"Michael A. Stackpole - Battletech - Mechwarrior - Dark Age 12 - Hunters Of The Deep" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stackpole Michael A)

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Clan Sea Fox CargoShipTalismantia
Non-Standard Jump Point, Vindemiatrix System
Prefecture VIII, The Republic
20 June 3134

The infrared signature of an incoming JumpShip spiked into existence, spreading out like waves from a
rock dropped in a pond. Generated just less than eight hundred million miles from the inhabited planet,
the signature from the emergence point would take seventy minutes or so to reach the planet; by then, of
course, it would be indiscernible from the soft roast of background radiation.

In one of the universeтАЩs most delicious jokes (it surely laughed uproariously at the frail human minds that
strove to comprehend), the infrared spike blossomed in the target system before the Kearny-Fuchida
hyperdrive of the imminently arriving ship even initiated the jump sequence some thirty light-years distant.

To detect the IR spike, a monitoring vessel or station needed to be within fifty thousand kilometers of the
emergence point. In a backwater system whose star could already feel the oppressive weight of its
corona and the coming frost that would extinguish its nuclear fire, imminent arrival shouldтАЩve gone
completely unnoticed.

It didnтАЩt.

A JumpShip waited in the void, its micron-thin solar sail already spread like angelтАЩs wings, greedily
gulping solar energy given freely to any willing to seize it. AScout -class, its single DropShip complement
bore the same marking as was reflected on the prow of the giant, needle-thin starship: a jade falcon in
flight, a katana clutched in rapacious claws. The activity on the bridge crested as fingers flew and
instruments probed the darkness in anticipation. They came here in answer to an offer they could not
refuse. Now theyтАЩd learn if the gypsies were honorable, or if they deserved the Abjurement discussed for
so many years by the remainingtrue Clans.

The fabric of existence screamed, its walls shredded by unfathomable energies wielded like a quantum
blade. A JumpShip, which moments before floated two hundred and eighty billion kilometers distant,
flashed into being in the here and now.

It began.



The small craft clanged as it settled onto the hull of theScout ; the snapping of metal grips announced a
successful mating. Unbuckling himself, Sha Clarke slowly floated up a few centimeters, as the last
vestiges of kinetic energy washed away.

тАЬPrepare for pressure equalization.тАЭ The toneless, mechanical voice seemed too loud for the small,
ten-passenger S-7A Bus. Of course, with an elemental in full battle armor as an honor guard, almost any
shuttle would seem small. His ears popped as the pressure thickened for a moment before his body
acclimatized. Tucking his legs up toward his chest, he tapped lightly against the armrest and sent himself
in a short spinning arc over two rows of seats. In midflight, Sha extended to his full height and spun three
revolutions before coming within reach of the bulkhead and the hatch, which would open to a whole new
world of possibilities. With languid grace he lifted a thin arm, snagged the edge of the bulkhead buttress,