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Ribofunk :: Филиппо Пол Ди
Страница: 136 из 156" Dos Santos began to gather equipment and supplies from an overhead ovoid locker. "How far are we from our destination?"
"Contact with Global Positioning's navsats remains firm, and I have us located within the standard three-meter deviation. Machine Lake is approximately fifty klicks to the north. However, I managed to set us down only a hundred yards from River Seven."
"And We're still on the upstream bank?"
"Yes."
"Good job."
"Thank you, Peej Dos Santos. I hope you will take my actions into account in the event of any possible lawsuit."
"Don't worry, there's not going to be any legal action. It's plain that whoever stopped the River doesn't want me coming to investigate. There'll have to be a purge of all the splices on the maintenance crew back at the base."
"Organics are inherently less trustworthy and more liable to be compromised than kibernetika, if I may say so."
Dos Santos cracked the ladybug's hatch, and warm, wet air blew in past a curtain of bamboon.
"Where are you going, Peej? I've sent out a distress call and received an acknowledgement. Would it not be wise to wait here?"
"How do I know all the other 'bugs haven't been tampered with too? I could wait for days. No, I've got to finish my mission. I'm too close now to wait. And the River can't stay down much longer."
Patting his left breast pocket, which held the vital vial of Instruction Set which would repair the River, and adjusting the bandoliers that held his Intratec splat-pistol, extra lysing cartridges and other equipment, Dos Santos placed one booted foot over the sill.
"I must protest, Peej. Under Regulation Two-Ten of the Riparian Administration Handbook-"
"Listen," interrupted Dos Santos. "Who's the River Master here, you or me?"
Somehow the TL4 kibe managed to sound wounded and resigned. "You are, Peej."
"Correct."
"May I make a suggestion, then?"
"Certainly."
"At least let me accompany you. I am more capable than your low-level suit assists. Also, if you are terminated and I am later recovered, I shall be able to make a full report."
"What a cheerful notion."
"I am simply trying to fulfill my autofac-implanted imperatives, Peej… "
"All right."
Dos Santos stepped to the console and ejected the kibe, a featureless silver wafer the diameter of a hockey puck, but only half as thick. Fitting it flat into the appropriate sticktite slot on his harness, he turned to leave the disabled ladybug.
"I am now fully integrated with your suit sensors, Peej. They are of high quality.
"Contact with Global Positioning's navsats remains firm, and I have us located within the standard three-meter deviation. Machine Lake is approximately fifty klicks to the north. However, I managed to set us down only a hundred yards from River Seven."
"And We're still on the upstream bank?"
"Yes."
"Good job."
"Thank you, Peej Dos Santos. I hope you will take my actions into account in the event of any possible lawsuit."
"Don't worry, there's not going to be any legal action. It's plain that whoever stopped the River doesn't want me coming to investigate. There'll have to be a purge of all the splices on the maintenance crew back at the base."
"Organics are inherently less trustworthy and more liable to be compromised than kibernetika, if I may say so."
Dos Santos cracked the ladybug's hatch, and warm, wet air blew in past a curtain of bamboon.
"Where are you going, Peej? I've sent out a distress call and received an acknowledgement. Would it not be wise to wait here?"
"How do I know all the other 'bugs haven't been tampered with too? I could wait for days. No, I've got to finish my mission. I'm too close now to wait. And the River can't stay down much longer."
Patting his left breast pocket, which held the vital vial of Instruction Set which would repair the River, and adjusting the bandoliers that held his Intratec splat-pistol, extra lysing cartridges and other equipment, Dos Santos placed one booted foot over the sill.
"I must protest, Peej. Under Regulation Two-Ten of the Riparian Administration Handbook-"
"Listen," interrupted Dos Santos. "Who's the River Master here, you or me?"
Somehow the TL4 kibe managed to sound wounded and resigned. "You are, Peej."
"Correct."
"May I make a suggestion, then?"
"Certainly."
"At least let me accompany you. I am more capable than your low-level suit assists. Also, if you are terminated and I am later recovered, I shall be able to make a full report."
"What a cheerful notion."
"I am simply trying to fulfill my autofac-implanted imperatives, Peej… "
"All right."
Dos Santos stepped to the console and ejected the kibe, a featureless silver wafer the diameter of a hockey puck, but only half as thick. Fitting it flat into the appropriate sticktite slot on his harness, he turned to leave the disabled ladybug.
"I am now fully integrated with your suit sensors, Peej. They are of high quality.