"Jerry Pournelle - High Justice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pournelle Jerry)

nodded, and Martinez continued, "But we have poachers since we can't get title to the sea beds.
Out here we own the waters, and nothing at home has the potential of these reefs, Bill. We can
grow anything in enormous quantities. The Project's already starting to produce. Give us a year.
I've got five square miles under intensive cultivation. We'll clear over a thousand salable tons
to the square mile. At fifty cents a pound-and you know we'll get more than that, Bill-we'll take
in five million dollars."
"About two percent of the cost of those dams," Adams reminded him. Before Martinez could protest
Bill interrupted. "Yeah, I know. You've got a lot more square miles you'll bring in next year.
I've seen the projections. But the Company's got cash problems, and this place had better plan on


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paying its own way." He pushed back his chair, turned to the windows of the lagoon.
"Don't-don't you ever do anything just because it's worth doing?" Courtney asked. Her voice was
not quite under control, as if she were holding back anger.
Adams shrugged. "When you're talking about as much money as this Project costs, you get into the
altruism game precisely once. OK, if you'll ask His Highness to come in, I'd like to meet him. And
I give all of you warning, be careful what you say when he's here."
"Would you rather we left?" Courtney asked.
"No. I may need all of my advisors. But keep your little round mouth closed unless I ask for
something, will you? All right, Mike."

His Highness, Toki Ukamea, Prime Minister and Crown Prince, was a giant for a Tongan. He stood six
feet two, with broad shoulders and the hips. Adams noted the massive hands and legs, and that the
full middle had no sag at all. The two councillors were normal-sized Tongans, short and rather
slender but well-muscled, and both wore open, flowered shirts. His Highness was wearing a dark
suit and regimental striped tie which Adams noted thoughtfully. Cambridge or Oxford, couldn't
remember which, or which college . . .
There were few formalities. After the introductions they sat at the big conference table and Adams
nodded to Mike King, who began by telling the Prince about Persephone.
He was interrupted by a full, hearty laugh. "I already know about your ship, Mr. Adams," the
prince said. His voice was deep and rich, with an almost perfect Oxbridge accent. "You must
remember that Fiji and Tonga have been close neighbors for centuries, and we have many friends
there. My people sail to Fiji whenever they like."
"I thought you would know, Your Highness," Adams said. The amused glint was back in his grey eyes.
"But I wonder if you know the consequences of that?"
"Damned awkward for your company, I think," the Prince said. His voice lost the amused tone, and
became stern. "For us too, perhaps."
Adams nodded and turned to Mike King.
"Yes, sir," Mike said. "Overseas Foods wants the Station. They've got enough of our bonds and
preferred debentures to get it. We might be able to keep the reactors, and then again we might
not, but they definitely want the rest of the Project. Except for the whales, which they consider
an unnecessary expense. They'll butcher them."
"Susie!" Courtney exclaimed. "But you can't let them do that, we're just beginning to-we might
even be able to have them bear young, save the species. ..."
"Aye. And before they can be killed I'll turn them out myself," Dr. MacRae added. "Nae matter what
Mr. Lewis says, but I think he'll no forbid it. I hae never met the chief but I'm told he loves
the whales."