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The Stars My Destination ( Tiger! Tiger! ) :: Bester Alfred
Страница: 30 из 164YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Visitor badges were distributed to the party, and even Presteign of Presteign received a badge. He dutifully pinned it on for he well knew what the result of entry without such a protective badge would be. The entourage continued, winding its way through pits until it arrived at 0-3, where the pit mouth was decorated with bunting in the Presteign colors and a small grandstand had been erected.
Presteign was welcomed and, in turn, greeted his various officials. The Presteign band struck up the clan song, bright and brassy, but one of the instruments appeared to have gone insane. It struck a brazen note that blared louder and louder until it engulfed the entire band and the surprised exclamations. Only then did Presteign realize that it was not an instrument sounding, but the shipyard alarm.
An intruder was in the yard, someone not wearing an identification or visitor's badge. The radar field of the protection system was tripped and the alarm sounded. Through the raucous bellow of the alarm, Presteign could hear a multitude of «pops» as the yard guards jaunted from the grandstand and took positions around the square mile of concrete field. His own JaunteWatch closed in around him, looking wary and alert.
A voice began blaring on the P.A., coordinating defense. «UNKNOWN IN YARD. UNKNOWN IN YARD AT E FOR EDWARD NINE. E FOR EDWARD NINE MOVING WEST ON FOOT.»
«Someone must have broken in,» Black Rod shouted~
«I'm aware of that,» Presteign answered calmly.
«He must be a stranger if he's not jaunting in here.»
«I'm aware of that also.»
«UNKNOWN APPROACHING D FOR DAVID FIVE. D FOR DAVID FIVE. STILL ON FOOT. D FOR DAVID FIVE ALERT.»
«What in God's name is he up to?» Black Rod exclaimed.
«You are aware of my rule, sir,» Presteign said coldly. «No associate of the Presteign clan may take the name of the Divinity in vain. You forget yourself.»
«UNKNOWN NOW APPROACHING C FOR CHARLEY FIVE. NOW APPROACHING C FOR CHARLEY FIVE.»
Black Rod touched Presteign's arm. «He's coming this way, Presteign. Will you take cover, please?»
«I will not.»
«Presteign, there have been assassination attempts before. Three of them. If…”
«How do I get to the top of this stand?»
«Presteign!»
«Help me up.»
Aided by Black Rod, still protesting hysterically, Presteign climbed to the top of the grandstand to watch the power of the Presteign clan in action against danger.
Visitor badges were distributed to the party, and even Presteign of Presteign received a badge. He dutifully pinned it on for he well knew what the result of entry without such a protective badge would be. The entourage continued, winding its way through pits until it arrived at 0-3, where the pit mouth was decorated with bunting in the Presteign colors and a small grandstand had been erected.
Presteign was welcomed and, in turn, greeted his various officials. The Presteign band struck up the clan song, bright and brassy, but one of the instruments appeared to have gone insane. It struck a brazen note that blared louder and louder until it engulfed the entire band and the surprised exclamations. Only then did Presteign realize that it was not an instrument sounding, but the shipyard alarm.
An intruder was in the yard, someone not wearing an identification or visitor's badge. The radar field of the protection system was tripped and the alarm sounded. Through the raucous bellow of the alarm, Presteign could hear a multitude of «pops» as the yard guards jaunted from the grandstand and took positions around the square mile of concrete field. His own JaunteWatch closed in around him, looking wary and alert.
A voice began blaring on the P.A., coordinating defense. «UNKNOWN IN YARD. UNKNOWN IN YARD AT E FOR EDWARD NINE. E FOR EDWARD NINE MOVING WEST ON FOOT.»
«Someone must have broken in,» Black Rod shouted~
«I'm aware of that,» Presteign answered calmly.
«He must be a stranger if he's not jaunting in here.»
«I'm aware of that also.»
«UNKNOWN APPROACHING D FOR DAVID FIVE. D FOR DAVID FIVE. STILL ON FOOT. D FOR DAVID FIVE ALERT.»
«What in God's name is he up to?» Black Rod exclaimed.
«You are aware of my rule, sir,» Presteign said coldly. «No associate of the Presteign clan may take the name of the Divinity in vain. You forget yourself.»
«UNKNOWN NOW APPROACHING C FOR CHARLEY FIVE. NOW APPROACHING C FOR CHARLEY FIVE.»
Black Rod touched Presteign's arm. «He's coming this way, Presteign. Will you take cover, please?»
«I will not.»
«Presteign, there have been assassination attempts before. Three of them. If…”
«How do I get to the top of this stand?»
«Presteign!»
«Help me up.»
Aided by Black Rod, still protesting hysterically, Presteign climbed to the top of the grandstand to watch the power of the Presteign clan in action against danger.