"GOLDEN, CHRISTIE - THE LAST ROUND-UP" - читать интересную книгу автора (Golden Christie)

Kirk merely smiled. "It doesn't have to be. I'm the instructor, , and
you're the students. You'll find that a lot in this universe isn't fair,
but it has to be dealt with nonetheless. That, too, is part of being a
Starfleet officer. Dismissed."

There were always those who loved writing essays in any class, and these
students were abuzz with excitement as they hastened off to explore.
And, of course, there were always those who loathed essays, and Kirk
overheard the predictable grumbling from this segment as they departed
with much less enthusiasm.

Kirk wasn't overly concerned. Most of them were outstanding students,
and would pass even if they failed the final. He welcomed the solitude,
for he, too, wanted a chance to roam this place and soak up the
atmosphere.

"Captain Kirk?" The voice was bubbly, feminine, and quivering.

Kirk closed his eyes, gathering strength. He forced a pleasant
expression on his face.

"What is it, Cadet?"

It was of course Skalli. She was nearly as tall as he was, though far
more slender of build than most humanoids. Her large ears were perforce
flattened against her head by the suit's headpiece and gave her a
particularly mournful look. Her mercurial features set in an expression
of sorrow completed the impression, and her large eyes still brimmed
with tears, although Kirk was pleased to see that at least she wasn't
actually crying now.

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Go ahead."

"Captain ... do you ... " Skalli swallowed hard. "Do you think they were
afraid? Commander Lowe and the others?"

"You heard the message they sent back to Starfleet before Lowe destroyed
the colony. What do you think?"

Skalli tilted her head. "She did not sound afraid."

Kirk raised an eyebrow, silently encouraging Skalli to continue voicing
her thoughts. "So ... I suppose she wasn't."

"You still have much to learn about humans, Skalli. I can't know
personally, of course, but I'm certain she was indeed afraid." He looked
around. "To take that responsibility--to end your own life and that of
so many others ... you can't do it without wondering, without second