douglashill.galacticwarlord-第16章

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　'I　do　not　report　to　the　Master；'　Thr'un　sneered。　'Only　the　One　reports。'
　Keill　sat　up　at　that。　More　intriguing　hints　and　mysteries。　Could　he　jolt　more　information　out　of　the　giant　…　providing　he　had　time　to　do　so　？
　'And　the　〃One〃　would　be　the　head　of　your　group　that　you　nearly　told　me　about　？'
　'Clever　again；'　Thr'un　growled。　He　was　even　closer　now。　His　energy　gun　crackled　again；　and　a　corner　of　the　municator　sagged；　something　within　it　bursting　briefly　into　flame。　Keill　paid　scant　attention。
　'Is　he　as　insane　as　you；　or　your　cowardly　Master　？'　he　called。
　'You　prattle　of　things　beyond　your　knowledge！'　Thr'un　replied；　voice　rumbling　deep　with　anger。
　'Knowledge　？'　Keill　said。　He　sensed　that　the　moment　of　attack　was　near；　and　spoke　quickly；　hardly　thinking　about　what　he　was　saying。　'I　know　what　you　are；　and　who　you　serve。　I　know　your　Master　is　the　destroyer　of　my　world　and　my　people。　And　I　know　that　he　has　a　madman's　dream　of　wrecking　the　galaxy　with　warfare；　and　ruling　over　its　ruins！'
　Surprise　joined　the　anger　in　Thr'un's　voice。　'You　know　more　than　you　should；　legionary。　More　than　I　imagined。　The　Master　will　be　interested。'
　Again　his　beam…gun　blazed；　and　there　was　a　flash　and　a　muffled　explosion　deep　in　the　bowels　of　the　bank　of　equipment。　Keill　drew　back　slightly　as　the　metal　that　sheltered　him　grew　hot　to　the　touch。　But　he　moved　by　reflex；　hardly　aware　…for　his　mind　was　dazedly　trying　to　assimilate　what　had　just　been　said。
　He　had　hurled　his　wild　accusations；　based　on　the　story　old　Talis　had　told；　in　order　to　provoke　Thr'un　into　revealing　the　true　nature　of　the　'Master'　who　directed　him。　He　had　not　imagined　for　a　moment。。。
　But　it　had　happened。　Thr'un　had　confirmed　the　fantastic　things　Keill　had　said。
　Which　meant　that　the　Overseers'　story　about　the　Warlord　。。。　was　true。
　As　true　as　Talis's　statement　about　the　bones　of　Keill's　body。
　He　shook　his　head；　trying　to　clear　it；　to　re…orient　himself。　Think　about　it　later；　he　told　himself　savagely；　or　you　won't　live　to　think　at　all。
　Thr'un's　voice　had　last　e　from　a　point　that　must　be　on；　or　near；　the　edge　of　the　cleared　area。　Silently　Keill　eased　his　way　to　the　right；　crouching　at　the　corner　of　the　municator；　concentrating；　focusing　energy　and　power　into　his　legs。　Make　him　speak　again；　he　thought。　Pinpoint　his　position。
　'Your　Master　won't　be　pleased　at　what　has　happened　here；　Thr'un；'　he　called。　'A　failure　is　executed　…　isn't　that　the　way　of　the　Warlord？'
　'Warlord；　you　call　him？'　Thr'un　rumbled。　'An　apt　name。　Yes；　he　has　his　way　with　failure。　But　I　have　not　failed；　legionary。　I　was　sent　here　to　plete　the　task　I　began　…　to　clear　the　galaxy　of　your　Legions。　And　I　will　plete　it！'
　The　implication　of　the　words　struck　Keill　at　once；　and　the　hatred　and　rage　that　rose　in　him　seemed　to　fill　his　veins　with　fire。　'You？　You　are　the　destroyer　？'
　'It　was　I；'　the　giant　gloated；　'who　sent　the　radiation　capsules　into　the　atmosphere　of　Moros。　A　laughably　simple　task。　Miniature　capsules；　made　by　the　genius　of　the　Master；　hidden　in　an　innocent　shipment　of　grain。　Your　Legions　suspected　nothing。　And　then；　on　the　signal；　the　chain　reaction。。。'
　But　Keill　did　not　let　him　finish。　Fury　reinforced　his　strength　as　he　exploded　into　a　surging　leap　…　not　sideways　round　the　corner　of　the　municator；　but　straight　up；　in　a　mighty　standing　jump。
　He　was　firing　as　he　leaped；　firing　as　his　feet　struck　the　top　of　the　melting；　blackened　machine；　firing　still　as　he　sprang　without　pause　out　across　the　cleared　area；　at　the　throat　of　his　enemy。
　The　giant　had　flung　himself　to　one　side　to　dodge　the　deluge　of　energy　blasts；　and　that　movement　and　Keill's　speed　threw　his　own　aim　off。　Energy　beams　sizzled　past　Keill　as　he　charged　…　and　then　scalding　pain　bit　deep　into　his　right　shoulder　as　one　of　the　erratic　beams　found　him；　spinning　him　off…balance；　hurling　him　to　the　floor。
