"Zach Hughes - Pressure Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hughes Zach)

senders blocked off," J.J. said. "Yeah. I've been burned before." "They're not
as bad as you might think. One spot on the right instep had to have a graft.
With these new methods you!ll be on your feet in no time." -
"I know about bums," he said. "What I doWt know is why the administrator of
DOSEWEX is taking time to hold my hand personally. And I don't quite buy your
reasoning why some yoyo tried to kill me. I cant quite see it as an accidental
selection, based on my being in a DOSE vehicle. And while I'm wondering, I
wonder why said administrator of DOSEWEX pulled me away from my first ground
leave in two years to come out into the desert to be almost burned to death."
J.J. chuckled. "Dammit, J.J.," he said. "I want to know what's going on.'$
PRESSURE MAN Z",
k4WY old ball-carrying buddy," J.J. said, sh"g his
with an uncharacteristic expression of kindliness P
Vs-face. "Just take it easy. Eat, drink, and rest. Itbewalkingin a couple of
days."
turned his head to try to see the sore spot on his It, too, was bandaged.
"When you went back to I should have let those cadets cream you," he
you had, who would have spread your fame as I*e man who pulled the Army game
out of the fire, ex-
e t reference, in A-6? Now you take a nap like a d little aging runn ing back
and I'll see you in two
you didn't send for me just to pay me complits
Dom said. "What's going on?" LJ. put his hands behind, his ears and looked
around 'sage. The hospital- room
room. Dom got the mes @,:'Jiad not been swept. The walls could have ears.
There'll be a couple of base, investigators in here shortly J.J. said. "Just
tell them the truth about what -,happened. Tell them you were coming to
DOSEWEX @,,onthe invitation of your old friend, the administrator,
to talk over old times and have a drink or two. Tell them you have no idea why
you were singled out as a target for terrorists." "Just the truth," Dom said.
"When you're up and around rm sure you'll enjoy our friendly little visit."
Dom sighed wearily. "I was invited by my old classmate, who kissed ass and got
promotions. I have no
idea why I was attacked. That last, at least, is the
th." J.J.'s look was serious. "Just cool it, Dom." Two uniformed security men
stood beside his bed and asked the same questions repeatedly, getting
the
10
Zach Hughes
same answers repeatedly. Just the facts. Dominic Gordon, Fleet Engineer, DOSE
Spacearm, arrived from Mars five days past for ground leave in the Los Angeles
conclave. Dominic Gordon was to visit DOSEWEX ,upon the invitation of J.J.
Barnes, administrator of that facility. Dominic Gordon had no information
regarding possible reasons for his being attacked. He gave a minute and
detailed account of the events be-
with his overtaking the convoy of construction vehicles. He did not see his
assailant's face, only his legs and hands.
Any friend of J.J. Barnes was treated with great politeness. A friend of the
administrator's could even ask questions. No, they had not been able to
question the assailant. A passing patrol had seen him deliberately ignite the