Runner by William C. Dietz

Author:William C. Dietz [Dietz, William C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Science Fiction, Fantasy
ISBN: 9780441013265
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2005-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

The Planet Ning The schism between black and red stems from disagreements regarding the relative merits of mind versus emotion as paths to enlightenment. Such considerations are a waste of nas (spiritual energy), and equivalent to debating which is more valuable, the left hand or the right hand. Both come together to pray, work or play.

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—The tenth Nom Maa In spite of the fact that the overhead light had been extinguished as Lee was put to bed, not even the curtain that Norr had pulled across the window could block the ghostly green glow produced by the streetlamp outside, and all manner of shadows populated the walls. Time seemed to creep by as the boy waited for Hoggles, then Rebo, to enter the room and go to bed. Finally, once the heavy had started to snore, and the runner was breathing evenly, Lee made his move.

Slowly, so as to generate as little noise as possible, the youth threw his covers back and swung his feet out onto the cold floor. He was already dressed, so it was a simple matter to pick up his boots and tiptoe over to the door. Lee knew Rebo was a light sleeper and likely to wake at the slightest sound, which was why the boy exercised great care as he removed the chair that the runner had propped up against the door. Not in an attempt to block the entrance, but to serve as an alarm, should someone with a key attempt to open it. Once that was accomplished it was a simple matter to unlock the door, retrieve his boots, and tiptoe into the corridor. Having gained the hall successfully, the youngster closed the door so gently that there was no more than the faintest click, as the spring-loaded bolt found its well-worn hole and slid home.

After that it was a simple matter to pull on his boots, lace them up, and slip out of the hotel. The power was on, the streets were crowded with people, and it was easy for Lee to assume the persona that he had prepared for himself. If he were stopped, which seemed unlikely given all of the children out on the streets, the youngster would say that he was running an errand for his father, a claim he would substantiate with a shopping list prepared earlier in the day. And, if attacked, Lee had both of his knives. Those, combined with his speed, would get him out of trouble. Or so the youth hoped.

But there were no signs of trouble as Lee made his way down a street that switchbacked down the hillside. Just the opposite, in fact, as shoppers paused to look through shop windows, street vendors hawked their wares, and a metal man took a moment to explain the benefits of technology to a hungry dog.

Lee gave the robot a wide berth and continued on his way. Rebo had taught the youth a great deal about how to move around in a strange environment

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