"Frank Herbert - The Green Brain" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

'So they say.'
'But this area's Green,' Rhin said. And she wondered at her sudden feelings of dismay.
Martinho pushed himself up and away from the divan.
Chen-Lhu's face betrayed a strange watchfulness as he looked up at the bandeirante jefe.
'You will excuse me, please, Rhin Kelly?' Martinho asked.
'Where are you going?' she asked.
'There is work.'
'One chigger?' Chen-Lhu asked. 'Are you sure is isn't a mistake?'
'No mistake, senhor,' Ramon said.
'Is there no facility for taking care of such accidents, then?' Rhin asked. 'Obviously we've
a stowaway that's come into the Green on some sort of cargo or ... '
'Perhaps not,' Martinho said. He nodded to Vierho. 'Get the men. I will need especially
Thome for the truck and Lon to manage the lights.'
'At once, Jefe.' Vierho bounced up and headed across the room towards the other
Irmandades.
'What do you mean - perhaps not?' Chen-Lhu asked.
'This is one of the new ones about which you refuse to believe,' Martinho said. He turned
to Ramon. 'Go with Vierho, please.'
'Yes, Jefe.'
 Ramon turned with an almost military precision, strode in Vierho's wake.
'You will explain, please?' Chen-Lhu said.
'This is described as an acid-shooter and almost a half meter long,' Martinho said.
'Impossible!' Chen-Lhu snorted.
Rhin shook her head. 'No chigger could possibly ... '
'This is a bandeirante joke,' Chen-Lhu said.
'As you wish, senhor,' Martinho said. 'You have seen the acid scar on Vierho's cheek? This
too was produced by such a joke.' He turned, bowed to Rhin. 'Your forgiveness, Senhorita?'
Rhin stood up. A chigger almost half a meter long!
The odd rumors she'd heard half a world away reached out and touched her now, filling
her with a sense of unreality. There were physical limits. Such a thing could not be. Or could
it? She was all entomologist now. Logic and training took over. This was a matter which
might be proved or disproved in just a few minutes. Less than a block away, the man had
said. In the Plaza. And certainly Chen-Lhu wouldn't want her to disengage herself from Joao
Martinho quite this early.
'We are going with you, of course,' she said.
'Of course,' Chen-Lhu said, rising.
Rhin slipped an arm beneath Martinho's. 'Show me this fantastic chigger, if you please,
Senhor Martinho.'
Martinho placed a hand over hers, felt an electric sensation of warmth. What a disturbing
woman! 'Please,' he said. 'You are so lovely, and the thought of what the acid of this ... '
'I'm certain we'll be quite safe from a rumor,' Chen-Lhu said. 'Will you lead the way,
please, Johnny?'
Martinho sighed. The unbelievers were so stubborn - but this was a chance to reach into a
high place with inescapable evidence of what most bandeirantes already knew. Yes; District
Director Chen-Lhu should come. Indeed, he must come. Reluctantly, Martinho transferred
Rhin's arm to Chen-Lhu. 'Of course you will come,' he said. 'But please keep the lovely Rhin
Kelly well to the rear, senhor. Rumors sometimes develop a terrible sting.'
'We will take every necessary precaution,' Chen-Lhu said. The jibe in his voice was quite
apparent.
Martinho's men already were headed for the door. He turned, strode after them, ignoring