Read Man Who Used the Universe for Free Online Page B

before they could talk with me. Besides, why should I try anything? You've got eleven overarmed backups behind you."
    "Am I supposed to be surprised you know that?"
    "No." He smiled wider. It was a very pleasant smile. He knew it was . . . he'd practiced it often enough in front of the mirror and had critiqued its effectiveness as ruthlessly as he did the technique for quietly breaking a man's neck or programming a recalcitrant computer.
    Some of the tension seemed to ebb out of her and her finger did ease off the trigger.
    "There now," he told her, holding out both hands, "that's much better. Come on, why don't you put a binder on me? It's bound to get you a promotion. Maybe even raise your status a notch."
    She took a step toward him, hesitated. "They told me you weren't to be trusted."
    "That's one thing they've got wrong. I always keep my word. Always. I'm just careful not to give it in situations where I know I won't be able to keep it. It's simpler than lying and makes for fewer complications later on." He gestured with his clenched hands at her. "Go on."
    She considered a moment longer, then reached into a pocket while still keeping the muzzle of the sprayer pointed toward him and took out the thin strip of flexible glass. Carefully she wrapped it once around his wrists, pulling the figure eight tight. Then she flicked the tips off the open ends and touched them together. They fused instantly. A special cutting torch would be required now to free him. No human, not even Loo-Macklin, could break free of that transparent grip.
    She stepped back. "There," he told her, "now, wasn't that easy?"
    "You're awfully calm about this." She was holding the gun loosely, now that he was effectively restrained. "Especially for someone who's probably gonna be dead within the hour."
    He shrugged. "Death is nothing but restful sleep. If I'm not going to die then there's no need for me to be worried, and if I am, there's less need to worry."
    She shook her head, regarded him pityingly. "They said you was hulled upstairs. I sure wouldn't argue it."
    "You may discover reason to change your mind, sweet thing." He stood. "Let's go. Your backups will be getting twitchy."
    "You first."
    "No problem. But tell your brave colleagues they can put up their guns because I'm restrained. Go on. Enjoy this, for whatever it will mean to you."
    She stepped cautiously around him, and for the first time there was honest confusion in her face instead of fear. "Why are you doing this? I've never done nothin' for you. We don't even know each other."
    "I'm aware of that," he replied. "But why should I make things difficult for you? It's a hard enough life you've chosen as it is."
    "Damn right there." She edged him toward the bedroom door.
    They escorted him to the back room of a small dining club on the Upper Fifth Level, the recreation level of tube E. There were four waiting for him. Two men, two women, all middle-aged.
    Loo-Macklin recognized them all, though he'd never met any of them. They studied him openly, affecting an air of noninterest but unable to hide their fascination, the sort of fascination one normally reserved for the snake house at the zoo.
    Despite what he'd already done they weren't worried. The glabra restraint was still wrapped tight around his wrists. In addition, half a dozen weapons of varying power but proven accuracy were trained on him from hidden places in the walls. They'd been chosen for silence as well as precision. After all, the club was full of patrons. Music drifted into the room, along with the louder shouts of reveling customers.
    He studied them in turn, beamed down at each in turn. "Well, here we are."
    When no comment was forthcoming from the four, he added, "Who plans to be boss now that Lal's gone?"
    "He badly underestimated you. Happens all the time." The woman who spoke was just a few kilos shy of fat, but still a handsome individual. Her name was Amoleen and her voice was low, husky. "You got your revenge. That