"Charles Stross - Duat" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stross Charles)

"Yes."

She was about to apologize and backtrack hastily, when she felt a sudden sharp bite on
one hand. Glancing down, she saw nothing there: was it psychosomatic? As she tried to
work it out she stumbled into a memory of the jungle, where one of the trees had lashed
her in her progress. That had bitten her, too, like the first stunning sight of Radiant
Progress Number Six Factory from the air.

"I thought we were here, in this system, to stop the genocide. Isn't that right? But what I
see -- this isn't a low cost installation, is it? You've invested in a small scale colony, here.
This station, it's far bigger than a quick rescue mission would need. Isn't it?"

"Yes." The Boss stared at her, a greasy cowlick of hair shadowing his eyes. They glittered
like rubies, digital fires flickering in their depths.

"So?" Oshi shrugged uncomfortably. "There's a hidden agenda. Not just maintenance on
the Dreamtime?"

The Boss stirred on his throne, attention focussed entirely on Oshi as she stood before
him. Gargoyles atop the flying butresses opened their dark eyes and stared down at her.
"You never asked any questions before."

"What is the agenda behind this mission? The truth, please."

The Boss's body tensed, massive fists clenching on the arms of the throne. Oshi heard the

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2: In the Duat

sound of wood shattering. Elsewhere, deep in the core of the station, processor elements
ran wild beneath a heavy load of cognition. Like all Superbrights, the Boss kept nine
tenths of his personality elsewhere, scattered across the Dreamtime.

"Why do you ask this now, of all times?"

I can't go back, she realised, heart thumping. It didn't make things any easier. "Because I
would like to know the truth."

"The truth won't set you free," warned the Boss.

"Let me be the judge of that." Oshi stared back at him impudently, jaw clenched to stop
her teeth from chattering. She had a vague idea what a Superbright could do to her. It was
messy: nothing like sharp, clean shrapnel. "I don't trust you any more."

"What a shame for you." The Boss smiled again: this time his expression was truly
frightening. "I really would advise you not to persist in this, Oshi. I thought things were
going swimmingly for you, but I must confess this unpleasantness takes me quite by
surprise. Whatever can be wrong?"

"You sent me into hell to bring back a demon's head, and now I'd like a receipt. You can