Consider Phlebas

Consider Phlebas Read Online Free PDF

Book: Consider Phlebas Read Online Free PDF
Author: Iain M. Banks
Tags: Science-Fiction, science
be mad.’ Horza shook his head.
    ‘Well . . . ‘ Balveda said, nodding ruefully, ‘actually I think it’ll win eventually.’
    ‘If you keep falling back like you have for the last three years, you’ll end up somewhere in the Clouds.’
    ‘I’m not giving away any secrets, Horza, but I think you might find we don’t do too much more falling back.’
    ‘We’ll see. Frankly I’m surprised you kept fighting this long.’
    ‘So are our three-legged friends. So is everybody. So are we, I sometimes think.’
    ‘Balveda,’ Horza sighed wearily, ‘I still don’t know why the hell you’re fighting in the first place. The Idirans never were any threat to you. They still wouldn’t be, if you stopped fighting them. Did life in your great Utopia really get so boring you needed a war?’
    ‘Horza,’ Balveda said, leaning forward, ‘I don’t understand why you are fighting. I know Heidohre is in - ‘
    ‘Heibohre,’ Horza interjected.
    ‘OK, the goddamn asteroid the Changers live in. I know it’s in Idiran space, but - ‘
    ‘That’s got nothing to do with it, Balveda. I’m fighting for them because I think they’re right and you’re wrong.’
    Balveda sat back, amazed. ‘You . . . ‘ she began, then lowered her head and shook it, staring at the floor. She looked up. ‘I really don’t understand you, Horza. You must know how many species, how many civilisations, how many systems, how many individuals have been either destroyed or . . . throttled by the Idirans and their crazy goddamned religion. What the hell has the Culture ever done compared to that?’ One hand was on her knee, the other was displayed in front of Horza, clawed into a strangling grip. He watched her and smiled.
    ‘On a straight head count the Idirans no doubt do come out in front, Perosteck, and I’ve told them I never did care for some of their methods, or their zeal. I’m all for people being allowed to live their own lives. But now they’re up against you lot, and that’s what makes the difference to me. Because I’m against you, rather than for them, I’m prepared - ‘ Horza broke off for a moment, laughing lightly, self-consciously. ‘ . . . Well, it sounds a bit melodramatic, but sure - I’m prepared to die for them.’ He shrugged. ‘Simple as that.’
    Horza nodded as he said it, and Balveda dropped the outstretched hand and looked away to one side, shaking her head and exhaling loudly. Horza went on, ‘Because . . . well, I suppose you thought I was just kidding when I was telling old Frolk I thought the knife missile was the real representative. I wasn’t kidding, Balveda. I meant it then and I mean it now. I don’t care how self-righteous the Culture feels, or how many people the Idirans kill. They’re on the side of life - boring, old-fashioned, biological life; smelly, fallible and short-sighted, God knows, but real life. You’re ruled by your machines. You’re an evolutionary dead end. The trouble is that to take your mind off it you try to drag everybody else down there with you. The worst thing that could happen to the galaxy would be if the Culture wins this war.’
    He paused to let her say something, but she was still sitting with her head down, shaking it. He laughed at her. ‘You know, Balveda, for such a sensitive species you show remarkably little empathy at times.’
    ‘Empathise with stupidity and you’re halfway to thinking like an idiot,’ muttered the woman, still not looking at Horza. He laughed again and got to his feet.
    ‘Such . . . bitterness, Balveda,’ he said.
    She looked up at him. ‘I’ll tell you, Horza,’ she said quietly, ‘we’re going to win.’
    He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. You wouldn’t know how to.’
    Balveda sat back again, hands spread behind her. Her face was serious. ‘We can learn, Horza.’
    ‘Who from?’
    ‘Whoever has the lesson there to teach,’ she said slowly. ‘We spend quite a lot of our time watching warriors and zealots, bullies
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