Видоизмененный углерод

Chapter 19

           Ipeeredintothegloomandmadeoutabigautomatedforkliftunitrollingdowntherowsofcontainers.Aswewatched,itlockedtoastopandbright,directedlightingspranguponitsframe.Theforksreachedandclampedonatube,extractingitfromthechainedcradlewhilesmallerservosdisconnectedthecablingfromit.Separationcomplete,themachinewithdrewslightly,swivelledaboutandtrundledbackalongtherowstowardstheemptydecantingtank.

           "Thesystemisentirelyautomated,"saidCarnagesuperfluously.

           Belowthetank,Inownoticedalineofthreecircularopenings,liketheforwarddischargeportsofanIPdreadnought.Theforkliftroseupalittleonhydraulicpistonsandloadedthetubeitwascarryingsmoothlyintothecentreport.Thetubefittedsnugly,thevisibleendrotatingthroughaboutninetydegreesbeforeasteelbaffleslammeddownoverit.Itstaskcompleted,theforkliftsankbackdownonitshydraulicsanditsenginesdied.

           Iwatchedthetank.

           Itseemedlikeawhile,butinfactprobablytooklessthanaminute.Ahatchbrokeopeninthefloorofthetankandasilveryshoalofbubbleseruptedupwards.Driftingafterthemcamethebody.Itbobbedfetallyforamoment,turningthiswayandthatintheeddiescausedbytheair,thenitsarmsandlegsbegantounfold,aidedbythegentlytuggingmonitorwiressecuredatwristandankle.ItwasbiggerbonedthantheKhumalosleeve,blockyandmoreheavilymuscledbutsimilarincolour.

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