"David L. Robbins - Endworld 02 - Thief River Falls Run" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robbins David L)

compound; and the entire Home was continually guarded by an elite corps
of skilled, thoroughly trained fighters known as Warriors.

"Hickok, did you hear that?" whispered a small, wiry man as he
scurried along the rampart in the gunman's direction.

"Sure did, pard," acknowledged Hickok, nodding.

The second man stopped at Hickok's side. "Came from the edge of the
field," he stated. His brown eyes studied the forest, dimly visible as a
looming dark mass, one hundred and fifty yards distant. "Near the trees.
We were fortunate the wind carried the sound this far. Any orders?"

Hickok mentally pondered the situation. Should they investigate the
cough now, or leave it until daylight? What would Blade do at a time like
this?

The Warriors were divided into four sections, or Triads, comprised of
three members each. Designated the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Omega
Triads, they were entrusted with the defense of the Home and the
protection of the Family. While each Triad had an appointed head, all of
the Warriors were under the leadership of the Alpha Triad, and each of
the twelve Warriors was specifically responsible to Blade, the chief of
Alpha Triad and the commander of all Family Warriors.

Blast! Hickok thoughtfully stroked his blond mustache, debating on a
course of action. Blade was recuperating from an infection his body had
developed, a reaction to the dozens of cuts and slashes inflicted by a
deadly wolverine during their battle with the Trolls. He was probably
asleep at this late hour, dreaming of his beloved Jenny. Lucky him!

"Should we alert Geronimo?" the other man asked, running his right
hand through his black hair, relieved as the breeze picked up, cooling his
sweaty brow. The July night was warm and muggy. "Nope," Hickok
laconically responded. "Would take too long, Rikki. Geronimo is way over
on the east wall."

The Alpha Triad consisted of Blade, Geronimo, and Hickok. With Blade
recovering from the infection, another Warrior had volunteered to take his
place on guard duty. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the Beta Triad leader, clutched a
long black scabbard in his left hand. He pointed it at the distant woods.
"I'll go myself, if you like."

"I'm going," Hickok announced, making his decision. "Alone."

"I should go along." Rikki-Tikki-Tavi offered.

"I'm going alone," Hickok repeated, carefully moving along the rampart
until he was in the center of the western wall, directly above a closed
drawbridge.