"Alan Dean Foster - Humanx 5 - Sentenced To Prism" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

yet."
Evan found he was growing impatient. If Machoka was trying to scare him he was
failing. "Don't we know anything about this world except that it's
`different'?"
"Certainly. The usual predevelopment basic informa-tion. I am told that the
climate is agreeable, the air pal-atable, and that there are no native
diseases
that can affect us. Not germ‑based, anyway. Of course, research is still
in its
infancy, but from everything that's come through so far the place sounds like
an
exotic paradise. This may turn out to be a holiday for you."
Sure, Evan thought. Except that the holiday‑goers who'd preceded him to
Prism
weren't communicating with anyone anymore. He rubbed absently where the
Spanset
had stung him. The unexpectedness of the jolt had shocked him more than
anything
else, but still‑what if that was just a sample of the defensive
mechanisms
employed by the local lifeforms?
"I wish I could tell you more, but you'll be given all the information you'll
need to carry out your mission. After all, you're not going to be thrashing
around the planet's surface. That's what the specialists at flee station are
there for. You're really going to be a glorified courier though I'm hoping
you'll be able to solve the problem by yourself and save the company some time
and money.'
"I'll certainly do my best, sir."
"Yes, that's what the reports all say. Don't let it give you a swelled head."
"Not unless the atmosphere there is lighter than you're telling me."
"So you do have a sense of humor. Good. You'll have help right up until
drop‑cuff time. Don't hesitate to ask for
anything you need. We'll give you proper cover. You're traveling
first‑class to
an important interworld conference on genetics. Better bone up on your
Mendelian
mantras in case you have to sound professional. If you need any-thing from the
company library..."
"My own is well equipped, sir, but thanks for the offer."
"Another one of those voracious readers who devour information on a plethora
of
subjects, eh? I wish I had that kind of luxury time. Unfortunately someone has
to run this company, and I'm him. All I have time to read are columns of
figures
and personnel analyses. Dry, dead stuff." He held up his arm to admire the
Spanset one more time. "Nothing exciting like this. I envy you your visit. I
want to see this world more than I can say, but I can't trust the
day‑to‑day
operation of the company to anyone else. Even if I could, it'd be impossible
to