"Gordon, Steve - Insectoid 03 - Death to the Insectoids!" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gordon Steve)

"You are very impressive!" said Czzz.
The Silencer had been brought, under heavy guard, to the hosting
tower just behind the arena. He stood silently.
"You are the most entertaining human we have ever had in the
arena," said Czzz.
She waited for some kind of reaction. There was one.
"Did you enjoy the use of your powerblade? It was I who procured
it for you."
The Silencer didn't reply.
The guards stirred. The human wasn't behaving respectfully.
But Czzz wasn't disturbed, merely puzzled. "What is it that will
make you speak?" He looked at the Silencer. "I notice one of your arms
isn't functioning. I could have my veterinarian look at it."
The Silencer continued to say nothing.
"All you would have to do is ask."
There was no reply.
"Very well, then be silent!" said Czzz. "Speech is not required
in the arena. As long as you are entertaining, you will continue to
live. Guards!"
"Please, Silencer, come with us," said one of the guards,
standing at a respectful distance. They had heard what had happened to
the guard who had ventured into the Silencer's cell.

Croft thought he had found a semi-abandoned maintenance tunnel
that led under the arena. At least, it looked like the tunnel hadn't
been used in some time. Behind him were Red Sally, the Clapper, Tanil,
and Yaney. Sashay, fearful about entering the heart of an Insectoid
stronghold, stayed behind. They all were fearful, actually. But Sashay,
the Paperweight, wasn't much good in battle anyway. All he was good at
was cooking. And painting. For a moment, Croft wondered why he hadn't
gotten rid of Sashay earlier. He was just another useless mouth to
feed. Croft absentmindedly stared at an intersecting corridor ahead of
them. He squinted; something was bothering him about that intersection,
but he wasn't quite sure what it was. Maybe it was just an attack of
the nerves.
In the intersecting corridor up ahead, just out of Croft's view,
Tsur lay in wait with two handpicked squads of Insectoid troopers. Tsur
knew that the Silencer was closely associated with the Clifford Croft
human; and knew it was only a matter of time before the Clifford Croft
attempted a rescue. Tsur had analyzed all the possible areas of attack,
and concluded that Croft would attempt to come this way. And Tsur was
waiting for him.
Suddenly Tsur heard a crackling sound, as if someone had stepped
on the debris on the ground. Tsur peered just around the bend in the
corridor, staring at the gloomy corridor, but saw nothing. Then he
heard another sound, like a footstep, and another.
Tsur poked his head into the corridor. She still saw nothing.
But Croft staring ahead with infrared electrobinocurs, saw Tsur's
head clearly. Using hand motions, he motioned for the team to withdraw.