"Tilley, Patrick - The Amtrack Wars 02 - First Family" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tilley Patrick)

A Division of

Little, Brown and Company (ilK)

Brettenham House

Lancaster Place

London we2E 7EN

To my sons, Pierre-Andre, who solved the problem of the wagon-trains
and Bruno-Christian, whose photographs gave me the key to the
overground.

THE TRACKER PRAYER (Offered thrice-daily to images of the
President-General) Hail to the Chief!

All-seeing Father, Leader and Sage With our hand on our heart We praise
and salute you.

Glory be to the First Family!

Gift of Ages Past, Rulers till the end of Time Bedrock of Amtrak,
Founders of the Federation Guardians of the Earth-Shield Chosen
Saviours of the Blue-Sky World Creators of the Light, the Work and the
Way Keepers of all Knowledge, Wisdom and Truth In whom the Seven Great
Qualities are enshrined And from whose sacred lifeblood our lives
spring All-seeing Father, Leader and Sage Chief among the Chosen,
Creator of Life This day you have given us we dedicate to you Let your
wise counsel guide our thoughts Let your power strengthen our hands and
hearts So that we may strike down those who oppose Your Will Teach us
to follow the glorious example Of the Minutemen and the Foragers So
that we may serve you better through all our days The life you gave us
we gladly offer up again Use it as you will so that, by the manner of
our dying We may honour their great sacrifice Just as you will honour
ours at the Final Victory.

Amen

CHAPTER ONE

Deke Haywood stretched back in his chair, linked his hands above his
head and yawned cavernously. He squinted through one eye at the
digital time/date display on one of the battery of tv screens that
surrounded him: 17.20 hours, 14 November 2989. Another forty minutes
to go before Glen Wyler took over the watch. And another eleven years
to the end of the century: 3000 AD; the long-awaited moment when
according to the First Family - the Amtrak Federation was due to
repossess the blue-sky world. Deke couldn't see it happening, not in