"David Robbins - Blade 9 - LA Strike" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robbins David L)

тАШWe have company coming." His voice was low. A moment later Blade heard the sound of a jeep engine
approaching from the south, from of the gate affording access to the Force turned and spied a vehicle, a
roofless Army jeep two men, the driver and one other.

General Miles Gallagher.

"Oh goody" Lobo said, his gaze on the general. "This must be our lucky day. He probably has another
assignment for us. I wonder who will get the chance to try and blow us away this time?"

CHAPTER TWO

The jeep sped past the three concrete bunkers situated in the center of the compound and continued to
the north, to the firing range only one hundred yards farther. The driver braked, and out hopped a
bulldog of a man in an immaculate dress uniform, his crew-cut brown hair and brown eyes adding to the
pugnacious impression he conveyed. Initially, Gallagher had opposed the formation of the Freedom
Force.

An admitted isolationist, be bad never believed that California needed to join the Federation. Although
heтАЩd objected strenuously, he had agreed to serve as the official liaison between Governor Melnick and
the Force. Now he gave them all a brief scan and focused on the Warrior. "How are they shaping up?"

"Hello to you too, General," Blade said.

"Sorry, but you should know by now IтАЩm not one for formality. I believe in getting straight to the point.
ItтАЩs my military background."

"To what do we owe this honor?"

Gallagher reached behind him and pulled a folded news- paper from his right back pocket. "Have you
seen the story yet?" He unfolded the copy, the latest of the LA. Times.

Blade nodded. "I read it this morning. Yes, 1 saw the article about our mission in Mexico." He didnтАЩt
bother to mention that he still wasnтАЩt reconciled to the practice of having each Force assignment detailed
in the press. Governor Melnick had instituted the practice, claiming the news reports would help present
the Force in a positive image to the people of California, many of whom had entertained the same about
about the Force as General Gallagher. Blade suspected that the stories had a twofold purpose. They
boosted the Force, but they also indirectly boosted the political career of Governor Melnick. During his
schooling years at the Home he had learned about the devious politicians who had frequently manipulated
those they purportedly represented during the decades preceding World War Three. Not much had
changed, he reflected wryly.

"What did you think of the piece?"

"It was well written," Blade said. "The style reminded me a lot of AthenaтАЩs."

Gallagher did a double take. "it did?"

"Yeah," Blade stated, thinking of Athena Morris, the previous female member of the team, a journalist
who had joined so she could report their escapades firsthand and advance her career in the bargain. To
the amazement of everyone, including her, she had fallen in love with the former recruit from the Civilized