ROOT leaned forward, roaring into the microphone. 'Mulch! What's happening? What's your status?'
Foaly was tapping a keyboard furiously.
'We've lost audio. Motion too.'
'Mulch. Talk to me, dammit.'
'I'm running a scan on his vitals ... Woah!'
'What? What is it?'
'His heart has gone crazy. Beating like a rabbit ...'
'A rabbit?'
'No, wait, it's ...'
'What?' breathed the commander, terribly afraid that he already knew.
Foaly leaned back in his chair. 'It's stopped. His heartbeat has stopped.'
'Are you sure?'
'The monitors don't lie. All vitals can be read through the iris-cam. Not a peep. He's gone.'
Root couldn't believe it. Mulch Diggums, one of life's constants. Gone? It couldn't be true.
'He did it too, you know, Foaly. Recovered a copy of the Book no less, and he confirmed Short was alive.'
Foaly's wide brow creased1 for an instant. 'It's just that...'
'What?' said Root, suspicion aroused.
'Well, for a moment there, just before the end, his heart rate seemed abnormally fast.'
'Maybe it was a malfunction2.'
The centaur3 was unconvinced. 'I doubt it. My bugs4 don't have bugs.'
'What other explanation could there be? You still have visuals, don't you?'
'Yep. Through dead eyes, no doubt about it. Not a spark of electricity in that brain; the camera is running on its own battery.'
'Well, that's it then. No other explanation.'
Foaly nodded. 'It would seem that way. Unless ... No, it's too fantastic.'
'This is Mulch Diggums we're talking about here. Nothing is too fantastic.'
Foaly opened his mouth to voice his incredible theory, but before he could speak the shuttle's bay door slid open.
'We have him!' said a triumphant5 voice.
'Yes!' agreed a second. 'Fowl6 has made a mistake!'
Root swivelled on his chair. It was Argon and Cumulus, the so-called behavioural analysts7.
'Oh, we've finally decided8 to earn our retainers, have we?'
But the professors were not so easily intimidated9. United by excitement. Cumulus even had the temerity10 to wave Root's sarcasm11 aside. This more than anything else made the commander sit up and take notice.
Argon brushed past Foaly, pressing a laser disk into the console's player. Artemis Fowl's face appeared, as seen through Root's iris-cam.
'We'll be in touch,' said the commander's recorded voice. 'Don't worry, I'll see myself out.'
Fowl's face disappeared momentarily as he rose from his chair. Root lifted his gaze in time for the next chilling statement.
'You do that. But remember this, none of your race has permission to enter here while I'm alive.'
Argon pressed the pause button triumphantly12. 'There, you see!'
Root's complexion13 lost any final traces of pallor.
'There? There what? What do I see?'
Cumulus tutted, as one would at a slow child. A mistake, in retrospect14. The commander had him by the pointy beard in under a second.
'Now,' he said, his voice deceptively calm. 'Pretend we're pushed for time here and just explain it to me without any attitude or comments.'
'The human said we couldn't enter while he was alive,' squeaked15 Cumulus.
'So?'
Argon took up the account. 'So ... if we can't go in while he's alive ..."
Root drew a sharp breath. 'Then we go in when he's dead.'
Cumulus and Argon beamed. 'Exactly,' they said in perfect unison16.
Root scratched his chin.
'I don't know. We're on shaky ground here legally.'
'Not at all,' argued Cumulus. 'It's elementary grammar. The human specifically stated that entry was forbidden as long as he was alive. That's tantamount to an invitation when he's dead.'
The commander wasn't convinced. 'The invitation is implied, at best.'
'No,' interrupted Foaly. 'They're right. It's a strong case. Once Fowl is dead, the door is wide open. He said it himself.'
'Maybe.'
'Maybe nothing,' blurted17 Foaly. 'For heaven's sake, Julius, how much more do you need? We have a crisis here, in case you hadn't noticed.'
Root nodded slowly. 'One, you're right. Two, I'm going to run with it. Three, well done, you two. And four, if you ever call me Julius again, Foaly, you'll be eating your own hooves. Now, get me a line to the Council. I need to get approval for that gold.'
'Right away, Commander Root, your worship.' Foaly grinned, letting the hoof-eating comment slide for Holly18's sake.
'So we send in the gold,' muttered Root, thinking aloud. 'They send out Holly, we blue-rinse the place and stroll in to reclaim19 the ransom20. Simple.'
'So simple it's brilliant,' enthused Argon. 'Quite a coup21 for our profession, wouldn't you say, Doctor Cumulus?'
Cumulus's head was spinning with possibilities. 'Lecture tours, book deals. Why, the movie rights alone will be worth a fortune.'
'Let those sociologists stuff this in their collective pipe. Puts the kibosh on the deprivation-breeds-antisocial-behaviour chestnut22. This Fowl character has never gone hungry in his life.'
'There's more than one kind of hunger,' noted23 Argon.
'Very true. Hunger to succeed. Hunger to dominate. Hunger to -'
Root snapped. 'Get out! Get out before I strangle the pair of you. And if I ever hear a word of this repeated on an afternoon talk show, I'll know where it came from.'
The consultants24 retreated warily25, resolving not to call their agents until they were out of earshot.
'I don't know if the Council will go for this,' admitted Root when they'd departed. 'It's a lot of gold.'
Foaly looked up from the console. 'How much exactly?'
The commander slid a piece of paper across the console. 'That much.'
'That is a lot.' Foaly whistled. 'A tonne. Small unmarked ingots. Twenty-four carat only. Well, at least it's a nice round weight.'
'Very comforting. I'll be sure to mention that to the Council. Have you got that line yet?'
The centaur grunted26. A negative grunt27. Very cheeky really, grunting28 at a superior officer. Root didn't have the energy to discipline him, but he made a mental note: when this is over, dock Foaly's pay for a few decades. He rubbed his eyes exhaustedly29. Time lag was beginning to set in. Even though his brain wouldn't let him sleep because he'd been awake when the time-stop was initiated30, his body was crying out for rest.
He rose from the chair, swinging the door wide to let in some air. Stale. Time-stop air. Not even molecules31 could escape the time-field, much less a human boy.
There was activity by the portal. Lots of it. A swarm32 of troops gathered around a hovercage. Gudgeon stood at the head of the procession and the entire bunch was heading his way. Root stepped down to meet them.
'What's this?' he inquired, none too pleasantly. 'A circus?'
Gudgeon's face was pale, but determined33.
'No, Julius. It's the end of the circus.'
Root nodded. 'I see. And these are the clowns?'
Foaly's head poked34 through the doorway35.
'Pardon me for interrupting your extended circus metaphor36, but what the hell is that?'
'Yes, Lieutenant37,' said Root, nodding at the floating hovercage. 'What the hell is that?'
Gudgeon bolstered38 his courage with a few deep breaths. 'I've taken a leaf from your book, Julius.'
'Is that a fact?'
'Yes. It is. You opted40 to send in a lapsed41 creature. So now I'm going to.'
Root smiled dangerously. 'You don't opt39 to do anything, Lieutenant, not without my say so.'
Gudgeon took an unconscious step backwards42.
