The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley [212]
‘Do you recall our last meeting, when I introduced you to that useful substance known as Blue Chain?’
‘Your slavery powder?’ Greg said, trying to keep his voice level. ‘What about it?’
‘I’m glad you asked,’ said the hidden Kuros. ‘Every particle of the nanodust is programmed to adapt to circumstances, you see. So although most of the Blue Chain we gave you was removed by those cunning native roots, its adaptive imperative would have already sent sleeper clusters into the motor centres … ’
Kuros spoke another Sendrukan word, and Greg felt the strength go out of his other leg. He fell to his knees and slumped forward. Gritting his teeth, he began dragging himself forward with his elbows.
God, I’m a sitting target! he thought. Just a few words and he’s turned me into a wreck, a weakling. If I can just get in one good shot …
‘That’s all very educational, Mr Ambassador,’ he said, pulling himself along with his forearms. ‘You could give talks about it at the maximum-security prison we’re gonna build just for you back on Darien!’
‘An amusing notion, Doctor, but the truth is that you are going to die here and I will return to the Hegemony and civilisation. And eventually we shall again reach out to this world and reclaim it in the name of our undiminished posterity. This is how the supreme existence manifests itself – the weak work towards the greater glory of the strong, and the undeserving give way to the pre-eminent … ’
Again, a Sendrukan word was spoken and the feeling and control drained from Greg’s right arm. His hand grew numb and the smartgun slipped out of his nerveless fingers. He half-gasped, half-laughed, face only inches from the rough planking as he seized the Roug gun with his other hand. Then with a considerable effort he levered himself up against the nearby tree trunk, sweat trickling and itching down his temples and scalp as he forced himself into a seated position. Deliberately he rested the smartgun on his leg, aiming it at the flight of stairs that curved up around a large branch that protruded from the main trunk like a huge shoulder.
‘I think I’ve heard that argument before,’ Greg said. ‘Usually from out the mouth of a lout with delusions o’ grandeur. Oh, but wait a minute! – that’s exactly what your precious Hegemony is, a gang of louts with big guns, big ships and big boots. You can dress it up any way you like, with pretty-sounding phrases and lofty visions, but ultimately you’re just a mob of self-important thugs who want it all!’
Silence. Then a voice whispering from overhead.
‘Are you trying to get yerself killed?’
He glanced up and there she was, peering over the edge of a blossom-fringed platform. She looked so real, so solid, that he almost believed it.
‘It’s no’ much of a plan but it’s all I’ve got right now,’ he said. ‘Maybe I can provoke him into showing himself … ’
Alarm flickered in her eyes.
‘ … and if I die, you’ll have to take this gun and kill him … I mean, if you can, if you’re not a … ’
She shook her head, then gave a shrug and ducked out of sight, leaving him suddenly, bleakly alone.
A moment later, Kuros spoke again.
‘I must admit, Doctor Cameron, your species has shown itself to be invidiously annoying and at times more trouble than they are worth – and you are an especially irritating example of your kind.’
‘Och, you’re just saying that – c’mon, tell me what you really think. Tell me to my face!’
‘I had toyed with allowing you one arm and a sporting chance of hitting me but I’ve changed my mind. Instead, I think you deserve to come back with me to the Hegemony core worlds where I can introduce you to the wonders of the Hegemon’s own personal vivisection labs. It would be, I feel, a suitable reward for all your efforts.’
Kuros spoke another word. Greg’s arm went dead and fell to his side, the smartgun half-slipping