"Robyn Tallis - Planet Builders 1 - Mountain of Stolen Dreams" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tallis Robyn)

attractive, in an exotic sort of way, with skin and hair that were almost white. But unlike Clea,

who seemed warm and friendly, Philippa was reserved and distant. Sean found her company pleasant
enough, yet somehow they never really seemed to connect. An evening with Philippa often left him feeling
more lonely than an evening spent by himself.

And yet on one or two occasions, he had seen another side of her, as if she were letting go of something,
dropping some kind of mask. When that happened, Philippa Bidding lit up in a way that was altogether
different and altogether dazzling.

Sean had never had this kind of trouble with a girl before, and he didn't know what to make of it.

Nor was he about to discuss it with Zach Yamoto.

"Have you seen the newest topo maps?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.

"Boy, have I!" said Zach. "Did you notice that cave system they project about a hundred klicks south of
here? I'd give anything to explore that. How about you? You like that kind of thing? I'd bet a week's
ration credits it'll be two or three years before they get around to it. Maybe we could be the first."

Zach's enthusiasm was contagiousтАФ dangerously so, as far as Sean was concerned. He had no wish to
talk about plans for something that probably wouldn't happen until his family was getting ready to ship out
to the next planet.
Fortunately for Sean, Zach changed the subject on his own.

"Not bad!" he whispered, staring at the doorway. "Is she the one you met on the ship two days ago?"

Sean turned toward the door and saw Clea Tourni standing in the entry with a slip of green paper in her
hand. She looked confused, but her face lit up when she saw Sean.

"Hi, Sean," she said, walking over to where the two boys stood. "I didn't know I'd find you here."

Zach, standing behind her, rolled his eyes in a clear indication that as far as he was concerned, some guys
had all the luck. Sean took the hint and introduced him to Clea.

"You on drudge here?" asked Zach, glancing down at the green paper Clea was holding.

"I beg your pardon?" she asked.

"Drudge," said Zach. "You know, your 'voluntary' community service."

Clea smiled. "We call it 'harness duty' where I come from," she said.

"And where is that?" asked Zach.

"Galahad," said Clea.

"Ah, the Arthurian system," said Zach. "Some of those early star-hoppers were real romantics."

"I liked it there," said Clea defensively. "Where are you from, anyway? You talk funny."