Universal Language by Robert T. Jeschonek Read Free Book Online Page B

turned, threw back his head, and emitted a piercing howl.
    All eyes in the vicinity locked on him. All nearby chatter and activity ceased.
    "Codamoxsu Voxlo!" Folcrum pointed at Nalo. "Codamoxsu!"
    Pieces of what Folcrum had said were familiar, but Jalila didn't recognize the combination and inflection. The closest she could come was "cutting up" or "butchering" the language.
    Immediately, Lexicons from all around converged on the cart.
    " Th is one mangle s our language every time he open s his mouth ," said Folcrum. " Here , of all places , in Speech Center , he show s contempt for our rules! "
    " I said nothing wrong! " Nalo glanced around nervously at the surrounding Lexicons. " He lies! "
    " Fellow Lexicons and Grammar P olice ," said Folcrum. " We must reed ucate this misguided soul! "
    Nalo tried to open the lid of the cart, but Folcrum leaned on it, holding it down. As the crowd of Lexicons closed in, Nalo tried again to get the cart open.
    " Codamoxsu Voxlo! " shouted Folcrum.
    All at once, the Lexicons pushed forward, reaching for Nalo.
    Yama joined the crowd, but Jalila hung back. Realizing the situation had come to a head, she unsnapped the hip pocket of her uniform and drew the gun.
    Swatting aside Folcrum, Nalo flung open the cart lid and swung out a rifle. Folcrum and another Lexicon latched onto the barrel and wrenched it away from him.
    Before Nalo could be fully subdued, however, the sound of weapons fire and screams erupted nearby. Some of the Lexicons were distracted and looked toward the source...the food cart on the other side of the fountain, where the effort to thwart the Speakers had hit a snag.
    Taking advantage of the confusion, Nalo flung aside the Lexicons who were clutching at him and thrust his hands into the cart. Wrenching out another rifle, he swept it in an arc, spraying the crowd with bullets.
    Folcrum and Yama were hit. As Jalila watched, they were jolted by the impact of the shots and dropped to the pavement.
    Nalo continued to fire, and Speech Center flew into chaos. Lexicons ran in every direction, screeching and seeking cover.
    Raising her gun, Jalila took aim at Nalo. She took a breath to steady herself and pulled the trigger.
    The bullet struck Nalo in the shoulder, throwing him back, but he managed to hold onto his rifle. Jalila squeezed the trigger again, but the shot went wide.
    In response, Nalo swung his rifle around and launched a spray of bullets in her direction. Jalila would have been hit if not for the panicked Lexicons who crossed her path, taking the shots meant for her.
    When Jalila had a clear shot, she fired again, striking Nalo in the chest. With a screech, he jerked backward and plunged down behind the cart.
    Jalila charged forward, gun at the ready. Just as she reached the cart, it lurched toward her and toppled over. As she crashed down under it, her rifle was caught beneath her.
    The next thing Jalila knew, Nalo was glaring down at her. His bullet wounds bled profusely, but he held onto his rifle and seemed to have enough life left in him to use it.
    " Mazeesh ," he said hatefully. " It ' s the right word for you. "
    Bracing both hands under the edge of the cart, Jalila heaved. In Vox's light gravity, she was able to shove the cart upward. As it struck Nalo in the belly, he doubled over and released his grip on the rifle. The weapon slid across the cart and landed on the pavement beside Jalila.
    Grabbing the rifle, Jalila scrambled to her feet and swung the barrel around, directing it at Nalo's head.
    As Nalo pushed himself up from the cart, he bared his fangs at her. " Mazeesh ," he hissed, getting ready to spring.
    Jalila's finger tensed against the trigger. Her heart pounded.
    Just as Nalo leaped, she fired the weapon.
    Â 
    *****

Chapter 11

    Instead of hitting Nalo's head, the slug blew into his hip. Screeching, he twisted in mid-air and came down short of Jalila, slamming onto the overturned cart.
    Jalila reversed the rifle in her grip and swung the butt