niven, larry - crashlander

8/20/2019 Niven, Larry - Crashlander

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CRASHLANDER

Larry Niven

(c) 1994 by Larry Niven

v1.0 (29-Aug-1999)

I y!u in" an" c!rrec# err!r$ in #%e #e' ea$e u"a#e #%e ver$i!n nu*ber by 0.1 an"re"i$#ribu#e.

+H,S ,NE

/e %a" !n"eru $ea#$ #en r!$ bac r!* #%e ga$$.

! %un"re" ee# be! #%e !cean$ $urace $unig%# !!"e" "!n #%r!ug% $eaee"

!re$#$ in a #%!u$an" icering g!"en bea*$. 3ayer$ $ire" in $%!a$ a*!ng #%e !re$#r!!#$ ie %a a %un"re" c!!r-c!"e" ig%#ing i$%.

+ran"$#an"$ %a" been $e# again$# #%e ci#y "!*e. ey!n" #%e ga$$ a$ #%e aying"!*ain !r #en c!!r-*are" #ea*$' eac% #ea* being ive %u*an$ an" a "!%in. Siy

ayer$' "!n #! i#y n!' #%e %u*an$ u$ing brea#%er$ an" !ver$i5e" in$.

%e rey ere !ca ie-!r*$' #%ree a##ene" #ur#e$ ar*e" i#% %in" ier$ a$ i"ea$ ing$. %eir ain#e" $%e$ g!e" ie ca#ure" $un$' re"' ye!' vi!e#. %e !in#

a$ #! *!ve #%e rey #%r!ug% #%e arc%e$' arab!!i"$ ain#e" in #%e $a*e ba5ing c!!r$.A ayer *ig%# u a rey again$# %i$ c%e$# #! $i* i#% i#' !r %!" i# a# ar*$ eng#% an"$#eer by #%e $#reng#% ! %i$ ar*$ %ie #%e rey "i" #%e !r' !r even eave i# $i**ing

#!ar" #%e $an" "uring a *eee' %!*g a #ea**a#e c!u" ge# i# be!re i# "i$aeare".

S%arr! a$ en#rance". /%en a $ar* ! En#er#ain*en# +ui" 3ayer$ carrie" #%e vi!e#

rey #%r!ug% #%e vi!e# arc%' $%e be!e" i#% #%e re$#.

I "!n# un"er$#an" a#er ar. S%e a#c%e" #%e ga*e6 I a#c%e" %er.

S%arr! a$ "re$$e" S%a$%#er $#ye' a ancy c!a !ver a b!"y $#!cing i#% in"!$ in

i# #%a# !u" $erve !r $i**ing. S%e a$ $*a even by a#an"er $#an"ar"$' beginning#! buge i#% !ur $ec!n" c%i". S#r!ng 7a' ae $in' $#raig%# bac %air #%e rea S%arr!.

,n Ear#% $%e" !rn *any an#a$#ic i*age$' in a#an"er $#ye.

8!r #!! !ng ear %a" ure" benea#% %er $urace e*!#i!n$. S%arr! a$n# *a"e !r #%i$

!r". u# e" ive" benea#% 8anir$ !r"-$anning !cean !r a year an" a %a' e"

c!nceive" an" bir#%e" eena an" $#ar#e" a $i$#er !r %er' an" e" c!*e #! $ee #%i$ ace


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a$ !ur !n. +ra"uay #%e ear %a" been e#c%e" aay. I $a n! $ign ! i# n!. S%arr! a$

a# %!*e.

Lig%# bea*$ "ance" "!n #%r!ug% #%e a#er an" aye" !ver #%e !n"eru an"$cae

! S%arr! an$$. u# I" *i$$e" brunc%. I nu"ge" %er an" $ai"' :I* g!ing !r r!vi$i!n$.:

S%e "i"n# #urn. :+!!"; Han"*ea' re"' ye$ !n veggie$. 3!c!rn. uice' any.:

I e# *y bacur$e in #%e $ea#. I gance" bac %en I reac%e" #%e ai$e. S%arr! a$!vey in r!ie' an" en#irey ab$!rbe" in #%e ga*e.


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:Dear !ne' I* $%!r# ! #i*e. An"er S*i##ara$%ee" $%!u"n# be %ere. I #%in %e ne *e

--:

:@niey;:

:I a$ !!ing !ver a bac!ny. He $a 7u$# *y %ea" an" $%!u"er$' !re$%!r#ene". u#

*aybe %e "!e$n# n! ab!u# y!u. S! b!! a $inge !r *e a# #%e 3eu!" a$ 3er$ia

anuary Heber#.: I# a$ a na*e I %a"n# u$e" in a %ie' bu# $%e ne i#' an" e" $#aye"a# #%e 3eu!" !nce. 8urni$% #%e r!!* a i##e? Luggage? N!' bu# -- :I e# *y bacur$e

!n *y $ea#. Leave i# in #%e r!!*. N!#%ing e$e.:

:Ne?:

%e *an I" $een %a"n# aeare" ye#.

S%e a$ #aing i# a in' bu# *u$ce$ ere e&ing a# #%e c!rner$ ! %er 7a an" %er eye$ere i"e an" rig%#ene". I a$e"' :H! #!ug% are y!u?:

Her eye$ $i" aay' a#c%ing #%e ga*e' becau$e $!*e!ne *ig%# be a#c%ing %er. S%e

$ai" again' :Ne?:

:I y!u can. +e# eena. +! #! S%a$%#. +e# ,u#b!un" En#erri$e$ #! ree5e y!u !r

#ran$er #! H!*e' $ign *e in' #!!' an" ay #%e era #! $%i eena. I be #%ere %en I

can.:

Her 7a $e#. S%arr! a$ a a# %!be' an" #%e c!n#inen# S%a$%# a$n# 7u$# %aay

r!un" #%e !r"6 i# a$ #%e $urace. I c!u"n# gue$$ %e#%er $%e a$ $#r!ng en!ug% #! ge#

#%r!ug% #%i$. I $ai"' :I y!u can# "! i#' eave !r" --:

:/%en can y!u 7!in u$?:

:I I* n!# !n #%e $a*e $%i' g! #! Car!$. I ge# #! y!u $!!ne$#.:

:=!u" be##er %ave !ne #an7 ! a g!!" $#!ry !r *e %en y!u "!': S%arr! $ai"' an" #%en

a %ea" ca*e in#! vie' reec#e" in #%e ga$$. /i#% *y %ea" $#i #urne" aay. I ice" ! #%e %!ne' *y bac b!cing #%e ac#i!n' an" igge" !u# *y !ce# %!ne.

I# a$ %i*. Suare ace' #%in b!n" %air' 7a ie a rey #ur"e' *u$ce$ riing un"er

#%e $%ir#. He a$ uing a i##e. An"er a$ b!rn ! Ear#%' an" %e" e# a a#an"er$

i" #a$#e in "re$$ an" aearance. !"ay %i$ "ra$#ring an#$ ere a *irace !rigging c!!re" ine$. He !re a #unic in $!i" c!!r$' green an" br!n i#% a 7agge"

bac ine acr!$$ c%e$# an" bac. Ca$$ica car#!!n c%arac#er$ e# eeing !ver #%e bac

ine' c%a##ering #! eac% !#%er ab!u# %a# #%ey $a' #%en "r!ing bac. He !re a

bacur$e' "i$a!in#ingy "rab.


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He a$ #aing %i$ #i*e' !!ing u55e" bu# "e#er*ine"' c!*ing rig%# a# *e.

S! I e# %i* $ee *e !ce# *y unu$e" %!ne a$ I #urne" an" $#ee" !u# ! #%e b!!#%

an" rig%# in#! %i*. I yee". :Ag%%;:

:S!rry. e!u' %! y!uve c%ange";: He !!e" *e !ver' vi$iby $%!ce"' b!cing

*e in #%e b!!#%.

I $%ie" bac' i* in#i*i"a#e" by a $#ree# #%ug' a bi# !en"e" an" a bi# arai". :S!rry'

*an' I "i"n# *ean #! nu"ge y!u.:

He $#ee" !rar" an" #!! *y %an" in b!#% ! %i$' "e$i#e ac ! enc!urage*en#'an" u*e" i# an" %ung !n. He be!e" !ver #%e cr!" n!i$e. :An"er S*i##ara$%ee".

/e *a"e #! #rave!gue vi"$ #!ge#%er. e!u' a I can $ay i$ y!u *u$# %ave a %e ! a

#ae #! #e.:

He %a" n! "!ub#$ %e ne *e. I $ai"' :Hi"e. He ! a #ae #! %i"e' An"er.:

:N!# any*!re.:

I $%!u#e"' :=ea%. Rig%#. Are y!u i#% any!ne?:

:N!' !n *y !n.:

:C!*e a#c% #%e ga*e i#% *e. I #%in #%ere$ an e*#y $ea# ne #! *ine.: %ere" be##er be.

He a$ $#i $#aring. /%a#ever %e" n!n' %a#ever %a" br!ug%# %i* %ere' %e %a"n#e&ec#e" %a# %e a$ $eeing.

I %ugge" #%a# #%!ug%# #! *e. He a$ $eeing *e !r #%e ir$# #i*e in #eve year$. I "are"#! %!e #%a# An"er %a"n# reare" !r #%i$ *ee#ing. %ere a$ n! bacu. u$# %i*.

A$ e a$$e" #%e b!!#%$' %i$ %an" c!$e" !n *y uer ar*. He *ig%# n!# #%in i# iey

#%a# I" "ive in#! a #ran$er b!!#% an" vani$%' bu# %e a$n# ri$ing i#. He $%!u#e"' :/%y a %!ne b!!#% #! u$e a !ce# %!ne?:

An" I $%!e" *y$e a$#!ni$%e" a# %i$ $#ui"i#y an" be!e"' :N!i$e;:

%en #%e cr!" r!ar "r!ne" !u# any %!e ! c!nver$a#i!n' e *!ve" !n#! #%e

$i"ebri"ge' an" I %a" a e *!*en#$ #! #%in.


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%ere$ !ny !ne $ace!r# !n /e >a"e I#' an" #%e $%i$ "!n# an" every "ay. S!*e !

u$ i"$ u$e" #! a#c% #%e* #ae ! an" an". I* #%e !ny !ne %! beca*e a i!#.

/%a# I n!#ice" ab!u# #%e #!uri$#$ a$ *u$ce.

I a$n# un"er*u$ce" !r a !ca. S!*e ! #%e #!uri$#$ %aie" r!* !r"$ n! *!re*a$$ive #%an *ine' bu# e g!# in&ian$ an" a#an"er$' #!!. %ey ae" ie #%ey

e&ec#e" u$ #! $%y aay r!* #%eir *!ving *a$$. /e #a' narr!' ragie cra$%an"er

*en an" !*en "i" a$ #%ey e&ec#e"' an" re$en#e" i# a i##e.

Naa*ura Line$ ran #%eir $%i$ a# !ne Ear#% gravi#y. I %a" #! #rain %ar" 7u$# #! a

ar!un" !n *y !n $%i. %u$ #raine"' I a$ a $uerby *u$ce" a#%e#e by /e >a"e I#

$#an"ar"$. I# a$ $#i #rue #%a# #!! *any a$$enger$ !!e" a# *y abin! a!r an" #a'$ee#a ra*e an" $a a $icy g%!u.

I" g!##en u$e" #! #%a#. >aybe i# %a" e# *e #!uc%y.

Bi$cera *e*!ry %a" c!*e !!"ing bac %en An"er$ %an" c!$e" !n *y ar* ie a

re"a#!r$ 7a$. I %a"n# n!n An"er e. I" $een %i* #ice in !ur#een year$' !r eri!"$ ! in#en$e ac#ivi#y ! a e ee$ eac%. N! I nee"e" a $#!ry #! #e #! An"er

S*i##ara$%ee"6 bu# %a# I re*e*bere" be$# a$ #%a# I" "i$ie" %i* !n $ig%#.


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:=ea%' I aay$ #%!ug%# $!. =!ure i#% #%e @ni#e" Na#i!n$ !ice.: I nee" n!# re#en" #!

ie i#.

An"er r!ne". :N!# ... e&ac#y. I* n!# an AR>. I* i#% Sig*un" Au$aer' an"

Sig*un" i$ an AR>' bu# %e %a$ %i$ !n agen"a. y %ic% I *ean #! $ay I* n!# %ere #! bring y!u bac' e!u.:

:%a#$ g!!". I "!n# an# #! g! bac.: I "i"n# %ave *y $#!ry ye#' bu# i# !u" n!#incu"e an#ing #! re#urn #! Ear#%. :/%y' #%en?:

:Can y!u #e *e %a# %aene" #! 8ea#%er 8ii?:

:I#$ !ng an" ugy.:

:N! r!be*. I #ae y!u #! "inner.:

:%an$.: I# *ig%# %e *e' n! !r a#er' i An"er #%!ug%# I a$ $%!r# ! *!ney. e##er

ye# -- :%ere$ an i#e* ! grea# vaue inv!ve"' An"er. ,ne I can# #!uc% *y$e. %a#' an"8ea#%er' an" #%e ay I !! #%eyre a ine".:

:=e$. +!!"': %e $ai" ab$en#y. :An"' #%!ug% %e never $ai" $! #! *e' Sig*un" *ay %avean#e" y!u #! n! #%a# i y!u !u#$*ar#e" #%e AR>' y!u "i" n!# !u#$*ar# Sig*un".:

:I e&ec# %e "i". Any#%ing e$e?:

:,%' ye$. I g!# in#! #%i$ becau$e e ere #aing ab!u# 3ier$!n$ ue#eer$. Sig*un"

an" I "eci"e" #%a# y!u' e!u S%aeer' n! a$ *uc% ab!u# #%e$e aien$ a$ any AR>.:

:Ha%. /ere y!u $!ber?:

:An" #%en e !re" !u# %ere y!u *u$# be. N!' n!# $!ber #%en' bu# e #ae" #%e ne*!rning an" "i"n# c%ange !ur *in"$. e!u' %! "i" y!u ir$# earn ! #%e

ue#eer$?:

:Sc%!! an" #%e %!! cube. /e a#c%e" a !# ! #rave!gue$ %en e ere i"$. An" e%ung ar!un" #%e $ace!r#' $! I ne #%ey *ae #%e +enera 3r!"uc#$ $%i$.:

:An" y!ur ir$# c!n#ac#?:

:/e r!#e #%a# u #!ge#%er. ,%' #an7' An"er; =!ure rec!r"ing' aren# y!u?:

He $ai"' :=e$': giving *e an in$#an# #! !b7ec#' "aring *e. /%! a$ %e rec!r"ing !r?

/%! a$ inv!ve" in %un#ing e!u S%aeer? I i# a$ Sig*un" Au$aer ... I" never

!u#gue$$e" Sig*un" ye#.


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An"er $ai"' :/e ay y!u a c!n$u#an#$ ee. en er %!ur' e!u. /i y!u acce#?:

:H! *any %!ur$ "! y!u nee"?: I# a$ gener!u$' bu# *y ye$ !u" be a verbac!n#rac#. I" be %i$ ri$!ner.

He ave" i# !. :@n#i *i"nig%#. %en e can reneg!#ia#e. I nee" #%e rec!r"ing !rSig*un".:

,uc%. :@n#i *i"nig%#': I $ai"' :re$en# #i*e being #en #! n!!n !ca.:

:=!ur ir$# c!n#ac# i#% 3ier$!n$ ue#eer$?:

8i#een year$ ying a$$enger$ be#een #%e !r"$. %en Naa*ura Line$ c!a$e"'an" I a$ !n #%e $#ree# ... !n /e >a"e I#' becau$e #%e banru#cy c!ur#$ a!e" u$

#ran$!r# %!*e. ! year$ a#er I a$ rea"y #! acce# an !er r!* any!ne. Any!ne ...

NE@R,N SAR

%e Sy"iver "r!e" !u# ! %yer$ace an even *ii!n *ie$ ab!ve #%e neu#r!n $#ar. Inee"e" a *inu#e #! ace *y$e again$# #%e $#ear bacgr!un" an" an!#%er #! in" #%e

"i$#!r#i!n S!nya La$in %a" *en#i!ne" be!re $%e "ie". I# a$ #! *y e#' an area #%e

aaren# $i5e ! #%e Ear#%$ *!!n. I $ung #%e $%i ar!un" #! ace i#.

Cur"e" $#ar$' *u""e" $#ar$' $#ar$ #%a# %a" been $#irre" i#% a $!!n.

%e neu#r!n $#ar a$ in #%e cen#er' ! c!ur$e' #%!ug% I c!u"n# $ee i# an" %a"n# e&ec#e"#!. I# a$ !ny eeven *ie$ acr!$$' an" c!!. A bii!n year$ %a" a$$e" $ince BS-1 %a"

burne" by u$i!n ire. >ii!n$ ! year$' a# ea$#' $ince #%e ca#acy$*ic #! ee$ "uring

%ic% BS-1 a$ an -ray $#ar' burning a# a #e*era#ure ! ive bii!n "egree$ evin. N! i# $%!e" !ny by i#$ *a$$.

