Robert Asprin and George Takei - Mirror Friend Mirror Foe
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"a blaster against an unarmed human proves nothing," the robot
said.With its one arm it picked up a fencing epee and threw it to
Hosato, who caught it easily.
"You have an unbroken record of success, a long line of dead
men behind you," the metallic voice grated"Then let this be your last
challenge: Match your mind and abilities against mine—against a
robot!"
Before Hosato could launch an attack, however, It quickly
snatched up a second sword and had it between themHosato extended his
epee and settled into an engarde position. The robot knew him too
wellHe'd rather be killed in a fight than go meekly to the slaughter.
And he wanted to prove, even with his dying breath, that he
could beat it, that a man was better than a machine.
MIRROR FRIEND,MIRROR FOE A TALE OF HIGH ADVENTURE IN THE
FARTHEST REACHES OF SPACE BY ROBERT ASPRIN (creator of Thieves'
World™)and GEORGE TAKEI ("Sulu" of Star Trek)
ROBERT ASPRIN & GEORGE TAKEI Mirror friend, Mirror foe A ACE
SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS NEW YORK MIRROR FRIEND, MIRROR FOE An Ace
Science Fiction Book / published by arrangement with the authors
PRINTING HISTORY Playboy edition / December 1979 Ace edition /
December 1985 Second printing / March 1986All rights
reservedCopyright © 1979 by George Takei and Robert Asprin.Cover art
by Barclay Shaw.This book may not be reproduced in whole or in
part,by mimeograph or any other means, without permission.For
information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,200 Madison Avenue,
New York, New York 10016.ISBN: 0-441-53381-7Ace Science Fiction Books
are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, 200 Madison Avenue,
New York, New York 10016.PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA He
would have to fight the boyAll the argument thus far had proved was
that the youth had no logical objections, but was making them up as
he went along to support his own stubborn streakThe only way to end
the discussion would be to teach the kid a lesson … physically.
Having reached this conclusion, Hosato began to reassess the
situation, specifically viewing the room as a battlefield, as he
continued the discussion.
"Be reasonable, JamesI've been hired to do a job, like anyone
else in this complexThat job is to teach you how to fenceIt wasn't my
idea, it was your father's, so instead of arguing, let's get on with
the job at hand."
"But I don't want to learn to fence!" the boy insisted, his
gray eyes glowering from beneath a sandy tousle of hair"Why not?"
The boy was tall, in his mid-teens, and broad for his ageHe'd
have the advantage of reach, since Hosato barely came up to his
shoulders in height, but whatever edge his youth gave him in speed
should be offset by his awkwardness.
"It's silly," the boy grumbled"Why should I waste my time
learning something I'll never useSwords are obsolete … so are guns,
for that matter, but at least a gun would train me for using a
blaster."
"Are you carrying a gun or a blaster at the moment?" Hosato
inquired politely.
"No," James admitted"You aren't allowed to carry an energy
weapon inside the complex unless you're a security guard."
"But you are wearing a sword."
From what Hosato could see, the boy's sword had a slender blade
roughly one meter longThe overly ornate hilt indicated it was more a
decoration than a functional weaponProbably no cutting edges, which
would restrict his opponent to attacking with the point.
"Of course I'm wearing a swordAnyone of any station worth
mentioning does."
"But you can't see any reason for learning to use it?"
The boy's beige cotton-and-nylon jumpsuit would give him
freedom of movement, though not as much as Hosato's black fencing
uniformThe soft-soled boots would give him traction, but the cloak
was too longWith any luck, he'd trip over that cloak, or at least
find it tangling his arm if he turned too suddenly.
"No, I don't," the youth retorted"Nobody actually fights with
swordsThey're a fashionable status symbolTwo years ago it was spangle
gloves, today it's swordsBig deal."
Hosato abandoned his preparatory observations to make one last
effort to convince the boy logically.
"Look, JamesYour father is one of the most important men in
this complex—a complex, I might add, that is constantly feuding with
another complex on Grunbecker's planetThat makes you a prime target
for kidnapping or assassinationRealizing that, can't you see the
value of learning to use the one weapon the laws let you carry?"
"Let Security handle them." The boy shrugged"That's what we pay
them for."
The tile floor of the rec room would give them decent footing,
though not idealThe far end of the room was still in darkness, but
the X aisle here between the four pool tables would be well lighted
enough to work inHaving completed his survey, Hosato moved to set up
the confrontation.
