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

Ashley stopped and watched Michaelson taking inventory of his pack, his motions hurried and jerky.
"Harry?" she said softly, remembering the major's warm smile as he talked about his kid brother's
fascination with vehicles and motors. Maybe she should say something . . .

But now Ben called to Michaelson's back, "Some camaraderie. Leaving those men to rot. If I were
youтАФ"

Ashley held a hand toward Ben. "Enough. It's done. Leave him be." She watched Michaelson pound his
gear into his pack and walk away. She turned to Blakely. "Now what?"

Blakely cleared his throat. "The decisions of the past are moot. What we have to decide now is where
we go from here. Regardless of what you all decide, the two SEALs and Major Michaelson will be
proceeding today, searching for clues about the fate of the previous team. The rest of the team must
make a decision. Knowing about the other group, how many of you want to continue with this team?"

Ben spoke up first. "If it weren't for those trapped men, I'd scrap this right now. But they've been waiting
long enough. I'm going."

Eyes turned to Ashley. "This changes everything. I need time to think this through," she said. "We're now
a rescue mission."

"No," Blakely said. "I consider it ajoint mission. The first objective remains the same as the previous
team'sтАФto explore this system for clues to the origin of the cave dwellers. But since your team will be
following in the footsteps of the first, I'm hoping both objectives can be achieved simultaneously."

Blakely pointed a finger at Ashley. "That's why I picked you to be the leader here. Do you still want to
command this team?"

Ashley frowned. "You should have warned us earlier. I don't like being lied to."

"I never lied to you. It was merely a sin of omission. I too had no choice. I was under orders. The fate of
the original team is still under tight wraps. Their families haven't even been told yet."

Ben snorted and mumbled under his breath.

Blakely ignored him. "Professor Carter?"

She found her thoughts drifting to Jason, who was safe back at the base under the care of Blakely's
assistant, Roland. Should she take the risk? She had other responsibilities besides her career. She
remained silent.

"I'll still go," Khalid said. "This is too important."

"Me too," said Linda. "We might need everyone's expertise to find the other team."

Ashley too could not stomach abandoning the other team. She turned to Blakely. "Fine. You still have a
team! But if we don't have complete honesty from hereтАФ"

Blakely nodded, his voice serious. "You have my word." He stepped back and waved her forward.
"Remember, we'll be in contact regularly to map your progress in case of any mishaps. Otherwise, the