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

parameters would have prevented this entire affair.тАЭ

She slowly rotated around, centering attention on the final holographic image. тАЬIn this final image we see
one more example of KifтАЩs arrogance and unwillingness to follow proscribed and logical steps for safety,
which led to failure instead of success. Rather than risking four DropShips on a single collar, scientist Kif
could have chosen to balance a pair of DropShips, an appreciably easier task. This would have allowed
us to fully test and vet the entire system, measuring peak and trough parameters of each subsystem. Once
full success was achieved, then a series of spinning axles could be built across any given JumpShip.
Instead of four DropShips anchored to a single collar, a set of four collarsтАФor moreтАФcould anchor eight
vessels, each within a larger margin of safety, thus limiting the possibility of future mishaps and
guaranteeing the ClanтАЩs expansion within an acceptable margin of error.тАЭ

The imagery disappeared as she brought up the lights, then slowly rotated, bowing to the entire
assembly. тАЬThus the primary points have been presented. Each of your compads have now received this
data. I thank the assembly for hearing my words.тАЭ She finished, then smoothly transitioned back to her
seat, a predator gone to ground, toying with her prey before launching for the throat.

тАЬYou have thirty minutes to review the material,тАЭ Petr announced, moving to the next phase, тАЬthen input
any queries for scientist Jonnic in her second cycle of the Trial. At that time, scientist Kif may argue to
prove the accusations false.тАЭ

тАЬovKhan,тАЭ Kif said, slowly standing.

PetrтАЩs face darkened with rage at his audacity; gasps and startled murmurs swept through the gathering.

тАЬI know I risk your extreme censure for once more breaking the forms of this trial,тАЭ he began. His voice
gained composure as he spoke; his face and body took on the appearance of calm as though imposed by
sheer force of will. тАЬAnd if you deem me fit only for the laborer caste, I accept your judgment. Yet I
would voluntarily spare the ClanтАЩs expense of any more time and effort on my behalf. Of my own free
will and accord, I do not contest the accusations against me. Scientist Jonnic is correct on all accounts. I
speak a surkairede to voluntarily accept Abjurement from the scientist caste.тАЭ

The stunned silence thickened the air, tension drawn to the breaking point. Despite the manтАЩs terrible
failures and twice interrupting this council, Petr found admiration stirring within him. Staring at a man
reborn from his broken state simply by admitting his failure and by his willingness to accept the
consequencesтАФwhen so many others would have fought like cornered diamond sharks to retain their
placeтАФPetr was compelled to his feet. тАЬSo be it,тАЭ he intoned, respect coating his words. Then he bowed
deeply, holding the position for a long moment.

A ripple of surprise, then a wave of bows swept the assembly. Scientist Jonnic bowed last, stiffly, as
though forced to perform the honorific against her will. Then, in a move that sent another shockwave
through the assembly, she took two steps and grasped KifтАЩs shoulders, saying something only he could
hear. He looked stunned, then pleased, a small smile lighting his face.

Kif bowed in return, then moved toward the entryway. His former colleagues turned away in unison;
though the assembled scientists obviously respected KifтАЩs courage in making his choice, he was no longer
of their caste, and no longer deserved their full attention.

The assembly began to break up. The abrupt conclusion to the trial, expected to stretch for many more
hours, created small groups animated by emphatic nods and gestures.