by Andy Remic
SIU Transcript 3
CLASSIFIED 000/000/artic SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
ECube transmission MEMO digMail sec:code:0056
Date: October 2XXX
Mission status: successful
Losses: 18 6 DemolSquad members dead resulting in the regrouping and collapsing of 38 squads. Training has been initiated and recruits searched for on worldwide basis.
Progress: the counter-attack by Spiral has culminated in the destruction of the mobile anti-Spiral warship and a loss of nearly 400 Necros. The rest have gone underground and SAD teams will be deployed on missions of extermination. The body of the traitor, Durell, has not been recovered.
Conclusion: a thorough clampdown on Spiral operatives and closer mental screening measures need to be implemented in the future. It was too easy for a small group to bring about some degree of internal collapse; power will be redistributed in future months.
Cartervb512: subject has been seriously wounded// condition presently under close scrutiny// severe mental monitoring required// return to DemolSquads doubtful at this stage.
\###TRANSFER TERMINATED###
EPILOGUE
PARADISE
A turquoise sea lapped against a white sand beach. A gentle breeze dissipated the tropical heat, swaying the palm trees and heavy broad-leafed ferns that lined the wide white stone walls. Shells lay scattered among splashes of green seaweed, spatterings of pink and white, grey and blue, spirals leading trails from the lapping lagoons to the heavy foliage behind the bordering white wall.
The small boy ran barefoot across the sand, leaving footprints, his bronzed body gleaming with sweat as he sprinted towards the sea. Behind him, the shrill squeal of an angry mother followed with a promise of punishment, but for now the boy was safe ... the harsh slaps would follow, but now he dropped to a crouch with his feet in the lapping waters and sucked at the fruit, juices running across his deeply tanned face, dripping from his chin into the blue waters.
The boy finished the stolen fruit and looked sharply to the right, his shock of black hair tumbling around his face. He stood quickly, and moved towards the shape lying half in and half out of the water. It was black, and at first sight resembled a thick tangle of old seaweed. But as the boy drew near he saw that it was vaguely human in shape, curled into a tight ball as if to ward off pain. Reaching down, he picked up a sun-bleached stick and crept close to the object. His nose wrinkled at the smell and, reaching forward, he prodded it gently.
When no movement was forthcoming, the boy shuffled closer, his interest piqued. The sea provided many treasures, but most of them the boy had long ago become tired of. This, however, was different.
He prodded again, then tentatively reached out and ran his fingers across the husk of black.
What is it? he thought in youthful wonder.
The object was rough beneath his fingers, like the old cracked leather his uncle cured from the hides of cows. He prodded it, harder this time, and felt the surface move over something within.
The boy stood, quickly bored, his wonder snatched away like a wind-stolen veil. He looked out over the sea. He shaded his eyes, searching for signs of the rich people’s cruise ships that sometimes passed.
Something brushed his ankle.
He looked down to see a clawed black hand ... that grabbed him in an iron grip, pulled him quickly to the sand and silenced his screams with a single heavy blow.
don’t you fuck with me
don’t you pull me down
don’t shit in my face
don’t you drag me around -
the day that you die
will be the day that I do
piss on your grave and on the rest of you
don’t you get it?
don’t you forget it
Get It [abridged]
Clawfinger
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Remic is a larger-than-life action man, chainsaw warrior and chef. He has written a variety of thriller, SF and fantasy novels, and sometimes delves into the murky underworld of teaching. First published by Orbit in 2003, Spiral, Quake and Warhead are indeed his first loves, and now published for the first time by Orbit as ebooks. If pushed to describe himself, Remic claims to have a love of extreme sports, violent computer games and kickass bikes. Andy is also married and has sired two strapping young boy cubs. Remic is now working on various new SF and fantasy projects, and threatens he will never stop writing.
Find out more about Andy Remic by visiting the Orbit website at www.orbitbooks.net