"John Maddox Roberts - Cingulum 03 - The Sword, The Jewel and the Mirror" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts John Maddox)

"It's time we were going," Penrose interrupted- He glanced at a readout
floating in front of a wall-screen. "These people have an optimum exit window
to catch, and it's coming up within the hour. Captain, it's been a pleasure
and I look forward to a mutually profitable association."
Haakon saw the syndicate dignitaries to the airlock and went back into the
salon. The 'bots were tidying up as Alexander came in. Alex was a Singeur,
with genetic properties of both human and monkey. His feet were like hands and
he had a prehensile tail decorated with several jeweled rings. "We heading
out, Boss?" From a passing 'bot, he grabbed a stein of beer and sucked up half
of it. Alex looked to be about fourteen standard years, but then he had looked
that way since joining Eurynome, some years earlier.
"In about"тАФHaakon cocked an eye toward the floating readoutтАФ"twenty minutes.
What's Her Ladyship up to?"
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John Maddox Roberts
Alex shrugged, a gesture performed with his entire body. "Ain't seen her in a
couple of days. She keeps to her room. She's had the medbot in there a lot,
but she won't let it record or transmit no data. Me'n Soong got a bet going
about which it's gonna be, but even Mirabelle can't get the word."
"What about Numa?"
"Keeps to himself mostly. Been hiding down by hydroponics lately. Why do you
keep him around?"
"Why do I keep you around?" Haakon asked. "Felids. Jesus! I guess I'd better
go see her."
"Must be tough being captain," Alex commiserated.
"You don't know the half of it. Go tell Rand we're about to move out. Go find
JemтАФ"
"I'm right here," said Jemal. He was sitting in one of the little alcoves off
the main salon, sipping a drink and staring out the big bubble window. The
planet below was spectacular, and the nearby station with its parked ships had
a certain elegant beauty. Haakon walked over and sat in one of the plush
chairs, which curved itself to fit him and began to hum softly.
"It's a good contract," Haakon said. "Easy, safe, and it pays well. We seem to
be working with pretty good people, too."
"Business looks good," Jemal agreed, "but our personnel situation is getting
out of hand. The six of us who started this business didn't have any choice.
Then Alex showed up. Now we have Numa hanging around for his own Felid
reasons. And in a few weeks you know what Rama's going to present us with.
Hack, we just can't keep taking theseтАФthese" Jemal waved his hands
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THE SWORD, THE JEWEL, AND THE MIRROR
in an uncharacteristic search for the proper word, "these civilians onto the
ship."
"They know the risks," Haakon said. "At least, Alex and Numa were told. As for
Rama . . ." he said, trailing off into expressive silence. 'Td better go see
her. I've put it off long enough." He downed the last of his drink and took a
last look at the spectacular view out the bubble. It was the kind of sight
that a real spacer never tired of, no matter how long he'd been in space. "If
I'm not on the bridge within a half hour, send a rescue party."
Rama's suite was the most splendid on the ship. It had been designed as the