Read Online This Day All Gods Die by Stephen R. Donaldson - Free Book Online
Authors: Stephen R. Donaldson
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Hyland; Morn (Fictitious character), Thermopyle; Angus (Fictitious character)
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investigation, the sooner I can leave this hopeless rock."
Not for the first time, Cleatus Fane's manner made Hashi think of a Santa Claus with fangs.
"By now, Director," Fane began, "I'm sure you've identified that kaze. I recognized him myself. If I'd noticed him earlier, we wouldn't have had to rely on Director Lebwohl to save us. I knew he might be dangerous. At the very least," he explained, "I knew he shouldn't be there. That would have made him look dangerous, even if I had nothing else to go on.
But I didn't think to look at him closely until Director Lebwohl accosted him.
"His name is Nathan Alt. The Nathan Alt
the one who
used to work for you. He was court-martialed for 'dereliction'
when he was in command of Vehemence. You know that. And you've had time to access his records, so you also know he's been working for us since then. I mean for the UMC. Specifically he was our Security Liaison for Anodyne Systems."
Behind his smeared lenses and his impenetrable smile, Hashi resisted an impulse to hold his breath. Despite his confidence in the web of inferences he'd woven for Warden's benefit, he was acutely aware that he needed Cleatus Fane's confirmation. Without it he might be left looking uncomfortably like a man who grasped at straws in order to redeem his tarnished credibility.
Fane's disembodied voice continued smoothly. "But that's not the reason I've been calling you. Aside from the fact," he added piously, "that we all have standing orders to give you our fullest cooperation whenever it's needed." We no doubt referred to Holt Fasner's primary subordinates.
"There's something you may not know about him."
"What's that, Mr. Fane?" Warden put in noncommittally.
Fane paused for emphasis, then announced, "We fired him six weeks ago. Threw him out."
Koina shook her head at this information. Chief Mandich clenched his fists.
Only a conscious act of will prevented Hashi from laughing aloud.
Warden's shoulders tightened. He scowled at the intercom as if he were trying to read Cleatus Fane's aura through the blank mask of the microwave downlink.
"Why?" he demanded.
Fane answered promptly. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that we wouldn't have anybody working for us
certainly
not in a position as sensitive as Security Liaison for Anodyne Systems
if he wasn't cleared by the most rigorous scrutiny."
An irritating fuzz of static distorted his sincerity. "And we scrutinize everyone incessantly. Over and over again.
"Our latest
shall I call them observations?
of Nathan
Alt showed that over the past several months he's been in frequent contact with the native Earthers."
The First Executive Assistant raised his voice to convey indignation. "I don't need to remind you, Director Dios, that they're terrorists. The worst kind of scum. In the name of preserving humankind's 'genetic purity,' they oppose any dealings with the Amnion, even responsible trade. They oppose diplomatic relations. They oppose us because we do lawful, authorized business with forbidden space. And they don't hesitate to use violence of all kinds to support their policies.
"Of course we fired Nathan Alt. Once we knew he was in contact with the native Earthers, we couldn't trust him."
Warden ignored Fane's outrage. "And that's how you knew Alt was dangerous as soon as you recognized him?" he asked.
"Director Dios," Cleatus Fane retorted strongly, "I think the native Earthers are behind all these recent attacks. I think Nathan Alt gave them the means to supply kazes with legitimate id, and they've been using it to try to undermine both the UMC and the UMCP.
"Fortunately they can't succeed," he added at once.
"The fact that the GCES soundly rejected Captain Vertigus'
misguided Bill of Severance demonstrates that. But the danger is still real. And it must be stopped."
Through the static he projected the righteous indignation of a man who had come close to a death he didn't deserve.
Warden grimaced at the intercom. After a
Not for the first time, Cleatus Fane's manner made Hashi think of a Santa Claus with fangs.
"By now, Director," Fane began, "I'm sure you've identified that kaze. I recognized him myself. If I'd noticed him earlier, we wouldn't have had to rely on Director Lebwohl to save us. I knew he might be dangerous. At the very least," he explained, "I knew he shouldn't be there. That would have made him look dangerous, even if I had nothing else to go on.
But I didn't think to look at him closely until Director Lebwohl accosted him.
"His name is Nathan Alt. The Nathan Alt
the one who
used to work for you. He was court-martialed for 'dereliction'
when he was in command of Vehemence. You know that. And you've had time to access his records, so you also know he's been working for us since then. I mean for the UMC. Specifically he was our Security Liaison for Anodyne Systems."
Behind his smeared lenses and his impenetrable smile, Hashi resisted an impulse to hold his breath. Despite his confidence in the web of inferences he'd woven for Warden's benefit, he was acutely aware that he needed Cleatus Fane's confirmation. Without it he might be left looking uncomfortably like a man who grasped at straws in order to redeem his tarnished credibility.
Fane's disembodied voice continued smoothly. "But that's not the reason I've been calling you. Aside from the fact," he added piously, "that we all have standing orders to give you our fullest cooperation whenever it's needed." We no doubt referred to Holt Fasner's primary subordinates.
"There's something you may not know about him."
"What's that, Mr. Fane?" Warden put in noncommittally.
Fane paused for emphasis, then announced, "We fired him six weeks ago. Threw him out."
Koina shook her head at this information. Chief Mandich clenched his fists.
Only a conscious act of will prevented Hashi from laughing aloud.
Warden's shoulders tightened. He scowled at the intercom as if he were trying to read Cleatus Fane's aura through the blank mask of the microwave downlink.
"Why?" he demanded.
Fane answered promptly. "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that we wouldn't have anybody working for us
certainly
not in a position as sensitive as Security Liaison for Anodyne Systems
if he wasn't cleared by the most rigorous scrutiny."
An irritating fuzz of static distorted his sincerity. "And we scrutinize everyone incessantly. Over and over again.
"Our latest
shall I call them observations?
of Nathan
Alt showed that over the past several months he's been in frequent contact with the native Earthers."
The First Executive Assistant raised his voice to convey indignation. "I don't need to remind you, Director Dios, that they're terrorists. The worst kind of scum. In the name of preserving humankind's 'genetic purity,' they oppose any dealings with the Amnion, even responsible trade. They oppose diplomatic relations. They oppose us because we do lawful, authorized business with forbidden space. And they don't hesitate to use violence of all kinds to support their policies.
"Of course we fired Nathan Alt. Once we knew he was in contact with the native Earthers, we couldn't trust him."
Warden ignored Fane's outrage. "And that's how you knew Alt was dangerous as soon as you recognized him?" he asked.
"Director Dios," Cleatus Fane retorted strongly, "I think the native Earthers are behind all these recent attacks. I think Nathan Alt gave them the means to supply kazes with legitimate id, and they've been using it to try to undermine both the UMC and the UMCP.
"Fortunately they can't succeed," he added at once.
"The fact that the GCES soundly rejected Captain Vertigus'
misguided Bill of Severance demonstrates that. But the danger is still real. And it must be stopped."
Through the static he projected the righteous indignation of a man who had come close to a death he didn't deserve.
Warden grimaced at the intercom. After a
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