Read Online Haze and the Hammer of Darkness by L. E. Modesitt Jr. - Free Book Online Page A

first because there was no telling how long that anomaly might last. He also might have to take several readings over the course of the day. He’d just finished his proposed priority listing when Sung appeared and settled himself before the main console.
    â€œThe list is up,” Roget said.
    â€œGood.” After a moment, Sung turned in his swivel. “You’ve got the Virgin first. That’s right. But you need to move your first observation farther north, out east beyond the Green Springs tram terminal.” Sung called up a map on the console and motioned for Roget to join him.
    Roget did.
    A red triangle appeared—a good klick to the east of the station. “There,” announced Sung. “Don’t forget to check to make sure nothing’s coming down the Mill Creek wash, either. A reading there will determine whether it’s natural, or whether it’s coming from a source in town.”
    Roget thought about the long walk ahead.
    â€œOh … you can sign out a bicycle if you don’t want to walk it.” Sung grinned.
    â€œI don’t believe you mentioned that.”
    â€œSupply keeps one for us, down on the lower level. They fold and fit in the carriers at the rear of the tram cars.”
    â€œThank you. I could use it today.”
    Sung smiled. “I thought you might. You’ll need three locations on the river and three different intervals at least an hour apart.”
    Roget had planned on that. He just nodded. “I’d better get going.”
    Sung returned his attention to the console, and Roget finished loading the data into his duty monitor. Then he left the office and took the ramp at the end of the corridor down to the lower level. He had to walk the entire length of the corridor on the lower level to reach the supply office—a small cubicle with a door behind it, presumably to a storeroom.
    The supply clerk was a black-eyed and black-haired woman. She looked up with a cautious smile. “Yes?”
    â€œKeir Roget. I’m the new E&W monitor.”
    â€œCaron Fueng.”
    â€œMonitor Sung said that there might be a bike I can sign out?”
    â€œThere is.” The clerk smiled. “Sung must like you.”
    â€œOh?”
    â€œHe didn’t tell Merytt about the bike for close to a month. I’ll get it for you.”
    Roget laughed. But as he waited for Fueng to return with the bike, he wondered if the head monitor suspected what he really was.
    The bike that Fueng wheeled out was the compact type with wide balloon tires. Not the speediest on paved surfaces, but much better on trails and lanes or unpaved surfaces.
    â€œJust a thumbprint, please.” She gestured to the authenticator on the corner of her desk. “I checked the tires. They’re fine.”
    Roget thumbed the authenticator panel. “Thank you.”
    â€œIf you don’t bring it back before five, you’ll have to keep it in your office. You can’t take it home.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t matter to me, but accounting doesn’t like it. Rules.” She shook her head.
    â€œI appreciate the warning. I should have it back by then.” He offered a smile as he took the bike from her.
    He wheeled it up the front ramp and managed to get it through the security gate and the front doors without banging anything. Once outside the FSS, he rode down to the tram station. The morning was already warm and clear, more like late summer than late fall or early winter. Then, he doubted that there was really any season besides summer in St. George.
    His ID implant allowed him entrance to the platform and train—but only during working hours. The carrier in the rear of the second car was empty, and the bicycle did fold—if not as easily as Sung had suggested. He sat down in the seat next to the carrier.
    A young man scurried onto the tram just before the doors closed. He wore the white short-sleeved shirt and dark