"Security will handle them." He sneered, mimicking the boy's
voice"And what if they don'tWhat will you do thenFile a complaintOr
would you be forced to do your own fighting for a change?"
The main vulnerability of youth is not inexperience, it's
prideThe boy's head came up with a snap as he reacted to the slight.
"I can take care of myself if I have to."
"Is that a fact?" Hosato stung the boy with a patronizing
smile"Tell you what, JamesIf I can prove to you that you can't handle
yourself in a fight, will you agree to study what I have to teach
you?"
"That wouldn't be fair," the youth protested"I didn't say I
could cross swords with a fencing master and winBut there aren't that
many fencing masters aroundI can hold my own against the kind of
opponent I'd be likely to have to fight, though."
Hosato smiled"It seems there are a few misconceptions here we
should clear upFirst of all, I'm not a fencing masterI'm a
professional duelistI'm supposed to teach you to fight, not score
points in a tournamentSecond ."—he showed a few more teeth— "I didn't
say I'd cross swords with youI'm betting you're sloppy enough with
that weapon I could defend myself without using a sword."
The boy started to reply angrily, but caught himself.
"No deal," he said suspiciously"You'll probably use karate or
something."
"As a matter of fact, I don't know karate," Hosato lied easily.
"Why not?" asked the boy"I mean, you're Oriental."
"That's rightI can't use chopsticks, either." Hosato caught
himself before his annoyance grewThe boy had inadvertently touched a
nerve, but it wouldn't do to go into this fight mad.
"We're getting off the subjectI'm proposing a little contestYou
use a sword, and I don'tIf you can draw blood on me in five minutes,
I'll go to your father and tell him you don't need lessonsIs it a
deal?"
The boy hesitated"What if I kill you?" he asked.
"Then I'll be dead and you won't have to take lessons."
"I mean, what would I tell my fatherWith you dead, there'd be
no one to say it was an exerciseI'd look like a murderer."
Hosato smiled to himselfThe boy was bright enoughMaybe he'd
make a fencer after all.
'"Don't worry about it, James," he said confidentlyHosato
pulled a small flat box from where it was clipped inside his tunicHe
thumbed a dial and lifted the unit to his lips.
"Suzi!" he said.
From the depths of the darkened end of the rec room came the
whir of small high-speed motors, and a strange shape emerged into the
light.
It was obviously a robot, but a very specialized robotIt stood
six feet high, floating on a cushion of air, and was shaped like a
rectangular metal box stood on endOne side was a rough manikin form,
and had a jointed mechanical arm dangling from it.
"Meet Suzi," Hosato said"My combination equipment closet and
fencing assistant."
"So what?" said the youth, unimpressed.
Hosato spoke into the control box again"SuziDisplay replay
camera three two minutes back."
In response, the machine pivoted about to reveal a view screen
mounted on the end opposite the armA picture sprang into focus, of
Hosato and James in conversation.
"draw blood on me in five minutes, I'll go to your father—"
"Stop, Suzi!" Hosato turned to the boy"There's your witness."
The youth was craning his neck to peer around the room.
"Have you got cameras in here?" he asked.
"YesI tape all my lessons," Hosato replied"They're spaced
around the room to make sure the action is captured from all angles."
He pointed to a small black box no bigger than a matchbox,
perched on the pool table by the boy's el-bow.
"How many cameras are there, Hayama?" a new voice inquired,
using Hosato's aliasIt came to them from the other end of the room as
a new figure stepped into view.
SashaHosato frowned to himself as he recognized the svelte
figure of the security chiefHe was going to have trouble with this
ladyShe was too efficient and moved a bit too quietly for his
comfort.
"Half a dozen," he answered, forcing a smile"I didn't see you
come in."
"You weren't supposed to," she replied without smiling"Go
ahead, Master JamesI'll be your witness that you attacked your
teacher at his own request." She draped herself casually over a
folding chair next to the robot.
James looked uncomfortable for a moment, then grudgingly drew
his swordHosato felt a quick wave of sympathy for the boyHe had run
out of excuses and was now forced into doing combat with a fencing
coach in front of an attractive womanTo say the least, it was an
unenviable position.
Reluctantly the boy raised his sword into an awkward initiation
of an en garde position.
Instead of responding in kind, Hosato simply stood facing him
squarely, arms folded across his chestThey watched each other
intently for a few moments; then Hosato cocked an expectant eyebrow.
The youth, suddenly realizing Hosato wasn't going to do
anything more in preparation, began to edge cautiously forwardHosato
remained motionlessFinally the boy screwed up his courage and poked
his sword forward in a quick jab.
