The Duke Of Uranium Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’ve taught you, and in particular the Disciplines, ought to stand you in very good stead. You’re bright, even if not very bookish, and you have good coordination, fast reactions, and enough muscle. If you genuinely want to be a sergeant in a B&E battalion, you’ll be able to do that. Even the stubbornness and the quick temper can be advantages if you use them properly.”
    “It sounds like your opinion is founded on something,” Jak said, fishing. Any chance to get Sibroillo reminiscing was important; there were big gaps in what Jak knew of himself and his family.
    Sibroillo shrugged. “Not much to say. I was a mere a few times, back before you were born. Like most meres I got my training in a public army. Rather in four of them, across about forty years, off and on, no hitch more than three years at a time. That’s all you’re getting out of me today.”
    “How about one direct question?”
    “Oh, why not? It’s not every day you get out of gen school. One direct nosy question, provided it has no security impact and it’s not about my sex life.”
    “Yuck.”
    “What do you suppose Gweshira and I do when we go out, pizo?”
    “Double yuck, Uncle Sib, and you’re not going to distract me that easily. Okay, direct question, were you ever in a B&E unit?”
    “For about two years, I was a lieutenant in the Sixth Rangers, Army of the Hive. Yes, old pizo, I was a beanie myself for a while.”
    Jak realized that he had to get out of the room, quickly, or risk letting Sib see that he was impressed. “And
     
    the Disciplines help?” he asked. “You’re not just saying that to get me to practice?”
    “I want you to practice, but I’m not lying or exaggerating. The Disciplines help a great deal.”
    “Then I’d better get to them.”
    “Please do.” But as Jak turned to go, Uncle Sibroillo leaned forward from his low round chair and caught his nephew by the elbow. “I’m very pleased that you’ve thought about what you’re going to do, that your thoughts are not unreasonable, and that you are ambitious in your plans. It might not be the career I’d have chosen for you but it is not a bad choice at all. Or if it is, we’re both wrong. Now, about this concert or dance or whatever it is tonight—”
    Jak started to laugh. He couldn’t help it. Sib spied on him constantly. “Let me guess how you knew about it. You monitor my friends and their accounts, and you flag entertainment purchases, and Sesh had probably already put my name on a ticket.”
    “All true, but not the way I used. And besides what you thought of and what I did, there are also four other ways I could have used. If you don’t know all six ways, then you probably shouldn’t try to get away with anything yet.”
    “I wouldn’t even try.”
    “You don’t lie as well as you should, yet, either.” Sib sat on the edge of his chair. “But no matter—time enough for you to learn more tradecraft. Eventually I will stop monitoring you. Either because you’ll get good enough to block it, or you’ll be out of range. Meanwhile, you have just time to work the Disciplines, spar with me afterward, eat a quick dinner, and still go meet your toves, all showered and pretty. And I do believe you just said you wanted to get on with practicing—”
    “I was sucking up,” Jak said, “since I knew I’d have to do it anyway. But I guess I might as well get started. Is sucking up another one of those useful skills you’ve equipped me with?”
    “Damn straight, and probably the most useful one of all. Have a good workout; I’ll be in to thump you in a while, puppy. Practice your form so I don’t hurt you.”
    “I’ll concentrate on my kicking so I don’t bruise my foot on your head, you old gwont.”
    Jak stepped into his sleeping room and changed into his fighting practice suit; the suit on its hook and a large ever-changing VuPostR were the only decorations the room had. (When Jak was not home, he left the VuPostR tuned to the Grand