"Bud Sparhawk - Primrose and Thorn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sparhawk Bud)

Primrose and Thorn
Bud Sparhawk
"Build me straight,
O worthy Master!
Stanch and strong, a goodly vessel,
That shall laugh at all disaster,
And with wave and whirlwind
wrestle!"

The Building of the Ship, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

"Why did I ever listen to you about this race? I already spend a bunch right here on Earth," protested
Jerome Blacker, president of JBI. "I've been having second thoughts about this Jupiter race."

The two tanned and muscular people facing him looked uneasy. A sales tag was still attached to the
man's sleeve and flapped as he waved his hand while speaking. "You already made the commitment,
JBтАФyou just have to follow through. Come on, it doesn't cost you any real money."

"You sure as hell aren't much of a businessman if you think this won't cost me anything!" JB said nastily.

"Mr. Blacker," Pascal interrupted, "the publicity about this race will bring in more than enough to offset
expenses."

Jerome leaned across the desk. "What about insurance, the cost of transport, the cost of the boats?
Those things aren't cheap!"

Pascal sighed. "The funds from the Jovian ventures can't be spent on Earth. Thanks to the treaty of '54,
you have to reinvest at least 75 percent of your profits."

Jerome winced. "Don't remind me about those damn pirates! If it hadn't been for my stations and hubs,
the damned Jovians wouldn't have a pot to piss in," he grumbled.

Pascal continued his attack. "GeoGlobal and the Times cartel are both outfitting ships for the race. No
telling how many the Jovians are going to enter themselves. If we don't race, JBI will lose a lotтАФthe
publicity about our entry will bring in more than enough revenue to cover our expenses."

Jerome mused, half to himself, as he rubbed his chin. "I remember your numbers, I've read the reports.
So be it. What do I have to do to finalize the financial arrangements?"

Pascal spoke slowly, not wishing to reveal how anxious he was to get JB's approval. "I've already
reserved Thorn, a used barkentine. You just need to sign the commitment for outfitting her. Once that's
done, the orbital factories will start fabricating the sailsтАФwe've already sent them our specs. We'll use the
Jovian funds for both of those efforts. The only cash outlay you need to worry about will be our transport
out to Jupiter."

"Which leaves only the human element," Jerome said. "Even now I find it hard to believe that we can win
this race." He swiveled in his chair to face the woman who sat beside Pascal. She was the best captain in
his fleet and winner of more sailboat races than he could count. She'd been unusually quiet since she
came in the office.
"Do you think you can race one of those barques, Louella?" he asked her quietly. "Do you think you can