"Robert Reed - Five Thrillers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

of course."

Neither officer had considered saving their machines.

"We chop off our own arms?тАЭ the engineer whined. тАЬAnd our legs too?"
"Prosthetics do wonders,тАЭ Joe pointed out. тАЬOr the company can grow us new limbs. They won't match
the originals, but they'll be workable enough."

The officers traded nervous looks.

"What else do you have?тАЭ the captain asked.

"One crewmember remains behind."

"We've considered that,тАЭ the engineer warned. тАЬBut there's no decent way to decide who stays and who
goes."

"Two of us have enough mass,тАЭ Joe pointed out. тАЬIf either one stays, everybody else escapes."

At six foot and ninety kilos, Joe was easily the largest crewman.

"So you're volunteering?тАЭ asked the captain, hope brightening her tiny brown face.

Joe said, тАЬNo,тАЭ with a flat, unaffected voice. тАЬI'm sorry. Did I say anything about volunteers?"

Suddenly the only sound was the thin wind caused by a spaceship suffering a thousand tiny leaks.

One person among the crew was almost as big as Joe.

The engineer whispered, тАЬDanielle."

Both officers winced. Their colleague was an excellent worker and a dear friend, and Danielle also
happened to be attractive and popular. Try as they might, they couldn't accept the idea that they would
leave her behind, and without her blessing, at that.

Joe had anticipated their response. тАЬBut if you had a choice between her and me, you'd happily abandon
me. Is that right?"

They didn't answer. But Joe was new to the crew, and when their eyes dropped, they were clearly
saying, тАЬYes."

He took no offense.

With a shrug and a sigh, Joe gave his audience time enough to feel ashamed. Then he looked at the
captain, asking, тАЬWhat about Barnes? He's only ten, maybe eleven kilos lighter than me."

That name caused a brief exchange of glances.

"What are you planning?тАЭ asked the engineer.