<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><div style="" class="">USS Crusader NX 69659<br style="">Autore: Luca<br style="" class="">Personaggio: Stephen McAllister<br style="" class="">Titolo: Scelte Difficili<br style="" class="">Data creazione: 08/09/2014<br style="" class="">Ambientazione: Sistema di Muwai<br style="" class="">Personaggi principali: Jenner, Shaitan, McAllister, Nazja<br style="" class="">Trama principale: La battaglia si risolve grazie alle nuove informazioni individuate dagli equipaggi federali ... si risolve anche la situazione di tensione Muwai-Federazione ( in realtà sono sei pagine di personaggi che si fanno pippe mentali prima della conclusione)</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: HelveticaNeue,Helvetica Neue,Helvetica,Arial,Lucida Grande,sans-serif; background-color:
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<div style="" class=""><span style="" class="" lang="HI">Pianeta Muwai, Sala del Trono - 17/01/2394,
ore 12:50</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Nazja socchiuse gli occhi in un evidente
smorfia di concentrazione, fissando l'immagine olografica del pianeta su cui si
trovavano e della poco lontana stella, cercando al contempo di assimilare e
comprendere l'esposizione di McAlliser.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Il ruolo scelto per lei prima della sua nascita
le aveva permesso di accedere ad un'istruzione di altissimo livello, ma il suo
curriculum di studi era pur sempre quello di un leader e capo di stato, non di
uno scienziato, cos</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> buona parte dei termini tecnico-scientifici
utilizzati dall'ingegnere si erano rivelati a lei quantomeno oscuri, bench</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">é</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
l'umano barbuto cercasse in maniera visibile di essere il pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
chiaro possibile, riuscendoci solo in parte.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Appena Stephen termin</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
la sua esposizione, Nazja volse il suo sguardo verso il Capo Ingegnere,
scrutandone il volto alla ricerca di qualche segno sul suo viso che tradisse la
sua eventuale malafede. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Hai detto che sar</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
necessario del tempo prima di riuscire a notare qualche effetto </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- domand</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> senza distogliere lo sguardo - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
quanto?</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">I primi risultati potrebbero<span class="" style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Quanto, Stephen? - tagli</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
corto lei, riservando all'umano un'occhiata tagliente. - voglio una stima
realistica, non qualche ipotesi generata dalla speranza ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">L'ingegnere sospir</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
pesantemente, abbassando lo sguardo per un paio di secondi, prima di riprendere
la parola in tono mesto.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Le stime pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ottimistiche parlano di dieci, quindici anni </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- Nazja sbuff</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">, volgendo lo sguardo nella direzione opposta -
</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> forse meno, ma non abbiamo abbastanza dati
sulle capacit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di recupero del vostro organismo ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">La nostra specie vive a lungo </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ma posto anche che io credessi ai dati che mi hai mostrato </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ed </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> tutto da vedere ... - la donna serpente alz</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
lievemente la voce, in tono decisamente contrariato, ma non tanto da farsi
sentire dalle guardie appena fuori dalla stanza </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
come credi che possa fare a convincere il mio popolo ad attendere tutto questo
tempo? Saremo costretti a saltare a pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> pari almeno due cicli!</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Tu sei la loro leader </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- replic</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> l'umano in tono conciliante, compiendo
cautamente un passo verso di lei, cercando di non incalzarla troppo malgrado
l'urgenza - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> loro si fidano del tuo giudizio e delle tue
decisioni. Cos</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> come mi fido io ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Nazja si produsse in un sorriso amaro.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Se credi di potermi convincere facendo leva sui
miei sentimenti, ti sbagli di grosso ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Io non credo nulla. Semplicemente, so che il
tuo unico interesse </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> la salvaguardia del tuo popolo ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
concluse l'Ingegnere Capo, porgendo il proiettore olografico verso lei, pochi
attimi prima di sfiorare il comunicatore e scomparire in una serie bagliori
azzurrognoli, esattamente pochi attimi prima che un drappello di guardie
facesse il suo ingresso nella stanza.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Pianeta Muwai, sotterranei </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
17/01/2394 </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> poco dopo</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">L'impasse in cui si trovava la squadra
capitanata ora da Shaitan, sembrava non voler aver fine. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">I colpi scambiati tra i due schieramenti
avevano continuato lentamente a diminuire dato che entrambi volevano
chiaramente resistere il pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> possibile senza cedere terreno, ma Shaitan
sapeva che la cosa non avrebbe potuto continuare cos</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ancora per molto. L'andoriano era ben conscio infatti che i suoi uomini non
avrebbero resistito pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di un'ora, forse due in quella situazione e
bench</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> non sapesse delle possibilit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
dei nativi, dubitava fossero in grado di resistere molto di pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">.
