"Edward M. Lerner - Part III of IV - A New Order of Things" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lerner Edward M)

The Foremost, with untold crew and AIs netted into his head, had also acclimated to conversing with
aliens. The smooth segues as he changed topics were impressive. Mashkith was quick to talk of the
potential for trade and cultural exchange, about the enriching experiences of small shore parties.

Corinne was, as always, hard to distract. "I'm sure everyone who watches will be pleased with the
success of those brief visits. You will recall, however, that we were discussing implementation of the new
agreement."

"Implementation involves some highly technical matters, Corinne. These are well in hand, and I think best
left for consultation between our technical experts. What I find interesting, Corinne, is what diverse items
arise in those consultations. Chess, as one example. The crew are quite taken with the game of chess."

"A fascinating topic for another conversation, Foremost. If we could get back to the planning for refueling
trials...."
Helmut did not bother fighting the oncoming yawn. He could edit out any wobble the camera failed to
remove on its own. The wondrous thing was that he had relaxed enough to yawn. Maybe Rothman
decided he had been mistaken. Maybe the man from his past had shipped out while Helmut had been
laying low by taking the scoopship joyride. Maybe he had just needed a bit of down time. In the big
picture it didn't--

Klaxon blaring and then a shout, both in his mind's ear. "Helmut! You getting this?"

He speed-scanned the past minute from the camera's memory. Mashkith had stopped mid digression.
Mid-sentence. "Sure am, boss." As Helmut zoomed in on the Snake's face, frozen in an infosphere
trance, Mashkith's eyes snapped back to the here and now.

"Where was I? My excursion to Ulan Bator?" Long pause. "As I think about it, that anecdote is not truly
relevant." Another pause. "I realize I've talked on and on about sights that, while new to me, must be
familiar to your viewers. Perhaps this is a good time to conclude our chat. I will have you escorted to the
airlock."

Almost immediately, the cabin door swung open to admit Rashk Lothwer. A file of guards stood behind
him.

Helmut didn't need a net exchange with Corinne to know they had been dismissed and that something
unexpected had happened. And that she also could not guess what the emergency might be.
****
Corridor sensors revealed a guard detachment approaching Mashkith's cabin. They marched briskly for
Hunters, not that the prisoner had any difficulty keeping up. His summons had been curt and snarled--he
meant for her to be rattled by the guards' tension. Still, a glimpse of the ka coughing and fumbling with her
breather mask made Mashkith truly angry at the soldiers. Denying her a few seconds to adjust her
equipment had been needlessly cruel.

There was a timorous tapping on the hatch. "Authorization to enter." The escorts wasted no time in
leaving him alone with K'choi Gwu ka.

"Foremost." She was hoarse from fumes leaking under her mask.

Talons already half-extended from his hands and feet emerged further. He curled back his lips, baring