Elijah Belle had just reached the desk when he realized R. Sammy was looking at him, as if waiting for him. Immediately, the stern lines on Bailey's long face stiffened. "What's the matter with you?" he asked. "The chief is looking for you, Ilya. Immediately. As soon as you come." "Got it." R. Sammy remained standing there with no expression on his face. "I said I knew," said Bailey. "Go away!" R. Sammy made an awkward back turn and went on with his work.Being a little annoyed by this guy, he couldn't understand why R. Sammy had to do the work instead of someone else.

He looked at the tobacco pouch, thinking.If you smoke two pipes a day, these tobacco leaves can barely last until the next day of smoking.Putting away the tobacco leaves, Bailey walked out of his cubicle and across the large office. (He was promoted two years ago to qualify for a railed corner of his own in the large office.) "The boss is looking for you, Elijah." Simpson, who was looking at the files, raised his head and said to him. "I see. R. Sammy told me." In front of Simpson was a small mercury database, inside the gleaming column of mercury was stored a memory shaped like an amplitude.Now the database is studying and analyzing these memories, and then extracting the information that Simpson wants.The information is coded on the code tape, and rolled out from the mouth of the mercury database.

"If it wasn't for fear of hurting my leg, I'd really like to give that R. Sammy a good kick." Simpson said, "By the way, I ran into Barrett the other day." "Oh?" "He'd love to come back and do his job, or anything in the Bureau. The poor boy is in such a hurry, but what can I tell him? R. Sammy has taken his place." , I can’t help it. Now, the kid has to go to work at the transfer station of the yeast farm. Alas! Such a clever kid, everyone likes him..." Bailey shrugged his shoulders, spread his hands, and said coldly: "Sooner or later we will be like him." What he said was a bit exaggerated, but in fact he was not so worried.

The director has a high rank and has his own exclusive office."Juliel Enderby" was engraved on the frosted glass of the office.Nice font, exquisite engraving.There is also a title under the name---New York City Police Commissioner. Bailey walked in. "Director, are you looking for me?" Julier raised his head.He wears glasses because his sensitive eyes don't fit regular contact lenses. You have to get used to his glasses before you notice his face, because his features are so inconspicuous.Bailey has always believed that the reason why Juliel cherishes his glasses so much is actually because the glasses can make him look individual, and he even suspects that Juliel's eyes are not so sensitive at all.

Julier looked tense.He pulled his cuffs and leaned back. "Sit, Ilya, sit!" The tone was too affectionate. Bailey sat down awkwardly and waited. "How's Jessie? How about the kids? Are they all right?" Julie asked. "It's okay." Bailey said perfunctorily: "It's not bad. How about you? How is everything at home?" "It's okay." Julier replied in the same way: "It's not bad." Isn't this kind of opening statement too hypocritical? There seems to be something wrong with Juliell's face, Bailey thought. "Director," he changed the subject, "I hope you don't let R. Sammy approach me."

"Well, you know how I feel about such things, Ilya. But he's been sent here, and I must give him something to do." "I'm really sick, Chief. He told me you'd look for me, and just stood there. You know what I mean. I had to tell him to go away, or he'd just be standing there. " "It's all my fault, Elijah. I told him to deliver the message, but I forgot to tell him to go back to his work after delivering the message." Bailey sighed, and the fine lines around the brown eyes deepened. "Anyway, you want to find me." "That's right." Julier said, "Besides, what I'm going to talk to you about is very important." As he spoke, Julier stood up, turned and walked to the wall.He pressed a hidden button, and in an instant, part of the wall became transparent.

Gray light flooded the room suddenly, and Bale blinked. Zhuliel smiled slightly: "Ilya, I specially installed this last year. I haven't shown it to you before, have you? Come and have a look. In the past, all rooms had this kind of thing. They called it 'window', you listen pass?" Bailey had read a lot of historical novels, so of course he knew the stuff. "I've heard of it," he said. "Come, come and have a look." Bailey hesitated a little, but walked over anyway.It is always inappropriate to expose the privacy of the interior to the outside world.Sometimes, Juliel's longing for medievalism seems to be a little too much, too much and a little silly.

Like the glasses he was wearing, Bailey thought. By the way, glasses!He always thought Julier looked weird because of these glasses! "I'm sorry, Director," Bailey asked, "are you wearing new glasses?" Juliel looked at him in surprise and took off the glasses.He looked at his glasses, then at Bailey. Without the glasses, Julie's face looks rounder, but the line of his jaw is also slightly clearer.Due to the inability to focus his eyes, Julier's expression was blank. "Yes, new glasses." He said, putting the glasses back on the bridge of his nose. "Three days ago, I broke the original pair of glasses." Julier became more and more angry, "I waited until this morning to get them." These new glasses. Ilya, I've had a rough three days!"

