"Jerry Pournelle - 01 - Janissaries" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pournelle Jerry)

was too highтАФat least a foot higher than a table for humans would have
beenтАФand was transparent, but without the shim-mer of glass, so that it was
almost invisible. A small box with lights and colored squares rested on the table.
Rick had the impression of controls below some of the screens; at least there were
flat plates about an inch square, some lit in bright colors, and others colored but
dark. They might have been pushbut-tons or touch-sensitive plates, but they might
have been anything else. The room was as alien as the creatures.
Despite a strong desire to curl up in a corner and gibber, Rick studied the room
carefully, trying to categorize and file the new information. He kept trying to
convince himself this was a dream, but he knew better. Finally he was able to
speak. тАЬHello.тАЭ When the aliens spoke, both the mouth and nose slits moved.
тАЬYou have very little time, Captain Gal-loway,тАЭ the grey-clad alien said. The
voice was very matter-of-fact. It sounded masculine, but Rick re-minded himself
that he didnтАЩt know the creatureтАЩs sex. Or, he thought, if they even had sexes.
тАЬPerhaps too little. We may have waited too long. We are here to rescue you and
your men.тАЭ
тАЬWho the hellтАФтАЭ
тАЬLater. There is no time.тАЭ
Sure, Rick thought. Later. But the alien was right. The Cubans were approaching
rapidly. He tried to organize his thoughts, but it was difficult to accept what he
was doing, that he was talking withтАФ things. The spokesmanтАФman? No. Not a
man. Not a spokesman, either, his mind gibbered. He had no concepts to use.
Finally he found his voice. тАЬWhat do you want with us?тАЭ
тАЬFor you to get your men aboard. Quickly, before you have none left.тАЭ The alien
spread its hands, palm down, in a gesture that meant nothing to Rick. The tone of
his voice had not changed, but it was not difficult to guess that the alien was
impatient. тАЬAs we have said before and doubtless must say many times again, if
we wished you harm, you would be dead. What can we do to you that the Cubans
will not accomplish within a few hours?тАЭ The alien was obviously right, but that
didnтАЩt make Rick feel much better. The тАЬrescueтАЭ was not very appealing. тАЬHow

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 JANISSARIES


do you know my name?тАЭ he demanded.
тАЬFrom your radio. You have no more time for questions.тАЭ This came from one of
the creatures in bright coveralls. тАЬYou must act. Now.тАЭ
тАЬWhat about our weapons?тАЭ
тАЬBring them. Bring all of your equipment,тАЭ Grey-coveralls said. тАЬBut quickly.
When the Cubans are close enough to see us clearly, we must be gone. With or
without you and your men.тАЭ
тАЬThatтАЩs no choice at all, CapтАЩn,тАЭ Corporal Mason said. тАЬBetter them than the
Cubans.тАЭ The trooperтАЩs voice was flat and without emotion.
тАЬIтАЩd thought of that,тАЭ Rick said. He stood another moment in indecision, but he
had made up his mind. тАЬAll right.тАЭ
тАЬQuickly,тАЭ the alien urged.
тАЬSure. Come on, MasonтАФтАЭ
тАЬYou will leave him here,тАЭ Grey-coveralls said. тАЬAs an earnest of your good
intentions.тАЭ