"Jack McKinney - Robotech 10 - Invid Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKinney Jack)

"All right," Gardner said decisively. "Issue the go signal to all Veritechs."
"One minute and counting, sir."
The commander turned to Scott.
"It's up to your squads now, Lieutenant. We've got to get through their lines and set
these ships down." Scott saluted, and Gardner returned it. "Good luck," he added.
"You can count on us."
Marlene had turned from her station, waiting for him to walk past. As he leaned down to
kiss her, she smiled and surprised him by placing a heart-shaped holo-locket into his hand.
"Take this with you," she said while he was regarding the thing. "It's my way of saying
`good luck.'"
Scott thanked her and leaned in to collect that kiss after all. Resurfaced, he found
Gardner and the techs smiling at him; he gave another crisp salute and rushed from the bridge.
"`Good-bye, sweetheart,'" one of the techs stationed behind Marlene mimicked not a moment
after Scott left. "`And here's a token of my undying love.'"
Marlene poked her head around the side of the chair. Marf and one who liked to be called
Red were laughing. "Knock it off," she told them. She was used to the razzing-personal time was
hard to come by aboard ship, and Scott's open displays of affection only added fuel to the fire-
but in no mood for it right now.
"What's the matter, Marlene?" Red said over his shoulder. "Don't you know that absence
makes the heart grow fonder?"
She swiveled about in the cushioned seat and hid her face in her hands. "I don't know how
it could," she managed, suddenly on the verge of tears.
"Don't let them get to you, Marlene," one of her supporters at the forward stations called
out while Red laughed.
Come back, Scott, she prayed. I'd give my life to keep you safe.

Gardner's command ship was actually one of the fleet's many transport vessels-delicate-
looking ships that resembled swans in flight, with long, tapering necks and thin swept-back wings


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under each of which was affixed a boxcarlike Veritech carrier.
Scott, his body sheathed in lime-green armor, was strapping himself into one of the
Veritechs now. Fifteen years had seen only minor changes in armor and craft. Lang's Robotech
design team had maintained the "thinking caps" and sensor-studded mitts and boots that were so
characteristic of the first-generation VT pilots. Armor itself had become somewhat bulky due to
the fact that these third-generation warriors were involved in ground-assault missions as often as
they were in space strikes; but there was none of the gladiatorial styling favored by Lang's
counterparts in the Army of the Southern Cross.
"The main engine and boosters are in top shape, sir," a launch tech perched on the rim of
the Veritech bin told Scott before he lowered the canopy. "Good luck and good hunting."
Scott flashed him a thumbs-up as the canopy sealed itself. "Thanks, pal," he said over the
externals. "I'll be seein' you Earthside."
Flashes of green and red light from the cockpit displays played across the tinted
faceshield of Scott's helmet as he activated and engaged one after another of the Veritech's
complex systems. "This is Commander Bernard of the Twenty-first Armored Tactical Assault Squadron,
Mars Division," he announced over the com net. "Condition is green, and we are go for launch."
"The flight bay is open," control radioed back to him. "You are cleared for launch,