hh.thessrat.sings.the.blues-第2章

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　〃Proves　nothing。〃
　〃Proves　everything！〃　Quick　as　a　snake　he　grabbed　my　hands；　slammed　them　onto　a　plate　on　his　desk。　A　hologram　of　my　fingerprints　appeared　instantly　on　the　air　above。
　〃Any　prints　lifted　from　the　coins？〃　he　asked　over　his　shoulder。
　〃Many；〃　a　spectral　voice　responded。　A　portion　of　the　desk　top　rose　up　bearing　what　appeared　to　be　photographic　prints。　He　looked　at　them　and　for　the　second　time　I　was　treated　to　the　sight　of　that　frigid　smile　as　he　dropped　the　prints　through　a　slot。　A　second　hologram　floated　in　the　air　beside　the　first；　moved　over　and　merged　with　it　as　he　touched　the　controls。
　The　double　image　flickered　and　became　one。
　〃Identical！〃　he　said　triumphantly。　〃You　can　tell　me　your　if　you　wish。　So　it　can　be　spelled　correctly　on　your　tomb　stone。　But　only　if　you　wish。〃
　〃What　do　you　mean　tombstone？　And　what　do　you　mean　death　sentence？　That's　illegal　by　galactic　law！〃
　〃There　is　no　galactic　law　down　here；〃　he　intoned　with　a　voice　like　a　funeral　march。　〃There　is　only　the　law　of　the　Mint。　Judgment　is　final。〃
　〃The　trial　。　。　。〃　I　said　feebly；　visions　of　lawyers；　appeals；　torts　and　documents　dancing　in　my　head。
　There　was　no　mercy　in　his　voice　now；　no　touch　of　the　tiniest　of　iceberg　smiles　on　his　lips。
　〃The　penalty　for　theft　in　the　Mint　is　death。　The　trial　takes　place　after　the　execution。〃
　
　CHAPTER　2
　I　am　still　young…and　it　did　not　look　like　I　was　going　to　get　any　older。　My　dedication　to　a　life　of　crime　had　led　to　a　far　shorter　lifespan　than　could　normally　be　expected。　Here　I　was；　not　yet　twenty　years　old。　A　veteran　who　had　fought　in　two　wars；　had　been　imprisoned　and　drafted；　who　had　been　depressed　by　the　death　of　my　good　friend　The　Bishop；　been　impressed　by　Mark　Forer　the　great　Artificial　Intelligence。　Was　that　it？　Had　I　had　it？　No　more　to　life　than　that？　All　over。
　〃Never！〃　I　shouted　aloud；　but　the　two　guards　merely　gripped　my　arms　the　harder　and　pushed　me　along　the　corridor。　A　third　armed　guard　went　ahead　and　unlocked　the　cell　door；　while　the　one　behind　me　prodded　my　kidneys　with　the　barrel　of　his　gun。
　They　were　good　and　they　took　no　chances。　They　were　big　and　mean　and　I　was　small　and　lean。　Shivering　with　fear；　I　was　crouching　even　lower。　Once　the　cell　door　was　open　the　guard　with　the　keys　turned　towards　me　and　unlocked　my　handcuffs。
　Then　gasped　as　my　knee　caught　him　in　the　stomach　and　knocked　him　back　into　the　cell。　At　the　same　time　I　grabbed　the　two　guards　beside　me　by　the　wrists；　crossed　my　arms　with　a　single　spasmodic　burst　of　effort　that　pulled　the　two　of　them　crashing　together；　their　skulls　bonked　nicely。　At　the　same　instant　I　lashed　backward…catching　the　fourth　guard　on　the　bridge　of　his　nose　with　the　back　of　my　head。　Everything　happening　at　approximately　the　same　time。
　Two　seconds　ago　I　had　been　bound　and　captive。
　Now　one　guard　was　out　of　sight；　groaning　in　the　cell。　Two　more　holding　their　heads　and　howling；　the　fourth　one　clutching　a　bloody　nose。　They　hadn't　been　expecting　this：　I　had。
　I　ran。　Back　the　way　we　had　e　and　through　the　still　open　door。　Hoarse；　angry　cries　were　cut　off　as　I　slammed　it　shut；　locked　it。　The　thick　panel　shook　as　heavy　bodies　thudded　against　the　other　side。
　〃Got　you！〃　a　victorious　voice　shouted　and　rough　hands　grabbed　me。　He　could　not　know　by　touch　that　I　was　a　Black　Belt？　He　found　out　the　hard　way。
　Eyes　closed；　breathing　easily；　he　just　lay　there　and　made　no　protest　as　I　stripped　him　of　uniform　and　weapons。　Nor　did　he　thank　me　when　I　draped　my　burlap　robe　over　his　pale　form；　hiding　his　black　lace　undies　from　prying　eyes。　His　clothes　were　not　too　bad　a　fit。　Not　too　good　either　with　the　cap　tilting　forward　over　my　eyes。　But　it　would　have　to　do。
