"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 04 - Kalin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

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Kalin
#4 in the Dumarest series

E.C. Tubb



Chapter One


IT WAS BLOODTIME on Logis and the captain was firm. "I
am sorry," he said, "but I will take no chances. As passengers you
are free to go or stay as you desire, but I must tell you this: if the
perimeter fence should be penetrated I will seal the ship. And,"
he added significantly, "it will remain sealed until all danger is
safely past."

"You would leave us outside?" The woman wore clothes too
young for her raddled features, her cracked and aging voice.
"Leave us to be killed?"

"If necessary, madam, yes."

"Incredible!" Gem-fire flashed from her hands as they moved
in the cone of light streaming from above the open lock. "To
treat your passengers so!"

Her companion, a scarred mercenary, growled deep in his
throat. "The captain has no choice, my dear. His first duty must
be for his ship." He looked at the officer. "Am I not right?"
 "You are a man of understanding, sir," said the captain. "As
you say, I would have no choice. Bloodtime on Logis is not a
gentle period. Usually the field suffers no depredation, but
beyond the fence anything can happen." His eyes, flat, dull,
indifferent, glanced from one to the other. "Those who venture
into town do so at their own risk. I would advise you all to
restrain your curiosity."

A thin-faced vendor of symbiotes stared thoughtfully after the
retreating figure. "He's exaggerating," he said. "Inflating the
potential danger in order to keep us all nicely to heel."