. The Corkscrews flanked the plane, holding back until they knew what the plan was.

“Sir, I have the target ship. They have spotted a convoy of landing ships.”

“Can we get to them without having to go through the planes?”

There was a brief conference between the radio operator and navigator. “Two- three- Oh. Though that may take us through the edge of the air fleet.”

“We will need to be on the deck for the torpedoes anyway.” Karn pointed out.

“We will. Radio, tell the Corkscrews what we are planning. They can come with us or carry on.” Harren began banking and descending before the message was even sent. The Corkscrews followed at height to provide cover.

Heavensent 9.8
Heavensent 9.6
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

The remaining Pigs were running late, the water in the washes had hampered them more than anticipated. Still, half their charges had been planted and now they were heading for the relative safety of the middle of the lake.

They didn’t look back, or they would have seen several of their target ships getting ready to sail. One of the fast corvettes, designated to assist the patrol boats, had cast off when the charge beneath its keel exploded. It leapt into the air, splitting in two when it hit the water.

Up and down one section of the dock, explosions rocked and shattered ships. Secondary charges ignited fuel from a ruptured tanker. A number of unmined ships were trapped behind sinking and burning hulks, but some managed to escape. Running from the incoming rockets, they too headed for the middle of the lake.

Heavensent 9.7
Heavensent 9.5
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

“The battery is dead sir, but I have a visual on the blimp.”

“Let off some flares so they can take a bearing.”

The radio operator headed back onto the wing. The co-pilot cradled his gun and headed for the hatch. “Spike it. We can hardly take it with us and they should not get it.” The co-pilot stripped the gun and took a hammer to the firing mechanism. To be doubly sure, he packed the breech with explosive and laid it amongst the trip bombs he had primed.

There were destruction charges packed behind instruments and around anything deemed proprietary technology, all ready to be detonated after they abandoned the wing. Or by the first interloper through any of the hatches if the crew didn’t last that long.

They pulled the bombardier out of the cabin onto the top of the wing. The radio operator had taken a hammer to his equipment and was pulling down the aerials, removing anything that might hinder their rescuers.

Framed by blue sky, the scale of the blimp was hard to determine. The barrels protruding from the pods under its belly could be small autoguns or large cannon. It didn’t seem to be moving any more. Indeed, some of the propellers were no longer turning. If those blades were the same size as the ones on the wing, then the powered balloon was truly enormous.

A shape rose from the top of the blimp. Indistinct at this distance, it trailed another, smaller object that swayed with the movement. After a while it became recognisable as a hoverer, carrying a cargo basket. This was longer than any hoverer Mirl had seen before, with blades at either end of a slender fuselage rather than the usual stacked contra rotators.

The co-pilot headed back to prime the destruction fuses. The cargo basket touched down. There were autoguns on mounts on two diagonally opposed corners. The airman at the nearest gun stepped down and headed to help lift the bombardier. And fell, blood spurting from a wound on his neck.

The other bullets hit the basket and the skin of the wing. The radio operator grabbed the bombardier and started dragging him toward the basket. Mirl turned and crouched, his shot pistol at the ready.

Five figures had jumped out of the branches on the far edge of the wing. They were all cocking and reloading their ancient long guns. Between the cargo basket and the attackers was the co-pilot, frozen at the fuses. He turned to Mirl, pulled the pin from the fuse and grinned. A volley of three shots cut him down.

Another bunch of attackers leapt from the branches closer by, screaming as they charged. Mirl levelled his shot pistol and fired at the mass. The incendiary shell exploded just short of the group, coating them in flame. Still they kept coming. Mirl grabbed the bombardier and helped heave him into the basket, following immediately behind.

As the basket lifted off, yet more attackers appeared from the trees. The radio operator pulled himself up to the autogun and began strafing them. Mirl cocked his shot pistol and fired at an attacker making a leap for the basket. The incendiary ignited inside the body as it cartwheeled away.

The basket was hardly a safe distance away when the charges started going off. The few figures still standing on the wing ran toward the trees again, too late as explosions collapsed the plane and detonated fuel. The fireball that had once been the pride of the Southern Air Army dropped to the forest floor.

Heavensent 9.6
Heavensent 9.4
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

They stayed inside the yellow lines as planes were tractored past them onto elevators. Engineers and air crew dashed back and forth, but everyone was too engrossed in their tasks to notice the three strangers in unmarked overalls. Still Sheel kept her arm locked and ready down by her side.

