The Code War by Ciaran Nagle Read Free Book Online Page A

towards the door while his brain tried to
assess the threat.
    The six satyr soldiers playing with him, members of the Marauders
battalion, put their hands to their weapons. Just in
case.
    'It's probably just a dumb troll,'
said Lafarge the French demon.
    'Or someone trying to steal our liquor,'
said Holzman the German.
    Kodrob needed quiet. 'Shut up all
of you , or I'll send you where the lights
are bright.'
    He walked to the doorway and looked down the
corridor.
    'I t's
Bezejel,' he hissed. 'She's early. Quick, get this place in order.
Put those cards away. And take that cover off the face!'
    Chairs were pushed back and
clattered to the ground. Liquor tankards were hurriedly put
away. An infantryman sprang to the wall
and pulled away a leather skin which had been draped over two
hooks. The eyes of the Leader, etched in charcoal on the ochre
walls, again looked out.
    Footsteps approached the door at
a clip. Light footsteps, not boots.
Clack, clack, clack. The Marauders gave each other one final
nervous look and snapped to attention. Bezejel swept into the room
followed by her two grim-looking satyr bodyguards, Gog and Magog.
The hem of her red dress swished as she turned around and surveyed
the anxious soldiers.
    Only Kodrob had the courage to
look at her directly. She was a high-caste siren demoness and was
both beautiful and terrible in equal
measure. The fear used by the Leader to control his subordinates
was taken up in turn by all commanders to control their own
underlings. Bezejel was adept at intimidation.
    'Ma'am, Captain Kodrob and his
squad at your service. We weren't expecting you till later. How may
we help you?' Kodrob kept his speech and tone even.
    'So ,
you're Kodrob,' said Bezejel through her perfect teeth and
blood-red lips. 'They tell me you're less of a maggot than most of
your breed.' From Bezejel, this amounted almost to praise. Kodrob
maintained his composure, looking her in the eyes.
    'I have a mission to accomplish on
the direct order of the Leader,' she announced, surveying his face
for any sign of weakness. 'This is to be my base for some time to
come. You will report directly to me and make sure I have all that
I need. You will not rest until we are finished and our victory is
accomplished. Now, you will provide me with some quarters nearby.
You will furnish them appropriately for my rank and ensure I have
all listening and communication equipment for the earthly rock. We
have hearts to break and souls to take.'
    'Yes ma'am, thank you
ma'am.' Kodrob liked a boss who knew what
she wanted.
    Bezejel walked around the squad
room, looking closely at the faces of the other Marauders. Some of
them were twice her size. But it was they who trembled.
    She continued her conversation
while still inspecting the room. 'Well,
aren't you going to ask me something Kodrob, or are you about to
drop in my estimation of you?' She was back at his side, looking up
at him.
    'Ma'am, may it be permitted to
know something of the nature of your mission?' He braced, wondering if this was the right
question.
    'And why do you need to know more about my mission?' Bezejel's voice
had dropped to a whisper.
    'Because ma'am, I and my team can serve you better if we have a greater
understanding of your destructive purpose.'
    Bezejel moved back slightly.
    'Destructive p urpose? What does a captain like you know about destructive
purpose?' There was a mixture of respect and curiosity in Bezejel's
eyes.
    'I listen and learn, ma'am. I know
it's the phrase used to denote projects of special interest to our
Leader.'
    A silence ensued while Bezejel studied Kodrob's face
intently. The other Marauders remained rooted to the floor, only
their eyes flicking nervously as they tried to see what was going
on. At last she relaxed and the ends of her full lips turned up
slightly.
    'Well, Kodrob,' she said, suddenly
charming, though maintaining her steady gaze into his eyes. 'Maybe
my sources were right and you and I will get along after
all.'
    Then