"Norton, Andre - Solar Queen 02 - Plague Ship" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

PLAGUE SHIP
by Andre Norton

An Iczelion (scan)-Nadie (proof/layout) coproduction.
Contents

* PERFUMED PLANET
* RIVALS
* CONTACT AT LAST
* GORP HUNT
* THE PERILOUS SEAS
* DUELIST'S CHALLENGE
* BARRING ACCIDENT
* HEADACHES
* PLAGUE!
* E-STAT LANDING
* DESPERATE MEASURES
* STRANGE BEHAVIOR OF A HOOBAT
* OFF THE MAP
* SPECIAL MISSION
* MEDIC HOVAN REPORTS
* THE BATTLE OF THE VIDEO
* IN CUSTODY
* BARGAIN CONCLUDED



Chapter I
PERFUMED PLANET

DANE THORSON, CARGO-MASTER-APPRENTICE of the Solar Queen, Galactic Free Trader spacer,
Terra registry, stood in the middle of the ship's cramped bather while Rip Shannon, assistant Astrogator
and his senior in the Service of Trade by some four years, applied gobs of highly scented paste to the skin
between Dane's rather prominent shoulder blades. The small cabin was thickly redolent with spicy odors
and Rip sniffed appreciatively.

"You're sure going to be about the best smelling Terran who ever set boot on Sargol's soil," his soft slur of
speech ended in a rich chuckle.

Dane snorted and tried to estimate progress over one shoulder.

"The things we have to do for Trade!" his comment carried a hint of present embarrassment. "Get it well
in--this stuff's supposed to hold for hours. It'd better. According to Van those Salariki can talk your ears
right off your head and say nothing worth hearing. And we have to sit and listen until we get a straight
answer out of them. Phew!" He shook his head. In such close quarters the scent, pleasing as it was, was
also overpowering. "We would have to pick a world such as this--"

Rip's dark fingers halted their circular motion. "Dane," he warned, "don't you go talking against this
venture. We got it soft and we're going to be credit-happy--if it works out--"