The Vagrant and the City. Peter Newman

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СКАЧАТЬ says the word ‘champion’ aloud, but news of his passing goes quickly from one to the other, transmitted by thought, via chips housed in each of their brains.

      Several try to glance at him out of the corner of their eyes, hoping that perhaps the champion will notice them and approve. Meanwhile, the more dedicated take advantage, scoring easy hits on their distracted fellows.

      He stops for a while, half watching, half remembering, a wistful smile tucked beneath the visor. Two knights march up and down the hall, dispensing criticism. They too glance his way, and when he does not notice, they turn back to their duty, taking out irritation on those under their care.

      The Champion sighs, nods to the squire who has been waiting for him, patient, and the two continue.

      The next hall has fewer people. They are working on a light drive, taken from a downed sky-ship. They have been tinkering for years, trying to patch the gaps in their knowledge with luck and logic. Heads are scratched, shaken, the sense of inertia palpable. But as soon as the thud of the man’s boots resounds in the chamber, everyone is busy, inspecting random pieces of plastic, turning dials connected to inactive machinery, doing all they can to appear important.

      The Champion sighs again.

      A third hall is passed, this one silent. Pieces of wreckage have been placed here and carefully labelled. Each one is a relic from history, recovered armour, weapons, ornaments, technology, all broken. Too precious to throw away, too damaged to use, they are stored indefinitely, a problem for another generation to address.

      Finally, they arrive in a circular chamber with a bench running around three quarters of the perimeter. Genner waits for them here, along with three others, a knight and two squires.

      All stand and salute as the man enters, remaining on their feet while he manoeuvres his way to the bench, not sitting until he sits.

      The squire who brought him here is dismissed without a word.

      ‘Welcome, Champion,’ says Genner. ‘Sorry to have to bring you all the way down here, but given that you don’t have a functioning chip, I thought it would be easier to show you the situation as I explain it.

      ‘Before we get to that though, some introductions are in order. This is the team that will be accompanying you on the mission.’ He indicates the knight, pale eyed, who’s lack of height makes her look like a child in costume. ‘Sir Heras will be going with you for reasons that will soon become clear. Her squires, Borz and Nama, will be there to assist you and to learn.’

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