Dark Disciple(科幻战争)-第17部分

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motionless　and　dark。　Then　it　was　hidden　as　the　winds　picked　up　again　with　a　vengeance。
“That’s　Markham’s　rig；”　said　Solon。
“Looks　like　it；　boss；”　said　Cholos。
“Hail　them；”　said　Solon。
“You　recognise　it？”　asked　Folches　as　Cholos　tried　to　make　voice　contact　with　the　stationary
crawler　with　the　short…ranged　vox…caster　built　into　the　dash　console。
“Yeah；”　said　Solon。　“It　should　be　at　the　starport　by　now。　What　the　hell　is　it　doing　out　here？”
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“There’s　no　response；　boss；”　said　Cholos。　The　sound　of　static　was　hissing　from　the　vox…caster。
“Might　be　the　storm’s　interference　though。”
Solon　swore。
“Right；　take　us　alongside　it。　If　it　still　doesn’t　respond；　then　it　looks　like　we’ll　be　getting　cold。”
“My　squad　will　come　with　you；”　said　Folches。
“That　would　be　appreciated；”　said　Solon。
The　lift　halted　its　ascent　and　drew　to　a　shuddering　halt。
“Restricted　access。　Band　XK　privilege　required；”　croaked　the　robotic　voice　of　the　servitor　built
into　one　of　the　interior　walls　of　the　lift。
Marduk　sighed　in　impatience。
A　panel　on　one　wall　bore　the　symbol　of　the　Adeptus　Mechanicus；　and　the　First　Acolyte　ripped　it
clear；　his　gauntlet　wrenching　the　metal　out　of　shape　as　if　it　were　paper。　Wires　and　cables　spilt　behind
the　panel　like　intestines；　sparking　and　buzzing。
“Open　it；”　he　ordered　impatiently。
A　mechadendrite　tentacle　stabbed　into　the　open　panel；　and　Darioq　twisted　it　left　and　right。
“Access　granted；”　croaked　the　servitor　as　the　magos　retracted　his　metallic　tentacle；　and　the　lift
doors　hissed　open。
Kol　Badar　stepped　out　of　the　lift　in　front　of　Marduk；　swinging　his　combi…bolter　from　side　to
side。　The　lift　rose　a　few　centimetres　as　the　Coryphaus’s　immense　weight　was　removed　from　the
straining　winch　mechanics。
“Clear；”　the　towering　Coryphaus　growled；　raising　his　combi…bolter　into　a　vertical　position。　Kol
Badar　held　the　sacred　icon　of　the　Host　in　the　power　talons　of　his　left　hand；　the　snarling　daemon　face
of　the　Latros　Sacrum　in　its　centre；　slamming　the　butt　of　the　staff　into　the　ground　as　Marduk　stepped
from　the　lift。
The　First　Acolyte　took　a　moment　to　get　his　bearings　before　marching　into　the　guildmaster’s
office。
“Stay；　Darioq…Grendh’al；”　he　said　over　his　shoulder；　exerting　the　force　of　his　will　into　his
intonation；　forcibly　commanding　the　daemon　within　the　corrupted　magos。
Burias　was　leaning　casually　against　a　wall；　drinking　from　a　bottle　that　had　had　its　neck　smashed
off。　His　mouth　and　chin　were　covered　in　blood；　and　a　man　lay　shivering　on　the　floor　before　him。
The　icon　bearer　drained　the　fiery　liquid　from　the　bottle　and　smiled　at　Marduk；　wiping　his　mouth
with　the　back　of　one　hand。
“Stand　to　attention　when　your　seniors　are　present；　warrior；”　barked　Kol　Badar；　the　voxamplifiers
built　into　his　quad…tusked　helmet　making　his　voice　even　more　of　an　animalistic　growl
than　usual。
Making　no　attempt　to　hurry；　Burias　languidly　rose　from　his　slouch　and　tossed　the　empty　bottle
away。　It　shattered　on　the　floor。
“Consumption　of　all　but　necessary　sustenance　is　a　sin　that　leads　to　weakness；　icon　bearer；”
snapped　Marduk。　“You　will　submit　yourself　to　three　months　of　fasting　and　flagellation　once　we
return　to　the　Infidus　Diabolus。”
“I　am　duly　castigated；　my　master；”　said　Burias；　bowing　his　head　in　a　show　of　obeisance　and
mock　remorse。　Marduk’s　eyes　narrowed。
Burias　held　a　hand　out　to　Kol　Badar。　“My　icon？”　he　said。
The　Coryphaus　flicked　the　heavy　icon　at　the　smaller　Astartes　warrior　with　far　more　force　than
was　needed；　but　Burias　caught　it　deftly　in　his　hand。
“Enough；”　said　Marduk。　“This　is　the　commander？”　He　motioned　with　his　chin　towards　the　man
shivering　on　the　ground。
