"David Robbins - Blade 12 - Death Master Strike" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robbins David L)

"I know," Athena said. "I just can't help myself."

"How do you mean?"

Athena gazed overhead at the blazing sun, then surveyed the barren,
almost alien landscape. "I can't believe I'm really here. If I had any sense,
I'd be safe and sound back in San Francisco, instead of traipsing around
in the heart of the Outlands. Who knows what we'll encounter out here?
We could all wind up dead."

Captain Havoc chuckled. "Now who's looking at the bright side?"

"It's just all so unreal," Athena said softly. "At least when we're talking,
when my thoughts are distracted, I can forget all about the reason we
came here and what might happen if we succeed. I can fool myself into
believing this is a perfectly normal situation and I won't wind up with my
throat ripped open or in the hands of a lousy slaver."

The officer glanced around. "But this is perfectly normal for the
southwestern corner of what used to be Arizona. The region receives very
little rain and there's practically no vegetation."

"That's not what I meant," Athena said. "I was referring to how much
everything has changed since World War Three. Let's face it.
One-hundred-and-six years ago a person didn't have to worry about
scavengers, raiders, mutations, or other threats to life and limb. Back
before the war, the wildlife was generally under control. Since then, the
animals have multiplied to the point where they're a serious problem,
especially the larger predatory beasts." She sighed. "Coming with the two
of you is undoubtedly the stupidest thing I've ever done."

"Then why did you?" Havoc asked.

"I guess I feel I owe it to him."

"What if we can't locate him?"

"In a way, I almost wish we don't," Athena said and stared at the giant.
"You understand, don't you, Blade?"

"Yes," he said.

"Good. I wouldn't want you to misconstrue my remark."

Blade focused on the boulders ahead, reflecting. Yes, he truly did
understand, and he felt sympathy for Athena's plight, sympathy eclipsed
by the anger that welled within him every time he thought about the
devious manner in which the Force had been manipulated. One life had
been totally ruined and others immeasurably saddened by the deception.
He could understand her reason, but he still couldn't bring himself to