　There　were　three　doors　leading　from　this　room。　The　one　that　I　had　locked　was　pounding　and　bouncing　in　its　frame：　next　to　it　was　the　one　that　we　had　e　in　through。　It　didn't　take　much　intelligence　to　use　the　unconscious　guard's　keys　to　open　the　third　one。
　It　led　to　a　storage　room。　Dark　shelves；　filled　with　nameless　objects；　vanished　away　into　the　distance。　Not　too　promising　but　I　was　in　no　position　to　choose。　I　executed　a　quick　leap　back　to　the　entrance　door；　unlocked　it　and　threw　it　open；　then　dived　ahead　into　the　storage　room。　As　I　closed　this　final　door　behind　me；　even　before　I　could　lock　it；　there　was　a　mighty　crash　and　screams　of　anger　as　the　assaultees　finally　broke　the　door　down。
　Misdirection　wouldn't　last　long。　Run　past　the　shelves。　Hide　here？　No…there　would　be　a　thorough　search。　A　door　at　the　far　end；　bolted　on　the　inside。　I　opened　it　a　crack　and　looked　at　the　empty　room　beyond。　Opened　and　stepped　through。
　And　stopped　quite　still　as　the　guards　who　were　flattened　against　the　wall　all　pointed　guns　at　me。
　〃Shoot　him！〃　Colonel　Neuredan　ordered。
　〃I'm　unarmed！〃　My　gun　slid　across　the　floor　as　I　threw　my　hands　into　the　air。　Fingers　quivered　on　triggers…it　was　all　over。
　〃Don't　shoot…I　want　him　alive。　For　the　moment。〃
　I　stood　frozen；　not　breathing　until　the　trigger　fingers　relaxed。　Looked　up　and　quickly　found　the　security　bug　in　the　ceiling。　Must　be　one　in　every　room　and　corridor　down　here。　They　had　been　watching　me　all　the　time。　A　good　try；　Jim。　The　Colonel　grated　his　teeth　horribly　and　stabbed　a　finger　in　my　direction。
　〃Take　him。　Chain　him。　Bind　him。　Bring　him。〃
　This　was　all　done　with　ruthless　efficiency。　My　toes　dragged　along　the　floor　as　I　was　whisked　back　to　the　cell；　stripped　at　gunpoint；　thrown　to　the　floor　with　my　black　robe　thrown　on　top　of　me。　The　door　clanged　shut　and　I　was　alone。　Very　much　alone。
　〃Cheer　up；　Jim；　you've　been　in　worse　trouble　before；〃　I　chirped　smilingly。　Then　snarled；　〃When？〃
　Back　in　the　pits　again。　My　abortive　attempt　at　escape　had　only　gained　me　a　few　bruises。
　〃This　can't　be　it！〃　I　shouted。　〃It　can't　all　end　just　like　this。〃
　〃It　can…and　it　will；〃　the　Colonel's　funereal　voice　intoned　as　the　cell　door　opened　again。　A　dozen　guns　were　pointed　at　me　as　a　guard　brought　in　a　tray　with　a　bottle　of　champagne　on　it　and　a　single　glass。
　I　watched　in　stupefied　disbelief　as　he　twisted　the　cork　out。　There　was　a　pop　and　a　gush　as　the　golden　fluid　filled　the　glass。　He　handed　it　to　me。
　〃What's　this；　what's　this？〃　I　mumbled；　staring　wide…eyed　at　the　rising　bubbles。
　〃Your　last　request；〃　Neuredan　said。　〃That　and　a　cigarette。〃
　He　took　one　from　a　package　and　lit　it；　holding　it　out　to　me。　I　shook　my　head。　〃I　don't　smoke。〃　He　ground　the　cigarette　under　his　heel。　〃Anyway…champagne　and　a　cigarette　that's　not　my　last　request。〃
　〃Yes　it　is。　Forms　of　last　request　are　standardized　by　law。　Drink。〃
　I　drank。　It　tasted　all　right。　I　belched　and　handed　back　the　glass。　〃I'll　take　a　refill。〃　Anything　to　gain　time；　to　think。　I　watched　the　wine　being　poured　and　my　brain　was　dull　and　empty。　〃You　never　told　me　about　the　。　。　。　execution。〃
　〃Do　you　want　to　know？〃
　〃Not　really。〃
　〃Then　I　will　be　pleased　to　tell　you。　I　assure　you　that　there　was　extensive　deliberation　over　the　correct　method　to　be　used。　Thought　was　given　to　the　firing　squad；　electrocution；　poison　gas…a　number　of　possibilities　were　actively　considered　when　the　law　was　passed。　But　all　of　them　involve　someone　pulling　a　switch　or　a　trigger；　and　that　would　not　be　humane　to　the　someone。〃
　〃Humane！　What　about　the　prisoner？〃
　〃Of　no　importance。　Your　death　has　been　decreed　and　will　take　place　as　soon　as　possible。　This　is　what　will　happen。　You　will　be　taken　to　a　sealed　chamber　and　chained　there。　The　entrance　will　be　locked。　After　this　the　chamber　will　be　flooded　with　water　by　an　automatic　device　actuated　by　your　body　heat。　It　is　always　there；　always　turned　on。　You　alone　will　be　responsible　for　your　own　execution。　Now　isn't　that　quite　humane？〃
