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to two hundred and thirty-three. Still no Lia. You know, Reed, ever since I first clapped eyes on
Maynard, I have had the odd feeling that everything is off-beam.
 Listen to this, I received this less than an hour ago. You remember the dream Maynard had about that
wonderful planet? It exists, the co-ordinates were correct. We sent a ship to find out or, more correctly,
Survey did. It was too late, of course. The planet had been legally claimed by an Enemy Corporation
calling itself Planetary Development Limited.
 That, however, is not the point. When our ship went in and, incidentally, found the bay and the
mountains described, a rather curious discrepancy cropped up. These Survey men, as you probably
know, give an official report and, then, a personal description which is quite unrestrained. It is, I
understand, later studied by psychiatrists who, presumably, draw all sorts of profound conclusions from
it.
 This is the personal report, listen to it. He touched a switch:
 I am now standing in the exact spot recently occupied by Hollis. It puzzles me what he found to rave
about. As far as I am concerned, he can have and keep it. This place gives me the creeps plus.
 His geographical descriptions are exact but the feeling is all wrong. The mountains are as huge as
described but, to me, oppressive and in some vague way ominous.
 It is true that the jungle is golden but it has an unpleasant oily sheen and bits fly off those tattered flying
things as if they were rotting in mid-air.
 The creatures with ruby eyes are, or seem to be, semi-liquid and make me feel sick.
 The stink, both from the jungle and the sea, is incredible and so revolting that one tries not to inhale too
deeply.
 The colour of the ocean is correct but looks downright stagnant. Wisps and swirls of vapour cling to its
surface as far as the eye can see and periodically a huge oily bubble appears on the surface and breaks
with a dull plopping sound. Maybe Hollis can see jewels in one of these but I'm damned if I can "
Sandling snapped it off.  What can you make of that? Reed frowned, pulling at his ear.  One thing does
occur to me. When Maynard dreamed, he was seeing things through Hollis's eyes."
 What does that prove?"
 I'm not claiming that it proves anything but I have the thought often that the Enemy must see things
differently and feel things differently."
 What gave you that idea?"
 Surely it's obvious? Could you kill men, women and children in cold blood? Could you practice
extortion by threat and violence without feeling a pang of remorse?"
Sandling thought about it, frowning:  They look like human beings, certainly, but their thought processes
must be different, mustlack something."
He shook his head irritably.  Damn you, you're getting me thinking not that it helps to prove
anything but when one stops to consider These men take courses in hypno-education, they employ
elocution tutors but to me they always sound semi-articulate. Mentally, they still spell culture with a  K
and claw desperately at nothing for what they call  class'. They think opulence is good taste, gold cutlery
aesthetic and brazen vulgarity, confidence. Once, centuries ago, I'm told, the criminal had redeeming
features, but not any more. He stopped, scowling in front of him.  This is pure supposition. He changed
the subject abruptly.  It's not finding Maynard, is it? I suppose I'd better give the computer the
directories of every damn planet in the Empire."
 In which case, Maynard isn't running anywhere, said Reed quietly.  He would  He stopped
suddenly, frowning.  I have just thought who wouldn't be in the directory, sir. I wouldn't, you wouldn't,
not under our own names, we're classified, technically we don't exist."
 You mean to say she might be one of us! Sandling's cheeks appeared to swell slightly. Then, slightly
shocked,  It could be, couldn't it? I'll check. He touched a switch.  Authorization 6D, delete directory
search for Lia Sternway and check classification lists for the same name."
The reply came so quickly, it was almost insulting."Lia Steinway alias Dorothy Vilo. Radiologist,
Technical Institute. White, female, aged twenty-seven years, six months, four days "
They waited impatiently for the address and, as soon as they got it, Sanding said:  How long will it take
you to get there?"
Reed shrugged.  Normally it would take two hours, but to throw off anyone who might recognize me and
follow, say eight. What's the procedure?"
 The powers-that-be want him alive."
Reed laughed bitterly.  Oh, I can pick him up alive. Canyou guarantee I'll get him back in the same
condition?"
When Reed finally arrived, the obvious course seemed to seek admission. Lia Sternway lived in a small
but select and, incidentally, Security-checked, neutral apartment block not far from the Institute.
With his hand casually in his pocket, he pressed the caller stud. If he could get a gun on her, probably
Maynard would cave in. They were not tactics he approved of, savouring too much of Enemy methods
but it was preferable to shooting it out. Narco-darts were no match for a machine pistol.
 Don't turn around, old friend, said a familiar voice behind him.  Lift your hands very slowly and very
carefully above your head and walk over here."
Reed, realizing he had no choice, obliged.
 Thank you, the gun. The ring on the floor, please yes, and the pen. Better turn everything out of your
pockets thank you."
Maynard indicated a chair.  Do sit down. Don't mind if I use your restraint cuffs, do you? I feel more
comfortable with you fixed to the chair. He grinned.  That's better, just one hand out of
commission drink?"
 Whisky. Reed looked sour.  That was quick."
 Not really, we just switched apartments to the opposite sides of the corridor but the caller stud rings in
here."
 Smart. Reed accepted the drink ungraciously.
A woman came into the room and Maynard said:  We have a visitor, darling, uninvited. He introduced
them. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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