An ammunition loader, clipping shells into a chain, scattered bullets off his table. He grabbed another handful and continued. Bobb scooped three from the floor and gave them to Sheel. She slid them into the hole in her upper arm and willed explosive fragmentary projectiles be made from them.

Huge doors had been rolled open, to reveal a multi level hangar. A three motored transport plane was being pulled through the gap. Several rows of soldiers awaited its arrival. Swapped glances and shaken heads ruled that escape plan out. With the plane past, Bobb headed for a small door in the far wall.

They were back in human sized corridors, keeping left- as was the etiquette- and heading against the prevailing flow. The uniforms around them carried far more, and more complex, rank insignia. Still no one questioned their presence, however.

There was a large briefing room, with pilots grouped around a relief map. Bobb spotted briefing notes on a table just inside the door and grabbed some. “It’ll be nice to know where we’re going.”

The crowd thinned out as their route wound down side corridors. Finally they opened a door and were out in the open. They were looking out on the rear of a giant, moving island. There was a roar as a pair of planes flew overhead, having just taken off far above. Far below, a docking bay carved out of the structure of the ship held two flying boats. “This is huge. How could anyone build something this large?” Sheel had relaxed enough to unlock her arm, there was no movement below.

“They’d ask us the same question if they knew how we got here.” Bobb gestured with the maps, “You can fly one of those?”

“I’ve got all the principles. I don’t think I’ll kill us.”

“That’s reassuring. Let’s get off this thing.”

Heavensent 9.5
Heavensent 9.3
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Note This is Friday’s installment, delayed by a busy weekend.

The patrol boat circled around seaward of Stran island and headed back into the turbulent waters of the inlet. They had been seeding the water with scuttling charges, hoping to shake loose any more human torpedoes like the one currently lying on the rear deck. Two engine men were examining it.

It was near impossible to see anything. The fresh water was glass clear and ice cold, but it was mixing with the warm, thick and murky sea water. The two flows curled around each other, creating a milky green wash. Still crewmen stared over the side, priming and tossing the scuttling charges at the merest hint of a shadow.

There was a cry from the high view. The boat changed attitude and turned toward an object on the surface. The autoguns opened up, churning the water around the barrel shaped target.

At the back of the boat, the engine men cursed as the sudden turn threw them over. The senior man stayed down. Certain he had heard something, he pressed an ear to the body of the torpedo. There was a low, insistent ticking. He shouted, screaming at his junior to throw the bomb overboard. They strained at the torpedo trying to lift it. Other crew members watched with confusion, what was this panic about?

The explosion obliterated the rear half of the boat. The front was thrown spans into the air, tumbling to crash upside down in the choppy water.

Heavensent 9.4
Heavensent 9.2
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Today’s Heavensent will probably be posted tomorrow, if that makes sense.

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

There was no-one on the flight line, so Harren and Karn gunned their trikes down the runway. The base was rousing to the imminent attack. They couldn’t hear the sirens over the engines, but caught flashes of movement as they sped past.

A group of mechanics ran across in front of them. The last two of the group saw the charging trikes and froze. They didn’t know whether to stay still or run. As they dithered, Harren and Karn went either side of them.

Ground and flight crews were gathering in small groups, arguing over what to do. Harren noticed the anti airs were still covered. In fact, he had hardly seen any troops since arriving on the island. There was a lip off the side of the runway, he caught air off it as he cut across to the hangars.

All of the crew was there, already doing pre-flight checks. Harren skidded his trike to a halt, Karn hopped off the back of his and let it roll away.

“How are we!” Harren shouted.

“We have a full anti ship load, for the trials later today.”

“Good. What about our….”

“You have a three quarters fuel load sir. We can add more.” A groundcrew leader cut in.

“No time. Can you get us to the runway?”

“Yes sir!” The leader started shouting instructions and a tow tractor appeared from the back of the hangar.

Flight suits and equipment were laid out on a table, ready for the scheduled test that afternoon. The crew grabbed what they could and climbed aboard the wing before it started rolling. They changed into combat gear at their posts, shouting out system checks as they went.

A pair of Corkscrews zipped past as the wing neared the runway. The wash almost knocked the tractor driver from his seat. The remote talker was powered up by now. Harren switched to radio. “Control tower, this is wing one. Can you confirm clear runway on number one?”

