[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

"You're also good with the words." Sylvia's laugh was almost bell-like.
"Is your friend Fridrik around somewhere?"
"His office is the third down, but he is not there. I believe he has returned
to Clava for several weeks." Sonderssen looked at the door. "It has been
pleasant seeing you once more."
"And you, too," lied Nathaniel.
Sylvia offered a slight bow, which the trade factor returned. Fridrik
VonHaIsne was not only absent, his office was closed and locked. "Not good,"
murmured Sylvia.
"Not at all. So . . . was it Sonderssen or Sebastion or Kennis that put the
touch on Oconnor?"
"What do you think?"
"Sebastion. I think he told Oconnor that he'd never see another cent from the
growers or the big ag interests if he said a single meaningful word to us.
That's only a guess."
"I'd have to second chat, but it's only feel."
Page 97
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
"What a pair! Guesses and feelings, and the sky's about to fall."
"At least we know that." They exchanged wry smiles.
Port Chief Walkerson was waiting by the groundcar when the Ecolitans returned.
"Things are getting nasty. Whaler. You didn't catch your boat ride with one of
the FitzReiUys, did you?"
"As a matter of fact, we did. Why?"
"Someone just fired their barge this morning while they were loading. They
were both killed, and it's a flaming mess-raw synde oil in the river, a grass
fire . . ." He shook his head. "Sebastion Reeves-Kenn denies being involved,
but he claims that it's a blessing in disguise, that the pods carried this
synde bean plague. He says it's been ravaging the Imperial planets, and even
Halstan. You know anything about that?"
Nathaniel pursed his lips. Synde bean plague on Artos? How had it ever gotten
across four sectors? "You look like you know something."
"Oh . . . I do. There's been a bean plague in the EmpireHeraculon, as I
recall-but I couldn't figure how it could get here, and none of the plants I
saw looked diseased, although I Wouldn't know one plant disease from another."
"Well. . . Sebastion wants me to set Oconnor on it, and quarantine the small
growers' fields. He was almost screaming." Nathaniel shook his head. Now what?
"And by the way, old chap, just for the record, where have you been today?"
"We spent most of the morning at the biomonitoring station-or going to it and
returning. We had a long discussion with Dr. Oconnor." Whaler didn't mention
the visit to Sonderssen's small office, or the attempt to see VonHaIsne,
although Walkerson could certainly see where they had been.
"Good. Good. Terrible business, this. Do you two know anything more about
this?"
"The FitzReilly woman told us that they carried cargoes for both the small
growers and beef for R-K Enterprises. She said that the larger haulers
overcharged the small growers."
"That's all?"
"We got a lot of information on barge traffic patterns and capacities."
"Port Chief," added Sylvia, "you might remember that we had walked some
fifteen kays before we found the barge, and it was the end of a long day. We
collapsed and slept most of the trip back to Lanceville."
"Right . . . forgot about that. Well . . . let me know if you think of
anything." He paused. "Are you sure you don't know more about this bean plague
thing?"
"Walker," said Nathaniel tiredly, "I told you. I'm an economist. I wouldn't
know one plant disease from another."
"Well, I had to ask." The Ecolitan just nodded.
"Now what?" asked Sylvia, as Walkerson marched back coward his office.
"We might as well get something to eat. Bagot needs it, and so do we." They
needed more than that, but a solid late lunch was a start.
XXIV
Nathaniel slipped into the bed in the darkness. "Not again," whispered Sylvia.
"We talked over everything before."
"You know I think we need to get out of here while it's still relatively safe
and possible. Do you think I'm overreacting?" He touched her shoulder.
"Yes, but you're male." Then she giggled and whispered, "I'm sorry. I couldn't
resist, and I don't mean that the way you think."
"How did . . . do-"
"After four attempts on our lives, is anywhere safe?"
"New Avalon is likely to be safer than it will be here, once open fighting
breaks out."
"You don't think this is really a fight between the large and small growers,
do you?" She twisted, and her lips brushed his ear.
"Really?" He tried not to shiver, and forced himself to concentrate on his
words, not her warmth and closeness. "It is, but they haven't all the
Page 98
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
resources they need. Sebastions as worried about Kennis as he is the small
growers. I think the outsystem types who do have the resources don't want to
complicate things at the moment. They'd rather pick up the pieces. That's what
I'm gambling on. Things will have to gee messy. New Avalon won't want to spend
the credits . . . so they'll get messier."
"And then someone will step in with their snow-white ships of mercy, so to
speak?" Her hand massaged the back of his neck, and he tried to resist the
impulse to draw her closer.
"I believe that's the agenda. So the sooner-and safer-we can get to New
Avalon, the better our chances to head this off."
"I thought you-we-were here to do a study. Not in my bed, either,"
"I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep, and I wanted to talk this over."
"That's not all you want."
"No. But I'm not asking or insisting on anything else." He cook a long slow,
quiet breath. "Stop puffing in my ear."
"Sorry." He swallowed. "We will do the study, but . . . we're also here to
stop what could turn into a mess, with the Institute being blamed for it all."
"You're stretching." Sylvia shook her head, close enough to his face that he
could smell the trilia . . . and her. "Just how does this impact Accord and
the Institute?"
"Someone wants the study. We show up. A revolt or something starts. The bodies
of two Institute members are found. One has a nasty reputation, and the other
is a former I.I.S. agent. Whoever's behind this then accuses New Avalon of
throwing in with the ecologic butchers of Accord and the Empire, and uses that
to justify liberating the poor oppressed small folks."
"You really think people will fall for that?"
"Smart people wont, but there aren't many of them in any society, and
politicians live by the numbers." He found his hand massaging her shoulder and
moving downward. "Besides, rationality is usually only used to develop logical
arguments to support existing beliefs and prejudices."
"You are cynical."
"Realistic," he whispered. "About some things."
"We'll also not tell Walkerson until we have to."
"That's realistic," she conceded. "Very realistic."
Her Fingers ran along his cheek. "Things are going to get worse."
"Probably."
"I think so, too." Then her lips were on his.
XXV
At the rapping on the door, Nathaniel crossed the room from the fresher
wearing his greens but still barefoot. "Who's that?" Sylvia peered through the
connecting door. She was already fully dressed, so efficient that he felt
sluggish. He shrugged and said in a low voice, "I don't know." Then he raised
his voice: "Yes?"
"A call for you from the Port Authority, sir."
"I'll be right there." He sat in the chair and yanked on socks and boots. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

  • zanotowane.pl
  • doc.pisz.pl
  • pdf.pisz.pl
  • szkla.opx.pl

    •