CHAPTER SIX

“It takes two to speak the truth: one to speak, and another to hear.” Henry David Thoreau PPenelope Spence was delighted to see that Commander Durkin was still on duty and in her office. It had been a while since she had been so roundly dismissed by a mid-level bureaucrat¹ while working on a story. These little gnomes², toiling³ in obscurity safely away from the glare of a spotlight⁴ and scrutiny⁵ could, at their whim⁶, make life either miserable⁷ or simple for the people who wandered into their domain⁸ in search of approval. The Commander frowned when she noticed Penelope standing⁹ near the main entrance as if waiting for someone. Visiting hours were over, and other than a few members of the cleanup crew and a stray offi cer or two, the expansive waiting area was empty. Durkin sighed. She thought she had made her position clear. Commander Durkin was nearly to her feet when the front door opened and two Navy Master Chiefs entered and surveyed the room. “What the…” Before she reached her office door one of the military policemen shouted. “ATTENTION! Admiral on Deck!” Commander Durkin’s heart skipped a beat when Air Force Brigadier General Stanley Gibson, Commander of the Charleston Air Force Base and Rear Admiral Joseph Sanders, Commandant of Naval¹⁰ Weapons Station Charleston strode purposefully through the door. In their wake 44 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin were eight more officers, half Air Force, half Navy, including her CO Captain Fredrick. All were above her pay grade. Everyone in the area immediately snapped to attention and froze in place like statues. Admiral Saunders eyed the room and barked, “At ease.” No one relaxed. Senator Horn and Joan Inman were the last to arrive and huddled¹¹ immediately with the two senior military men and Penelope Spence. Admiral Saunders said something to Captain Fredrick who pointed¹² toward Durkin’s office. All eyes turned toward the Commander. Like a wave they moved in her direction; Durkin had to force herself not to tremble. “Commander Durkin,” Admiral Saunders barked. “Sir.” “Did you tell this woman that Michael Walker is not in the Charleston Consolidated¹³ Brig?” “Yes sir.” “Why?” “His name was not on my list, sir.” The Admiral held out his hand. Durkin, confused and terrifi ed, didn’t move. “Sir?” “Show me the damned list Commander.” “Yes sir.” She turned crisply, returned with a copy of the list and held it out for the Admiral. He snatched it and read it over. “At ease Commander,” Saunders said, handing the list to Senator Horn. “His name is not on it.” “What kind of operation are you running here, Joe?” General Gibson asked, furious that his presence had been requested when this was obviously a Navy screw-up. All eyes turned back to Durkin. “Commander, who omitted Michael Walker’s name from the list?” Before she could answer a voice from across the room said, “Th at would be me.” All heads turned in the direction of the voice but only Rear Admiral Saunders spoke¹⁴. “And who the hell are you?” Before he could answer, Senator Horn said with a crooked¹⁵ smile, “Assistant Director Robert A. Smith, of Homeland Security.” “Senator,” Smith said, with a nod. Senator Horn answered, “Robert. I’m surprised to see you here.” “Not nearly as surprised as I am to see you.” “I can imagine.” “Are we done here?” Admiral Saunders asked. “I’d like to get back to my 45 The Fourth Awakening¹⁶ grandson’s birthday party.” Saunders was still steaming. You could count on one hand the number of people who had the authority to order him to accompany Senator Horn to the brig on short notice on a Saturday afternoon, and most of those would have gotten at least a few questions. When he’d recognized the voice calling, only two words were required on the Admiral’s part. “Yes” and “Sir.” “That depends,” Senator Horn said as he eyed Smith. “Depends on what?” Saunders barked. “On whether or not Director Smith plans to try and stop us from seeing Michael Walker.” The Admiral turned toward the two armed Master Chiefs that had accompanied them. “If that man,” he pointed to Smith, “gives Senator Horn any problems, you are authorized¹⁷ to do whatever is necessary to remove him from this facility.” The two burly enlisted¹⁸ men smiled as they sized up Smith, “Yes, sir.” Joan Inman tapped Senator Horn on the shoulder and handed him a cell phone. “The Secretary of Homeland Security.” Horn smiled as he watched Smith