"Henry Kuttner - Clash by Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kuttner Henry)

'Good. I've a favour to ask, so if you'll excuse me for a few minutes, I'll-' He left the sentence
unfinished and went out through the door-curtain. Rhys offered Scott a cigarette.
'You get the implications, captain - the Helldivers?'
'Yes, sir. Thanks. We can't do it alone.'
'Right. We're short on manpower and armament both. And the Helldivers recently merged with
O'Brien's Legion, after O'Brien was killed in that polar scrap. They're a strong outfit, plenty
strong. Then they've got their speciality -submarine attack. I'd say we'll have to use H-plan 7.'
Scott closed his eyes, remembering the files. Each Free Company kept up-to-date plans of attack
suited to the merits of every other Company of Venus. Frequently revised as new advances were
made, as groups merged, and as the balance of power changed on each side, the plans were so
detailed that they could be carried into action at literally a moment's notice. H-plan 7, Scott
recalled, involved enlisting the aid of the Mob, a small but well-organized band of Free
Companions led by Cine Tom Mendez.
'Right,' Scott said. 'Can you get him?'
'I think so. We haven't agreed yet on the bonus. I've been telaudioing him on a tight beam, but he
keeps putting me off - waiting till the last moment, when he can dictate his own terms.'
'What's he asking, sir?'
'Fifty thousand cash and a fifty per cent cut on the loot.'
'I'd say thirty per cent would be about right.'
Rhys nodded. 'I've offered him thirty-five. I may send you to his fort- carte blanche. We can get
another Company, but Mendez has got beautiful sub-detectors - which would come hi handy against
the Helldivers. Maybe I can settle things by audio. If not, you'll have to fly over to Mendez and
buy his services, at less than fifty per cent if you can.'
Scott rubbed the old scar on his chin with a calloused forefinger. 'Meantime Commander Bienne's in
charge of mobilization. When-'
'I telaudioed our fort. Air transports are on the way now.'
'It'll be quite a scrap,' Scott said, and the eyes of the two men met in perfect understanding.
Rhys chuckled drylyx.
'And good profits. Virginia Keep has a big supply of korium . . . dunno how much, but plenty.'


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'What started the fracas this time?'
'The usual thing, I suppose,' Rhys said disinterestedly. 'Imperialism. Somebody in Virginia Keep
worked out a new plan for annexing the rest of the.Keeps. Same as usual.'
They stood up as the door-curtain swung back, admitting President Crosby, another man, and a girl.
The man looked young, his boyish face not yet toughened under actinic burn. The girl was lovely in
the manner of a plastic figurine, lit from within by vibrant life. Her blonde hair was cropped in
the prevalent mode, and her eyes, Scott saw, were an unusual shade of green. She was more than
merely pretty -she was instantly exciting.
Crosby said, 'My niece, Ilene Kane - and my nephew, Norman Kane.' He performed introductions, and
they found seats.
'What about drinks?' Ilene suggested. 'This is rather revoltingly formal. The fight hasn't started
yet, after all.'
Crosby shook his head at her. 'You weren't invited here anyway. Don't try to turn this into a
party - there isn't too much time, under the circumstances.'
'O.K.,' Ilene murmured. 'I can wait.' She eyed Scott interestedly.
Norman Kane broke in. 'I'd like to join Doone's Free Companions, sir. I've already applied, but