"John Ringo - The Legacy of the Aldenata 5 - The Hero" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ringo John)

few could "read minds" but many of them could sense emotions even at a distance. A few could get a
vague sense of the future.
There were the expected prejudices against them. Despite the fact that few could sense, much less
decipher, actual thoughts, everyone feared them for that potential ability to delve into the private
recesses of the mind. Every sentient being that the humans had met had thoughts that they preferred not
see the light of day. Thus, most found sensats uncomfortable companions. Most sensats, in fact, could
just barely sense emotions and occasionally very strong and focused thoughts. They might get a vision of
the last thing a dying person saw for instance. That didn't make people any happier.
A few were found on the Deep Recon teams. Generally they were empaths who could do things
like spot an ambush by the "lying in wait" emotions of the attackers. The Blobs were detectable by the
sensats. Indeed, because sensats could detect a Blob kilometers away, the Tslek apparently used
extrasensory perception as a normal means of communication.
"Welcome back. I hope it was a good exercise?" the captain greeted them. There was an
automatic but halfhearted flurry of mumbles and "sir"s as the team all but ignored him to stare at the
Darhel.
The captain had been prepared for that response, and rather than waste time, said, "Let me
introduce Tirdal San Rintai." The Darhel nodded at the introduction and waited patiently. "Tirdal is a
limited empath, a Class Two, and has completed the qual course for DRT sensat with a secondary skill
of medic. He will be accompanying you on the upcoming mission."
There were mutters and barely audible comments, which reached the surface when Dagger said,
"No offense, sir, Tirdal"тАФwith a faint nod at the DarhelтАФ"but we've been a team for a long time and
operate well together. We don't need unfamiliar personnel in our ranks at the start of a mission, with no
prep or training time. It's more likely to screw things up than help."
The captain fixed Dagger with a stare. "You think so, do you? You know what the mission is,
then?" Before Dagger could even shake his head, he continued, riding over any other arguments that
lurked beneath the surface. "Well, here's the facts: We have a warning order for an insertion on a
possible Blob planet, to recover intel and possibly artifacts and prisoners. Theonly team that ever made it
back from one of those had a sensat along. So we are taking a sensat. Period. Tirdal is available, trained
and has Level Four sensat scores. He's going with us. Is that all right with you, Sergeant?" His emphasis
while staring at Dagger made it clear he was tiring of Dagger's questioning on every mission order. The
man could shoot like nobody's business, and outstalk a cheetah, but his regard for authority left much to
be desired.
Dagger stared back, firmly though not obviously defiantly, and said firmly, "Understood, sir. Tirdal,
welcome to the team."
At that, Tirdal finally betrayed action, stepping forward to shake hands. "I greet you, Dagger. I'm
sure we can work together." His voice was sonorous and deep and his grip solid as Dagger took it.
Then it was more than solid, a strong, crushing grasp, accompanied by a violet and cyan stare that
locked with his eyes and seemed to look through them into the brain behind.
Dagger pressed down on the hand, hard. Besides being a multiplanet-classed shot he was one of
the strongest men on a team of very strong men. But he couldn't budge the Darhel's grip. After a moment
he felt the Darhel start to press down and it was like having his hand in the grip of a mechanical press.
After a moment's struggle his face finally betrayed a flicker of pain and the Darhel, smiling again, faintly,
released the pressure.
Dagger didn't betray any surprise outwardly, despite what he felt inside at Tirdal's disturbing
presence and strength. "Yeah, no problem," he muttered, trying not to shake his hand in reaction to the
pain.
"I look forward to working with you," Tirdal said with a nod, his vertical-pupilled eyes never
leaving the face of the sniper.
The others shook hands and introduced themselves. Tirdal nodded to each in turn, saying almost
nothing else.