squirm. “Bill. Sorry to bother you on a weekend. I’m at the Charleston Consolidated Brig and I want to chat with Michael Walker.” Horn laughed. “Yes, he is still here. I want to have a part-time reporter, part-time staffer of mine, Penelope Spence, accompany me in for the chat.” Horn laughed again. “Pulitzer Prize winner, actually, but she does have top secret clearance¹⁹ with a variety of codeword riders, and she’s agreed to go off the record…Well, if she found out where he is you can bet the rest of the posse isn’t far behind… Trying to put a lid on a boiling pot only makes it worse, Bill… Right… Th e way I see it you’ve got two choices. You can tell me no, and I spend the rest of my time in office making your life a living hell, or, you can honor my request and we’ll have a nice little off the record chat with Walker to try and see what he’s been up to… No. She already knew he was here. There is no way to suppress that you’ve detained one of the richest men in the world. That’s tomorrow’s front page… Yes, she knows about Hermes too but by name only. No details… I agree… that works for me. Hold on. Penelope, any conversations you’re privileged to here in the brig are off the record until I release you.” Penelope nodded affi rmatively. “You have to say it.” Horn held the phone up to Penelope’s mouth. “This is Penelope 46 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin Drayton Spence. Anything I hear in the brig is off the record, until I get a release from Senator Horn.” Her eyes danced, deciding to push the envelope. “As long as I get fi fteen minutes alone with Michael Walker.” Clayton Horn laughed as he pressed the phone back to his ear. “Yes, she is… I’ll tell her.” Horn passed the phone over to Robert Smith. “Your boss wants to talk to you.” Smith moved away from the group and talked too softly for anyone to hear. “Tell her what?” Penelope asked. “Your fi fteen minutes is also off the record until I release you, and he would like to meet you sometime.” Robert Smith handed the phone back to Horn, who passed it along to his Chief of Staff. “Senator, Ms. Spence, right this way.” After passing through a series of checkpoints and locked doors, Penelope Spence saw Michael Walker in person for the fi rst time through one-way glass. He was dressed in an orange jumpsuit, sitting with his eyes closed and his hands folded and handcuffed together on the tabletop. He looked bigger than she had expected from the photos. His hair was shorter and he had a healthy dark tan. She was startled when he suddenly opened his eyes and appeared to stare straight at her, then at Senator Horn. “Get used to it. He does stuff like that all the time.” Smith held the door open for the senator and Penelope. Horn blocked Smith from entering the room. “We’ll take it from here, Robert,” Horn said. “And turn off all of your recording²⁰ equipment.” “Yes sir.” Horn glared at Walker. When it was clear that no introduction was forthcoming, Penelope said, “I’m Penelope Spence.” Walker didn’t speak, but he studied the woman in front of him carefully. She was younger than him, but not by much, fit and healthy. She had hips²¹ that were slightly broader than would be expected from a woman of her height and weight. Probably the residual²² of bearing three children combined with losing some weight recently. He liked her eyes; pale blue, they were the perfect combination of kind and smart. She had the scent²³ of a recently converted vegetarian²⁴ who occasionally broke down and made a run to the local Hardees for a “Thick Burger.” Her skin tone and texture²⁵ showed she got some sun but not too much, drank plenty of water, and didn’t smoke. So far, she was perfect. 47 The Fourth Awakening Horn pulled a small device out of his pocket that appeared to be a digital recorder and sat it the middle of the table, then pushed the power button. . AAssistant Director Robert Smith was in the control room that adjoined the interrogation room. His instructions had been unambiguous. The Secretary wanted to know what was said in that room. On the multiple screens he had clear views of several different angles of Michael Walker, Senator Horn and Penelope Spence. A variety of video and audio recording devices were capturing every word. Smith watched as the senator placed what appeared at first to be a digital recorder between them. As soon as he hit the record button the entire video monitor array began to flicker²⁶ and distort. The Petty Officer in charge of capturing an audio record of the interview whipped his headphones off and threw them to the floor. Even from six feet away, Smith could hear the crackling and the high pitched buzz. Stating the obvious, the Petty Offi cer said, “That’s not a digital recorder, it’s a jamming device.” “No kidding,” Smith answered. He had underestimated the senator. “Would you like me to go in and remove it, sir?” “That’s a great idea.” The Petty Officer began to rise to his feet. “Sit down,” Smith barked, “and try to filter out the interference.” He knew he couldn’t just waltz in and ask the senator to turn off his jamming device because it was causing him problems recording a conversation he had agreed not to record. . “It’s good to see you again, senator.” Walker’s voice was deep and calm, almost soothing²⁷. “I wish I could say the same, Mr. Walker. I’ve seen enough of you to last a lifetime.” Michael Walker nodded toward the electronic device in the center of the table. “Is that the one I gave you?” “Yes.” “We have a new prototype that’s a bit smaller. I’ll have…” 48 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “Don’t bother.” Horn’s tone was the exact opposite of Walker’s; he was agitated²⁸ and hostile. “Is the rumor²⁹ true?” “Which rumor?” “Don’t be coy with me, Walker. I don’t care who your friends are.” Horn’s face was flushed and the vein³⁰ in his neck was throbbing³¹. “You know exactly what I’m asking. Did. You. Do. It?” “Yes.” Horn slammed his fist on the table. “Damn it!” The senator shot to his feet and began pacing. “You told me you thought it was a decade or more away.” “It likely would have been if we had stuck to Homeland Security’s leisurely³² pace.” Horn began pacing in a tight circle with his hands locked behind his back. “Damn it!” he screamed. In the adjoining room Smith didn’t need a working microphone understand this part of the conversation. “Do you remember your promise?” Walker asked. Senator Horn turned and put his hands on the table and leaned so close to Walker their noses almost touched. “Of course I remember my promise, you manipulative bastard³³. You’ve orchestrated this from the beginning, haven’t you?” Walker had barely moved since they had entered the room. Having another person in his personal space didn’t seem to bother him one bit. His voice was calm; his eyes seldom blinked. “You of all people know this is too big for one person to orchestrate. The wheels are already turning and if we don’t get out in front of this, someone else will.” Horn turned ashen³⁴. “You’re saying the bowls are coming off the shelf and there is nothing we can do?” “Those are your words not mine, Senator.” Horn’s shoulders sagged³⁵ and his breathing was labored³⁶. He braced³⁷ himself on the desk as he muttered a personal prayer. “Senator? Are you all right?” Penelope asked, as she helped steady the elderly statesman. He seemed to be getting older and weaker before her eyes. He waved her away and glared at Walker. “Will you keep your promise, or not?” Walker asked again. Senator Horn returned to pacing and continued whispering a prayer that only he could hear or understand. Penelope had moved beyond being stunned³⁸ by Senator Horn’s outburst to feeling concern for the old 49 The Fourth Awakening man’s health. “Sir, you really need to calm down.” Senator Clayton Horn, facing the one-way mirror, stopped and composed himself. He drew in a deep breath, adjusted his tie and ran his fingers through his thinning hair. He turned and locked eyes with Walker. “Yes. I’ll keep my promise, but you still have to get past Shepherd at Homeland Security. He’ll never agree to it. Never.” “Let me worry about Director Shepherd,” Walker said calmly. “You had better start worrying about me. With you locked up, I’ll tell the truth before you can start telling your lies.” He let the threat dangle³⁹ before turning his focus to Spence. “You don’t want to end your career like this senator,” Walker said gently. “The same confidentiality⁴⁰ rules apply to you that apply to me. Give me a week. With her help…” Again Senator Clayton Horn’s face flushed with anger. “If you think I’m going to let you control the release of this story, you’re out of your mind.” Horn turned his attention back to Spence. “I promised you fi fteen minutes alone with Walker. He’s all yours. At noon tomorrow I’m authorizing⁴¹ you to use anything you have seen or heard for