"James Rollins - Subterranean" - читать интересную книгу автора (Romeyn Henry)

other financial backers seemed very pleased."

"Yes," he said with a tired smile. "I think so too." He pulled off his jacket and let it drop on a nearby
chair. He sat down in another.

Roland placed the slide carousel in a cardboard box. "No one even suspected there was a previous
exploration team."

He shrugged. "They have no need for that information right now."

"But what ifтАФ"

"We're much better prepared this time. Don't worry. We won't lose this team."


FOUR
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN AS MANY MONTHS, ASHLEYstuck her nose in Major
Michaelson's face. Even now, outfitted in his dress blues, she recognized the same blue-eyed plastic
soldier boy who had escorted Dr. Blakely to her doorstep. "I don't care if you and your two goons come
along with my team," she said, accosting him just outside the auditorium. "I want it made perfectly clear
right now. This team ismine ."

He stood straight, not pulling an inch from her face. "Ma'am, I have my orders."

She hated surprises like these. Blakely should have forewarned her that there would be armed escorts
accompanying her team. "This is a scientific mission. Not a military one."

"As Dr. Blakely explained, we're merely going along for defensive reasons. For safety."

"Fine," she said, staring him square in the eyes. "But you remember, even though you may be carrying
the guns, I give the orders. Understood?"

He did not blink, just nodded slightly. "I have my orders, ma'am."

She ground her molars, squelching an outburst. What could she do? She stepped back. "As long as we
understand each other."

"Is there some trouble, ladies?" Ben had appeared at her elbow. He smiled, but there was a tightness to
his lips as he eyed the major.
Ashley sensed Ben's edginess, nothing like his earlier casual attitude. Probably isn't too keen on the idea
of being surrounded by guns either, she thought. "No," she said aloud. "We're just clearing up a few
points."

"Good. We're going to be buried together for the summer in a hole two miles deep. Let's start out
friends." Ben stuck out a hand toward the officer.

Major Michaelson ignored Ben's hand. "You do your job, and I'll do mine." With a nod toward Ashley,
the major turned and strode away.

"Nice bloke," Ben said. "Real friendly." The sarcasm in his voice was tough to miss.