"Alastair Reynolds - A Spy In Europa" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Alastair)

their dark depth. The creature had touched him with one of its arms, which

terminated in an obscenely human hand. And then - to compound the horror -

it spoke, its voice perfectly clear and calm, despite the water.

"We've been expecting you, Vargovic."

The others behind murmured, echoing the sentiment.

"What?"

"So glad you were able to complete your mission."

Vargovic began to get a grip, shakily. He reached up and dislodged the

Denizen's hand from his shoulder. "You aren't why I'm here," he said,

forcing authority into his voice, drawing on every last drop of Gilgamesh

training to suppress his nerves. "I wanted to know about about you... that

was all..."

"No," the lead Denizen said, opening its mouth to expose an alarming array

of teeth. "You misunderstand. Coming here was always your mission. You

have brought us something we want very much. That was always your

purpose."

"Brought you something?" His mind was reeling now.

"Concealed within you." The Denizen nodded; a human gesture which only

served to magnify the horror of what it was. "The means by which we will

strike at the Demarchy; the means by which we will take the ocean."

He thought of the chips in his hands. "I think I understand," he said

slowly. "It was always intended for you, is that what you mean?"
"Always."

Then he'd been lied to by his superiors - or they had at least drastically

simplified the matter. He filled in the gaps himself, making the necessary

mental leaps: evidently Gilgamesh was already in contact with the Denizens