%e $%i began #! #urn by i#$e. I e# #%e re$$ure ! #%e u$i!n "rive. /i#%!u# %e r!*

*e' *y ai#%u *e#a a#c%"!g a$ u##ing *e in a %yerb!ic !rbi# #%a# !u" #ae *ei#%in !ne *ie ! #%e neu#r!n $#ar$ $urace. en#y-!ur %!ur$ #! a' #en#y-!ur %!ur$

#! ri$e ... an" "uring #%a# #i*e $!*e#%ing !u" #ry #! i *e. A$ $!*e#%ing %a" ie"

#%e La$in$.

%e $a*e #ye ! au#!i!#' i#% #%e $a*e r!gra*' %a" c%!$en #%e La$in$ !rbi#. I# %a"

n!# cau$e" #%eir $%i #! c!i"e i#% #%e $#ar. I c!u" #ru$# #%e au#!i!#. I c!u" evenc%ange i#$ r!gra*.

I reay !ug%# #!.


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H! "i" I ge# *y$e in#! #%i$ %!e?

%e "rive en# ! a#er #en *inu#e$ ! *aneuvering. >y !rbi# a$ e$#abi$%e" in *!reay$ #%an !ne. I ne %a# !u" %aen i I #rie" #! bac !u# n!.

A I" "!ne a$ a in#! a "rug$#!re #! ge# a ne ba##ery !r *y ig%#er;


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I !!e" i# in#! a "i$ace*en# b!!#%. Eye$ !!e" *e a #%e ay. I# a$

e*barra$$ing being acc!$#e" in a ubic "rug$#!re by a #!-%ea"e" *!n$#er. >aybe #%e ue#eer ne i#. >aybe i# a$ #e$#ing *e #! $ee %! ba"y I nee"e" *!ney.

>y nee" a$ grea#. Eig%# *!n#%$ %a" a$$e" $ince Naa*ura Line$ %a" !"e". 8!r$!*e #i*e be!re #%a# I %a" been iving very %ig% !n #%e %!g' n!ing #%a# *y bac ay

!u" c!ver *y "eb#$. I never $a #%a# bac ay. I# a$ ui#e a cra$%' Naa*ura Line$.

Re$ec#abe *i""eage" bu$ine$$*en #!! #! eaving #%eir %!#e in"!$ i#%!u# #%eiri# be#$. >e' I e# $en"ing. I I" $#ar#e" iving rugay' *y cre"i#!r$ !u" %ave "!ne

$!*e c%ecing ... an" I" %ave en"e" in "eb#!r$ ri$!n.

%e ue#eer "iae" #%ir#een a$# "igi#$ i#% i#$ #!ngue. A *!*en# a#er e eree$e%ere. Air ue" !u# %en I !ene" #%e b!!#% "!!r' an" I $a!e" #! ! *y ear$.

:/e are !n #%e r!! ! #%e +enera 3r!"uc#$ bui"ing.: %e ric% c!n#ra#! v!ice #%rie"

a!ng *y nerve$' an" I %a" #! re*in" *y$e #%a# i# a$ an aien $eaing' n!# a !vey!*an. :=!u *u$# e&a*ine #%i$ $acecra# %ie e "i$cu$$ y!ur a$$ign*en#.:

I $#ee" !u#$i"e a i##e cau#i!u$y' bu# i# a$n# #%e in"y $ea$!n. %e r!! a$ a#

gr!un" eve. %a#$ #%e ay e bui" !n /e >a"e I#. >aybe i# %a$ $!*e#%ing #! "! i#%

#%e i#een-%un"re"-*ie-an-%!ur in"$ e ge# in $u**er an" in#er' %en #%e ane#$a&i$ ! r!#a#i!n run$ #%r!ug% i#$ ri*ary' 3r!cy!n. %e in"$ are !ur ane#$ !ny #!uri$#

a##rac#i!n' an" i# !u" be a $%a*e #! $! #%e* "!n by an#ing $y$craer$ in #%eir

a#%. %e bare' $uare c!ncre#e r!! a$ $urr!un"e" by en"e$$ $uare *ie$ ! "e$er#'

n!# ie #%e "e$er#$ ! !#%er in%abi#e" !r"$ bu# an u##ery iee$$ e&an$e ! ine $an" 7u$# crying #! be an#e" i#% !rna*en#a cac#u$. /eve #rie" #%a#. %e in" b!$ #%e

an#$ aay.

%e $%i ay !n #%e $an" bey!n" #%e r!!. I# a$ a N!. 2 +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u a

cyin"er #%ree %un"re" ee# !ng an" #en#y ee# #%r!ug%' !in#e" a# b!#% en"$ an" i#% a

$ig%# a$-ai$# c!n$#ric#i!n near #%e #ai. 8!r $!*e rea$!n i# a$ ying !n i#$ $i"e' i#%#%e an"ing $%!c$ $#i !"e" in a# #%e #ai.

Ever n!#ice %! a $%i$ %ave begun #! !! #%e $a*e? A g!!" nine#y-ive ercen# !

#!"ay$ $acecra# are bui# ar!un" !ne ! #%e !ur +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u$. I#$ ea$ier an"$aer #! bui" #%a# ay' bu# $!*e%! a $%i$ en" a$ #%ey began *a$$-r!"uce" !!-

aie$.

%e %u$ are "eivere" uy #ran$aren#' an" y!u u$e ain# %ere y!u ee ie i#. >!$#

! #%i$ ar#icuar %u %a" been e# #ran$aren#. ,ny #%e n!$e %a" been ain#e"' ar!un"

#%e ie$y$#e*. %ere a$ n! *a7!r reac#i!n "rive. A $erie$ ! re#rac#abe a##i#u"e 7e#$ %a" been *!un#e" in #%e $i"e$' an" #%e %u a$ ierce" i#% $*aer %!e$' $uare an" r!un"'

!r !b$erva#i!na in$#ru*en#$. I c!u" $ee #%e* gea*ing #%r!ug% #%e %u.


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%e ue#eer a$ *!ving #!ar" #%e n!$e' bu# $!*e#%ing *a"e *e #urn #!ar" #%e

$#ern !r a c!$er !! a# #%e an"ing $%!c$. %ey ere ben#. e%in" #%e curve"

#ran$aren# %u ane$ $!*e #re*en"!u$ re$$ure %a" !rce" #%e *e#a #! ! ie ar*a&' bac an" in#! #%e !in#e" $#e*.

:/%a# "i" #%i$?: I a$e".

:/e "! n!# n!. /e i$% $#renu!u$y #! in" !u#.:

:/%a# "! y!u *ean?:

:Have y!u %ear" ! #%e neu#r!n $#ar BS-1?:

I %a" #! #%in a *!*en#. :8ir$# neu#r!n $#ar ever !un"' an" $! ar #%e !ny. S!*e!ne

!ca#e" i# #! year$ ag! by $#ear "i$ace*en#.:

:BS-1 a$ !un" by #%e In$#i#u#e ! n!e"ge !n in&. /e earne" #%r!ug% a g!- be#een #%a# #%e In$#i#u#e i$%e" #! e&!re #%e $#ar. %ey nee"e" a $%i #! "! i#. %ey

%a" n!# ye# $uicien# *!ney. /e !ere" #! $uy #%e* i#% a $%i$ %u' i#% #%e u$uaguaran#ee$' i #%ey !u" #urn !ver #! u$ a "a#a #%ey acuire" #%r!ug% u$ing !ur $%i.:

:S!un"$ air en!ug%.: I "i"n# a$ %y #%ey %a"n# "!ne #%eir !n e&!ring. Lie *!$#$en#ien# vege#arian$' ue#eer$ in" "i$cre#i!n #! be #%e !ny ar# ! va!r.

:! %u*an$ na*e" 3e#er La$in an" S!nya La$in i$%e" #! u$e #%e $%i. %ey

in#en"e" #! c!*e i#%in !ne *ie ! #%e $urace in a %yerb!ic !rbi#. A# $!*e !in#"uring #%eir #ri an unn!n !rce aaren#y reac%e" #%r!ug% #%e %u #! "! #%i$ #! #%e

an"ing $%!c$. %e unn!n !rce a$! $ee*$ #! %ave ie" #%e i!#$.:

:u# #%a#$ i*!$$ibe. I$n# i#?:

:=!u $ee #%e !in#. C!*e i#% *e.: %e ue#eer #r!##e" #!ar" #%e b!.

I $a #%e !in#' a rig%#. N!#%ing' bu# n!#%ing' can ge# #%r!ug% a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u.

N! in" ! eec#r!*agne#ic energy e&ce# vi$ibe ig%#. N! in" ! *a##er' r!* #%e

$*ae$# $uba#!*ic ar#ice #! #%e a$#e$# *e#e!r. %a#$ %a# #%e c!*any$a"ver#i$e*en#$ cai*' an" #%e guaran#ee bac$ #%e* u. Ive never "!ub#e" i#' an" Ive

never %ear" ! a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u being "a*age" by a ea!n !r by any#%ing e$e.

,n #%e !#%er %an"' a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u i$ a$ ugy a$ i# i$ unc#i!na. %e ue#eer-

!ne" c!*any c!u" be ba"y %ur# i i# g!# ar!un" #%a# $!*e#%ing c!u" ge# #%r!ug% a

c!*any %u. u# I "i"n# $ee %ere I ca*e in.

/e r!"e an e$caa""er in#! #%e n!$e.


11/237

%e ie$y$#e* a$ in #! c!*ar#*en#$. Here #%e La$in$ %a" u$e" %ea#-reec#ive

ain#. In #%e c!nica c!n#r! cabin #%e %u %a" been "ivi"e" in#! in"!$. %e rea&a#i!n

r!!* be%in" i# a$ a in"!e$$ reec#ive $iver. 8r!* #%e bac a ! #%e rea&a#i!nr!!* an acce$$ #ube ran a#' !ening !n vari!u$ in$#ru*en#$ an" #%e %yer"rive *!#!r$.

%ere ere #! acceera#i!n c!uc%e$ in #%e c!n#r! cabin. !#% %a" been #!rn !!$e r!*#%eir *!un#ing$ an" a""e" in#! #%e n!$e ie $! *uc% #i$$ue aer' cru$%ing #%e

in$#ru*en# ane. %e bac$ ! #%e cru*e" c!uc%e$ ere $a$%e" i#% ru$# br!n.

8ec$ ! #%e $a*e c!!r ere a !ver every#%ing #%e a$' #%e in"!$' #%evie$creen$. I# a$ a$ i $!*e#%ing %a" %i# #%e c!uc%e$ r!* be%in" $!*e#%ing ie a

"!5en ain#-ie" #!y ba!!n$ $#riing i#% #re*en"!u$ !rce.

:%a#$ b!!"': I $ai".

:%a# i$ c!rrec#. Hu*an circua#!ry ui".:

!$# ! #%e re*aining n!r*a an" "egenera#e *a##er !u" be b!n

aay by #%e ibera#e" %ea#.


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8!r #! ee$ #%e $#ar !u" give ! ray$ a$ i#$ c!re #e*era#ure "r!e" r!* ive

bii!n "egree$ evin #! ive %un"re" *ii!n. A#er #%a# i# !u" be a ig%#-e*i##ing b!"y er%a$ #en #! #eve *ie$ acr!$$ #%e ne be$# #%ing #! invi$ibe. I# a$ n!#

$#range #%a# BS-1 a$ #%e ir$# neu#r!n $#ar ever !un".

Nei#%er i$ i# $#range #%a# #%e In$#i#u#e ! n!e"ge !n in& !u" %ave $en# a g!!"

"ea ! #i*e an" #r!ube !!ing. @n#i BS-1 a$ !un"' neu#r!niu* an" neu#r!n $#ar$

ere !ny #%e!rie$. %e e&a*ina#i!n ! an ac#ua neu#r!n $#ar c!u" be ! #re*en"!u$i*!r#ance. Neu#r!n $#ar$ *ig%# give u$ #%e ey #! #rue gravi#y c!n#r!.

>a$$ ! BS-1 1.F #i*e$ #%e *a$$ ! S!' ar!&.

Dia*e#er ! BS-1 (e$#i*a#e") eeven *ie$ ! neu#r!niu*' c!vere" by %a a *ie !

"egenera#e *a##er' c!vere" by *aybe #eve ee# ! !r"inary *a##er.

N!#%ing e$e a$ n!n ! #%e #iny %i""en $#ar un#i #%e La$in$ en# in #! !!. N!#%e In$#i#u#e ne !ne #%ing *!re #%e $#ar$ $in.


13/237

:Na#uray y!u i be a!e" #! bui" y!ur !n $%i' $#ar#ing i#% a N!. 2 +enera

3r!"uc#$ %u.:

:%an$' bu# I" ie #! g! !n iving.:

:=!u !u" "i$ie being c!nine". I in" #%a# /e >a"e I# %a$ ree$#abi$%e" #%e "eb#!r$

ri$!n. I +enera 3r!"uc#$ *a"e ubic y!ur acc!un#$ --:

:N!' 7u$# a --:

:=!u !e *!ney !n #%e c!$e !r"er ! ive %un"re" #%!u$an" $#ar$. /e i ay y!ur

cre"i#!r$ be!re y!u eave. I y!u re#urn --: I %a" #! a"*ire #%e crea#ure$ %!ne$#y in n!#$aying :/%en.: :-- e i ay y!u #%e re$i"ue. =!u *ay be a$e" #! $ea #! ne$

c!**en#a#!r$ c!ncerning #%e v!yage' in %ic% ca$e #%ere i be *!re $#ar$.:

:=!u $ay I can bui" *y !n $%i?:

:Na#uray. %i$ i$ n!# a v!yage ! e&!ra#i!n. /e an# y!u #! re#urn $aey.:

:I#$ a "ea': I $ai".

A#er a' #%e ue#eer %a" #rie" #! bac*ai *e. /%a# %aene" ne !u" be i#$ !n

au#.


14/237

%en #%e $#ar$ *a$$ %a" cu# #%e %yer$a#ia in. I# a$ e&ec#e"' an" n!b!"y %a"

!rrie" -- #%en. La#er' #%e $a*e eec# *u$# %ave $#!e" #%e* r!* e$caing r!*

%a#ever a##ace" #%e* in#! %yer$ace.

/%en !u"-be re$cuer$ !un" #%e $%i' !ny #%e ra"ar an" #%e ca*era$ ere $#i

running. %ey "i"n# #e u$ *uc%. %ere %a" been n! ca*era in #%e cabin. u# #%e!rar" ca*era gave u$' !r !ne in$#an#' a $ee"-burre" vie ! #%e neu#r!n $#ar. I# a$ a

ea#uree$$ "i$ #%e !range c!!r ! erec# barbecue c!a$' i y!u n! $!*e!ne %! can

a!r" #! burn !!". %i$ !b7ec# %a" been a neu#r!n $#ar a !ng #i*e.

:%ere be n! nee" #! ain# #%e $%i': I #!" #%e re$i"en#.

:=!u $%!u" n!# *ae $uc% a #ri i#% #%e a$ #ran$aren#. =!u !u" g! in$ane.:

:I* n! a#an"er. %e *in"-renc%ing $ig%# ! nae" $ace i$ *e i#% *i" bu#

aning in#ere$#. I an# #! n! n!#%ing$ $neaing u be%in" *e.:

%e "ay be!re I e#' I $a# a!ne in #%e +enera 3r!"uc#$ bar' e##ing #%e ue#eer

bar#en"er *ae *e "rin$ i#% %i$ *!u#%. He "i" i# e. 3ue#eer$ ere $ca##ere"ar!un" #%e bar in #!$ an" #%ree$' i#% a c!ue ! *en !r varie#y' bu# #%e "rining %!ur

%a" n!# ye# arrive". %e ace e# e*#y.

I a$ ea$e" i#% *y$e. >y "eb#$ ere a ai"' n!# #%a# #%a# !u" *a##er %ere I

a$ g!ing. I !u" eave i#% n!# a *inicre"i# #! *y na*e' i#% n!#%ing bu# #%e $%i ...

A #!"' I a$ e !u# ! a $#icy $i#ua#i!n. I %!e" I" ie being a ric% e&ie.

I 7u*e" %en #%e nec!*er $a# "!n acr!$$ r!* *e. He a$ a !reigner' a *i""e-

age" *an earing an e&en$ive nig%#-bac bu$ine$$ $ui# an" a $n!-%i#e a$y**e#rica bear". I e# *y ace ree5e an" $#ar#e" #! ge# u.

:Si# "!n' >r. S%aeer.:

:/%y?:

He #!" *e by $%!ing *e a bue "i$. An Ear#% g!vern*en# i"en#. I !!e" i# !ver #!$%! I a$ aer#' n!# becau$e I" n! an er$a#5 r!* #%e rea #%ing.

:>y na*e i$ Sig*un" Au$aer': $ai" #%e g!vern*en# *an. :I i$% #! $ay a e !r"$c!ncerning y!ur a$$ign*en# !n be%a ! +enera 3r!"uc#$.:

I n!""e"' n!# $aying any#%ing.

