"Norton, Andre - Time Traders II" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

Ruthven lifted a fat hand, running the nail of a broad thumb back and forth across his lower lip in a
habitual gesture Ashe had learned to mistrust. As the latter stiffened, bracing for a battle of wills, he
saw Kelgarries come alert too. At least the colonel more often than not was able to counter Ruthven's
demands.
 "We test and we test," said the fat man. "Always we test. We move like turtles when it would be
better to race like greyhounds. There is such a thing as overcaution, as I have said from the first. One
would think"--his accusing glance included Ashe and Kelgarries--"that there had never been any
improvising in this project, that all had always been done by the book. I say that this is the time we
must take the big gamble, or else we may find we have been outbid for space entirely. Let those
others discover even one alien installation they can master and--" his thumb shifted from his lip,
grinding down on the desk top as if it were crushing some venturesome but entirely unimportant
insect--"and we are finished before we really begin."
There were a number of men in the project who would agree with that, Ashe knew. And a greater
number in the country and Alliance at large. The public was used to reckless gambles which paid off,
and there had been enough of those in the past to give an impressive argument for that point of view.
But Ashe, himself, could not agree to a speed-up. He had been out among the stars, shaved disaster
too closely because the proper training had not been given.
"I shall report that I advise a take-off within a week," Ruthven was continuing. "To the council I
shall say that--"
"And I do not agree!" Ashe cut in. He glanced at Kelgarries for the quick backing he expected, but
instead there was a lengthening moment of silence. Then the colonel spread out his hands and said
sullenly:
"I don't agree either, but I don't have the final say-so. Ashe, what would be needed to speed up any
take-off?"
It was Ruthven who replied. "We can use the Redax, as I have said from the start."
Ashe straightened, his mouth tight, his eyes hard and angry.
"And I'll protest that . . . to the council! Man, we're dealing with human beings--selected
volunteers, men who trust us--not with laboratory animals!"
Ruthven's thick lips pouted into what was close to a smile of derision. "Always the sentimentalists,
you experts in the past! Tell me, Dr. Ashe, were you always so thoughtful of your men when you sent
agents back into time? And certainly a voyage into space is less risky than time travel. These
volunteers know what they have signed for. They will be ready--"
"Then you propose telling them about the use of Redax--what it does to a man's mind?" countered
Ashe.
"Certainly. They will receive all necessary instructions."
Ashe was not satisfied. He would have spoken again, except that Kelgarries interrupted:
"If it comes to that, none of us here has any right to make final decisions. Waldour has already sent
in his report about the snoop. We'll have to await orders from the council."
Ruthven levered himself out of his chair, his solid bulk stretching his uniform coveralls. "That is
correct, Colonel. In the meantime I would suggest we all check to see what can be done to speed up
each one's portion of labor." Without another word, he tramped to the door.
Waldour eyed the other two with mounting impatience. It was plain he had work to do and wanted
them to leave. But Ashe was reluctant. He had a feeling that matters were slipping out of his control,
that he was about to face a crisis which was somehow worse than just a major security leak. Was the
enemy always on the other side of the world? Or could he wear the same uniform, even pretend to
share the same goals?
In the outer corridor he still hesitated. Kelgarries, a step or so in advance, looked back over his
shoulder impatiently.
"There's no use fighting--our hands are tied." His words were slurred, almost as if he wanted to
disown them.