"Zelazny, Roger - Angel, Dark Angel" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

УStain,Ф said the voice, which could have been coming from the red flowers in his hand, Уdo you love the human races and all other living things within the universe?Ф

УOf course,Ф he replied, recognizing the crackling sibilance that was the voice of Morgenguard.

УThen please prepare yourself for a journey of some duration and report to your old cubicle in Shadowhall.Ф

УBut I am retired, and there must be many others whose speed now exceeds my own.Ф

УYour last medical report shows that your speed is undiminished. You are still one of the ten best. You were retired at the proper age because it is your right to enjoy the rest of your days as you see fit. You are not ordered to do the thing I now say. You are requested to do it. So you may refuse if you see fit. Should you accept, however, you will be compensated, and you will have served the things you profess to love.Ф

УWhat would you have of me?Ф

УCome not in uniform, but in civil garb. Bring with you your gauntlets and your daily requirements in all things, save nourishment, for a period of approximately two weeks.Ф

УVery well. I will attend directly.Ф

The communication ended, and he finished potting the geranium and returned to his quarters.

To his knowledge, none such as himself had ever been recalled from retirement, nor was his knowledge inaccurate.

==========

Her name is Galatea, and she has red hair and stands to slightly over five and a half feet in height. Her eyes are green and her complexion pale, and men call her lovely but generally avoid her company. She lives in a big, old house which she has remodeled, on the outskirts of Cyborg, an ancient city on Ankus in the Ceti System. She keeps to herself and runs up large bills with the Cyborg Power Co.

She lives alone, save for mechanical servants. She favors dark colors in her garb and her surroundings. She occasionally plays tennis or else fences at the local sports center. She always wins. She orders large quantities of chemicals from local wholesalers. Men who have dated her say that she is stupid, brilliant, oversexed, a prude, fascinated with her deathwish, full of joie de vivre, an alcoholic, a teetotaler and a wonderful dancer. She has had many dates/few friends/no suitors, and her lovers be unknown. It is suggested that she maintains a laboratory and perhaps engages in unknown researches.

УWe do not know the answer,Ф said Simule. УThere is no defense against him, save here. I cannot remain here if I am to serve my function. Therefore, I must leave soon, and secretly.Ф

УWait,Ф she said. УYou are not yet ready to survive on your own. Another month, perhapsЕФ

УToo long, too long, we fear,Ф Simule replied.

УDo you doubt my power to protect you?Ф

Simule paused, as if to consider, then, УNo. You can save this body, but the question, Is it worth it?Ф comes forth. Is it worth it? Preserve yourself, lady. We love you. There remains yet more that you may do.У

УWe shall see,Ф she said. УBut for now, you remain.Ф

She replaced him, upon the reading stand in her library, and she left him there with Lear.

==========

His name was Stain, and he came to her door one day and announced himself, saying, УStain, of Iceborg.Ф

After a time, the door let him in.

She appeared and asked, УYes?Ф

УMy name is Stain,Ф he replied, Уand I have heard that you play tennis, and are very good. I am looking for a partner in the Cyborg Open Mixed Doubles. I am good. Will you play with me?Ф