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Dr. Nubar can leave. Mr. Steward and I are about to begin discussion of things for which they do not possess the Proper clearance. Steward laughed. Right. Grownup talk now. The boys and girls may leave. Curzon continued unruffled. Thank you both. Wandis, I think you can go home. Dr. Nubar, I d like you to wait at your station in case I need you. file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui...20Williams%20-%20Voice%20 of%20the%20Whirlwind.html (370 of 423)23-2-2006 20:24:59 Williams, Walter Jon - Voice of the Whirlwind There were the sounds of feet, a door opening, more feet, a door closing. Pain filled Steward s eyes, his brain. He wondered if he d just wrecked Wandis s career. If Curzon thought she believed him, it was possible she d be under suspicion in case she tried to avenge the Alpha, or spread a scandal about his death. Page 165 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html That was stupid of him, if that was what he d just done. He was going to have to attempt better control. With the pain and the lights and the speed they d just shot into him, control was going to be difficult to achieve. He began breathing, trying to use his training, establish control of himself. I have no tactics , he thought. I make existence and the void my tactics. The floodlights died, and Steward breathed his relief. Their brightness still burned behind his lids. The pain in his head receded slightly. He heard Curzon moving, sitting in the chair Wandis had used, clearing his throat again. I have no talent. I make a quick mind my talent. The blaze slowly faded from Steward s vision. He opened his eyes, saw Curzon frowning down at him. There was a plastic headset on his balding skull, electrodes pressed against the skin, allowing him, Steward assumed, to monitor the readouts connected to Steward s body and brain. I have no castle. The immutable spirit is my castle. You are correct in one thing, Curzon said. I had your Alpha file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui...20Williams%20-%20Voice%20 of%20the%20Whirlwind.html (371 of 423)23-2-2006 20:24:59 Williams, Walter Jon - Voice of the Whirlwind killed. Steward s mind flooded with surprise, followed instantly by suspicion. If Curzon was this open, there was a reason. I hope it didn t cost you too much paperwork, Steward said. There were overriding reasons, Curzon said, which you cannot appreciate. I have no sword , Steward thought, and the thought was triumphant. From the state which is above and beyond, from thought I make my sword. Steward barked a laugh. I can appreciate bacteriological attacks on an alien race. I can appreciate a Brigadier-Director having a colleague assassinated after successfully completing a dangerous mission. I can appreciate the value of a man as cynical and evil as de Prey. He glared at Curzon. I am not lacking appreciation for the details of your business. So tell me your reasons. Maybe I can appreciate them, too. Curzon reached with his good hand into his pocket for a tissue and blew his nose, then leaned back in his chair and looked at Steward. He still wore a fairly abstracted frown, looking like a middle-aged exec working at a difficult acrostic, a purely intellectual problem. Your Alpha, Curzon said, went to his death with a certain grace. Death was what he wanted, Steward he never convinced himself he should have survived Sheol. But he wanted an honorable death, and he wanted to accomplish certain tasks file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20krui...20Williams%20-%20Voice%20 of%20the%20Whirlwind.html (372 of 423)23-2-2006 20:24:59 Williams, Walter Jon - Voice of the Whirlwind beforehand. The de Prey mission, mainly. I think he was happy when he died. Nice of you to help him along. When you kill me, I suppose you ll be doing me a favor as well. Perhaps I will not kill you. Perhaps not. Spoken as if the possibility was somehow intriguing. Salesman genes, Steward thought. Lies built right into the DNA. If I cooperate, he said. Page 166 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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