"Donald Malcolm - The Unknown Shore" - читать интересную книгу автора (Malcom Donald)

Brandt preferred to have things done in an orderly manner. Rangone was
reminded of a story he had read about a shipwreck. The ship's orchestra
continued to play even as the vessel sank beneath the waves. Brandt would
have understood and applauded.

"The capacity of the ship is 75 active personnel. At present we have 194
people at the station, including 65 patients."

All the patients, Rangone knew, were recovering from surgery that
couldn't be delayed until they reached hospital well behind the lines. There
were practically no walking wounded. To all intents and purposes, the
patients were helpless. He knew what Templeton was going to say next
and he didn't like it one bit.

"We have two alternatives. One: a selection can be made and the most
seriously wounded left behind."

"No!"

Brandt glanced disapprovingly at Laura, but he refrained from saying
anything. He knew how much she cared for her patients and made
allowances for that. They were longtime friends as well, but that didn't
enter into matters of discipline.

She looked unwaveringly at Rangone as she spoke, seeking the comfort
and support she would find in his eyes.

"These people have a right to live, no matter how slender the chance is.
They have to be given it."

She, too, had inferred the nature of the second alternative.

Templeton maintained his unruffled calm.

"Two: by using laser surgery, Commander Rangone and his assistant,
Major Donlevy, can remove the arms and legs of some of the patients, the
number to be determined by the Commandant. This will allow the storage
of the living trunks in the refrigeration tanks and enable everyone to be
evacuated. At one of the home hospitals, regeneration can be undertaken
using the serum."

"Commander?"

"I agree with Laura. Everyone has the right to have a chance to live.
There are still hits and misses in the regenerative process. We still get
such results as short arms or legs, hands with no fingers, or five thumbs.
But medical science is progressing daily and I think the chance must be
taken. An improved serum has been in use for some months now and it
has cut down the failure rate. Provided basic clinical conditions are
available, it can be used anywhere, including the battlefront. We can't