"Asimov, Isaac - Cleon the Emperor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asimov Isaac)

The would-be assassin, momentarily immobilized by the unexpected sight of a woman running toward him, now reacted quickly, raising the drawn blaster.

But she was already at him, her hand enclosing his right wrist in a steely grip and lifting his arm high. УDrop it,Ф she said through clenched teeth.

The sergeant's face twisted as he attempted to yank loose his arm.

УDon't try, sergeant,Ф said Venabili. УMy knee is three inches from your groin, and, if you so much as blink, your genital equipment will be history. So just freeze. That's right. Okay, now open your hand. If you don't drop the blaster right now I will break your arm.Ф

A gardener came running up with a rake. Venabili motioned him away. The blaster dropped.

Seldon had arrived. УI'll take over, Dors.Ф

УYou will not. Get in among those trees, and take the blaster with you. Others may be involved, and ready.Ф

Venabili had not loosed her grip on the sergeant. She said, УNow, sergeant, I want the name of whoever it was who persuaded you to make an attempt on the First Minister's life, and the name of everyone else who is in this with you.Ф

The sergeant was silent.

УDon't be foolish,Ф said Venabili. УSpeak!Ф She twisted his arm and he sunk to his knees. She put her shoe on his neck. УIf you think silence becomes you, I can crush your larynx and you will be silent forever. And even before that I am going to damage you badlyЧI won't leave one bone unbroken. You had better talk.Ф

The sergeant talked.

Later, Seldon had said to her, УHow could you do that, Dors? I never believed you capable of such, such ... violence.Ф

Venabili said coolly, УI did not actually hurt him much, Hari. The threat was sufficient. In any case, your safety was paramount.Ф

УYou should have let me take care of him.Ф

УWhy? To salvage your masculine pride? You wouldn't have been fast enough, for one thing, not at fifty. Secondly, no matter what you would have succeeded in doing, you were a man and it would have been expected. I am a woman and women, in popular thought, are not considered as ferocious as men, and most, in general, do not have the strength to do what I did. The story will improve in the telling and everyone will be terrified of me. No one will dare to try to harm you for fear of me.Ф

УFor fear of you and for fear of execution. The sergeant and his cohorts are to be killed, you know.Ф

At this, an anguished look clouded Dors's usually composed visage, as if she could not stand the thought of the traitorous sergeant being put to death even though he would have cut down her beloved Hari without a second thought.

УBut,Ф she exclaimed, Уthere is no need to execute the conspirators. Exile will do the job.Ф

УNo, it won't,Ф said Seldon. УIt's too late. Cleon will hear of nothing but executions. I can quote him, if you wish.Ф

УYou mean he's already made up his mind?Ф

УAt once. I told him that exile or imprisonment would be all that was necessary, but he said, СNo.Т He said, СEvery time I try to solve a problem by direct and forceful action, first Demerzel and then you talk of despotism and tyranny. But this is my palace. These are my grounds. These are my guards. My safety depends on the security of this place and the loyalty of my people. Do you think that any deviation from absolute loyalty can be met with anything but instant death? How else would you be safe? How else would I be safe?Т

УI said there would have to be a trial. СOf course,Т he said, Сa short military trial, and I don't expect a single vote for anything but execution. I shall make that quite clear.'Ф

Venabili looked appalled. УYou're taking this very quietly. Do you agree with the Emperor?Ф

Reluctantly, Seldon nodded. УI do.Ф

УBecause there was an attempt on your life. Have you abandoned principle for revenge?Ф