"L. E. Modesitt - The Forever Hero 2 -The Silent Warrior" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

"Farewell?"

This time he could not stop the shivers. So he sat and trembled until they passed.

After a time he stood and went to the screen, tapping out the combination he had never
used.

A woman's face appeared in the screen--hair snow-starred in the latest pattern, but
slightly askew, composed, but with the smudged circles of tiredness under her eyes, eyes from
which radiated the fine lines of a middle aged woman under stress.

"Commander Gerswin, I believe."

"How did you know?" He could tell his voice was ragged.

"The Duchess left a solideo cube. She thought you would call. I think she hoped you would
not accept a mere farewell note."

"Could . . . I'd like to talk to her. Come and see her if at all possible."

"It's not possible, Commander, though we all wish it were. She has some pride, and forbade
it."

"I don't understand."

"She left for H'Liero yesterday, for the Mern'tang Health Center."

"Oh . . ." Another chill passed through him. The famous center accepted only cases
diagnosed as terminal, and only patients who could afford the astronomical costs.

"Her mother and grandmother both died of Byclero's Syndrome. His Grace had hoped that
continual treatment would lessen the chances . . ." The woman's voice died off.



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Gerswin shook his head again, and again, his eyes unable to focus on the screen.

He reached out to break the connection.

"Commander." Her level tone reached him.

He stopped, blinked back the tears he did not know he had shed, wiped his eyes with the
back of his sleeve, and cleared his throat.

"Yes."