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“It　is；　my　master；”　said　Burias；　running　his　hands　lovingly　over　the　spiked　length　of　his　icon；　as
if　he　had　been　separated　from　it　for　years　and　was　savouring　being　reunited。　“Alive；　as　you　wished。”
Marduk　knelt　down　before　the　man；　who　stared　up　at　him　fearfully；　his　face　waxy　and　pale。
“You　have　something　that　I　want；　little　man；”　said　Marduk；　removing　his　skull…faced　helmet　and
handing　it　to　Burias；　“and　you　are　going　to　tell　me　where　it　is。”
“Wha…　wha…　what　is　it　you　want？”　managed　the　man；　gritting　his　teeth　in　pain；　gingerly
cradling　his　left　arm　in　his　hand。　He　stared　up　at　Marduk；　a　mixture　of　fear　and　defiance　in　his　eyes。
“A　person；　if　you　could　call　it　that；”　said　Marduk。　“Someone　who　was　posted　here；　at　this　very
facility：　an　adept　of　the　weakling　Machine…God。”
“What　do　you　want　with　them？”
Marduk　reached　out　towards　the　man；　his　movements　slow　and　almost　caring。　The　guildmaster
recoiled　from　his　grasp；　but　there　was　nowhere　for　him　to　run。
“You　are　injured；　I　see；”　said　Marduk；　taking　the　man’s　arm　carefully　in　his　hands。　“This　must
hurt。”
With　a　slow　twisting　motion；　Marduk　turned　the　man’s　hand　over；　making　the　shattered　bones
grind　against　one　another。　The　man　screamed　in　agony　and　Marduk　twisted　it　again。　Then　he
stopped。
“Do　not　question　me　again；　little　man。　This　was　punishment　for　doing　so。　Now；　tell　me；　where
is…　What　was　its　name？”
Marduk　turned　his　head　around；　looking　back　towards　the　adjoining　room　and　the　lift。
“Darioq…Grendh’al；”　he　barked。　“Come。”
Like　a　hound　coming　to　its　master’s　call；　Magos　Darioq　entered　the　room；　his　steps　slow　and
mechanical。　Having　been　allowed　to　reconstruct　his　servo…harness；　four　massive　robotic　arms
emerged　from　his　back；　two　coming　around　his　sides；　and　two　over　his　shoulders；　like　the　stabbing
tails　of　an　insect。　Black　veins　pulsed　within　the　servo…arms　as　the　lines　between　organic；　mechanical
and　daemonic　were　increasingly　blurred；　and　one　of　the　arms　twitched　awkwardly　as　he　walked。
The　guildmaster’s　agonised　eyes　were　locked　on　the　magos；　who　wore　a　robe　of　black　in　place
of　his　red　Mechanicus　garb。　The　red　gloented　left　eye　gleamed　malignly　from
within　his　deep　cowl。
“What　is　the　name　of　the　target？”　Marduk　asked。
“Explorator　First　Class　Daenae；”　said　Magos　Darioq　in　his　monotone　voice；　“originally　of　the
Konor　Adeptus　Mechanicus　research　world　of　UL01。02；　assigned　to　cl4。8。87。i；　Perdus　Skylla；　for
recon/salvage　of　the　Dvorak…class　interstellar　freighter　Flames　of　Perdition；　which　reappeared
within　Segmentum　Tempestus　in　942。M41　and　crashed　onto　the　surface　of　cl4。8。87。i；　Perdus　Skylla；
in　944。M41　after　being　missing　presumed　lost　in　warp　storm　anomaly　xi。024。396　in　432。M35。”
Marduk　turned　back　towards　the　guildmaster　with　the　hint　of　a　smile　on　his　face。
“How　foolish　of　me　to　have　forgotten　its　name；”　he　said。　The　smile　dropped　from　his　face。
“Where　is　this　Explorator　Daenae？　Tell　me　now；　or　you　shall　be　further　punished。　And　I　promise
you；　the　pain　you　have　already　experienced　will　be　but　a　fraction　of　what　you　will　come　to　know
should　you　displease　me　further。”
“I　don’t　know　who　you　mean；”　hissed　the　man。
Marduk　sighed。
“You　are　lying　to　me；”　he　said；　and　gave　the　man’s　arm　a　further　twist。　This　time　he　did　not
relent　quickly；　and　he　ground　the　broken　bones　of　the　guildmaster’s　arm　against　each　other　with
vigour。
Behind　Marduk；　Burias　grinned　at　the　man’s　pain。
“The　explorator　was　assigned　to　this　facility；”　said　Marduk　over　the　guildmaster’s　screams　of
torment；　“therefore　you　know　where　it　is。　Tell　me　now；　or　your　death　will　not　be　swift　in　coming　to
you。”
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The　guildmaster’s　eyes　were　shut　tightly　against　the　pain；　and　he　passed　out　suddenly；　going
