"Christopher Rowe - The Voluntary State" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rowe Christopher)

when Japheth knocked him down with a light kick to the back
of the knees after the painter stood and brushed aside
feathered cloaks for a glimpse of the sky.
There was a bear up there. And yes, it was wearing the
blue and white.
"I want to see the bear, Japheth," said a young Crow.
Japheth shook his head, said, "I'll take you to Willow Ridge
and show you the black bears that live above the Green River
when we get back home, Lowell. That bear up there is just a
robot made out of balloons and possessed by a demon, not
worth looking at unless you're close enough to cut her."
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 The Voluntary State
by Christopher Rowe


With all his captors concentrating on their leader or on the
sky, Soma wondered if he might be able to open his head. As
soon as he thought it, Japheth Sapp wheeled on him, stared
him down.
Not looking at any one of them, Japheth addressed his
whole merry band. "Give this one some more paste. But be
careful with him; we'll still need this vol's head to get across
the Cumberland, even after we bribe the bundle bugs."
Soma spoke around the viscous stuff the owl-feathered
endomorph was spackling over the lower half of his face.
"Bundle bugs work for the city and are above reproach. Your
plans are ill-laid if they depend on corrupting the servants of
the Governor."
More hoots, more hushings, then Japheth said, "If bundle
bugs had mothers, they'd sell them to me for half a cask of
Kentucky bourbon. And we brought more than half a cask."
Soma knew Japheth was lyingтАФthis was a known tactic of
neo-anarchist agitator hero figures. "I know you're lying,"
said Soma. "It's a known tactic ofтАФ"
"Hush hush, Soma Painter. I like youтАФthis youтАФbut we've
all read the Governor's curricula. You'll see that we're too
sophisticated for your models." Japheth gestured and the
group broke huddle. Outrunners ran out and the main body
shook off cramps. "And I'm not an anarchist agitator. I'm a
lot of things, but not that."
"Singer!" said a young Crow, scampering past.
"I play out some weekends, he means; I don't have a
record contract or anything," Japheth said, pushing Soma
along himself now.
12
 The Voluntary State
by Christopher Rowe