　His　gun　fell　and　slid　out　of　reach　…　and　then　the　giant；　moving　with　his　own　astonishing　speed；　was　towering　over　him；　gun　levelled　at　Keill's　face。
　Keill　waited　for　the　death　shot；　but　Thr'un　did　nothing；　except　let　a　cruel　smile　of　satisfaction　grow　across　his　face。
　'You　see　？'　he　said。　'I　have　not　failed；　after　all。'
　Keill　looked　at　him　with　contempt。　'You　won't　have　long　to　gloat。　My　panion　will　know　the　moment　I　am　dead　…and　will　destroy　the　dome　with　you　in　it。'
　'Indeed？　I　doubt　if　he　will　know　so　quickly。　No；　I　will　have　no　trouble　in　burning　my　way　out　of　the　rear　of　the　dome　and　dealing　with　your　panion　…　after　I　have　dealt　with　you。'
　He　widened　his　mocking　smile；　then　glanced　down　at　Keill's　shoulder；　where　blood　seeped　steadily　through　the　seared　flesh。
　'You　are　injured；　which　is　a　shame；'　Thr'un　said。　'Yet　you　have　proved　a　dangerous　and　resourceful　opponent；　and　so　you　can　still　be　deemed　worthy。'
　To　Keill's　astonishment；　Thr'un　stepped　back；　and　tossed　his　beam…gun　aside。　'e；　Randor；　let　me　show　you　what　I　know　to　be　true　…　that　the　much…admired　skill　of　the　Legions　is　nothing　to　the　power　of　the　Deathwing！'
　Keill　rose　slowly　to　his　feet；　hardly　able　to　believe　what　was　happening。　'Deathwing　？'
　Thr'un　laughed　expansively。　'You　have　not　heard　the　name　？　It　is　the　Master's　select　force　…　his　chosen　lieutenants；　who　serve　his　will　throughout　the　galaxy。　Men　like　myself；　Randor；　from　the　altered　worlds。　Men　to　whom　the　Master　has　given　skills；　and　strengths；　and　power；　beyond　anything　dreamed　of　by　a　puny　legionary！'　He　raised　his　arms　at　his　sides；　muscles　rolling　under　the　naked　bronze　skin。　'See；　Randor！　See　how　your　death　will　e！'
　Keill's　eyes　widened　with　amazement　and　horror。　The　weird；　ridged　markings　on　the　giant's　body　were　moving　again。　Writhing；　swelling　…　opening。。。
　From　beneath　the　skin；　where　the　ridges　encircled　Thr'un's　body；　erupted　growths。　Swiftly　they　extended；　upwards　and　downwards；　flaring；　fanning　out。　They　were　like　slabs　of　thick　and　heavy　leather；　solid　linked　plates　of　a　dark；　unpleasantly　muddy　colour。　And　they　protected　the　giant　like　armour。
　From　the　band　around　the　neck　they　spread　out　to　cover　the　throat　and　the　base　of　the　skull；　reaching　down　over　the　upper　chest　and　back。　Below；　the　abdominal　armour　extended　to　cover　the　loins；　the　belly　and　the　kidneys；　stretching　up　over　the　solar　plexus　and　the　lower　ribs。
　All　the　weaker　points　on　the　human　body　…　from　neck　to　thigh　…　were；　on　Thr'un；　protected　from　harm。
　Keill　had　backed　away　a　step；　involuntarily。　But　he　saw　the　sadistic　light　in　the　giant's　eyes；　and　fought　to　bring　his　shock　and　revulsion　under　control　…　willing　his　aching；　wounded　body　into　the　poised　relaxation　of　bat　readiness。　His　right　shoulder　felt　as　if　naked　flame　was　still　eating　at　his　flesh。　But　it　was　not　a　crippling　wound；　he　knew。　Beyond　the　pain；　he　still　had　the　use　of　the　arm。
　Yet　he　let　it　dangle　limply；　as　if　the　shoulder　was　shattered。　Over…confidence　might　be　the　only　weakness　that　Thr'un　would　show。
　Then　the　giant　attacked；　without　warning。
　Keill　was　nearly　trapped　by　the　speed　and　power　of　the　rush。　But　he　managed　to　dodge　one　blow；　block　another；　and　spin　away　out　of　reach。　Instantly　Thr'un　was　upon　him　again　…and　again　Keill　evaded　the　attack；　twisting　away。
　It　became　the　pattern　of　the　fight。　Keill　remained　on　the　defensive　…　dodging；　blocking；　circling；　relying　on　his　balance　and　speed　of　reflexes　to　preserve　him。　But　it　was　a　dangerous　game。　With　his　injury　and　loss　of　blood；　and　the　after…effects　of　the　jangler；　he　was　likely　to　tire　and　weaken　before　Thr'un　did。　And　he　was　still　persisting　in　using　only　his　left　arm　to　defend　himself。
