(eng) Michael Moorcock - Multiverse 02 by The Fireclown (aka The Winds of Limbo)

Author:The Fireclown (aka The Winds of Limbo) [Fireclown, The]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

chapter nine

“SO you did come here,” Helen blurted out.

“I have no idea how you, deduced it.” He grinned. “But I must praise your intelligence. I hope no one else on Earth thinks as you do.”

Alan kept silent. They would be safer if they didn’t tell the Fireclown how they had worked out his hiding place. He looked around. Corso and the woman were also there, lounging in their seats and staring amusedly at the rest.

He felt dwarfed by the Fireclown’s bulk, not only physically—the man stood at least six foot six—but also psychologically. He could only stare stupidly, unable to say anything. Yet it was peculiar. Now that they were face to face he did not feel afraid any longer. The man’s strange magnetism was tangible, and once again he found himself liking the Fireclown, unable to believe that he had committed an act of mass murder and plotted to blow up the Earth.

“So you are Alan Powys,” mused the Fireclown, as if the name had some special meaning. His face was still heavily painted, with wide lips and exaggerated eyes, but Alan could make out the features under the paint a little clearer. They seemed thoughtful.

“And why are you here, anyway?” Corso said, moving his repulsive red and glinting body in the chair.

“To ask questions,” Helen said. She was pale and Alan could understand why—the skinless man took a lot of getting used to.

“Questions!” The Clown’s body moved in a great shrug. He turned his back on them and paced towards his seated friends. “Questions! By the solar firmament! What questions can I answer?”

“They are simple—and demand only simple replies, if you are truthful with us.”

The Fireclown whirled round and laughed richly. “I never lie. Didn’t you know that? I never lie!”

“But perhaps you mislead,” Alan said quietly. “May I sit down?”

“Of course.”

They both sat down.

“We want to know if you planned to blow up the world,” Helen said with a trace of nervousness in her voice.

“Why should I? I wanted to save it, not hurt it.”

“You did a good job with the fire which swept Switzerland,” Alan retorted.

“Am I to blame for that? I warned them not to tamper.”

“Are you trying to tell us you weren’t responsible for that fire?” Alan said grimly.

“I’ve been watching the lasercasts. I’m aware of what’s being said of me now. They are fickle, those people. If they had really listened to me this would not have happened. But nobody listened properly.”

“I agree with that.” Alan nodded. “I saw them—they were using you as a means of rousing their own latent emotions. But you should have known what you were doing and stopped P’

“I never know what I am doing. I am…” The Fireclown paused and glared at him. “I was not responsible for the fire. Not directly, at any rate. Some of those policemen must have tampered with my fire machines. They are very delicate. I have been experimenting with means of controlling chemical and atomic fire. I produced that little artificial sun and could have produced more if I had not been interrupted by those meddlers.

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