"Scott G. Gier - Genellan 02 - In the Shadow of the Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gier Scott G)

"Genellan is the king's toy," Tar Fell persisted, but softly, calming the
crowd. The general's splayed features cooled. His blood-flushed complexion
softened to a mottled nacre.

"The ability to travel the stars will belong to all kones," Et Kalass replied
as gently. "Kon will no longer be at the mercy of marauders that come to us
at their will and at our perilтАФwhile we remain stagnant, trapped and
frightened in our own star system."

"Yes, of course," Tar Fell snapped. "Fine words and noble, but the
Hegemony still dictates. Some would even say the Planetary Defense Force
is lackey to the imperial north."

"Tar Fell!" Talsali roared. "That is an affront and insultingly inappropriate
from a PDF officer. If you have issueтАФ"

"Peace, Supreme General. I speak for my nationтАФ" Tar Fell sighed, with
well-crafted sincerity. "тАФas must be."

"Gravity, the aliensтАФthe humans wish Kon no harm," Et Kalass
interjected. "They have knowledge of space travel. TheyтАФ"

"Four hundred years ago!" Tar Fell spit. "Four hundred years ago this
planet was savaged by mysterious space travelers. Millions of kones died
under evil beams, Your Excellency. Thousands of millions! That must never
happen again. Remember your vows." The chamber thundered with
emotional affirmation.

Et Kalass bowed elegantly, allowing the crowd noise to abate.

"The Vows of Protection demand utmost vigilance, Prime Minister," Tar
Fell preached. "That vigilance enabled us to punish the latest alien attacks
into retreatтАФtwice!"

"The humans fought in self-defense," Et Kalass rumbled.

"A relative condition, Your Excellency!" Tar Fell snarled, expanding to
his full breadth and height. "AliensтАФhumansтАФare again at our doorstep.
What dangers will this new intrusion bring? Is thisтАж this human outpost
but another, more insidious invasion?"

"We gain the stars, sir," Et Kalass proclaimed.

"Pah! The stars!" the Thullolian continued. "In what form will these exotic
technologies be made available? What are the waystones for this knowledge
transfer? And what will be the pace and limits of settlement? Can the aliens
beтАж evicted if need be?"

"Do not forget," Et Kalass replied. "Numbered among those aliens are full