James P. Hogan Giants 2 The Gentle Giants of Ganymede
James Clavell Asian Saga 03 King Rat
James Patterson Alex Cross 05 Pop Goes the Weasel
James Alan Gardner [League Of Peoples 03] Vigilant
James White SG 04 Ambulance Ship
Anne Hampson Petals Drifting [HP 44, MBS 212, MB 601] (pdf)
Diana Palmer Pewnego razu w Paryśźu
Jack Brighton Taken by the Vorinovs
Carol Lynne [Cattle Valley 27] Alone in a Crowd Ryan, Rio, Nate [TEB MM] (pdf)
William Shatner Tek War 4 Tek Vengeance
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
"A viral mixture like that could not have been
cooked up in an outlander's cellar." Thrush's voice
held no particular emotion or tone. "It required not
Page 109
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
only a deep understanding of how to breed micro-
organisms, but also the proper equipment. Then, of
course, there is the sophisticated nature of the devices
employed by the girl to breach our defenses. She had
exactly what she needed."
Lakesh clapped the respiration mask over his nose
and mouth, staring first at Thrush, then Kane, then
Grant and back to Thrush with his bright blue eyes.
He inhaled deeply for a few moments before remov-
ing it. "If you're working yourself up to make a
point, Field Marshal, 1 suggest you get to it. You
might have the all the time in the world, but mine is
strictly rationed."
''As you wish." Hooking his thumbs into his belt,
Thrush allowed a faint but mocking smile to play
over his lips. "I suspect the rebel activity around
Mount Rushmore is nothing more than a feint, to
focus military attention there instead of what is going
on right under our :noses... metaphorically speaking
of course."
"Of course," Lakesh echoed sarcastically. "And
what might be going on right under our noses?"
The smile on Thrush's face suddenly broadened.
He turned his head and stared directly at Kane. "An-
other time, Administrator," he said deliberately.
"Another time."
He continued to gaze at Kane as if to gauge his
reaction to his words. They meant nothing to him.
Yet, whispered the inner voice that had plagued
him for the last hour.
Lakesh cackled. "I don t have much time left."
Thrush returned his attention to the man in the
wheelchair. "You don't appear to find that prospect
disturbing."
"On the contrary. 1 find it quite liberating."
Thrush nodded to him perfunctorily and addressed
Kane. "Major, tomorrow you will accompany a troop
to pacify the Roamers encamped in the vicinity of
Mount Rushmore."
Kane's eyes widened in surprise and disquiet.
"You're dispatching the Rapier Legion to scatter a
group of outlander scum?"
"I made no mention of the Legion," Thrush re-
torted coldly. "No, Lieutenant Colonel Salvo will
command a troop of the Battle Class genotype. Look
at it as a training exercise. You will go with him as
his executive officer. Allow the troopers to do all the
fighting, if there is any. You and Salvo are there pri-
marily as observers, but don't let any of the enemy
escape."
Kane's nape hairs pickled with suspicion. "Isn't
such an action usually assigned to the regional pro-
vost marshals?" He forced himself to add hastily,
"Sir."
Thrush regarded him speculatively. "First a sense
of humor, then an attitude bordering on insubordi-
nation. You're displaying a wide range of new be-
haviors tonight, Major. Intriguing how you've kept
them hidden from me during the fifteen years you
served in my command."
Page 110
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
Kane shifted his feet uncomfortably. "I apologize,
sir. I didn't intend to be insubordinate. I was merely
curious."
"Which is another characteristic you've managed
to keep in check-until tonight. I suggest you revert
to old habits."
Thrush pivoted on the ball of his right foot and
marched away, past Lakesh, down the passageway.
Kane stared after him, loathing him and wondering
why. The field marshal's orders had irritated him a
few times in the past, but he had always respected
his superior officer.
Lakesh laughed, a harsh bitter sound. "What's the
problem, Major Kane? Having an attack of indepen-
dent thought? I've tried and tried to breed it out of
your particular genotype, but it keeps cropping back
up, like the measles."
Lakesh turned his wobbling head toward Brigid.
"I don't believe I've met this lovely lady before."
She nodded to him deferentially. "Captain Bap-
tiste. However, I think we might have met some-
where. I just can't recall it."
"I'd recall meeting a woman like you." Lakesh
cackled again, and it turned into a coughing fit.
He fit the oxygen mask over his face, breathed
deeply, took it away and asked, "Major Grant, what
exactly happened to the prisoner?"
"She committed suicide," he replied brusquely,
"with a wand."
Lakesh winced and he murmured, "Poor child. I
had hoped-" He stopped speaking, clamping his
lips tight over his toothless mouth.
"Hoped what?" Grant demanded.
Putting on the respirator again, Lakesh gestured
impatiently, back toward the way they had come.
They hesitated, then walked in the direction of his
arm waves.
Gusting out a weary sigh, Grant said, "Thanks for
covering for me back there, Kane."
"You would have done the same for me," Kane
replied distractedly.
Grant eyed him in disbelief. "I don't know what
would have given you that idea."
With a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach,
Kane realized he didn't know either.
The three of them marched back along the pas-
sageway, and once more Kane was assailed with the
sensation they had done this before, in the very same
placer-but they hadn't been walking, they'd been
running for their lives.
Back in the main corridor, they met Salvo, who
stared sourly at a pair of attendants dragging a body
bag along the floor.
"Just carry it," he snapped at them. "The little
whore couldn't weigh more than a hundred pounds."
One of the attendants replied sulkily, "A living [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
