To Die in Italbar by Zelazny Roger

Author:Zelazny, Roger [Zelazny, Roger]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
ISBN: 0743445368
Publisher: IBOOKS
Published: 2014-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 5

Matching his orbital velocity with Summit’s rotation, he hung starlike above the area in question.

“. . . A single individual,” he repeated. “I am sorry that I cannot be more explicit. I am convinced he is the focus of the infections. You have to do more than simply quarantine the area. You have to locate this man and immobilize him. He should be moving somewhat in advance of the contagion course, as we must allow for an incubation period. From what you have told me so far, he seems to be headed southwest. I recommend you assume continuing movement in that direction, most likely on foot, and begin searching immediately. And get me more data! If possible, I would like to be in direct communication with the searchers.”

“I will of course have to get authorization for all this, Dr. Pels, but I am certain it will not take long. In the meantime, there should be more reports coming in shortly. I will get them up to you as soon as we have them.”

“Very good. I will be waiting.”

Pels broke the connection.

Indeed, he said to himself, I am used to waiting. But this time―The news came so quickly, and I made it in time to be right on top. I know he is down there. These people will let me direct things. I know it. Nothing like this has ever happened here before. He seems to be getting worse. But I will find him this time. Time . . .

. . . Three, four, five.

“Hold it!” he said, but she had already tossed the sixth coin.

It hung there a moment, turning, jerking, then moved to join the other five in a slow figure-of-eight procession in the middle of the air.

“Just wait until I stabilize the thing . . . There! All right, add another―carefully.”

Jackara flipped another coin upward. It overshot the group by several feet, froze as if suddenly transformed to a photograph, then commenced a tadpole-like wiggling that took it in the direction of the pattern. Moments later, it had joined the flow.

“Another!”

Laughing, Jackara tossed another coin. This one did not stop or even seem to slow, but moved to take its place in the procession immediately.

“Another!”

It was caught instantly, fitted into the circuit.

“Another . . .”

“I think you are going to break your record,” she said, throwing it.

Catching it, he unfolded the design so that the coins now moved in a circle. The circle expanded and the coins flowed faster.

“Now. Another.”

It fell into the pattern, which continued to expand, to accelerate.

“You did it! That’s the most yet!” she said.

The shining round of coins drifted toward her, where she sat on the edge of the bunk. It moved to a position above her, descended, spun about her head.

I still cannot tell what it is that occurs in your mind when you do it, said Shind, though I can recognize the process when it is operating. Actually, it is a very pleasant thing to contem―

Malacar laughed.

The ring came apart. The coins clattered against the bulkhead, shot across the cabin, fell about Jackara.

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