Piers Anthony by Total Recall

Author:Total Recall [Recall, Total]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-02-15T16:11:35.864000+00:00

The Pyramid Mine was as impressive from another angle, as seen from the hall leading to Cohaagen's office. Richter stared through the glass wall at the mining complex, wishing that he rated a stunning facility like this. He entered the office and faced the back of Cohaagen's chair across his desk.

"Mr. Cohaagen," he said. "You wanted to see me?"

Cohaagen swiveled around in his chair. He smiled silently for a moment. "Richter," he said finally. "Do you know why I'm such a happy person?"

Because you're the top man, Richter thought, with subordinates to chew out. He let none of this show through the dutiful expression on his face.

"No, sir," he said respectfully.

"Because I've got a great fuckin' job," Cohaagen said calmly. "As long as the turbinium keeps flowing, I can do anything I want. Anything. Nobody's looking over my shoulder. Nobody cares how I live. Nobody gives a shit if a few Martians have to suffer." He paused.

"I'll tell you the truth," he continued. "I wouldn't trade places with the Chairman." It was difficult for him to keep a straight face. He had the Chairman by the short hairs and he knew it, but it wouldn't do to give that kind of information to Richter. No, the masquerade would go on. For the time being.

Besides, there was nothing funny about the rebel situation. They were causing him more trouble than he had expected. If they weren't stopped. . . No. It wasn't a thought worth considering. He would stop them.

He stood, leaning forward, his hands on the desk. "In fact," he continued, "the only thing I ever worry about is that one day, if the rebels win, it all might end."

Suddenly Cohaagen exploded in fury, pounding his fist on the desk. The fishbowl that graced one corner jumped. "And you're fuckin' making it happen! You disobeyed my orders! And then you fuckin' let him get away!"

Richter's face remained impassive. There was no way Cohaagen could prove that his radio transmission had gotten through, so there was no way he could prove Richter's insubordination. They both knew that.

"He had help, sir," Richter said evenly. "From our side."

"I know," Cohaagen said impatiently.

"But I thought. . ." Richter could not conceal the surprise in his voice.

"Who told you to think?" Cohaagen snapped. "I don't give you enough information to think!" He shook an index finger in Richter's face. "You do what you're told! That's what you do!" Cohaagen resumed his calm demeanor. He opened a drawer and withdrew a small box. He gently shook some flakes into the fishbowl on his desk.

"Now let's get down to business," he said in reasonable tones. "Kuato wants what's in Quaid's head and he might be able to get it. Rumor has it that the geek is psychic.

"Now I have a little plan to keep this from happening. Do you think you can play along?"

Richter wanted to push Cohaagen's head into the damned bowl and let the fish eat his face, but "Yes, sir" was all he said.

"Great!" said Cohaagen, looking up from the fish with a beaming smile.

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