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

тАЬI am an expert at communication with and repair of most automated household appliances.тАЭ
Merinda laughed. In a single smooth motion, she grabbed the front of QueekatтАЩs jump suit and
pulled him down onto the sand next to her. тАЬAh, my own inquisitor; master of the self regulating
laundry! What evil grows among the stars which causes the Omnet to send its ruthless and skilled
investigators to the far reaches of the DтАЩRakan Empire which require the skills of an expert repair man?
Are the Nine Oracles so concerned about the kitchen synths at our little sanctuary that they would send
one of their elite researchers all the way to Brishan?тАЭ
тАЬNo,тАЭ he smiled at her, тАЬmy mission is on Tentris тАФ but IтАЩm going to need a little help. ThatтАЩs
why IтАЩm here. I assume that you still have some leave saved up. Can you get a way for a few days?тАЭ
Merinda never spent her leave time тАФ while Queekat had been here there never seemed to be a
need for it and once Queekat had gone there never seemed to be much point. Her heart leaped at the
thought of taking a holiday with him, of getting off this rock and visiting somewhere exciting and new.
It had never seemed important to her before тАФ she certainly could have arranged passage to just about
anywhere she wished to holiday in the past тАФ but suddenly it had become incredibly important.
тАЬYes! Of course I can get away for a few days!тАЭ The words gushed out of her in a school-girl
rush that belied her usual serious and controlled demeanor. тАЬDo I have time to pack anything or must
we leave right away?тАЭ
тАЬEasy! Easy!тАЭ Queekat held up both hands to fend off the words assaulting him. тАЬItтАЩs not going
to just be us. IтАЩm going to need Kelis, Flynn, Dharah . . . probably Sendix and I think Brenai should
joins us as well . . . hey, stop that! WhatтАЩs the matter with you?тАЭ
Merinda had begun beating her fists rather ineffectually against the manтАЩs chest, a pout growing
more and more pronounced as she spoke. тАЬWhy do you have to bring along the whole department? We
donтАЩt need them! YouтАЩre the great inquisitor; youтАЩre the one with all the training and powers! We donтАЩt
need anyone else тАФ all you need is me!тАЭ
тАЬMerinda! This is an important operation! ThereтАЩll be plenty of time for us to . . .тАЭ
тАЬDonтАЩt you talk to me about time,тАЭ MerindaтАЩs blows were becoming a bit more effective, the
pain beginning to register in QueekatтАЩs face. тАЬI transcom a message to you everyday. You use to be
good about getting your replies back to me. Now I hardly hear from you. Nearly two months had gone
by until your arrival message came. Now youтАЩre here and you тАФ you want to mount an expedition?

┬й Copyright 1997 by Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman / All Rights Reserved. Page 11
DonтАЩt you think I can see whatтАЩs happening . . .тАЭ
тАЬRini!тАЭ
The word was sharp and harsh in her ears. She had never heard him use her name so coldly. She
stopped as he arrested both of her forearms in his powerful hands.
тАЬRini, this is my work. I serve the Omnet just as you do. ThereтАЩs a very special place for you in
all of this. I canтАЩt explain it to you now and you may not understand it at first but it is necessary that you
come and it is necessary that you do your duty тАФ do you understand?тАЭ
QueekatтАЩs gray eyes held her gaze. It was impossible for her to look into them and not feel
slightly lost.
тАЬYes,тАЭ she said softly at last, тАЬI understand. It just that it has been such a long time, Kat. I just .
. . I just wanted a little time for us.тАЭ
He pulled her toward him, the coldness of his face warming slightly. She buried her face against
his chest, cradling herself under his arm. тАЬOf course, Rini,тАЭ he said to her, the words warm but the tone
somewhat distracted. тАЬWe all want just a little more time.тАЭ
Merinda closed her eyes, her mind taking her back to the time before when their excursions to
the falls had been warm and wonderful.
She did not see QueekatтАЩs own eyes, staring blankly at the emerging stars overhead.