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

Was that any real loss? He could start anew and build himself a life based on reality, not on a long-lost
war.

The Council was waiting for an answer. "Yes," he said, "I would." He said to himself, in such a way that
he hoped it would register on the computer's records when contact was reestablished, "I'm just playing
along, keeping them happy."

"You speak the truth, I see. Do you not fear the demon's anger?"

"The demon is ever vigilant always watching me; it watches at this very minute." Slant noticed that his
command of the language seemed to have returned with practice; he had no trouble at all with it

"Why do you lie?" The old man looked wary.

The demon keeps a record of everything I say and do."
"Ah, that I see is the truth. I think I understand. Listen, Slant, we are very interested in you; nothing like
you has been seen in Teyzha in all our history. However, you cannot speak or act freely, and we cannot
deal with you, while you are possessed. That is why I ask only about this thing in your head. If we free
you, will you cooperate with us?"

Automatically, self-preservation his first concern, he answered, "No; I am loyal to Old Earth and will not
aid those who seek her destruction."

"What?" The wizard's confusion showed on his face.

The middle-aged woman whom he had shown the submachine gun at his first audience asked, "What's
this about Old Earth?"

"Never mind, it's not important," said the old man.

"But—"

"We can ask about that later. Our first concern is to remove the demon that controls this man. Slant, is
the demon watching you now?"

"I think so." He was quite sure that the wizards would spot the lie, as they had others.

"Have you any idea when it does and doesn't control you?"

"No."

It occurred to Slant to wonder how the truth-detecting mechanism worked; it was not simply a variation
on the polygraph, because his body was regulated so that lying did not affect his pulse or respiration. This
was another mystery of this wizardry "magic." He wondered where their machines were hidden; in the
table, perhaps, or under those flowing black robes.

"Will it return soon?"

Slant estimated the time elapsed since he had lost contact and answered truthfully, "In about ten minutes."