"Simon R. Green - Deathstalker - 1 - Deathstalker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Simon R)

command respect and possibly allies in certain quarters, irrespective of the
Empress' wishes or orders. Which was why an entire starcruiser had been sent to
see that the Deathstalker's outlawing went smoothly. He was to be captured and
executed before word could get out to potential friends. Only it seemed someone
had beaten them to it.

"The ship could have been sent to occupy our attention while the target is helped
to escape," said Frost. "We can't afford to waste time on it. With your permission,
I'll form a boarding party and get some answers in person."

"Not so fast, Investigator. Let's do this by the book. Esper Fortuna?"

"Yes, Captain." The Darkwind's esper, Thomas Fortuna, stepped forward to stand
on the Captain's other side, opposite the Investigator. He was short, dumpy, and
his uniform looked as though he'd inherited it from someone larger. His shaven
head glistened brightly.

"I want a full scan on that ship," said Silence. "See what you can pick up."

"Yes, Captain." Fortuna's mind leapt up and out, and his face relaxed completely,
losing all trace of life and personality. Then his face twisted, and he was back
again, shaking his head disgustedly. "That ship is full of death and the memory of
pain. So many traces I can't even identify the sources, except to say they're all
human, and all dead. There are body banks on that ship, Captain, brimming over
with the residues of suffering. They're cloneleggers."

"Nothing to do with the target?" said Silence. "You're sure?"

"As far as I can be. Captain."

"That settles it then," said Frost easily. "We can't waste time over a handful of
bodysnatchers. Blow the ship to pieces. The universe will smell better once they're
gone."



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"Couldn't agree more," said Silence. "Go ahead. Investigator. Enjoy yourself."

The pirate ship Shard rocked as the Darkwind opened fire on her. Hannah got the
force screens up in time, deflecting the raging energy from the disrupter cannon,
but it was all the Al could do to maintain them under the constant barrage from the
Empire ship. Hazel d'Ark fired back, but her two cannon made no impression on
the Darkwind's superior shields. Lights went out all over the Shard as the AI
drained more and more energy from the ship's systems to maintain the force
screens. The power accumulated for a hyper jump was used up in seconds, and
one by one the body banks shut down, their fragile contents left to warm and rot.