"C M Kornbluth - That Share Of Glory" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kornbluth C M)

"I am better addressed as 'Herald'," said Alen composedly.



"A plague descend on the College and Order! Do you think I don't know my manners? Of course, I call
a Herald 'Herald,' but we're going to be cooped up together and you'll be working for me. What'll
happen to ship's discipline if I have to kowtow to you?"



"There will be no problem," said Alen.



Blackbeard grunted and trod fiercely on the accelerator.
 "That's my ship," he said at length. "Starsong. Vegan registryтАФit may help passing through Eyolf's
Realm, though it cost me overmuch in bribes. A crew of eight, lazy, good-for-nothing wastrelsтАФAgh!
Can I believe my eyes?" The car jammed to a halt before the looming ship and blackbeard was up the
ladder and through the port in a second. Settling his robes, Alen followed,.



He found the trader fiercely denouncing his chief engineer for using space drive to heat the ship; he had
seen the faint haze of a minimum exhaust from the stern tubes.



"For that, dolt,'4 screamed blackbeard, "we have a thing known as electricity. Have you by chance ever
heard of it? Are you aware that a chief engineer's responsibility is the efficient and economical operation
of his ship's drive mechanism?"



The chief, a cowed-looking Cephean, saw Alen with relief and swept off his battered cap. The Herald
nodded gravely and the trader broke off in irritation. "We need none of that bowing and scraping for the
rest of the voyage," he declared.



"Of course not, sir," said the chief. "O'course not. I was just welcoming the Herald aboard. Welcome
aboard, Herald. I'm Chief Elwon, Herald. And I'm glad to have a Herald with us." A covert glance at the
trader. "I've voyaged with Heralds and without, and I don't mind saying I feel safer indeed with you
aboard."



"May I be taken to my quarters?" asked Alen.