"William Forstchen - Wing Commander 3 - Fleet Action" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forstchen William R)

understood the strangeness of human behavior.

The Emperor sensed the challenge and the trap. He stirred uneasily,
framing his thoughts. If he answered the question directly, it would be a
lowering of himself before the leaders of the eight clans of Kilrah; if he
deferred the question to his grandson, the Prince, it would appear as if he
were shifting responsibilityтАФand ultimate blame.

"You go too far, Baron," a voice rumbled from the corner of the room,
breaking the impasse.

Baron Jukaga looked over at the speaker, Buktag'ka, first born of the
clan of Sihkag. The Sihkag were, of the eight ruling families, considered to
be of the lowest blood, and as such could usually be counted on to curry
favor with the Emperor in a bid to elevate their status whenever possible.

"Your insult to the Emperor is evident," Buktag'ka snarled, coming to
his feet and leaning over the table to stare at Jukaga. "It is not the place of
the Imperial blood to answer questions. We requested your release from
exile for the skills you have in understanding humans and as master of
spies, not for the surliness of your tongue, the haughtiness of all of your
blood line, nor for the plots you are known for."

Jukaga looked around the table, gauging the response which ranged
from nodded lowering of heads in agreement, to rippling of manes in
defiance. It was time to change approach.

"I stand rebuked before the Imperial blood and intended no insult," he
said, bowing low to the shaded throne. Prince Thrakhath, who sat at the
foot of the throne, and was not hidden from view like his grandfather,
nodded curtly in reply.
 "Let us not ask the hows of it," the Emperor's voice whispered from
behind the screen, "there is blame enough for all. Rather let us talk of
what now is, and what is to be done."

Knowing he could not press the point, Baron Jukaga lowered his head
in reply.

You low born old bastard, Jukaga thought coldly. Everyone here knows
that this reversal is your fault and that of your fool grandson. Yet if victory
should come it will be you who will sweep the honors around your feet.
And even as he thought a concept that was beyond the range of most
Kilrathi, rage and intense hatred towards a sworn overlord, he still
assumed the posture of obeisance and then slowly rose up to speak again.

"Buktag'ka is right," Jukaga said, "and I accept the rebuke."

He looked around the room, gauging the responses and felt it was best
to simply push on with the facts and figures that needed to be presented.