"William H. Keith Jr. - Warstrider 03 - Jackers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Keith jr William H)

possessed an inner discipline that foreigners did not.
The stars, the blackness of space itself, dissolved
around the Emperor. Startled, he looked around. He'd
issued no mental command, and yet the virtual reality
projected within his mind had changed. Trees, grass,
cobblestone paths, and familiar buildings materialized
around him, and he felt again the tug of gravity. He
recognized this place, though he'd walked its gardens only
a few times, during rare trips back to Earth. This was the
shrine of Tsurugaoka at Kamakura, a holy place dedicated
to Hachiman, God of War.
Concentrating, he issued orders through his cephlink,
attempting to end the simulation, to break linkage, but
nothing happened. Taking an unsteady step backward, he
felt the rough bark of a gnarled and ancient ginkgo tree
press against his spine. The scent of cherry blossoms
filled his nostrils.
"What is the meaning of this?" he called. Someone
must be monitoring this ViRscene, must be listening to his
words. Who?
 He thought he already knew whyтАж
" Tenno-heika " a voice said beside him. "Your Imperial
MajestyтАж"
Turning to his left he saw Gensui Tadashi Ikeda
standing a few meters away in his spotless, Imperial Navy
dress whites. The Fleet Admiral bowed deeply, and when
he raised his eyes again, his gaze went no higher than the
Emperor's throat.
"Ah, Ikedasan," the Emperor said slowly. "I would be
interested in knowing how you managed to override my
personal AI."
"Such things can be accomplished, Your Majesty, when
there is great need. As now."
Again, the Emperor tried to disconnect. This scene was
not real. It was ViRdrama, a dream played out inside his
brain by the software of a sophisticated artificial
intelligence. His body lay safe in the Palace of Heaven,
secure within its duralloy crypt. All he had to do was wake
upтАж
But he could not. "What is it you want?"
"I am sure you can guess, Your Majesty. I am most
sorry."
"So. Is the condemned man to know the reason for his
execution? For his assassination?"
Again, Ikeda bowed. "That is why I am here, Your
Majesty."
"Munimori sent you, I suppose."
" Gensui Munimori and I drew lots. This honor fell to me,
though I am unworthy."
"Indeed." The Emperor waited, expressionless, forcing