Without moving his hands, Hosato stepped leisurely backward,
and the attack fell short.
He continued sauntering backward, and raised the control box to
his lips once more"Suzi!" he said loudly"Give us a buzzer in five
minutes, starting now!"
Tucking the box back inside his tunic, he reversed his field
and approached the boy once more.
"Okay, James," he said in a barely audible murmur"Try it again,
and this time act as if you mean itWe've got an audience!"
The boy flushed and sprang forward, not waiting for Hosato to
stop movingThe blade darted toward his tormentor's chest, but
encountered only thin airThe target disappeared as Hosato pulled his
left shoulder back, twisting his torso parallel to the advancing
bladeThe point passed harmlessly by, scant inches from his chest.
"Much better!" he said, retreating easily up one of the
aisles"A few more like that and I'll have to start treating you
seriously."
The boy pressed forward, on the attack again, only to find
Hosato had changed his trackHe was standing sideways now, his right
hand extended leisurely, as if holding an invisible sword.
Puzzled, the boy jabbed at the hand and missed again as the
hand drifted back to its original positionAnnoyed now, the boy
stepped forward and tried to thrust past the hand at Hosato's bodyThe
blade was batted disdainfully aside by the hand that now seemed to be
blocking the path of attack.
Hosato drifted sideways, putting the pool table between himself
and the stalking youthThe boy paralleled his motion, sword extended
over the width of the table, watching Hosato's movements as a lynx
watches a rabbitAgain he jabbed with the sword, only to find he had
again misjudged the distance.
Hosato moved neither foot nor hand in defense, laughing at the
boy's frustration as the pool table brought his attack up short.
Suddenly the control box inside Hosato's tunic started to
tingle against his bodyHe risked a glance over his shoulderSasha was
standing with her back to them, closely examining the robot.
There was a flash of movement in the corner of his eye, and
Hosato snapped his attention back to the fightToo lateDuring his
moment of distraction, the boy had slipped around the end of the pool
table and was sprinting at his tormentor with his sword at full
extension.
Hosato was caught flatfootedThe sword point was scant inches
from his body and there was no way he could defend himself—
legitimately.
Reflex action took overHosato dropped to the floor under the
speeding sword pointAs he did, his foot lashed out in a vicious
kickIn that flashing moment, his conscious mind regained partial
control but not in timeHe checked the main force of the kick and
moved the point of impact from the diaphragm to the stomach, but that
was all he could do.
The kick landed, and the boy doubled over and collapsed on the
floorThe sword slipped from his fingers and clattered noisily away as
he gasped for breath.
Hosato rippled to his feet and was at the boy's side in an eye
blink"Are you all right, James?" he asked, lifting the youth by his
armpits to aid his breathing.
All the while, he was cursing reflexes—his reflexes and his
inattentivenessTo give himself away this early in the game .
"What happened?" demanded Sasha, standing beside them.
"He … he kicked me!" the boy gasped.
"Nonsense!" Hosato snapped indignantly"The boy got
overenthusiastic and ran into the corner of the table thereKnocked
the wind out of him."
"You said you wouldn't use karate!" the boy whined accusingly,
ignoring Hosato's protest.
"I told you I don't know any karate!"
"This can be settled easily enough," Sasha interrupted"Let's
see the replay on your cameras, Hayama."
Her voice was casual, but her eyes were studying Hosato with
soft suspicion.
"An excellent suggestion," Hosato said, fishing the control box
out of his tunic"SuziCamera fiveDisplay replayOne minute back."
The view screen winked obediently to life, and two figures swam
into focusHosato waited, poised, as James circled wide around one end
of the pool table the boy darted forward Hosato floated lightly
behind the table again James tried to change his course, slammed into
the corner of the table, doubled over, and rolled off onto the
floor….
"Interrupt, Suzi!" Hosato ordered.
The screen went dark again.
"You seeThe boy just—"
A raucous buzzer went off in the robot.
"What was that?" Sasha demanded.
"The signal that five minutes is upI forgot to cancel the
timing order."
Sasha ignored his answer and turned to the boy again"Well,
JamesWas that what happened?"
The boy was still sitting on the floor staring thoughtfully at
the dark view screen.
"HuhOhYeah, SashaI forgot about the camerasI was just trying to
get out of taking fencing lessons."
Now it was the boy's turn to suffer the security chief's
piercing study.
"In that case, I think you owe Hayama here an apology."
James lurched shakily to his feet and extended his hand.
