"Alan Dean Foster - Flinx 16 - Snakes Eyes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

Together the three of them walked over the ridge and started down the opposite side. As soon as they
did so, a pair of tall thin shapes started climbing down the rock ramparts.


file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...n%20Foster%20-%20Flinx%2016%20-%20Snakes%20Eyes.htm (16 of 31)19-2-2006 17:10:40
 Foster, Alan Dean - Commonwealth 16 - Flinx - Snakes Eyes (SS) (v1.0)

"Not human. You were right, Savaya." Wuwit thoughtfully regarded the two figures, noticed a third join
them in descending. "Chikasacasoo ornithorpes, I think."

Michelos looked at his friend in disbelief, then back across the plain. "What are those birds doing out
here!"

The same Thing we are, idiot," Savaya told him.

When the two groups were roughly five meters apart, the aliens halted. "Is cclose enough for
preempttory disccussion, I thinkk," said the lead creature. He held his beamer loosely cradled under one
delicate arm. "I singg tthe name of Pimbab. Tthese are my remainingg companions, Kisovp and Ttor.
Boonoom and Lessu-whim were botth recckkless and panicckky durring tthe fightting. Bad ccombinattion
when facing ones of your markksmanship." The inflexible beak could not form anything so facile as a
smile, but Savaya had the impression of one. "I feel tthatt should increase odds of nexxtt kkill in our
favor."

"Forget this business of killing each other. That won't profit anybody. What are you doing out here in
Dead-Place-on-Map?" Wuwit wondered.

"Same as you, if I singg tthis sittuattion rightt." Pimbab's head bobbed gracefully on the long stem of a
neck. "I was drinkking att a sttall in Drallar when tthere was menttion nearby me of hallowseyes. Being
something of a gem fancier—"

"Yeah, we're real big gem fanciers ourselves," Michelos broke in.

"There's nothing to be gained by killing one another," said Wuwit forcefully, despite his high voice. "I
think a temporary alliance would be a good idea."

"Just a second," said Savaya, "who's in charge of this—"

Pimbab did not let her finish. "I singg likkewise, man." He gestured with a willowy limb across the dry
riverbed. "They have reached ccover now and whill be much hardder tto disloddge. Ttwo or tthree of us
would have a difficcultt ttime doing so. Five should do much bettter. If cconversattion I overheard was
half ttrue, tthere should be much plentty wealtth for all of us."

"Yeah, suits me." Michelos nodded. "Makes sense. Money's no good to a dead man... or bird."

"Well, I don't agree." Savaya looked furious. "I still think we're better off operating separately."

Wuwit eyed her strangely. "Maybe you're right, Savaya."

"And you," she snapped, "just remember who started this when—"