"It's all because of the glasses?" "There are other things, I will tell you later." Julier turned to face the window, and so did Bailey.Bailey was slightly surprised when he found that it was raining outside. For a moment he stared at the rain falling from the sky.On the other hand, Julier looked very proud, as if he had arranged this scene by himself. "This is the third time I've seen rain this month. Isn't it spectacular?" Although Bailey didn't want to, he had to admit that the sight was amazing.Having lived to be forty-two years old, he rarely sees rain, let alone other natural phenomena.

"It always seems like a waste to have that rainwater fall into the city," Bailey said. "It should go to the reservoir." "Ilya," said Juriel, "you are a modern man, and that is your problem. In the Middle Ages, life was open and connected to nature. I'm not just talking about farms, Even cities, even New York. At that time, they didn't think this kind of rainwater was a waste, but they were happy about it. Their life was very close to nature, and that kind of life was healthier and better. Modern life The disadvantage is that you are cut off from the natural world. When you have time, I suggest you read the book about the coal century."

Bailey has seen it.He also heard many modern people complain about the invention of the atomic furnace.Whenever things don't go his way, or when he's tired of life, he himself complains about the invention of the atomic furnace.This is human nature.People in the coal century complained about the steam engine, people in Shakespeare's plays complained about gunpowder, and in the next thousand years people will complain about the positronic brain. fuck him! "Hi, Julier." Bailey said in an emphatic tone. (In the Bureau, although Julier often called him "Ilya" in a friendly tone, he was still used to calling him "Director" and was not used to being too close to him. However, the situation at this time seemed a bit special, and he also Don’t insist anymore.) "Juliel, you always talk about other things, but you don’t talk about what you did to me. I’m really worried. What’s the matter?" "I'll talk about it, Ilya." Julier replied, "I have my own way. This case... is in big trouble." "Of course, there is no trouble on this planet? Is it the trouble of the R character again?" "In a way, yes. Oh! I don't know how much more trouble this old world can take. When I put this window in, I didn't mean it just to have some glimpse of the sky outside. I wanted to It’s the whole city. I look at it and wonder what it’s going to be like in the next century.” Bailey always hated sentimental talk, but now he found that instead of feeling disgusted, he even stared out of the window for a long time.In the rain, although the city looks dark, it still can't hide its majestic landscape.The New York City Government Building towers into the sky, and the police station is located on the upper floor of the City Hall Building, as if countless fingers stretched upwards and groped.The walls of these houses are all flat and airtight.They are the shell of the human hive. "It's raining outside, it's a pity." Julier said, "We can't see the space city." Bailey looked to the west, and sure enough, as Julier said, he couldn't see anything.The horizon disappears, New York City is looming, and the distance is white. "I know what a space city looks like," Bailey said. "I love the view from here," Julier said. "If it doesn't rain, you can see it in the gap between the two Brunswick districts. Those low domes spread out- --This is what makes us different from outsiders. We are extended to the heights, just squeezed together. What about them? Every family has a dome. A house: a family. And each dome There is still space between the roofs. By the way, Elijah, have you ever talked to people from outside the world? " "Several times. About a month ago, when I was with you, I spoke to an outsider through the intercom," Bailey replied patiently. "Yes, I remember this incident. Now, I sometimes think about these problems. We live differently from them." Bailey's stomach started to twitch a little.He thought that the more obliquely Juliel talked about formalities, the more fatal the consequences might be. "Okay." Bailey said, "but what's so strange about it? Do you have a way to make the eight billion people on the earth live separately in small igloos? Those outsiders, on their own planet It's more about space, how they like to live is their business." Julier returned to his seat and sat down.He looked at Bale without blinking, the eyeballs appearing smaller under the concave lenses. "Cultural differences aren't acceptable to everyone," he said. "Whether it's us or them." "Well, so what?" "Three days ago, a person from the outside world died." It started, and the business came.Bai Lai's thin lips moved slightly, and the corners of his lips raised, but the serious lines on his face did not soften a bit. "That's unfortunate," he said. "Hopefully it's an infection. A bacterial infection. A cold, maybe." "What are you talking about?" Julier's expression was very surprised. Bailey didn't bother to explain.It is well known that the Outworlders have taken strict and sophisticated measures to eradicate all bacterial diseases from their communities.They do everything possible not to contact the earthlings with germs on their bodies.Unfortunately, Bailey thinks Julier didn't catch his sarcasm. "It's nothing, I'm just talking casually." Bailey turned to face the window, "How did he die?" "He died because of the loss