:A rec!r" ! y!ur verba c!n#rac# a$ $en# #! u$ a$ a *a##er ! c!ur$e. I n!#ice" $!*e

ecuiar #%ing$ ab!u# i#. >r. S%aeer' i y!u reay #ae $uc% a ri$ !r !ny ive

%un"re" #%!u$an" $#ar$?:


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:I* ge##ing #ice #%a#.:

:u# y!u !ny ee %a ! i#. %e re$# g!e$ #! ay "eb#$. %en #%ere are #a&e$ ... u#

never *in". /%a# !ccurre" #! *e a$ #%a# a $ace$%i i$ a $ace$%i' an" y!ur$ i$ very

e ar*e" an" %a$ !eru eg$. An a"*irabe ig%#ing $%i' i y!u ere *!ve" #! $ei#.:

:u# i# i$n# *ine.:

:%ere are #%!$e %! !u" n!# a$. ,n Cany!n' !r e&a*e' !r #%e I$!a#i!ni$# ar#y

! /un"eran".:

I $ai" n!#%ing.

:,r y!u *ig%# be anning a career ! iracy. A ri$y bu$ine$$' iracy' an" I "!n# #ae

#%e n!#i!n $eri!u$y.:

I %a"n# even #%!ug%# ab!u# iracy. u# I" %ave #! give u !n /un"eran".

:/%a# I !u" ie #! $ay i$ #%i$' >r. S%aeer. A $inge en#rereneur' i %e ere

$uicien#y "i$%!ne$#' c!u" "! #erribe "a*age #! #%e reu#a#i!n ! a %u*an being$every%ere. >!$# $ecie$ in" i# nece$$ary #! !ice #%e e#%ic$ ! #%eir !n *e*ber$' an"

e are n! e&ce#i!n. I# !ccurre" #! *e #%a# y!u *ig%# n!# #ae y!ur $%i #! #%e neu#r!n

$#ar a# a' #%a# y!u !u" #ae i# e$e%ere an" $e i#. %e ue#eer$ "! n!# *ae

invunerabe ar ve$$e$. %ey are acii$#$. =!ur Sy"iver i$ uniue.

:Hence' I %ave a$e" +enera 3r!"uc#$ #! a! *e #! in$#a a re*!#e-c!n#r! b!*b in

#%e Sy"iver. Since i# i$ in$i"e #%e %u' #%e %u cann!# r!#ec# y!u. I %a" i# in$#ae" #%i$a#ern!!n.

:N!' n!#ice; I y!u %ave n!# re!r#e" i#%in a ee' I i $e# ! #%e b!*b. %ere are$evera !r"$ i#%in a ee$ %yer$ace ig%# ! %ere' bu# a rec!gni5e #%e "!*ini!n

! Ear#%. I y!u ee' y!u *u$# eave y!ur $%i i#%in a ee' $! I %ar"y #%in y!u i

an" !n a n!n%abi#abe !r". Cear?:

:Cear.:

:I I a* r!ng' y!u *ay #ae a ie-"e#ec#!r #e$# an" r!ve i#. %en y!u *ay unc% *e in#%e n!$e' an" I i a!!gi5e %an"$!*ey.:

I $%!! *y %ea". He $#!!" u' b!e"' an" e# *e $i##ing #%ere c!" $!ber.


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8!ur i*$ %a" been #aen r!* #%e La$in$ ca*era$. In #%e #i*e e# #! *e I ran

#%r!ug% #%e* $evera #i*e$ i#%!u# $eeing any#%ing !u# ! #%e ay. I #%e $%i %a" run

#%r!ug% a ga$ c!u"' #%e i*ac# c!u" %ave ie" #%e La$in$. A# eri%ei!n #%ey ere*!ving a# be##er #%an %a #%e $ee" ! ig%#. u# #%ere !u" %ave been ric#i!n' an" I

$a n! $ign ! %ea#ing in #%e i*$. I $!*e#%ing aive %a" a##ace" #%e*' #%e bea$# a$

invi$ibe #! ra"ar an" #! an en!r*!u$ range ! ig%# reuencie$. I #%e a##i#u"e 7e#$ %a"ire" acci"en#ay -- I a$ cu#c%ing a# $#ra$ -- #%e ig%# $%!e" !n n!ne ! #%e i*$.

%ere !u" be $avage *agne#ic !rce$ near BS-1' bu# #%a# c!u"n# %ave "!ne any"a*age. N! $uc% !rce c!u" ene#ra#e a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u. Nei#%er c!u" %ea#'

e&ce# in $ecia ban"$ ! ra"ia#e" ig%#' ban"$ vi$ibe #! a# ea$# !ne ! #%e ue#eer$

aien cu$#!*er$. I %!" a"ver$e !ini!n$ !n #%e +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u' bu# #%ey a

c!ncern #%e "u an!ny*i#y ! #%e "e$ign. ,r *aybe I re$en# #%e ac# #%a# +enera3r!"uc#$ %!"$ a near *!n!!y !n $acecra# %u$ an" i$n# !ne" by %u*an being$.

u# i I" %a" #! #ru$# *y ie #!' $ay' #%e Sincair yac%# I" $een in #%e "rug$#!re' I" %ave

c%!$en 7ai.

ai a$ !ne ! *y #%ree c%!ice$. u# I" be #%ere !r ie. Au$aer !u" $ee #! #%a#.

,r I c!u" run !r i# in #%e Sy"iver u# n! !r" i#%in reac% !u" %ave *e. I I

c!u" in" an un"i$c!vere" Ear#%ie !r" i#%in a ee ! /e >a"e I# ...

8a# c%ance. I reerre" BS-1.


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#ube6 #! #%e e#' #%e a$er cann!n6 #! #%e rig%#' a $e# ! curve" $i"e #ube$ ea"ing #!

in$ec#i!n !in#$ !r #%e gyr!$' #%e ba##erie$ an" genera#!r' #%e air an#' #%e %yer$ace

$%un# *!#!r$. A a$ in !r"er -- e&ce# *e. I a$ cu*$y. >y 7u*$ ere aay$ #!!$%!r# !r #!! !ng. %ere a$ n! r!!* #! #urn a# #%e $#ern en"' $! I %a" #! bac i#y ee# #!

a $i"e #ube.

Si& %!ur$ #! g!' an" $#i I c!u"n# in" #%e neu#r!n $#ar. 3r!baby I !u" $ee i# !ny !r

an in$#an#' a$$ing a# be##er #%an %a #%e $ee" ! ig%#. Area"y *y $ee" *u$#

en!r*!u$.

/ere #%e $#ar$ #urning bue?

! %!ur$ #! g! -- an" I a$ $ure #%ey ere #urning bue.

/a$ *y $ee" #%a# %ig%? %en #%e $#ar$ be%in" $%!u" be re". >ac%inery b!ce" #%e

vie be%in" *e' $! I u$e" #%e gyr!$. %e $%i #urne" i#% ecuiar $uggi$%ne$$. An" #%e

$#ar$ be%in" ere bue' n!# re". A ar!un" *e ere bue-%i#e $#ar$.

I*agine ig%# aing in#! a $avagey $#ee gravi#a#i!na e. I# !n# acceera#e. Lig%#can# *!ve a$#er #%an ig%#. u# i# can gain in energy' in reuency. %e ig%# a$ aing

!n *e %ar"er an" %ar"er a$ I "r!e".

I #!" #%e "ic#a%!ne ab!u# i#. %a# "ic#a%!ne a$ r!baby #%e be$#-r!#ec#e" i#e* !n

#%e $%i. I %a" area"y "eci"e" #! earn *y *!ney by u$ing i#' 7u$# a$ i I e&ec#e" #!

c!ec#. 3riva#ey I !n"ere" 7u$# %! in#en$e #%e ig%# !u" ge#.

Sy"iver %a" "ri#e" bac #! ver#ica' i#% i#$ a&i$ #%r!ug% #%e neu#r!n $#ar' bu# n! i#

ace" !u#ar". I" #%!ug%# I %a" #%e $%i $#!e" %!ri5!n#ay. >!re cu*$ine$$. I u$e"

#%e gyr!$. Again #%e $%i *!ve" *u$%iy' un#i i# a$ %aay #%r!ug% #%e $ing. %en i#$ee*e" #! a au#!*a#icay in#! ace. I# a$ a$ i #%e Sy"iver reerre" #! %ave i#$ a&i$

#%r!ug% #%e neu#r!n $#ar.

I "i"n# ie #%a#.

I #rie" #%e *aneuver again' an" again #%e Sy"iver !ug%# bac. u# #%i$ #i*e #%ere a$

$!*e#%ing e$e. S!*e#%ing a$ uing a# *e.

S! I una$#ene" *y $ae#y ne# -- an" e %ea"ir$# in#! #%e n!$e.


18/237

%in? I never "!ub#e" i#. %i$ $#range' gen#e u a$ ine&icabe. S!*e#%ing

ine&icabe %a" ie" 3e#er an" S!nya La$in. GED.

Ar!un" #%e !in# %ere #%e neu#r!n $#ar *u$# be' #%e $#ar$ ere ie $*eare" "!#$ ! !i

ain#' $*eare" ra"iay. %ey gare" i#% an angry' ainu ig%#. I %ung ace"!n in #%ene# an" #rie" #! #%in.

I# a$ an %!ur be!re I a$ $ure. %e u a$ increa$ing. An" I $#i %a" an %!ur #! a.

S!*e#%ing a$ uing !n *e bu# n!# !n #%e $%i.

N!' #%a# a$ n!n$en$e. /%a# c!u" reac% !u# #! *e #%r!ug% a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u? I#*u$# be #%e !#%er ay ar!un". S!*e#%ing a$ u$%ing !n #%e $%i' u$%ing i# ! c!ur$e.

I i# g!# !r$e' I c!u" u$e #%e "rive #! c!*en$a#e. >ean%ie' #%e $%i a$ being

u$%e" aay r!* BS-1' %ic% a$ ine by *e. u# i I a$ r!ng' i #%e $%i a$ n!#$!*e%! being u$%e" a/ay r!* BS-1' #%e r!ce# *!#!r !u" $en" #%e Sy"iver

cra$%ing *i#! eeven *ie$ ! neu#r!niu*.

An" %y a$n# #%e r!ce# area"y iring? I #%e $%i a$ being u$%e" ! c!ur$e' #%e

au#!i!# $%!u" be ig%#ing bac. %e acceer!*e#er a$ in g!!" !r"er. I# %a" !!e"ine %en I %a" *a"e *y in$ec#i!n #!ur "!n #%e acce$$ #ube.

C!u" $!*e#%ing be u$%ing !n #%e $%i an" !n #%e acceer!*e#er bu# n!# !n *e? I#

ca*e "!n #! #%e $a*e i*!$$ibii#y $!*e#%ing #%a# c!u" reac% #%r!ug% a +enera3r!"uc#$ %u.

! %e i#% #%e!ry' $ai" I #! *y$e' $ai" I. I* ge##ing !u# ! %ere. ! #%e "ic#a%!ne I$ai"' :%e u %a$ increa$e" "anger!u$y. I* g!ing #! #ry #! a#er *y !rbi#.:

, c!ur$e' !nce I #urne" #%e $%i !u#ar" an" u$e" #%e r!ce#' I" be a""ing *y !nacceera#i!n #! #%e -!rce. I# !u" be a $#rain' bu# I c!u" $#an" i# !r a %ie. I I ca*e

i#%in a *ie ! BS-1' I" en" ie S!nya La$in.

S%e *u$# %ave ai#e" ace"!n in a ne# ie *ine' ai#e" i#%!u# a "rive uni#' ai#e"%ie #%e re$$ure r!$e an" #%e ne# cu# in#! %er e$%' ai#e" un#i #%e ne# $nae" an"

"r!e" %er in#! #%e n!$e' #! ie cru$%e" an" br!en un#i #%e -!rce #!re #%e very c%air$

!!$e an" "r!e" #%e* !n %er.

I %i# #%e gyr!$.

%e gyr!$ eren# $#r!ng en!ug% #! #urn *e. I #rie" i# #%ree #i*e$. Eac% #i*e #%e $%i

r!#a#e" ab!u# i#y "egree$ an" %ung #%ere' *!#i!ne$$' %ie #%e %ine ! #%e gyr!$ en#

u an" u. Reea$e"' #%e $%i i**e"ia#ey $ung bac #! !$i#i!n. I a$ n!$e "!n #!

#%e neu#r!n $#ar' an" I a$ g!ing #! $#ay #%a# ay.


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Ha an %!ur #! a' an" #%e -!rce a$ !ver a gee. >y $inu$e$ ere in ag!ny. >y eye$

ere rie an" rea"y #! a !u#.. I "!n# n! i I c!u" %ave $#!!" a cigare##e' bu# I "i"n#ge# #%e c%ance. >y ac ! 8!r#una"!$ %a" aen !u# ! *y !ce# %en I %a" "r!e"

in#! #%e n!$e. %ere i# a$' !ur ee# bey!n" *y inger$' r!! #%a# #%e -!rce ac#e" !n

!#%er !b7ec#$ be$i"e$ *e. 8a$cina#ing.

I c!u"n# #ae any *!re. I i# "r!e" *e $%rieing in#! #%e neu#r!n $#ar' I %a" #! u$e #%e

"rive. An" I "i". I ran #%e #%ru$# u un#i I a$ ar!&i*a#ey in ree-a. %e b!!"%ic% %a" !!e" in *y ere*i#ie$ en# bac %ere i# be!nge". %e gee "ia-

regi$#ere" !ne !in# #! gee. I cur$e" i# !r a ying r!b!#.

%e $!# ac a$ b!bbing ar!un" in #%e n!$e' an" i# !ccurre" #! *e #%a# a i##e eranu"ge !n #%e #%r!##e !u" bring i# #! *e. I #rie" i#. %e ac "ri#e" #!ar" *e' an" I

reac%e"' an" ie a $en#ien# #%ing i# $ee"e" u #! av!i" *y cu#c%ing %an". I $na#c%e" a#

i# again a$ i# en# a$# *y ear' an" again i# a$ *!ving #!! a$#. %a# ac a$ g!ing a# a

%e ! a ci' c!n$i"ering #%a# %ere I a$ rac#icay in ree-a. I# "r!e" #%r!ug% #%e"!!r #! #%e rea&a#i!n r!!*' $#i icing u $ee"' burre"' an" vani$%e" a$ i# en#ere" #%e

acce$$ #ube. Sec!n"$ a#er I %ear" a $!i" #%u*.

u# #%a# a$ cra5y. Area"y #%e -!rce a$ uing b!!" in#! *y ace. I ue" *y

ig%#er !u#' %e" i# a# ar*$ eng#%' an" e# g!. I# e gen#y in#! #%e n!$e. u# #%e ac !8!r#una"!$ %a" %i# ie I" "r!e" i# r!* a bui"ing.

/e.

I nu"ge" #%e #%r!##e again. %e *u##er ! u$ing %y"r!gen re*in"e" *e #%a# i I #rie" #!

ee #%i$ u a #%e ay' I *ig%# e u# #%e +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u #! i#$ #!ug%e$# #e$#

ye# $*a$%ing i# in#! a neu#r!n $#ar a# %a ig%#$ee". I c!u" $ee i# n! a #ran$aren#%u c!n#aining !ny a e cubic inc%e$ ! "ar-$#ar *a##er e"ge" in#! #%e #i ! #%e

n!$e.

A# !ne !in# !ur gee' acc!r"ing #! #%a# ying gee "ia' #%e ig%#er ca*e !!$e an" "ri#e"

#!ar" *e. I e# i# g!. I# a$ ceary aing %en i# reac%e" #%e "!!ray. I ue" #%e

#%r!##e bac. %e !$$ ! !er7ere" *e vi!en#y !rar"' bu# I e# *y ace #urne".

%e ig%#er $!e" an" %e$i#a#e" a# #%e en#rance #! #%e acce$$ #ube. Deci"e" #! g!#%r!ug%. I c!ce" *y ear$ !r #%e $!un"' #%en 7u*e" a$ #%e %!e $%i rang ie a g!ng.

An" #%e acceer!*e#er a$ rig%# a# #%e $%i$ cen#er ! *a$$. ,#%eri$e #%e $%i$ *a$$!u" %ave #%r!n #%e nee"e !. %e ue#eer$ ere ien"$ !r #en-"eci*a-!in#

accuracy.

I av!re" #%e "ic#a%!ne i#% a e a$# c!**en#$' #%en g!# #! !r rer!gra**ing #%e

au#!i!#. Luciy %a# I an#e" a$ $i*e. %e -!rce a$ bu# an -!rce #! *e' bu#

n! I ne %! i# be%ave". I *ig%# ac#uay ive #%r!ug% #%i$.


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21/237

I# a$ #%e #i"e.


22/237

:%a# in!r*a#i!n i$ ca$$iie".: %e ue#eer$ are c!ar"$. N!b!"y n!$ %ere #%ey

c!*e r!*' an" n!b!"y i$ iey #! in" !u#.

