"Foster, Alan Dean - Flinx - Bloodhype" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

Johaun Repler's claim eventually proved the strongest. The AAnn demanded,
however; and were granted sovereignty over, a small area south of the
eventual capital. This was done to speed colonization and to promote a
harmonious settlement. Actually, the Commonwealth had argued against the
idea, the Church had been noncommittal, and the humans and thranx already
settled positively blase. After all, the great majority of the planet was
unexplored, and the AAnn could probably have established a secret station
anyway. Why not be generous and give them one?

When the AAnn found out that they wouldn't be allowed to use the interspace
facilities at Repler City and that the largest island in their Enclave was
insufficiently bedrocked to support a shuttle station of any size, they
almost gave up the Enclave idea in disgust. But to refuse after having won
the concession would have been twice as bad. It would have made the AAnn
diplomats who had arranged tire treaty look ridiculous. This would be fatal
to certain parties. Those same parties made sure that an elaborate facility
was constructed on the main land mass. At least the oceanologists, a group
that most AAnn considered congenital idiots, were happy. The AAnn home
world and most of its colonies were desert?type planets. Those assigned to
the Realer station were, with tire exception of the scientists, very
unhappy reptiles.

Major Orvenalix sat in his thimble?shaped chair and stared across at Kitten
and Porsupah. At the moment the Major was employing his mid?pair of limbs
as a second set of hands. In imitation of a human habit, the thranx was
tapping all four sets of claws on the table in front of him. The twelve
digits made a considerable racket.

The Major was about average height for a mature male threes, standing about
midway between Kitten's and Porsupah's. His thorax was unusually broad and
powerful. The black and silver harness reflected his occupation rather than
personal tastes, which were less conservative. Also the result of his
occupation was a premature purpling of the chiton, although his antennae
were straight and strong. And the great compound eyes sparkled as brightly
as those of any youth.

The tapping stopped. The resultant silence was louder. Orvenalix spoke
quietly.

"Well! The magnificent, munificent Lieutenant Kai?sung has deigned to grace
Operations with her presence!" The Major bowed ironically. That is, he
inclined his head and b?thorax. Encased in bodies of unyielding armor, no
thranx could manage a really smooth bow.

"Bum it, Orvy!"

"You will address me as becomes my rank, Lieutenant!" he roared, smacking
the table hard with one truhand.