Звездный десант
Chapter 1
SoIstretched,gettingthekinksout,andlookedaround...thendoubledupagainandstraightenedoutinaswandivefacedownandtookagoodlook.Itwasnightdownthere,asplanned,butinfraredsnoopersletyousizeupterrainquitewellafteryouareusedtothem.Theriverthatcutdiagonallythroughthecitywasalmostbelowmeandcomingupfast,shiningoutclearlywithahighertemperaturethantheland.Ididn’tcarewhichsideofitIlandedonbutIdidn’twanttolandinit;itwouldslowmedown.
Inoticedadashofftotherightataboutmyaltitude;someunfriendlynativedownbelowhadburnedwhatwasprobablyapieceofmyegg.SoIfiredmyfirstchuteatonce,intendingifpossibletojerkmyselfrightoffhisscreenashefollowedthetargetsdowninclosingrange.Ibracedfortheshock,rodeit,thenfloateddownforabouttwentysecondsbeforeunloadingthechute—notwishingtocallattentiontomyselfinstillanotherwaybynotfallingatthespeedoftheotherstuffaroundme.Itmusthaveworked;
Iwasn’tburned.
AboutsixhundredfeetupIshotthesecondchute...sawveryquicklythatIwasbeingcarriedoverintotheriver,foundthatIwasgoingtopassaboutahundredfeetupoveraflat-roofedwarehouseorsomesuchbytheriver...blewthechutefreeandcameinforagoodenoughifratherbouncylandingontheroofbymeansofthesuit’sjumpjets.IwasscanningforSergeantJelal’sbeaconasIhit.
