"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 29 - Angado" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

The cyber leaned back as the raft headed toward town. High
above, a winged shape glided, others wheeling close. Small birds
feeding on airborne seeds, mindless creatures operating on a
plane of sheer instinct but, for a moment, he envied them.
Remembering the freedom of the skies, the rush of wind, the
thrum of pinions, the surging impact of alien emotions. Then he
had known hate and fear and anger and, yes, even concern. He
had known the burning flame of passion and, at the end, he had
experienced death.

Watching him, Cardor felt a mounting unease. He was young,
taken and trained by the Cyclan, yet still to don the scarlet robe
which was the mark of a cyber. He might never wear it. Not all
acolytes made the grade. Some continued to work in subordinate
capacities but the majority quietly vanished from sight, erased
by the touch of oblivion.

He said, "I did what I could, master. As I was ordered to do."

By Tron who had demonstrated his inefficiency. Who had
escaped his punishment by extinction.

"Tell me again what happened."

Unnecessary repetition, every detail was clear in Avro's mind
as the acolyte knew. As he also knew that, in making the
demand, the cyber had put him on trial. The next few minutes
would decide his fate.

"I arrived with Cyber Tron on Baatz fifteen days ago. We
stayed at the Dubedat Hotel. He was in contact with an agent in
the circus of Chen Wei. The man had reported that Dumarest
was attached to the circus and could be captured. Cyber Tron
visited the circus but neither Dumarest nor the agent was
present. He made a second visit later. That is when he died."

"And you?"

"Obeying orders, I stayed in town. To meet you should you
arrive and report on what was happening. When Cyber Tron
failed to return I made inquiries at the circus. There I learned of
the accident." Cardor paused, reliving the incident, recognizing
its importance. "The owner, Tayu Shakira, explained what had
happened. An animal had gone berserk, broken free of its cage
and had run amok. A klachen. It—"

"I know what it is. Continue."

"Its keeper, Valaban, had been killed. Cyber Tron and
Dumarest also. There were witnesses."