:D! y!u n! %a# %aen$ %en a *!!n ge#$ #!! c!$e #! i#$ ri*ary?:

:I# a$ aar#.:

:/%y?:

:I "! n!# n!.:

:i"e$.:

:/%a# i$ a #i"e?:

,%!' $ai" I #! *y$e' $ai" I. :I* g!ing #! #ry #! #e y!u. %e Ear#%$ *!!n i$ a*!$#

#! #%!u$an" *ie$ in "ia*e#er an" "!e$ n!# r!#a#e i#% re$ec# #! Ear#%. I an# y!u #! ic #! r!c$ !n #%e *!!n' !ne a# #%e !in# neare$# #%e Ear#%' !ne a# #%e !in# ar#%e$#

aay.:

:Bery e.:

:N!' i$n# i# !bvi!u$ #%a# i #%!$e r!c$ ere e# #! #%e*$eve$' #%ey" a aay r!*

eac% !#%er? %eyre in #! "ieren# !rbi#$' *in" y!u' c!ncen#ric !rbi#$' !ne a*!$# #!

#%!u$an" *ie$ !u#$i"e #%e !#%er. =e# #%!$e r!c$ are !rce" #! *!ve a# #%e $a*e !rbi#a

$ee".:

:%e !ne !u#$i"e i$ *!ving a$#er.:

:+!!" !in#. S! #%ere i$ a !rce #rying #! u #%e *!!n aar#. +ravi#y %!"$ i# #!ge#%er.

ring #%e *!!n c!$e en!ug% #! Ear#%' an" #%!$e #! r!c$ !u" $i*y !a# aay.:

:I $ee. %en #%i$ #i"e #rie" #! u y!ur $%i aar#. I# a$ !eru en!ug% in #%e

ie$y$#e* ! #%e In$#i#u#e $%i #! u #%e acceera#i!n c%air$ !u# ! #%eir *!un#$.:

:An" #! cru$% a %u*an being. 3ic#ure i#. %e $%i$ n!$e a$ 7u$# $even *ie$ r!* #%ecen#er ! BS-1. %e #ai a$ #%ree %un"re" ee# ar#%er !u#. Le# #! #%e*$eve$' #%ey"

%ave g!ne in c!*e#ey "ieren# !rbi#$. >y %ea" an" ee# #rie" #! "! #%e $a*e #%ing

%en I g!# c!$e en!ug%.:

:I $ee. Are y!u *!#ing?:

:/%a#?:

:I n!#ice y!u are !$ing y!ur !u#er in#egu*en# in $!#$.:


23/237

:,%' #%a#. I g!# a ba" $unburn r!* e&!$ure #! $#arig%#. I#$ n!# i*!r#an#.:

/! %ea"$ $#are" a# eac% !#%er !r an eyebin. A $%rug? %e ue#eer $ai"' :/e %ave"e!$i#e" #%e re$i"ue ! y!ur ay i#% #%e an ! /e >a"e I#. ,ne Sig*un" Au$aer'

%u*an' %a$ r!5en #%e acc!un# un#i y!ur #a&e$ are c!*u#e".:

:8igure$.:

:I y!u i #a #! re!r#er$ n!' e&aining %a# %aene" #! #%e In$#i#u#e $%i' ei ay y!u #en #%!u$an" $#ar$. /e i ay ca$% $! #%a# y!u *ay u$e i# i**e"ia#ey. I# i$

urgen#. %ere %ave been ru*!r$.:

:ring e* in.: A$ an a#er#%!ug%# I a""e"' :I can a$! #e #%e* #%a# y!ur !r" i$*!!ne$$. %a# $%!u" be g!!" !r a !!#n!#e $!*e%ere.:

:I "! n!# un"er$#an".: u# #! !ng nec$ %a" "ran bac' an" #%e ue#eer a$

a#c%ing *e ie a air ! y#%!n$.

:=!u" n! %a# a #i"e a$ i y!u %a" a *!!n. =!u c!u"n# av!i" i#.:

:/!u" y!u be in#ere$#e" in --:

:A *ii!n $#ar$? I" be a$cina#e". I even $ign a c!n#rac# i i# $#a#e$ %a# ere %i"ing.

H! "! y!u ie being bac*aie" !r a c%ange?:

+H,S /,

I #rie" #! $cri# #%e $#!ry *y$e' ! c!ur$e. %ere a$ a c!*u#er r!gra* #%a# !u"

"! i# a$ an in#ervie. I *a"e !#$ ! n!#e$ ... #!! *any n!#e$' becau$e any #i*e I #rie" #!

ri#e #e !r *y$e' I b!ce".

S! I a"ver#i$e" !r a g%!$#.

An"er S*i##ara$%ee" an$ere".

Hi$ #ye a$ a*iiar en!ug%. He a$ a gau"y a#an"er a#%e#e' #!! aare ! #%e i*$

an" a*e$ ar!un" %i*' very aare #%a# any !*an a$ %i$ !r #%e a$ing. I# a $%!e"in %i$ !r"$ an" b!"y anguage.

>aybe I !u"n# even %ave %ire" %i*' bu# %e 7u$# u$%e" in#! #%e $i#ua#i!n i#%!u#giving *e a c%ance #! reac#. e!re *y cau#i!n caug%# u' I a$ #eing %i* every#%ing ...

neary every#%ing. He #urne" i# in#! a !ne-ac# ay be#een *e an" #%e in#ervie

r!gra*' a in !ne a#ern!!n. /e $en# #! "ay$ !i$%ing be!re e i*e" i#. %e

rec!r"ing $!" in$#an#y #! #%e ne#$.


24/237

He c!u" ri#e. %a# in i#$e a$ a*a5ing.

I $ai"' :I c!u"n# #e y!u ab!u# #%e bac*ai a$ec#.: /e eren# $%!u#ing n!. %e

un"er$ea "!*e i$n# reay ga$$6 i#$ $!*e#%ing #%a# ab$!rb$ $%!c ave$' incu"ing

$!un"' n!# #! *en#i!n #$una*i$.

An"er S*i##ara$%ee" grinne" a# *e a#r!ni5ingy. :Di" y!u #%in y!u ere u##ing

$!*e#%ing !ver !n +enera 3r!"uc#$;:

:A# #%e #i*e. I $#i "!n# n! !r $ure. >aybe I a$ cra5y #! #%in #%a# a $aceg!ing

$ecie$ !u"n# un"er$#an" #i"e$.:

:>aybe. u# %y !u" #%ey $en" a %u*an i!# #! earn %a# #%ey area"y ne?:

:>** ... An"er' !! a# i# #%i$ ay. A univer$i#y #ea* $e#$ !u# #! inve$#iga#e a c!"

neu#r!n $#ar. %ey *ae a *i$#ae' r!baby i#%!u# in!r*ing +enera 3r!"uc#$' bu##%eyre u$ing a +3 %u. %e $%i c!*e$ bac i#% #%e i!#$ "ea" in vivi"y g!ry a$%i!n.

+enera 3r!"uc#$ !r$ !u# %! i# %aene"' bu# #%ey" ra#%er n!# be $een a$ *ainge&cu$e$. /%y n!# e# $!*e!ne ! #%e $a*e $ecie$ $!ve #%e r!be* an" #%en #a !r

#%e*?:

:%ey $ee* #! %ave %a" a g!!" "ea ! ai#% in y!u.:

I aug%e" a$ i I %a"n# a care in #%e !r". :,%' An"er. I !n"er %! *any #i*e$ #%ey

#rie" i#.:

He #%!ug%# i# !ver. :N!. %ey $%!e" Sig*un" y!ur c!n#rac#. %ey !u" %ave %a" #!

"! #%a# $evera #i*e$.:

:=ea%.:

:e!u' Sig*un" !u" n!# %ave ar#icia#e" %ie #%ey ie" !ne i!# a#er

an!#%er.:

I $ai"' :>a" !*ber Sig*un"? An"er' I never %a" any in#en#i!n ! $#eaing #%a# $%i.: I$a %i$ !!' bu# I en# !n. :N!' #%a# c!u" i*y #%a# Sig*un" i$ a ba" 7u"ge !

c%arac#er. ,r i# c!u" *ean #%a# %e brace" ... !%' a "!5en i!#$' eac% in #urn. %e !""$ !

!ne ! u$ $#eaing a $%i ge# re##y g!!". Re*e*ber' i eac% ! u$ "!e$ !ur 7!b' #%e %uc!*e$ bac a# #%e en" ! #%e !rbi#. %!$e #%ing$ c!$#.:

An"er$ 7a $e#. He $ai"' :N!.:

A rig%#' n!. I" #ry again a#er. e!u S%aeer i$ a *i$un"er$#!!" inn!cen#. Sig*un"

Au$aer i$n# ui#e #ru$#!r#%y. C%ange #%e $ub7ec# -- :,r "! y!u *ean #%ey #ru$#e" *e

#! ri#e *y !n $cri#? I #rie" #%a#' An"er.:


25/237

:=!u reay nee"e" %e. 8ir$# neu#r!n $#ar ever "i$c!vere"': %e u!#e".

8ir$# !"' c!" neu#r!n $#ar. +!!" #%ing %e" $!##e" #%a# e*barra$$*en#. I $ai"' :=!u

c!u"n# "ive #%a# c!$e #! a u$ar. Even a +3 %u c!u"n# ba$% #%r!ug% #%e accre#i!n

"i$. Ive g!##en be##er a# e&aining #%ing$' An"er.:

I a$ $ca*ering ab!u# in$i"e *y %ea"' $eeing any %!e #%a# *ig%# !er an e$cae.

>!ni#!ring a ci#i5en can be ea$y' !r c%ea' !r !!r!!6 #ae y!ur c%!ice. Au$aer a$

bacing An"er i#% @N *!ney. %e @ni#e" Na#i!n$ "i"n# %ave au#%!ri#y !u#$i"e S!

$y$#e*' bu# An"er c!u" be u$ing AR> un"$ !r eui*en#.

u# %e" $een *e !n #%e bac!ny !r #%e very ir$# #i*e. He" $rin#e" u #%e $i"e$#air$

#! in#erce# *e i#%!u# au$ing a *!*en# #! ca !r bacu. I" $#ae !ur ree"!* !n

#%a# -- #%eir ree"!*. %e @N %a" n! cai* !n *e' bu# #%ey *ig%# e era"i#e Car!$'

!r S%arr!' !r #%e c%i"ren.

S! I a$ $%aing a bribe #! !er An"er' an" #eing *y$e #%a# %e a$n# #!! big #! beie" i #%ing$ br!e rig%#' an" %!ing #%a# n!ne ! #%a# $%!e" a# a %ie I aye" !r

#i*e.

I a$e"' :/%a#$ y!ur c!ncern i#% ue#eer$? %eyre %ar*e$$. %eyre c!ar"$.:

:Are c!ar"$ %ar*e$$?:

:An" #%eyre g!ne.:

An"er $*ie" a# *e. :An" y!u ere #%e !ne %! $en# #%e*. e!u' %y !u" #%ey"ea i#% y!u a $ec!n" #i*e? =!u bac*aie" #%e*.:

:%ey "!n# *in" bac*ai6 #%ey u$e i# #%e*$eve$. An" %a# I #%!ug%# I ne *ig%#n!# be #rue.: I caug%# #%a# $*ir again an" $nae"' :A rig%#' %a#?:

:i"e$': An"er $ai". :/eve been a#c%ing #%eir' a%' re#rea#. %e 3ier$!n$ ue#eer$

un"er$#an" #i"e$ very e' e!u' %e#%er !r n!# #%ey ever %a" a *!!n.:

:A rig%#.: I beieve" %i* an" a$n# $urri$e".

:y #%e ay' #%a# in!r*a#i!n i$ ab$!u#ey r!rie#ary --:

:>an i#% a $ecre#' %a%? Even $!' I #%in #%ey ere #aing a $%!# a# *e %en #%ey %ire"*e #%e $ec!n" #i*e.:


26/237

A HE C,RE

I.

I c!u"n# "eci"e %e#%er #! ca i# a ain#ing' a reie *ura' a $cu#ure' !r a %a$%' bu# i#

a$ #%e ri5e e&%ibi# in #%e ar# $ec#i!n ! #%e In$#i#u#e ! n!e"ge !n in&. %e"a#yn! *u$# %ave $#range eye$' I #%!ug%#. >y !n ere a#ering. %e !nger I !!e"

a# 8LS3ACE' #%e *!re burre" i# g!#.

I" #en#a#ivey "eci"e" #%a# i# a$ $u!$e" #! !! burre" %en a $e# ! #!!#%y 7a$

ca*e" gen#y !n *y ar*. I 7u*e" a !!# in #%e air. A $!#' #%riing c!n#ra#! v!ice

$ai"' :e!u S%aeer' y!u are a $en"#%ri#.:

%a# v!ice !u" %ave *a"e a $inger$ !r#une. An" I #%!ug%# I rec!gni5e" i# -- bu# i#

c!u"n# be6 #%a# !ne a$ !n /e >a"e I#' ig%#-year$ "i$#an#. I #urne".

%e ue#eer %a" reea$e" *y ar*. I# en# !n :An" %a# "! y!u #%in ! Hr!"enu?:

:He$ ruining *y eye$.:

:Na#uray. %e "a#yn! are bin" #! a bu# ra"ar. 8LS3ACE i$ n!# *ean# #! be $een

bu# #! be #!uc%e". Run y!ur #!ngue !ver i#.:

:>y #!ngue? N!' #%an$.: I #rie" running *y %an" !ver i#. I y!u an# #! n! %a# i#

e# ie' %! a $%i !r in&6 #%e #%ing$ $#i #%ere. I a#y reu$e #! "e$cribe #%e $en$a#i!n.

%e ue#eer c!ce" i#$ %ea" "ubi!u$y. :I* $ure y!ur #!ngue i$ *!re $en$i#ive. N!

guar"$ are nearby.:

:8!rge# i#. =!u n!' y!u $!un" 7u$# ie #%e regi!na re$i"en# ! +enera 3r!"uc#$ !n

/e >a"e I#.:

:I# a$ %e %! $en# *e y!ur "!$$ier' e!u S%aeer. N! "!ub# e %a" #%e $a*e

Engi$% #eac%er. I a* #%e regi!na re$i"en# !n in&' a$ y!u n! "!ub# rec!gni5e" r!* *y

*ane.:

/e' n!# ui#e. %e auburn *! !ver #%e brain ca$e be#een #%e #! nec$ i$ $u!$e"

#! $%! ca$#e !nce y!u earn #! "i$c!un# varia#i!n$ ! *ere $#ye. ! "! #%a#' y!u %ave #!

be a ue#eer. In$#ea" ! a"*i##ing *y ign!rance' I a$e"' :Di" #%a# "!$$ier $ay I a$ a$en"#%ri#?:

:=!u %ave $en# *!re #%an a *ii!n $#ar$ in #%e a$# !ur year$.'

:An" !ve" i#.:


27/237

:=e$. =!u i $%!r#y be in "eb# again. Have y!u #%!ug%# ! "!ing *!re ri#ing? I

a"*ire" y!ur ar#ice !n #%e neu#r!n $#ar BS-1. %e !in#y b!##!* ! a gravi#y e ...

ue $#arig%# e !n *e ie in#angibe $ee#. L!vey.:

:%an$. I# ai" e' #!!. u# I* *ainy a $ace$%i i!#.:

:I# i$ !r#una#e' !ur *ee#ing %ere. I %a" #%!ug%# ! %aving y!u !un". D! y!u i$% a

7!b?:

%a# a$ a !a"e" ue$#i!n. %e a$# an" !ny #i*e I #!! a 7!b r!* a ue#eer' #%e

ue#eer bac*aie" *e in#! i#' n!ing i# !u" r!baby i *e. I# a*!$# "i". I

"i"n# %!" #%a# again$# #%e regi!na re$i"en# ! /e >a"e I#' bu# #! e# #%e* %ave an!#%er

crac a# *e -- :I give y!u a c!n"i#i!na *aybe. D! y!u %ave #%e i"ea I* a r!e$$i!na$uici"e i!#?:

:N!# a# a. I I $%! "e#ai$' "! y!u agree #%a# #%e in!r*a#i!n $%a be c!ni"en#ia?:

:I "!': I $ai" !r*ay' n!ing i# !u" c!**i# *e. A verba c!n#rac# i$ a$ bin"ing a$

#%e #ae i#$ rec!r"e" !n.

:+!!". C!*e.: He rance" #!ar" a #ran$er b!!#%.

%e #ran$er b!!#% e# u$ !u# $!*e%ere in in&$ vacuu* regi!n$. I# a$ nig%#. Hig% in

#%e $y' Siriu$ a$ a ainuy brig%# in!in# ca$#ing vivi" bue *!!nig%# !n a ragge"

unar an"$cae. I !!e" u an" "i"n# $ee inary' in&$ b!a#e" !range c!*ani!n

ane#' $! e *u$# %ave been in #%e 8ar$i"e En".

u# #%ere a$ $!*e#%ing %anging !ver u$.

