Read Doomsday Warrior 14 - American Death Orbit for Free Online

regretted not at all having done it. If it was the last time he ever made love to a woman, it was Rona he wanted to be with. A powerful memory of life to take into death with him.
    “I said—I want to go.” The redhead’s eyes flared wide. “I know you’ve already chosen the attack force—and there are no women. You’ve always allowed women to go—me as well—on other missions.”
    “That was other missions, Rona,” Rock said wearily as he turned his head toward her ear and nuzzled her sweet mane of red hair that smelled like the essense of wild flowers. “Because on other missions there was always a chance of coming back. But on this—my gut tells me it’s real slim. Even the Glowers, they sounded unsure, dark about the whole thing. I’m sorry, I’m sure it’s sexist and terrible and all that—but it’s my decision and I’m making it. No.”
    “You pig,” she said, pushing away from him in the darkness. The sudden missing presence of her body struck like a sharp pain through his chest. It was almost a portent of the Icy One himself tapping at one’s flesh. He wanted at that moment to touch her more than anything.
    “Rona, listen to me,” he said softly in the near darkness. “This whole thing is bigger than both of us, you’ve got to understand that. In the old days I might have taken you. But the truth is, if I don’t come back I want to know there are people here—people like you—who can give C.C. the leadership it will need in the coming years. I trust you as an equal, Rona, in many of your military abilities. I’ve been out there in the wilds with you and I’ve seen you fight. That’s why you’re needed here. If we both croak, it’s unfair to the rest. They need you. Your city needs you. There are few of us leaders, when you get right down to it.”
    There was silence for a few seconds as he heard only her breathing and the beating of his own heart. Then she spoke up again, so softly he could hardly hear.
    “You’re right, of course, as usual,” she said with a little laugh. She turned back toward him. “I’m always selfish. Innately. I guess that’s the way of all people though. You want what you want, when you want. But you’re right. I can’t always think of myself. The rest come first. Our obligations to the city that nurtured us is more important than my wanting to be with you. I’m sure you’ve picked a group who will give you the best odds for success.”
    She didn’t sound as convinced as he would like.
    “The meanest, toughest hombres I could find,” Rock said. “Most of them with no families. No more widows and fatherless children to leave behind. I guess that’s some little consolation.”
    “Oh Rock,” she said, “Rock, Rock.” She moved forward suddenly and was all over him again. But this time not really in a sensual way. More of a protective feeling. As if she were trying to save him from all threats, protect him with her own hot flesh, large breasts pressed hard against his chest. And in the darkness, as he slid into the blissful abyss of sleep, Rona stayed awake as one thick tear after another flowed slowly out of the corners of her eyes and down onto his chest. Soon the pillow was wet.

Six
    T he next morning at 6:00 A.M. , a mini-army of vehicles and hybrid horses assembled in the largest of Century City’s open chambers for final field prep. The ’brids whinnied and turned nervously around. They could always sense the start of a journey, could smell the danger. And they knew this one was bad. Maybe by the fear of the men themselves, from the sweat that percolated through their camouflage sweatshirts and jackets, anti-flak material thin as wafers sewn into every part of their clothing. Rock as well was wearing the new Kevlar material that Shecter had “demanded” they take with them.
    It was a strange army, a mix of the very primitive and the high tech. “Bikes”—all terrain 3-wheel vehicles—were alongside snorting overfurred ’brids