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

but due to solar activity which is expected to decrease later in the week. Meanwhile . . .тАЭ
They passed out of range of the projector. The silence again fell between them, palpable and
strange.
What does he want from me тАФ what does he want from us? she thought. It isnтАЩt just that heтАЩs
hurt me. His behavior toward the Citadel EтАЩtoris was unbelievable. What can I say to him that will
bridge this sudden chasm between us. What can I say to myself that will make this all right?
Whatever happened, she knew she would have to be the one to fix it. Queekat seemed incapable
of saying anything right to her.
She took a long, shuddering breath. тАЬKat тАФ I understand,тАЭ she said, looking away from him
and giving him every physical indication that she was far from understanding at all. тАЬI just wonder
what theyтАЩve done to you. I hardly recognize you anymore, Kat. This entire trip is turning out a lot
differently than I wanted it to.тАЭ
тАЬJust how did you want it to turn out?тАЭ he asked softly as the walked on.
тАЬI donтАЩt know тАФ just differently,тАЭ she sighed. Then she looked at him sharply, her eyes an
accusation. тАЬWhat was that all about anyway, Kat? You bring the entire team clear across the nebula
just to shake down some Citadel official over botched up reports? What does it matter to the Omnet if
a few backwater sifters mess up on procedure for their analysis.тАЭ
тАЬIтАЩm afraid, Rini,тАЭ at said absently, тАЬit will soon make a great deal of difference to a great may
people.тАЭ Suddenly, Kat smiled sunshine at her. тАЬWeтАЩre here! LetтАЩs not talk shop, Rini. IтАЩve got some-
thing special planned for us tonight.тАЭ
тАЬGong to find a group of old women and beat them up?тАЭ
тАЬRini!тАЭ
She shook her head, looking at the ground, a smile returning to her face for the first time.
тАЬSorry, Kat тАФ I guess weтАЩve all got a few changes to get use to.тАЭ She looked up, realized with a
wondrous start where they were.
The layout of the gardens had been specifically designed to hide the sight until the full impact
of the image came upon the pedestrian all at once. The ancient columns marched in a curved wall
supporting several tiers of additional columns at each level above it. At intervals, graceful towers of
spiral carved stone arched into the sky. The stately power of its simple lines, illuminated brilliantly
from below stood in beautiful contrast to the pastel night behind it. The structure stood near the central
end of the Avenue of Diversion, its size encroaching on the Imperial Gardens surrounding the Palace
itself.
тАЬWeтАЩre at the Coliseum!тАЭ Merinda smiled broadly, the pain in her jaw subsiding for a moment.
тАЬOh, Kat! Has it been haunted?тАЭ
тАЬYes,тАЭ Queekat breathed in relief, sensing somehow that forgiveness may be in the offing. тАЬJust
three months ago. In fact тАФ thatтАЩs my surprise.тАЭ
He took her hand.
There he was again, suddenly connected to her by more than the fingers they had intertwined.
In an instant, she saw before her the young man and the youthful hope that she had longed for over the
months they were apart. It was as though someone had flipped a switch somewhere and he had sud-
denly returned to her.
He smiled. She was alive again.
They ran laughing toward the tower columns before them.
The entrance lay under the tallest of the towers, long shimmering chains of opal light dancing
between posts formed the long queues leading to the main gate. Though it was in the full height of the
evening, no one stood waiting for the wonders of YarkaтАЩs history or fantasy to unfold around them.

┬й Copyright 1997 by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman / All Rights Reserved. Page 28
 тАЬWhere is everyone?тАЭ Merinda asked but Queekat continued either not hearing or not heeding
her words.