Axler, James - Deathlands 24 - Trader Redux

VIP免费

2024-12-07 1 0 563.12KB 292 页 5.9玖币

侵权投诉

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

A high-velocity bullet whined off the blacktop, making the horses buck and

rear

Abe stayed up on the box, fighting for control. He looked over his shoulder,

watching as the Armorer unlatched the rear door of the hearse, and, helped by

Ryan, heaved Trader inside.

"Leave it open," the older man yelled. "I can slow the bastards down from here."

"Whip them up, Abe!" Ryan shouted. He fired several carefully placed rounds at

the advancing mob, putting down at least three men, sending others scattering for

cover among the trees.

J.B. climbed quickly onto the box alongside Abe, hanging on to the side rail,

waiting for Ryan to join them. The little gunner was poised, whip in hand,

watching as the one-eyed man swung onto the foot plate.

"Now!"

The whip cracked, ringing out into the bright morning like a dueling pistol. The

horses whinnied and began to move, hooves slipping; Abe bellowed at them,

lashing the animals unmercifully to get the hearse on the road and out of there.

Ryan hung on by his left hand, the toes of his boots only scant inches from the

rolling wheel. The first hesitant members of the mob appeared, and he fired a

couple of rounds among them.

"They're giving up!" J.B. called. "You did good, Abe!"

The team slowed as they approached an avenue of ancient yews. The attack came

out of nowhere.

Trader Redux

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (1 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

#24 in the Deathlands series

James Axler

A GOLD EAGLE BOOK FROM WORLDWIDE

TORONTO • NEW YORK • IONDON AMSTERDAM • PARIS • SYDNEY •

HAMBURG • STOCKHOLM • ATHENS • TOKYO • MILAN MADRID •

WARSAW • BUDAPEST • AUCKLAND

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is

stolen property. It was reported as "unsold and destroyed" to the publisher, and

neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this "stripped

book."

This one is dedicated to the beloved memory of the ever-stylish Vincent Price. He

gave us so many hours of the richest pleasure and amusement. Nobody ever did it

better. May the earth lie lightly upon him.

First edition December 1994

ISBN 0-373-62524-

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (2 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other

means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying

and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden

without the written permission of the publisher. Worldwide Library, 225 Duncan

Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada MSB 3K9.

All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author

and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They

are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author,

and all incidents are pure invention.

® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are

registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade

Marks Office and in other countries.

Printed in U.S.A.

During my too long life, I have often lost touch with good, good friends for a

number of years and then contrived to meet up with them again. These meetings,

which I always anticipated with great eagerness, were universally a great

disappointment It is one of the great truths in the world that you can never go

back.

—From The Gospel According to Me, by Bobo 'Tinky" Finkelstein, Showbiz

Press, New York,

PROLOGUE

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (3 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

The day was bitterly cold, with a dazzling sun hanging at the center of an

untouched blue sky. From east to west and north to south, there wasn't even the

hint of a cloud. All around it seemed that you could reach out and touch the

perfection of the snow-covered mountains.

The cold air had the unmistakable scent of salt, from the Cific Ocean only a few

miles away, beyond the ruins of old Seattle. Here and there it was possible to

make out the thin tendrils of cooking fires, among the stumps of nuked city

buildings. But whatever ate there, ate alone.

The oppressive wet weather of the past three days had vanished, and it had

snowed during the previous night as the temperature dropped well below freezing.

Now, an hour after dawn, it was a heaven of morning.

Ryan and J.B. had found no cover, waking up to find their sleeping bags were

crusted with frozen snow, which crackled when they moved.

"Last day of the last week," Ryan said as he stooped, trying to get a fire going to

warm them up and dry their clothes and heat some oatmeal.

"Now we'll see." J.B. checked that the cold hadn't affected any of his blasters.

"Yeah, we'll see."

THEY HAD DECIDED that the best place to begin the final stage of their search

would be to pick a high spot with a view over Seattle from the east. There was a

particular hill that suited their purpose and they had been working their way

toward it, occasionally slipping on the icy trail.

Apart from the scattered fires among the ruins, there didn't seem to be a living

soul within fifty miles of them.

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (4 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

There had been a pair of white-pelted hares gamboling in a clearing among the

pines, as they climbed higher, who'd totally ignored them.

In a valley to their right they spotted a small herd of deer picking its way

delicately through the frosted grass. J.B. had nudged Ryan and pointed to the

Steyr on his shoulder, but he'd shaken his head.