limp　in　Marduk’s　arms。　The　First　Acolyte　threw　the　man’s　arm　down　in　disgust；　the　bones　of　the
forearm　bent　almost　at　right　angles。
“Permission　to　speak；　Marduk；　First　Acolyte　of　the　Word　Bearers　Legion　of　Astartes；　genetic
descendent　of　the　glorified　Primarch　Lorgar；”　said　Darioq。
“Glorified　Primarch　Lorgar？”　asked　Marduk　with　a　grin。　“You　are　learning；　Enslaved。
Permission　to　speak　granted。”
“With　the　surgical　removal　of　the　inhibitor　functions　of　my　logic…engines；　and　the　rearrangement
of　the　frontal　cortex　of　three　of　my　brain…units；　I　find…”　began　Darioq…Grendh’al。
“Get　to　the　point；”　interrupted　Marduk。
“Summary：　it　is　not　required　that　the　location　of　Explorator　First　Class　Daenae　be　obtained　from
the　brain…unit　of　Guildmaster　Polio；”　the　magos　intoned。
“What　gibberish　does　it　speak？　Who　is　this　Guildmaster　Polio？”　growled　Kol　Badar。
“Guildmaster　Polio　is　the　flesh　unit　whose　radial　and　ulna　bones　of　the　left　arm　have　been
rendered　inoperative　and　non…functioning　by　Marduk；　First　Acolyte　of　the　Word　Bearers　Legion　of
Astartes；　genetic　descendent　of　the　glorified　Primarch　Lorgar；”　replied　Darioq。
Burias　snorted　his　amusement；　though　Kol　Badar　growled　and　took　a　step　towards　the　blackrobed
magos；　electricity　coursing　into　life　around　his　power　talons。　Marduk　forestalled　his　advance
with　a　raised　hand；　and　looked　at　the　magos　intently。
“What　do　you　mean；　Darioq…Grendh’al？　Speak　simply；”　he　said。
“In　order　to　garner　the　required　information　about　the　whereabouts　of　Explorator　Daenae；　all
that　is　necessary　is　to　gain　access　to　the　cortex　hub　of　this　bastion　facility。”
Marduk　turned　to　look　at　Burias。　The　icon　bearer　shrugged　and　Marduk　turned　back　towards
Darioq　with　a　sigh。
“What　do　you　need　to　find　the　location　of　the　explorator？”　asked　Marduk；　speaking　in　a　slow
and　measured　voice。
“In　order　to　access　the　cortex　hub　of　this　bastion　facility；　a　sub…retinal　scan　of　the　commanding
officer　must　be　made；”　said　Darioq。
A　hint　of　a　smile　touched　Marduk’s　lips；　and　he　turned　towards　Burias。
“Fetch　me　his　eyes；　icon　bearer。”
Burias　grinned　and　flexed　his　fingers。
“As　you　wish；　my　master；”　replied　the　icon　bearer。
The　heavy　crawler　doors　slid　aside　with　a　sound　like　a　mountain　shifting；　and　snow　and　ice　billowed
into　the　cargo　hold。　The　frightened　refugees　from　Antithon　Guild　were　huddled　as　best　they　could
against　the　far　wall；　protecting　their　faces　from　the　biting　wind。
“Let’s　do　this　quickly；”　shouted　Solon　over　the　wind。　At　his　side；　Cholos　gave　him　the　thumbs
up。　Solon　looked　towards　Sergeant　Folches；　who　stood　with　his　soldiers。　The　soldier　nodded。
“Keep　her　running；”　shouted　Solon　to　Cholos。　“The　last　thing　we　want　out　here　is　the　engines
seizing　up。”
Solon　pulled　his　mask　and　respirator　over　his　face；　obscuring　his　features；　and　turned　around
awkwardly　in　his　bulky　exposure　suit。　He　grabbed　the　sides　of　the　ice…encased　metal　ladder　on　the
exterior　of　the　crawler　and　began　to　climb　down　to　the　ground。
His　breathing　sounding　heavy　in　his　ears　and　he　felt　a　momentary　stab　of　claustrophobia。　He
hated　these　suits。　The　pair　of　circular　synth…glass　goggle…panes　obscured　his　peripheral　vision　and
the　suit　made　all　movement　heavy　and　laboured。　Still；　they　kept　the　cold　out；　and　without　one　he
wouldn’t　last　more　than　an　hour　in　these　conditions。
He　climbed　down　the　eight　metres　from　the　cargo　hold　to　the　ground　and　stepped　onto　the　ice。
The　wind　threatened　to　knock　him　down；　and　he　steadied　himself　with　a　hand　on　a　massive　wheel。
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He　turned　around　to　look　up　at　the　bulk　of　Markham’s　lifeless　crawler　as　the　others　descended。　It
reared；　black　and　imposing；　like　an　ancient　monolith；　dark　and　dead。
With　his　mask　in　place；　he　had　no　means　to　communicate　with　the　others　except　by　hand　signals；
and　he　poi