"Lawrence Watt-Evans - War Surplus 01 - The Cyborg And The Sorcerers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

Slant did not wait to see the outcome of the chaos he had created; he turned and ran, heading for the
woods. Behind him more men lost their holds and fell, narrowly avoiding the hoofs of their own panicked
steeds; he congratulated himself on choosing the flamboyant submachine gun over the silent lasers and
snarks.

He did not follow a straight course, but twisted and dodged across the outer farms and onward into the
forest beyond; he had no fear of losing himself, since the computer was always able to orient him. After a
few minutes of swift travel, he slowed to a walk; he did not dare stop completely again. Perhaps if he
kept moving the Teyzhans would be less able to find him. He wondered how they had found him that first
time.

He also wondered what the damn computer's orders called for now that his scouting expedition had
come to a sudden end. "Well, computer," he asked silently, "what would you advise me to do now?"

"Recommended action is surreptitious entry and investigation of enemy stronghold for purpose of locating
enemy weapons research."

"You want me to play burglar and find whatever-it-is."

"Query: Term 'whatever-it-is' refers to gravitational anomalies representing enemy weapons research?"

"Right"

"Reference filed."

"How am J supposed to sneak into a city with a wall around it and guards at the gate?"

"Query: Evidence of aerial surveillance."

"There isn't any; it's a preaviation culture, at least around here. Anyway, I think it is; it appears to be
pre-technological, except for whatever-it-is."

"Recommended action is surreptitious entry by parachute or other silent aerial approach."

Slant snorted as he walked. "You want me to parachute into the middle of a city?"

"Affirmative."

"Sure, why not? I can only get killed once. I haven't used a parachute in fourteen years, you stupid
machine!"

The computer made no reply; it was not programmed to worry about rusty skills.

It was, Slant reminded himself, not programmed for much of anything that related to having spent an
extended time in space. The Command had not expected his mission to last that long, either because they
thought the war would end quickly or because they thought he'd have gotten killed long before this.

Resigned, he asked, "Should I return to the ship, then?"

"Affirmative."