"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - StarShield Book 1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

Evon suddenly stumbled.
тАЬHey! Ouch! Stij, Evon, will you watch where youтАЩre going!тАЭ
Evon suddenly reddened with embarrassment. Their march down the hall had previously held
the look of determined people in concert but everyone else had come to a unison stop in the large bright
chamber at the corridorтАЩs end. All that dissolved as EvonтАЩs large body charged into Terica and started a
chain reaction through the group that dissolved order into a minor chaos of trying to keep oneтАЩs feet
beneath them.
тАЬAh,тАЭ came a voice from the platform before them. тАЬI see our guests have arrived.тАЭ
Evon looked up. The central dome of the chamber looked to be at least fifty feet over their
heads and over fifty feet across. Columns all around the rotunda supported the dome overhead. Branch-
ing from this central chamber were several large halls. Evon couldnтАЩt see clearly into any of them but
was sure they must house the Bradis Librae at their own monitors taking care of their own tasks. The
Bradis Librae were one level up from EvonтАЩs own order. It never failed to amaze him at the amount of
information must pass through these halls each day in support of the Omnet.
In the center of the rotunda, circular, concentric steps formed a dais nearly ten feet above their
heads. Twelve oval display crystals floated in orbital positions around the upper platform. Atop the dais
stood a man, gray streaking the temples of the dark hair which flowed down his back. He gazed down
at them for a time, a calm blankness of someone who is trying quietly to place some thought or knowl-
edge about a phenomenon he is observing before he acts. His face was long and tight, its skin stretched
over the frame of his skull as though it were a size too small for his brow.
The man suddenly floated down the stairs toward the group, his hands planted deep into the
pockets sewn into the folds of his robe. тАЬI am EтАЩtoris Primla, Director of the Citadel. Vestis ShnтАЩdar, my
staff and I bid you and your companions welcome.тАЩ PrimlaтАЩs voice echoed through the rotunda. There
was not a trace of smile or warmth in his face as he approached.
тАЬEтАЩtoris Primla, we accept welcome on behalf of the Vestis Inquisitas and our common good,
the Omnet,тАЭ Queekat said in calm, formal response to the greeting. The forms of speech Queekat was
using were universal and тАФ between those who served in the Omnet тАФ clear and without compromise.
Evon knew that QueekatтАЩs statement would be followed by a question that was not a question so much
as a challenge to deny the fact of his orderтАЩs authority. Evon was not disappointed when Queekat
concluded. тАЬWe are tasked by the Inquisition on certain matters of concern to the Omnet. We humbly
request your assistance.тАЭ
PrimlaтАЩs face barely moved as he replied, тАЬThere is nothing for you here, Inquisitor. Our news
traffic is very high currently and we have no time to disrupt the flow of information for you questions.
All at this post is in order, I can personally assure you.тАЭ
Evon blinked. No one told a Vestis no тАФ ever.
Queekat smiled a most ingratiating smile, a fire burning behind his laughing eyes. тАЬI am cer-
tainly glad to hear that, EтАЩtoris Primla, but you are mistaken. I have not yet even asked a question and
you have already given me an answer.тАЭ His smile suddenly fell. тАЬUnfortunately, it is not the answer that

┬й Copyright 1997 by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman / All Rights Reserved. Page 23
I was hoping for.тАЭ
Suddenly Queekat leaped forward, grabbing the EтАЩtoris by the collar of his robe with both
hands and throwing him forcibly backwards. Primla reeled backwards, tripping and falling painfully
backwards against the stairs. His cry echoed off the great dome overhead, his breath rushed from him
and he began gasping for air. Queekat didnтАЩt wait. He stood over Primla, straddling him and again
reached down to grab the old EтАЩtoris robes.
Evon stood stunned, noticing much the same reaction from the rest of his group.
Except for Merinda. Merinda was moving.
тАЬKat! What are you doing?тАЭ Merinda, horrified, grabbed QueekatтАЩs arm, trying to pull him
away.