'I've been to the Council, Julius. I have their full backing.'
The commander turned to Foaly. 'Is this true?'
'Apparently43. It just came through on the outside line. This is Gudgeon's party now. He told the Council about the ransom demand and you springing Mister Diggums. You know what the elders are like when it comes to parting with gold.'
Root folded his arms. 'People told me about you, Gudgeon. They said you'd stab me in the back. I didn't believe them. I was a fool.'
'This is not about us, Julius. It's about the mission. What's inside this cage is our best chance of success.'
'So what's in the cage? No, don't tell me. The only other non-magical creature in the Lower Elements. And the first troll we've managed to take alive in over a century.'
'Exactly. The perfect creature to flush out our adversary44.'
Root's cheeks glowed with the effort of restraining his anger.
'I don't believe you're even considering this.'
'Face it, Julius, it's the same basic idea as yours.'
'No, it isn't. Mulch Diggums made his own choices. He knew the risks.'
'Diggums is dead?'
Root rubbed his eyes again. 'Yes. It would seem so. A cave-in.'
'That just proves I'm right. A troll won't be so easily dispatched.'
'It's a dumb animal, for heaven's sake! How can a troll follow instructions?'
Gudgeon smiled, newborn confidence peeping through his apprehension46.
'What instructions? We just point it at the house and get out of the way. I guarantee you those humans will be begging us to come in and rescue them.'
'And what about my officer?'
'We'll have the troll back under lock and key long before Captain Short is in any danger.'
'You can guarantee that, can you?'
Gudgeon paused. 'That's a chance I'm willing ... the Council is willing to take.'
'Politics,' spat45 Root. 'This is all politics to you, Gudgeon. A nice feather in your cap on the way to a Council seat. You make me sick.'
'Be that as it may, we are proceeding47 with this strategy. The Council have appointed me Acting49 Commander, so if you can't put our personal history aside, get the hell out of my way.'
Root stepped aside. 'Don't worry, Commander. I don't want anything to do with this butchery. The credit is all yours.'
Gudgeon put on his best sincere face. 'Julius, despite what you think, I have only the interests of the People at heart.'
'One person in particular,' snorted Root.
Gudgeon decided to go for the high moral ground.
'I don't have to stand here listening to this. Every second talking to you is a second wasted.'
Root looked him straight in the eye. 'That's about six hundred years wasted altogether, eh, friend!'
Gudgeon didn't answer. What could he say? Ambition had a price, and that price was friendship.
Gudgeon turned to his squad50, a group of hand-picked sprites loyal only to him. 'Get the hovercage over to the avenue. We don't green-light until I give the word.'
He brushed past Root, eyes looking anywhere except at his erstwhile friend. Foaly wouldn't let him go without a comment.
'Hey, Gudgeon.'
The Acting Commander couldn't tolerate that tone, not on his first day.
'You watch your mouth, Foaly. No one is indispensable.'
The centaur chuckled52. 'Very true. That's the thing about politics, you get one shot.'
Gudgeon was semi-interested in spite of himself.
'I know if it was me,' continued Foaly, 'and I had one chance, just one chance, to book my behind a seat on that Council, I certainly wouldn't entrust53 my future to a troll.'
And suddenly Gudgeon's new-found confidence evaporated, replaced by a shiny pallor. He wiped his brow, hurrying after the departing hovercage.
'See you tomorrow,' Foaly called after him. 'You'll be taking out my trash.'
Root laughed. Possibly the first time one of Foaly's comments had amused him.
'Good man, Foaly.' He grinned. 'Hit that back-stabber where it hurts, right in the ambition.'
'Thanks, Julius.'
The grin disappeared faster than a deep-fried pit slug in the LEP canteen.
'I've warned you about the Julius thing, Foaly. Now get that outside line open again. I want that gold ready when Gudgeon's plan goes awry54. Lobby all my supporters on the Council. I'm pretty sure Lope's one of mine, and Cahartez, possibly Vinyaya. She's always had a thing for me, devilishly attractive as I am.'
'You're joking, of course.'
'I never joke,' said Root, and he said it with a straight face.
Holly had a plan, of sorts. Sneak55 around shielded, reclaim some fairy weaponry, then cause havoc56 until Fowl was forced to release her. And if several million Irish pounds' worth of property damage happened to ensue, well, that was just a bonus.
Holly hadn't felt so good in years. Her eyes blazed with power and there were sparks sizzling below every centimetre of skin. She had forgotten just how good running hot felt.
Captain Short felt in control now, on the hunt. This was what she was trained to do. When this affair had started, the advantage had been with the Mud People. But now the boot was on the other foot. She was the hunter and they were the prey57.
Holly scaled the great staircase, ever vigilant58 for the giant manservant. That was one individual she wasn't taking any chances with. If those fingers closed around her skull59, she was history, helmet or not, assuming she managed to find a helmet.
The vast house was like a mausoleum - .without a single sign of life inside its vaulted60 rooms. Spooky portraits though. Each one with Fowl eyes, suspicious and glittering. Holly determined to torch the lot of them when she recovered her Neutrino 2000. Vindictive61 perhaps, but totally justified62 considering what Artemis Fowl had put her through.
She scaled the steps swiftly, following the curve around to the upper landing. A slot of pale light peeped from under the last door on the corridor. Holly placed her palm against the wood, feeling for vibration63. Activity all right. Shouting and footsteps. Thundering this way.
Holly jumped back, flattening64 herself against the velveteen wallpaper. Not a moment too soon. A hulking shape burst through the doorway and hurtled down the corridor, leaving a maelstrom65 of air currents in his wake.
'Juliet!' he shouted, his sister's name hanging in the air long after he had disappeared down the stairs.
Don't worry, Butler, thought Holly. She's having the time of her life glued to Wrestlemania. But the open door presented a welcome opportunity. She slipped through before the mechanical arm could close it again.
Artemis Fowl was waiting, anti-shield filters cobbled on to his sunglasses.
'Good evening, Captain Short,' he began, confidence apparently intact. 'At the risk of sounding clichéd, I've been expecting you.'
Holly didn't respond, didn't even look her jailer in the eye. Instead she utilized66 her training to scan the room, her gaze resting briefly67 on each surface.
'You are, of course, still bound by the promises made earlier tonight ...'
But Holly wasn't listening, she was sprinting68 towards a stainless-steel workbench bolted to the far wall.
'So, basically, our situation hasn't changed. You are still my hostage.'
'Yeah, yeah, yeah,' muttered Holly, running her fingers over the rows of confiscated69 Retrieval equipment. She selected a stealth-coated helmet, slipping it over her pointed48 ears. The pneumatic pads pumped to cradle her crown. She was safe now. Any further commands given by Fowl meant nothing through the reflective visor. A wire mike slotted down automatically. Contact was immediate70.
'... on revolving71 frequencies. Broadcasting on revolving frequencies. Holly, if you can hear me, take cover.'
Holly recognized Foaly's voice. Something familiar in a crazy situation.
'Repeat.Take cover. Gudgeon is sending in a ...'
'Something I should know?' said Artemis.