whatever purpose you choose. I’ll have Joan email you an acknowledgement.” Penelope Spence motioned toward Walker. “What about his arrest and detention⁴²?” “You found that out on your own and it is not classifi ed. Homeland Security will try to stop you from reporting about this but they know all they can do is buy themselves a few hours. The genie⁴³ is out of the bottle on this part of it. However, if you attempt to say anything about the Hermes project before I go public tomorrow you could fi nd yourself in a cell next to his.” “But, senator…” Horn cut her off with the wave of his hand. Turning back to Walker, he said, “I’ll pray every night that I never have to see you again.” With that, Senator Clayton Horn turned and stormed out of the room. Through the open door Penelope watched the senator stomp⁴⁴ toward the exit without looking back. Despite the quality of the air-conditioning in the room, Penelope Spence’s mouth was dry and her underclothes were damp. What had Walker done? She had a pretty good idea about the senator’s promise; he was going to withdraw his objection to declassifying⁴⁵ the Hermes Project. 50 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin But, what was the meaning of “the bowls” that nearly sent the senator into cardiac arrest. Her thoughts were broken by the sound of Michael Walker’s voice. “Well played, Ms. Spence. I wasn’t expecting you for a few more days.” “You were expecting me?” “Yes.” “Me, personally?” “Yes.” “Have we ever met?” “I’m sure I would have remembered if we had.” “Before I walked through that door, did you know my name or anything about me?” “Yes. I have a complete dossier on you.” Penelope Spence was becoming more unnerved with each passing moment, but was not quite sure she believed him. Walker read her expression perfectly⁴⁶. “Interesting, you didn’t use the Drayton part of your name when you introduced yourself. I imagine it opens a lot of doors for you in Charleston.” Now Penelope was starting to panic. A man handcuffed to a table in a high security prison, who she had just witnessed reducing one of the most powerful men in the U.S. Senate to Jell-O knew her name and claimed he had been expecting her. This man, who was at the center of a government cover-up and was potentially responsible for the disappearance⁴⁷ of over 30 people, and who was up to his elbows in a covert⁴⁸ research project had a file on her. What had Mark gotten her into? Trying to maintain her composure she placed her hands in her lap so Walker couldn’t see them shaking. “You only have fourteen minutes left, Ms. Spence. I would suggest you start asking your questions. “What just happened with Senator Horn?” “The senator and I had a disagreement.” “That’s putting it mildly. Did the senator promise to support declassifying the Hermes Project if you had the breakthrough?” Michael Walker leaned back in his chair and smiled. “I knew you were the right choice.” Penelope ignored the compliment and plowed⁴⁹ ahead. “Was that what he promised?” Walker nodded his head, “That is exactly what Senator Horn promised.” 51 The Fourth Awakening “So,” Penelope said, as she felt the interview getting some traction⁵⁰. “What was the breakthrough?” “I’m afraid that would take more than your allotted⁵¹ fi fteen minutes to explain, and most of it wouldn’t make any sense to you.” “Fair enough. Why are you under arrest?’ “I’m not. I’m being detained.” “What does that mean?” “Someone considers me a threat to national security.” “Why?” “Probably because of some of the work I’ve been doing.” “What kind of work?” “The Hermes Project.” “I see. But you’ve never been convicted of a crime?” “No.” “Have you ever been charged with a crime?” “I’ve had a few speeding tickets, does that count?” “Not enough to get you handcuffed to this table, unless you were going really fast.” Walker smiled and Penelope’s skin started to crawl again. “How did you know I was coming?” “Because I needed you and I asked you to come.” “You needed me and you asked me to come?” “Yes.” “I don’t remember getting your invitation.” “Apparently you got my request.” “How do you fi gure that?” “A broad smile covered Walker’s face. “You’re here.” Penelope stared at Walker trying to decide if he was serious or just nuts. The smart money was on the latter. “What do you need me to do?” “We need you to write a story about us.” “Who is us?” “The Hermes Project.” “I thought it had been cancelled by the federal government.” “They cancelled their financial support, but the project is ongoing⁵². You already knew that.” “And you’re now personally providing the funding?” “Yes, but you already knew that as well.” “So, what exactly is the Hermes Project?” 