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

DISjajje."

Although Klingon had been in the computer's translation banks for
several decades now, every now and then a phrase would be uttered that
had the computer scurrying to catch up with the translation. This was
such a moment, and Kirk and Azetbur stared at one another for an
uncomfortably long few seconds before the computer offered the words,
"The Year and the Day" as the proper translation.

Kirk was still baffled. He had no doubt that the translation was
technically accurate as far as it went, but he remained unenlightened as
to what it really meant.

Azetbur was regarding him expectantly. Her eyes were bright and her
color was high. Clearly what she had just said meant a great deal to
her.

With a silent prayer to whatever god controlled effective and harmonious
communication, Kirk said, "Chancellor, I thank you, but this is not
necessary. What I did, I did freely. There is no honor debt between us."

The god who controlled effective and harmonious communication clearly
had the day off, because Azetbur tensed. "We wrongfully put you in
prison, you and your chief medical officer.

We expected you to die, James Kirk, and would have been glad of it.
Despite this ultimately unjust treatment at our hands, THE LAST RODNDDP
you risked your life to save mine and those of numberless Klingons,
those alive and those generations yet to be born."

The last thing Kirk wanted--well, the last thing other than to not have
Skalli as his pet project--was to be in any way, shape or form further
entangled with Klingons.

"I have no wish to offend you, Chancellor, but as far as I am concerned,
all debts are paid. There's no need for ... " For the briefest of
moments Kirk debated trying to twist his tongue around the guttural,
consonant-laden language, then opted for the Federation standard words
instead. "For The Year and the Day.'"

For a long, very bad moment Kirk worried that Azetbur would try to leap
for his throat through the screen. Then, oddly, she smiled, showing
sharp teeth, and settled in her chair. She looked like a cat who'd just
cornered a particularly tasty-looking mouse, and he worried about that,
too.

"As you wish, Captain Kirk. As far as you are concerned, then, there
shall be no The Year and the Day. You will at least permit me to thank
you again?"