“Hold wing one.” There was the hiss and popping of white noise. “This is Tower. I confirm clear runway. You have priority for take off.”

Karn waved at the tractor driver to continue. They rolled onto the runway, pointing out to sea. The Corkscrews had taken off and were banking toward the tall thin clouds. The tractor unhitched and sped off. Harren locked the brakes and began feeding on the power. The plane tucked under the force of the propellers. “Are you ready?”

“The war has finally started. Of course I am ready.”

Heavensent 9.3
Heavensent 9.1
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

The wind was blowing landward, so the first flight had taken off toward the rear of Heavensent. Everything Reed had read about runway ships had emphasised the necessity of launching into the wind, for increased airspeed, but the planks didn’t have the length of the ice ship and needed every advantage they could grab. Out of sight in the dark, the planes stacked in a series of ovals to the west and waited.

A rumble grew from the southeast, where there were two growing glowing yellow clouds. The thickening tower of smoke under the rockets crept up until it caught the rising sun and took on a pink tint. Any crew who could afford the time stopped to watch. After only a few counts the rumble began to die, being replaced by the buzz of aero engines as the first flight followed the rockets into the attack. Reed tugged at Jayn’s sleeve and they headed for the briefing room.

There were several large maps on the wall, including a weather chart and breakdown of enemy units. Centrepiece of the room was a large relief map of the coast all the way inland to the glacier. The twin cities were irregularly outlined wood blocks painted grey with pins to show landmarks. The flight crews gathered around the model. Serena was on a small gantry above the terrain, placing white metal ships in the docks behind Stran island. When she dismounted she started conferring with the intelligence officers.

Reed was second flight leader. His crews formed a crescent behind him as he stared at the relief map. Serena and an intelligence officer stood across from them. At the nod from Reed, she began. “Ladies and gentlemen, you all know what we are about to do. It is possibly the single most audacious attack since…. No, actually, this is the single most audacious attack ever.

“There have been some minor changes to the plan for your flight. The first wave is on its way now to follow the rocket attack on Stran island. They have an open remit to hit anything military on the freshwater lake inland from the island and particularly up these tributaries.” Serena used a pointer to trace the fjords carved by long gone glaciers that spoked out from the lake. “They are also tasked with the initial attack on the barracks, which are here, outside Cora, too close to the city to risk an attack as inaccurate as the rockets.

“Your attack is to strike first up the main channel of the fjord toward the twin cities bridges and the glacier. Intelligence tells us that gas filled balloons are being used as flying cranes. A flight of Cicciles has been loaded with incendiary rounds, they will take out the balloons. We are hoping the explosions will also knock some of the cliff face gun positions out of action as well. Half your bombers and ground attack aircraft shall then attempt to destroy the guard huts at either end of the bridges. We believe the structures are set to be exploded. The other half of the flight will turn north over Cora itself. We have received intelligence this morning that there are troop movements into the town for reprisal attacks. They will be in the open, tightly grouped and likely without anti air support. If you can, tear them apart.”

Serena studied the map again, checking she had not forgotten anything. “Full details are in your flight plans. Any questions?”

Silence. “Very good. The best of fortune to you all.” She made the sign of the Silver Tower. Reed realised many in his flight repeated the motion. He resisted, giving a simple salute before turning and walking through his men toward the planes. They all pivoted and followed.

Heavensent 9.2
Heavensent 8.9
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Note Forgot to post this yesterday.

The choke points either side of Stran Island created turbulent water as the tide rose. Warm, murky sea water streamed past currents of cold, clear fresh water in a complex jumble of flows that messed with the buoyancy of the Pigs as they tried to traverse the gap.

Breaking into a pocket or current of fresh water whilst trimmed for the sea could have the manned torpedoes plummeting toward the rocky bed. Conversely, trimming for fresh water could drive them up to broach the surface. Which was exactly what happened to North 3.

As they started to rise the pilot desperately tried to take on water and adjust the trim, but it was too late. The tail broke surface first, the propeller spinning up a froth. The bucking as the tube tried to settle in the waves threw the second crewman off then cracked the Pig down on him.

