[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
sides put up orbiting observation satellites which are destroyed with great regularity. The gully was
beginning to narrow uncomfortably when they entered a smaller version of the main base. Weaponry was
much in evidence and the proportion of Massood among the inhabitants considerably higher. But there
was still no sign of fellow Humans.
One made her presence known soon after they disembarked, pausing only long enough to exchange a
few words with the massive Chirinaldo as it was recharging its heliox-breather. Two silver stripes crossed
her uniform, running from the top of her left shoulder across her chest to disappear beneath her right arm.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Her skin was dark brown, her eyes and hair jet black. Will had expected someone tough, not beautiful.
On reflection he conceded that the two were not necessarily mutually exclusive.
I was told you were bringing an important visitor. She stared at Will while addressing the S van.
This is William Dulac.
Her eyebrows rose. So you the legendary Dulac. Legendary, Will thought bemusedly. I write music.
I m a composer, not a legend. She compounded his initial surprise by simultaneously shaking his hand
and leaning forward to kiss him hard and strong full on the lips. Though he d been anticipating a more
formal greeting he professed no objections. I m Captain Echevarria, Maria Echevarria. Her English
was as heavily accented as her enthusiasm and energy were contagious. Muy good to meet you, Señor
Dulac. Everyone in this place know your name.
He felt a sudden overpowering urge to climb back into the vehicle and demand to be returned to the
main base, thence to the ship and to Earth. This was what he had come for, and now that he d found it, it
wasn t at all what he d expected or hoped for. His confidence level underwent a sudden drop, and he
wasn t sure he wanted to probe further.
You re a captain? he found himself mumbling, unable to take his eyes from her.
Si. Isn t that amazing?
Where do you come from?
Mexico City. I originally went to the Coast to try and make some dinero, you know? My English pretty
good, verdad! Before he could reply she snapped something in S van to his guide, who replied in kind
and gratefully excused himself. Will looked after him as she slid an arm into his and dragged him away. It
good to be able to do this once in a while. Can do it in the ranks and still maintain order.
So you re a captain. He couldn t think of anything else to say. Not with her pressed tightly against him.
She was warm, but not soft. Sort of. We hav to make up our own ranks. They not much on rank here.
Suppervis& supervisorial positions, they call em. So I m a supervisor-captain.
Done pretty good for myself.
The corridor was busy with Hivistahm and O o yan and Massood. He even saw a solitary Bir rimor, but
no Humans.
Where s everybody else? And please don t call me a legend. You keedding? She slid her arm free
and lengthened her stride. You start all of this, you give those of us who are here this chance. If not for
you, none of us would be here. We d be back on Earth, doin whatever we d been doin when the
recruiters found us. She startled him by spitting derisively into a corner. You were in the Mexican
army? he ventured, utterly overwhelmed by her ebullience.
She laughed, a rich, knowing sound that echoed down the corridor. Who, me? You keedding? A
woman in the Mexican army? Don tell me you never hear of machismo, man. Where you from,
anyway?
New Orleans.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
I hear that s a great town. Someday maybe I geet there. But I got a job to do here first. It not so bad,
you know? They keep track of the gold you earn. At first everybody kind of suspicious about that, but
here nobody seem to try and cheat anybody else. They not innocent, just different morals. I think, maybe
better than ours.
They re willing to let you do their fighting for them. I m not sure yet how moral that is.
Yeah, well, everybody got to believe the way they want, right? Hey, don get me wrong. We not just
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]