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

emphasized. "I've got a couple of symbiotes in the ship which will
give you all you could hope for. You ever seen leucocytes chase
malignant bacteria? With one of my pets you can really join in.
Mental affinity achieved on a sensory plane and, what's more,
the thing takes care of you while you feed it. Really takes care."
He winked. "Guess what I mean?"

"I can imagine." The trader hesitated. "These symbiotes come
expensive, right?"

The vendor nodded. "Tell you what," he suggested. "I'll rent
you one. I've got a thing from Een which would suit you right
down to the ground." He read the other's expression. "You're
wondering if they're safe. Would I be selling them if they
weren't? They're symbiotes, man, not parasites. They give you
something in return for what they take. Look," he urged. "Ask
anyone. The captain, the medic, anyone. They'll tell you the
same."

"All right," said the trader. "I'm convinced. Let's get back to
the ship." He looked at Dumarest. "Coming, Earl?"

Dumarest didn't answer. He was staring down the wide street.
A flicker of gold showed in the distance. It vanished, reappeared
with a sudden burst of resplendency, vanished again as a leaping
flame died. It shone again with reflected brilliance, coming
nearer, closer, with the sound of racing feet. Beside him the
trader sucked in his breath.

"By God," he whispered. "It's a girl!"

She came running down the road, long legs flashing beneath
the hem of a golden tunic. It was cut away from her arms, her
throat, falling to mid-thigh and cinctured with a crimson belt.
Flame red hair was bound with a fillet of gold. Sandals of gold
hugged her feet showing the scarlet of painted nails. Her face
was deathly pale, the eyes enormous, the red lips parted as she
fought for breath.
 Behind her seethed a yammering, screaming mob.

"They'll get her," breathed the seller of symbiotes. He looked
pale, sick. "They'll run her down for sure."

"Run her down and tear her apart," agreed the trader. He
narrowed his eyes. "She's trying to reach the gate," he
murmured. "With luck she might make it. Not that it'll do her
any good butтАФ" He broke off as she tripped and fell, naked flesh
white against the gold, white and gold stark against the
flame-bright cobbles of the street. "She's down!" he groaned.
"They'll get her now for sure." He sensed movement, the shifting