The Steel Harvest Read Free Page B

offered suspicion, especially in a delicate situation like this. He raised his hand and then lowered it, his mouth clamped tight.
    “It’s settled then,” Marcus said.
    He still smiled, but Carter noted the flash as their eyes locked.
    Finally, breaking the gaze, Marcus addressed the crew in an authoritative voice. “Well, what are you waiting for? We’re burnin’ daylight, people!”
    Marcus gently pushed Silvia in front of him, leading her toward the exit. As the others filed out behind him, Carter waited to head up the rear.
    Drew put out his hand, stopping Carter at the door. “You seem like a good kid, so I’ll give you one warning. Don’t screw with Marcus. He’s bitter as they come, and crossing him will come back to bite you in the ass. I’d hate to see the wilderness swallow you whole, greenhorn…” Trailing off, the Covenant’s second-in-command left Carter standing in the doorway.
    Shaking off the warning, he walked through the doorway. Every one of his senses was on high alert. Whatever Marcus planned definitely involved Silvia, but what could a girl from The Shell possibly offer? Carter hid his fist in his pocket.
    I don’t like this, not one bit.
    The other scavengers busied themselves hauling their loot back to the cars. Anywhere they could fit it, salvage got loaded: the empty seats, the trunk, the roof, even in little bags tied to the sides. After a while, the cars sank slightly on their axles, the load almost too heavy for the small four by fours.
    Carter wasted no time joining the fray. A stack of sheet metal plating sat next to his ride. The next hour passed in the blink of an eye as he panted, lifted plate after plate, and arranged them in the back. The whole time, Carter kept one eye trained on the front of the caravan. Marcus leaned against his ride, watching the others. He didn’t so much as glance at Carter.
    Carter threw the last of the sheet metal into his trunk just as the sun began to pass behind one of The Shell’s many platforms. Despite the cold, he reeked of sweat. The ship lay barren next to the convoy, stripped of anything worthwhile. Only the frame remained, standing defiantly against the otherwise peaceful landscape. After catching a glimpse of himself in the back windshield, Carter rang out his tank top, watching as perspiration dripped from the ends.
    God, I’m a mess.
    “Ay, boy! You good?” Drew’s voice cut the thought short. He stood among the others as they celebrated their good haul in front of Marcus’s ride.
    Silvia stood to the side, watching the scavengers whoop and holler. She wore a dazed expression, observing the scene with mild enthusiasm.
    Carter nodded to Drew and approached the group. “Yeah, that’s the last of it. I’m good when you guys are.”
    Drew bobbed his head, watching the party out of the corner of his eye. “Grab the girl and get ready to move. I suspect Marcus will give the order soon.” Without another word, the Covenant’s second-in-command trudged toward the head car’s driver seat.
    Carter took a deep breath. At least Drew seemed decent enough. Equipping the usual grin, Carter wandered over to Silvia. She spared him a glance, eyeing him curiously, but didn’t speak. Carter transitioned from his trader’s grin to a real smile.
    “How are you holding up?” he asked, leaning on the car next to her.
    “I’m okay. I’m just a little cold. Thank you for the coat.”
    “It’s fine. And don’t worry, it’s warmer in the car. You can go ahead and get in if you want. It’s the last one in the row.”
    “Thank you.” Silvia bowed slightly, wasting no time in making a beeline for the car.
    Carter watched her go, but when the rowdy crowd grew silent behind him, his attention turned back to the Covenant. Marcus stood in the middle of the group, hand raised above his head.
    “Good work today, everyone,” he shouted. “We pulled in a good haul today, as well as an unexpected guest. Plans have changed a little bit, so follow