Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire, #1)

by Yoon Ha Lee

Niaad was alarmed. Isaure was only a corporal, and the captain had been quite specific that they had to hold this miserable complex until they received orders otherwise. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?” Isaure said as she continued to draw a map with her toe. It was surprisingly good, especially if you ignored the streaky marks left by skull splinters and the accompanying shreds of brain. “Dregs spit up by Personnel because they needed more warm bodies.” Niaad wished the corporal would stop philosophizing and give a fucking order already. “We have the same problem.” Now Isaure was kneeling and using gristle to diagram a perimeter. Her expression showed nothing but contempt for the situation. “You jump –” She banged the nearest wall. The noise was horrifyingly loud, and it took Niaad a full three seconds to stop scrabbling for cover. “– at the smallest noises and you’re not getting much benefit from formation instinct.” There wasn’t much Niaad could say to that. When the head of the man next to him had been vaporized, he had fallen apart. Isaure crouched and made a second diagram. Niaad should have been paying attention, but he couldn’t think clearly. Every so often, Isaure lifted her head to listen, but if she had any conclusions about what was going on, she didn’t share them. “You should ask,” she said at last. “Corporal?” “Ask why I’m the same as you. Soldier no one has a use for.” Now she was getting personal. “Why, sir?” he said warily. “I used to be a tank captain,” I...