"Bullet on a still, cold morning like this might be heard twenty miles off. Could

attract Abe and the Trader. If they're anywhere near. Could attract anyone else."

It was hard work, and both men were panting as they neared the crest of the small

mountain.

"You can make out the sea from here," Ryan said, pausing for breath.

"Yeah. Look at the Cascades back yonder."

A few more paces brought them to the top, giving them the ultimate view, all the

way around.

Now they could see the far side of the slope, bisected by a narrow hunting path.

Two figures about a hundred yards below them, struggling upward through the

deeper snow. The smaller man was sliding and falling, a little way to the rear.

The leader, using the butt of what looked like an old Annalite rifle to help himself,

was gray-haired, tall and erect. He spotted the pair on the ridge above him

immediately and stopped for a single heartbeat. Then he lifted his blaster above

his head in an unmistakable gesture.

"There they are," Ryan breathed.

Chapter One

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (5 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

As soon as he spotted J. B. Dix and Ryan Cawdor on the top of the hill, Trader

turned to call to Abe, then started to run toward them, his long legs ranging

through the powdery snow.

"How old do you reckon he is?" J.B. asked, slinging his Uzi across his back, out

of the way.

"No idea. I always figured that he never had a real childhood. Teethed on an

implode gren. I never heard him say much about his early past. You?"

The Armorer shook his head. "Never. Lots of rumors, but nothing to support

them."

Trader was closing fast, breath pluming from his open mouth. At his back, Abe

was having difficulty with the steep ascent, slipping and falling twice in the rutted

blanket of white.

Suddenly Trader was there, standing six feet away, panting with the effort of the

climb, nodding as his eyes ranged over the two men. Finally he broke into

something close to a smile.

"Ryan Cawdor and J. B. Dix," he said. "Never thought to meet up with you

again."

The men clasped hands, Trader's grip as strong as ever. While they stood grinning

at one another, Abe finally blundered over the crest.

Ryan turned to him, patting him on the back. "You did well, Abe. Real well."

"Thanks." Despite the cold and the exertion, the little man had a wide smile

stretched across his face. Tiny icicles were crusted in his drooping mustache,

making him look amazingly like a happily lugubrious walrus.

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (6 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

Trader simply stood there nodding. "Well, I'll be hung, quartered and dried for the

crows," he said. "This truly is something."

"Ain't it just," J.B. agreed. "We heard you'd been having some trouble."

"Causing trouble, J.B., causing trouble. Man who admits to having some trouble is

in real trouble."

Abe laughed. "If that wasn't real trouble we had a few days ago, Trader, then I

sure as shit don't ever want to find myself in real trouble."

The older man turned sharply, the smile disappearing like dew off a summer

meadow. "I told you…" He hesitated. "Abe. Told you before about arguing."

"Sure, sorry."

It was a prickly moment, and Ryan hurried to pass it over. "Listen, we got a lot of

catching up to do. We could use a roof and some food. Any ideas?"

Trader glanced toward the distant ruins of the sprawling city. "Probably our best

chance is to scout around the suburbs."

"Yeah, agreed," Ryan said.

"Skirmish line." Trader beckoned to Abe. "Take point. I'll go second. J.B., follow

me and Ryan bring up the rearguard. Let's go, men."

The Armorer glanced across at Ryan, who shrugged. It wasn't that much of a

surprise that the Trader had automatically assumed command of them, just as

though no time had passed. No sand run through the glass. No water flowed

beneath the bridge.

Just as though he were still leading the full, highly trained crews of the two war

wags.

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (7 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

THEY DROPPED DOWN into a wide valley, following the path of an old

blacktop. Abe twice managed to lead them into regions of swampy ground, where

they all broke through thin ice into rank, stinking water.

They saw a solitary figure, accompanied by a dog, watching them from the

hogback ridge to their left. Apart from that, their first hours together were

uneventful—no threats from any kind of life.

"Muties in these parts, Trader?" J.B. asked when they stopped for a brief break

after the first hour of steady walking.

"Haven't got a sniff of any. How about you?"

"Yeah. Way back."

Trader stopped suddenly. "Hey!"

"What?" Ryan queried, catching up, drawing the SIG-Sauer, suspecting that

Trader might have seen some danger. In front of them, Abe turned so quickly he

slipped on an iced puddle and nearly fell over.