52 Rod Pennington & Jeffery A. Martin “You’re not ready to hear that answer yet.” “What?” “I could give you a full and complete answer, but you wouldn’t believe me.” “Try me.” “No, we really don’t have the time now. But I’ll make you a deal. I’ll answer any questions you have for me, with one caveat⁵³. I may not immediately answer a specific question at the moment you ask it if I feel you are not ready for the answer. But I will eventually answer all of your questions.” “Is there a timeframe regarding when you will answer my questions?” “That will depend on you.” “I don’t understand. What does that mean?” “See. There is a perfect example.” “Example of what?” “An example of why I may not be able to answer a question when you ask it. You will not be ready to understand my answer.” Penelope bristled⁵⁴. Who did this man think he was? “Are you saying I’m not bright enough to talk to you?” “Goodness, no. Just the opposite. People with healthy well-developed egos⁵⁵, especially those that are well-read, sometimes are the toughest for me to communicate with. It’s because you are so smart that you will have some difficulty unlearning the things you must let go of before you’ll be able to truly hear what I’m saying.” Penelope studied Walker for a moment. He didn’t appear to be combative⁵⁶ and seemed to be sincere. “What are you saying, then?” “Sometimes it’s harder to show a genius a truth than it is to show it to a fool. A fool won’t have as many preconceived notions that the genius will feel the need to defend. There are things you know, or think you know, that your mind will refuse to release without a struggle. At present, your mind will refuse to allow you to believe many of the things I’m going to tell you. But you should be able to increasingly grasp them soon.” “You be sure to let me know when we reach a subject my mind won’t let me grasp, okay?” “Sure.” Penelope studied Walker. Again, there was no malice⁵⁷ in his comment, as well as no apparent appreciation⁵⁸ for sarcasm⁵⁹. “What was the deal with the bowls?” 53 The Fourth Awakening “Later,” Walker said. “Do you still dance?” Penelope blinked a few times to be sure she hadn’t stumbled into the dayroom of the bi-polar wing at an asylum⁶⁰. Walker seemed to shift seamlessly from rational thought to incomprehensible bouts⁶¹ of gibberish. “Where did that come from?” “I was just curious. I noticed your degree was in journalism⁶² with a minor⁶³ in dance. I thought that was an odd combination. Do you still dance?” Penelope leaned back in her chair and forced herself to close her mouth. She had to say one thing for Walker, he had done his homework. At twenty-one, living a short subway ride from Broadway, for the briefest moment she had considered a career as a dancer. Her better judgment⁶⁴ won out and she stuck with journalism. After college her husband had little interest in, and even less talent on, the dance floor so she seldom got the chance. “Not as much as I would like.” “Too bad. Dancing is good for the soul. In some religions dancing… “ “Let’s see if we can get back on topic. Could you give me an example of something I won’t be ready to believe?” “Sure. You have started to develop skills and knowledge about the power of thought that you do not understand, and instead of accepting the changes you’re finding them unsettling. You may even be frightened of them.” “Frightened?” “Yes. You are starting to see the world and your place in it in an entirely⁶⁵ new light, and it is challenging your logical mind. I could explain what’s happening to you, but you’re not ready to believe me.” Penelope knit her brow as she studied Walker. Not only did he know an awful lot about her, it was almost as if he knew what she was going through. This was silly. It reminded her of the way scam artists hook people. Th row out a few vague observations, then read your reaction. She was not going to fall for it, especially not from a guy handcuffed to a table. “Can you be a bit more specifi c?” “Sure. Odd things are starting to happen around you, and you’re remembering things differently than others who share experiences with you…” “What are you talking about?” Walker smiled. “For me it was peanut M&Ms.”

