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

тАЬDiagram A demonstrates, of course, the most egregious error and yet the simplest correction of all the
issues he failed to address. Why did he not use a mock-up JumpShip for this experiment? Rejecting such
an obvious choice reveals KifтАЩs arrogance and recklessness. His imminent failure would then not have
destroyed such a valuable asset as theInvader .тАЭ

Suspended among the glowing spheres of data, her long hair floating around her head in a halo of slowly
undulating waves, her hypnotic voice flowing into the darkness, she captivated her audience like an
avenging angel come to serve justice to mere mortals. Though Petr could not make out Kif in the
shadows, he knew the man cowered on his seat, wishing he could avoid the inevitable consequences of
his actions.

тАЬTurn your attention to Diagram B, where his second error can be seen. The anchor points have no
safety cutout feature. A simple series of explosive bolts would have saved the JumpShip; the DropShips
could easily have been retrieved at a later time.тАЭ

тАЬThere were safety measures in place,тАЭ Kif exploded, surging up from his seat, his head just breaking
into the light cast by the holographic images.

Jonnic flinched, then speared the man with an outstretched arm. тАЬDo not interrupt me,stravag .тАЭ

тАЬThey malfunctioned,тАЭ he babbled, tumbling gently, unable to master his own maneuvering pack in his
urgency to defend himself. тАЬThe vibrations must have disabled them, orтАФтАЭ

тАЬSilence!тАЭ Petr spoke softly, but the chill of death in his voice cut off KifтАЩs protests as though he were
struck dumb. тАЬYou will not speak until your turn in this trial, Scientist Kif. For your outburst, you have
forfeited your right to present counterarguments point by point. If you commit a second infraction, I will
pass judgment summarily, relegating you to the laborer caste. I will brook no further interference in this
trial.тАЭ No need to ask if he understood.

Silence descended, a viscous entity born of PetrтАЩs decree; even Jonnic recoiled from the ruling.
Significant failure within a caste required the offending party be ejected from his station and moved to the
next lower casteтАФin this case, scientist to technician. For a scientist of KifтАЩs abilities and preeminence to
be relegated to the bottom rung of Clan society meant he would never be able to atone for his mistakes
and regain his previous station through hard work and perseverance. Three lifetimes would not be enough
to work his way up such a distant ladder.

A soft grunt echoed in the room as Kif reseated himself.

тАЬProceed,тАЭ Petr said. Though Jesup made no movement or sound, Petr knewтАФjust knew!тАФthat his
aide was at this very moment thinking that those same iron-clad penalties should apply to the ovKhan.

How many times have I erred due to my arrogance? The lost market on Chamdo that led to such
deadly conflict; the lost chance to build an enclave on Chesterton; the lost colony around
Klathandu IV.Petr suppressed a shiver and shoved those thoughts deep into his mind.

Visibly collecting herself, Jonnic continued. тАЬDiagram C illustrates another lapse in judgment. Though a
series of counterweight balances were installed on the tethers to dampen oscillations and to compensate
for shifting weight within the DropShips once the system entered standard use, the addition of
antioscillation myomer lines to further strengthen against dangerous vibrations spiraling beyond accepted