"No danger, Ryan. Stand down from double red and relax a little. Just that I

realized I never asked you where you were when you got the message."

"Down in New Mexico on the ranch of a friend. Krysty Wroth is there. Remember

her?"

"Hair that was so hot it scorched your eyeballs? Course I remember her."

"And the old-timer, Doc Tanner. He got himself time-trawled with Operation

Chronos."

"Chronos?"

"Sure. It was a section of Overproject Whisper. Cerberus was a bit of that. That

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (8 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

lethal fog?"

Trader nodded. "Sure, sure. All bits of that fucking cosmic puzzle they called the

Totality Concept. Abe here's been telling me plenty of that."

"Sure brought him up to date," Abe said, grinning eagerly and wiping moisture off

his mustache. "How did the message get through to you? You get several copies

of it?"

"Just one."

"Bet it was that big black guy with one ear missing," Trader said.

Ryan bolstered his blaster. "No. Little ville called Patriarch Springs. Something

like that. Drummer was called Friedman. Smoked the foulest cigars I ever

smelled."

Abe punched his right fist into his left palm. "Damn it! He was about the last we

asked to carry the message to you, Ryan. And he did it."

"What did you pay these packmen?" J.B. asked.

Trader laughed. "Pay! You been away from the war wags too long, Armorer!

Trader doesn't pay for what he can trade."

"What did you trade?"

"His life, Ryan. All of them. Told them that I'd come down and pull their lungs

out of their asses if they didn't do like they'd been asked."

"How're things back down in the Southwest?" Abe asked. "How's Jake and—"

"Button that up, gunner!" Trader snapped. "First thing is shelter, then food and

then fire. After that we can spend the whole night talking about where we've been

and what we've been doing."

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (9 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html

Ryan glanced behind him, checking that the figure with the dog on the ridge

hadn't reappeared. But the land was still deserted, the watery sun glinting off the

snow.

THEY WERE ON WHAT LOOKED like an old blacktop that had been

superseded some time in the late 1900s by a wide, elevated interstate. The newer

highway had collapsed, its piers and bridges tumbling in the quakes that rumbled

the land during the long winters.

But the ancient, lost road remained.

It writhed over the wooded country like a dog trying to rid itself of fleas, but it

made for easier walking than the muddy, freezing trails that they'd begun on.

The skirmish line had reasserted itself, with Abe leading, followed by Trader,

Ryan and J.B.

The skinny ex-gunner held up a hand, two fingers extended, and pointed ahead to

the right.

"Company," Ryan said. "Couple of strangers."

Then he saw them. Less than a quarter mile away were two men, well wrapped in

wolf-skin coats and muffling scarfs. Each carried what looked like hunting rifles.

Trader gestured with his Armalite, beckoning Ryan to one side of him, J.B. to the

other, not noticing that they were already moving. Abe fell back to join the other

three.

The pair was within eighty paces when they stopped, both holding up a hand in a

gesture of peace. "Hi, there!" called the one on the left.

Ryan realized they were both quite young, probably in their early teens.

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%2...0Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.html (10 of 292) [12/29/2004 12:18:48 AM]

文档加载中……请稍候！
如果长时间未打开，您也可以点击刷新试试。

下载文档到电脑，查找使用更方便

5.9 玖币 0人已下载

立即下载 VIP免费下载

摘要：

file:///C|/2590%20Sci-Fi%20and%20Fantasy%20E-books/James%20Axler%20-%20Deathlands%2024%20-%20Trader%20Redux.htmlAhigh-velocitybulletwhinedofftheblacktop,makingthehorsesbucka drearAbestayeduponthebox,fightingforcontrol.Helookedoverhisshoulder,watchingastheArmorerunlatchedthereardoorofthehearse,and...

展开>> 收起<<

Axler, James - Deathlands 24 - Trader Redux.pdf

共292页,预览10页

还剩页未读，继续阅读

声明：本站为文档C2C交易模式，即用户上传的文档直接被用户下载，本站只是中间服务平台，本站所有文档下载所得的收益归上传人(含作者)所有。玖贝云文库仅提供信息存储空间，仅对用户上传内容的表现方式做保护处理，对上载内容本身不做任何修改或编辑。若文档所含内容侵犯了您的版权或隐私，请立即通知玖贝云文库，我们立即给予删除！

Axler, James - Deathlands 24 - Trader Redux

相关推荐

开通VIP享超值会员特权

作者详情

相关内容

热门标签

举报选择: