"Miller,.Steve.And.Lee,.Sharon.-.Liaden.Universe.01.-.Conflict.Of.Honors.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Miller Steve)

The sound was horrible in her ears: jagged, unnatural. She knotted
her fingers in the ridiculous mop of curls, yanking until tears came
to replace the awful laughter. Then she continued on her way, the
rosy glow ever brighter before her.

SHIPYEAR 32

TRIPDAY 148

SECOND SHIFT

10.30 HOURS

"Liadens! Gods-benighted, smooth-faced lying sons and
daughters of curs!"

A crumpled wad of clothing was thrown toward the gapemouthed
duffel with more passion than accuracy. From her station by the
cot, Priscilla fielded it and gently dropped it in the bag. This act
failed to draw Shelly's usual comments about Priscilla's wasted
speed and talent.

"Miserable, stinking half bit of a ship!" Shelly continued at the top of
her range, which was considerable. "One shift on, one shift off;
Terrans to the back, please. and mind your words when you're
speaking to a Liaden! Fines for this, fines for thatЕ no damn shore
leave, no damn privacy, nothing to do but work your shift, sleep
your shift, work your shiftЕ hell!"

She shoved the last of her clothing ruthlessly into the duffel,
slammed a box of booktapes on top, and sealed the carryall with a
violence that made Priscilla wince.

"First mate's a crook; second mate's a rounderЕ here!" She
slapped a thick buff envelope into Priscilla's hand.

The younger woman blinked. "What's this?"

"Copy of my contract and the buy-out feeЧin cantra, as specified.
Think I'm gonna let either the first or the second get their paws on
it? Cleaned me out good and proper, it has. But no savings and no
job is better than one more port o' call on this tub, and that I'll
swear to!" She paused and leaned toward the other woman,
punctuating her points with stabs of a long forefinger. "You give
that envelope to the Trader, girl-o, and let him know I'm gone. You
got the sense I think you got, you'll hand in your own with it."

Priscilla shook her head. "I don't have the buy-out, Shelly."

"But you'd go if you did, eh?" The big woman sighed. "Well, you're