johngardner.rollofhonor-第11章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　They　went　through　the　main　hall；　where　Jason　produced　a　bunch　of　keys　attached　to　a　thin　gold　chain；　unlocking　a　door　which；　he　said；　had　once　been　the　way　down　to　the　cellars。
　〃We've　made　a　few　changes；　naturally。〃
　〃Naturally；'　responded　Bond；　unprepared　for　the　nature　of　the　alterations。　　Below　the　house　there　were　three　large；　well…equipped；　puter　rooms；　with　models　of　all　the　best…known　micros　sitting　in　front　of　their　visual　display　units。　　In　a　fourth　room；　Jason's　office；　Bond's　heart　leapt　as　he　spotted　a　machine　that　looked　almost　exactly　like　the　Terror　Twelve　now　safe　outside　in　the　Bentley's　boot。
　From　his　office　Jason　led　the　way　into　a　long　chamber；　lit　from　above　by　at　least　thirty　spotlights。　　The　walls　were　covered　with　charts　and　maps　and　in　the　centre　was　a　large　table。　　Almost　entirely　covering　the　table　and　overlaid　with　a　thick　plastic　grid　was　a　detailed　map　of　the　eastern　seaboard　of　America；　centred　on　Boston　as　it　was　in　the　1　770s。　　The　main　municating　roads　and　natural　features　were　clearly　marked　in　colour。　　In　the　centre　of　the　grid　stood　a　rectangular　framework　made　of　black　plastic；　the　size　and　shape　of　a　large　television　screen；　while　two　small　easels　had　been　placed　at　the　far　end。　　Two　trays；　on　opposite　sides　of　the　table；　contained　packs　of　white　three…by…five　cards。　　There　was　a　chair　in　front　of　each　tray　and　a　desk　top　to　each　player's　right；　well…stocked　with　paper；　maps　and　printed　forms。
　Peter　and　Cindy　began　to　explain　the　nature　of　the　game；　and　how　it　was　used　to　build　up　all　the　details　of　the　simulation　before　anything　was　mitted　to　a　puter　program。　　The　black　plastic　frame　moved　both　vertically　and　horizontally　across　the　map。
　〃That　is　the　area　a　player　will　eventually　see　on　his　screen；　when　we　have　built　the　game；'　said　Jason。　　His　manner　had　bee　less　warm；　as　though　the　professional　had　suddenly　ousted　the　friendly　side　of　his　nature。　　He　explained　how　they　could　slot　close…ups　of　the　terrain　into　the　rectangle。　　〃When　we've　got　the　game　on　puter；　you'll　be　able　to　scroll　around　this　whole　map；　but　see　only　one　section　at　a　time；'　he　said。　　〃However；　there's　a　zoom　facility。　　You　press　the　Z　key；　and　the　screen　will　give　you　a　blow…up　of　the　section　you've　moved　to。〃　Cindy　explained　that　the　two　easels　contained　a　calendar　and　the　weather　cards；　each　month's　cards　were　shuffled　separately　before　play　began。
　〃Weather　restricts　or　enhances　movement。〃　She　demonstrated　how　the　British　patrols　could　move　five　spaces；　on　good　days；　but　in　heavy　rain　only　three；　and　in　snow；　two。
　Looking　at　the　map；　Bond　tried　to　remember　the　history　of　that　period；　learned　too　long　ago　now　in　dusty　schoolrooms。　　He　thought　of　the　frustration　among　officers　of　the　Colonial　Militia；　of　the　British　inability　to　protect　the　cities　and　towns；　of　the　unrest；　then　rebellion　and　open　hostility。
　Then　there　was　a　general　（was　it　General　Gage？）　caught　between　his　situation　on　the　ground　and　having　to　await　orders　from　England。　　There　were　the　patrols　searching　for　the　rebels'　arms　caches；　Paul　Revere's　warning　ride　and　the　militia's　weapons　being　moved　out　of　Concord；　then　the　skirmishes　around　that　town　and　Lexington。　　The　British　had　withdrawn　into　Boston　and　fought　at　Bunker's　Hill；　remembered　as　a　kind　of　Dunkirk　by　the　Americans；　for　the　British　garrison　had　won　the　battle；　but　with　such　terrible　losses　that　they　had　to　retreat　by　sea　to　Halifax。
　Bond　thought　of　these　things　as　Jason；　warming　to　his　theme；　explained　the　way　the　simulation　was　played；　with　the　players　taking　turns　to　issue　orders　and　move　forces。　　Some　of　the　moves　could　be　secret；　and　had　to　be　noted　on　paper。　　Later　came　challenging　and；　possibly；　skirmishing。