of his chest." Julier spoke ironically, obviously Bailey made a mistake in his judgment. "Someone blasted him to death." Bailey's back tightened, but he didn't turn around. "What did you say?" "Murder." Julier whispered: "You are a plainclothes criminal, you know what murder is." "But, an outsider!" Bailey turned around. "You said three days ago?" "right." "Who did it? How?" "People from outside the world say that people from Earth did it." "impossible!" "Why is it impossible? You don't like outsiders, I don't like outsiders, how many people on Earth like outsiders? It's just that one guy doesn't like them too much." "Yes, but" "There was a fire in the factory district of Los Angeles, there was an incident of destroying R characters in Berlin, and there was a riot in Shanghai." "good." "It all shows that dissatisfaction is rising. Perhaps, it has evolved to the point where some kind of organization is formed." "I don't understand you, Chief," said Bailey. "Are you testing me for some reason?" "What?" Julier's expression didn't seem to be faked. Bailey stared at him: "Three days ago, an outsider was murdered, and the outsider thought it was appropriate for an Earthling to do it." He tapped the table, "So far, everything is in vain. Isn't it, Commissioner? It's unbelievable, and if that's the case, New York is doomed." Julier shook his head: "It's not that simple. Elijah, you know, I've been away for the past three days. I've had a meeting with the mayor, I've been to Space City, and I've also been to Washington to talk to people from the Earth Survey Bureau gone." "Oh? What did the people from the Earth Survey Bureau say?" "They said, this is our business. This case happened in New York City, and Space City is under the jurisdiction of New York." "But Space City has extraterritoriality." "I know. I'll get to that in a minute." Under Bailey's firm gaze, Julier's eyes wandered.He seemed to have unconsciously forgotten that he was Bailey's boss, and Bailey seemed to have forgotten that he was a subordinate. "Outsiders can handle the case themselves," Bailey said. "Don't worry, Ilya," Zhuliel begged in a low voice, "don't force me. I want to discuss this matter with you as a friend. I hope you understand my situation. Do you know? When I go out, I'm there. I had an appointment with him, Roach Nimana Sutton. " "victim?" "Yes, the victim." Julier sighed. "Just five minutes late and I was the one who found the body. How shocking do you think it would be? The circumstances of the murder were brutal... brutal... They met me and told me what happened, and so, Ilya, this long The three-day nightmare began. In addition, I have not had time to get glasses for the past few days, and I am at a loss when I see everything... Fortunately, the problem with glasses has been resolved, and I got three pairs." Bailey depicted in his mind all that Julier had experienced.He seemed to have really seen those tall and straight people from the outside world, and told Julier in a straightforward way with a deadpan face.Juliell would take off his glasses to clean them. However, due to excessive shock, he would definitely drop his glasses by mistake.Then, he would look at the broken glasses and tremble slightly with his soft and plump lips.Baley was pretty sure that for the next five minutes, the breaking of glasses would be more disturbing to Julier than the murder of an Outerworlder. "It's really bad." Julier continued. "This situation, as you said, the outsiders have extraterritorial rights. They can insist on investigating themselves, and then report to their own government as they like. .Then those outside worlds can use this as an excuse to sue us for compensation. You know how much damage that would do to the planet." "If the White House agrees to compensation, it will be tantamount to self-destructing its political future." "Can you keep your political future without compensation?" "You don't need to analyze so much with me," Bailey replied.He had seen such horrors as a child.Those shiny extraterrestrial spaceships sent troops into Washington, New York, and Moscow to plunder at will, and the earth was not so much compensation as it was slaughtered. "Then, you understand. Whether you pay compensation or not, this matter is very troublesome. The only solution is to find the murderer ourselves and hand it over to people from outside the world. Whether it is a blessing or a curse, it all depends on us. " "Why not hand over this case to the Earth Survey Bureau? Even though from a legal point of view, this case falls under our jurisdiction, but it also involves interstellar relations" "They refused to touch it. This case is a hot potato, and it happened in our jurisdiction." Julier raised his head and looked at his subordinates with sharp eyes. "Honestly, Elijah, it's a very bad thing. We could all lose our jobs." "Replace us all?" Bailey frowned. "Impossible! There is no trained person who can replace us." "Yes." Julier said, "A character with the R name." "what?" "R. Sammy's just the beginning. He's running errands, and the other R's can be patrolling the highway. Dude, I know more fucking people than you do, I know what they're up to Famous. That’s right, people with the R name can replace us. Don’t doubt, we may lose our class. Think about it, when we are your age and then work as laborers..." "Enough." Bailey showed displeasure. Julia looked a little embarrassed. "Sorry, Ilya." Bailey didn't want to think, but he had to think of his father.Of course, Julier knew about this past. "So," Bailey