"John Rankine - Dag Fletcher 1 - The Ring of Garamas" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rankine John)

Outside, Fletcher called an auto shuttle and dialled for the Space Centre; but it was not until they were in
a screened interview room in the Earth Planet Consulate that he spoke again to Yola.

The Garamasienne said, тАЬYou were very wise, Commander, all the auto shuttles are tapped. In fact, even
to speak near them is to invite an eavesdropper. The monitors run a sampling service, you understand,
four times out of five all would be well; but it is never safe. I must thank you for your help and now I will
go. There is no longer any danger. If I had been questioned just then it would have been fatal. But now
the group has had time to disperse.тАЭ

тАЬNot so fast. That guard is going to check through. We have to fix your cover. I can do that; but you
must leave your address and registration details for the record. I suppose you don't want to tell me what
it was all about?тАЭ

тАЬI regret that I cannot. You must understand that many others are involved. But be sure that I shall report
your action. Perhaps it will be possible to repay. Who knows how the wheel of fortune may swing.
Meanwhile, I will do as you say.тАЭ

Fletcher pushed over an ivorine memo tablet and Yola scribbled industriously in a round, feminine hand.
But she made no query about the lay out. When the tablet was passed back, Fletcher saw that the detail
was meticulously spaced for scanning by a computer. The girl was familiar with sophisticated equipment.

The detail told why. She was a final year student at the Kristinobyl Polytech. One of the few women to
penetrate the thicket of higher education.

He said, тАЬFine. Now I think you should come back here each day for a little time to give the cover a
chance. I expect to be on my way soon. But the next two or three days for sure. Ask for me at the
desk.тАЭ

When she had gone, Fletcher talked to the Earth Consul. Frank Yexby, soured by a ten year stint on
Garamas, was critical. тАЬYou took a chance, there, Dag. If they'd picked you up for aiding and abetting, I
couldn't have done a thing about it. You'd have been inside for God knows how long. They're touchy
about interference. Do you know how many foreigners they have interned here? It'll surprise you.
Intelligence reported over ten thousand at the last count. They even have a round dozen ships impounded
at this time for minor breaches of the neutrality regulations. Usually they're cleared in a few weeks, but
they've had two O.G.A. military units on ice for the last six months. Just to show impartiality. Though my
guess on that, is that they don't mind having two Scotian frigates held here. Once the crews were back on
board, they'd be in business. It's a counter-weight to I.G.O. patrol visits. I reckon Varley's playing a
variant of that game with the corvette he left behind.тАЭ

тАЬPetrel?тАЭ

тАЬThat's the one. Supposed to be held up for spares, but I have doubts. There's something brewing up
here.тАЭ

тАЬWhat's this girl been doing?тАЭ

тАЬGod knows. There's a whole raft of small political groups. Votes for women, more than likely. They get
very emotional. Probably there was very little to it, but she'd worked herself into a death before
dishonour state. You're lucky she didn't chain herself to your leg.тАЭ