Chapter 12 Enough of Chapter Eleven

Jizheng's home is a two-storey building on the outskirts of a large windowless cube that dominates the city center.Marlow passed one building after another through the underpass, and finally smelled the ozone in the quiet of the power plant. For fifteen minutes Marlowe followed the guide without saying a word; nothing was overlooked or touched. Finally, Jizheng lowered his voice and said, "Have you seen enough? I can't trust my subordinates in this kind of thing." "When did you trust again?" Marlowe mocked. "I've seen enough." After returning to the office, Marlow thought, "Are you in charge of all the generators?"

"Every one is." Ji Zheng was proud. "You make them work?" "That's right." "What if it breaks?" Jizheng shook his head angrily: "It won't break, never will. These machines are made to be used for a long time." "Forever is a long time. Let's say—" "It's terribly unscientific to assume something that doesn't make sense." "Okay. Suppose I shoot and smash an important part? Guess these machines can't stop a nuclear weapon. Suppose I melt an important joint, or shatter a quartz tube?"

"Hmph, then," Jizheng roared angrily, "you're going to die!" "Yeah, I know." Marlowe snapped back. "But what about the generator? Can you fix it?" "Sir," Jizheng growled, "We're even, you got what you want. Get the hell out of here now! I don't owe you anything!" Marlowe bowed sarcastically, and turned away. Two days later, he arrived at the place where the Far Star was waiting, and went back to Polar Star together. The same two days later, Jizheng's shield was finished, no matter how much he cursed and distressed, it didn't light up again.