Alaska Republik-ARC Read Online Free PDF

touching. She tensed her body and she lifted her face to the sun.
    “Uhhnnn.” Pelagian went rigid, sweat popped out on his face and chest. His eyes rolled far back and Rudi thought the man would faint.
    “It’s coming,” Bodecia said in a gasp.
    Rudi thought he saw white light between her palms, but realized that was impossible.
    Pelagian arched his back, straining against their hands, as Bodecia held her still-cupped hands over him. A gout of blood erupted from the man’s side with a small poitt sound and Bodecia grinned as Pelagian fell back in a swoon.
    “I got it,” she said.
    “Got what?” Jerry asked.
    Rudi knew, but he wanted proof just the same.
    Bodecia opened her hand and a bloody lump of disfigured lead rested on her palm.
    “This was the easy part. Now I must make him heal.”
    “That fast?” Jerry asked.
    Bodecia and Rudi laughed in unison.
    “No,” Bodecia said. “It will take time.”
    “After seeing that,” Jerry said. “I believe you could do almost anything.”
    “I can’t hurry time, which is a good thing, because that’s all we have.”
    Magda slumped to her knees and rested her head on her mother’s back.
    “What can we do?” Rudi asked. He felt a deep, nearly religious awe and affection for this healer.
    “See if you can get that machine started. We need to get to Delta as soon as possible.”
    “As you wish, Bodecia.” Rudi looked up at the lieutenant. “Do you know engines?”
    “I know they run on gas and oil. Don’t look at me like that, I’m a pilot; I have a ground crew to keep my plane operational.”
    “Come with me anyway.”
    As in most Imperial Russian Army vehicles, a key was not needed. Ignition began with the push of a button. But on this vehicle, pushing the button produced a flat click.
    “Damn.” Rudi opened the engine compartment and began tugging on wires and prodding at components. “Look inside for tools.”
    “Yes, Sergeant.”
    Rudi grinned. “No disrespect intended, Lieutenant.”
    Yamato dropped a toolbox on the fender next to Rudi. “Is the battery damaged?”
    “Excellent question.” He followed the wiring back to a compartment under the floorboards. The battery leaked acid from three bullet holes. “No, is not damaged. Is destroyed.”
    “Oh shit, really?” Yamato stuck his head in the compartment and retreated immediately. “I thought I didn’t hit anything.”
    “Would seem you are better shot than appreciated.”
    “How are we going to get them out of here, Rudi?”
    He gave the younger man a bleak look. “How do I get me out of here?”
    Yamato went silent. Rudi didn’t like that. He suspected the man produced crazy ideas when he didn’t talk.
    “Let’s go give them the bad news,” Yamato said.
    “ Da. ”
    Bodecia looked up when they returned to the small clearing.
    “Battery was destroyed in the fighting,” Rudi said.
    She looked blank.
    “The battery supplies the electrical power to start the vehicle and stores additional power from the generator once the vehicle is running,” Yamato said.
    Rudi looked at him. “Thought you knew nothing about it.”
    “My dad is a mechanical engineer; something must have rubbed off.”
    For an instant Rudi remembered his father, drunk and beating Rudi’s mother, right before Rudi knocked him flat with a pick handle. That was the day he had joined the army. He had only fifteen years at the time.
    “Rudi, you okay?”
    “Yes, of course.” He looked at Bodecia again. “The lieutenant describes situation succinctly. Under present circumstances, vehicle is inoperable.”
    “I understand. When you said ‘battery’ I thought of guns for some reason. Sergeant, get back in your litter. Magda, get my pack.”
    The young woman hurried off and was back in an instant. “Here, Mother.”
    “Thank you. Now go fetch yours and make sure your water bottles are filled.” Magda hurried off again.
    Bodecia stared up at Yamato. “You and Magda must go get help.”
    “What? Why us? I