'Quiet,' hissed72 Holly, worried by the tone of Foaly's usually flippant voice.
'I say again, they are sending in a troll to secure your release.'
Holly started. Gudgeon was calling the shots now. Not good news at all.
Fowl interrupted again.
'It's not polite, you know. Ignoring your host.'
Holly snarled74. 'Enough is enough.'
She pulled back her fist, fingers curled in a tight bunch. Artemis didn't flinch75. Why would he? Butler always intervened before punches landed. But then something caught his eye, a large figure running down the stairway on the first-floor monitor. It was Butler.
'That's right, rich boy,' said Holly nastily. 'You're on your own this time.'
And before Artemis's eyes had time to widen, Holly put an extra few kilos of spring in her elbow and whacked76 her abductor right on the nose.
'Oof,' he said, collapsing77 on to his rear end.
'Oh yes! That felt good.'
Holly focused on the voice buzzing in her ear.
'... we've been feeding a loop to the outside cameras, so the humans won't see anything come up the avenue. But it's on the way, trust me.'
'Foaly. Foaly, come in.'
'Holly? Is that you?'
'The one and only. Foaly, there is no loop. I can see everything that's going on around here.'
'The cunning little ... He must have rebooted the system.'
The avenue was a hive of fairy activity. Gudgeon was there, haughtily78 directing his team of sprites. And in the centre of the melee79 stood a five-metre-tall hovercage, floating on a cushion of air. The cage was directly before the manor80 door, and the techies were securing a concussor seal to the surrounding wall. When activated81, several alloy82 rods in the seal's collar would be detonated simultaneously83, effectively disintegrating84 the door. When the dust settled, the troll would have only one place to go into the manor.
Holly checked the other monitors. Butler had managed to drag Juliet from the cell. They had ascended85 from the cellar level and were just crossing the lobby. Right in the line of fire.
'D'Arvit,' she swore, crossing to the work surface.
Artemis was propped86 on his elbows. 'You hit me,' he said in disbelief.
Holly strapped87 on a set of Hummingbirds88.
'That's right, Fowl. And there's plenty more where that came from. So stay right where you are, if you know what's good for you.'
For once in his life, Artemis realized that he didn't have a snappy answer. He opened his mouth, waiting for his brain to supply the customary pithy89 comeback. But nothing arrived.
Holly slipped the Neutrino 2000 into its holster.
'That's right, Mud Boy. Playtime's over. Time for the professionals to take over. If you're a good boy I'll buy you a lolly when I come back.'
And when Holly was long gone, soaring beneath the hallway's ancient oak beams, Artemis said, 'I don't like lollipops90.'
It was a woefully inadequate91 response, and Artemis was instantly appalled92 with himself. Pathetic really: I don't like lollipops. No self-respecting criminal mastermind would be caught dead even using the word lollipops. He really would have to put together a database of witty93 responses for occasions such as this.
It was quite possible that Artemis would have sat like that for some time, totally detached from the situation at hand, had not the front door imploded94, shaking the manor to its foundations. A thing like that is enough to knock the daydreams96 from anyone's head.
A sprite alighted before Acting Commander Gudgeon.
'The collar is in place, sir.'
Gudgeon nodded. 'Are you sure it's tight, Captain? I don't want that troll coming out the wrong way.'
'Tighter 'n a goblin's wallet. There's not a bubble of air getting through that seal. Tighter 'n a stink-worm's -'
'Very well, Captain,' interrupted Gudgeon hurriedly, before the sprite could complete his graphic97 analogy.
Beside them the hovercage shook violently, almost toppling the container from its air cushion.
'We better blow that sucker, Commander. If we don't let him outta there soon, my boys're gonna spend the next week scraping ...'
'Fine, Captain, fine. Blow it. Blow it for goodness' sake.'
Gudgeon hurried behind the blast shield, scribbling98 a note on his palmtop's LCD screen. Memo99: Remind the sprites to watch their language. After all, I am a Commander now.
The foul-mouthed captain in question turned to the hovercage's cab driver.
'Blow 'er, Chix. Blow the door off its damn hinges.'
'Yessir. Off its damn hinges. That's a roger.'
Gudgeon winced100. There'd be a general meeting tomorrow. First thing. By then he'd have the commander's icon101 on his lapel. Even a sprite might be less likely to curse, with the triple acorn102 logo winking103 in his face.
Chix pulled down his shrapnel goggles104, even though the cab had a quartz105 windscreen. The goggles were cool. Girls loved them. Or so the driver thought. In his mind's eye he saw himself as a grim-faced daredevil. Sprites were like that. Give a fairy a pair of wings and he thinks he's God's gift to women. But Chix Verbil's ill-fated quest to impress the dames106 is, once again, another story. In this particular tale, he serves only one purpose. And that is to melodramatically push the detonate button. Which he does, with great aplomb107.
Two dozen controlled charges detonated in their chambers108, driving two dozen alloy cylinders109 out of their mounts at over a thousand miles per hour. Upon impact, each bar pulverized110 the contact area plus the surrounding fifteen centimetres, effectively blowing the door off its damn hinges. As the captain would say.
When the dust settled, the handlers winched back the containment111 wall inside the cage and began hammering the side panels with the flats of their hands.
Gudgeon peeped out from behind the blast shield.
'All clear, Captain?'
'Just a damn second, Commander. Chix? How're we doin'?'
Chix checked the cab's monitor.
'He's movin'. The hammerin' is spookin' him. The claws are comin' out. My, he's a big sucker. I wouldn't wanna be that Recon babe if she gets in the way of this.'
Gudgeon felt a momentary112 pang113 of guilt114, which he dispelled115 with his favourite daydream95 - a vision of himself sinking into a beige-velour Council seat.
The cage heaved violently, almost dislodging Chix from his seat. He held on like a rodeo rider.
'Woah! He's on the move. Lock and load, boys. I have a feeling that any second we're going to be gettin' a cry for help.'
Gudgeon didn't bother locking and loading. He preferred to leave that sort of thing to the foot soldiers. The Acting Commander considered himself too important to be risked in an insecure situation. For the good of the People in general, it was better he remain outside the op zone.
Butler took the stairs four at a time. It was possibly the first time he had ever abandoned Master Artemis in a crisis. But Juliet was family, and there was obviously something seriously wrong with his baby sister. That fairy had said something to her and now she was just sitting in the cell giggling116. Butler feared the worst. If anything were to happen to Juliet, he didn't know how he'd live with himself.
He felt a dribble117 of sweat slide down the crown of his shaven head. This whole situation was shooting off in bizarre directions. Fairies, magic, and now a hostage loose in the manor. How could he be expected to control things? It took a four-man team to guard the lowliest politician, but he was expected to contain this impossible situation on his own.
Butler sprinted118 down the corridor into what had until recently been Captain Short's cell. Juliet was sprawled119 on the cot, enraptured120 by a concrete wall.
'What are you doing?' he gasped121, drawing the Sig Sauer nine-millimetre with practised ease.
His sister barely spared him a glance. 'Quiet, you big ape. Louie the Love Machine is on. He ain't so tough, I could take him.'
Butler blinked. She was talking gibberish. Obviously drugged.
