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

now that there's a battle coming up, I hate to wait till my application's approved. So I thought-'
Crosby looked at Cine Rhys. 'A personal favour, but the decision's up to you. My nephew's a misfit
- a romanticist. Never liked the life of a Keep. A year ago he went off and joined Starling's
outfit.'
Rhys raised an eyebrow. 'That gang? It's not a recommendation, Kane. They're not even classed as
Free Companions. More like a band of guerrillas, and entirely without ethics. There've even been
rumours they're messing around with atomic power.'
Crosby looked startled. 'I hadn't heard that.'
'It's no more than a rumour. If it's ever proved, the Free Companions - all of them - will get
together and smash Starling in a hurry.'
Norman Kane looked slightly uncomfortable. 'I suppose I was rather a fool. But I wanted to get in
the fighting game, and Starling's groups appealed to me-'
The cine made a sound in his throat. 'They would. Swashbuckling romantics, with no idea of what
war means. They've not more than a dozen technicians. And they've no discipline - it's like a
pirate outfit. War today, Kane, isn't won by romantic animals dashing at forlorn hopes. The modern
soldier is a tactician who knows how to think, integrate, and obey. If you join our Company,
you'll have to forget what you learned with Starling.'
'Will you take me, sir?'
'I think it would be unwise. You need the training course.'
'I've had experience-'
Crosby said, 'It would be a favour, Cine Rhys, if you'd skip the red tape. I'd appreciate it.
Since my nephew wants to be a soldier, I'd much prefer to see him with the Doones.'
Rhys shrugged. 'Very well, Captain Scott will give you your orders, Kane. Remember that discipline
is vitally important with us.'
The boy tried to force back a delighted grin. 'Thank you, sir.'
'Captain-'
Scott rose and nodded to Kane. They went out together. In the anteroom was a telaudio set, and
Scott called the Doone's local headquarters in Montana Keep. An integrator answered, his face
looking inquiringly from the screen.
'Captain Scott calling, subject induction.'
'Yes, sir. Ready to record.'
Scott drew Kane forward. Thotosnap this man. He'll report to headquarters immediately. Name,
Norman Kane. Enlist him without training course - special orders from Cine Rhys.'
'Acknowledged, sir.'
Scott broke the connection. Kane couldn't quite repress his grin.
'All right,' the captain grunted, a sympathetic gleam in his eyes. 'That fixes it. They'll put you
in my command. What's your speciality.'
'Flitterboats, sir.'
'Good. One more thing. Don't forget what Cine Rhys said, Kane. Discipline is damned important, and
you may not have realized that yet. This isn't a cloak-and-sword war. There are no Charges of
Light Brigades. No grandstand plays - that stuff went out with the Crusades. Just obey orders, and
you'll have no trouble. Good luck.'
'Thank you, sir.' Kane saluted and strode out with a perceptible swagger. Scott grinned. The kid
would have that knocked out of him pretty soon.
A voice at his side made him turn quickly. Ilene Kane was standing there, slim and lovely in her


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