"Jack McKinney - Robotech 04 - Battlehymn" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKinney Jack)

Gloval's real concern was that the Council didn't consider victory an
acceptable scenario.
Which is why he had taken it upon himself to launch the SDF-1. He was
going to focus attention on the civilians one way or another...

There was panic on the ground and panic in the voice of the Aeronautics
Command controller.
"NAC. ground control to SDF-1 bridge: Come in immediately...NAC. ground
control to SDF-1 bridge: Come in immediately, over!"
On the bridge of the dimensional fortress there were suppressed grins of
satisfaction. Captain Gloval put a match to his pipe, disregarding Sammie's
reminders. He let a minute pass, then signaled Claudia from the command chair
to respond to the incoming transmission.
"SDF-1 bridge to NAC. ground control, I have Captain Gloval. Go ahead,
over."
Gloval drew at his pipe and blew a cloud toward the overhead monitors.
He could just imagine the scene below: the eyes of Los Angeles riveted on his
sky spectacle. He had ordered Lang and astrogation to utilize the newly
revamped antigrav generators to secure and maintain a low-level fly-by, and so
the enormous triple ports of the foot thrusters were scarcely a mile above the
streets. There would be no mistaking this for some Hollywood stunt. And not
only were people getting their first look at the airborne SDF-1, but also of
the formerly top-secret mecha that flew along with her-fighters, Guardians,
and Battloids hovering and circling a milehigh bipedal Robotechnological
marvel. Forget the majestic colors of those sunset clouds, Gloval wanted to
tell them. Here was something really worth photographing!
"Captain Gloval, low flights over population centers have been strictly
prohibited except in extreme emergencies."
Gloval reached forward and picked up the handset. "This is an emergency.
We must maintain a low-altitude holding pattern. Our gravity control system is
not perfected, and the lives of our 56,000 civilian detainees are in
jeopardy."
Lisa Hayes turned from her station to throw him a conspiratorial wink.
"But sir, you're causing a panic down here. Increase your altitude and
fly out over the ocean immediately. It's imperative."
I have them where I want them! Gloval said to himself.
"I will comply with your order if you can give me permission to
disembark these civilians."
The speakers went silent; when the controller returned, there was
incredulity and urgency in his voice.
"Sir, that's impossible. Orders from UEDC headquarters state that no one
is to leave your ship. We have no authority to countermand those orders. You
must leave this area at once."
It was time to let some of the anger show. Gloval shouted, "I will not
rest until those orders are changed!"
He slammed the handset back into its cradle and leaned back into the
chair. Vanessa had swiveled from her screen to study him; he knew what was on
her mind and granted her the liberty to speak freely.
"Sir, isn't it dangerous to be making threats while we're on the aircom
net?"