'Let's go. Artemis wants us upstairs in the situations room.'
Juliet pointed a manicured finger at the wall.
'Artemis can wait. This is for the intercontinental title. And it's a grudge122 match. Louie ate the Hogman's pet piggie.'
The manservant studied the wall. It was definitely blank. He didn't have time for this.
'Right. Let's go,' he growled123, slinging124 his sister over a broad shoulder.
'Nooo. You big bully,' she protested, hammering his back with tiny fists. 'Not now. Hogman! Hogmaaaan!'
Butler ignored the objections, settling into a loping run. Who the hell was this Hogman person? One of her boyfriends no doubt. He was going to keep closer tabs on callers to the lodge125 in future.
'Butler? Pick up.'
It was Artemis, on the hand-held. Butler jiggled his sister up a foot so he could reach his belt.
'Lollipops!' barked his employer.
'Say again. I thought you said -'
'Eh ... I mean get out of there. Take cover! Take cover!'
Take cover? The military term didn't sound right coming out of Master Artemis's mouth. Like a diamond ring in a Lucky Bag.
'Take cover?'
'Yes, Butler. Cover. I thought speaking in primal126 terms would be the quickest route to your cognitive127 functions. Obviously I was mistaken.'
That was more like it. Butler scanned the hall for a nook to duck into. Not much choice. The only shelter was provided by the suits of medieval armour128 punctuating129 the walls. The manservant ducked into the alcove130 behind a fourteenth-century knight131 complete with lance and mace132.
Juliet tapped the breastplate.
'You think you're mean? I could take you with one hand.'
'Quiet,' hissed Butler.
He held his breath and listened. Something was approaching the main door. Something big. Butler leaned out far enough to get one eye on the lobby ...
Then you could say that the doorway exploded. But that particular verb doesn't do the action justice. Rather, it shattered into infinitesimal pieces. Butler had seen something like this once before when a force-seven earthquake had rippled133 through a Colombian drug lord's estate seconds before he had been scheduled to blow it up. This was slightly different. More localized. Very professional. It was classic anti-terrorist tactics. Hit 'em with smoke and sonics, then go in while the targets were disoriented. Whatever was coming, it would be bad. He was certain of it. He was absolutely right.
Dust clouds settled slowly, depositing a pale sheet on the Tunisian rug. Madam Fowl would have been furious, if she ever put so much as a toe outside the attic134 door. Butler's instincts told him to move. Zigzag135 across the ground floor, make for the higher ground. Stay low to minimize the target. This would be the perfect time to do it, before visibility cleared. Any second now, a hail of bullets would be whistling through the archway, and the last place he wanted to be was pinned down on a lower level.
And on any other day Butler would have moved. He would've been halfway136 up that stairway before his brain had time for second thoughts. But today he had his baby sister over his shoulder spouting137 gibberish, and the last thing he wanted to do was expose her to murderous assault fire. With Juliet in the state she was in, she'd probably challenge the fairy commandos to a tag-wrestling match. And though his sister talked tough, she was just a kid really. No match for trained military personnel. So Butler hunkered down, propped Juliet against a tapestry138 behind a suit of armour and checked his safety catch. Off. Good. Come and get me, fairy boys.
Something moved in the dust haze139. It was immediately obvious to Butler that the something wasn't human. The manservant had been on too many safaris140 not to recognize an animal when he saw it. He studied the creature's gait. Possibly simian141. Similar upper-body structure to an ape, but bigger than any primate142 Butler had ever seen. If it was an ape, then his handgun wasn't going to be of much use. You could put five rounds in the skull of a bull ape and he'd still have time to eat you before his brain realized he was dead.
But it wasn't an ape. Apes didn't have night eyes. This creature did. Glowing crimson143 pupils, half-hidden behind shaggy forelocks. Tusks144 too, but not elephantine. These were curved, with serrated edges. Gutting146 weapons. Butler felt a tingle147 low in his stomach. He'd had the feeling once before. On his first day at the Swiss academy. It was fear.
The creature stepped clear of the dust haze. Butler gasped. Again, his first since the academy. This was like no adversary he'd ever faced before. The manservant realized instantly what the fairies had done. They had sent in a primal hunter. A creature with no interest in magic or rules. A thing that would simply kill anything in its way, regardless of species. This was the perfect predator148. That much was clear from the meat-ripping points on its teeth, from the dried gore149 crusted beneath its claws and from the distilled150 hatred151 spilling from its eyes.
The troll shambled forwards, squinting152 through the chandelier light. Yellowed claws scraped along the marble tiling, throwing up sparks in their wake. It was sniffing153 now, snorting curious breaths, head cocked to one side. Butler had seen that pose before - on the snouts of starved pit bulls, just before their Russian handlers set them loose on a bear hunt.
The shaggy head froze, its snout pointed directly at Butler's hiding place. It was no coincidence. The manservant peeked154 out between the chain-mail fingers of a gauntlet. Now came the stalk. Once a scent155 had been acquired, the predator would attempt a slow silent approach, before the lightning strike.
But apparently the troll had not read the predator's handbook, because it didn't bother with the stealth approach, jumping directly to the lightning strike. Moving faster than Butler would have believed possible, the troll sprang across the lobby, brushing the medieval armour aside as though it were a shop mannequin.
Juliet blinked. 'Ooh,' she gasped. 'It's Bigfoot Bob. Canadian champion nineteen ninety-eight. I thought you were in the Andes, looking for your relatives.'
Butler didn't bother to correct her. His sister wasn't lucid156. At least she would die happy. While his brain was contemplating157 this morbid158 observation, Butler's gun hand was coming up.
He squeezed the trigger as rapidly as the Sig Sauer's mechanism159 would allow. Two in the chest, three between the eyes. That was the plan. He got the chest shots in, but the troll interfered160 before Butler could complete the formation. The interference took the form of scything161 tusks that ducked below Butler's guard. They coiled around his trunk, slicing through his Kevlar reinforced jacket like a razor through rice paper.
Butler felt a cold pain as the serrated ivory pierced his chest. He knew immediately that the wound was fatal. His breath came hard. That was a lung gone, and gouts of blood were matting the troll's fur. His blood. No one could lose that amount and live. Nevertheless, the pain was instantly replaced by a curious euphoria. Some form of natural anaesthetic injected through channels in the beast's tusks. More dangerous than the deadliest poison. In minutes Butler would not only stop struggling, but go giggling to his grave.
The manservant fought against the narcotics162 in his system, struggling furiously in the troll's grip. But it was no use. His fight was over almost before it had begun.
The troll grunted, flipping163 the limp human body over his head. Butler's burly frame collided with the wall at a speed human bones were never meant to withstand. The bricks cracked from floor to ceiling. Butler's spine164 went too. Now, even if the blood loss didn't get him, paralysis165 would.
Juliet was still enthralled166 by the mesmer.
'Come on, brother. Get off the canvas. We all know you're faking.'
The troll paused, some basic curiosity piqued167 by the lack of fear. He would have suspected a trick, if he could have formulated168 such a complicated thought. But in the end, appetite won out. This creature smelled flesh. Fresh and tender. Flesh from above ground was different. Laced with surface smells. Once you've had open-air meat, it's hard to go back. The troll ran a tongue over his incisors and reached out a shaggy hand ...
