"Foster, Alan Dean - Damned 2 - The False Mirror" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

attracted interested observers and media recorders from all over Cossuut. No
family memнbers were allowed to attend. They would have to content themselves
with watching the action at home, on visual.
It was much remarked upon that the two final teams lived so close to one another
yet had never before met in competition. A quirk of scheduling had started them
comнpeting in opposite directions, in effect forcing them to batнtle through a
world's worth of opponents before the time came when they would be allowed to
test one another.
As he continued with the. necessary preparations Ranji regulated his breathing,
trying to keep it slow and steady, using the biocontrol techniques he had
learned to moderнate his adrenaline level. He could see his companions doing
likewise. No one said much. This was the last opportunity any of them would have
until the end of the competition to indulge in private thoughts. Once in the
Maze, their attention would become focused and they would have to act and think
in unison.
They were twenty-five to a team. Fourteen boys, eleven girls. On the far side of
the laze twenty-five young men and women from Kizzmat Township were at this very
moment going through the same motions and thinking many of the same thoughts as
Ranji and his friends. Afterward there would be a celebration, a party, where
victor and loser could meet in an atmosphere of genuine conviviality and
friendship. But before that happened they would do their very best to
mock-murder each other.
Ecozones occupied Ranji's thoughts. He hoped the laze wouldn't be full of, say,
arctic tundra. Tundra simplified things too much. There was nowhere to hide, not
enough variables. Dense jungle would suit him better. Or maybe desiccated
granite. Hopefully there wouldn't be a lot of water. Ire didn't like, fighting
wet.
Whatever they encountered, he and his friends were prepared. They had trained in
all conditions:
He was one of five squad leaders. Birachii was another, Cossinza a third. Pretty
blond Gjiann from the outskirts of the township was a fourth, and Kohmaddu the
fifth. Heavyset and slow, she compensated for physical defiнciencies with a
brilliant mind and undisputed courage and daring. No matter how tough the
competition, her squad rarely suffered a loss.
They were ready for the Kizzmatis, all right. Victory lay on the far side of the
laze. All they had to do was enter and take it.
Chapter Two

The pale glow of predawn heralded the incipient appearance of Cossuut's sun as
the five squads which comprised the Trials group assembled for Kouuad's final
briefing.
"I don't have to tell you how proud I am of what you have already accomplished."
Their squat instructor surveyed them in fatherly fashion. "You have surpassed
not only my expectations but also those of your parents and learning mates.
"I am especially gratified by the performance of those of you whose origins lie
with devastated Houcilat. Your achievements stand out all the more because of
the additional burdens that were placed on your maturation. Soon you will be
given the opportunity to seek compensation. Keep that in mind as you enter these
Trials." He strove to make eye contact with each of them in turn.
"May it go well for you," he said finally. "Let each do their best. Whatever