"Monica Hughes - Devil On My Back" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hughes Monica)

"You are part of the Great Experiment of ArcOne. Without you the City would be the poorer.
Without your thought, your research, your sharing of gifts the Experiment will fail. ArcOne thanks you for
your life, your work, your dedication..."
The voice went on and on. Afterwards Tomi could not remember exactly what it had said. It was
more as if he had been listening to some great music that left him feeling stronger, happier, prouder than
ever to be an important part of ArcOne.
After a long time the voice died away. The flame quivered and slowly shrank. There was a
universal sigh of parting sorrow. Then the lights went up and everyone sat up and blinked, looked at each
other, smiled, shared their happiness. To be part of ArcOne, to share the burden and the greatness, was
almost too much to bear.
Tomi saw many of the soldiers shaking hands, slapping each other on the back, while the more
emotional workers openly wept as they hugged each other. The flame had spoken to them all, he
realized, but in different words, perhaps with a different voice.
A scream shattered the joy. Everyone shuddered, drew back and then turned to the big doors
from where the sound had come. A few people moved towards the door and then suddenly shrank back.
Down the main aisle ran a woman in everyday worker's clothes, her apron half off, splattered
red. Her hand was pressed to her side as though she had been running for a long time. In the stunned
silence her labored breathing was harsh. She clung to the rough-hewn stone of the altar.
"The slaves..." Her voice faded. She pulled herself erect and spoke again. "The slaves are in
revolt. They have killed my man!" Her hands flew above her head in a gesture of despair, and everyone
saw her left hand red with blood, blood flowing from her side. She slid down against the altar, leaving a
smear of red on the white stone.
Ten thousand people began to talk at once, each voice raised to compete with the other nine
thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine. Lord Bentt slipped quickly from his place to stand on the central
dais. Tomi saw his lips move, but he could not have been trying to talk to the crowd. They could not
possibly hear.
Yet now within his head was a voiceтАФwas it the same voice that had spoken out of the
flame?тАФtelling him to sit quietly and relax, that all would be well, that the problem would be taken care
of. Around him the room stilled.
My father has that much power, Tomi thought with an odd mixture of fear and elation. Then into
his mind jumped the even more terrifying knowledge: some day that power will be mine. Why did I think
that? Did the Computer tell me or am I crazy? His heart beat furiously.
Now Lord Bentt was ordering the soldiers to switch on their head monitors and check the state
of each floor of the City. One soldier stood to report. "They occupy much of this floor and part of
manufacturing and food preparation..."
"If they destroy the vats we will all starve," muttered a blue-robed Lord.
"What about the generator? That is an even greater danger."
"There is no one down there except the designated workers and the muck-shovellers," reported
the soldier. "What strategists!" Some of the soldiers sniggered.
Lord Bentt looked at them cold-eyed. "Do not underestimate their anger, soldiers. Send two
units up to One and Two to regain control. One unit to man all elevators. The rest cover this floor. Off
with you!"
The soldiers filed quietly from the room.
"Now, workers, to your apartments, Keep your families together and open your doors to no one
until you are given permission. Lords, we will set up a monitor map on the computer and develop our
best strategy. Come."
Tomi got to his feet. His father caught the movement. Again a feint smile twitched the corner of
his mouth. He raised a hand. "Students, both Young Lords and New Lords alike... to your apartments!"
"But... my Lord."
"Tomi, you will do my bidding now."