A N!. 4 +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u i$ a #ran$aren# $%ere a #%!u$an"-!"" ee# in "ia*e#er.

N! bigger $%i %a$ been bui# any%ere in #%e n!n gaa&y. I# #ae$ a g!vern*en# #!

buy !ne' an" #%ey are u$e" !r c!!ni5a#i!n r!7ec#$ !ny. u# #%i$ !ne c!u" never %ave been $! u$e"6 i# a$ a *ac%inery. ,ur #ran$er b!!#% $#!!" be#een #! ! #%e an"ing

eg$' $! #%a# #%e $eing an ! #%e $%i !!e" "!n !n u$ a$ an ! !!$ "!n a# a

*!u$e. An acce$$ #ube ran #%r!ug% vacuu* r!* #%e b!!#% #! #%e air !c.

I $ai"' :D!e$ +enera 3r!"uc#$ bui" c!*e#e $acecra# n!a"ay$?:

:/e are #%ining ! branc%ing !u#. u# #%ere are r!be*$.:

8r!* #%e vie!in# ! #%e ue#eer-!ne" c!*any' i# *u$# %ave $ee*e" %ig% #i*e.

+enera 3r!"uc#$ *ae$ #%e %u$ !r nine#y-ive ercen# ! a $%i$ in $ace' *ainy becau$e n!b!"y e$e n!$ %! #! bui" an in"e$#ruc#ibe %u. u# #%ey" *a"e a ba"

$#ar# i#% #%i$ $%i. %e !ny r!!* I c!u" $ee !r cre' carg!' !r a$$enger$ a$ a e

cubic yar"$ ! e*#y $ace rig%# a# #%e b!##!*' 7u$# ab!ve #%e air !c an" 7u$# big en!ug%

!r a i!#.


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:=!u" %ave a %ar" #i*e $eing #%a#': I $ai".

:rue. D! y!u n!#ice any#%ing e$e?:

:/e ...: %e %ar"are #%a# ie" #%e #ran$aren# %u a$ very #ig%#y ace". %eeec# a$ a$ i a race ! #en-*ie-#a gian#$ %a" $#riven #! ac%ieve *inia#uri5a#i!n. I $a

n! $ign ! acce$$ #ube$6 %ence' #%ere c!u" be n! in-$ace reair$. 8!ur reac#i!n *!#!r$

!e" #%eir ar!ria#ey %uge n!$#ri$ #%r!ug% #%e %u' ange" !u#ar" r!* #%e b!##!*. N! $*a a##i#u"e 7e#$6 %ence' !ver$i5e" gyr!$ in$i"e. ,#%eri$e ... :>!$# ! i# !!$ ie

%yer"rive *!#!r$. u# #%a#$ $iy. @ne$$ y!uve #%!ug%# ! a g!!" rea$!n !r *!ving

*!!n$ ar!un".:

:A# !ne #i*e y!u ere a c!**ercia i!# !r Naa*ura Line$. H! !ng a$ #%e run

r!* in& #! /e >a"e I#?:

:eve "ay$ i n!#%ing br!e "!n.: u$# !ng en!ug% #! ge# #! n! #%e re##ie$# a$$enger ab!ar"' %ie #%e au#!i!# "i" every#%ing !r *e bu# ear *y uni!r*.

:Siriu$ #! 3r!cy!n i$ a "i$#ance ! !ur ig%#-year$. ,ur $%i !u" *ae #%e #ri in ive

*inu#e$.:

:=!uve !$# y!ur *in".:

:N!.:

u# #%a# a$ a*!$# a ig%#-year er *inu#e; I c!u"n# vi$uai5e i#. %en $u""eny I "i"

vi$uai5e i#' an" *y *!u#% e !en' !r %a# I $a a$ #%e gaa&y !ening be!re *e.

/e n! $! i##e bey!n" !ur !n $*a neig%b!r%!!" ! #%e gaa&y. u# i#% a $%i ie#%a# --;

:%a#$ g!""a*n a$#.:

:A$ y!u $ay. u# #%e eui*en# i$ buy' a$ y!u n!#e. I# c!$# $even bii!n $#ar$ #! bui"

#%a# $%i' "i$c!un#ing cen#urie$ ! re$earc%' bu# i# i *!ve !ny !ne *an. A$ i$' #%e $%i

i$ a aiure. S%a e g! in$i"e?:

II.

%e ie$y$#e* a$ #! circuar r!!*$' !ne ab!ve #%e !#%er' i#% a $*a air !c #! !ne$i"e. %e !er r!!* a$ #%e c!n#r! r!!*' i#% ban$ ! $i#c%e$ an" "ia$ an"

bining ig%#$ "!*ina#e" by a %uge $%erica *a$$ !in#er. %e uer r!!* a$ bare

a$' #ran$aren#' #%r!ug% %ic% I c!u" $ee air- an" !!"-r!"ucing eui*en#.


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:%i$ i be #%e rea&r!!*': $ai" #%e ue#eer. :/e "eci"e" #! e# #%e i!# "ec!ra#e i#

%i*$e.:

:/%y *e?:

:Le# *e ur#%er e&ain #%e r!be*.: %e ue#eer began #! ace #%e !!r. I %unere""!n again$# #%e a an" a#c%e". /a#c%ing a ue#eer *!ve i$ a ea$ure. Even in

in&$ gravi#y #%e "eerie b!"y $ee*e" eig%#e$$' #%e #iny %!!ve$ #aing #%e !!r a#

ran"!*. :%e %u*an $%ere ! c!!ni5a#i!n i$ $!*e #%ir#y ig%#-year$ acr!$$' i$ i# n!#?:

:>a&i*u*. I#$ n!# e&ac#y a $%ere --:

:%e ue#eer regi!n i$ *uc% $*aer %e "a#yn! $%ere i$ %a #%e $i5e ! y!ur$'an" #%e 5in#i i$ rac#i!nay arger. %e$e are #%e i*!r#an# $ace-#raveing $ecie$. /e

*u$# "i$c!un# #%e ,u#$i"er$ $ince #%ey "! n!# u$e $%i$. S!*e $%ere$ c!inci"e' na#uray.

rave r!* !ne $%ere #! an!#%er i$ neary ni e&ce# !r !ur$eve$' $ince !ur $%ere !

inuence een"$ #! a %! buy !ur %u$. u# a"" a #%e$e regi!n$' an" y!u %ave aregi!n $iy ig%#-year$ acr!$$. %i$ $%i c!u" cr!$$ i# in $even#y-ive *inu#e$. A! $i&

%!ur$ !r #ae! an" $i& !r an"ing' a$$u*ing n! #raic $nar$ near #%e !r" !"e$#ina#i!n' an" e %ave a $%i %ic% can g! any%ere in #%ir#een %!ur$ bu# n!%ere in

e$$ #%an #eve' carrying !ne i!# an" n! carg!' c!$#ing $even bii!n $#ar$.:

:H! ab!u# e&!ra#i!n?:

:/e ue#eer$ %ave n! #a$#e !r ab$#rac# n!e"ge. An" %! $%!u" e e&!re?:

>eaning #%a# %a#ever race e #%e $%i !u" gain #%e a"van#age$ #%ereby. A ue#eer !u"n# ri$ %i$ nec$ by ying i# %i*$e. :/%a# e nee" i$ a grea# "ea ! *!ney an" a

ga#%ering ! in#eigence$ #! "e$ign $!*e#%ing %ic% *ay g! $!er bu# *u$# be e$$

buy. +enera 3r!"uc#$ "!e$ n!# i$% #! $en" $! *uc% !n $!*e#%ing #%a# *ay ai. /ei reuire #%e be$# *in"$ ! eac% $en#ien# $ecie$ an" #%e ric%e$# inve$#!r$. e!u

S%aeer' e nee" #! a##rac# a##en#i!n.:

:A ubici#y $#un#?:

:=e$. /e i$% #! $en" a i!# #! #%e cen#er ! #%e gaa&y an" bac.:

:=e ... g!"$; /i i# g! #%a# a$#?:

:I# !u" reuire $!*e #en#y-ive "ay$ #! reac% #%e cen#er an" an eua #i*e #! re#urn.=!u can $ee #%e rea$!ning be%in" --:

:I#$ erec#. =!u "!n# nee" #! $e i# !u#. /%y *e?:

:/e i$% y!u #! *ae #%e #ri an" #%en ri#e ! i#. I %ave a i$# ! i!#$ %! ri#e.

%!$e I %ave ar!ac%e" %ave been reuc#an#. %ey $ay #%a# ri#ing !n #%e gr!un" i$ $aer

#%an #e$#ing unn!n $%i$. I !! #%eir rea$!ning.:


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:>e' #!!.:

:/i y!u g!?:

:/%a# a* I !ere"?:

:,ne %un"re" #%!u$an" $#ar$ !r #%e #ri. 8i#y #%!u$an" #! ri#e #%e $#!ry' in a""i#i!n #!

%a# y!u $e i# !r.:

:S!".:

a"e I# #! in& by c!nven#i!na cra#' an" #eve%!ur$ by L!ng S%!#. /%a#$ #%e "ierence? =!u $en# #eve year$ $aving !r #%e #ri.

u# #%e C!re; Ign!ring reueing an" rer!vi$i!ning r!be*$' *y !" $%i c!u" %ave

reac%e" #%e gaa&y$ c!re in #%ree %un"re" year$. N! n!n $ecie$ %a" ever $een #%eC!re; I# %i" be%in" ayer !n ayer ! #enu!u$ ga$ an" "u$# c!u"$. =!u can in" ibrarie$

! i#era#ure !n #%!$e cen#ra $#ar$' bu# #%ey a c!n$i$# ! generai#ie$ an" e"uca#e"

gue$$e$ ba$e" !n !b$erva#i!n ! !#%er gaa&ie$' ie An"r!*e"a.

%ree cen#urie$ "r!e" #! e$$ #%an a *!n#%; %ere$ $!*e#%ing any!ne can gra$. An"

i#% ic#ure$;

%e ie$y$#e* a$ ini$%e" in a c!ue ! ee$. I %a" #%e* eave #%e c!n#r!-r!!*

a$ #ran$aren# an" ain# #%e rea&r!!* $!i" bue' n! in"!$. /%en #%ey ini$%e"' I

%a" en#er#ain*en# #ae$ an" every#%ing i# #ae$ #! ee a *an $ane !r $even ee$ in ar!!* #%e $i5e ! a arge c!$e#.

,n #%e a$# "ay #%e ue#eer an" I $!e #%e ina ver$i!n ! *y c!n#rac#. I %a" !ur*!n#%$ #! reac% #%e gaa&y$ cen#er an" re#urn. %e !u#$i"e ca*era$ !u" run

c!n$#an#y6 I a$ n!# #! in#erere i#% #%e*. I #%e $%i $uere" a *ec%anica aiure' I

c!u" re#urn be!re reac%ing #%e cen#er6 !#%eri$e' n!. %ere ere ena#ie$. I #!! a c!y

! #%e #ae #! eave i#% a ayer.


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:%ere i$ a #%ing y!u $%!u" n!': #%e ue#eer $ai" a#erar". :%e "irec#i!n !

#%ru$# !!$e$ #%e "irec#i!n ! %yer"rive.:

:I "!n# ge# i#.:

%e ue#eer gr!e" !r !r"$. :I y!u #urne" !n #%e reac#i!n *!#!r$ an" #%e

%yer"rive #!ge#%er' #%e a*e$ !u" rece"e y!ur $%i #%r!ug% %yer$ace.:

I g!# #%e ic#ure #%en. A$$ bacar" in#! #%e unn!n. /i#% #%e c!n#r! r!!* a# #%e

$%i$ b!##!*' i# *a"e $en$e. ! a ue#eer' i# *a"e $en$e.

III.

An" I a$ !.

I en# u un"er #! $#an"ar" gee$ becau$e I ie *y c!*!r#. 8!r #eve %!ur$ I u$e"!ny #%e reac#i!n *!#!r$. I# !u"n# "! #! be #!! "ee in a gravi#y e %en I u$e" a

%yer"rive' e$eciay an e&eri*en#a !ne. 3i!#$ %! "! #%a# never eave %yer$ace.%e rea&r!!* e# *e en#er#aine" un#i #%e be rang. I $ie" "!n #! #%e c!n#r!

r!!*' ne##e" *y$e "!n again$# ree-a' #urne" ! #%e *!#!r$' rubbe" *y %an"$

bri$y #!ge#%er' an" #urne" #%e %yer"rive.

I# a$n# ui#e a$ I" e&ec#e".

I c!u"n# $ee !u#' ! c!ur$e. /%en #%e %yer"rive g!e$ !n' i#$ ie y!ur bin" $!#e&an"ing #! #ae in a #%e in"!$. I#$ n!# 7u$# #%a# y!u "!n# $ee any#%ing6 y!u !rge#

#%a# #%ere$ any#%ing #! $ee. I #%ere$ a in"! be#een #%e i#c%en c!n#r! ban an"

y!ur rin# ! Dai$ Sain' y!ur eye an" *in" i u# #%e ic#ure rig%# ne #! #%e i#c%en ban' !bi#era#ing #%e $ace be#een. I# #ae$ ge##ing u$e" #!' in ac# i# %a$ "riven e!e

in$ane' bu# #%a# a$n# %a# b!#%ere" *e. Ive $en# #%!u$an"$ ! *an%!ur$ in

%yer$ace. I e# *y eye !n #%e *a$$ !in#er.

%e *a$$ !in#er i$ a big #ran$aren# $%ere i#% a nu*ber ! bue ine$ ra"ia#ing r!*

#%e cen#er. %e "irec#i!n ! #%e ine i$ #%e "irec#i!n ! a $#ar6 i#$ eng#% $%!$ #%e $#ar$

*a$$. /e !u"n# nee" i!#$ i #%e *a$$ !in#er c!u" be %!!e" in#! an au#!i!#' bu#i# can#. Deen"abe a$ i# i$' accura#e a$ i# i$' #%e *a$$ !in#er i$ a $i!nic "evice. I# nee"$

a *in" #! !r i#. I" been u$ing *a$$ !in#er$ !r $! !ng #%a# #%!$e ine$ ere ie rea

$#ar$.

A $#ar ca*e #!ar" *e' an" I "!"ge" ar!un" i#. I #%!ug%# #%a# an!#%er ine #%a# "i"n#

!in# ui#e $#raig%# a%ea" a$ !ng en!ug% #! $%! "anger!u$ *a$$' $! I "!"ge". %a# u# a bue "ar rig%# in r!n# ! *e. I $%i#e" a$# an" !!e" !r a #%r!##e. I an#e" #!

$! "!n.

Reea#' I an#e" #! $! "!n.


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, c!ur$e #%ere a$ n! #%r!##e. 3ar# ! #%e ue#eer re$earc% r!7ec# !u" be

"e$igning a #%r!##e. A !ng u55y ine reac%e" !r *e a r!#!$un ...

3u# i# #%i$ ay I*agine !ne ! Ear#%$ reeay$. =!u *u$# %ave $een ic#ure$ ! #%e*

r!* $ace' a #ange ! #i$#ing c!ncre#e ribb!n$' e*#y an" aban"!ne" bu# never #!rn"!n. S!*e ie br!en6 !#%er$ are c!vere" i#% %!u$e$. 3e!e u$e #%e a#er rubberi5e"

!ne$ !r %!r$ebac ri"ing. I*agine #%e ay !ne ! #%e$e *u$# %ave !!e" ab!u# $i&

!c!c !n a ee nig%# in' $ay' 190. +r!un"car$ r!* en" #! en".

N!' e#$ #ae a #%!$e car$ an" re*!ve #%e brae$. 8ur#%er' e#$ u# g!vern!r$ !n #%e

acceera#!r$ $! #%a# #%e *a&i*u* $ee"$ are be#een $iy an" $even#y *ie$ er %!ur'

n!# a #%e $a*e. Le# $!*e#%ing g! r!ng i#% a #%e g!vern!r$ a# !nce $! #%a# #%e*a&i*u* $ee" a$! bec!*e$ #%e *ini*u*. =!u begin #! $ee $ign$ ! anic.

Rea"y? ,ay. +e# a ra"ar in$#ae" in y!ur car' ain# y!ur in"$%ie" an" in"!$ 7e#

bac' an" ge# !u# !n #%a# reeay.

I# a$ ie #%a#.

I# "i"n# $ee* $! ba" a# ir$#. %e $#ar$ e# c!*ing a# *e' an" I e# "!"ging' an" a#er

a %ie i# $e##e" "!n #! a in" ! r!u#ine. 8r!* e&erience I c!u" #e a# a gance%e#%er a $#ar a$ %eavy en!ug% an" c!$e en!ug% #! rec *e. u# in Naa*ura Line$

I" !ny %a" #! #ae #%a# gance every $i& %!ur$ !r $!. Here I "i"n# "are !! aay. A$ I

gre ire"' #%e near *i$$e$ ca*e c!$er an" c!$er. A#er #%ree %!ur$ ! i# I %a" #! "r!

