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

abandon anyone to the EnemyтАФor painlessly dispose of them. May I
suggest, Commandant, that the position be explained to those patients
able to understand."

Brandt shook his head. "I regret, Commander, that immediate action is
imperative. There is no time for discussion. I must make the decision.
This is perhaps the greatest burden of being in command. I can only hope
that I will do the right thing and that they will understand, if anything
goes wrong."

Brandt was right, of course. Ten times a day, he, Rangone, made
decisions affecting individual lives. To cut or not to cut. This was just
another decision, only on a much larger scale.
 "I'll begin at once," Rangone said, feeling twice as old as his thirty-eight
years. "Where is the ship?"

"Bay Number One," Templeton replied. "I'll go and check that
everything is in readiness. There was a fault on the conveyor belt from the
departure room to the tanks but it's been repaired. I'll stay in the ship and
supervise the stowing of the patients. You can reach me at Extension
Nine, Commander."

He saluted Brandt, managing to include Rangone in the gesture, picked
up a clipboard, and went out. Rangone found himself admiring the aide, if
not actively liking him. Efficiency was something Rangone understood.
The times immediately ahead were going to be difficult, and he was
relieved to know that he had someone at the ship to rely on. He and
Donlevy would have enough to do in the theater. Laura would also be
extremely valuable in soothing any worried patient; there would certainly
be many for her to handle. He'd have to detail someone to help Templeton
at the ship. He could assign Barbara, the senior nurse.

He and Barbara had been flirting tentatively since his arrival eleven
months previously. He felt himself warming all over as he thought of her
beautiful, dark, slanting eyes, her flawless skin, and superb figure. She was
of old Earth stock, Eurasian, the daughter of a British father and a
Chinese mother. Her home, once called Hong Kong, had reverted to China
over 150 years ago, in 1999. It had been destroyed in an earthquake just
after she was born, 24 years ago. Her family had left Earth for the large
Chinese colony on Vega Seven.

"There is one other thing, Commander, that you have no doubt
considered."

Rangone gave his attention back to Brandt. "Sir?"

"There are 129 people on the station who aren't patients: medical,
military, administration, catering, and welfare personnel. Some of those
people will have to go into refrigeration. Templeton has compiled a list."