"I'm sorry, HayamaAll things considered, I've changed my
mindI'd like to take those lessons, if you'll have me as a student."
The boy had given up too easilyThere was a new depth in his
gaze that hadn't been there when they first met.
"Certainly I'll have you, James," Hosato said, accepting the
handshake"If anything, I should apologize to you for putting you
through such a rough first lesson."
The boy picked up his sword and resheathed it.
"If it's all right," he said, "I think I'll go lie down for a
whileI'm still a little queasy from that accident."
"Go ahead." Hosato smiled"Same time tomorrow?"
"Right."
"Wait outside a minute, James," interjected Sasha"I'll walk
along with you."
The boy hesitated, then nodded and left.
"We'll have to have dinner together, HayamaSometime soon?"
Sasha's smile didn't reach her eyesHosato ignored the warning
bells going off in the back of his mind.
"Sure, Sasha," he said, forcing a smile"Any particular reason?"
"Nothing specialYou're the newest person on the staff, and I
know the least about youI thought it might give us a chance to get to
know each other better."
"I thought those application forms I filled out were pretty
complete."
Sasha smiled as if at some secret joke"Forms seldom tell the
whole story."
"Well, how about tonight, then?"
"There's no hurryNo one leaves the complex without my
approval."
She turned and followed James before Hosato could reply, which
was fortunate, because he couldn't think of oneHe stared about the
twosome for a few moments, then thoughtfully began to collect his
remote cameras.
"Suspicious bitch!" said Suzi.
Involuntarily Hosato shot a darting glance around the
room"Someone might be listening, you know," he said.
"Sensors detect no human or electronic surveillance," the robot
retorted.
Hosato grimacedHe should know by now the futility of arguing
with his partner.
"Come on, SuziGive me a hand with these cameras."
The robot floated over to him, but would not be distracted from
her observations.
"They're both suspicious, you knowThe security chief and the
boy."
"I know, Suzi."
"Don't underestimate the security chief just because she's a
female."
"If anything, I'm tracking her doubly close because she's a
female, Suzi."
"I thought so!" The robot sniffed haughtily.
Hosato secured the last camera in the storage compartment and
began unfastening his tunicAs he did, the door of the compartment
slid shut, then reopened, exposing an entirely different storage
area.
"I wish you'd use the normal doors when we're on assignment,"
Hosato commented"It's supposed to be a secret that you can rearrange
your internals."
"It is a secret," the robot retorted"I told you, no one's
watching."
Hosato ignored the rebuffHis attention was devoted instead to
the two swords displayed in this compartmentThe dueling epeesNo
matter how often he saw them, whether as a student or after the
maestro had presented them to him, they always gave him a vague
chill.
The swords had been used over the centuries for sixty-three
bloodings and thirty-one killsA total of ninety-four duels—no, make
that ninety-fiveHe had forgotten to include the latest duel, the one
that immediately preceded this contract….
It had all started on Mitchum's planet There were four of them
waiting by the designated rockEven though they were still in sight of
the spaceport, no crowd gathered to watchApparently duels such as
this were not uncommon.
Hosato studied the group as he approached themSuzi floated
silently at his side, her disapproval displayed by the absence of her
traditional comments and observations.
Three of the men were obviously the Scale brothersTheir flashy,
stylish clothes disguised neither the family resemblance nor the
arrogant slouch of habitual bar toughsThey were long-limbed and
broad-shouldered; their build and manner set them apart from the
fourth man, even more than their obvious difference in color.
The fourth man stood slightly apart from the othersHe was bald
and Negroid, his ramrod-stiff posture marking him as militaryHis face
was impassive, but his well-muscled, compact body and poised
readiness were enough to cause anyone to give him wide berthIt was
obvious to the most casual observer that the worn holster of his
blaster had not been purchased used, but had aged the hard way.
The bald man moved forward to meet Hosato"MrMathers?" he asked.
"I am Hayama," said Hosato"I have been retained by MrMathers to
settle this affair."
The bald man swept him with a speculative glance before
replying"I am Moabe, MrHayamaI have been asked to serve as umpire."
Hosato inclined his head slightly in formal acknowledgment.
"HeyAre you one of Mathers' seconds?"
Hosato turned to face the speaker"Might I ask whom I am
addressing?" he queried.
"I'm Harry Scale, the challengerThese are my brothers, Casey
and Tom."
Hosato inclined his head to them"I am Hayama."
One of the brothers, Tom, snorted derisivelyThe other studied
Hosato carefully.
