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

A holographic image immediately materialized and the head of an astonishingly ugly woman spun into
view from nothingness. Her lackluster black hair (shorn off with a dull knife?), pimply skin and swarthy
complexion made Petr wrinkle his nose, as if he were preparing for an olfactory assault that could not
exist. He wanted to dismiss this woman out of hand, but her smoky gray eyes held an intelligence that
could not be denied. And her message, and the means of its delivery, intrigued him.

тАЬSalutations, ovKhan Petr Kalasa. You are no doubt wondering how this data cube appeared on
your CargoShip, when no DropShip has made planetfall for more than five weeks. And beyond
this mystery, you must wonder why I believe such a powerful man would agree to meet with such
a lowly person as myself. The fact remains that I have information you will find most . . . valuable.
Information that affects your entire Khanate, and possibly the whole of Clan Sea Fox.

тАЬOh, I know this sounds like hyperbole, but that is for you to decide. If you wish a meeting, I will
be on Adhafera when you arrive.тАЭ

The image dissolved into the nothingness from which it came. Petr was intrigued by the appearance, as if
by magic, of the cube in his cabin. This accomplishment alone, for such an ugly woman, brought
admiration.

But in the brief discussion with Jesup, the idea had blossomed that this somehow tied in with Sha Clarke.
Could thesurat have managed this? Could Sha truly have sunk to such a level that he would use ugly
spheroids to accomplish his work?

He stood abruptly, pulled the data cube from its socket and moved to undog the hatch.

It was time to alter their course.


1
Clan Sea Fox CargoShipVoidswimmer
Zenith Jump Point, Augustine System
Prefecture VII, The Republic
20 June 3134

The scientists swarmed like microbes, attacking the body of their experiment in their desire (need!) to
make their work succeed.

Petr floated just above the deck in the Scientist Quarter of theVoidswimmer , observing the almost
frantic activity with satisfaction.They do this for me, for the Clan.

тАЬWe barely deploy the sails and already you have the scientists jumping through hoops? Oh great one,
what hoops mayI jump through?тАЭ

Petr turned to find Jesup expertly sliding in next to him, though he engaged his magnetic slips to latch
himself to the deck.

тАЬI see you are moving better today,quiaff ?тАЭ Petr said with a tight smile.

тАЬAff, oh my most observant ovKhan. A good nightтАЩs rest strapped into your bunk will make any bruise