!u#.

%e $#ar$ %a" a $ub#y una*iiar !!. /i#% a $u""en 7ar I reai5e" #%a# I a$ en#irey

!u# ! n!n $ace. Siriu$' An#are$ -- I" never rec!gni5e #%e* r!* %ere6 I a$n# even$ure #%ey ere vi$ibe. I $%!! i# ! an" cae" %!*e.

:L!ng S%!# caing +enera 3r!"uc#$' L!ng S%!# caing --:

:e!u S%aeer?:

:Have I ever #!" y!u %a# a !vey' $e&y v!ice y!u %ave?:

:N!. I$ every#%ing g!ing eI?:

:I* arai" n!#. In ac#' I* n!# g!ing #! *ae i#.:

A au$e. :/%y n!#?:

:I can# ee "!"ging #%e$e $#ar$ !rever. ,ne ! #%e*$ g!ing #! ge# *e i I ee !n

*uc% !nger. %e $%i$ 7u$# #!! g!""a*n a$#.:


33/237

:=e$. /e *u$# "e$ign a $!er $%i.:

:I %a#e #! give u #%a# g!!" ay' bu# *y eye$ ee ie eee" !ni!n$. I ac%e a !ver. I*#urning bac.:

:S%a I ay y!ur c!n#rac# !r y!u?:

:N!. /%y?:

:=!ur !ny ega rea$!n !r re#urning i$ a *ec%anica aiure. ,#%eri$e y!u !rei#

#ice y!ur ay.:

I $ai"' :>ec%anica aiure?: %ere a$ a #!!b!& $!*e%ere in #%e $%i' i#% a%arn*er in i# ...

:I "i" n!# *en#i!n i# be!re' $ince i# "i" n!# $ee* !i#e' bu# #! ! #%e ca*era$ are in

#%e ie$y$#e*. /e %a" #%!ug%# #! u$e i*$ ! y!u !r ur!$e$ ! ubici#y' bu# --:

:I $ee. e *e !ne #%ing' 7u$# !ne #%ing. /%en #%e regi!na re$i"en# ! /e >a"e I# $en#y!u *y na*e' "i" %e *en#i!n #%a# I" "i$c!vere" y!ur ane# %a$ n! *!!n?:

:=e$' %e "i" *en#i!n #%a# *a##er. =!u acce#e" !ne *ii!n $#ar$ !r y!ur $ience. Hena#uray %a$ a rec!r"ing ! #%e bargain.:

:I $ee.: S! #%a#$ %y #%ey" ice" e!u S%aeer' e-n!n au#%!r. :%e #ri

#ae !nger #%an I #%!ug%#.:

:=!u *u$# ay a ena#y !r every era "ay !ver !ur *!n#%$. ! #%!u$an" $#ar$ er

"ay a#e.:

:=!ur v!ice %a$ acuire" an unea$an# gra#ing $!un". +!!"-bye.:


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An i"ea; An" ab!u# #i*e' #!!.

%e g!"en v!ice an$ere" i**e"ia#ey. :e!u S%aeer?:

:%ere$ n!b!"y e$e %ere' %!ney. L!!' Ive #%!ug%# ! $!*e#%ing. /!u" y!u $en" --:

:I$ !ne ! y!ur in$#ru*en#$ *aunc#i!ning' e!u S%aeer?:

:N!' #%ey a !r ine' a$ ar a$ #%ey g!. L!! --:

:%en %a# c!u" y!u !$$iby %ave #! $ay #%a# !u" reuire *y a##en#i!n?:

:H!ney' n! i$ #%e #i*e #! "eci"e. D! y!u an# revenge' !r "! y!u an# y!ur $%i

bac?:

A $*a $ience. %en' :=!u *ay $ea':

:I can reac% #%e C!re *uc% a$#er i I ir$# ge# in#! !ne ! #%e $ace$ be#een #%e ar*$.D! e n! en!ug% ab!u# #%e gaa&y #! n! %ere !ur ar* en"$?:

:I i $en" #! #%e In$#i#u#e ! n!e"ge #! in" !u#.:

:+!!".:

8!ur %!ur$ a#er I a$ "ragge" r!* a "ea#%ie $ee by #%e ringing ! #%e %yer%!ne.I# a$ n!# #%e re$i"en# bu# $!*e uny. I re*e*bere" caing #%e ue#eer :%!ney: a$#

nig%#' #rice" by *y !n e&%au$#i!n an" #%a# $e"uc#ive v!ice' an" !n"ere" i I" %ur#

%i$ ue#eer eeing$. :He: *ig%# be a *ae6 a ue#eer$ $e& i$ !ne ! %i$ i##e $ecre#$.%e uny gave *e a bearing an" "i$#ance !r #%e neare$# ga be#een $#ar$.

I# #!! *e an!#%er "ay #! ge# #%ere. /%en #%e $#ar$ began #! #%in !u#' I c!u" %ar"y beieve i#. I #urne" ! #%e %yer"rive' an" i# a$ #rue. %e $#ar$ ere #en$ an" %un"re"$

! ig%#-year$ aar#. I c!u" $ee ar# ! #%e C!re eeing in a brig%# ri* ab!ve #%e "i* a#

c!u" ! *i&e" "u$# an" $#ar$.

IB.

8r!* #%en !n i# a$ be##er. I a$ $ae i I gance" a# #%e *a$$ !in#er every #en *inu#e$!r $!. I c!u" !rge# #%e re$# brea$' ea# *ea$' an" "! i$!*e#ric$ %ie a#c%ing #%e

!in#er$. 8!r eig%# %!ur$ a "ay I $e#' bu# "uring #%e !#%er $ieen I *!ve". %e ga

$e# #!ar" #%e C!re in a narr!ing curve' an" I !!e" i#.

A$ a v!yage ! e&!ra#i!n #%e #ri !u" %ave been a ia$c!. I $a n!#%ing. I $#aye"

e aay r!* any#%ing !r#% $eeing. S#ar$ an" "u$#' an!*a!u$ i$y cu$#er$ $%ining

in #%e "ar ! #%e ga' invi$ibe in"ica#i!n$ #%a# *ig%# %ave been $#ar$ -- *y ca*era$


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ice" #%e* u r!* a nice $ae "i$#ance' $%!ing #iny b!b$ ! ig%#. In #%ree ee$ I

*!ve" a*!$# $even#een #%!u$an" ig%#-year$ #!ar" #%e C!re.

%e en" ! #%!$e #%ree ee$ a$ #%e en" ! #%e ga.

e!re *e a$ an unin#ere$#ing a$% ! $#ar$ bace" by a a ! !aue "u$# c!u"$. I$#i %a" #%ir#een #%!u$an" ig%#-year$ #! g! be!re I reac%e" #%e cen#er ! #%e gaa&y-I

#!! $!*e ic#ure$ an" *!ve" in.

en-*inu#e brea$' *ea#i*e$ #%a# gre !nger an" !nger !r #%e re$# #%ey gave' $ee

eri!"$ #%a# e# *y eye$ re" an" burning. %e $#ar$ ere #%ic an" #%e "u$# a$ #%icer'

$! #%a# #%e *a$$ !in#er $%!e" a bur ! bue br!en by $%ar bue ine$. %e ine$ began

#! ge# e$$ $%ar. I #!! brea$ every %a %!ur ...

%ree "ay$ ! #%a#.

I# a$ ge##ing near unc%#i*e !n #%e !ur#% "ay. I $a# a#c%ing #%e *a$$ !in#er' n!#ing#%e uc#ua#i!n$ in #%e bue bur %ic% . $%!e" #%e c%anging "en$i#y ! #%e "u$# ar!un"

*e. Su""eny i# a"e" !u# c!*e#ey. +rea#' !u"n# i# be nice i #%e *a$$ !in#er en#!u# !n *e? u# #%e $%ar $#arine$ ere $#i #%ere' #en !r #en#y ! #%e* !in#ing in a

"irec#i!n$. I en# bac #! $#eering. %e c!c c%i*e" #! in"ica#e a re$# eri!". I $ig%e"

%aiy an" "r!e" in#! n!r*a $ace.

%e c!c $%!e" #%a# I %a" %a an %!ur #! ai# !r unc%. I #%!ug%# ab!u# ea#ing

anyay' "eci"e" again$# i#. %e r!u#ine a$ a #%a# e# *e g!ing. I !n"ere" %a# #%e

$y !!e" ie' ree&ivey !!e" u $! I !u"n# %ave #! !! "!n a# #%e #ran$aren#!!r. %a# big an e&an$e ! %yer$ace i$ %ar" even !n #raine" eye$. I re*e*bere" I

a$n# in %yer$ace an" !!e" "!n.

8!r a #i*e I 7u$# $#are". %en' i#%!u# #aing *y eye$ ! #%e !!r' I reac%e" !r #%e

%yer%!ne.

:e!u S%aeer?:

:N!' #%i$ i$ Aber# Ein$#ein. I $#!e" aay %en #%e L!ng S%!# #!! !' an" Ive

"eci"e" #! #urn *y$e in !r #%e rear".:

:+iving *i$in!r*a#i!n i$ an i*ici# vi!a#i!n ! c!n#rac#. /%y %ave y!u cae"?:

:I can $ee #%e C!re.:

:%a# i$ n!# a rea$!n #! ca. I# a$ i*ici# in y!ur c!n#rac# #%a# y!u !u" $ee #%eC!re.:

:Da*n i#' "!n# y!u care? D!n# y!u an# #! n! %a# i# !!$ ie?:


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:I y!u i$% #! "e$cribe i# n!' a$ a recau#i!n again$# acci"en#' I i $i#c% y!u #! a

"ic#a%!ne. H!ever' i y!ur *i$$i!n i$ n!# #!#ay $ucce$$u' e cann!# u$e y!ur

rec!r"ing.:

I a$ #%ining u a reay $earing an$er %en I %ear" #%e cic. +rea#6 *y b!$$ %a"

%!!e" *e in#! a "ic#a%!ne. I $ai" !ne $%!r# $en#ence an" %ung u.


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He' I" be ucy #! in" *y ay %!*e r!* %ere. I $%i#e" in#! %yer$ace an" en#

bac #! !r.

B.

An %!ur an" i#y *inu#e$' !ne unc% brea an" #! re$# brea$' an" i#y ig%#-year$a#er' I n!#ice" $!*e#%ing ecuiar in #%e C!re.

I# a$ even cearer #%en' i n!# *uc% bigger6 I" a$$e" #%r!ug% #%e a*!$# #ran$aren#i$$ ! #%e a$# "u$# c!u". N!# #!! near #%e cen#er ! #%e $%ere a$ a a#c% ! %i#e'

brig%# en!ug% #! *ae #%e green an" bue an" re" !! "u ar!un" i#. I !!e" !r i# again

a# #%e ne brea' an" i# a$ a i##e brig%#er. I# a$ brig%#er again a# #%e ne brea ...

:e!u S%aeer?:

:=ea%.:

:/%y "i" y!u u$e #%e "ic#a%!ne #! ca *e a c!ar"y #!-%ea"e" *!n$#er?:

:=!u ere ! #%e ine. I %a" #! u$e #%e "ic#a%!ne.:

:%a# i$ $en$ibe. =e$. /e ue#eer$ %ave never un"er$#!!" y!ur a##i#u"e #!ar" ana#ura cau#i!n.: >y b!$$ a$ eeve"' #%!ug% y!u c!u"n# #e r!* %i$ v!ice.

:I g! in#! #%a# i y!u ie' bu# i#$ n!# %y I cae".:

:E&ain' ea$e.:

:I* a !r cau#i!n. Di$cre#i!n i$ #%e be##er ar# ! va!r an" ie #%a#. =!u can even beg!!" bu$ine$$*en' becau$e i#$ ea$ier #! $urvive i#% !#$ ! *!ney. u# y!ure $! "a*n

c!ncerne" i#% vari!u$ in"$ ! $urviva #%a# y!u aren# even in#ere$#e" in $!*e#%ing #%a#

i$n# a #%rea#. N!b!"y bu# a ue#eer !u" %ave #urne" "!n *y !er #! "e$cribe #%eC!re.:

:=!u !rge# #%e 5in#i.:

:,%' #%e 5in#i.: /%! e&ec#$ ra#i!na be%avi!r r!* 5in#i? =!u %i #%e* %en #%ey

a##ac6 y!u reuc#an#y "eci"e n!# #! eer*ina#e #%e*6 y!u ai# #i #%ey bui" u #%eir

$#reng#%6 an" %en #%ey a##ac' y!u %i e* again. >ean%ie y!u $e #%e* !!"$#u$an" buy #%eir *e#a$ an" e*!y #%e* %ere y!u nee" g!!" ga*e$ #%e!ri$#$. I#$ n!# a$ i

#%ey ere a rea #%rea#. %ey aay$ a##ac be!re #%eyre rea"y.

:%e 5in#i are carniv!re$. /%ere e are in#ere$#e" in $urviva' carniv!re$ are in#ere$#e"

in *ea# a!ne. %ey c!nuer becau$e $ub7ec# e!e$ can $uy #%e* i#% !!". %ey

cann!# "! *enia !r. Ani*a %u$ban"ry i$ aien #! #%e*. %ey *u$# %ave $ave$ !r be

barbarian$ r!a*ing #%e !re$#$ !r *ea#. /%y $%!u" #%ey be in#ere$#e" in %a# y!u ca


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ab$#rac# n!e"ge? /%y $%!u" any #%ining being i #%e n!e"ge %a$ n! c%ance !

$%!ing a r!i#? In rac#ice' y!ur "e$cri#i!n ! #%e C!re !u" a##rac# !ny an

!*niv!re.:

:=!u" *ae a g!!" ca$e i i# ere n!# !r #%e ac# #%a# *!$# $en#ien# race$ are

!*niv!re$.:

:/e %ave #%!ug%# !ng an" %ar" !n #%a#.:

=e ca#$. I a$ g!ing #! %ave #! #%in !ng an" %ar" !n #%a#.

:/%y "i" y!u ca' e!u S%aeer?:

,%' yea%. :L!!' I n! y!u "!n# an# #! n! %a# #%e C!re !!$ ie' bu# I $ee

$!*e#%ing #%a# *ig%# rere$en# er$!na "anger. =!u %ave acce$$ #! in!r*a#i!n I "!n#.

>ay I r!cee"?:

:=!u *ay.:

Ha%; I a$ earning #! #%in ie a ue#eer. /a$ #%a# g!!"? I #!" *y b!$$ ab!u# #%e

ba5ing' $#rangey $%ae" %i#e a#c% in #%e C!re. :/%en I #urne" #%e #ee$c!e !n i#' i#

neary bin"e" *e. +ra"e #! $unga$$e$ "!n# give any "e#ai$ a# a. I#$ 7u$# a $%aee$$%i#e a#c%' bu# $! brig%# #%a# #%e $#ar$ in r!n# !! ie bac "!#$ i#% c!!re" ri*$. I"

ie #! n! %a#$ cau$ing i#.:

:I# $!un"$ very unu$ua.: 3au$e. :I$ #%e %i#e c!!r uni!r*? I$ #%e brig%#ne$$uni!r*?:

:u$# a $ec.: I u$e" #%e $c!e again. :%e c!!r i$' bu# #%e brig%#ne$$ i$n#. I $ee "i**erarea$ in$i"e #%e a#c%. I #%in #%e cen#er i$ a"ing !u#.:

:@$e #%e #ee$c!e #! in" a n!va $#ar. %ere !ug%# #! be $evera in $uc% a arge *a$$ !$#ar$.:

I #rie" i#. 3re$en#y I !un" $!*e#%ing a ba5ing "i$ ! a ecuiar bue-%i#e c!!r i#%

a "i**er' $!*e%a# $*aer re" "i$ %a in r!n# ! i#. %a# %a" #! be a n!va. In #%e c!re! An"r!*e"a gaa&y' an" in %a# I" $een ! !ur !n C!re' #%e re" $#ar$ ere #%e

bigge$# an" brig%#e$#.

:Ive !un" !ne.:

:C!**en#.:

A *!*en# *!re an" I $a %a# %e *ean#. :I#$ #%e $a*e c!!r a$ #%e a#c%. S!*e#%ing

ie #%e $a*e brig%#ne$$' #!!. u# %a# c!u" *ae a a#c% ! $uern!va$ g! ! a a#

!nce?:


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:=!u %ave $#u"ie" #%e C!re. %e $#ar$ ! #%e C!re are an average ! %a a ig%#-year

aar#. %ey are even c!$er near #%e cen#er' an" n! "u$# c!u"$ "i* #%eir brig%#ne$$. /%en$#ar$ are #%a# c!$e' #%ey $%e" en!ug% ig%# !n eac% !#%er #! increa$e *a#eriay eac%

!#%er$ #e*era#ure. S#ar$ burn a$#er an" age a$#er in #%e C!re.:

:I $ee #%a#.:

:Since #%e C!re $#ar$ age a$#er' a *uc% grea#er !r#i!n are near #%e $uern!va $#age#%an in #%e ar*$. A$!' a are %!##er c!n$i"ering #%eir re$ec#ive age$. I a $#ar ere a e

*iennia r!* #%e $ue*!va $#age an" a $uern!va e&!"e" %a a ig%#-year aay'

e$#i*a#e #%e r!babii#ie$.:

:%ey *ig%# b!#% b!. %en #%e #! c!u" $e# ! a #%ir"' an" #%e #%ree *ig%# #ae a

c!ue *!re ...:

:=e$. Since a $uern!va a$#$ !n #%e !r"er ! !ne %u*an $#an"ar" year' #%e c%ainreac#i!n !u" $!!n "ie !u#. =!ur a#c% ! ig%# *u$# %ave !ccurre" in #%i$ ay.:

:%a#$ a reie n!ing %a# "i" i#' I *ean. I #ae ic#ure$ g!ing in.:

:A$ y!u $ay.: Cic.