1 bureaucrat   

n. 官僚作风的人，官僚，官僚政治论者

参考例句：

• He was just another faceless bureaucrat.他只不过是一个典型呆板的官员。
• The economy is still controlled by bureaucrats.经济依然被官僚们所掌控。

2 gnomes   

n.矮子( gnome的名词复数 )；侏儒；（尤指金融市场上搞投机的）银行家；守护神

参考例句：

• I have a wonderful recipe: bring two gnomes, two eggs. 我有一个绝妙的配方：准备两个侏儒，两个鸡蛋。 来自互联网
• Illusions cast by gnomes from a small village have started becoming real. 53侏儒对一个小村庄施放的幻术开始变为真实。 来自互联网

3 toiling   

长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉

参考例句：

• The fiery orator contrasted the idle rich with the toiling working classes. 这位激昂的演说家把无所事事的富人同终日辛劳的工人阶级进行了对比。
• She felt like a beetle toiling in the dust. She was filled with repulsion. 她觉得自己像只甲虫在地里挣扎，心中涌满愤恨。

4 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

5 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

6 whim   

n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想

参考例句：

• I bought the encyclopedia on a whim.我凭一时的兴致买了这本百科全书。
• He had a sudden whim to go sailing today.今天他突然想要去航海。

7 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

8 domain   

n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围

参考例句：

• This information should be in the public domain.这一消息应该为公众所知。
• This question comes into the domain of philosophy.这一问题属于哲学范畴。

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

10 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

11 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

12 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

13 consolidated   

a.联合的

参考例句：

• With this new movie he has consolidated his position as the country's leading director. 他新执导的影片巩固了他作为全国最佳导演的地位。
• Those two banks have consolidated and formed a single large bank. 那两家银行已合并成一家大银行。

14 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

15 crooked   

adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的

参考例句：

• He crooked a finger to tell us to go over to him.他弯了弯手指，示意我们到他那儿去。
• You have to drive slowly on these crooked country roads.在这些弯弯曲曲的乡间小路上你得慢慢开车。

16 awakening   

n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的

参考例句：

• the awakening of interest in the environment 对环境产生的兴趣
• People are gradually awakening to their rights. 人们正逐渐意识到自己的权利。

17 authorized   

a.委任的，许可的

参考例句：

• An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。

18 enlisted   

adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持）

参考例句：

• enlisted men and women 男兵和女兵
• He enlisted with the air force to fight against the enemy. 他应募加入空军对敌作战。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

19 clearance   

n.净空；许可(证)；清算；清除，清理

参考例句：

• There was a clearance of only ten centimetres between the two walls.两堵墙之间只有十厘米的空隙。
• The ship sailed as soon as it got clearance. 那艘船一办好离港手续立刻启航了。

20 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

21 hips   

abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的

参考例句：

• She stood with her hands on her hips. 她双手叉腰站着。
• They wiggled their hips to the sound of pop music. 他们随着流行音乐的声音摇晃着臀部。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 residual   

adj.复播复映追加时间；存留下来的，剩余的

参考例句：

• There are still a few residual problems with the computer program.电脑程序还有一些残留问题。
• The resulting residual chromatism is known as secondary spectrum.所得到的剩余色差叫做二次光谱。

23 scent   

n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉

参考例句：

• The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
• The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。

24 vegetarian   

n.素食者；adj.素食的

参考例句：

• She got used gradually to the vegetarian diet.她逐渐习惯吃素食。
• I didn't realize you were a vegetarian.我不知道你是个素食者。