said, "when did this substitution start?" "Oh, you're so naive, Ilya." Julier said, "It's been going on for twenty-five years since the arrival of the outsiders. Now it's just beginning to extend to the higher levels. Wanna?" As soon as we mess up the case, don't expect to receive pension ration coupons. On the contrary, Ilya, if we do a good job, then our seniority can be extended a lot. Besides, it is more important for you A great opportunity to get ahead." "I?" "You run the case." "I'm afraid I'm not qualified, Commissioner. I'm only a C-5 detective." "Don't you want to go up to C-6?" Does he want to?Bailey knew the privileges of a C-6. The commuting time for Level C is from 10 am to 4 pm. There are seats on the highway, and you can choose the menu at the area restaurant. Even, you have the opportunity to be assigned to a better apartment, or to get Jessie. One quota ticket for a natural sunroom. "I think," he said, "why wouldn't I? Of course I would! But what happens to me if I screw up the case?" "How could you screw it up, Ilya?" Julier tried his best to flatter him: "You are a master. You are one of the masters in the game!" "There are a group of people in my team with higher positions than me, why don't you consider using them?" Although Bailey didn't say it explicitly, he already strongly hinted to Julier that unless the situation is urgent, why should he ignore officialdom ethics? Julier folded his hands. "Two reasons. To me, you are more than just a detective, Ilya, we are still friends. I haven't forgotten that you are my junior. Sometimes I seem to have forgotten it, but That's because of the misunderstanding caused by our different ranks. Officially, I'm the director, and you know what that means. But from a personal standpoint, you are my friend. This case is for a capable person Say great opportunity, I want you to have this opportunity." "Another reason?" Bailey asked with a ungrateful look. "Another reason is that I consider you my friend and I need your help." "What help?" "When handling this case, you have to accept an outsider as a partner. This is the condition put forward by the outsider. They have agreed not to report this murder case for the time being, and let us conduct investigation first. The condition is that they There must be a special commissioner to participate in handling the case and participate in the whole process. They are very persistent." "That said, they don't seem to trust us." "You know, they have their position. If something goes wrong, they can't answer to their own government. Ilya, put yourself in their shoes, and I'd like to believe they have good intentions." "I believe it too, Director, but that's where their problem lies." Julier obviously didn't listen to this sentence, and he continued: "So, are you willing to cooperate with people from the outside world, Ilya?" "Are you asking for my help?" "Yes, I beg you to accept this task under all the conditions proposed by the people from the outside world." "Okay, Director, I can cooperate with people from outside the world." "Thanks, Ilya! But he must live with you." "Hey, wait, what did you say?" "I know, I know, I know all about how you feel. But you have a big apartment, Ilya, and you have three rooms in your house, and you have only one child. You can accommodate him. He'll be no trouble, a little No trouble. Besides, it's their condition." "Jessie won't be happy." "You tell Jessie." Julier's expression was very serious, extremely serious: "If you do me this favor, after the case is over, I will try my best to give you two consecutive promotions. C-level seven, Yili Ya, C grade seven." "Okay, Director, it's a deal." Bailey said, and was about to stand up, but he found that Julier seemed to be hesitant to speak, so he sat down again. "Anything else?" he asked. Julier nodded slowly. "there's one more thing." "what?" "Your partner's name." "What's the big deal?" "People from outside the world do things," Julier said slowly, "they have their own unique way. The guy they sent here is not...not..." Bailey opened his eyes wide: "Slow down!" "We must accept, Ilya, we must accept. There is no other way." "Live in my house? Let that kind of thing live in my house?" "Please, for the sake of good friends" "No! Impossible!" "Ilya, listen to me, I can't trust anyone in this matter except you. Do I have to explain to you? We must cooperate with the people of the outer world, and we must succeed in order to prevent the spaceship from the outer world from landing on the earth. Come to claim compensation. To succeed, we must not act rashly, we must pay attention to skill. You must work with their R character, otherwise, if you let him solve the case, if you let him report to the outside world that we are incompetent , then we are all over! The whole NYPD is over! Do you see this? So you have to be very careful, you have to cooperate with him on the surface, but you can't let him solve the case, but you have to solve the case yourself, understood?" "You mean, you want me to do one thing on the surface and another in the dark? You want me to have evil intentions and hide a knife in my smile?" "What else can we do? There is no other way." Bailey stood hesitantly. "I really don't know what Jessie will say." "If you want me to talk to her, I can talk to her." "No need, Chief." Bailey sighed. "What's my partner's name?" "R Daniel Oliva." Bailey said with a wry smile, "Why are you still being so tactful at this time? Anyway, I have already taken the job, so let's use his full name, robot, Daniel Oliva "