</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">=^= McAllister a Capitano </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
=^=<span class="" style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>la voce dell</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ingegnere
capo proruppe dal comunicatore sovrastando di poco il rumore di uno sparo e il
gemito di un nativo.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Mi dica che </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
riuscito a convincerla </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">=^= La verit</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ingegnere fece una pausa di un paio di secondi,
proseguendo poi in uno strano tono decisamente mesto - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
la verit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che non lo so. Mi ha ascoltato ... ma non sono
sicuro di averla convinta </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">=^=<span class="" style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Shaitan non rispose immediatamente,
focalizzando invece la sua attenzione su di un fucile phaser che qualcuno gli
aveva passato, esaminandone attentamente la polvere residua e le lievi
ammaccature presenti qua e l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">, segno che quel fucile era gi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
passato di mano pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> volte, probabilmente concentrate nelle ultime
ore.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Bhe, la cerimonia dovrebbe avere inizio fra
pochi minuti </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">- replic</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> infine l'andoriano, predisponendo l'arma per
l'azione per poi prendere rapidamente la mira - </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
lo scopriremo subito </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Sovrastato dai rumori del combattimento, non si
accorse del fruscio che lentamente si avvicinava verso la sua posizione.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Pianeta Muwai, Sala del Trono - 17/01/2394, ore
13:15</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Con un fruscio l'ultima delle vesti rituali
scivol</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> dolcemente sulla schiena di Nazja, mentre
Latastei, la pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> minuta e giovane delle sue ancelle, le pittava
il volto nei colori rituali con un sorriso mellifluo. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Da quando Mandrita era scomparsa qualche ora
prima, lei aveva informalmente ma saldamente preso il comando del suo entourage
malgrado non avesse visto pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di un paio di urli nel corso della sua vita,
probabilmente grazie all'intromissione di Saasha, che tempo addietro l'aveva gi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
scelta come prediletta.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ti vedo turbata, Volto di Muwai </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- afferm</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> mantenendo lo stesso sorriso e parlando in
tono amichevole. Ma Nazja sapeva che quella non era altro che una facciata,
come per tutte le femmine che Saasha aveva proposto come sue dame di compagnia.
Per questo lei aveva scelto Mandrita. - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> ma non devi esserlo, presto la Gloria di Muwai
risplender</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Cosa penseresti </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- la interruppe la regina, agguantandole un polso per fare in modo di avere la
sua completa attenzione - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> se ti dicessi che potrebbe esserci un altro
metodo per permetterci di procreare ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">La giovane ancella assunse un espressione
sconvolta, quasi come se Nazja le avesse rivelato uno dei maggiori orrori
dell'universo.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Sarebbe un sacrilegio!</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Nazja sapeva che Latastei non avrebbe mai
accettato alcuna soluzione alternativa, ma sentiva fisicamente il bisogno di
confrontarsi con qualcuno.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ma se ci permettesse di tornare agli antichi
fasti </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> se ci permettesse di procreare nuovamente in
libert</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> come una volta, senza l'obbligo di basare la
nostra sopravvivenza sui capricci del Sibilante ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
si lasci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> sfuggire Lanzai, l'ancella pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
giovane del gruppo, intenta a lisciare i capelli di Nazja. Il volto di Latastei
mut</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> in una smorfia seccata e il suo sguardo
divenne di fuoco mentre apriva minacciosamente la bocca, producendo un suono a
met</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> tra un sinistro sibilo ed uno sputo,
interrompendola.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Taci! Il solo pensiero sarebbe una bestemmia! -
sentenzi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> acida nei confronti della povera collega, che
decisamente intimorita sembr</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> cercare rifugio dietro le spalle di Nazja.
