"Maxine McArthur - Time Future" - читать интересную книгу автора (McArthur Maxine)

good to confirm our presence, and it was a while since most of the
officers here had seen such a good show. Engineering is the only place
on the station that still has functioning holovids.

"Comets were regarded as omens of evil in many ancient Earth cultures.
For us here on Jocasta, it may be the opposite." Garnet pushed a slim
forefinger into the map on top of the space station and swirled it
around the planet in simulated orbit.

The officers seated around the holomap table in the dark room leaned
forward to see better.

"The comet has passed its perihelion and is now on the second day of
its four-day trip out of the system." She added the last element to
the holomap with a flourish, and there was a murmur of appreciation as
the comet winked into existence and its bright tail streamed away from
the star.

Garnet was always a stimulating presenter, which was why I'd chosen her
for this one.

"Have you given it a name?" an Earth Fleet ensign asked slyly.
Murdoch jabbed me in the ribs with his elbow. I started out of my
half-doze. The double-nighter was starting to tell.

"A number will be sufficient," I said coldly. The ancestors on my
maternal grandfather's side may well have been distant relatives of the
astronomer who bequeathed his name to Earth's most famous comet. Then
again, it might be mere coincidence. In any case, one Comet Halley in
the astronomy database is plenty.

"The orbit of Comet 002," continued Garnet, with a regretful glance in
my direction, "passes between our planet and the sun on its way out of
the system. Which means that particles from the tail will saturate
this area of space." She activated a simulation and we all watched as
the comet sped outward again and the dust, gases, and long released by
the star's warmth sprayed the darkness in a glittering stream.

"We believe this comet is releasing a type of particle particularly
disruptive to communications." She paused to give them time to
consider the implications.

"Which means?" Jago's impatient voice added an uneasy note to the
general atmosphere of interest, and Garnet hastened to explain.

"I beg your pardon, ma'am. It means that our sensors will be unable to
function adequately"--someone laughed shortly but she ignored
them--"and there will be some interference with communications outside
the station."