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the tip of the weapon. The othersmurmured their approval. "He had already cut himself open by the time we ar-rived. I ended for him as second, so he would not cry outand thus be shamed. Nara's honor was preserved." The others expressed their approval and, to lan's ears,sounded happy. "Then it is time to take communion with Nara's honor,"Gregor intoned ceremonially. "Let these others be takento a place of waiting, for the Father must be prayed to:A decision must be made." They were led away by their female interrogator, andas he watched them while leaving the room, Ian had abad feeling about what a "communion with Nara's honor"really meant. Ian looked over to Elijah and saw that he was smilinghungrily. "Well, this is another fine mess you've gotten us into,Ian," Ellen said wearily. Ian looked up at Ellen and smiled weakly. "Can't you lay off him for a little while?" Stasz inter-jected. "Why are you defending him all of a sudden?" "Because I have a feeling all our butts are going to be fried in this one, and in spite of his screw-up in bringingus here, I have to say he really hasn't done all that bad." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html Page 90 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Ian looked up at Stasz and nodded his thanks. Richard and Shelley were asleep on a low cot set intothe far corner of the room. His heavy arm was drapedprotectively over Shelley's shoulder, but she didn't seemto mind and had drifted off to sleep hours ago. How long they had been in the holding cell was only a guess. It had already been indicated to them that their respective roles had easily been ascertained by a searchof the Discovery, and after that one bit of communication,not another word of information had been exchanged. Much to lan's surprise, they had been allowed theirpersonal possessions, so he had his pocket computer and the alien artifact, which he had quickly explained as areligious medallion. Only Elijah seemed unperturbed by the situation. Hewas explaining that "to be locked up with even one otherperson is my idea of paradise," when the door to theircell opened noiselessly. Only a single guard stood there the white-robed one they had called Gregor. He pointed to Ian then beckoned for him to follow. Ian suddenly felt as if the decision over their fate hadbeen made. They must have discovered by now the op-erational and repair manuals stored in the ship's com-puters. With just a little research work they should beable to replicate the Discovery; therefore there was no need any longer for the Earthmen's "unclean" bodies tobe kept alive. Ian stood up and attempted to maintain his dignity. Hegently shook hands with Stasz and Elijah and lightlytouched Ellen on the shoulder. "Should I wake up Richard and Shelley?" Ellen asked.There was a choke in her voice. He shook his head. "I don't think I could handle theupset; you better not. If I don't come back, tell Shelley I really regret not sleeping with her. It's been hard notto, but tell her I fought down the nearly overwhelming desire because I didn't want to create any friction aboardship." He tried to chuckle. Ian looked at Ellen and smiled. "Maybe I should havemade a pass at you, as well." "Go on, get out of here." She turned away. Ian walked out of the room and Gregor beckoned forhim to proceed down the corridor. "Are you going to kill me?" Ian suddenly asked. "We all die. Death is an illusion, only honor and nameremain. When you die, Ian Lacklin, try to leave morebehind than a puddle on the floor." Suspecting that Gregor was laughing, Ian looked backover his shoulder, but his features were solemn and Ianrealized that he had been perfectly serious. "I do not hate you, Ian Lacklin, but I would not gain honor by slaying thee. I know that there is honor in you,in spite of what your outward appearance might tell. Gainhonor and then the slaying of you would be worthy forone such as myself." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html What the hell is this guy talking about? Ian wondered.If gaining honor is the ticket to this man's sword, thenforget it. "I know what you are thinking, Ian Lacklin, but I be-lieve that you will understand, as well, and will in the endembrace your honor and die for it." Gregor touched Ian on the shoulder and motioned forhim to stop. The chimelike sound that Ian had heard in the audiencehall was drifting on the edge of hearing, but his attention was diverted by the procession coming his way from theother end of the corridor. Gregor backed to the wall andIan followed his example to let the procession pass. They numbered nearly a hundred, each of them robed. Somewere dark as ebony, others paler, a few had Gregor'sAsiatic features. It seemed as if half a dozen races hadbeen blended together during the millennium and a com- Page 91 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html posite of all had been melded into one, with the blackhaving a slight dominance. They walked with a certain assured grace, male and female alike. Not one lookedsidelong at him, so perfect was their discipline. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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