"Eric Frank Russel - Next of Kin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Eric Frank)

"If the job has to be done somebody must do it," answered Leeming evasively.



"I am fully aware of the fact. But I want to know exactly why you volunteered." He waited a bit, urged,
"Come on, speak up! I won't penalize a risk-taker for giving his reasons."



Thus encouraged, Leeming said, "I like action. I like working on my own. I don't like the time-wasting
discipline they go in for around the base. It gives me a pain in the seat, Stand here, stand there, put your
chest out, pull your belly in, polish your shoes, get a haircut, take that silly look off your face, who d'you
think you're speaking to? I'm a fully trained scout pilot and not a dressed-up dummy for uniformed
loudmouths to bark at. I want to get on with the work for which I am suited and that's all there is to it"



Markham showed no ire. On the contrary, he nodded understandingly. "So do most of us. Terrans
always were an impatient bunch. Do you think I'm not frustrated sitting behind a desk while a major war
is being fought?" Without waiting for a response he added, "I've no time far a man who volunteers
because he's been crossed in love or wants to do some heavy bragging or anything like that. I want a
competent pilot who is an individualist afflicted with the fidgets."



"Yes, sir."



"You seem to fit the part all right. Your technical record is first-class. Your disciplinary record stinks to
high heaven." He eyed his listener blank-faced. "Two charges of refusing to obey a lawful order. Four for
insolence and insubordination. One for parading with your cap on back to front. What on earth made you
do that?"



"I had a bad attack of what-the-hell, sir," explained Leeming.



"Did you? Well, it's obvious that you're a confounded nuisance. The space-base would be better off
without you."
"Yes, sir."



"As you know, we and a few allies are fighting a big combine led by the Lathians. The size of the
opposition doesn't worry us. What we lack in numbers we more than make up for in competence and