"Eric Flint - Ranks of Bronze 2 - Carthago Delenda Est" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Eric)

aggravated. But he managed to maintain a calm voice.

тАЬSo? What do you think accounts for the human success, Investigator? It was not simple
physical prowess, I can assure you!тАЭ

The Voivode pointed to the Gha commander. тАЬThis oneтАФor any of its fellowsтАФcould easily
defeat a human in single combat. Several of them at once, in fact. But I have no doubt
whatsoever that on a field of battle, matched with equivalent weapons, the humans could have
defeated a Gha army.тАЭ

The Investigator was still not convinced.

тАЬGha are stupid,тАЭ it grumbled. тАЬEveryone knows that. I am prepared to admit that the
humans were unusually intelligent, for a slave race, butтАФтАЭ

The Voivode had had enough. тАЬDo you have any alternative explanation?тАЭ he demanded.

The Investigator was silent.

тАЬIn that case,тАЭ stated Agayan firmly, тАЬI now exercise my command prerogatives. If the
humans seized their transport vessel, and coerced the Pilot into operating the craft, their most
likely destination would have been their original home. Their native planet. Accordingly, this
ship will proceed to that same planet. If the humans are there, we will destroy them. This vessel
is far better armed that any troop transport.тАЭ

тАЬTheir native planet?тАЭ exploded the Investigator. тАЬThatтАЩs ridiculous! The humans were in
Guild service longerтАФfar longerтАФthan any other sepoy troops. They underwent tens and tens
of Stasis episodes. It must be hundredsтАФthousandsтАФof years since their initial recruitment. I
doubt if we even have a record ofтАФтАЭ

тАЬThe record will exist,тАЭ stated Agayan firmly. тАЬI have instructed the Pilot to check. You
underestimate the care with which the GuildтАФтАЭ

He was interrupted by the appearance of the Pilot herself in the chamber.

тАЬAh!тАЭ he exclaimed. тАЬI presume you have finished your examination of the records?тАЭ

тАЬYes, Guild Voivode.тАЭ The Pilot belonged to a spindle-shaped species which found bowing
impossible, so she indicated her respect by darkening her purple skin.

тАЬThe results?тАЭ

тАЬThe human planetтАФthere is no name for it, beyond the catalog numberтАФis only two
hundred and twelve light years distant. The humans were recruited slightly over two thousand
Guild years ago.тАЭ

Agayan turned triumphantly to Yuaw Khta.

тАЬYou see, Investigator?тАЭ He waved a finger-cluster at the Pilot, dismissing her. To his
surprise, the Pilot remained planted on her footskirt.