Holly tucked the Hummingbirds close to her torso, dropping into a controlled dive. She skimmed the banisters, emerging into the portico169 below a stained-glass dome170. The time-stop light filtered unnaturally171, splitting into thick azure172 shafts173.
Light, thought Holly. The helmet high-beams worked before, there was no reason why they wouldn't work again. It was too late for the male, he was a bag of broken bones. But the female, she still had a few seconds left before the troll split her open.
Holly spiralled down through the faux light, searching her helmet console for the Sonix button. Sonix were generally used on canines174, but in this case it might provide a moment's distraction175. Enough to get her to ground level.
The troll was reaching in towards Juliet underhand. It was a move generally reserved for the defenceless. The claws would curl in below the ribs176, rupturing177 the heart. Minimum damage to the flesh and no last-minute tension to toughen the meat.
Holly activated her Sonix ... and nothing happened. Not good. Generally your average troll would be at the very least irritated by the ultra-high-frequency tone. But this particular beast didn't even shake his shaggy head. There were a couple of possibilities: one, the helmet was malfunctioning178; two, this troll was deaf as the proverbial post. Unfortunately, Holly had no way of knowing as the tones were inaudible to fairy ears.
Whatever the problem, it forced Holly to adopt a strategy she would rather not have resorted to. Direct contact. All to save a human's life. She'd gone section eight. Without a doubt.
Holly jerked the throttle179, straight from fourth to reverse. Not very good for the gears. She'd get a dressing-down from the mechanics for that, in the unlikely event she actually survived this never-ending nightmare. The effect of this gear-crunching was to flip73 her around in mid-air, so that her boot heels were pointed directly at the troll's head. Holly winced. Two entanglements180 with the same troll. Unbelievable.
Her heels caught the beast square on the crown of its head. At that speed, there was at least half a tonne of G-force behind the contact. Only the reinforced ribbing in her suit prevented Holly's leg bones from shattering. Even so, she heard her knee pop. The pain clawed its way to her forehead. Ruined her recovery manoeuvre181 too. Instead of repelling182 herself to a safe altitude, Holly crumpled183 on to the troll's back, becoming instantly entangled184 in the ropy fur.
The troll was suitably annoyed. Not only had something distracted it from dinner, but now that something was nestled in its fur, along with the cleaner slugs. The beast straightened, reaching a clawed hand over its own shoulder. The curved nails raked Holly's helmet, scoring parallel grooves185 in the alloy. Juliet was safe for the moment, but Holly had taken her place on the endangered-individuals list.
The troll squeezed tighter, somehow securing a grip on the helmet's anti-friction coating, which, according to Foaly, was impossible to grip. Serious words would be had. If not in this life, then definitely the next.
Captain Short found herself being hoisted186 aloft to face her old enemy. Holly struggled to concentrate through the pain and confusion. Her leg was swinging like a pendulum187, and the troll's breath was breaking over her face in rancid waves.
There had been a plan, hadn't there? Surely she didn't fly down here just to curl up and die. There must have been a strategy. All those years in the Academy must have taught her something. Whatever her plan had been, it floated just out of reach somewhere between pain and shock. Out of reach.
'The lights, Holly ...'
A voice in her head. Probably talking to herself. An out-of-head experience. Ha ha. She must remember to tell Foaly about this ... Foaly?
'Hit the lights, Holly. If those tusks get to work, you'll be dead before the magic can kick in.'
'Foaly? Is that you?' Holly may have said this aloud, or she may just have thought it. She wasn't sure.
'The tunnel high beams, Captain!' A different voice. Not so cuddly188. 'Hit the button now! That's an order!'
Oops. It was Root. She was falling down on the job again. First Hamburg, then Martina Franca, now this.
'Yessir,' she mumbled189, trying to sound professional.
'Press it! Now, Captain Short!'
Holly looked the troll straight in its merciless eyes and pressed the button. Very melodramatic. Or it would have been, if the lights had worked. Unfortunately for Holly, in her haste she'd grabbed one of the helmets cannibalized by Artemis Fowl. Hence no Sonix, no filters and no tunnel beams. The halogen bulbs were still installed, but the wires had come loose during Artemis's investigations190.
'Oh dear,' breathed Holly.
'Oh dear!' barked Root. 'What's that supposed to mean?'
'The beams are off-line,' explained Foaly.
'Oh ...' Root's voice trailed off. What more was there to say?
Holly squinted191 at the troll. If you didn't know trolls were dumb animals, you'd swear the beast was grinning. Standing192 there with blood dripping from various chest wounds, grinning. Captain Short didn't like being grinned at.
'Laugh this off,' she said, and butted193 the troll with the only weapon available to her. Her helmeted head.
Valiant194 undoubtedly195, but about as effective as trying to cut down a tree with a feather. Luckily, the ill-advised blow had a side effect. For a split second, two strands196 of conductor filament197 connected, sending power flooding to one of the tunnel beams. Four-hundred watts199 of white light blasted through the troll's crimson eyes, dispatching lightning rods of agony to the brain.
'Heh heh,' mumbled Holly, in the second before the troll convulsed involuntarily. Its spasms200 sent her spinning across the parquet201 floor, leg jittering202 along behind her.
The wall was approaching at an alarming speed. Maybe, thought Holly hopefully, this will be one of those impacts where you don't feel any pain until later. No, replied her pessimistic side, afraid not. She slammed into a Norman narrative203 tapestry, bringing it tumbling down on top of her. Pain was immediate and overwhelming.
'Ooof,' grunted Foaly. 'I felt that. Visuals are shot. Pain sensors204 went right off the scale. Your lungs are busted205, Captain. We're going to lose you for a while. But don't worry, Holly, your magic should be kicking in already.'
Holly felt the blue tingle of magic scurrying206 to her various injuries. Thank the gods for acorns207. But it was too little too late. The pain was way beyond her threshold. Just before unconsciousness claimed her, Holly's hand flopped208 from beneath the tapestry. It landed on Butler's arm, touching209 the bare skin. Amazingly, the human wasn't dead. A dogged pulse forced the blood through smashed limbs.
Heal, thought Holly. And the magic scurried210 down her fingers.
The troll faced a dilemma211 - which female to eat first. Choices, choices. This decision was not made any easier by the lingering agony buzzing around its shaggy head, or the cluster of bullets lodged212 in the fatty chest tissue. Eventually it settled on the surface dweller213. Soft human meat. No dense214 fairy muscle to chew through.
The beast squatted215 low, tilting216 the girl's chin with one yellowed talon217. A pulsing jugular218 looped lazily down the length of her neck. The heart or the neck? the troll wondered. The neck, it was closer. It turned the talon sideways, so that the edge pressed against soft human flesh. One sharp swipe and the girl's own heartbeat would drive the blood from her body.
Butler woke up, which was a surprise in itself. He knew immediately that he was alive, because of the searing pain permeating219 every cubic centimetre of his body. This was not good. Alive he may have been, but considering the fact that his neck had a one-eighty twist on it, he'd never so much as walk the dog again, not to mention rescue his sister.