　〃Drowning　is　humane　all　of　a　sudden？〃
　〃Possibly　not。　But　you　will　be　left　a　pistol　containing　a　single　bullet。　You　can　mit　suicide　if　you　wish　to。〃
　I　opened　my　mouth　to　tell　him　what　I　thought　of　their　humanity；　but　I　was　seized　by　many　hands　and　dragged　forward　before　I　could　speak。　The　glass　was　whisked　away…and　so　was　I。　Deep　down　to　a　dank　chamber；　walls　damp　with　water　and　covered　with　moss。　A　cuff　was　clamped　around　my　ankle；　a　chain　ran　from　it　to　a　staple　in　the　wall。　They　all　exited　except　for　the　Colonel　who　stood　with　his　hand　on　the　operating　lever　of　the　thick；　undoubtedly　watertight；　door。
　He　grinned　in　victorious　triumph；　bent　over　and　placed　an　antique　pistol　on　the　floor。　As　I　dived　for　it　the　door　shut　and　sealed　with　a　final　thud。
　Was　this　really　the　end？　I　turned　the　pistol　over　in　my　hands；　saw　the　dull　shape　of　the　single　cartridge。　End　of　Jim　diGriz；　end　of　the　Stainless　Steel　Rat；　end　of　everything。
　There　was　the　distant　thank　of　a　valve　opening　and　cold　water　gushed　down　on　me　from　a　thick　pipe　in　the　ceiling。　It　gurgled　and　slopped；　covering　my　feet；　then　quickly　up　to　my　ankles。　When　it　reached　my　waist　I　lifted　the　gun　and　looked　at　it。　Not　much　of　a　choice。　The　water　rose　steadily。　Covered　my　chest；　up　to　my　chin。　I　shuddered。
　Then　the　water　stopped　splashing　down。　It　was　cold　and　I　was　shivering　uncontrollably。　The　light　in　the　waterproof　fixture　revealed　only　stone　wall；　dark　water。
　〃What　are　you　playing　at　bastardacoj？〃　I　shouted；　〃Humane　torture　to　go　with　your　humane　murder？〃
　A　moment　later　I　got　my　answer。　The　level　began　to　drop。
　〃I　was　right…torturers！〃　I　bellowed。　〃Torture　first…then　murder。　And　you　call　yourself　civilized。　Why　are　you　doing　this？〃
　The　last　of　the　water　gurgled　down　the　drain　and　the　door　slowly　opened。　I　aimed　the　pistol　at　it。　I　wouldn't　mind　drowning　if　I　could　take　the　cretinous　colonel　or　the　sadistic　sergeant　with　me。
　Something　dark　appeared　through　the　partly　open　door。　The　gun　banged　and　the　bullet　thudded　into　it。　A　briefcase。
　〃Cease　fire！〃　a　male　voice　called　out。　〃I　am　your　lawyer。〃
　〃He　only　has　one　bullet；　you're　safe；〃　I　heard　the　Colonel　gay。
　The　briefcase　came　hesitantly　into　the　room；　carried　by　a　grayhaired　man　who　was　wearing　the　traditional　gold…flecked　and　diamond　decorated　black　suit　that　adorned　lawyers　throughout　the　galaxy。
　〃I　am　your　court…appointed　lawyer；　Pederasis　Narcoses。〃
　〃What　good　will　you　do　me…if　the　trial　will　be　after　my　execution？〃
　〃None。　But　that　is　the　law。　I　will　have　to　interview　you　now　to　enable　me　to　conduct　your　defense　at　the　trial。〃
　〃This　is　madness…I'll　be　dead？〃
　〃That　is　correct。　But　it　is　the　law。〃　He　turned　to　the　Colonel。　〃I　must　be　alone　with　my　client。　That　is　also　the　law。〃
　〃You　have　ten　minutes；　no　longer。〃
　〃That　will　suffice。　Admit　my　assistant　in　five　minutes。　He　has　the　court　papers　and　the　will。〃
　The　door　thunked　shut　and　Narcoses　opened　his　briefcase　and　took　out　a　plastic　bottle　filled　with　a　greenish　liquid。　He　removed　the　top　and　handed　it　to　me。
　〃Drink　this；　all　of　it。　I'll　hold　the　gun。〃
　I　handed　him　the　weapon；　took　the　bottle；　smelled　it　and　coughed。　〃Horrible。　Why　should　I　drink　it？〃
　〃Because　I　told　you　to。　It　is　of　vital　importance　and　you　have　no　choice。〃
　Which　was　true…and　what　difference　would　it　make　anyway？
　I　gulped　it　down。　The　champagne　had　tasted　a　lot　better。
　〃I　will　now　explain；〃　he　said；　recapping　the　bottle　and　putting　it　back　into　his　briefcase。　〃You　have　just　drunk　a　thirty…day　poison。　This　is　a　puter…generated　plex　of　toxins　that　are　n