"Bud Sparhawk - Alba Krystal" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sparhawk Bud)

Then he introduced each of us, leaving me to the last -- sort of getting her used to the idea of our
differences from normals before springing that mass of wet flesh around my neck on her. To give her
credit she hid her reaction pretty well, just a slight widening of her eyes was all.

"And I am Krystal, Alba Krystal," she replied demurely. A Rottenhut wolf suddenly materializing in our
midst couldn't have caused a greater shock than to hear that name.

Way back when, even before the old Empire split into the Federation, the Grand Alliance, and the AI
(Associated Independents) the Krystal family had made its fortune. I think their first billion was made in
securities; taking advantage of the fact that paper travels cheaper than gold the family had stripped the
outer worlds of a good deal of their accumulated wealth before the laws were passed to stop them.

A second billion was received from the sale of the various offices, firms and businesses that had attached
themselves to the security industry like barnacles to the old sailing ships. The Krystals had turned that
money into land -- new planets that were developed to maximum profitability for the family. Then they
went into shipping.

About that time the Empire split -- or should I say the government finally acknowledged its own ineptness
and gave way to the creation of the Grand Alliance. The Federation and the AI had split off years before,
but that wasn't officially recognized.

After the split the rivalry between the factions turned into open warfare and that gave rise to the Krystal
family's latest venture -- weapons and mercenaries. It was said, but always in whispers, that the family
supplied all three sides with the tools of war, and turned a profit no matter who the victor or what the
cost.

And now we poor deep miners, out here as much for our aversion to war as for the tidy profit, were
pulled into the middle of the whole mess: Alba Krystal indeed. Now that she said the name I could see
the fine line of the chin and the regal bearing that were the mark of the family. Of course Jim had
recognized her; we all should have from the news tapes that drifted our way.

After we got her bedded down properly in Jack's area, and had Alice raise that section of the station
another notch, turn on the noise suppressors to mask the creaks and groans of the station and dim the
lights so the girl could rest, we congregated in the galley for some serious discussion. I acted as recorder
since my signing was too slow for participation.

James emptied the sack the greenies had left on the table top. There were a few items of torn clothing, a
record pack, a silver case embossed with the letters "A.K." and various items of machinery we couldn't
identify. "Alice," shouted Jorge. "Play back your memories of the delivery." There were a few clicks and
peeps, a ping and then a slurred sibilant voice came from Alice's speaker on the wall.

"To the managers of this facility," it began. "I am Rhoday Thea-Capital. I deliver one human being,
F.O.B. Station A-116. Subject cargo was received from Snart Apl-Drawing on consignment for delivery
to nearest human outpost.

"Data on item as follows: discovered as found cargo following unexplained destruction of ship _Milady's
Castle_ near Celphus III. Belongings in actual legal possession of subject delivered. Other items
categorized for resale or distribution to cover marginal costs.

"Bills due will be receivable at next human encounter. Rhoday Thea-Capital closes his ledger." With that