　〃The　thing　I　find　interesting　is　that　you　can　alter　history。　　I　am；　personally；　very　attached　to　the　idea　of　changing　history。〃　Again；　a　hint　of　that　obsession；　verging　〃on　dangerous　madness。　　〃Perhaps　I　shall　alter　history；'　Jason　went　on　in　a　menacing　whisper。　　〃A　dream？
　Maybe；　but　dreams　can　turn　into　reality　if　one　man　with　a　brilliant　mind　is　put　to　proper　use。　　You　think　my　spark　of　genius　is　put　to　proper　use？　　No？〃　He　expected　no　answer；　and　his　next　words　really　concerned　something　far　beyond　the　simulation。　　〃Perhaps；　James；　we　could　look　at　this　in　more　detail　…　even　play　a　few　rounds　…　say；　tomorrow？〃　Bond　said　he　would　like　that；　sensing　more　than　an　ordinary　challenge。　　St。　John…Finnes　continued　to　talk　of　revolution；　change；　and　the　plexity　of　war　games。
　Cindy　made　an　excuse　to　leave；　nodding　at　Bond　and　remarking　that　she　hoped　they　would　meet　again。
　〃Oh；　I'm　certain　you　will。〃　Jason　appeared　to　be　very　sure　of　himself。　〃I'm　inviting　James　to　have　another　look。
　Shall　we　say　six　tomorrow　evening？〃　Bond　accepted；　noticing　that　Jason　did　not　even　smile。
　As　they　left；　Jason　walked　on　ahead；　but　Peter　lingered　to　the　rear　with　Bond；　taking　the　opportunity　to　whisper；　〃If　you　do　play　with　him；　lie　likes　to　win。　　Bad　loser；　and　plays　according　to　history。　　He　always　thinks　his　opponent　will　re…enact　the　actual　events。　　The　man's　a　paradox。〃　He　gave　Bond　a　wink；　making　it　all　too　clear　that　Peter　Amadeus　was　not　particularly　fond　of　his　boss。
　Upstairs；　Dazzle　awaited　them；　having　driven　Freddie　back　to　the　Bull。　〃She　seemed　very　tired。　　Said　you　had　dragged　her　all　round　the　countryside　this　afternoon；　Mr。　Bond。　　You　really　shouldn't　subject　her　to　so　much　physical　exercise。　　She's　very　much　a　town　mouse；　you　know。〃　Bond　had　his　own　thoughts　about　this。　　He　too　could　do　with　a　good　night's　sleep；　but　accepted　the　offer　of　a　nightcap　from　his　host。
　Cindy　had　gone　to　bed　and　Peter　and　Dazzle　made　their　excuses；　leaving　the　two　men　alone。
　After　a　short　silence；　Jason　raised　his　glass。　　〃Tomorrow；　he　said；　the　green　eyes　like　glass。　　〃Maybe　we　won't　play　games；　James。
　But；　I　would　wele　the　chance　of　taking　you　on。　　Who　knows？
　puters；　yes　He　was　away　again；　in　some　world　of　his　own　with　a　different　time；　place　and　set　of　values。　　〃puters　are　either　the　greatest　tool　mankind　has　invented；　the　most　magnificent　magic；　capable　of　the　construction　of　a　new　age；'　he　laughed；　one　sharp　rising　note；　〃or　they're　the　best　toy　God　has　provided。〃　In　a　couple　of　seconds　the　more　familiar；　benign　Jason　seemed　to　return。　　〃Can　I　share　my　thoughts　about　you；　James？　　I　think　。　　。　　。　　〃Jason　was　not　waiting　for　Bond's　reply　or　consent；　〃I　think　that　you　are　a　small　fraud；　Mr。　Bond。　　That　you　know　very　little　about　the　art　of　puter　programming。　　Some；　but　not　as　much　as　you　pretend。　　Am　I　right？〃
　〃No。〃　Bond　was　firm。　　〃No；　you're　not　right。　　I've　taken　the　standard　courses　they　give　people　like　me。　　I　reckon　that　I'm　adequate。　　Not　in　your　class；　maybe；　but　who　is？〃
　〃Plenty　of　people。〃　Jason's　voice　was　quiet。　　〃Young　Cindy；　and　Peter；　to　name　two。　　It's　a　young　people's　profession；　and　future；　James。　　Yes；　I　have　a　lot　of　knowledge；　and　some　flair　for　strategy。
　But　young　people　who　are　brought　up　with　the　machines　acquire　flair　very　quickly。　　You　know　the　age　of　the　biggest；　richest　software　tycoon　in　the　United　States？〃
　〃Twenty…eight。〃
　〃Right。　　Twenty…eight　years　old；　and　some　of　the　really　advanced　programmers　are　younger。　　I　know　it　all；　but　it's　up　to　people　like　Cindy　or　Peter；　to　translate　my　ideas　into　reality。　　Brilliance；　genius；　requires　nurturing。