The manservant twiddled his fingers. Hurt like hell, but at least there was movement. It was amazing that he had any motor functions at all, considering the trauma220 his spinal221 column had suffered. His toes seemed all right too, but that could have been phantom222 response, given that he couldn't actually see them.
The bleeding from his chest wound appeared to have stopped and he was thinking straight. All in all, he was in much better shape than he had any right to be. What in heaven's name was going on here?
Butler noticed something. There were blue sparks dancing along his torso. He must be hallucinating, creating pleasant images to distract himself from the inevitable223. A very realistic hallucination, it must be said.
The sparks congregated224 at trauma points, sinking into the skin. Butler shuddered225. This was no hallucination. Something extraordinary was happening here. Magical.
Magic? That rang a bell in his recently reassembled cranium. Fairy magic. Something was healing his wounds. He twisted his head, wincing226 at the grate of sliding vertebrae. There was a hand resting on his forearm. Sparks flowed from the slim elfin fingers, intuitively targeting bruises227, breaks or ruptures228. There were a lot of injuries to be dealt with, but the tiny sparks handled it all quickly and effectively. Like an army of mystical beavers229 repairing storm damage.
Butler could actually feel his bones knitting and the blood retreating from semi-congealed scabs. His head twisted involuntarily as his vertebrae slid into their niches230, and strength returned in a rush as magic reproduced the three litres of blood lost through his chest wound.
Butler jumped to his feet - actually jumped. He was himself again. No. It was more than that. He was as strong as he had ever been. Strong enough to have another crack at that beast hunkered over his baby sister.
He felt his rejuvenated231 heart speed up like the stroke of an outboard motor. Calm, Butler told himself. Passion is the enemy of efficiency. But calm or no, the situation was desperate. This beast had already effectively killed him once, and this time round he didn't even have the Sig Sauer. His own skills aside, it would be nice to have a weapon. Something with a bit of weight to it. His boot clinked on a metallic232 object. Butler glanced down at the debris233 strewn in the troll's wake ... Perfect.
There was nothing but snow on the viewscreen. 'Come on,' urged Root. 'Hurry up!'
Foaly elbowed past his superior.
'Maybe if you didn't insist on blocking all the circuit boards.'
Root shuffled234 out of the way grudgingly235. In his mind it was the circuit boards' fault for being behind him. The centaur's head disappeared into an access panel.
'Anything?'
'Nothing. Just interference.'
Root slapped the screen. Not a good idea. First, because there was not one chance in a million that it would actually help, and second, because plasma236 screens grow extremely hot after prolonged use.
'D'Arvit!'
'Don't touch that screen, by the way.'
'Oh, ha ha. We have time for jokes now, do we?'
'No, actually. Anything?'
The snow settled into recognizable shapes.
'That's it, hold it there. We've got a signal.'
'I've activated the secondary camera. Plain old video, I'm afraid, but it'll have to do.'
Root didn't comment. He was watching the screen. This must be a movie. It couldn't be real life.
'So what's going on in there? Anything interesting?'
Root tried to answer, but his soldier's vocabulary just didn't have the superlatives.
'What? What is it?'
The commander made an attempt. 'It's ... the human ... I've never ... Oh, forget it, Foaly.You're going to have to see this for yourself.'
Holly watched the entire episode through a gap in the tapestry folds. If she hadn't seen it, she wouldn't have believed it. In fact, it wasn't until she'd reviewed the VT for her report that she was certain the whole thing wasn't a hallucination brought on by a near-death experience. As it was, the video sequence became something of a legend, initially237 doing the rounds on the Amateur Home Movies cable shows and ending up on the LEP Academy Hand-to-hand curriculum.
The human, Butler, was strapping238 on a medieval suit of armour. Incredible as it seemed, he apparently intended going toe to toe with the troll. Holly tried to warn him, tried to make some sound, but the magic hadn't yet reinflated her crushed lungs.
Butler closed his visor, hefting a vicious mace.
'Now,' he grunted through the grille. 'I'll show you what happens when someone lays a hand on my sister.'
The human twirled the mace as though it were a cheerleader's baton239, ramming240 it home between the troll's shoulder blades. A blow like that, while not fatal, certainly distracted the troll from its intended victim.
Butler planted his foot just above the creature's haunches and tugged241 the weapon free. It relinquished242 its grip with a sickly sucking sound. He skipped backwards, settling into a defensive243 stance.
The troll rounded on him, all ten talons244 sliding out to their full extent. Drops of venom245 glistened246 from the tip of each tusk145. Playtime was over. But there would be no lightning strike this time. The beast was wary247, it had been hurt. This latest attacker would be afforded the same respect as another male of the species. As far as the troll was concerned, his territory was being encroached on. And there was only one way of solving a dispute of this nature. The same way that trolls solved every dispute ...
'I must warn you,' said Butler, straight-faced. 'I am armed and prepared to use deadly force if necessary.'
Holly would have groaned248 if she could. Banter249! The human was trying to engage a troll in macho repartee250! Then Captain Short realized her mistake. The words weren't important, it was the tone he employed. Calm, soothing251. Like a trainer with a spooked unicorn252.
'Step away from the female. Easy now.'
The troll ballooned its cheeks and howled. Scare tactics. Testing the waters. Butler didn't flinch.
'Yeah, yeah. Real scary. Now just back out of the door, and I won't have to cut you into little pieces.'
The troll snorted, miffed by this reaction. Generally his roar sent whatever creature was facing it scurrying down the tunnel.
'One step at a time. Nice and slow. Easy there, big fellow.'
You could almost see it in the troll's eyes. A flicker253 of uncertainty254. Maybe this human was ...
And that was when Butler struck. He danced under the tusks, hammering home a devastating255 uppercut with his medieval weapon. The troll staggered backwards, talons flailing256 wildly. But it was too late: Butler had stepped out of reach, scooting across to the other side of the corridor.
The troll lumbered257 after him, spitting dislodged teeth from pulped258 gums. Butler sank to his knees, sliding and turning, the polished floor bearing him like an ice skater. He ducked and pirouetted, facing his pursuer.
'Guess what I found?' he said, raising the Sig Sauer.
No chest shots this time. Butler laid in the rest of the automatic's clip in a ten-centimetre diameter between the troll's eyes. Unfortunately for Butler, due to millennia259 spent butting260 each other, trolls have developed a thick ridge261 of bone covering their brows. So his textbook spread failed to penetrate262 the skull, in spite of the Teflon-coated load.
However, ten Devastator263 slugs can't be ignored by any creature on the planet, and the troll was no exception. The bullets beat a sledgehammer tattoo264 on its cranium causing instant concussion265. The animal staggered backwards, slapping at its own forehead. Butler was after it in a heartbeat, pinning one shaggy foot beneath the mace spikes266.
The troll was concussed, blinded by blood, and lame198. A normal person would feel a shard267 of remorse268, but not Butler. He'd seen too many men gored269 by injured animals. Now was the dangerous time. It was no time for mercy, it was time to terminate with extreme prejudice.
