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

room for war stories.
УI have to say, Garth, that you arenТt what I expected.Ф
He arched his left eyebrow.
УWhen they sent for an Earth naval officer to command, I guess I expected some
hard driving martinet.Ф
УA cross between Horatio Hornblower, Captain Bligh and Captain Kirk, perhaps?Ф
he asked.
УSomething like that.Ф
УThereТs a kernel of truth in the popular misconception that commanding officers
are sons-a-bitches and martinets,Ф Garth admitted, Уbut only a kernel.
Commanding a spaceship is far more complicated than the challenges those old sea
and wind sailors ever faced. The equipment requires a higher level of training,
the medium is far more deadly than the ocean ever was, and space crews expect to
be treated like the professionals they are. A captain who resorts to the
cat-o-nine-tails may find his cabin suddenly vented to space some night. No,
people work best when you interfere with them least. Not that situations do not
arise that call for a steady hand on the tiller, you understand. On the few
occasions I do pull rank, I expect to be obeyed instantly.Ф
Tory nodded. УI can live with that. Just remember, that I never learned how to
salute properly.Ф
He laughed. УAnother old wivesТ tale. Have you ever tried to salute in
microgravity?Ф
She shook her head.
УAs the arm comes up, torque causes the body to rotate in the opposite
direction. Then, if you snap your hand down smartly, you go into a wobbly
spinning motion. If your head happens to contact something solid, you can knock
yourself out. Any other preconceptions that I can lay to rest for you?Ф
Tory gnawed on her lip. One subject had been on her mind since she had agreed to
go on the expedition. She weighed the consequences of bringing it up now versus
waiting. She decided that it was best to get everything on the table as quickly
as possible. УIs it true what they say about spacers?Ф
УDepends on what they say.Ф
УThe word is that things get pretty friendly aboard ship on long patrols.Ф
Van Zandt stared at her for long seconds. His mouth curled up slightly at the
edges as ToryТs ears began to burn. УI presume youТre asking about sexual
liaisons aboard ship.Ф
She nodded, surprised at her own awkwardness. After all, if she was to be cooped
up in a vacuum-sealed can with this man for three years, she had every right to
know what СdutiesТ he expected her to perform.
He sighed and leaned back. УIt is true that space crews on long patrols often
form close bonds, and sometimes those bonds involve sexual liaisons. People get
together for companionship, or just to have a warm body next to them at night.
Such relationships can last a day, a week, a patrol, or a lifetime. There is but
a single rule and it is inviolate. Whatever happens, it must be agreed to by
both parties. There can be no coercion involved. Does that set your mind at
ease?Ф
УWhat happens when the spacers have wives at home?Ф
He shrugged. УSome are faithful, some arenТt. The same goes for the wives. I
know of several arrangements where one woman is married to two spacers. It makes
for a comfortable relationship unless both ships are in orbit at the same time.