%e a#c% e# e&an"ing a$ I en# in' $#i i#% n! *!re $%ae #%an a vei nebua'

ge##ing brig%#er an" bigger. I# %ar"y $ee*e" air' %a# I a$ "!ing. %e ig%# %ic% #%e

a#c% n!va$ %a" #aen i#y year$ #! u# !u#' I c!vere" in an %!ur' *!ving "!n #%e bea*a# a $ee" %ic% *a"e #%e univer$e i#$e $ee* unrea. A# #%e !ur#% re$# eri!" I "r!e"

!u# ! %yer$ace' !!e" "!n #%r!ug% #%e !!r %ie #%e ca*era$ #!! #%eir ic#ure$'

gance" aay r!* #%e a#c% !r a *!*en#' an" !un" *y$e bin"e" by #angerinea#eri*age$. I %a" #! u# !n a air ! gra"e !ne $unga$$e$' !u# ! #%e ace# ! #en#y

%ic% every i!# carrie$ !r !ring near $un$ "uring #ae! an" an"ing.

I# *a"e *e $%iver #! #%in #%a# #%e a#c% a$ $#i neary #en #%!u$an" ig%#-year$ aay.

Area"y #%e ra"ia#i!n *u$# %ave ie" a ie in #%e C!re i #%ere ever %a" been ie #%ere.

>y in$#ru*en#$ !n #%e %u $%!e" ra"ia#i!n ie a $!ar are.

A# #%e ne $#! I nee"e" gra"e #! $unga$$e$. S!*e%a# a#er' gra"e #%ree. %en !ur.

%e a#c% beca*e a grea# brig%# a*!eba reac%ing #i$#ing #en#ace$ ! u$i!n ire "ee

in#! #%e vi#a$ ! #%e C!re. In %yer$ace #%e $y a$ 7a**e" bu*er #! bu*er' $! #!$ea' bu# I never #%!ug%# ! $#!ing. A$ #%e C!re ca*e c!$er' #%e a#c% gre ie

$!*e#%ing aive' $!*e#%ing nee"ing ever *!re !!". I #%in I ne' even #%en.

Nig%# ca*e. %e c!n#r! r!!* a$ a ba5e ! ig%#. I $e# in #%e rea&r!!* #! #%e #une

! #%e ab!ring #e*era#ure c!n#r!. >!rning' an" I a$ ! again. %e ra"ia#i!n *e#er

$nare" i#$ "ea#% $!ng' !u"er "uring eac% re$# brea. I I" been anning #! g! !u#$i"e' I


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!u" %ave "r!e" #%a# an. Ra"ia#i!n c!u"n# ge# #%r!ug% a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u.

N!#%ing e$e can' ei#%er' e&ce# vi$ibe ig%#.

I $en# a ba" %a %!ur #rying #! re*e*ber %e#%er !ne ! #%e ue#eer$ cu$#!*er$

$a -ray$. I a$ arai" #! ca u an" a$.

%e *a$$ !in#er began #! $%! a ain# bue bur. +a$e$ #%r!n !u#ar" r!* #%e a#c%.

I %a" #! ee c%anging $unga$$e$ ...

S!*e#i*e "uring #%e *!rning ! #%e ne "ay I $#!e". %ere a$ n! !in# in g!ing

ar#%er.

u$# e "i$cu$$ #%i$? Bery e. =!u *ay e be rig%#. ,#%er$ %ave *a"e #%e $a*e

$ugge$#i!n' incu"ing ue#eer$. u# %! %a$ !ur $ecie$ $urvive" a# a?:

:=!u *u$# %ave $!*e $ub$#i#u#e !r curi!$i#y. Increa$e" in#eigence' *aybe. =!uve been ar!un" !ng en!ug% #! "eve! i#. ,ur %an"$ can# c!*are i#% y!ur *!u#%$ !r

#!! bui"ing. I a a#c%*aer %a" #a$#e an" $*e in %i$ %an"$' %e $#i !u"n# %ave #%e

$#reng#% ! y!ur 7a$ !r #%e "eicacy ! #%!$e n!b$ ar!un" y!ur i$. /%en I an# #!n! %! !" a $en#ien# race i$' I a#c% %a# %e u$e$ !r %an"$ an" ee#.:

:=e$. Hu*an ee# are $#i a"a#ing #! #%eir #a$ ! eeing y!u erec#. =!u r!!$e' #%en'#%a# !ur in#eigence %a$ gr!n $uicien#y #! en$ure !ur $urviva i#%!u# "een"ing !n

y!ur %i#-!r-*i$$ *e#%!" ! earning every#%ing y!u can !r #%e $%eer ea$ure !

earning.:


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:N!# ui#e. ,ur *e#%!" i$ be##er. I y!u %a"n# $en# *e #! #%e C!re !r ubici#y' y!u"

never %ave n!n ab!u# #%i$.:

:=!u $ay #%e gaa&y i$ e&!"ing?:

:Ra#%er' i# ini$%e" e&!"ing $!*e nine #%!u$an" year$ ag!. I* earing gra"e #en#y$unga$$e$' an" i#$ $#i #!! brig%#. A #%ir" ! #%e C!re i$ g!ne area"y. %e a#c% i$

$rea"ing a# neary #%e $ee" ! ig%#. I "!n# $ee #%a# any#%ing can $#! i# un#i i# %i#$ #%e

ga$ c!u"$ bey!n" #%e C!re.:

%ere a$ n! c!**en#. I en# !n. :A !# ! #%e in$i"e ! #%e a#c% %a$ g!ne !u#' bu# a

! #%e $urace i$ ne n!va$. An" re*e*ber' #%e ig%# I* $eeing i$ nine #%!u$an" year$

!". N!' I* g!ing #! rea" y!u a e in$#ru*en#$. Ra"ia#i!n' #! %un"re" an" #en.Cabin #e*era#ure n!r*a' bu# y!u can %ear #%e %ine ! #%e #e*era#ure c!n#r!. %e

*a$$ in"ica#!r $%!$ n!#%ing bu# a bur a%ea". I* #urning bac.:

:Ra"ia#i!n #! %un"re" an" #en? H! ar are y!u r!* #%e e"ge ! #%e C!re?:

:Ab!u# !ur #%!u$an" ig%#-year$' I #%in. I can $ee u*e$ ! incan"e$cen# ga$ $#ar#ing#! !r* in #%e near $i"e ! #%e a#c%' *!ving #!ar" gaac#ic n!r#% an" $!u#%. I# re*in"$

*e ! $!*e#%ing. Aren# #%ere ic#ure$ ! e&!"ing gaa&ie$ in #%e In$#i#u#e?:

:>any. =e$' i# %a$ %aene" be!re. e!u S%aeer' #%i$ i$ ba" ne$. /%en #%e

ra"ia#i!n r!* #%e C!re reac%e$ !ur !r"$' i# i $#erii5e #%e*. /e ue#eer$ i

$!!n nee" c!n$i"erabe a*!un#$ ! *!ney. S%a I reea$e y!u r!* y!ur c!n#rac#' aying

y!u n!#%ing?:

I aug%e". I a$ #!! $urri$e" even #! ge# *a". :N!.:

:Surey y!u "! n!# in#en" #! en#er #%e C!re?:

:N!. L!!' %y "! y!u --:

:%en by #%e c!n"i#i!n$ ! !ur c!n#rac#' y!u !rei#.:

:/r!ng again. I #ae ic#ure$ ! #%e$e in$#ru*en#$. /%en a c!ur# $ee$ #%e rea"ing$ !n#%e ra"ia#i!n *e#er an" #%e bue bur in #%e *a$$ in"ica#!r' #%ey n! $!*e#%ing$

r!ng i#% #%e*.:

:N!n$en$e. @n"er evi"ence "rug$ y!u i e&ain #%e rea"ing$.:

:Sure. An" #%e c!ur# i n! y!u #rie" #! ge# *e #! g! rig%# #! #%e cen#er ! #%a#%!!cau$#. =!u n! %a# #%ey $ay #! #%a#?:

:u# %! can a c!ur# ! a in" again$# a rec!r"e" c!n#rac#?:


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:>e !in# i$ #%ey an# #!. >aybe #%ey "eci"e #%a# ere b!#% ying an" #%e

in$#ru*en#$ reay "i" g! %ayire. >aybe #%ey in" a ay #! $ay #%e c!n#rac# a$

iega. u# #%ey in" again$# y!u. /an# #! *ae a $i"e be#?:

:N!. =!u %ave !n. C!*e bac.:

BI.

%e C!re a$ a !vey *u#ic!!re" 7ee %en i# "i$aeare" be! #%e en$ ! #%egaa&y. I" %ave ie" #! vi$i# i# $!*e"ay' bu# #%ere aren# any #i*e *ac%ine$.

I" ene#ra#e" neary #! #%e C!re in $!*e#%ing ie a *!n#%. I #!! *y #i*e c!*ing

%!*e' g!ing $#raig%# u a!ng gaac#ic n!r#% an" ying ab!ve #%e en$ %ere #%ere eren! $#ar$ #! b!#%er *e' an" $#i *a"e i# in #!. A #%e ay I !n"ere" %y #%e ue#eer

%a" #rie" #! c%ea# *e a# #%e a$#. L!ng S%!#$ ubici#y !u" %ave been be##er #%an ever'

ye# #%e regi!na re$i"en# %a" been iing #! #%r! i# aay 7u$# #! eave *e br!e. I

c!u"n# a$ %y' becau$e n!b!"y a$ an$ering *y %yer%!ne. N!#%ing I ne ab!u# ue#eer$ c!u" #e *e. I e# er$ecu#e".

>y c!*e-%i#%er br!ug%# *e "!n a# #%e ba$e in #%e 8ar$i"e En". N!b!"y a$ #%ere. I

#!! #%e #ran$er b!!#% bac #! Siriu$ >a#er' in&$ bigge$# ci#y' iguring #! c!n#ac#

+enera 3r!"uc#$' #urn !ver #%e $%i' an" ic u *y ay.

>!re $urri$e$ aai#e" *e.

1) +enera 3r!"uc#$ %a" ai" 1J0'000 $#ar$ in#! *y acc!un# in #%e an ! in&. A er$!na n!#e $#a#e" #%a# %e#%er I r!#e *y ar#ice a$ $!ey u #! *e.

2) +enera 3r!"uc#$ %a$ "i$aeare". %ey are $eing n! *!re $acecra# %u$.C!*anie$ i#% c!n#rac#$ %ave %a" #%eir ena#y cau$e$ ai" !. I# a %aene" #!

*!n#%$ ag!' $i*u#ane!u$y !n a n!n !r"$.

F) %e bar I* in i$ !n #%e r!! ! #%e #ae$# bui"ing in Siriu$ >a#er' *!re #%an a *ie

ab!ve #%e $#ree#$. Even r!* %ere I can %ear #%e $#!c *are# cra$%ing. I# $#ar#e" i#% #%e

c!a$e ! $acecra# c!*anie$ i#% n! %u$ #! bui" $%i$. Hun"re"$ ! !#%er$ %ave

!!e". I# #ae$ a !ng #i*e !r an in#er$#ear *are# #! c!*e aar# a# #%e $ea*$' bu#' a$i#% #%e C!re n!va$' I "!n# $ee any#%ing #%a# can $#! #%e c%ain reac#i!n.

4) %e $ecre# ! #%e in"e$#ruc#ibe +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u i$ being a"ver#i$e" !r $ae.+enera 3r!"uc#$$ %u*an rere$en#a#ive$ i c!ec# bi"$ !r !ne year' n! bi" #! be e$$

#%an !ne #rii!n $#ar$. +e# in !n #%e gr!un" !!r' !$.

J) N!b!"y n!$ any#%ing. %a#$ %a#$ cau$ing *!$# ! #%e anic. I#$ been a *!n#%

$ince a ue#eer a$ $een !n any n!n !r". /%y "i" #%ey "r! $! $u""eny !u# !

in#er$#ear aair$?


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I n!.

In #en#y #%!u$an" year$ a !!" ! ra"ia#i!n i a$% !ver #%i$ regi!n ! $ace. %ir#y#%!u$an" ig%#-year$ *ay $ee* a !ng' $ae "i$#ance' bu# i# i$n#' n!# i#% #%i$ big an

e&!$i!n. Ive a$e". %e C!re e&!$i!n i *ae #%i$ gaa&y unin%abi#abe #! any

n!n !r* ! ie.

/en#y #%!u$an" year$ i$ a !ng #i*e. I#$ !ur #i*e$ a$ !ng a$ %u*an ri##en %i$#!ry.

/e a be e$$ #%an "u$# be!re #%ing$ ge# "anger!u$' an" I !r !ne a* n!# g!ing #!!rry ab!u# i#.

u# #%e ue#eer$ are "ieren#. %eyre $care". %eyre ge##ing !u# rig%# n!. 3aying

! #%eir ena#y cau$e$ an" buying *!#!r$ an" !#%er eui*en# #! u# in #%eirin"e$#ruc#ibe %u$ i #ae $! *uc% *!ney #%a# even c!ni$ca#ing *y uny $aary

!u" %ave been a $#e #! #%e g!!". In#er$#ear bu$ine$$ can g! #! %e6 r!* n! !n #%e

ue#eer$ i %ave n! #i*e !r any#%ing bu# running.

/%ere i #%ey g!? /e' #%e gaa&y i$ $urr!un"e" by a %a! ! $*a g!buar cu$#er$.

%e !ne$ near #%e ri* *ig%# be $ae. ,r #%e ue#eer$ *ay even g! a$ ar a$An"r!*e"a. %ey %ave #%e L!ng S%!# !r e&!ring i #%ey c!*e bac !r i#' an" #%ey can

bui" *!re. ,u#$i"e #%e gaa&y i$ $ace e*#y en!ug% even !r a ue#eer i!#' i %e

#%in$ %i$ $ecie$ i$ #%rea#ene".

I#$ a i#y. %i$ gaa&y i be "u i#%!u# ue#eer$. %!$e #!-%ea"e" *!n$#er$ ere

n!# !ny #%e *!$# "een"abe ac#i!n in in#er$#ear bu$ine$$' #%ey ere ie a#er in a

a$#ean" ! *!re !r e$$ %u*an!i"$. I#$ #!! ba" #%ey aren# brave' ie u$.

u# i$ i#?

I never %ear" ! a ue#eer reu$ing #! ace a r!be*. He *ay *erey be "eci"ing

%! a$# #! run' bu# %e never re#en" #%e r!be* i$n# #%ere. S!*e#i*e i#%in #%e ne

#en#y *iennia e %u*an$ i %ave #! *!ve a !ua#i!n #%a# area"y nu*ber$ !r#y-#%ree bii!n. H!? ! %ere? /%en $%!u" e $#ar# #%ining ab!u# #%i$? /%en #%e g!

! #%e C!re begin$ #! $%ine #%r!ug% #%e "u$# c!u"$?

>aybe *en are #%e c!ar"$ -- a# #%e c!re.

+H,S HREE

I $ai"' :An" #%ere y!u ere in Siriu$ >a#er' a rea"y #! ri#e *y $#!ry !r *e. I gue$$e"#%en #%a# Au$aer *u$# %ave $en# y!u b!#% #i*e$.:

:S! %y "i" y!u %ire *e?:


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:I "i"n# care *uc%. %e big ue$#i!n a$' H! "! I #e #%e %u*an race ab!u# #%e C!re

e&!$i!n? H! "! I *ae #%e* beieve? I %!e" y!u ere an AR>. >aybe y!u c!u"

"! $!*e#%ing.:

An"er $ai"' :I $%!u" %ave a$e" y!u #%en. %ere$ $u!$e" #! be a %uge bac %!e in

#%ere' *ii!n$ ! $!ar *a$$e$. Di" y!u $ee i#?:

I $%!! *y %ea". :>aybe #%e $%e ! n!va$ %i" i#' i i#$ #%ere a# a. >aybe i# even

cau$e" #%e c%ain reac#i!n. Sucing ga$ an" "u$# an" $#ar$ !r i#een bii!n year$' *aybei#$ *a$$ a$$e" $!*e in" ! #%re$%!" an" b!!*; >aybe y!u" even in" i# i y!u

r!ce$$e" #%e rec!r"ing$ I #!!. %eyre r!rie#ary' An"er. +e# #%e* r!* +enera

3r!"uc#$.:

:/e' bu# #%eyre g!ne.: u# %e %a" #%a# $*ir again. :/%ere "i" y!u g! a#er #%a#?:

:Ear#%. A#er #%e gaac#ic c!re' %a# e$e c!u" *ea$ure u?:

An"er aug%e".

