"Phyllis Eisenstein - In the Hands Of Glory" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eisenstein Phyllis)

events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Another Original publication of TIMESCAPE BOOKS

A Timescape Book published by
POCKET BOOKS, a Simon & Schuster division of
GULF & WESTERN CORPORATION
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020

Copyright ┬й 1981 by Phyllis Eisenstein

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form
whatsoever. For information address Timescape Books, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y.
10020

ISBN: 0-671-83335-9

First Timescape Books printing November, 1981
10 9 8 7654321

POCKET and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster.
Use of the TIMESCAPE trademark under exclusive license from trademark owner.
Printed in the U.S.A.




for Lynne Aronson,
best of friends
PART ONE:

PRISONER
We were orbiting Beta Corvi, engaged in routine maintenance, when
the courier arrived. I suspected the contents even before unsealing
the canisterтАФfor years rumors had been circulating from world to
world and throughout the fleets: the Congress of Planets, in secret
session, was debating the fate of the Federation; already the
organization was breaking down as far-flung members ignored the
central authority. I had heard those rumors and tried to quell them,
never believing that the end would come in my lifetime. Yet now I
held the recall order in my hands:


The 36th Tactical Strike Force will report immediately to Patrol
HQ to participate in ceremonies marking the dissolution of the
Stellar Federation.


There followed a directive on the disposition of my ships subsequent
to the ceremoniesтАФsome to be distributed among planets near HQ,