"John DeChancie - Skyway 3 - Paradox Alley" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dechancie John)

way of what we want to accomplish. Do I have your personal
assurance that you will hereafter conduct yourself in a manner
that is not disruptive?"

Carl looked around uncomfortably. "Um... yeah, I
guess." He added quickly, "I mean, yeah. Sure."

Prime's expression brightened again. "Very good. I shall
look forward to seeing youтАФall of youтАФat my residence.
Good day."

We watched him walk to his sleek black roadster, climb
aboard, and close the clear bubble canopy. The engine whined
to life. The vehicle wheeled around and swung onto the black

PARADOX ALLEY

surface of the Skyway. The pitch of the engine increasi
slightly and the thing whooshed down the road in the directk
from which it had come, black shiny wings starred with h
sun-points. Just before reaching the bend it rose from tl
roadway and soared into air. It climbed almost straight u]
rising to about three hundred meters before leveling off.
shot across the valley, a black triangle against the violet sky.
made a half turn around the fortress, then disappeared.

John stared into the distance. "I wonder what he wants i
accomplish?"

(p^w^)

2

WE ALL PILED into the truck and had a palaver.

"Frankly, I don't see that we have a choice," John said
after he had taken a swig from the canteen.

We had had to ration water the whole trip. Nine humans
and four aliens had put a strain on the recycler.

"Prime gave us one," I countered. "He didn't insist that we
join him."

"What are our options, then? Should we fumble about on a
totally alien and very bizarre world? In hopes of doing what,
exactly?"

"Finding food, for one thing," Sean put in. "The cupboard
is bare."