"03 - Time Streams" - читать интересную книгу автора (McGough Scott)

were bare, in defiance of school policy, though his toenails

bore strange legends in bright, glossy paint. He held one of

his hands out formally toward the probe.

The silver man extended his own massive hand and lightly

shook the boy's whole arm. "I am Master Malzra's Probe." No

sooner had he taken the boy's hand than the probe noticed a

strange, stinging jolt in his silver hide. "Your handshake

is shocking."

The lad pulled his hand away and shrugged, seeming

somehow disappointed. "Just a spell I've been working on.

Knocks people on their butts. Not golems, I guess. Say, what

kind of a name is Master Malzra's Probe, anyway?"

"It is the only name I have," replied the probe

truthfully. Teferi's face rumpled, and he shook his head.

"Not good enough. You've got a personality now. You need a

real name."

Other young students were gathering in the corridor

behind Teferi, and they leaned inward, anticipating

something. "I am unfamiliar with naming procedures." Teferi

gave a confident smile. "Oh, I'm quite familiar. Let's see.

You're big and shiny. What else is big and shiny? The Null

Moon. Why don't we call you the Null Man?" The students

laughed at this suggestion.

The probe felt a sense of irritation. "That sounds

unsatisfactory, null means nothing. Your suggestion would