"Kim Stanley Robinson - Mars 1 - Red Mars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robinson Kim Stanley)

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Chalmers got up to move on, meeting for one instant SelimтАЩs insistent gaze. Then he
strode down a side street, one of the narrow lanes that connected the cityтАЩs seven main
boulevards. Most were paved with cobblestones or streetgrass, but this one was rough
blond concrete. He slowed by a recessed doorway, looked in the window of a closed boot
manufactury. His faint reflection appeared in a pair of bulky walker boots.

Opinions vary . Yes, a lot of people had underestimated John BooneтАФChalmers
had done it himself many times. An image came to him of John in the White House, pink
with conviction, his disobedient blond hair flying wildly, the sun streaming in the Oval Office
windows and illuminating him as he waved his hands and paced the room, talking away
while the President nodded and his aides watched, pondering how best to co-opt that
electrifying charisma. Oh, they had been hot in those days, Chalmers and Boone; Frank
with the ideas and John the front man, with a momentum that was practically unstoppable.
It would be more a matter of derailment, really.

Selim el-Hayil's reflection appeared among the boots.

тАЬIs it true?тАЭ he demanded.

тАЬIs what true?тАЭ said Frank crossly.

тАЬIs Boone anti-Arab?тАЭ

тАЬWhat do you think?тАЭ

тАЬWas he the one who blocked permission to build the mosque on Phobos?тАЭ

тАЬHeтАЩs a powerful man.тАЭ

The young SaudiтАЩs face twisted. тАЬThe most powerful man on Mars, and he only wants
more! He wants to be king!тАЭ Selim made a fist and struck his other hand. He was
slimmer than the other Arabs, weak-chinned, his moustache covering a small mouth.

тАЬThe treaty comes up for renewal soon,тАЭ Frank said. тАЬAnd BooneтАЩs coalition is
bypassing me.тАЭ He ground his teeth. тАЬI don't know what their plans are, but I'm going to
find out tonight. You can imagine what theyтАЩll be, anyway. Western biases, certainly. He
may withhold his approval of a new treaty unless it contains guarantees that all settlements
will be made only by the original treaty signatories.тАЭ Selim shivered, and Frank pressed;
тАЬItтАЩs what he wants, and itтАЩs very possible he could get it, because his new coalition makes
him more powerful than ever. It could mean an end to settlement by non-signatories.
You'll become guest scientists. Or get sent back.тАЭ

In the window the reflection of Selim's face appeared a kind of mask, signifying
rage. тАЬBattal, battal ,тАЭ he was muttering. Very bad, very bad. His hands twisted as if out of
his control, and he muttered about the Koran or Camus, Persepolis or the Peacock
Throne, references scattered nervously among non-sequiturs. Babbling.

тАЬTalk means nothing,тАЭ Chalmers said harshly. тАЬWhen it comes down to it, nothing