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

Olympus city fathers built a communications tower to finish the job of getting
above the worst of the obscuring dust. The comm lasers atop the tower were
maintained in continuous standby mode, ready to take over should their
ground-based counterparts become obscured. The glass sphere that housed them
also included a restaurant, a bar, and a small banquet facility. These made The
Aerie a favorite dining spot for both Earth tourists and the Martian upper
crust.
Shortly after its completion, Victoria BronsonТs third grade class had visited
The Aerie. They had ridden the lift two kilometers up the side of the tower to
stand with noses pressed against the curved glass wall as theyoohed andaahed at
the panoramic view. Tory found herself again staring out across the lighted
domes of Olympus. This time she was deep in thought concerning the voyage on
which she was about to embark. She did not hear Praesert Sadibayan come up
behind her until he spoke.
УAh, Miss Bronson, there you are! May I present Captain Garth Van Zandt,
Terrestrial Space Navy? He will commandAustria on the expedition.Ф
Tory let her eyes focus on the man with Sadibayan. He was medium tall, with
sandy hair and a light complexion. His features were nondescript save for his
eyes, which were blue and commanding. His figure was terrestrial muscular. After
a few seconds, she realized that he was examining her with equal intensity. She
blushed as their eyes met.
УCaptain Van Zandt,Ф she said, holding out her hand, УIТm pleased to meet you.Ф
УThe name is Garth.Ф
УIТm Tory to my friends.Ф
УVery well, Tory. May I buy you a drink?Ф
УOf course.Ф
Van Zandt turned to Sadibayan and bowed. УThank you, Mr. Subminister. If you
will excuse us Е Ф
УBy all means,Ф Sadibayan replied. He quickly turned on his heel and made his
way back to the main reception.
There was an awkward silence as they both stood looking out across the lighted
city. It was broken finally when Tory said; УI didnТt expect you so soon. Mr.
Sadibayan said that he would have to send to Earth for a naval officer. That was
... five days ago.Ф
Van Zandt laughed. УSounds about right. My orders read Сby the fastest available
transportation.Т The subminister saw to it that I followed those orders to the
letter. I will be days recovering. I take it that you people are in a hurry.Ф
Tory nodded and explained the desire to meet the alien as far out as possible.
Van Zandt listened intently. He had his own suspicions about why everyone was so
rushed. As a student of military history, he knew the advantages that flow from
being one of the few privy to a closely held secret.
When she finished, he said, УIТd like to hear more. LetТs get that drink and
find some place quiet where we can talk.Ф
An hour later, Tory found herself laughing at a long improbable story about how
Van Zandt had arranged to have a case of caviar destined for fleet headquarters
rerouted to his shipТs mess.
УDidnТt the admiral ever figure it out?Ф she asked.
УNever. My exec is now known around the fleet as the Great Stone Face.Ф
All of the awkwardness was gone as she laughed again. They were supposed to be
reviewing the details of the mission. However, their discussions left plenty of