"Norton, Andre - Solar Queen 01 - Sargasso of Space" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

recorded--there was no appeal.

That was what they had been taught, what Dane had always accepted as fact, and how could it be wrong?

His thoughts were interrupted by a gong note from the machine, one ID strip had been returned, with a new
line on its surface. Artur pounced. A moment later his triumph was open.

"Inter-Solar's Star Runner. Knew you wouldn't let the old man down, boy!" He patted the flat top of the
Psycho patronizingly. "Didn't I tell you how it would work for me?"
Ricki nodded his head eagerly and Hanlaf went so far as to slap Artur on the back. Sands was the magician
who had successfully pulled off a trick.

The next two sounds of the gong came almost together, as the strips clicked in the holder on top of one
another. Ricki and Hanlaf scooped them up. There was disappointment on Ricki's face.

"Martian-Terran Incorporated--the Venturer," he read aloud. And Dane noted that the hand with which he
tucked his ID into his belt was shaking. Not for Ricki the far stars and big adventures, but a small berth in a
crowded planetary service where there was little chance for fame or fortune.

"The Combine's `Deneb Warrior'." Hanlaf was openly exultant, paying no attention to Ricki's
announcement.

"Shake, enemy!" Artur held out his hand with a grin. He, too, ignored Ricki as if his late close companion
had been removed bodily from their midst by the decision of the Psycho.

"Put her there, rival!" Hanlaf had been completely shaken out of his usual subservience by this amazing
good fortune.

The Combine was big, big enough to offer a challenge to Inter-Solar these past two years. They had
copped a Federation mail contract from under I-S's nose and pounded through at least one monopolistic
concession on an inner system's route. Artur and his former follower might never meet in open friendship
again. But at the present their mutual luck in getting posts in the Companies was all that mattered.

Dane continued to wait for the Psycho to answer him. Was it possible for an ID to jam somewhere in the
interior of that box? Should he hunt for someone in authority and ask a question or two? His strip had been
the first to go in--but it was not coming out. And Artur was waking up to that fact--

"Well, well, no ship for the Viking? Maybe they haven't got one to fit your particular scrambled talents,
big boy--"

Could that be true, Dane hazarded? Maybe no ship now in the Port cradles needed the type of service his
strip said he had to offer. Did that mean that he would have to stay right here until such a ship came in?

It was as if Artur could read his thoughts. Sands' grin changed from one of triumph to a malicious half-
sneer.

"What did I tell you?" he demanded. "Viking doesn't know the right people. Going to bring in your kit and
camp out until Psycho breaks down and gives you an answer?"

Hanlaf was impatient. His self-confidence had been given a vast jolt towards independence, so that now he