　Programmers　like　my　two　may　not　really　understand　that　they　feed　my　great　conceptions。　　As　for　you；　a　man　with　minimal　training　…　you　cannot　be　of　real　use　to　me。　　You　don't　stand　a　chance　in　this　field。〃　Bond　shrugged。　　〃Not　against　you；'　he　said；　not　knowing　whether　this　was　some　devious　wordplay；　some　psychological　ploy。
　At　the　door；　Jason　told　him　he　looked　forward　to　the　next　meeting。
　〃If　you　feel　you　can　take　me　on　…　at　a　game　I　mean　…　I'll　be　happy　to　oblige。　　But　maybe　we'll　find　something　more　interesting　than　games；　eh？　Six　tomorrow。
　Bond　could　not　know　that　the　game　of　life　itself　would　have　changed　by　the　time　he　saw　Jay　Autem　Holy　again。
　Nor　what　was　really　at　stake　in　the　games　this　curiously　changeable　man　liked　to　play。　　He　did　know　that　Holy　was　a　man　possessed。　　Beneath　the　bonhomie　and　charm　lay　the　mind　of　one　who　would　play　God　with　the　world；　and　he　found　this　deeply　disturbing。
　When　he　got　back　to　the　hotel；　Bond　retrieved　his　key　from　a　dozing　night　porter　and　went　up　to　his　room。　　But；　on　putting　the　key　in　the　lock；　he　found　the　door　already　open。　　Freddie；　he　thought；　with　some　irritation；　for　he　wanted　very　much　to　be　alone；　to　have　time　to　think。
　Remaining　cautious；　he　slipped　the　automatic　pistol　from　its　holster；　and　holding　it　just　behind　his　right　thigh；　he　turned　the　handle　and　gently　kicked　the　door　open。
　〃Hallo；　Mr。　Bond。〃　Cindy　Chalmer　smiled　up　at　him　from　one　of　the　chairs；　her　long　legs　sprawled　out　in　front　of　her；　like　an　invitation。
　Quietly；　Bond　closed　the　door。
　〃I　bring　greetings　from　Percy。　　Cindy's　smile　broadened　into　a　bewitching　grin。
　Bond　remembered　the　looks　she　had　given　him　during　the　evening。
　〃Who's　Percy？〃　he　asked　evenly；　holding　her　eyes　in　his；　trying　to　detect　either　truth　or　deception。
　
　
　INSIDE　ENDOR
　
　〃E　ON；　Mr。　Bond。　　Percy　Proud。　　Persephone。　　We're　in　cahoots。
　〃Sorry；　Cindy。　　Nice　of　you　to　drop　by；　but　I've　never　heard　of　Percy；　Persephone；　or　Proud。〃　He　quietly　slipped　the　automatic　pistol　back　into　its　holster。　　Cindy　would　have　to　do　better　than　this　if　he　was　going　to　accept　her。　　Face　value　and　a　mention　of　Percy　was　not　enough。
　We've　even　infiltrated　Endor；　he　heard　Percy　whisper　into　the　echo…chamber　of　his　mind。
　〃You're　very　good。〃　Cindy　spoke　like　a　cheeky　schoolgirl。　　〃Percy　said　you　were。　　She　also　told　me　that　I　had　to　mention　you　liked　treats；　and　an　apple　for　the　teacher　always　brought　great　rewards。〃　Bond　wasn't　convinced　yet。　　Certainly　only　Percy　and　he　knew　of　his　by…play　with　the　apple　in　Monte　Carlo　and　their　jokes　about　rewards　for　pupils。　　But　what　if　Percy's　cover　had　been　blown？
　〃You're　in　cahoots　…　as　you　put　it　…　with　someone　called　Percy？〃　he　said；　staring　her　out。
　Cindy　bobbed　her　head。　　〃Cahoots；　intrigue；　in　league　with。　　We　both　belong　to　the　same　outfit；　Mr。　Bond。〃　It　made　some　sense。　　If　the　American　Service　already　had　someone　in　the　house；　close　to　Jay　Autem　Holy；　they　would　not　broadcast　the　fact。　　Persephone；　as　a　true　professional；　would　not　tell　Bond　either。　　The　circle　of　people　who　knew　would　be　confined　until　the　last　minute。　　So；　was　this　the　last　minute？
　〃Tell　me　more。
　〃She　said　…　Percy　said　…　you'd　know　what　to　do　with　these。〃　Cindy　produced　two　hard　disks　encased　in　plastic　from　her　shoulder　bag。　　The　thin　boxes　measured　about　five　inches　square　and　less　than　a　quarter　of　an　inch　deep。　　On　one　side　they　had　a　hinged　flap；　like　those　on　much　fatter　video　cassettes。　　The　boxes　were　brilliant　blue　and　had　small　labels　stuck　on　one　corner。
　Bond　made　no　move　even　to　touch　them。　　And　what；　Miss　Chalmer；　are　those？〃
　〃A　couple　of　our　target's　less　conventional　programs。
　And　I　can't　hang　on　to　them　for　long。　　At　about　four　in　the　morning　I　turn　into　a　pumpkin。〃
　〃I'll　get　a　couple　of　white　mice　to　drive　you　home　then。
　〃Seriously。　　I　can　manage　to　get　past　the　security　without　being　detected　until　abo