"A. E. Van Vogt - The Weapon Makers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

Thirteen

Fourteen

Fifteen

Sixteen

Seventeen

Eighteen

Nineteen



One



HEDROCK ALMOST FORGOT THE SPY RAY. IT CONTINUED TO glow, the picture on the
screen showing the Imperial conference room as clearly as ever. There were still men bowing low over
the hand of the cold-faced young woman who sat on the throne chair, and the sound of their voices came
distinctly. Everything was as it should be.

For Hedrock, however, all interest in that palatial room, that courtly scene, had faded. The icy words of
the young woman spun around and around in his mind, though minutes had now passed since she had
spoken them.

“—Underthe circumstances,” she had said, “we cannot afford to take further risks with this Weapon
Shop turncoat. What has happened is too important. Accordingly, General Grail, you will, as a purely
precautionary measure, arrest Captain Hedrock an hour after lunch and hang him. The time sequence is
important, as he will, as usual, sit at my table during lunch, and also because I wish to be present at the
execution.”

“Very well,Your Majesty—”

Hedrock paced back and forth in front of his viewing machine. Finally, he stared again at the screen,
which, in its present materialized form, occupied an entire corner of the apartment. He saw, with a
somberawareness, that the young woman was still in the conference room, alone now. Shesat, a faint
smile on her long face. The smile faded as she touched an instrument on her chair and began to dictate in
a clear, bell-like voice.

For a moment, Hedrock allowed the meaning of the routine palace matters she was discussing to
penetrate his mind; then he withdrew his attention. There was a purpose in his mind, a hardening
determination not to accept the failure that was here. Very carefully, he began to adjust his machine. The
scene showing the young empress faded. The viewing plate flickered with formless light, finally caught the
face of a man, and steadied. Hedrock said, “Calling the High Council of the Weapon Makers.”