"Jacqueline Lichtenberg - Sime Gen 01 - House of Zeor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

Scanned by Highroller.

Proofed more or less by Highroller.

Made prettier by MollyKate's/Cinnamon's style sheet.

CHAPTER ONE
Assignment
HUGH VALLEROY PACED BACK AND FORTH, HEEDLESS OF the
muddy water he was splashing onto the boots of the District Director of
Federal Police.

The director, Stacy Hawkins, huddled under a meager ledge watching
his best field operative quietly going to pieces. The two men had been
waiting in the icy October night's rain for more than half an hour.
Hawkins was well aware that New Washington would have his head if this
mission didn't succeed. That success depended on Hugh Valleroy's
unflinching nerve.

Beyond the distant riverbank, a horse nickered. The flooding waters
tore savagely at the tiny island on which they waited. Another horse raised
an answering cry. Valleroy stopped in his tracks, head whipping toward
the sound… on the Sime Territory side of the river.

"Don't worry," said Hawkins. "The only way onto this island is through
the Ancient tunnel. Only Klyd knows the entrance point on their side."

Valleroy resumed pacing. Tonight he'd travel the other branch of that
tunnel… into Sime Territory… to search for Aisha. No, he corrected the
thought, to find her.

"Hugh, will you stop that infernal splashing!"

Valleroy brought his boots together and ceased walking. "Yes, sir."

Thirty seconds of watching Valleroy's spare frame poised as if straining
for release made Hawkins snap, "Oh, go run around if it makes you feel
better! But don't splash me!"

Valleroy sloshed restlessly about the small clearing, craning his neck as
if he could penetrate the midnight darkness and spot the approaching
Sime. "Stacy, he's not coming."

"He'll come. He's dependable as sunrise."

"He'd have to be crazy to come out in weather like this!"

"Weather doesn't bother Simes. You, of all people, should know that."

Valleroy rounded on his boss, voice dangerously low. "What do you