"You didn't answer Brother Harry's question," he commented
quietly.
"I have been retained by MrMathers to settle this affair,"
Hosato replied"He sends his regrets over last night's incident and
states he is ready to make public apology under any condition you
might set forth."
Tom grinned and began making clucking noises like a chicken.
Harry was more to the point"No deal, HayamaHe's not getting off
the hook that easyI challenged him and he accepted, so he's going to
have to fightYou just go back and tell him we'll wait here one more
hourIf he isn't here by then, we'll come and get him."
Hosato smiled"That will not be necessaryAs I said, I have been
instructed by MrMathers to settle the affairIf possible, this was to
be done with an apologyIf not ." He shrugged and let the sentence
hang in the air.
"What do you mean—?" Harry began.
"He's taking Mathers' place," interrupted Casey.
"What?" exploded Tom, finally coming to life"He can't do
thatMathers was challenged, and he's got to be the one to fight."
Hosato looked at the umpire.
"It is not without precedent," Moabe ruled, "for a challenged
party to appoint a champion to fight in his stead."
The brothers bit off their objections and huddled together for
a quick conference.
Hosato smiled to himselfHe found a certain ironic justice in
the situationIf thugs tried to use the format of a duel to cloak a
murder, it was only fitting they find themselves bound by the rules
and traditions governing that form of combatHe caught Moabe's eyeThe
black looked at him impassively for a moment, then slowly closed one
eye in a conspiratorial winkHosato was not the only one present who
appreciated the humor of the situation.
"Okay, Hayama!" Harry calledThe huddle was breaking up"It's
your funeralIf you want to die instead of Mathers, that's your
privilegeWe're willing to settle this with you."
Moabe was suddenly between them, one hand on the butt of his
blaster.
"A duel is individual combat," he said levelly"The seconds are
to serve as witnesses only, and are not to take an active part in the
battle,"
"Hey, Moabe!" Tom protested"Remember, we're the ones who are
paying you."
"That's right," Moabe retorted, "and you're paying me to umpire
this duel, which means I guarantee the rules are strictly followed by
both sides."
"Shut up, Tom!" Casey interrupted"Don't worry, MoabeThis is
Harry's fightHe'd probably shoot us himself if we interfered."
His smile was not convincing.
"Very well, gentlemen," Hosato replied, as if there had been no
interruption"As representative of the challenged party, I believe I
have choice of weaponsI choose epees."
"What?" bellowed Harry.
"Epees," said Moabe"SwordsNot only is it an acceptable dueling
weapon, it is one of the original dueling weapons."
"Go ahead, Harry," called Casey"It's like using a long knife."
"But I don't have a sword," protested Harry.
Hosato was already at Suzi's side, opening one of her many
storage compartments.
"I happen to have a matched set of dueling epees.
MrMoabe, if you would be so good as to inspect them for
acceptability .?"
He passed the weapons to Moabe, who examined them closelyThe
Negro's eyebrows shot up with surprised appreciation before he caught
himself and restored his normal unmoved expression.
"YesThese weapons are acceptable," he ruled"MrScale, as your
opponent has provided the weapons, you have first choice."
He offered both weapons to Harry, who scowled suspiciously,
then made a large show of examining them closely before choosing.
"My client will accept first blood in settling this matter,"
Hosato announced.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tom demanded.
"Duels may be settled by first, second, or third blood," Moabe
informed him"First blood means just that—the duel is ended when blood
is drawn, however trivialSecond blood means the duel will be fought
to the first serious injuryThird blood is a duel to the death, and
the fight will continue until one of the combatants is dead, even if
it means the seconds have to hold a wounded duelist up until the
death blow is struck."
"Oh!" said Tom, properly mollified.
Casey had been studying Hosato suspiciously throughout the
exchange"You seem to know an awful lot about this stuff, Hayama," he
commented.
"This is not my first duel," Hosato admitted.
"Hayama!" Harry exploded in sudden recognition"HeyI've heard of
youYou're a professional duelist!"
Hosato inclined his head in acknowledgmentThere was a pregnant
moment of silence as the brothers exchanged glances.
摘要：
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"ablasteragainstanunarmedhumanprovesnothing,"therobotsaid.WithitsonearmitpickedupafencingepeeandthrewittoHosato,whocaughtiteasily."Youhaveanunbrokenrecordofsuccess,alonglineofdeadmenbehindyou,"themetallicvoicegrated"Thenletthisbeyourlastchallenge:Matchyourmindandabilitiesagainstmine—againstarobot!"B...
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