Power_A Dark and Hungry God Arises by Stephen R. Donaldson

Author:Stephen R. Donaldson [Donaldson, Stephen R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Fiction, General
ISBN: 9780553562606
Amazon: 0553562606
Goodreads: 22877
Publisher: Spectra
Published: 1992-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

further - a lot further. In the time it would take the

Council to read a bill, never mind debate or act on it, he

could dismantle the entire UMCP. Leave human space

defenseless. The GCES would be forced to create a new

police force from scratch.

'If he's provoked into a threat that extreme, we're all

lost. I have no way of knowing whether he would go

that far, but I'm not willing to take the chance. '

Captain Vertigus look vaguely nauseated as he mur-

mured, 'I see what you mean. '

A moment later he shook himself as if he were trying

to clear his head. Small beads of saliva had gathered at

the corners of his mouth; he wiped them away. Leaning

forward to face Min closely again, he said, This is still

too plausible. It's happening too fast. You want me to

take on Holt Fasner and the whole Council for you, and

you want me to make up my mind right now. I'm an old

man, Director Donner. I can't stay awake through any

entire Council session. Sometimes I can't stay awake

through an entire sentence, even when I'm the one

talking.

'Why do you want me to do this? Why not somebody

else?'

Min spread her hands. 'Who else is there?' She held

his pale gaze. 'Who else has your "credibility"? President

Len? He's probably honest - I'm not sure - but he hates

conflict. If he proposed a Bill of Severance, the first thing

he would do is attach an amendment postponing the

effective date for five years.

'You tell me, Captain Vertigus. Who else could I ask?

'But tell me now, ' she added roughly. 'I'm running out

of time. I want to be back on the shuttle to UMCPHQ'

- she flicked her eyes to a chronometer - 'in eleven

minutes. '

For several heartbeats he continued studying her as if

he wanted to peer into the back of her brain. While he

hesitated, she felt that more things hung in the balance

than she knew how to name; the possible futures of the

human race seemed to fade in and out of existence.

Why had Warden Dios sent her here? Why had he

waited until now? What game was he playing?

Was it really conceivable that Holt Fasner might lose

a GCES battle over a Bill of Severance?

Softly, almost whispering, Captain Vertigus

announced, 'It occurs to me, Director Donner, that it

doesn't matter whether you're telling me the truth. It

doesn't even matter whether you chose me because you

think I might win or because you're sure I'll lose. ' As he -

spoke his thin voice took on excitement until it sounded

almost resonant, almost young. What you're asking me

to do needs doing. It should have been done a long time

ago. And the riming may never be more favorable than

it is right now.

'I like the idea of having something important to do -

for a change. If you're counting on me to lose, you'll

have an anxious time during the next few days. '

Relief brought up a grin from Min's heart. 'Don't lose.

If you don't trust me, you can always get me fired later. '

Riding a wash of elation, she rose to her feet. After all,

the worst that could happen to Captain Vertigus was that

he would end his life on a painful political defeat.

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