"Michael Flynn - Wreck of The Rivers of Stars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flynn Michael)

For just a moment, Gorgas flashed on encountering HandтАЩs body wandering the corridors of the main
deck. He blinked a few times and ran a hand across his close-cropped hair while he considered how to
answer; and even Corrigan gave the Third Officer a puzzled glance. тАЬWeтАЩre in the Trojan Gulf,тАЭ
Corrigan pointed out. тАЬA resonance zone, nowhere near the Windward Shore,тАЭ and Gorgas nodded,
pleased that the Second had seen his reasoning.

But there were few things about ship handling that Satterwaithe did not know. She was quite content
with GorgasтАЩs decisions so farтАФit was what she would have done in his place. What bothered her was
that she was not in his place.

тАЬThis region of the Shore lapped Jupiter a sixmonth ago,тАЭ she insisted, тАЬand you know how Jupiter can

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jumble the edges of the Belt. He may have tugged all sorts of uncharted bodies into eccentric orbits.
Remember: the Gulf is empty only ofpermanent bodies.тАЭ

Gorgas had not expected debate. Hand had never been debated. Even when Hand had made questionable
decisionsтАФdeplorably often, in GorgasтАЩs opinionтАФGorgas and the others had maintained their silences.
That was the proper way for a subordinate officer to conduct himself. In the Space GuardтАжAh, but he
seldom dwelt on his days in the Guard. тАЬAre you teaching me my craft,тАЭ he asked, with just a touch of
irritation.

Corrigan, who knew how the shipтАЩs course lay, was also puzzled by SatterwaitheтАЩs comment. тАЬWeтАЩve
received no rock messages from other vessels.тАЭ But he was half a beat behind on the subtext.
Satterwaithe was not interested in asteroids.

тАЬNotyour craft, Stepan,тАЭ she said, affecting a misunderstanding of тАЬcraft.тАЭ тАЬOnly a shareholder vote can
appoint a permanent captain.тАЭ

Gorgas bowed his head slowly, having finally understood that there was a second agenda. тАЬThat, of
course, is the shareholdersтАЩ privilege.тАЭ He himself held a block of shares, as did the others. There were
children on Earth who held a share apiece that their parents had bought to тАЬSave the River!тАЭ There had
never been a dividend paid.

Satterwaithe shrugged. тАЬThe captain is barely cold in his grave.тАЭ

тАЬDeep space is a heat sink,тАЭ Gorgas responded. тАЬHe was тАШcoldтАЩ in his grave almost instantly.тАЭ

Satterwaithe rolled mental eyes at GorgasтАЩs literal-mindedness. She did not consider that he had made a
joke.

тАЬSheтАЩs right about the rules,тАЭ Corrigan said.

тАЬPersonally, it would be a relief to be relieved,тАЭ Gorgas told him. тАЬBut nothing happens until we raise
Dinwoody Poke. Until then, acting or not, my authority stands. That too Mr. Corrigan, is in the rules.тАЭ

тАЬI wasnтАЩt questioning your authority,тАЭ said Corrigan.