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

tattered deck of cards over which he, Mccoy, and Scotty--the only other
members of his old senior staff who enjoyed gambling--had spent many an
hour.

But he was not about to ask these cadets, to him barely out of diapers,
to join him in a game of poker, or even fizzbin. And he was heartily
sick of solitaire.

There was a sound on the computer indicating that he had a message and
Kirk smiled. Perhaps Laura had found that "moment." He thumbed the
control and said, "Changed your mind about that drink?"

The words stuck in his throat. Onscreen was not the friendly, attractive
face of Laura Standing Crane but the stern, haughty visage of Chancellor
Azetbur of the Klingon High Council. She cocked her head, clearly
puzzled at his comment.

"Captain?"

Recovering immediately, Kirk smiled his easy smile and waved a hand
dismissively. "Forgive me, Chancellor, I was expecting someone else. How
are the negotiations coming?"

"Very well indeed," she replied. "Your friend Spock has a gift for
bringing together at a table many who might otherwise prefer a fight.
The others involved are also welcome contributors toward the peace we
all seek."

"I'm delighted to hear it, but after serving with them so long, I
confess I expected no less. Now, Chancellor, what can I do for you?"

"It is not what you can do for me, Captain Kirk." Her voice was as icy
as he remembered it, even though they both knew now that he was no enemy
to the Klingons, indeed one of their best friends by virtue of his
salvaging of the peace negotiations.

"It is what I am planning on doing for you."

"I'm ... not sure I understand, Chancellor."

"You saved many lives a few months ago," she continued. "You perhaps
saved my entire race."

He laughed slightly. "Come now, Chancellor. You give me too much
credit."

"Indeed, I do not think so." Her eyes flashed briefly and Kirk wondered,
as he so often did when dealing with Klingons, if he had inadvertently
given offense. "I wish to repay you for what you have done. I owe you an
honor debt, and Klingons always repay honor debts. I am invoking the