The limp body floated away, caught in the main flow of the current that had caused the catastrophe. The second crewman was the person who attached the explosives to the ship’s hull whilst the pilot held station. The pilot was turning toward the current to follow when a patrol boat rounded the island. He urged the tanks to fill faster and take him to a safe running depth.

There was a shout, the second crewman, in underwater gear complete with air tanks, had been spotted. The boat raced toward the limp body. The Pig was nearly under water, but the pilot, high in the saddle, was still exposed. Something splashed in the water to his right. He looked up and saw muzzle flashes from the autoguns on the boat’s bridge.

There were more splashes to his left. He frantically turned the arming key. It clicked as he primed the long fuse, a few more turns and he would arm it. Twin lines of splashes churned up the water and converged on the Pig. The pilot was hit several times and was dead before his body started to slide off the Pig.

Heavensent 8.9
Heavensent 8.7
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Gim had been testing the door and frame, trying to find weak points by judging tiny variations in flex. He stopped, closed his eyes and cocked his head. “It’s very busy out there. Time to go.”

“You’re certain?” Sheel was straightening her arm and making a fist. Her right elbow locked as she paced back and forth before the door.

“Activity peaked and is starting to settle down again. Though it’s still very busy and they probably won’t notice us.” Gim pointed to the exact point he wanted Sheel to fire at, which would hopefully destroy the door’s lock.

“And we’ll be able to find our way out of here?”

“I memorised every step of the way from the moment we came aboard. And I have data on these old propeller planes, so I’ll be able to fly one. Probably.”

“Okay. We go.” Sheel raised her locked arm. Gim wisely removed his finger and stepped back.

Sheel rocked back on her feet and there was the crack of a small sonic boom. The flat-headed projectile expanded so fast it vapourised, taking most of the lock mechanism with it. The door swung open.

“Ladies first.” Gim offered.

“You’re only saying that because I’ve got the gun.”

Heavensent 8.8
Heavensent 8.6
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Street patrols had been cut back, leave had been cancelled and weapons checks had been ordered. It was obvious to all in the barracks that something major was due. The volunteers guessed, and had formed disgusted huddles to avoid the enthusiastic draftees. Killing civilians was not what they had signed up for.

Commander Janssen arrived late to the parade ground, his huge half track command vehicle misfiring on two cylinders and gouging up the surface. He made only a cursory inspection of the assembled troops before signalling the ranking officers on the base to mount up and join him around the map table.

Trikes mounted with autoguns formed up ahead of and behind the command vehicle. The on-duty troops formed up by squad behind the half track, ready to set out for the old town of Cora. The streets were narrow and the buildings mazes of small rooms. If they met opposition, the rumour went, they would simply raze the district rather than risk fighting on such fatal ground.

The gates opened. Manually adjusting the three banks of carburettors on the half track’s engine, the driver managed to stop the misfires. The vehicle jerked forward and headed out of the barracks. The troops followed behind, marching into the rising sun, ready to make the wrong kind of history.

Heavensent 8.7
Heavensent 8.5
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Lensman helped Kess up the gully to a large rock they could use as a vantage point. The young marksman dragged himself to the edge and looked down on the road. A track with anti airs on it was making its way to a firing position. It was time to find out how effective the sabots were.

Below, the troops were falling back one at a time, drawing the attacking force toward a bottleneck. Lensman saw one of his squad fall, and knew he wasn’t getting back up. The next troop through checked the body, made a sign over it, and collected spare clips. To cover the last dash through the gap, two teams loosed one shot rockets at the advancing pack and moved under cover of the debris raised.

Kess estimated where the operator would sit behind the armour on the anti air. He took a deep breath and pulled the trigger as he exhaled. The shot was low, but still a hole punched through the armour and a body tumbled from the track. Kess examined the four barrels of the anti air. There was a gap in the armour where they protruded. Whilst troops huddled behind the track and discussed who should be the next gun operator, Kess put a shot through the gap, hoping to wreck some of the anti air’s mechanism.

Troops advanced up the gully, gaining the squad’s original position. The squad held fire until they started moving again. The volley of fire cut down the first few troops and got heavy fire in return.

A shell on the anti air exploded, clipped by Kess’s shots, setting off a series of detonations that destroyed the weapon. There was a lull in the gunfire as each side was surprised by this turn. A bullet came up the gully, high and wide, followed by others. With his head down, Lensman could still see the bunch of soldiers on the road that broke off from the main group and headed into the trees. “Ec, Mid. They are trying to get round behind us. Head into the trees and cut them off. Garit.”

