FLIGHTMAN CRISSOM POWL --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vail lowered her clari-pad and glanced across at Crissom.
He was wholly self-absorbed, progressing through the stages of
his game. From time to time he pressed a button on the puzz-player.
Small creases came and went on his brows, as successive logical
calculations passed through his mind.
Such an antiseptic person, she thought to herself. It was impossible
to think of Crissom ever weeping or losing his temper or doing
anything outrageous. So polite and quiet, so perfectly correct
and proper . . .
She waited until he had finished his game. He gave only the tiniest
nod of satisfaction as he pressed the final button and confirmed
his solution. Vail spoke up before he could start another game.
'Crissom, can you explain to me about the power structure in
the Kennel?'
Crissom looked up coolly. 'What about it?'
'The Max doesn't seem very secure in his position as Top Dog.'
'It's not a position. He's only on top as long as he can keep
the others under.' Crissom smiled faintly. 'There's no laws in
this place. No system of government.'
'I think the others are starting to turn against him. I overheard
him talking to the Hench. The Curs are ganging up and forming
groups.'
'If they turn against him, they'll turn completely. They all
hate his guts.'
'Except the Body and the Hench.'
'No, the Body hates him too. And the Hench will follow anyone
who gives orders. The Hench is on the side of whoever becomes
Top Dog.'
'Hmm.' Vail frowned, considering the implications for her own
situation.
'You'd be amazed, the things he does to them.' Crissom leaned
forward and gestured with his hands. 'A few days before you came
out of cryo-sleep, he kicked the Boy to the ground and urinated
over his face. Just because he felt like it. Right into his mouth
and nostrils. I saw him do it.'
The corners of Crissom's mouth were turned down in an expression
of revulsion, but there was an eagerness in the telling that Vail
found distasteful. He's trying to shock me, she thought. He wants
to see me flinch.
