"David Wingrove & Rand Miller - Myst 01 - The Book of Ti'ana" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wingrove David)

the
surrounding rock is of low density and likely to collapse. We could cut
through
it, of course, and shore up on either side, but I'd say there is more to
come
the other side of that."

"You know that?" Kedri asked, interrupting the two.

Geran turned his blank, unseeing eyes upon the Legislator and smiled. "I do
not
know it. Master Kedri, but my instinct is that this is the mere root of a
much
larger igneous intrusion. Part of a volcanic system. Imagine the roots of
a
tree. So such things are. As excavators, we try hard to avoid
such
instabilities. We look for hard, intact rock. Rock we have no need to
support."

Kedri looked puzzled at that. "But I thought it was your practice to
support
everything?"

Telanis answered him. "We do. Guild Master. As I said, we are very thorough.
But
if it is as Master Geran says-and long experience would tend to bear him
out-we
would do well to drill sideways a way before continuing our ascent. After
all,
why go courting trouble?"

"So how long will this ... detour take?"

Telanis smiled pleasantly. "A week. Maybe two."

Kedri looked far from pleased, yet he said nothing. Relieved, Telanis looked
to
Geran once more.

"In the circumstances I approve your recommendation, Master Geran. We shall
move
back and across. Arrange the survey at once."

Geran smiled. "I shall do it myself. Guild Master."

When Geran was gone, Telanis looked across at Aitrus.

"Aitrus, step forward."