"Lee Edgar - Andromeda Time" - читать интересную книгу автора (Edgar Lee)

contrasted well with her flawless suntanned skin. The secretary smiled
a genuine smile to her. тАШGood Morning, Mrs Hardy. Mike will be down in
a moment. WonтАЩt you take a seat?тАЩ
Cassi smiled. тАШThanks. How is Nicole?тАЩ
тАШFine. Her father has taken her to Switzerland for a couple of weeks
to convalesce.тАЩ
тАШThatтАЩs good. She deserves a rest after all sheтАЩs been through.тАЩ
The inner door opened and a dark-haired man in his mid-thirties
strode in and and hugged his wife briefly. тАШYouтАЩre wanted upstairs.тАЩ
Cassi looked puzzled. тАШWhen?тАЩ
тАШImmediately. Something has come up.тАЩ
She glanced down at her attire, fresh from tennis and sunbathing in
the garden. тАШBut IтАЩm hardly dressed appropriately to meet with the
Directorate. Let me at least get changed into something more suitable.тАЩ
Mike took her arm and guided her towards the wide stairway. тАШNo time
for that. Alan has got some important visitors who need your help right
away.тАЩ
A plea for a clue in the direction of the receptionist brought
nothing but a shrug of ignorance as Cassi was propelled up the stairs.
At the top, they went along a corridor until they reached the door
marked тАЬ boardroomтАЭ . Mike knocked.
тАШCome in,тАЩ came the instant reply and Cassi found herself standing at
the head of a long table around which sat half a dozen people, all
staring at her. Nervously, she attempted to pull down her top to cover
her bare midriff as she felt half naked in front of so many well-
dressed people. Alan Thompson, Director of the Europa Corporation,
stood up and smiled his greeting, gesturing towards the empty chair
beside him.
Apprehension filled Cassi as she walked down the long room. On the
way, she silently greeted the individuals she knew: Professor Heinrich
Akherd of the Rocket Propulsion Unit; Hans Bartek, inventor of the
Proton Drive; Natasha Ralentov, Chief Executive of the Orion Space
Station. In addition to these were two individuals whom she did not
recognise. One, a balding man in his late fifties, stared at her over
his glasses, clearly disapproving of her appearance. The other,
slightly younger man was sitting back in his chair, his face totally
expressionless. Cassi sat down where indicated, wondering what it was
that was so important on this sunny July afternoon.
тАШI would like you to meet Doctor Maximilian Schmidt of the Zurich
Academy of Science and Technology.тАЩ He pointed to the older man whoтАЩs
nod was barely discernable. тАШAnd his assistant Doctor Henri Martin.тАЩ
Not even a nod from this one.
The Director waved his hand in the opposite direction. тАШAnd this is
our Senior Training Officer, Cassiopeia Hardy.тАЩ
Cassi tried to smile but it felt false, even to her.
тАШMrs Hardy,тАЩ the Director continued; тАШis training the crews for the
Wayfarer space cruisers. How is it coming along, Cassi?тАЩ
тАШAlmost finished, sir. Janine has taken them all in Wayfarer One to
Lascelles Base for evaluation. They should all be back at Orion Space
Station within the hour. After debriefing, the shuttle will have them