Latastei assunse poi un'espressione contrita, riacquistando un tono pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
amichevole. - Mi scuso per lo sfogo mia signora </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Lanzai non sa quello che dice </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> risaputo che nella sua covata l'intellegenza
scarseggia ... ma non </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> salutare che lei abbia questi dubbi prima del
Grande Rito. Noi ora dipendiamo dalla benevolenza del Sibilante, questo </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
un dato di fatto che non </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> possibile modificare. Lei deve solo pensare a
fare ci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> necessario ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Si </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> - replic</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> il Volto di Muwai atona. - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
hai decisamente ragione ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Pianeta Muwai, Sala del Rito </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Contemporaneamente</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saasha aveva iniziato ad intonare i canti
rituali assieme agli altri diplomatici di alto rango presenti nella stanza. Il
comunicatore ancora attivo, perennemente connesso con le squadre impegnate nel
combattimento e con il centro di difesa planetario, continuava a sputare fuori
dati sui vari fronti senza sosta.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Sapendo di essere un ottimo stratega avrebbe
voluto essere l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">, a comandare direttamente la linea di difesa,
ma sapeva anche se non avesse partecipato al rituale l'intera impalcatura di
menzogne che i suoi predecessori avevano creato e lui aveva protetto fino a
quel momento sarebbe crollata come un castello di carte.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">L'unica cosa che poteva fare ora era attendere,
pregando che il Sibilante concedesse al suo popolo la forza di resistere.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Uss Crusader </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Infermeria </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> Contemporaneamente</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Jenner era da poco tornato al proprio posto
dopo essere stato risistemato da uno dei suoi colleghi quando arriv</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
una comunicazione dal Capitano.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">=^= Crusader! - il medico si stup</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
di quanto la voce dell'andoriano sembrasse affaticata e ansimante </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ho bisogno di </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> un teletrasporto d'emergenza! Usate le
coordinate del mio comunicatore! =^=</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Signore cosa ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Senza che potesse aggiungere altro, sul lettino
che Jenner aveva davanti si materializz</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> quello che inizialmente gli sembr</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
poco pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di un ammasso di carne pulsante. Non riusc</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
immediatamente a riconoscere i lineamenti femminei orrendamente deturpati da
quelle ferite simili a morsi, nascosti da quel pastone di sangue e sabbia, ma
riconobbe immediatamente l'aspetto serpentiforme di colei che aveva davanti.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Fu per</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> solo quando la donna serpente volse l'unico
occhio rimasto verso di lui che la riconobbe.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Mandrita?</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><a href="" style="" class="" name="__DdeLink__252_409521948"><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Pianeta Muwai, Sala del Rito
- 17/01/2394, ore 13:</span></a><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">42</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Nazja fece il suo ingresso all'interno della
sala satura di vapori e di incensi seguita dal suo stormo di fedeli ancelle,
spaziando lo sguardo attorno a se, esaminando attentamente lo sparuto gruppo di
seguaci intenti nei loro canti rituali. Individu</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Saasha, in prima fila a poca distanza dal Generale Ection e da altri membri
dell'alta societ</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> Muwai che attendevano con trepidazione
l'inizio del rito.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Il suo entourage si ferm</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">,
rinculando poi verso l'ingresso della sala, mentre lei proseguiva sola verso
l'imbocco della struttura che sarebbe diventata il suo nido, scambiando una
rapida occhiata con quelli che di li a poco sarebbero diventati i suoi partner.
