The AI War Read Free Page A

life."
    "So?"
    B'Rol looked at the corsair. "So, why is that ship just sitting out there, not locked into the docks, no haulers approaching?"
    "They're opening up." K'Tran nodded toward the ship. A forward lock the size of the restaurant was cycling open. The two men watched as a broad, gray ramp extended from the ship. Eight dull, black vehicles sped out onto the duralloy.
    B'Rol spilled his drink. "Combat cars!" he cried, staring wide-eyed at the turret-topped assault vehicles. Spreading into a long line, they raced toward a series of dun-colored warehouses along the field's northern edge.
    "Standard ground assault formation." K'Tran nodded approvingly. "Aren't those your warehouses?"
    B'Rol watched ashen-cheeked as three utility haulers hurried from the warehouses, away from the combat car. "Cowards," he said hoarsely. "Stand and fight!"
    "Not even for dopers' wages," said KTran. "Not with hand weapons against Mark Forty-fours and battlesteel."
    The drugger looked toward the distant gray block of Planetary Defense Command, now encased in the shimmering haze of a forcefield. "Why aren't the port defenses firing?"
    "Perimeter's penetrated," said KTran. "The batteries would have to be reconfigured and reranged. Two, three days work.''
    "They'll hit her as she leaves."
    "Comforting."
    The combat cars had reached the warehouses. Assault ramps dropped. Squads of heavily armed troopers scrambled up the loading docks and charged into the warehouses. The restaurant was too far from the action for the men to recognize the uniforms.
    From the freighter, five silver shuttles flew on n-gravs to the loading docks, landing unchallenged.
    The few other people in the restaurant had gathered in small groups by the glass wall, drinks in hand, chatting quietly as they watched the raid.
    KTran checked the time. "Very professional," he said. "Not a shot fired, either. Wonder when the Planetary Guard's—"
    First from the spaceport, then from every direction, alert sirens began warbling.
    The vidscreen over the bar flashed on. "Attention! Attention!" The head and torso of a green-uniformed Guards captain filled the screen. He looked haggard—there was some shouting going on off scan. "A corsair raid is in' progress. A corsair raid is in progress." The officer's voice boomed through the restaurant at max volume. "All military personnel and reservists to rally points. All emergency services personnel report for duty. All others to bombardment shelters."
    The restaurant emptied quickly as the announcement continued, accompanied by the siren's wail. Only the two men at the bar heard the rest: "Be advised. Be advised.
    Fleet units are insystem and are responding. Fleet units are insystem and are responding." Evidently recorded, the alert began repeating.
    K'Tran took out a slim communicator. "A'Tir, got anything on those Fleet units?"
    "Three heavy cruisers, coming in at flank," replied a woman's voice, crisp and efficient.
    "Can we make it?"
    "If we load only four shuttles."
    "Do it. Send the fifth for me, now. Straight in, commlink vector."
    "Acknowledged."
    Setting down the communicator, he faced B'Rol's baleful gaze.
    "You," said the drugger. "That's Victory Day out there—your ship!" K'Tran nodded.
    Heavy blaster fire echoed through the port. The combat cars were sweeping the rooftops with bursts of red fusion bolts, answering a scattering of sniper fire. Flames sprang up as the sniper fire died.
    "Why, K'Tran?"
    "I'm a thief and a killer, B'Rol, like you," said K'Tran casually. "The only merchandise worth stealing on this dustball world is yours—so I'm taking it. You have eight h'kals of narcotics in those warehouses. Six of them are now mine. The other two will burn. I'll make two and a half million credits. Not bad for an afternoon's work."
    "Dead men don't spend," said B'Rol, his voice low, hard and cold. "Run. Hide. Bury yourself in a citadel. Nothing'll save you, K'Tran. You'll die under torture. That's a vidscan I'll enjoy for the rest