"Colin Kapp - The Survival Game" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kapp Colin)

"What!" Xzan rose swiftly to the defense. "My vocabulary admits no
such word as 'surrender.' "

"Does it have a term for complete annihilation?" asked Bogaert quietly.

"The concept exists—for application to enemies and weaklings."

"But not for yourselves?"
 "You're bluffing, Colonel. The game's still open."

"Yet can be won by a single move."

"What's that?" Oontara crossed to the board with some surprise. "If I've
victory, I've yet to see its form."

"You don't have victory. But there's a move that could assure it."

"Which?"

Bogaert turned from the board with a slightly apologetic smile. "I fear
to spoil the game for my Lords."

"I'll risk it—if Xzan will also."

"An empty threat's no risk." Xzan was strong with contempt. "I'll treble
the stake—no, raise it tenfold."

"A hundredfold?" queried Oontara.

"Done! Come on, painted warrior! Show our vacillating star king how
empty the words of his champions are."

Bogaert glanced at Rounding. The Commissioner nodded almost
imperceptibly. With one finger, the Colonel moved a small blue token one
square.

Xzan's first expression of jubilation faded as he attempted to complete
his play. Whichever way he turned, his losses mounted exponentially. His
greatest strengths became his overwhelming liabilities. Even the structure
of numbers seemed to join in a conspiracy against him. Finally, he had to
admit a defeat more crushing than any he had ever before suffered on the
gaming board. He turned to Bogaert, and there was a new line of
speculation across his evil brow.

"Only once in a million games could such a sequence happen. You,
Colonel Bogey, were incredibly lucky."

"I'll not deny it. But had that piece of luck not been available, I'd never
have played."