Changeling by Chris Kubasik

Author:Chris Kubasik [Kubasik, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy, General, Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780451451637
Google: kpKbwBCuttkC
Amazon: 0451451635
Publisher: ROC
Published: 1992-05-31T23:00:00+00:00

17

Zero-One-Zero greeted them when they stepped off the elevator. He held his hand out to Kathryn, and she shook it. “Pleasure to meet you in person. A true pleasure.”

Zoze was an obese black man. His large, round head was completely bald and as smooth as a bullet. He turned to Peter and smiled, as if they shared a secret past, better left unspoken in front of the lady. He never looked directly at Peter, but instead took furtive peeks. He seemed a man in complete control of himself—happy and devious.

“You’re a man of the streets, I see,” Zoze said. “Good. I like men of the streets. Come.”

He waddled down the hall toward an open doorway, Peter and Kathryn following him. The dwarf brought up the rear.

Frighteningly white walls crowded a large conference room, putting the sterility of Peter’s room to shame. The hard wood floor reflected the overhead lights like a mirror. The furniture, made only of chrome and glass, dissolved into the spotlessness of the area.

No dust. No objects. No stuff.

The only ornamentation in the room was a glass bowl filled with glass marbles sitting on a small glass table near the glass doors. Peter knew with a sudden flash that no one fidgeted with the marbles. They remained as they were. If they were dusted, someone was responsible for putting them all back the way they had been.

Zoze gestured to a chair at the end of the table. “If you would, my friend, it’s been reinforced to handle someone built as impressively as you.”

Peter took the chair, and Kathryn took one near him. Zoze sat at the other end of the table. Peter noticed that on the table near Zoze rested a small silver box.

“Soykaf?”

Peter shook his head. Kathryn nodded.

“Changes?”

The dwarf slipped on a pair of white gloves and walked over to a cabinet built into the wall, which opened to reveal a kitchen area. He pulled a stool out from the cabinet and got busy with the coffee.

“Now,” Zoze said, placing his hands in his lap, “what can I do for you? I can tell you now, Miss Amij, that the shadowrunners I hired for you have made no progress in tracking down Dr. Clarris.”

“First, we would like you to step up the efforts to find Dr. Clarris.” Kathryn’s voice was crisp and clear.

“Oh?”

“Yes. We must find him quickly. Peter can help.”

“Can he?” An amused smile cracked Zoze’s round face in half.

“Yes. Second, our lives are in danger.”

Zoze leaned in, pleased and curious. “Because of this search for Dr. Clarris?”

“Indirectly.”

“I was asked to kill Miss Amij for the Itami gang,” Peter said. “I was a member of the gang up until”—he glanced at his watch—“two hours ago.”

Zoze’s eyes widened. Peter couldn’t tell if it was because of fear or interest. “I see.” A smile formed on his face. “You wouldn’t happen to be the Profezzur, would you?”

Peter nodded, embarrassed. “You’ve heard of me?”

“Who hasn’t?” He turned to Kathryn and laughed knowingly. “And what do you want me to do about this new development?”

Peter turned to Kathryn.

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