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

"Anything like the Huanni?"

"Hmm, yes and no. They were clearly once members of the same species.
Similar in appearance, but much stockier, less ethereal." Kirk knew what
she meant. Skalli evoked images of a dryad from ancient Earth mythology.
Huanni were humanoid in appearance, with long ears like a horse's and
pale purple skin and hair. Skalli was tall and thin, her bones almost as
delicate and light as an avian's. It seemed as though one good gust of
wind would blow her away.

"How about the emotions?"

"They're much more controlled than the Huanni, thank goodness," Standing
Crane replied. "But they have an insatiable curiosity and don't quite
understand certain etiquettes. They're into everything, like children.
They pelted us with more questions than a normal five-year-old would."

Suddenly Skalli seemed to Kirk to be significantly less annoying.

"They've asked to see every single starbase, visit every single member
planet, tour as many starships as are available-- frankly, Jim, we're
getting overwhelmed! The Federation likes to be accessible to potential
members, but this is just getting ridiculous. We found one of them in
the kitchens before last night's farewell banquet. He had almost gotten
stuck inside a cabinet and was meticulously examining--and sampling!--
every single spice we had. One doesn't like to laugh at a respected
member of an honored entourage, but honestly it pushed our limits!"

"I hope he didn't get into the Sakerlian spice. A mouthful of that stuff
would have caused a diplomatic incident." "Too true," Standing Crane
said. She sighed. "Oh, Jim, it is good to see you. It's been too long."

"So, maybe I purchase the lovely lady a drink at Gaston's when I
return," Kirk said.

"Maybe the lovely lady will take you up on that when she can spare a
moment," Standing Crane replied.

"Maybe that," Kirk said ruefully, "will be a while."

"More's the pity. Enjoy the rest of the trip ... if you can," Standing
Crane said. "Good-bye, Jim. And you be nice to Skalli!"

She was still smiling when her image disappeared, to be replaced with a
blue screen sporting the official circular insignia of Starfleet
Command.

Kirk leaned back in his chair and stretched. He eyed what he had brought
for entertainment: old copies of fine books he'd read several times, a