Qualcosa di fisiologico e viscerale inizi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> a ruggire prepotentemente dentro di lei,
gridando con forza inaudita la sua volont</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Il battito di entrambi i suoi cuori acceler</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
in maniera esponenziale mentre le sue pupille si dilatavano e il respiro
diventava pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> affannoso. L'efficienza di ogni suo senso
sembr</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> migliorare di colpo e la sua mente sopraffatta
da quella miriade di colori, sensazioni e soprattutto odori che le affollavano
le narici. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Non aveva mai sperimentato qualcosa di cos</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
potente e viscerale in precedenza. Un movimento di fianco a lei cattur</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
la sua attenzione, costringendola a rendersi conto dei vari partners che si
muovevano l'ingresso cilindrico del nido. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ne agguant</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> uno con dolcezza, passandogli la mano sul
petto e lasciandogli quattro leggeri solchi sulla pelle, graffiandolo
involontariamente mentre lo sospingeva lievemente verso l'ingresso del nido,
respirandone a pieni polmoni l'odore pungente.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">*... umano ...*</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Apr</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> la bocca, intenzionata a mordergli la spalla,
poi si ferm</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">. Deglut</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> a fatica.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Volgendosi verso Saasha con un movimento fluido
e sinuoso del capo. Le ci vollero un paio di secondi prima di riuscire a
dissipare la nebbia sensoriale che gli offuscava la vista, prima di riuscire a
vedere il suo obiettivo assieme il resto dei partecipanti al rito, che,
continuando nel loro canto, avevano iniziato una lenta processione verso
l'uscita. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Processione che venne fermata dalle guardie
personali della regina qualche secondo pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> tardi.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saasha si volse verso di lei. Il volto
deturpato dallo stupore e da qualcosa che Nazja riusc</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ad identificare dal puzzo. Terrore.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Che cosa significa tutto questo?</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Che ... </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> arrivata </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ora di rinascere ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">USS Crusader, corridoi verso l'infermeria -
23/01/2394, ore 08:00</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Nazja seguita da una piccola parte del suo
nuovo entourage, capitanato ora da Lanzai, sembrava trovarsi decisamente a
disagio all'interno dei corridoi che la stavano conducendo verso l'infermeria,
dove avrebbe incontrato Mandrita. Esattamente come aveva gi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
fatto nei giorni passati.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Mi dispiace che le cose siano andate in questo
modo </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> - afferm</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> la donna serpente in tono decisamente contrito,
cercando di evitare il contatto diretto con lo sguardo dell'equipaggio intenti
a fare il loro dovere - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> ma non posso fare altro che ringraziarvi dal
profondo del cuore. Se voi non foste intervenuti </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> successo ha segnato profondamente entrambi gli
schieramenti </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> - tagli</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> corto Shaitan, affrettando il passo - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
ma </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> il risultato che conta ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Poco dopo essersi rifiutata di proseguire il
Rito dell'Accoppiamento, il Volto di Muwai aveva iniziato ad esporre ai membri
pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di spicco della politica del suo mondo ci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
che Stephen le aveva spiegato in precedenza. In molti avevano espresso dubbi o
fatto domande a riguardo, ma altrettanti concordavano su di una cosa. La
soluzione proposta dalla Regina era la reale rinascita citata nei testi sacri.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saasha, in preda al panico causato da una
situazione imprevista, aveva cercato dapprima di far passare la regina come una
pazza eretica controllata dai Federali, fallendo per</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
miseramente, lanciandosi poi in un folle attacco diretto alla Regina. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Le guardie non riuscirono a fermarlo in tempo,
ma per Nazja, ancora in quello stato di ebbra estasi fisica e sensoriale, lui
era poco di pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> di un fastidioso insetto.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">USS Crusader - Infermeria - 23/01/2394 </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Contemporaneamente</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Stephen sospir</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
pesantemente, sedendo in silenzio al fianco di Mandrita, mentre Jenner poco
distante controllava i segni vitali della donna serpente su uno dei monitor.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Senza il tuo intervento saremmo morti </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
- afferm</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> in tono mesto il Capo Ingegnere che finalmente
si era deciso a visitarla, ora dopo che aveva saputo che la Crusader sarebbe
ripartita nel giro di qualche ora e che il rimorso lo aveva costretto a passare
un paio di turbolente notti. Prima di continuare, scambi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
un</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">occhiata di sottecchi con il medico, rendendosi
conto di quanto la scelta fatta qualche giorno prima, seppure obbligata,
pesasse anche su di lui - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> noi pensavamo </span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Non crucciarti, umano </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
voi non siete guerrieri </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> - lo interruppe Mandrita con voce roca e
affaticata, spostando lo sguardo verso l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ingegnere, ma lui era incapace di eseguire,
incapace di lasciarsi alle spalle il fatto che lei in quella dannata grotta
