"Charles Stross - Trunk and Disorderly" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stross Charles)

thereтАЩs such a thing as going too far, what? тАЬJust remember, itтАЩs a
fancy-dress party. The theme is the thousand nights and one night, in honor
of and for the selection of His ExcellencyтАЩs newest concuboid. His
Excellency says you should feel free to bring a guest or two if you like. If
you need an outfitтАФтАЭ

тАЬIтАЩm sure my household wardrobe will be able to see to my needs,тАЭ I
said, perhaps a trifle too sharply. тАЬSee you there!тАЭ

Ibn Cut-Throat bowed and scraped furiously as he backed away from
me. Something oddтАЩs going on here, I realized, but before I could put my
finger on it there was a whoosh and I saw the familiar sight of my gigтАФwell,
actually itтАЩs Uncle FeatherstonehaughтАЩs, but as heтАЩs not due back for six
years I donтАЩt think that matters too muchтАФdescending to a perfect
three-point landing.
 I walked over to it slowly, lost in thought, only to meet Miss Feng
marching down the ramp. тАЬI didnтАЩt know you could fly,тАЭ I said.

тАЬMy usual employer requires a full pilotтАЩs qualification, Sir. Military
unrestricted license with interstellar wings and combat certification.тАЭ She
cleared her throat: тАЬAmong other skills.тАЭ She took in my appearance, from
scorched ablative boots to champagne hairstyle: тАЬIтАЩve taken the liberty of
laying out SirтАЩs smoking jacket in the master stateroom. Can I suggest a
quick shower might refresh the parts that SirтАЩs friendsтАЩ high spirits have
already reached?тАЭ

тАЬYou may suggest anything you like, Miss Feng, I have complete
confidence in your professional discretion. I should warn you I have a guest
tagging along, but he wonтАЩt be any trouble. If you show him to the lounge
while I change, we shall be able to depart promptly. I donтАЩt suppose youтАЩve
heard anything from Laura?тАЭ

She shook her head minutely. тАЬNot so much as a peep, Sir.тАЭ She
stepped aside. тАЬSo, IтАЩm to set course for Mars as soon as the guest is
aboard? Very good, Sir. I shall be on the bridge if you need me.тАЭ

It appeared that Miss Feng was not only an accomplished butler, but
a dashed fine pilot as well. Would miracles never cease?

****

5. Miss Feng Serves the Wrong Beer

Uncle FeatherstonehaughтАЩs boat is furnished in white oak panels with
brass trim, ochre crushed velvet curtains, and gently hissing gas lamps. A
curving sofa extends around the circumference of the lounge, and for those
tiresome long voyages to the outer system there are cozy staterooms
accessible through hidden sliding panels in the walls. It is a model of
understated classical luxury in which a cove and his fellows can get
discreetly bladdered while watching the glorious relativistic fireworks in the