8ive #ea*$ ere ig%#ing !ver #! rey #ur#e$ #%a# g!e" in#er*i##en#y a*!ng

#%ra$%ing b!"ie$. %e cr!" a$ $#an"ing' yeing #%eir %ea"$ !. An" An"er ue" a a#

!r#abe !u# ! %i$ bacur$e' #en inc%e$ by #en inc%e$ by a uar#er inc% #%ic' an" !ene"i# in *y a. He #ae" rai"y.

A ic#ure $#!!" ab!ve *y a. 8ive bue-%i#e !in#$ r!#a#e" again$# a bac

bacgr!un". %ey ue" aar#' gr!ing $!y brig%#er' c!*ing #!ar" *e. Su""eny#%ey b!$$!*e" in#! bue an" %i#e g!be$6 #%e $#ar$cae %eee"6 #%e $%ere$ en#

*ury re" an" began #! rece"e. An"er #ae"' an" #%e ic#ure r!5e.

iny $un$ circe" !ur ! #%e g!be$. %e i#% g!e" ! i#$e' a$ i #%e c!n#inen#$ ! a

!r" %a" caug%# ire. 8ying ane#$; An" n!b!"y ar!un" u$ a$ !!ing a# any#%ing bu#

#%e *inia#ure ar bey!n" #%e ga$$.

An"er $ai"' :%e ue#eer$ are $#i in n!n $ace. Rece"ing a# rea#ivi$#ic $ee"$'

an" #%ey #!! #%eir ane#$ i#% #%e*.: He $nae" %i$ !r#abe $%u#. :8ive !r"$ a

ab!u# #%e $a*e $i5e' !rbi#ing in a en#ag!n ar!un" eac% !#%er. D! #%e *a#% y!ur$e.=!u in" #%a# y!u can u# a $un a# #%e cen#er' !r n!#' an" #%e !rbi#$ are $#abe ei#%er ay.

%ey un"er$#an" #i"e$ 7u$# ine' e!u. %a#$ %a# #%ey %i" r!* y!u.:

>y *in" urc%e". C!ar"$ !r n!#' eaceabe !r n!#' I c!u" $ee %! #%e #ra"i#i!nay

aran!i" AR> *ig%# reac# #! $! *uc% $%eer bru#e !er. :/%a# are #%ey ie? ,&ygen

!r"$? Na#ura !r #erra!r*e"? H! --:

:Sig*un" $ay$ eve "r!e" ca*era$ in #%eir a#%' n!# #!! c!$e. %e $y$#e* g!e$

ying by a# !in# eig%# ig%#$. /e %aven# earne" *uc%. 8ree !&ygen' iui" a#er' u$i!n

ig%# $!urce$ re""er #%an S!' an" e "!n# n! %y #%e !"" !ne !!$ $! !"". %ere$


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n!#%ing e$e in #%e $y$#e*' n! a$#er!i"$' n! c!*e#ary %a!' 7u$# c%ain$ ! $acecra#

*!ving be#een #%e ive !r"$.:

:/%ere are #%ey g!ing?:

:S#raig%# n!r#% a!ng #%e gaac#ic a&i$.:

:%a#$ %a# I "i"' c!*ing bac r!* #%e C!re. +e# cear ! !ccuie" $ace an" #%en

#urn ... #urning ive ane#$ c!u" be a bi#c%.:

:/e' #%ere$ n!#%ing bu# e*#y $ace %ere #%eyre g!ing.:

:>aybe #%a#$ %a# #%ey an#.:

An"er *ue" i#. :3!$$ibe.. >ean%ie' eve g!# #! guar" #%e* an" ee #%eir $ecre#.

%ey !n# a$$ a #%a# c!$e #! #%e 3a#riarc%y' bu# #%a#$ #!! c!$e. I#$ n!# #%a# #%ey can#

"een" #%e*$eve$. I#$ #%a# #%eyre c!ar"$.:

I began #! $ee %a# %e *ean#. :8ree en#erri$e.:

:N! $ecie$ can c!n#r! a i#$ *e*ber$.:

:I $!*e u#5er ubi$%e" #%eir !ca#i!n' y!u c!u" $ee ira#e$ ! every $%ae an" $i5e.:

:=e$' an" re!r#er$ an" ne$ anc%!r$ iei$e. Any en#rereneur i#% a *!ney-*aing

!er. Any un"er#raine" AR> !u# #! *ae a na*e. /%!e ee#$ ying in ai# !r #%e ue#eer !r"$ #! a$$. Any in" ! !! *ig%# cau$e #%e ue#eer g!vern*en# #!

"een" #%e*$eve$ in $!*e "ra$#ic a$%i!n' i#% !er ie #%a#': An"er $ai". :S! e

%ave #! $#! any a$$ing $%i$ r!* in#erering i#% #%e ee# an" guar" #%eir $ecre#' #!!.>ean%ie' #%ey %aven# a e#. %ere are bu$ine$$ *a##er$' !!$e en"$ being rae"

u.:

:I n!. I %a" "eaing$ i#% !ne ! #%eir agen#$ *y$e.:

He ere" u. :H! "i" #%a# c!*e ab!u#?:

:I %a" a c!*ain# ab!u# a +enera 3r!"uc#$ %u.:

:Again?:

8LALANDER

%e *!$# beau#iu gir "b!ar" #urne" !u# #! %ave a %u$ban" i#% %abi#$ $! $!i#ary #%a# I

"i"n# n! ab!u# %i* un#i #%e $ec!n" ee. He a$ ab!u# ive ee# !ur an" *i""e-


46/237

age"' bu# %e !re a %eare #a##!! !n %i$ $%!u"er' %ic% *ean# %e" been !n 5in

"uring #%e ar #%ir#y year$ bac' %ic% *ean# %e" been #raine" #! i a"u# 5in#i i#%

%i$ bare %an"$' ee#' eb!$' nee$' an" %a#n!#. /%en e !un" !u# ab!u# eac% !#%er' %every "ecen#y gave *e a ir$# arning an" br!e *y ar* #! r!ve %e *ean# i#.

%e ar* $#i ac%e" a "ay a#er' an" every !#%er !*an !n #%e Len$*an a$ !ver #!%un"re" year$ !". I "ran a!ne. I $#are" gu*y in#! #%e *irr!r be%in" #%e curving bar.

%e *irr!r $#are" gu*y bac.

:Hey. =!u r!* /e >a"e I#. /%a# a* I?:

He a$ #! c%air$ "!n' an" %e a$ garing. /i#%!u# #%e bear" %e !u" %ave %a" a

r!un"' a*!$# e#uan# ace ... I #%in. %e bear"' $%!r# an" bac an" careuy $%ae"'*a"e %i* !! ie a cr!$$ be#een Keu$ an" an angry bu"!g. %e gare en# i#% #%e

bear". Hi$ $uare inger$ rae" a arge "rining bub in a "ea#% gri. A br!a" bey

*a#c%e" br!a" $%!u"er$ #! *ae %i* !! *a$$ive ra#%er #%an a#.

,bvi!u$y %e a$ #aing #! *e. I a$e"' :/%a# "! y!u *ean' %a# are y!u?:

:/%ere a* I r!*?:

:Ear#%.: I# a$ !bvi!u$. %e accen# $ai" Ear#%. S! "i" #%e c!n$erva#ivey $y**e#rica bear". Hi$ brea#%ing a$ unc!n$ci!u$y na#ura in #%e $%i$ $#an"ar" a#*!$%ere' an" %i$

bui" %a" been !rge" a# !ne !in# 5er! gee.

:%en %a# a* I?:

:A a#an"er.:

%e gare %ea# increa$e". He" !bvi!u$y reac%e" #%e bar ay a%ea" ! *e. :A

a#an"er; Da*n i#' every%ere I g! I* a#an"er. D! y!u n! %! *any %!ur$ Ive

$en# in $ace?:

:N!. L!ng en!ug% #! n! %! #! u$e a "rining bub.:

:8unny. Bery unny. Every%ere in %u*an $ace a a#an"er i$ a $c%n!! %! neverge#$ ab!ve #%e a#*!$%ere. Every%ere bu# Ear#%. I y!ure r!* Ear#%' y!ure a

a#an"er a y!ur ie. 8!r #%e a$# i#y year$ Ive been running ab!u# in %u*an $ace'

an" %a# a* I? A a#an"er. /%y?:

:Ear#%ian i$ a cu*$y #er*.:

:/%a# i$ /e>a"eI#ian?: %e "e*an"e".

:I* a cra$%an"er. I a$n# b!rn i#%in i#y *ie$ ! Cra$%an"ing Ci#y' bu# I* a

cra$%an"er anyay.:


47/237

%a# g!# a grin. I #%in. I# a$ %ar" #! #e i#% #%e bear". :Lucy y!ure n!# a i!#.:

:I a*. /a$.:

:=!ure i""ing. %ey e# a cra$%an"er i!# a $%i?:

:I %e$ g!!" a# i#.:

:I "i"n# *ean #! iue y!ur ire' $ir. >ay I in#r!"uce *y$e? >y na*e$ Ee%an#.:

:e!u S%aeer.:

He b!ug%# *e a "rin. I b!ug%# %i* a "rin. I# #urne" !u# e b!#% aye" gin' $! e

#!! re$% "rin$ #! a car" #abe ...


48/237

:/e' ca *e i y!u ge# a c%ance. I i$% y!u" c%ange y!ur *in". I" ie #! $%! y!u

Ear#%.:

:I "ecine i#% #%an$. +!!"bye' Ee%an#. I#$ been un.:

Ee%an# ave" an" #urne" #%r!ug% #%e na#ive$ "!!r. I en# !n #! ace #%e $*ugger bai#er$. %e a$# "rin a$ $#i i#% *e' bu# I c!u" cure #%a# a# #%e %!#e. I never

e&ec#e" #! $ee Ee%an# again.


49/237

an" $en# !ne reeing. ,n any !r" in %u*an $ace' any !r" bu# !ne' y!u n!

i**e"ia#ey %! #%e na#ive$ are. /un"eran"? A$y**e#rica bear"$ *ar #%e n!bii#y'

an" #%e c!**!n e!e are #%e !ne$ %! uicy $#e !u# ! #%eir ay. /e >a"e I#? %e a!r ! !ur $in$ in $u**er an" in#er' in $ring an" a' #%e ac# #%a# e a race

u$#air$' ab!ve #%e burie" ci#ie$ an" !n#! #%e b!!*ing "e$er#' eager #! #a$#e $unig%#

%ie #%e *ur"er!u$ in"$ are a# re$#. in&? %e na#ive$ are $%!r#' i"e' an" $#r!ng6 a$ee# i##e !" a"y$ %an"$%ae can cru$% $#ee. Even in #%e e#' i#%in #%e $!ar

$y$#e*' a e#er $#ri %aircu# a"!rn$ b!#% *en an" !*en. u# Ear#% --;

N! #! !!e" aie. %ere ere re"$ an" bue$ an" green$' ye!$ an" !range$' ai"$

an" $#rie$. I* #aing ab!u# %air' y!u un"er$#an"' an" $in. A *y ie Ive u$e" #annin-

$ecre#i!n i$ !r r!#ec#i!n again$# u#ravi!e#' $! #%a# *y $in c!!r %a$ varie" r!* i#$

n!r*a ini$%-%i#e (I* an abin!) #! (un"er bue-%i#e $#ar$) #u&e"! bac. u# I"never n!n #%a# !#%er $in-"ye i$ e&i$#e". I $#!!" r!!#e" #! #%e e"a' e##ing i#

carry *e %ere i# !u"' a#c%ing #%e incre"ibe cr!" $ar* ar!un" *e. %ey ere a

nee$ an" eb!$. !*!rr! I" %ave brui$e$.

:Hey;:

%e gir a$ !ur !r ive %ea"$ aay' an" $%!r#. I" never %ave $een %er i every!ne e$e

%a"n# been $%!r#' #!!. 8a"an"er$ rarey #! $i& ee#. An" #%ere a$ #%i$ gir' %er %air a

#!!!gica e&!$i!n in $iring !range an" $iver' %er ace a ain#' $ub#e green i#%$ace-bac eyebr!$ an" i$#ic' aving $!*e#%ing an" $%!u#ing a# *e.

/aving *y ae#.

I !rce" *y ay #! %er un#i e ere c!$e en!ug% #! #!uc%' un#i I c!u" %ear %a# $%e

a$ $aying ab!ve #%e cr!" n!i$e.

:S#ui"; /%ere$ y!ur a""re$$? =!u "!n# even %ave a ace !r a $#a*;:

:/%a#?:

S%e !!e" $#ar#e". :,%; =!ure an !!r"er.:

:=ea%;: >y v!ice !u" give !u# a$# a# #%i$ n!i$e eve.

:/e' !! ...: S%e $%!ve" %er ay c!$er #! *e. :L!!' y!u can# g! ar!un" #!n i#%

an !!r"er$ ae#. Ne #i*e $!*e!ne ic$ y!ur !ce# %e *ay n!# n!#ice #i y!ureg!ne.:

:=!u ice" *y !ce#?:

:Sure; %in I !un" i#? /!u" I ri$ *y reci!u$ %an" un"er a #%!$e $ie %ee$?:

:H! i I ca a c!?:


50/237

:C!? ,%' a $#!neace.: S%e aug%e" *erriy. :Learn !r g! un"er' *an. %ere$ n! a

again$# icing !ce#$. L!! ar!un" y!u.:

I !!e" ar!un" *e' #%en !!e" bac a$#' arai" $%e" "i$aear. N!# !ny *y ca$% bu#

*y an ! in& "ra# !r !r#y #%!u$an" $#ar$ a$ in #%a# ae#. Every#%ing I !ne".

:See #%e* a? Siy-!ur *ii!n e!e in L!$ Angee$ a!ne. Eig%#een bii!n in #%e

%!e !r". Su!$e #%ere a$ a a again$# icing !ce#$? H! !u" y!u en!rcei#?: S%e "e#y erac#e" #%e ca$% r!* *y ae# an" %an"e" #%e ae# bac. :+e#

y!ur$e a ne ae#' an" a$#. I# %ave a ace !r y!ur a""re$$ an" a in"! !r a

#en#%-$#ar $#a*. 3u# y!ur a""re$$ in rig%# aay' an" a $#a*' #!!. %en #%e ne guy %!

#ae$ i# can u !u# #%e *!ney an" "r! y!ur ae# in #%e neare$# *aib!& -- n! $ea#.,#%eri$e y!u !$e y!ur cre"i# car"$' y!ur i"en#' every#%ing.: S%e $#ue" #! %un"re"-

!"" $#ar$ in ca$% be#een %er brea$#$' a$%ing *e a ar#ing $*ie a$ $%e #urne".

:%an$': I cae". =e$' I "i". I a$ $#i bei"ere"' bu# $%e" !bvi!u$y $#aye" #! %e*e. S%e c!u" 7u$# a$ ea$iy %ave e# ae# an" a.

:N! c%arge': $%e cae" bac' an" a$ g!ne.

I $#!e" ! a# #%e ir$# #ran$er b!!#% I $a' "r!e" a %a $#ar in #%e c!in $!#' an""iae" Ee%an#.


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I $#ee" !u# ! #%e b!!#% an" gi*$e" #%e bac a. I# a$ a ic#ure in"!' i#%

n!#%ing !u#$i"e -- 7u$# eecy bue $y. H! ecuiar' I #%!ug%#' an" $#ee" c!$er. An"

c!$er.

Ee%an# ive" %aay u a ci. A $%eer *ie-%ig% ci.

%e %!ne rang.

,n #%e #%ir" ear-7arring ring I an$ere"' *ainy #! $#! #%e n!i$e. A $uercii!u$ v!icea$e"' :I$ $!*eb!"y !u# #%ere?:

:I* arai" n!#': I $ai". :D!e$ $!*e!ne na*e" Ee%an# ive %ere?:

:I $ee' $ir': $ai" #%e v!ice. %e $creen %a" n!# i#' bu# I %a" #%e eeing $!*e!ne %a"

$een *e ui#e ceary.

Sec!n"$ crae" by. I a$ %a *in"e" #! 7u* bac in #%e #ran$er b!!#% an" "ia a#ran"!*. u# !ny %a6 #%a# a$ #%e #r!ube. %en #%e $creen i#' an" i# a$ Ee%an#.

:ey; =!u c%ange" y!ur *in";:

:=ea%. =!u "i"n# #e *e y!u ere ric%.:

:=!u "i"n# a$.:

:/e' n!' ! c!ur$e n!#.:

:

niven, larry - crashlander

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