　Also；　Thr'un　was　swift；　immensely　strong；　and　considerably　skilled。　Not；　for　all　his　boasting；　up　to　Legion　standards；　Keill　had　soon　realized。　Thr'un's　bat　skills　were　a　little　too　orthodox；　a　little　too　predictable　and　unimaginative。
　But　that　offered　small　advantage　…　when　the　uncanny　body　armour　protected　him　so　well。
　And　Keill　soon　found　out　how　well。　Knowing　that　he　could　not　last　in　a　prolonged　battle；　he　took　the　fight　to　Thr'un　more　and　more；　counter…attacking　out　of　defence。　But　he　found　that　striking　the　armour　was　like　hitting　a　padded　wall。　The　thick；　leathery　substance　seemed　to　give　slightly　under　any　blow；　absorbing　its　power；　so　that　Thr'un　was　hardly　troubled；　Keill　had　to　look　for　targets　on　the　head　or　legs　…and　the　giant；　knowing　he　could　leave　his　torso　virtually　undefended；　could　more　easily　block　or　evade；　preventing　Keill　from　landing　an　effective　blow。
　So　they　fought　on；　Keill　still　circling；　defending；　probing　for　an　opening　that　seemed　never　to　e　…　the　giant　still　aggressive；　confident。　Each　attack　was　a　flurry　of　blows　and　counters；　a　blur　of　weaving；　swaying　bodies。　The　giant　feinting　with　a　straight　right…hand　slash　at　the　belly；　the　left　hand　whipping　across　to　chop　at　the　neck　…　Keill　sliding　inside　the　blow；　heel　of　the　left　hand　driving　up　…　Thr'un　blocking　and　striking　for　the　face　in　the　same　fluid　motion　…　Keill　dropping　almost　to　one　knee；　a　foot　lashing　out　at　a　kneecap　…　Thr'un　swivelling　away　from　the　kick；　his　own　foot　countering　to　smash　at　Keill's　jaw　…　Keill　rolling　away；　ing　to　his　feet；　fingers　flickering　out　in　a　stab　at　the　eyes　as　the　giant　leaped　again；　huge　hands　clutching。。。
　Weariness　began　to　seep　into　Keill's　limbs；　and　his　breathing　grew　heavier。　His　time　was　running　out。　Now　the　giant　was　reaching　him　more　often；　as　Keill's　energy　flagged。　Time　and　again　only　desperate　reflex　turned　a　crushing　elbow…smash　from　Thr'un　into　a　glancing　graze；　only　reflex　dragged　his　thigh　around　to　deflect　a　hurtling　kick　to　the　groin。　And　each　of　these　times　Keill　staggered；　and　a　little　more　strength　drained　from　his　weary；　damaged　body。
　But　his　mind　was　still　a　legionary's　mind　…　controlled；　disciplined；　aware。　He　did　not　miss　the　glitter　of　anticipation　and　triumph　in　Thr'un's　eyes　whenever　Keill　staggered；　or　when　one　of　Keill's　attacks　failed。　And　Keill　did　not　hesitate　when　his　mind　weighed　up　the　danger；　and　produced　what　could　be　his　only；　desperately　risky　chance　to　survive。
　The　giant　was　given　to　gloating；　to　over…confidence。　He　had　already　been　led　to　believe　that　Keill　had　only　one　usable　arm。　Lead　him　on　a　little　further　。。。
　Now　as　he　circled　and　countered；　Keill　let　his　body　sag　even　more；　let　himself　stumble　and　catch　himself　more　often；　let　his　breathing　bee　ragged　panting。
　The　gleam　grew　in　Thr'un's　eyes；　his　teeth　flashed　in　a　victory　smile；　as　he　plunged　in　pursuit　of　his　apparently　collapsing　opponent。
　Any　moment　now；　Keill　told　himself　as　he　weakly　swayed　aside　from　a　flailing　boot；　pretending　to　half…stagger　before　recovering。　He　circled　again；　moving　carefully。　The　timing　had　to　be　perfect；　Thr'un　had　to　approach　at　exactly　the　right　angle；　and　had　to　respond　in　exactly　the　right；　orthodox；　predictable　way。。。
　The　giant　hurtled　forward；　just　as　Keill　wanted　him　to。　And　Keill　swung　his　left　fist；　slowing　the　punch　slightly；　invitingly。
　Thr'un　took　the　invitation。　One　hand　flashed　up　and　grasped　Keill's　wrist；　the　other　huge　arm　clamped　his　elbow。　Then　the　giant　pivoted；　twisted；　and　threw。
　In　the　microsecond　before　his　feet　left　the　floor；　a　flurry　of　images　passed　through　Keill's　mind。　The　unbelievable　words　of　Talis；　on　the　Overseers'　asteroid　…　the　aftermath　o