"John DeChancie - Castle 04 - Castle War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dechancie John)

to light his fire. Fiddling with computers was dandy and he really did want to learn, but тАФ

Something was coming. There came a whine of turbines, the roar of jets. Trees swayed, and birds
flushed from cover.

Before he could move, it was hovering directly above him at treetop level, angry with flashing red lights.

It was some sort of VTOL craft тАФ vertical take-off and landing, pronounced vee-tol тАФ with stubby
wings and a bubble cockpit. Cylindrical weapon pods bristled from its sides and nose. The thing looked
military, and deadly.

A loudspeaker burped, then blared.

тАЬYou there! Identify yourself!тАЭ

The noise of the engine was surprisingly subdued, more a deafening whisper than a roar. The voice was
louder. It hurt his ears.


file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/John%20DeChancie%20-%20Castle%2004%20-%20Castle%20War.html (26 of 255)23-12-2006 0:24:58
 Castle War


Gene was suddenly irked. тАЬWho wants to know?тАЭ

After a pause the male voice came back: тАЬDonтАЩt move. If you move, you will be shot. Repeat тАФ do not
move.тАЭ

тАЬYeah, right.тАЭ

The craft landed on the crest of the hill, the downward blast flattening unmown hay. The whine of the
engine died and the cockpit popped open. A helmeted man and woman climbed out wearing army
fatigues and brandishing machine pistols. They approached.

The man spoke. тАЬWhatтАЩs your cognomen, citizen?тАЭ

тАЬCognomen? My name is Gene. WhatтАЩs yours?тАЭ

тАЬWeтАЩre recording. Recite your omnicode.тАЭ

тАЬSay what?тАЭ

тАЬGet up.тАЭ The man trained his gun on Gene. To the woman he said, тАЬPat him down.тАЭ

тАЬArms out,тАЭ the woman barked. She was short, light-browed, and heavy.

Gene spread his arms. The woman frisked him. He winced when she shoved her hand into his crotch.

She came away with his wallet and airline ticket and handed them over to the man. She covered Gene
while the man examined the articles.