25 texture   

n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理

参考例句：

• We could feel the smooth texture of silk.我们能感觉出丝绸的光滑质地。
• Her skin has a fine texture.她的皮肤细腻。

26 flicker   

vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现

参考例句：

• There was a flicker of lights coming from the abandoned house.这所废弃的房屋中有灯光闪烁。
• At first,the flame may be a small flicker,barely shining.开始时，光辉可能是微弱地忽隐忽现，几乎并不灿烂。

27 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

28 agitated   

adj.被鼓动的，不安的

参考例句：

• His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定，回答全乱了。
• She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时，她十分焦虑。

29 rumor   

n.谣言，谣传，传说

参考例句：

• The rumor has been traced back to a bad man.那谣言经追查是个坏人造的。
• The rumor has taken air.谣言流传开了。

30 vein   

n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络

参考例句：

• The girl is not in the vein for singing today.那女孩今天没有心情唱歌。
• The doctor injects glucose into the patient's vein.医生把葡萄糖注射入病人的静脉。

31 throbbing   

a. 跳动的,悸动的

参考例句：

• My heart is throbbing and I'm shaking. 我的心在猛烈跳动，身子在不住颤抖。
• There was a throbbing in her temples. 她的太阳穴直跳。

32 leisurely   

adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的

参考例句：

• We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着，看遍所有的橱窗。
• He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐，高兴的开车去工作。

33 bastard   

n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子

参考例句：

• He was never concerned about being born a bastard.他从不介意自己是私生子。
• There was supposed to be no way to get at the bastard.据说没有办法买通那个混蛋。

34 ashen   

adj.灰的

参考例句：

• His face was ashen and wet with sweat.他面如土色，汗如雨下。
• Her ashen face showed how much the news had shocked her.她灰白的脸显示出那消息使她多么震惊。

35 sagged   

下垂的

参考例句：

• The black reticule sagged under the weight of shapeless objects. 黑色的拎包由于装了各种形状的东西而中间下陷。
• He sagged wearily back in his chair. 他疲倦地瘫坐到椅子上。

36 labored   

adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转

参考例句：

• I was close enough to the elk to hear its labored breathing. 我离那头麋鹿非常近，能听见它吃力的呼吸声。 来自辞典例句
• They have labored to complete the job. 他们努力完成这一工作。 来自辞典例句

37 braced   

adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来

参考例句：

• They braced up the old house with balks of timber. 他们用梁木加固旧房子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The house has a wooden frame which is braced with brick. 这幢房子是木结构的砖瓦房。 来自《简明英汉词典》

38 stunned   

adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• The fall stunned me for a moment. 那一下摔得我昏迷了片刻。
• The leaders of the Kopper Company were then stunned speechless. 科伯公司的领导们当时被惊得目瞪口呆。

39 dangle   

v.(使)悬荡，(使)悬垂

参考例句：

• At Christmas,we dangle colored lights around the room.圣诞节时，我们在房间里挂上彩灯。
• He sits on the edge of the table and dangles his legs.他坐在桌子边上，摆动著双腿。

40 confidentiality   

n.秘而不宣，保密

参考例句：

• They signed a confidentiality agreement. 他们签署了一份保守机密的协议。
• Cryptography is the foundation of supporting authentication, integrality and confidentiality. 而密码学是支持认证、完整性和机密性机制的基础。

41 authorizing   

授权，批准，委托( authorize的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Letters of Marque: Take letters from a warning friendly power authorizing privateering. 私掠许可证：从某一个国家获得合法抢劫的证书。
• Formal phavee completion does not include authorizing the subsequent phavee. 阶段的正式完成不包括核准随后的阶段。

42 detention   

n.滞留，停留；拘留，扣留；(教育)留下

参考例句：

• He was kept in detention by the police.他被警察扣留了。
• He was in detention in connection with the bribery affair.他因与贿赂事件有牵连而被拘留了。

