"The Sails Of Tau Ceti" - читать интересную книгу автора (McCollum Michael)

Sadibayan grinned. УI thought you would.Ф
УHow long will we be out?Ф
УThree years, more or less,Ф the subminister replied in an off hand manner.
УDepends on the aliens, of course.Ф
At the mention of aliens, Van ZandtТs mouth popped open.
#
Sadibayan went on to review the data Luna Observatory had gathered on the light
sail. Van Zandt listened with intense concentration. It became obvious that
Admiral Carnevon had not been told why the Ministry for Science needed a naval
officer. He did not particularly like that, or the political approach that was
being taken. On the other hand, it was not his job to like it. He had been
offered command of the expedition, which was more than sufficient for one
career. He pushed the misgivings from his mind and concentrated on what
Sadibayan was telling him.
Austriahad been one of the oldest ships in EarthТs fleet before it had been sold
to the Martians. The extreme delta V necessary for rendezvous required that the
corvette be stripped of all nonessential systems. The weapons had been the first
things dismounted from the ship. Not only were they excess mass, no one wanted
to send the wrong message by dispatching a functioning warship to intercept an
alien starship. Out beyond Pluto, it seemed, diplomacy would be its own reward.
With the weapons had gone the targeting computers, both magazines, and the crew
bunks. Cold sleep tanks were being installed in what had been the
bunkroom.Austria Тs new crew would spend much of the outbound flight in
suspended animation, both to extend their limited supply of consumables, and to
make the voyage go by more quickly. The shipТs life support system would sustain
them for a minimum of five years, but they had only sufficient food stocks to
keep eating for two.
УHow many crew?Ф Van Zandt asked after Sadibayan told him about the cold sleep
tanks.
УThat is still under study. A minimum of four. If the engineers can squeeze a
bit more margin out of their calculations, we may send six. For now, the crew
consists of yourself, a shipТs engineer, a linguist, and a combination
biologist/medical doctor.Ф
УDo I get to pick the engineer?Ф
УSorry, no. By HobsonТs choice, the shipТs engineer will be a young lady by the
name of Victoria Bronson. She is the only one who can make the necessary
software modifications on the fly.Ф
УSurely a naval officer could learn what he needs to know.Ф
УBelieve me, Captain. We have looked into this matter extensively. So far as
this expedition goes, Miss Bronson is more necessary than you are.Ф
УWhat about the other crew members?Ф
УThe shipТs doctor and exo-biologist has tentatively been chosen, as well.Ф
УWho?Ф
УActually, I believe she is Dardan PierceТs personal physician.Ф
УDamn it, Subminister, cronyism is no way to staff a ship.Ф
УActually, Captain, IТm told that she is quite competent. You will be given the
opportunity to meet her, of course, and if you find you canТt work with her,
then I suppose we can bring the matter up.Ф
УWhat are this doctorТs qualifications?Ф Van Zandt asked. He was becoming less
and less enchanted with his new command by the second.