aveva lasciato parecchio. Aveva perso l</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">occhio sinistro e la sua androgina bellezza era
stata deturpata dalla perdita di un seno e dalla miriade di cicatrici e morsi
che ora ricoprivano il suo corpo. - </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> se le posizioni fossero state invertite, avrei
fatto lo stesso </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:
"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Stephen spost</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
nuovamente lo sguardo verso di Jenner, sospirando. Ne lui, ne il medico avevano
idea di come la donna serpente fosse riuscita a sopravvivere, dato che Mandrita
glissava sistematicamente la domanda semplicemente sostenendo di aver
semplicemente combattuto in quanto appartenente alla casta dei guerrieri. Forse
era per lo stesso motivo che aveva rifiutato ogni intervento volto a
restituirle, almeno parzialmente, ci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che aveva perso. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Le scritture avevano ragione ... </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
si lasci</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> sfuggire con un debole sorriso ed un colpo di
tosse - ... gli Uomini delle Stelle sono arrivati, ora il nostro mondo sta
bruciando e presto ci sar</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> la rinascita ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Bench</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> le antiche scritture parlassero per metafore,
sembravano descrivere piuttosto bene la situazione politica del pianeta natale
della donna serpente. Caduto Saasha infatti, era rapidamente caduta con lui
anche gran parte della rete di potere che lo sosteneva, creando il vuoto e
costringendo i vertici Muwai a cercare nuove soluzioni. Stephen aveva saputo
dal Capitano che sul pianeta ora i venti soffiavano in favore della democrazia,
spinti dalla regina stessa, la quale aspirava in un futuro prossimo di entrare
a far parte della Federazione malgrado i trascorsi. </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Alcuni signorotti locali contrari a queste
scelte, forse addirittura collusi con Saasha, avevano deciso di ribellarsi, ma
il popolino era dalla parte della regina e questi piccoli focolai di violenza
sembravano destinati ad ardere per una decina di giorni o poco pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">.<span class="" style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Fu in quel momento che la porta dell</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">’</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">infermeria
si apr</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> con un sibilo, lasciando entrare la piccola
delegazione Muwai.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Alloggi del Tenente Comandante McAllister -
23/01/2394 </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">–</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> Ore 17:53</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Stephen tir</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
fuori dalla tasca il piccolo medaglione ovoidale che Nazja gli aveva regalato
qualche ora prima, rigirandoselo fra le mani cos</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
come aveva fatto per la mezz'ora precedente.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Bench</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> la stessa donna serpente avesse dichiarato di
provare e aver provato solamente una violenta attrazione fisica nei suoi
confronti, l'ingegnere capo non riusciva a smettere di pensare che quel dono di
addio contraddicesse quella dichiarazione, rivelando una verit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
non detta.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Inspir</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> profondamente, stendendosi sul letto guardando
il soffitto, inerme.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Ora pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che mai, forse grazie al lieve ronzio dei
motori della Crusader che segnalavano il prossimo rientro nello spazio
federale, sentiva un nodo allo stomaco ingarbugliarsi sempre di pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Bench</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">è</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> fosse ben conscio del fatto che tutti gli
avvenimenti successi sul pianeta fossero frutto di un qualche tipo di
condizionamento mentale, Stephen non riusciva a levarsi di dosso i sensi di
colpa.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Sensi di colpa verso Aleena, sua moglie, che
aveva miseramente tradito, verso i suoi figli che lo attendevano a casa e
perfino verso Nazja, che sentiva di aver semplicemente sfruttato.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Sospir</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ò</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> nuovamente, cercando di venire a patti con la
verit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> e con il senso di colpa da esso derivato. La
verit</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:
"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:
minor-bidi">à</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> che gli diceva che quel condizionamento
mentale aveva semplicemente annullato la sua parte razionale, mettendo a nudo
quella parte che avrebbe voluto mantenere nascosta, la parte che era caduta
sotto l'incantesimo di Nazja appena la sua mano gli aveva sfiorato la guancia.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Si rimise seduto sul letto, stropicciandosi il
volto con le mani pi</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ù</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> volte, prima di fissare il vuoto al centro
della stanza per un paio di minuti. Deglut</span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">ì</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> a fatica, conscio delle sue colpe e oppresso
dal rimorso che portava sul groppone, poi, finalmente si decise.</span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi"> </span></div>
<div style="" class=""><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Computer, apri un canale sub-spaziale </span><span class="" style="font-family:"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">…</span><span class="" style="mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">
Marte, abitazione della Famiglia McAllister ...</span><span class="" style="font-family:
"Liberation Serif","serif";mso-ascii-font-family:"Nimbus Roman No9 L";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">”</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: "Liberation Serif","serif"; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class=""><br></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: "Liberation Serif","serif"; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class="">----</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 16px; font-family: "Liberation Serif","serif"; background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;" class=""></div></div></div></body></html>