"Alastair Reynolds - A Spy In Europa" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Alastair)

"You trust her?"

Vargovic felt one of Control's momentary indiscretions coming on. "She may

have been sleeping, but she hasn't been completely valueless. There were

defections she assisted in... like the Maunciple job - remember that?"

"If you're calling that a success perhaps it's time I defected."

"Actually, it was Cholok's information which persuaded us to get Maunciple

out via the ocean rather the front door. If Demarchy security had reached

Maunciple alive they'd have learnt ten years of tradecraft."

"Whereas instead Maunciple got a harpoon in his back."

"So the operation had its flaws." Control shrugged. "But if you're

thinking all this points to Cholok having been compromised... Naturally,

the thought entered our heads. But if Maunciple had acted otherwise it

would have been worse." Control folded his arms. "And of course, he might

have made it, in which case even you'd have to admit Cholok's safe."

"Until proven otherwise."

Control brightened. "So you'll do it?"

"Like I have a choice."

"There's always a choice, Vargovic."

Yes, Vargovic thought. There was always a choice... between doing what

ever Gilgamesh Isis asked of him... and being deprogrammed, cyborgized and

sent to work in the sulphur projects around the slopes of Ra Patera. It

just wasn't a particularly good one.

"One other thing..."

"Yes?"
"When I've got whatever Cholok has..."

Control half-smiled, the two of them sharing a private joke which did not