"W. Michael Gear - Forbidden Borders 1 - Requiem for The Conqueror" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gear W Michael)

it's a mistake. The empire needs people with your incredible brilliance. Don't
do this to yourself."
Sinklar balled up the flimsy and tossed it at the disposal bin. "It's not your
fault, sir. You took a chance on me and I did the best I could for you. But,
you see, sir, I'm differentтАФand it isn't just my eyes that set me apart."
"Sinklar, you're punishing yourself for something that's not your fault.
Please, let me check into this."
"I'd appreciate that, sir. But it won't do any good."
The Head Regent raised an eyebrow. "I think I know the system. I may even have
more pull than you think."
"Then you know how emarrassing it would be for a waif like me to score at the
head of the classтАФabove all those aspiring scions of nobility. And I would,
Head Regent. You know it ... and so do the admissions officers at the Regan
University."
The Head Regent watched him glumly. "Knowledge can be a dangerous thing, boy.
Your study of political science, imperial history, and sociologyтАФ"
"Have given me an in-depth understanding of how the Regan Empire works, sir."
The Head Regent nodded in defeat. "Promise me one thing, Sinklar. Don't become
bitter and hateful. Don't let this one disappointment fester and ruin your
life. If for no other reason, do it for me."
"Yes, sir. Blind anger and hatred are for the ignorant and the stupid. I'm
neither." ;
"No, you're not. But at times, Sinklar, you frighten me. What will you do?"
i
"I don't know, sir." Sinklar paused, a sour smile on his lips. "Perhaps send
an application to the Companions ... join the Star Butcher's forces. As I
understand it, they value intelligence."
The Head Regent went ashen. For the briefest moment, glittering resolve lurked
in his eyes. Then he noted Sinklar's amusement, and sagged, saying hollowly,
"Don't even jest about that. The last thing you need to concern yourself with
is that cold-blooded villain and his band of vile scum."
"But he is brilliant."
"Brilliant? Yes, Sinklar, and without a shred of conscience or morality. My
soul twists at the thought of him."
Why, Sinklar mused, did I evoke such a response from the Head Regent?
As the door slipped closed behind Sinklar Fist, the Head Regent took a deep
breath and rubbed his tired eyes. He finally straightened and leaned back.
"You heard all that?"
One of the data cube racks along the wall swung open to reveal a sophisticated
communications and listening post. A young woman in sienna robes stepped out.
"He's a frightening young man. You know what we're dealing with: a time bomb.
You know his potential, and on top of it there's everything we've packed into
that brain of his. The Quantum Gods help us if the Regans ever find out how he
really scored on that exam. Think of what they could do with himтАФno matter who
his parents were."
The Head Regent nodded and drummed his fingers on the desk. "What do we do,
Marta? He's going to seek an outlet for that talent."
She pinched her chin between thumb and forefinger as she paced before his
desk. "What do you do with any problem child? Put him in the military."
The Head Regent chuckled humorlessly. "Don't you think that's like shooting