Holly could only watch helplessly as the human took careful aim and delivered a series of crippling blows to the stricken creature. First he took out the tendons, bringing the troll to its knees, then he abandoned the mace and went to work with gauntleted hands, perhaps deadlier than the mace had been. The unfortunate troll fought back pathetically, even managing to land a few glancing blows. But they failed to penetrate the antique armour. Meanwhile Butler toiled270 like a surgeon. Working on the assumption that the troll and human physiques were basically the same, he rained blow after blow on the dumb creature, reducing it to a heap of quivering fur in so many seconds. It was pitiful to watch. And the manservant wasn't finished yet. He stripped off the bloodied271 gauntlets, loading a fresh clip into the handgun.
'Let's see how much bone you have under your chin.'
'No,' gasped Holly, with the first breath in her body. 'Don't.'
Butler ignored her, jamming the barrel beneath the troll's jaw272.
'Don't do it ...You owe me.'
Butler paused. Juliet was alive, it was true. Confused certainly, but alive. He thumbed the hammer on his pistol. Every brain cell in his head screamed for him to pull the trigger. But Juliet was alive.
'You owe me, human.'
Butler sighed. He'd regret this later.
'Very well, Captain. The beast lives to fight another day. Lucky for him, I'm in a good mood.'
Holly made a noise. It was somewhere between a whimper and a chuckle51.
'Now let's get rid of our hairy friend.'
Butler rolled the unconscious troll on to an armour trolley273, dragging it to the devastated274 doorway. With a huge heave, he jettisoned275 the lot into the suspended night.
'And don't come back,' he shouted.
'Amazing,' said Root.
'Tell me about it,' agreed Foaly.
收听单词发音 |
1
creased
|
|
| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
malfunction
|
|
| vi.发生功能故障，发生故障，显示机能失常 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
centaur
|
|
| n.人首马身的怪物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
bugs
|
|
| adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
triumphant
|
|
| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
fowl
|
|
| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
analysts
|
|
| 分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
intimidated
|
|
| v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
temerity
|
|
| n.鲁莽，冒失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sarcasm
|
|
| n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
triumphantly
|
|
| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
complexion
|
|
| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
retrospect
|
|
| n.回顾，追溯；v.回顾，回想，追溯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
squeaked
|
|
| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的过去式和过去分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
unison
|
|
| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
blurted
|
|
| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
holly
|
|
| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
reclaim
|
|
| v.要求归还，收回；开垦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
coup
|
|
| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
chestnut
|
|
| n.栗树，栗子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
consultants
|
|
| 顾问( consultant的名词复数 )； 高级顾问医生，会诊医生 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
warily
|
|
| adv.留心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
grunted
|
|
| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
grunt
|
|
| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
grunting
|
|
| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
exhaustedly
|
|
| adv.exhausted（精疲力竭的）的变形 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
initiated
|
|
| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
molecules
|
|
| 分子( molecule的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
swarm
|
|
| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
poked
|
|
| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
doorway
|
|
| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
metaphor
|
|
| n.隐喻，暗喻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
lieutenant
|
|
| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
bolstered
|
|
| v.支持( bolster的过去式和过去分词 )；支撑；给予必要的支持；援助 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
opt
|
|
| vi.选择，决定做某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
opted
|
|
| v.选择，挑选( opt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
lapsed
|
|
| adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
spat
|
|
| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
squad
|
|
| n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
chuckle
|
|
| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
entrust
|
|
| v.信赖，信托，交托 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
awry
|
|
| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
sneak
|
|
| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
havoc
|
|
| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
vigilant
|
|
| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
vaulted
|
|
| adj.拱状的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
vindictive
|
|
| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
justified
|
|
| a.正当的，有理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
vibration
|
|
| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
flattening
|
|
| n. 修平 动词flatten的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
maelstrom
|
|
| n.大乱动；大漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
utilized
|
|
| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
sprinting
|
|
| v.短距离疾跑( sprint的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
confiscated
|
|
| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
revolving
|
|
| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
flip
|
|
| vt.快速翻动；轻抛；轻拍；n.轻抛；adj.轻浮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
snarled
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
flinch
|
|
| v.畏缩，退缩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
whacked
|
|
| a.精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
collapsing
|
|
| 压扁[平]，毁坏，断裂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
haughtily
|
|
| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
melee
|
|
| n.混战；混战的人群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
manor
|
|
| n.庄园，领地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
activated
|
|
| adj. 激活的 动词activate的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
alloy
|
|
| n.合金，(金属的)成色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
simultaneously
|
|
| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
disintegrating
|
|
| v.（使）破裂[分裂，粉碎]，（使）崩溃( disintegrate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
ascended
|
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
propped
|
|
| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
strapped
|
|
| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
hummingbirds
|
|
| n.蜂鸟( hummingbird的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
pithy
|
|
| adj.(讲话或文章)简练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
lollipops
|
|
| n.棒糖，棒棒糖( lollipop的名词复数 )；（用交通指挥牌让车辆暂停以便儿童安全通过马路的）交通纠察 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
inadequate
|
|
| adj.(for,to)不充足的，不适当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
appalled
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
witty
|
|
| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
imploded
|
|
| v.（使）向心聚爆( implode的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
daydream
|
|
| v.做白日梦，幻想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
daydreams
|
|
| n.白日梦( daydream的名词复数 )v.想入非非，空想( daydream的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
graphic
|
|
| adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
scribbling
|
|
| n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
memo
|
|
| n.照会，备忘录；便笺；通知书；规章 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
winced
|
|
| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
icon
|
|
| n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
acorn
|
|
| n.橡实，橡子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
winking
|
|
| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
goggles
|
|
| n.护目镜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
quartz
|
|
| n.石英 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
dames
|
|
| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
aplomb
|
|
| n.沉着，镇静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
chambers
|
|
| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
cylinders
|
|
| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
pulverized
|
|
| adj.[医]雾化的，粉末状的v.将…弄碎( pulverize的过去式和过去分词 )；将…弄成粉末或尘埃；摧毁；粉碎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
containment
|
|
| n.阻止，遏制；容量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
pang
|
|
| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
dispelled
|
|
| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
giggling
|
|
| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
dribble
|
|
| v.点滴留下，流口水；n.口水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
sprinted
|
|
| v.短距离疾跑( sprint的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
enraptured
|
|
| v.使狂喜( enrapture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
grudge
|
|
| n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
slinging
|
|
| 抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
primal
|
|
| adj.原始的；最重要的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
cognitive
|
|
| adj.认知的，认识的，有感知的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
armour
|
|
| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
punctuating
|
|
| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的现在分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
alcove
|
|
| n.凹室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
mace
|
|
| n.狼牙棒，豆蔻干皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
rippled
|
|
| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
attic
|
|
| n.顶楼，屋顶室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
zigzag
|
|
| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
halfway
|
|
| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
spouting
|
|
| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
tapestry
|
|
| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
safaris
|
|
| n.游猎，陆路旅行（尤指在东非或中非）( safari的名词复数 )；类似游猎的假日旅行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
