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file:///D|/Alan%20Dean%20Foster/Foster,%20Alan%20Dean%20-%20End%20of%20The%20M
atter.txt broadcast via the deep-space beam which ran the entire length of the
enormous vessel to secret bases within the Commonwealth. From there they would
be relayed to the Empire.
There would be joy in many burrows, the Baron reflected. After many long years
of service to the
Emperor and the Pack of Lords, he might hope to find himself raised to that
status, or even to be made an adviser with a chance of succeeding the Emperor
himself.
The desperate humanx ploy, ineffectual as it would likely have been, had been
stopped. Not only that but the object of all their enterprise had been
captured. It floated outside the warship. Now there remained only tests to be
run before it could be brought safely aboard. Baron Lisso PN
didn't believe anything-much. less the relatively tiny object outside-could
interrupt the course of the collapsar. That was a myth. Bu: myths often had
some foundation, so it would be best to be cautious until the ancient
artifact's harmlessness had been assured.
"Bring the object into the storage hold. Use the method described to us by our
informants within the Commonwealth. Back us around it. Our tractors are far
more powerful than anything the tiny humanx vessel could have mounted, but we
will push it when we leave, if that is required.
"But it is best to study under convenient conditions."
While the other ships of the war sphere watched alertly for the approach of
any humanx or
Commonwealth force, the massive dreaduought laboriously adjusted its attitude
so that the rear of the main globe backed up to the Hur'rikku device. Doors
slid aside, revealing a vast, airless, illuminated compartment within.
Carefully it backed over the artifact, encapsulating it. The massive
four-sided panels slid shut behind.
Several leading archeologists and other scientists shunted over to the
dreadnought from two fully equipped laboratory vessels, accompanied by members
of the dreadnought's military-sciences staff.
They were greeted by the Baron and his executive officer in the zero-gravity
vacuum of the cargo hold. The small group of suited AAnn drifted, studying the
artifact visually while a huge battery of instruments examined it with senses
no living creature possessed.
"Honored One," the executive officer said, "a message relayed from the
periphery ship Analosaam.
They report that the humanx vessel continues to flee in normal space and
request orders to pursue and destroy."
"Request denied." The Baron was unimpressed by their prize. It would not he
much of a trophy to haul back to Sectorcav. "Having failed in their futile
attempt with this relic, they may be trying to tempt one or more of our ships
into following within detection range of a Commonwealth or
Church outpost. That would precipitate a useless incident. Let our presence
here remain undetected.
"As for any story they may choose to relate concerning us, without proof no
one would believe a tale telling of an Imperial war force penetrating this
deeply into the Commonwealth simply to capture a device the Commonwealth
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government does not believe in anyway. Before anyone could arrive here to
check their story, we shall be gone homeward."
"Home." The word was breathed softly by the physicist on the Baron's right.
Personally, he was even less impressed than the noble by the Hur'rikku
artifact. Instrument readings relayed to him via his suitcom indicated that
the object floating before them was emitting not a doam of energy, was not
composed of explosive materials, and was to all appearances as inert and
harmless as the caps on his two front incisors. He was anxious to render his
opinion. Then he could return to the hot, shifting sands of his own home.
One by one the scientists present gave their opinions. Ail agreed that if the
device before them had once been a weapon, the rot of ages had destroyed its
viability. But by all means bring it back to Sectorcav. Its inscriptions and
interior would interest the archeologists, at least.
"Does that mean we can inspect it more closely?" the Baron inquired [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]