The Elves of Cintra (Book 2 of The Genesis of Shannara)

EXPERIMENTAL Robotics Systems Building for the future.

He glanced at it as they passed, his gaze continuing down the line of the fencing as it stretched along the highway and stopping suddenly at an equipment barn. He braked the AV, shut off the engine, and climbed out.

The Ghosts who were on foot wandered over. “What now?”

Panther demanded. “You gonna let me drive?”

“You didn’t want to earlier.” Logan gestured toward the fence. “See those?” He was pointing to a series of metal haulers, flatbed units with oversize tires, trailer bars, and low rails that surrounded the bedding.

“We could use one of those.”

“We’ll have to break in,” Fixit declared, glancing back toward the chained, locked gates. “Spring the locks. Or maybe cut the wire.”

Logan walked back to the AV, told Owl what he planned to do, and then lifted her out of the vehicle and into her wheelchair, where Candle promptly took up watch. He unlocked the boy chained in the backseat, led him over to the shopping cart, and chained him anew through the wheel spokes.

He put Chalk on watch and told him to make sure nothing happened while his back was turned, that he was responsible. Then he went around to the storage compartments at the rear of the vehicle, unlocked the one on the driver’s side, reached inside, and brought out a pair of heavy cutting shears and two black-barreled Parkhan Sprays. He carried his load around to the front of the Lightning where the others were standing.

“Whoa, that’s some Freak-size firepower,” Panther hissed, eyes wide as he caught sight of the Sprays. “You know how to use those without shootin’ off your foot?”

Logan shrugged. “The question is, do you? These aren’t for me. I need someone to go in with me, cover my back.”

“Hey, you and me, like before,” Panther declared.

“Take me instead,” Sparrow suggested quickly, stepping forward. “I know how to use those better than Panther Puss.” She gave him a smirk.

“Hey, me and him already worked together,” Panther snapped at her. “He ain’t done nothin’ with you—don’t know nothin’ about you. You just a little bird, all feathers and squeak.”

Sparrow stomped up to him. “Who saved your worthless baby butt back in Pioneer Square, Panther Pee? You think you got away from those Croaks all by your cat-brained little self? You remember back that far, all the way to last night?”

“Wasn’t you saved me, beak breath! Was me saved you! You had an ounce of—”

Logan felt his patience begin to slip. He had no time for this. “I’ll take you both,” he interrupted, tossing each a Parkhan Spray. He was gratified to see Panther stagger slightly as he caught his. Sparrow snatched hers out of the air smoothly, swung the barrel into position, and released the safety, all without missing a beat. She snapped the safety into place again and grinned at Panther.

Logan gave the cutting shears to Bear. “Make a hole big enough to let us through. When we’re inside, widen it so that we can pull one of those haulers back out. It might take you some time, but keep at it.”

Bear nodded, saying nothing as he walked over to the fence and went to work.

Logan turned to the rest. “Stay here. Stay together. Keep your eyes open. No one wanders off. If there is any kind of danger, get inside the Lightning, all of you. It won’t be comfortable, but it will be safe.”

He took Fixit over to the driver’s side, showed him the security buttons, and told him what they did. By the time he had completed his explanation and had the boy repeat it back to him, Bear had finished cutting open the fence. With Panther and Sparrow in tow, he stepped through the ragged opening and onto the concrete apron beyond.

“Stay behind me and stay close,” he told them, glancing over his shoulder.

“Don’t shoot each other.”

He couldn’t have said why he was being so careful about an empty storage facility except that he was bothered by the fact that apparently no one had tried to break into the complex and take one of these haulers before. It was the sort of vehicle that almost anyone would have a use for, including the compounds. Yet here a dozen sat, untouched.

He tightened his grip on the black staff of his office and started forward.





Chapter SIXTEEN