Foster, Alan Dean Icerigger 01 Icerigger

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"As clear as this air is, we ought to have been visible for hundreds of
kilometers."
"We might have been seen," Ethan conceded. "Even so, it might take days or weeks
for the locals to organize an expedition to reach us. Assuming they are so
inclined."
"Still, we should post a watch," said the big man.
"I haven't taken anything but the basic mestapes," Wil-liams began, "but it
seems to me that your natives, no matter what their makeup, wouldn't be abroad
on a night like this." Another gust rattled the door, as though in support of
the schoolmaster's theory.
"This could be a tropical evening to them," Ethan coun-tered. "But if we're as
far away from the settlement as we seem to be, then the locals couldn't be
familiar with flying craft. We can't tell how they might react. We might have
come in over the local metropolis, too, and scared the populace half out of
their wits. In which case they might declare! this section of ice forever taboo,
or the local equivalent. I've seen it happen before."
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"Let's hope not," said September fervently. "I'm beginning to think we're going
to need outside aid if we're ever going to see the inside of a brandy snifter
again. But that's not why I think we should stand watch.
"And it has nothing to do with him." He gestured at Wal-ther. A thin whine from
the kidnapper's location was the only reply, a mouse of a snore. Already sound
asleep.
"Although, as long as he entertains thoughts of attack, and as long as we still
have one operational beamer"-he patted his vest pocket-"it would be a good idea
if everyone didn't drift off to slumberland all at once.
" No, my main concern is keeping that fire going. If that goes, it's liable to
get downright chilly in here. And we might never wake up."
"Quite so," agreed Colette promptly.
"I usually remain awake late at night," .Williams informed them. "If no one
objects, I would be pleased to take the first, uh, watch."
"Very well ... and I shall take the second," volunteered Colette. "But you will
have to excuse my father from such duties ... he's not up to it, I'm afraid."
"But my dear ..." the elder du Kane began. Colette kissed him perfunctorily on
the forehead.
"Hush, old man. Lean on me."
"But your mother would think-"
Colette's eyes grew suddenly so wild that Ethan missed a breath. She looked
about to scream, but instead her voice came out under airtight control-barely.
"Don't mention that woman to me now," she snapped out.
"But-"
"Don't!" There was more than just a hint of warning in that voice. Ethan thought
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about putting a subtle question to her, took another look at those penetrating
green orbs, and decided against butting in. Mind your own business, stupid! He
rolled over twice, facing the fire.
It seemed he'd only just put his head down after con-cluding his two-hour watch
when he was suddenly awakened. He was facing the fire a half-meter away. For a
moment something very primitive deep inside him was badly startled. It did wake
him quickly, though. He rolled over and found himself almost nose to nose with
Williams.
The schoolteacher held fingers to lips. Ethan sat up slowly and stifled his
questions. Across the glow of the fire he could see Colette du Kane. Her
expression chased the rest of the sleep from his eyes. She was chewing on one
set of knuckles. Her father was kneeling tensely next to her, an area around her
shoulders.
The Hephaestean form of Skua September, outlined by the fire, stood to one side.
He was staring intently at the door. The remaining beamer was clutched tightly
in his right fist. It hadn't grown much colder inside, thanks to the fire, but
you could feel the alien darkness pressing close on all sides.
Ethan was aware of something new and unpleasant in the tiny cabin. Humans are
not as adept as their dogs at smelling fear, but they can recognize it in each
other.
"It was during Mr. du Kane's shift," the teacher whispered softly. "He woke fix.
September, who thought it best to rouse the rest of us." Ethan turned just
enough to see Walther sitting alertly in his corner, hands twitching
uncontrollably.
"It seems Mr. du Kane thought he heard something moving around outside,"
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Williams continued. "And while he confesses to a lack of knowledge of the local
life, he doesn't believe it's one of your natives. He cannot be certain, of
course."
At that point, as abrupt as ship ignition, there was a ring-ing bong as of
something heavy striking metal. It came from outside. September dropped into a
crouch. Back in his corner, Walther giggled unnervingly. September hissed for
him to shut up or he'd get his neck broken.
Ethan could make out a distant scuffling and rattling. It sounded a thousand
miles off. Unfortunately, that was not likely. In addition, above the wind, he
distinctly heard a low moaning sound. It was like the noise people make when
waking suddenly from a bad dream. It went off and on, off and on like an idling
engine. Very deep it was. Occasionally it was broken by a bass cough.
There was a loud thunk. Then uninterrupted silence. The bit; man hadn't moved, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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