"Babylon 5 - The Nautilus Coil - J Gregory Keyes (txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Babylon 5)

The Nautilus Coil, by J. Gregory Keyes

"I've had just about enough of this," Michael Garibaldi said to the man with
the gun.

"If you just wait quietly," the man said, adjusting his aim on Garibaldi's
heart, "someone will be with you in a moment." With his free hand, he pushed
aside a long lock of black hair that threatened to obscure his vision.
Garibaldi almost jumped him then. In his black duster and caudric shirt, the
fellow didn't look like someone who knew how to use a PPG all that well.
Still, at this range anyone could get lucky.

"In a moment," Garibaldi grunted. "I've been here for a whole lot of moments
already pal, and like I said, I've about had it. You wanna read my mind?
Please, be my guest. You won't like what you find."

"We don't scan without permission," the telepath said, with a slight smirk
that called him a liar.

"You were one of Byron's litter, right? You look like one of 'em. As
attached to the colour black as the Psi Corps ever was, I guess the
upbringing always shows, huh? But since you were on B5 back when, you know
who I am. And you know it's not whoever told you to stand your little tin
butt here that foots your bills. It's {/me/} that keeps you in PPG's, pork
and beans, and hair conditioner for your oh-so-long-and-shiny hair."

"I know who you are, Mr. Garibaldi," the telepath said. "The whole movement
is grateful for your support, but as an ex-military man you understand I have
my orders."

"Ex is the important part there. Never did care for the uniform -- or taking
orders. Come to think of it, neither did your Saint Byron."

The smirk rotated into a frown, but the fellow didn't say anything.

"Look," Garibaldi said. "I just want to talk to whoever's in charge, and I
want to talk to them now. I'm expected."

"Will I do?"

A faint shiver ran up Garibaldi's neck at that familiar voice. Nevertheless,
he turned to address the speaker, a slim, redheaded woman with eyes like
chips of interstellar carbon.

"Lyta, tell this toy soldier he has about four seconds to get his yap out of
my way before life starts getting real painful for him."

Lyta regarded Garibaldi for a long, silent moment.

"Don't push my people around, Garibaldi." She nodded almost reluctantly at