Нейромант

           Morecorridors,narrow,theirwallshungwithrugs.Theybranchedawayinthreedirections.

           LEFT.

           Sheshrugged.`Lemmelookaround,okay?’

           LEFT.

           `Relax.There’stime.’Shestarteddownthecorridorthatledofftoherright.

           STOP.

           GOBACK.

           DANGER.

           Shehesitated.Fromthehalf-openoakdooratthefarendofthepassagecameavoice,loudandslurred,likethevoiceofadrunk.CasethoughtthelanguagemightbeFrench,butitwastooindistinct.Mollytookastep,another,herhandslidingintothesuittotouchthebuttofherfletcher.Whenshesteppedintotheneuraldisruptor’sfield,herearsrang,atinyrisingtonethatmadeCasethinkofthesoundofherfletcher.Shepitchedforward,herstriatedmusclesslack,andstruckthedoorwithherforehead.Shetwistedandlayonherback,hereyesunfocused,breathgone.

           `What’sthis,’saidtheslurredvoice,`fancydress?’Atremblinghandenteredthefrontofhersuitandfoundthefletcher,tuggingitout.`Comevisit,child.Now.’

           Shegotupslowly,hereyesfixedonthemuzzleofablackautomaticpistol.Theman’shandwassteadyenough,now;thegun’sbarrelseemedtobeattachedtoherthroatwithataut,invisiblestring.

           Hewasold,verytall,andhisfeaturesremindedCaseofthegirlhehadglimpsedintheVingtimeSicle.