"Clash By Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore C. L)

'I think it would be unwise. You need the training course.'

'I've had experience-'

Crosby said, 'It would be a favour, Cine Rhys, if you'd skip the red tape.

I'd appreciate it. Since my nephew wants to be a soldier, I'd much prefer to see him with the Doones.'

Rhys shrugged. 'Very well, Captain Scott will give you your orders, Kane. Remember that discipline is vitally important with us.'

The boy tried to force back a delighted grin. 'Thank you, sir.'

'Captain-'

Scott rose and nodded to Kane. They went out together. In the anteroom was a telaudio set, and Scott called the Doone's local headquarters in Montana Keep. An integrator answered, his face looking inquiringly from the screen.

'Captain Scott calling, subject induction.'

'Yes, sir. Ready to record.'

Scott drew Kane forward. Thotosnap this man. He'll report to headquarters immediately. Name, Norman Kane. Enlist him without training course - special orders from Cine Rhys.'

'Acknowledged, sir.'

Scott broke the connection. Kane couldn't quite repress his grin.

'All right,' the captain grunted, a sympathetic gleam in his eyes. 'That fixes it. They'll put you in my command. What's your speciality.'

'Flitterboats, sir.'

'Good. One more thing. Don't forget what Cine Rhys said, Kane. Discipline is damned important, and you may not have realized that yet. This isn't a cloak-and-sword war. There are no Charges of Light Brigades. No grandstand plays - that stuff went out with the Crusades. Just obey orders, and you'll have no trouble. Good luck.'

'Thank you, sir.' Kane saluted and strode out with a perceptible swagger. Scott grinned. The kid would have that knocked out of him pretty soon.

A voice at his side made him turn quickly. Ilene Kane was standing there, slim and lovely in her celoflex gown.

'You seem pretty human after all, captain,' she said. 'I heard what you told Norman.'

Scott shrugged. 'I did that for his own good - and the good of the Company. One man off the beam can cause plenty trouble, Mistress Kane.'

'I envy Norman,' she said. 'It must be a fascinating life you lead. I'd like it - for a while. Not for long. I'm one of the useless offshoots of this civilization, not much good for anything. So I've perfected one talent.'

'What's that?'

'Oh, hedonism, I suppose you'd call it. I enjoy myself. It's not often too boring. But I'm a bit bored now. I'd like to talk to you, captain.'

'Well. I'm listening,' Scott said.

Ilene Kane made a small grimace. 'Wrong semantic term. I'd like to get inside of you psychologically. But painlessly. Dinner and dancing. Can do?'