"C. J. Cherryh - Chanur 03 - The Kif Strike Back" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cherryh C J)

"They really are coming."

"Absolutely. And your ships still have their noses set to station. Still sitting targets."

"If you had meant to die you would have killed your kin first."

"Maybe."

"So these allies will not fire on our ships, no more than you did. You intend to get out of here. So do I. Therefore your prizes are intact. And mine is."

Kit-thought. It made mazes. "What prize, kif?"

"You," said Sikkukkut. He leaned toward the upright and rose from his chair ever so slowly, a smoky drift against the glaring lights. "You are here. And your allies are. I am no merchant. Trade-does not interest me. I make other transactions. Young Chanur-you may cross the room. Do so slowly."

"Tully-" Pyanfar heard Hilfy say. "Come on."

"No," said Sikkukkut. "He is ours. You may go, young Chanur."

Silence then.

"Hilfy," said Pyanfar. Her eyes never strayed from Sikkukkut; the gun barrel never moved. "Get over here. Now."

"He-"

"Now."

There was slow and careful movement. The kif stirred and eclipsed Tully's white shape. Pyanfar never let her eyes stray, trusting Haral and the others to watch the other kif. She had her own target all picked out. She heard the quiet movement reach her side, heard Hilfy's harsh breathing.

"Give me a gun." Hilfy's voice, hoarse and strained, with mayhem in it.

"Stand fast," Pyanfar muttered. "Just stand still, imp- Don't get in front of anyone."

"Get Tully out of here."

"In time," said Sikkukkut. "Perhaps."

"What perhaps?" asked Pyanfar.

"How soon," asked Sikkukkut, "these friends of yours?"

"Inbound now," Pyanfar said. Sikkukkut made a flourish of his sleeve, a sweep of his robe, an acceleration of small moves. " Stand still, hakkikt."

"Ah."

"I advise you. Stay put." The shot she fired would take out Sikkukkut. The returning barrage would do for her, her crew, and the wall behind them. "Not a convenient time leave dock, even if you could get to your ships. Hilfy, get. Get out."

"With your allies," Sikkukkut said, "I will also deal. There is no need for haste." He paced aside, the only moving figure in the room. "After all." He moved again. Close

Spread his arms in a dark flourish. "Fire, hunter Pyanfar. Or admit I have judged what you will do."