Dumarest 33 - Child of Earth Read Online Free PDF Page A

and he rose, turning as a man standing to one side screamed in sudden, demented rage.
    “Easy, Earl.” Chagal touched his arm before Dumarest could respond. “That’s Hiam Zack. He and Tazima were close. They were on watch together. I think he blames himself.”
    And now voiced his anger at the lack of a target for his hate. He spun as Dumarest stepped close, his eyes wild, foam on his lips, one hand snatching at the weapon in his belt.
    “She’s dead! You killed her!”
    “No, Hiam,” snapped Chagal. “You know that isn’t true! Earl isn’t to blame!”
    “Like hell he isn’t! He bought us here, didn’t he? Fedus promises and lies. Caused us to be attacked and wrecked. Killed most of us—why is he still alive?”
    “Calm down,” said the doctor. “You can’t blame anyone for Tazima’s death. Tell us what happened.” His voice rose in sudden warning as the man snatched the weapon from his belt. “No! Earl—”
    Dumarest had anticipated the attack. Even as the gun lifted he had closed the distance between them, had seized the barrel and had twisted the weapon from Hiam’s grasp. He struck with his open hand, knocking the man down and bruising his cheek with the mark of his palm. An insulting blow, one normally used to chastise an annoying youngster or an irritating servant. One now used to show contempt.
    He said, coldly, “If you want to challenge me we’ll do it in the Kaldari fashion. Or do you only have the guts to shoot an unarmed man in the back?” He paused, waiting, seeing the change in the other’s eyes, the subtle shift of lessening rage. “Tell me what happened. You’re armed in case an animal should attack. Did you see an animal?”
    Hiam shook his head.
    “It was a clear night. You should have been able to see anything around. Are you certain there was no threat? Why should Tazima have moved so far from the vessel?” Dumarest waited then snapped, “Damn you man! Answer me!”
    “She heard something.” Hiam was sullen, reluctant to shame the dead. “Sounds coming from this way. Voices, she said. I listened but all I could hear was a faint rustling. It must have been the wind driving the snow but she wouldn’t accept that. She was convinced she heard voices. That someone was out there. We argued about it then I took a wide turn around the wreck in case it was an animal. I couldn’t find her when I returned. Later, when it grew light, I went looking. There she was.” He glanced at the sprawled figure. “What killed her?”
    “The cold,” said Chagal. “Hypothermia. That and delusion. She probably walked out here and sat and listened to those voices she mentioned. Waited for whatever she thought was making them to come to her.
    “The Shining Ones,” said Hiam. “She talked about them. Some of the others believe they’re out there. The Guardians of Earth who will rescue us.” His laugh held bitterness. “Earth! We were fools! There’s no truth in the legends. The whole damned thing was lies. Soon we’ll all be dead!”
    Chagal stumbled on the way back to the wreck. He caught Dumarest’s arm to steady himself then stood and watched as the others passed bearing the woman’s body for burial. His eyes were bleak as he looked over the landscape, at the bulk of the wreck. From a point behind it a missile lanced into the sky to explode creating noise and smoke in an effort to attract attention.
    “We landed badly,” he said. “The captain chose the wrong place.”
    “He had little choice,” reminded Dumarest. “He did his best and died trying.” As too many others had died. Others hadn’t been as lucky. He looked at the doctor. “You’ve had time to make up your mind. Have you decided?”
    “Have I a choice?”
    “Not if you hope to survive.”
    “Pass out the injured.” Chagal had no illusions about what had to be done. “I know you’re right and I admit there is no other choice. But how do you think the rest will take it?”
    “Need they