“Sir?”

“Take the last of the rockets and get up there with Kess and see if you can get any as far as the road.”

“Sir.” The three moved off. Lensman surveyed the rest of his squad. He had lost four men so far, to twenty or thirty from the troop convoy. It was a good ratio, but attrition was going to get the better of them if they could not tip the balance even further into their favour.

Heavensent 8.5
Heavensent 8.3
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

The fretwork of cables they had been throwing out and stringing over branches was finally beginning to pay off. “I have a signal sir.” the radio operator announced. “There is an aerial gun platform on the way.”

“Do they know where we are?” Mirl asked.

“I believe so. We are getting distress signals out, which they can pinpoint.”

“Very good. Keep it up until the batteries run down.” Mirl walked back along the wing and slid in through one of the old cockpit blisters. He wanted to share the good news.

The bombardier was sleeping. His leg was troubling him ever more- it might already be too late to save it. There was no-one else in the cabin, though the hatch to the bomb bay was open. Mirl headed in that direction. There was the rattling report of a burst from an autogun and the airframe shook. Mirl ran over to the hatch and ducked his head through. “What is going on here!”

“There was movement sir!” The co-pilot pointed down through the foliage. The navigator was hopping from one half open bay door to the other, trying to get a better view.

“You do not shoot at shadows! Wait until you have a certain sighting.”

There was a noise from below. Something rattled against the skin of the bay doors. Another burst of fire followed, one bullet getting through the gap and ricocheting around the cowering crew men.

“That seemed quite certain sir!” The co-pilot was too scared to sound smug.

“Get a gun. I shall wake the bombardier.” The navigator jumped across the gap to the rack of autoguns. He landed hard, and the leverage finally dislodged the door. Mirl reached out, stretching across an impossible distance, as the young airman tumbled backwards away from him. He hit a large branch, heavily, and stopped flailing as he fell toward the ground. The wing lurched, and Mirl could hear the bombardier being thrown from his bed.

There were shouts from below, and more gunfire. The co-pilot turned his autogun toward the shots and let off a burst. Mirl grabbed two of the mini bombs and tossed them through the gap.

The co-pilot stopped firing. There was silence for a moment before two explosions shook the trees. The wing shifted slightly again. “There is an aerial gun platform on the way.” Mirl announced.

“Give it speed, there is not long for us.”

Heavensent 8.4
Heavensent 8.2
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent

Shara had been offered a fine selection of the best carbonised ferrous for whatever alchemy it was that primed the weapon in her arm. She paced the parapet, massaging her shoulder and flexing her hand. Fynn crouched near the edge, as still as the stone carved devilward beside him, staring into the dark. Occasionally he would say something into the handset cradled on his shoulder, the message fed through the wires down to Aurile, who stood by a city map several floors below.

Aylo was fascinated by the way Shara moved. She had a bearing, confidence and poise that made the most experienced of the resistance fighters look like a swaggering child. She was also absolutely deadly, which made him think his next action was the stupidest thing he ever did. “You are a weapon?” he asked, “The gun is built into you.”

Shara looked at Aylo and he wanted to jump over the edge. “Several weapons systems have been built into my body. The electromagnetic accelerator in my arm is the main one, however.” She stretched the arm and spread her fingers, examining them. Aylo imagined her clasping the fist and pointing it at him.

“Why are you the weapon? Why not one of the men?”

Shara made a fist, Aylo thought he saw it arcing toward him. She smiled, letting the arm drop to her side. “Because we knew we were coming to an undeveloped” she gave the word extra emphasis, “society. You would hardly expect a pretty little thing to be the fighter, would you?” Aylo was certain his heart had stopped. He wished he had asked his other question. The previous morning, so he had been told, none of these three could speak the language. First Aurile had learned it, then he had taken the other two aside, put them into some form of trance and made a strange concentrated warbling. After this strange ritual, Shara and Fynn had been able to speak like well taught tourists.

Fynn stood, stretched and walked over. “They wish you downstairs.” he told Aylo, who nodded dumbly and headed quickly for the door. Fynn moved to another corner of the roof and stared out again. Shara returned to her calisthenics.

Heavensent 8.3
Heavensent 8.1
Heavensent 1.1

Technorati tag: Fiction, Heavensent