Avery Cates: The Salted Earth

Book excerpt: Avery Cates is in charge of Cochtopa, the last bastion of System technology and military might left in the world. But with his allies down to three people and a ghostly voice in his head, it may not be enough to stop the Archangel from forcing suicide on a dying world. With the Archangel's forces on the march and time running out for the human race, Avery decides the only way forward is to go back to basics, back to doing what he's always done best: Being a Gunner. And killing people. Part Four of the novel The Machines of War, available separately.