The Greater Game by Rowe

Author:Rowe [Gene Rowe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: White Cat Publications, LLC

***

Dariush Esfahani was at first disorientated, and then puzzled. “What is the meaning of this? Why are you here?” As the true nature of his situation dawned, puzzlement rapidly transformed into embarrassment combined with anger. Then the anger ramped up into rage: his simulation had been shut off in the middle of an erotic episode – as the three intruders to his habitation segment could clearly see on his stepping out from the full-body VR capsule – and he now stood naked before them. Fortunately, Henrik Esselt had a silk dressing gown to hand, which he’d carried over from the place on the floor where it had been discarded. Esfahani snatched the gown from the Dutchman and rapidly covered his shame. “How dare you invade my chambers! Get out now!”

“Mr. Esfahani – we are here because we were concerned.” Esselt, at least, had managed to adopt a serious expression – unlike Jones and Wicz, who could barely contain their amusement. “We had expected you in the pilot’s seat for the transition.”

The Iranian scowled. “I will be there in time…” he drew to a halt as he saw Esselt gently shaking his head.

“I am afraid you are too late. We are in the Robertson system already. You… slept through it.”

“This is impossible. I programmed an alarm and a cut-off.”

“You must have made a mistake,” declared Wicz, smiling slyly. She brought one hand up to her mouth and turned her head away slightly. Jones noticed this motion and looked at the woman with a frown. Esselt also caught Wicz’s tell and Jones’ reaction. He kept his expression blank when Jones turned a questioning glance at him.

Wicz dropped her hand and fixed Esfahani with a smile. “It appears that you are not indispensable after all. We can fly this ship without you.”

“What do you mean? This is my ship. Do not forget this! Or does the UN now hijack ships from other nations? When we return to Mars, there will be trouble.”

“For you perhaps…”

Esselt held up a hand to still Wicz and calm Esfahani simultaneously. “We have no intention of taking this ship. We simply wish to proceed as planned and then return you and your ship according to the conditions of our somewhat informal contract. Remember – payment of the final half is due on return at my direction.”

“Ha!” Esfahani scoffed. “I do not need any more of your money. You have already paid me well enough.” But in spite of this assertion, Esselt sensed doubt and greed behind the Iranian’s eyes.

“Mr. Esfahani – we all benefit from your government not knowing about the specifics of this expedition. I know that you left an alibi with the Caliphate representatives on Phobos and Mars. There is no reason not to see this through to the end, and for you to gain your full compensation.” Now he shrugged and gave a small smile. “After all, we are here now. We are not able to leave again until an appropriate Punch Point forms… which I believe is in about ten weeks at a position between Robertson and Alpha Centauri B.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.