simian
|
|
| adj.似猿猴的；n.类人猿，猴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
primate
|
|
| n.灵长类（目）动物，首席主教；adj.首要的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
crimson
|
|
| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
tusks
|
|
| n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
tusk
|
|
| n.獠牙，长牙，象牙 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
gutting
|
|
| n.去内脏v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的现在分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
147
tingle
|
|
| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
predator
|
|
| n.捕食其它动物的动物；捕食者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
gore
|
|
| n.凝血，血污；v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破；缝以补裆；顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
distilled
|
|
| adj.由蒸馏得来的v.蒸馏( distil的过去式和过去分词 )；从…提取精华 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
squinting
|
|
| 斜视( squint的现在分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
sniffing
|
|
| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
peeked
|
|
| v.很快地看( peek的过去式和过去分词 )；偷看；窥视；微露出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
lucid
|
|
| adj.明白易懂的，清晰的，头脑清楚的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
contemplating
|
|
| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
morbid
|
|
| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
mechanism
|
|
| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
interfered
|
|
| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
scything
|
|
| v.（长柄）大镰刀( scythe的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
narcotics
|
|
| n.麻醉药( narcotic的名词复数 )；毒品；毒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
flipping
|
|
| 讨厌之极的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
spine
|
|
| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
paralysis
|
|
| n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
enthralled
|
|
| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
piqued
|
|
| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
formulated
|
|
| v.构想出( formulate的过去式和过去分词 )；规划；确切地阐述；用公式表示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
portico
|
|
| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
unnaturally
|
|
| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
azure
|
|
| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
shafts
|
|
| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
canines
|
|
| n.犬齿( canine的名词复数 )；犬牙；犬科动物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
distraction
|
|
| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
rupturing
|
|
| v.（使）破裂( rupture的现在分词 )；（使体内组织等）断裂；使（友好关系）破裂；使绝交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
malfunctioning
|
|
| 出故障 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
throttle
|
|
| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
entanglements
|
|
| n.瓜葛( entanglement的名词复数 )；牵连；纠缠；缠住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
181
manoeuvre
|
|
| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
repelling
|
|
| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
crumpled
|
|
| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
entangled
|
|
| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
grooves
|
|
| n.沟( groove的名词复数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏v.沟( groove的第三人称单数 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
hoisted
|
|
| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
pendulum
|
|
| n.摆，钟摆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
cuddly
|
|
| adj.抱着很舒服的，可爱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
mumbled
|
|
| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
investigations
|
|
| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
squinted
|
|
| 斜视( squint的过去式和过去分词 )； 眯着眼睛； 瞟； 从小孔或缝隙里看 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
193
butted
|
|
| 对接的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
194
valiant
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
195
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
196
strands
|
|
| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
197
filament
|
|
| n.细丝；长丝；灯丝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
198
lame
|
|
| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
199
watts
|
|
| （电力计量单位）瓦，瓦特( watt的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
200
spasms
|
|
| n.痉挛( spasm的名词复数 )；抽搐；（能量、行为等的）突发；发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
201
parquet
|
|
| n.镶木地板 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
202
jittering
|
|
| v.紧张不安，战战兢兢( jitter的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
203
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
204
sensors
|
|
| n.传感器，灵敏元件( sensor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
205
busted
|
|
| adj. 破产了的，失败了的，被降级的，被逮捕的，被抓到的 动词bust的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
206
scurrying
|
|
| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
207
acorns
|
|
| n.橡子，栎实( acorn的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
208
flopped
|
|
| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
209
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
210
scurried
|
|
| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
211
dilemma
|
|
| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
212
lodged
|
|
| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
213
dweller
|
|
| n.居住者，住客 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
214
dense
|
|
| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
215
squatted
|
|
| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
216
tilting
|
|
| 倾斜，倾卸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
217
talon
|
|
| n.爪；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
218
jugular
|
|
| n.颈静脉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
219
permeating
|
|
| 弥漫( permeate的现在分词 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
220
trauma
|
|
| n.外伤，精神创伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
221
spinal
|
|
| adj.针的，尖刺的，尖刺状突起的；adj.脊骨的，脊髓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
222
phantom
|
|
| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
223
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
224
congregated
|
|
| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
225
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
226
wincing
|
|
| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
227
bruises
|
|
| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
228
ruptures
|
|
| n.（体内组织等的）断裂( rupture的名词复数 )；爆裂；疝气v.（使）破裂( rupture的第三人称单数 )；（使体内组织等）断裂；使（友好关系）破裂；使绝交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
229
beavers
|
|
| 海狸( beaver的名词复数 )； 海狸皮毛； 棕灰色； 拼命工作的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
230
niches
|
|
| 壁龛( niche的名词复数 )； 合适的位置[工作等]； （产品的）商机； 生态位（一个生物所占据的生境的最小单位） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
231
rejuvenated
|
|
| 更生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
232
metallic
|
|
| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
233
debris
|
|
| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
234
shuffled
|
|
| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
235
grudgingly
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
236
plasma
|
|
| n.血浆，细胞质，乳清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
237
initially
|
|
| adv.最初，开始 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
238
strapping
|
|
| adj. 魁伟的, 身材高大健壮的 n. 皮绳或皮带的材料, 裹伤胶带, 皮鞭 动词strap的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
239
baton
|
|
| n.乐队用指挥杖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
240
ramming
|
|
| n.打结炉底v.夯实（土等）( ram的现在分词 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
241
tugged
|
|
| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
242
relinquished
|
|
| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
243
defensive
|
|
| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
244
talons
|
|
| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
245
venom
|
|
| n.毒液，恶毒，痛恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
246
glistened
|
|
| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
247
wary
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
248
groaned
|
|
| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
249
banter
|
|
| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
250
repartee
|
|
| n.机敏的应答 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
251
soothing
|
|
| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
252
unicorn
|
|
| n.(传说中的)独角兽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
253
flicker
|
|
| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
254
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
255
devastating
|
|
| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
256
flailing
|
|
| v.鞭打( flail的现在分词 )；用连枷脱粒；（臂或腿）无法控制地乱动；扫雷坦克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
257
lumbered
|
|
| 砍伐（lumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
258
pulped
|
|
| 水果的肉质部分( pulp的过去式和过去分词 )； 果肉； 纸浆； 低级书刊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
259
millennia
|
|
| n.一千年，千禧年 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
260
butting
|
|
| 用头撞人（犯规动作） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
261
ridge
|
|
| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
262
penetrate
|
|
| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
263
devastator
|
|
| n.蹂躏者，破坏者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
264
tattoo
|
|
| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
265
concussion
|
|
| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
266
spikes
|
|
| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
267
shard
|
|
| n.（陶瓷器、瓦等的）破片，碎片 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
268
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
269
gored
|
|
| v.（动物）用角撞伤，用牙刺破( gore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
270
toiled
|
|
| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
271
bloodied
|
|
| v.血污的( bloody的过去式和过去分词 )；流血的；屠杀的；残忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
272
jaw
|
|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
273
trolley
|
|
| n.手推车，台车；无轨电车；有轨电车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
274
devastated
|
|
| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
275
jettisoned
|
|
| v.抛弃，丢弃( jettison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |