"Larry Niven & Steve Barnes - The California Voodoo Game" - читать интересную книгу автора (Niven Larry)

Again, the first through was a woman, Acacia Garcia. She was dressed in
the leather body armor and chaps of a nomadic warrior. Not as muscular as
Tammi Romati, Acacia was a lithe, athletic blend of Pueblo Indian and
Spanish with a dash of Moor. She was sloe-eyed and wide-mouthed, quick
to laughter or anger. Her long black hair gave her an air of sensuality that
quieted the room and evoked a clearly audible "Jeeeesus Christ" from
somewhere above her. She
scanned the room almost absently. She relaxed, shoulders slumping ... then
in a flash her sword appeared in her hand, with only the hint of a blur to
suggest a draw. She stood perfectly balanced, as alert as a hungry leopard.

Behind Acacia came a short figure in a nun's habit, with a tranquil,
sun-bronzed face. The roar "Top Nun!" rose from the crowd. The Cleric
inclined her head solemnly, her fingers tracing a Star of David on her chest.
A small, pale, chunky
man followed her: Captain Cipher, Magician. And beside Cipher was a man
with the height, color, and weaponry of a Zulu warrior. His name was
Terrance Coolidge.

All wore slimline goggles or costuming incorporating the Virtual lenses.

The Crystal Maze shuddered before them, groaning and weeping as if it
were a living thing.

"In two days we're going head-to-head with the Troglodykes in the
California Voodoo Game. They're used to winning. We've got to shake them
now. Establish dominance, or at least gain respect or they'll motor over us.
I've got a strategy," Acacia had told her team. "It may seem crazy, but you
have to trust me..."

Now, looking into the vid monitor and the coldly confident gaze of Tammi
Romati, who had never lost a game of Crystal Maze, Acacia wondered if her
confidence had been misplaced.

The door to the Crystal Maze opened to a cloud of flaming pink smoke.

A little man walked out of the smoke. He stood only waist-high, his thick
grey skin mottled with warts the size and shape of half-dollars. His hand
brushed smoke from his stubby nose, then waved Acacia and her
companions forward. "This way," he whispered, raising a gnarled finger to
his lips.

Acacia followed the troll, trusting in her instincts and sword arm to save
her. Her opponents hadn't had time to subvert the locals ... had they?

The wall slid shut behind them.

"Eyes open for a double cross," she whispered to "Prez" Coolidge, the tall,
stocky African-American at her left. His eyes were focused intensely. He