43 genie   

n.妖怪，神怪

参考例句：

• Now the genie of his darkest and weakest side was speaking.他心灵中最阴暗最软弱的部分有一个精灵在说话。
• He had to turn to the Genie of the Ring for help.他不得不向戒指神求助。

44 stomp   

v.跺（脚），重踩，重踏

参考例句：

• 3.And you go to france, and you go to stomp! 你去法国，你去看跺脚舞！
• 4.How hard did she stomp? 她跺得有多狠？

45 declassifying   

v.对（机密文件等）销密( declassify的现在分词 )

参考例句：

46 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。

47 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

48 covert   

adj.隐藏的；暗地里的

参考例句：

• We should learn to fight with enemy in an overt and covert way.我们应学会同敌人做公开和隐蔽的斗争。
• The army carried out covert surveillance of the building for several months.军队对这座建筑物进行了数月的秘密监视。

49 plowed   

v.耕( plow的过去式和过去分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过

参考例句：

• They plowed nearly 100,000 acres of virgin moorland. 他们犁了将近10万英亩未开垦的高沼地。 来自辞典例句
• He plowed the land and then sowed the seeds. 他先翻土，然后播种。 来自辞典例句

50 traction   

n.牵引；附着摩擦力

参考例句：

• I'll show you how the traction is applied.我会让你看如何做这种牵引。
• She's injured her back and is in traction for a month.她背部受伤，正在作一个月的牵引治疗。

51 allotted   

分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I completed the test within the time allotted . 我在限定的时间内完成了试验。
• Each passenger slept on the berth allotted to him. 每个旅客都睡在分配给他的铺位上。

52 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

53 caveat   

n.警告； 防止误解的说明

参考例句：

• I would offer a caveat for those who want to join me in the dual calling.为防止发生误解，我想对那些想要步我后尘的人提出警告。
• As I have written before,that's quite a caveat.正如我以前所写，那确实是个警告。

54 bristled   

adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• They bristled at his denigrating description of their activities. 听到他在污蔑他们的活动，他们都怒发冲冠。
• All of us bristled at the lawyer's speech insulting our forefathers. 听到那个律师在讲演中污蔑我们的祖先，大家都气得怒发冲冠。

55 egos   

自我，自尊，自负( ego的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Their egos are so easily bruised. 他们的自尊心很容易受到伤害。
• The belief in it issues from the puerile egos of inferior men. 这种信仰是下等人幼稚的自私意识中产生的。

56 combative   

adj.好战的；好斗的

参考例句：

• Mr. Obama has recently adopted a more combative tone.奥巴马总统近来采取了一种更有战斗性的语调。
• She believes that women are at least as combative as are.她相信女性至少和男性一样好斗。

57 malice   

n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋

参考例句：

• I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
• There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。

58 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

59 sarcasm   

n.讥讽，讽刺，嘲弄，反话 （adj.sarcastic）

参考例句：

• His sarcasm hurt her feelings.他的讽刺伤害了她的感情。
• She was given to using bitter sarcasm.她惯于用尖酸刻薄语言挖苦人。

60 asylum   

n.避难所，庇护所，避难

参考例句：

• The people ask for political asylum.人们请求政治避难。
• Having sought asylum in the West for many years,they were eventually granted it.他们最终获得了在西方寻求多年的避难权。

61 bouts   

n.拳击（或摔跤）比赛( bout的名词复数 )；一段（工作）；（尤指坏事的）一通；（疾病的）发作

参考例句：

• For much of his life he suffered from recurrent bouts of depression. 他的大半辈子反复发作抑郁症。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• It was one of fistiana's most famous championship bouts. 这是拳击界最有名的冠军赛之一。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

62 journalism   

n.新闻工作，报业

参考例句：

• He's a teacher but he does some journalism on the side.他是教师，可还兼职做一些新闻工作。
• He had an aptitude for journalism.他有从事新闻工作的才能。

63 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

64 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

65 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。