"Jacqueline Lichtenberg - Sime Gen 03 - First Channel" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

Scanned by Highroller.

Proofed more or less by Highroller.

Made prettier by use of EBook Design Group Stylesheet.



First Channel by Jacqueline
Lichtenberg and Jean
Lorrah
Prologue
A SIME LEGEND
In the Days of the Ancients, Simes and Gens lived together without
strife, the Gens freely giving selyn to the Simes, the Simes protecting and
caring for the Gens. But then the Gens grew selfish. They wanted to keep
all the selyn for themselves. The Simes grew weaker and weaker, and
finally they went to the Ancients to ask for help, that they should make the
Gens give up the selyn they could not use.

The Ancients called the Gens before them and asked why they kept for
themselves the energy of life that they could not use. "It is a great
treasure," they said. "See how the Simes desire it. It must be very valuable,
and therefore we will store it up."

At that the Ancients became angry. "You have not the wits to know that
this substance has value only when you share it! For your foolishness, we
make you subject to the Simes, to be their cattle. And to the Simes we give
the power to take selyn from you, whether you will or not."

And so it has been ever since.



PART I
Chapter One
 WHAT GENS ARE FOR
Rimon Farris woke with a start, his body instantly at full battle
alertness, his mind crystal-clear. Before his eyes focused, he felt the bed
bounce again as little Serri jumped on his feet, saying, "Rimon, come on!
Mama says you gotta get up now!"

With a groan, he fell back on the pillow, quelling the shock reaction.
The room went out of focus in a sickening whirl, and in a panic he fought
for self-control.

The bed was still rippling up and down with Serri's jumping. Rimon
said irritably, "Serri, don't you know better than to do that when I'm in
need?"