Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction
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my words sounded awkward <strong>and</strong> unconvincing, even to me.<br />
"This is very interesting, Mr. Olmstead, but I do not think you will<br />
succeed," he said finally in his formal, heavily accented English.<br />
"With your support I can. I need everyone on <strong>the</strong> station."<br />
"To <strong>the</strong> contrary," he pointed out. "You do not need me. I cannot<br />
carry out an execution without a legal witness."<br />
"We all have to st<strong>and</strong> toge<strong>the</strong>r," I said desperately, aware that we<br />
treated Kahlifa like an outcast. He didn't owe us anything. "Look," I<br />
tried, "This is an injustice. Surely you don't want to see an innocent<br />
man die."<br />
He shrugged.<br />
"Inshallah. God is just. If He wills, <strong>the</strong> boy will not die."<br />
"So it's not our problem?!" I glared at him with open fury, but he<br />
just shrugged again.<br />
"I'm sure <strong>the</strong> consortium appreciates your loyalty," I told him<br />
bitterly, <strong>and</strong> started to get up.<br />
"Mr. Olmstead, have you talked to Pajit?"<br />
I stopped, suddenly speechless. Hell, I hadn't even thought about<br />
it. And right now that kid was waiting to face his second execution.<br />
Shit.<br />
"I will," I managed finally. I tried to think of something more to<br />
say but couldn't.<br />
Kahlifa had turned his attention back to <strong>the</strong> chess game, <strong>and</strong> he<br />
added in a mild, almost absent tone:<br />
"I wonder who are you doing this for? A boy you do not know?<br />
Or yourself?"<br />
I felt a sudden violent urge to hit him, <strong>and</strong> just barely held my self<br />
control.<br />
"I'm not <strong>the</strong> one who's going to die!" I snapped, <strong>and</strong> strode out<br />
into <strong>the</strong> corridor, where I stood leaning against <strong>the</strong> bulkhead, shaking.<br />
Jesus, I'd fucked that up. I'd said all <strong>the</strong> wrong things <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>n<br />
nearly assaulted ano<strong>the</strong>r crew member. If I had, Geir would ship me<br />
down on <strong>the</strong> next shuttle.<br />
And maybe he should, maybe I was cracking up. I'd seen guys<br />
come apart in <strong>the</strong> station before. Despite all <strong>the</strong> screenings, <strong>the</strong>re's<br />
always a few who can't take it. But this was my fifth tour. I should be<br />
fine. I just needed more sleep. Adjusting to <strong>the</strong> station always takes a<br />
week or two. Then I'd be OK<br />
I took lots of long deep breaths, <strong>the</strong>n straightened up <strong>and</strong> headed<br />
for Solitary on Level 2, my stomach churning queasily with guilt.<br />
Kahlifa had been right, damn him. I had to talk to <strong>the</strong> kid.<br />
At close range Pajit was a skinny mongrel, all eyes <strong>and</strong> elbows<br />
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