"Michael McCollum - Gibraltar earth" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCollum Michael)

struggled to gain just the few meters of altitude that would have saved his parents. In the aftermath of
such episodes, Mark often wished that he had followed his sisterтАЩs example. Better a life among friends in
the midst of vast emptiness than a life alone among EarthтАЩs teeming billions.

#

Moira was the first to notice the blinking notice on the screen in the den. They had been home ten
minutes and were preparing for bed.

тАЬYou have a max priority message, Mark,тАЭ she said as she entered the bedroom, head cocked as she
removed one of her earrings.

тАЬFrom whom?тАЭ he asked with a start.

тАЬDoesnтАЩt say.тАЭ

He muttered under his breath as he padded in bare feet to the den. Sure enough, the diagonal red stripe
designed to draw instant attention was blinking on the screen. He cleared it and called up the message.
The face was that of no one he had ever met.

тАЬMr. Rykand, this is Hans Cristobal, duty officer at Stellar Survey Headquarters,тАЭ the recording said.
тАЬPlease give me a call when you return. ItтАЩs important.тАЭ

The sober expression and matter-of-fact delivery was enough to shock Mark sober. A call from the
survey duty officer could have only one meaning. All that was left was to find out just how bad the news
was. Mark punched out the numbers at the bottom of the screen with shaky fingers and waited an
eternity until he was looking at the same face as had been in the recording.

тАЬYes, may I help you? ... Ah, Mr. Rykand. Good of you to call back.тАЭ

тАЬWhatтАЩs happened to my sister?тАЭ he asked without preamble.

The officer blinked, not knowing how to react to the direct question. The hesitation told Mark all he
needed to know. He had seen that look before, on the face of the police officer that had delivered the
news about his parents.

Finally, after a lag that was nearly four times that required to get a message halfway around the world, the
officer said, тАЬI am sorry, Mr. Rykand. It is my sad duty to inform you that your sister was killed in an
accident three weeks ago.тАЭ

тАЬHow did it happen?тАЭ

тАЬWe have few operational details at this time. Perhaps we will know more whenMagellan docks. All I
can tell you now is that we have received official confirmation of her death.тАЭ

It was the recurring nightmare about his parents all over again. Mark felt the cold hand grip his heart
again, just as it had three years earlier. If anything, it was worse this time. He barely heard his own voice
as he asked, тАЬWhen will you be shipping the body home?тАЭ

The duty officer hesitated. When he resumed, his words gave no comfort. тАЬI am afraid there is no body.