[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.She had thought she might, had reckoned without his sanity.When Konstantin went, he would become very dangerous.Tomorrow, she thought.It should be done tomorrow, at least."I'm Union," he said."Not a regular.not what the records showed.Special services.You brought me here yourself.And there was another one of us who found his own way on.the way he did at Mariner.His name was Gabriel.And he ruined Pell.He acted against you, never the Konstantins.He and his operation assassinated Damon's family, lost him his wife.how it all went, I don't know.I didn't do it to him.But whatever the assumptions you've made, the power you've set in control of the station now.was bribed to murder by Gabriel.I know because I know the tactics.You've got the wrong man under arrest, Mallory.Your man Lukas was Gabriel's before he was yours."The alcohol left her brain with cold suddenness.She sat with the glass in hand and stared into Josh's pale eyes and found her breath short."This Gabriel.where is he?""Dead.You got the head of it.Him.A man named Coledy; another named Kressich; Gabriel.Station knew him as Jessad.They were killed by the troops that took us.Damon didn't know.didn't know a thing about it.You think he'd have been there meeting with them if he'd known they killed his father?"490Downbelow Station"But you got him there.""I got him there.""He knew about you?""No."She drew a deep breath, let it go."You think it makes a difference to us, how Lukas got there? He's ours.""I tell you so you know it's finished.That there's nothing more to go after.You've won.There's no need for any more killing.""I should take a Unioner's word there's nothing more to hunt?"No answer.He was not slipping off into nowhere.The eyes were very much alive, full of pain."It was quite an act, Josh, that you put on with me.""No act.I'm born for what I do.My whole past is tapes.I had nothing when they got through with me on Russell's.I'm one of the hollow men, Mallory.Nothing real.Nothing inside.I belong to Union because my brain was programmed that way.I have no loyalties.""But one, maybe.""Damon," he said.She considered the matter.Drained the glass until her eyes stung."So why did you get him involved with this Gabriel?""I thought I saw a way to get us off Pell.To get a shuttle for Downbelow.I have a proposition for you.""I think I know.""You're in a position to get a man on a downbound shuttle.easily.Get him out of here if nothing else."491Downbelow Station"What, not back in control of Pell?""You said it yourself." Lukas's mouth moves when you supply the words."That's all you want.All you ever wanted.Get him out of here.Safe.What does it cost you?"He knew what was ahead, at least where it regarded Konstantin's chances.She looked up at him and down at the glass again."For your gratitude?You imply a certain soft-headedness on my part, don't you? Quite a trade.Does any deep-teach work with you?""Eventually, I imagine.What did you have in mind?"She pushed the button."Take him back.""Mallory—" Josh said."I'll think on your deal," she said."I'll think about it.""Can I talk to him?"She thought about that.Nodded finally."That's cheap.You going to tell him how things were?""No," he said in a thin voice."I don't want him to know any of it.In small things, Mallory, I trust you.""And hate my guts."He stood up, shook his head, looking down at her.The door light flashed."Out," she said.And to the trooper who appeared in the doorway: "Put him with his friend.Give them any reasonable comfort they ask for."Josh left with the guard.The door closed and locked.She sat still, moved finally to prop her feet on the bed.492Downbelow StationThe thought had occurred to her that a Konstantin could be useful at a later stage of the war; if Union took the bait; if Union seized Pell and restored it.Then it might be useful to produce a Konstantin, in their hands— if he were like Lukas; but he was not.There was no use for him.Mazian would never go for it.The shuttle was one way out of the dilemma.And the thing would not be known— if the Fleet moved out soon.A long time before Union could ferret young Konstantin out of the bush.Long enough for the rest of the plan to work, Pell to die, depriving Union of a base, or live, causing Union organizational trouble.Josh's idea might work.Might
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]