Hogan, James P Martian Knightlife

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the structure thus took the place of mass and gravity in retaining an atmosphere and keeping people and
everything else on the ground. The regularly inhabited part, consisting of residential and commercial
areas, and the corporation's business and technical facilities, extended around the equatorial belt; heavy
installations, industrial plant, and docking areas were located around the poles. The space between was
largely devoted to test sites for new engineering methods and construction techniques, with several open
landscaped areas for recreation.
The reception was held in the ballroom of the complex known as the Constellation Suites a part of the
residential sector containing accommodation, catering, pool, and sports facilities, intended for use by
visiting business people, relatives, and friends. It was a splendid affair indeed, with over two thousand
guests arrayed in thematic South Sea costumes, garlands, robes, and hula-hula skirts, as well as colorful
and glittery conventional styles. Marissa and Mervyn, respectively blushing and handsome, cut cake,
tossed garter and bouquet, smiled, posed, and received lines of congratulations and tributes. Hamilton
delivered a speech laced with jokes and witty anecdotes targeted at some of those present, proposed
toasts, and got in a few quotes; performers and musicians, including a full orchestra and two choirs,
entertained; lavish food offerings graced the tables; profusions of flowers decked the walls, the halls, and
the people. There were lots of flowers.
When the formal parts were over, Hamilton joined his daughter for the first waltz to commence the
remainder of the day's festivities. He might spend a lot of his life in first-class seats and at conference
tables these days, but he could still glide a step or two. Adoring matrons in jeweled gowns and tiaras
gazed on admiringly; friends and patrons of the corporation, and henchmen from the organization chart's
ionospheric levels smiled; management lackeys and their spouses, and assorted hangers-on tried to look
as if they felt they fitted in. Hamilton Gilder was a happy man. He liked life when he and his tribespeople
were the center of attraction, and just at this moment, the island headquarters-in-space of the empire he
had created seemed like the center of the universe. Yet, a part of him was worried. It was a worry that
he had talked about only with Thornton Velte and one or two others of his innermost clique. And
Marissa, of course but then, it was she who had brought the matter to him in the first place. Ever since
then, she and Mervyn had been so in demand that this was the first moment he had found to have a word
with her away from other ears after having any time to think about it.
"You really think this Khal is the real thing?" he murmured, smiling through his teeth at the onlookers as
he led Marissa through an underarm twirl and smoothly back into aone -two-three box step. "He might
know what it is that's broken out down there?"
"It was uncanny, Dad. He knew things that you and I had said over the link from here less than an hour
before things thatnobody could have known. And those eyes! I could tell from them alone."
"I always said you had this intuition."
"That's what he told me too. His note said I have rare gifts of insight and understanding."
"So, should I halt this project, do you think? Thornton's told me that I'd be out of my mind. It would lose
us a lot of friends big friends."
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"There are higher things to existence, Dad."
Hamilton nodded and reminded himself. It would still be a tough decision. Thornton and the others didn't
know the things he knew. He'd tried to share his insights at times, but he knew now that such efforts
would always be futile. Seed could only take in ground that was ready.
They toured the floor in a series of vigorous Viennese whirls. People applauded. "And he told you it
could start here too?" Hamilton said, just a touch breathlessly. "I shouldn't have mentioned that to
Thornton."
"Why? Don't you believe it? The Ancients were able to manipulate physical probabilities, remember?
Impossible things can happen."
"Oh,I know what can happen. But Thornton and the others are settled that this guy's a crazy."
"Just be careful, Dad. Don't forget, you're the prime instigator."
"I am being careful. . . . Look, that hideous Krentz woman is waving. Wave back at her and smile. Her
husband is a patent attorney who does us favors. . . ."
* * *
Forty minutes later, Hamilton was summoned away from a plate of roast guinea fowl and dressed pork to
an incoming call from a person on a list that his staff had been told were to be put through, wherever he
was, whatever he was doing. He went to take it in an office along a corridor, away from the noise from
the ballroom.
From the first moment, the Khal was every bit as colorful and riveting as Marissa's description had
prepared him to expect. The clear brown eyes seemed to emit a light that was not of the screen. The
expression on the aged yet ageless countenance was infinitely deep and all-seeing. Already, Hamilton felt
as if his thoughts were being read like words on a poster. "I thought I might be hearing from you," he
said. "Your name was given priority status."
The Khal nodded, as if that were indeed what he had been wondering. "A wise decision. And first, allow
me to add my congratulations to all those that have been heaped upon you. May your charming daughter
and her husband live lives that are long, happy, and prosperous."
"Well, thanks." Hamilton eyed the figure with a mixture of awe and curiosity. As with Marissa, an inner
part of him rejoiced at finally finding what was surely the doorway to Truth that he had always known
existed; at the same time, he was wondering through habit what might be the best way to get this guy on
the payroll. "She showed me your gift. It's splendid so unusual. We have it on display at the reception."
"A modest token. I am honored that you are pleased." The Khal looked aside, as if checking for anyone
who might overhear. His voice dropped to a conspiratorial note. Instinctively, Hamilton leaned closer to
the screen. The Khal went on, "But I must also speak of more serious things. Heed the warning that was
given through me. Your agents here on Mars scoffed when the seer who is with Professor Hashikar and
the scientists at Tharsis tried to tell them. The doctors at Lowell will have no more success than Farquist
had. This plague is not of their ken."
Hamilton was startled. "How did you know his name and that they were being taken to Lowell? I've
only just found out about that myself."
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The Khal looked at him in a way that said he shouldn't need to ask. "I want you to know this in advance.
You have detractors there who demand proof. So that you can allay their doubts and also any that you
yourself may still be harboring your agent, Banks, has been selected as a demonstration that these [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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