"Margaret Weis - Mag Force 7 - The Knights Of The Black Earth" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

Book One In The Mag Force 7 Series
The Nights Of The Black Earth



CHAPTER 1



Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely
mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the
director of the opponent's fate.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War


Shortly after they landed on Laskar, the four men went out and bought a
car. They paid cash for it, so Friendly Burl, the friendliest vehic dealer in
Laskar, was not fussy about such details as Who are you really? and Where have
you come from? Besides, he thought he already knew the answer. Four gray and
faceless suits; probably on an illicit holiday; an escape from boss,
sig-others, kids.

"You guys planning on being in Laskar long?" asked Friendly Bud of Burl's
Friendly Vehics.

Two of the men carried briefcases; none of them carried luggage.

"No," said one of the suits, handing over the requisite number of golden
eagles.

The manner and tone in which the man said that single word sucked the
"friendly" out of Burl and caused him to revise his original estimate. These
were not stressed-out execs. He began immediately and somewhat nervously to
count his money. Finding it correct, he relaxed.

"Salesmen, huh?" Bud ventured. He winked knowingly. "Or maybe not selling
but dealing?" The men did not answer. They put their briefcases in the Car.
Unusual. Like everything and everyone else in the sin-soaked city of Laskar,
rental cars tended to lead brief, albeit exciting lives. Consequently, rental
dealers demanded a hefty amount of plastic up front. Insurance, they called
it.

It cost a bit more to buy a vehic on Laskar, but the purchaser was
generally glad to pay extra for the convenience and the peace of mind. Upon
leaving the city, the car could always be resold--for scrap metal, if nothing
else. And paying in cash left no trail.

By now, Burl was really curious. He had a lot of friends and some of them
in the city would be very interested in knowing if competition was about to