Greg Bear Queen of Angels

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At the very least, she was no longer an orphan.
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Carol had been awake for two hours when Martin arrived and checked himself in.
She shared a room with two patients deep under critical nano reconstruction
therapy; they lay quietly in controlled atmosphere tents while nano cylinders
fed different varieties of microscopic surgeons into their bloodstream
No treatment had been afforded Carol other than attachment of external
monitors and intravenous drip of nutrients. That much at least had been
handled properly by whoever registered her at the hospitaL
Martin sidled alongside her bed, careful not to trip the perimeter alarm of
the next bed over. He sat in a plastic chair and reached out to take her hand.
She clenched his hand strongly and smiled.
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Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty, Martin said.
How long have I been out? They say I m fine physically, and my brain traces
are normal, but that you d tell me everything... you re my dear and glorious
physician?
Registered by Albigoni s hired help, I presume. You ve been in deep neutral
sleep since we were severed from the Country. Do you remember going up
Country?
I m not sure what I remember.. . Did it all happen? We went in, and we...
found something. Something that had taken over.. . She lowered her voice.
Taken over
Goldsmith.
He nodded. Tell me more.
I was raped. Something raped me. She shook her head slowly and lay back on
the pillow. I was a child. A male child. . .1 remember that.
I remember seeing an animal. A black leopard with blood on its muzzle. Long
fangs.
it She jerked and shook her head. Sorry. I thought I was prepared for
anything. But I
wasn t, was I?
If it s any consolation, neither was I.
Do you. . . She leaned forward, looking at him earnestly. Why aren t you in
the hospital with me?
Outwardly, I m fine. And you re probably just as healthy as I am, now that
you ve decided to come up for air.
I was fighting something. She wiped a tear from her eye. Martin, tell me
what you feel, I mean, whether you think we re healthy or not.
We might need deep therapy. I wouldn t know what to suggest, though.
Why do we need deep therapy?
Martin glanced uneasily at the open door, the residents, physicians, nurses
and arbeiters passing outside. We shouldn t really discuss it here. After
you re checked out.
Tell me something.
Give me some clue.
In a low voice, he said, I have part of him inside me. I think you do, too.
She made a small frightened sound and lay back on the pillow. I felt it. I
feel it now.
What are we going to do?
A lot depends on Albigoni. If the IPR is reopened
We made a deal on that.
Yes, but somebody alerted the federals. We had to leave quickly. That s why
you re here instead of there.
She nodded, eyes glistening. I m not a very brave woman right now. What
was.., is it? inside of us?
Something transmitted by mental intimacy, Martin said in a low voice. I m
not sure what it is or what it can do.
What if we re stuck with it? It seems to know how to hide...
We re explorers, Martin said. Explorers have to face unknown diseases.
Whatever it is, it s not native to our minds. It might be less powerful than I
fear.
Great consolation. When can I leave here?
I ll make arrangements now. I think we should stay together for a while. To
watch each other.
Carol inspected his face, lips pursed, turned away and nodded reluctant
agreement.
My place is bigger than yours. I think.
Mine is nearer to the IPR.
All right. When do you see Albigoni again?
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An hour from now. I ll try to get you checked out and you can come with me.
All right. She turned away, face pale. I feel like something s in this bed
with me.
Something foul.
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!AXIS (Band 4)> I believe my viewpoint might now be described as subjective. I
mwt turn Inward to work this out on my own. There Is no need far further [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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