"Masquerade Cycle - 03 - Prophecy" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

"Natal, you and Corporal Vanosh will advance ahead of
the group until you find the combat troops or some sign of
the enemy. If you catch the rear guard, ask for a security
detail to return with you. If you find the enemy, fall back to
here. Natal, you're on point. Advance rapidly but with
care. Vanosh, trail Natal at a distance, and if necessary, fall
back with news." The sergeant looked into Natal's face and
looked satisfied at the young man's expression of
determination and anxiety. "Just remember that returning
with information is more important than being a hero.
What are you carrying?" Atul gestured to the launcher
Natal was carrying.

"Web round, Sergeant." Many men carried heavy
weapons in addition to their military short swords, leaving
their shields on the wagons. These wilderness lands were
said to hold the parea, giant carnivorous birds that
commonly attacked men. The birds were land bound but
swifter than horses, which they could chase down and
dismember. The launcher Natal carried had originally been
developed to allow infantry to stand off lesser war
machines. The web round would ensnare a steel ant and
could stop a charging bird with ease, especially with the
wide arc a web round covered.

"Haddad, what are you carrying?" Sergeant Atul looked
pensive and fingered the hilt of his sword unconsciously.

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Vance Moore

"War rocket, Sergeant," Haddad replied. The rocket
could cripple medium machines if used with skill and
reflected Haddad's confidence in his marksmanship.

"Switch with Natal." Haddad slowly handed over his
weapon and accepted Natal's. His friend looked even more
apprehensive as he exchanged weapons. The sergeant
waved Natal and the corporal forward and then turned
around. Atul looked at the wagons stacked with parts for
machines that might need repair after the Keldon raiders
were defeated.

"Haddad, I want you to find reloads for the men with
launchers and tell the drivers to keep their personal
weapons ready for dismount. We'll pull out in five