"Robert Thurston - Falcon Guard" - читать интересную книгу автора (Thurston Robert)

static, but no response from anyone on the line. Perhaps it was because fallen
rock and dirt had cut off communications. Or perhaps all the other Jade Falcon
warriors were as trapped in their 'Mechs as she was, but had not escaped
death. Scanners proved inoperable also, so she could not tell how deep she and
her machine were buried in the debris.

Staring at her secondary screen, Joanna tested other systems. It was
immediately obvious that operating any of her weapon systems would be
dangerous. If she tried to fire any of them, the weapon would simply explode
and that would be the end of her. A mercifully quick end, to be sure, but not
the one she craved.

Neither of the 'Mech's arms seemed functional, either, so she could not use
them to dig herself out. Then she tried the right leg. Nothing.

The left leg, however, surprised her. She felt it strain at her attempts to
move it, though that was about all. When she switched her concentration to the
left foot, at first it failed to respond. With a little more effort, she

10 Robert Thurston

felt it move, but ever so imperceptibly. Not much more than a twitch, but
movement nonetheless. Pressing the foot pedal that operated the 'Mech's legs,
Joanna tried again to move the left foot forward. This time it seemed to budge
slightly. Not much, but enough to keep her trying.

Bit by bit, she kept at it until she had the left foot moving more freely. Now
she made it slide from side to side, each time sensing its movement to be
easier. If only her sensors were working, she could get an external view of
the leg's movements and thus a clearer idea of its cur* rent mobility.

The air in the cockpit was getting hotter, the excess of carbon dioxide making
her dizzy. No telling how much time she had left. But then, what did it matter
when the time you had left was all the time you had left?

She decided to try to kick out with the Hellbringer's leg. A dumb maneuver in
most battles, but one that might prove useful when buried alive. Working the
foot pedal, she was pleased and astonished to feel the whole leg wrench free.
Then she kicked again, laughing aloud just to feel the leg's freedom. With
that kick, Joanna had a sense of the outward thrust dislodging even more rock
and dirt. That was a start, she decided. With her next kick, she noticed a
slight movement of the 'Mech at hip level. Perhaps it was the 'Mech's design
that was working in her favor. The machine's wide shoulders might be blocking
any further avalanche of debris from tumbling down to re-bury the 'Mech's leg,
while the outward thrust of the hip was giving it sufficient leverage to
escape from the trap.

Joanna was beginning to feel drowsy, her lids wanting to flutter shut. The air
was very close. If only she could get the cleaner working again, it might be
the difference between escape and deathтАФa matter of minutes. She swallowed