29
The Ravine
“Get out,” Denthold said.
Petra didn’t argue. Liberator had climbed several slopes since they’d left Divpaxis, and he’d grown accustomed to being ordered out of the cockpit as the hum of the Blue Fire motivators deepened and the gearbox started groaning. A rope ladder flung over the side of the cockpit allowed either of them to dismount without having to go through the wagon’s interior. He clambered down its swaying length a few rungs before jumping clear.
He landed a little awkwardly, falling to his hands and knees. As he stood and brushed dirt from his trousers, he glanced back. As usual, the firelancers behind Liberator had moved forward to push. He turned the other way and climbed up the valley slope after the forward group of firelancers, who were already nearing the
