"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 15 - Spectrum of a Forgotten Sun" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"A comrade, eh?"

"Yes," said Dumarest. "And a good one. What happens now?"

The captain shrugged. "The engagement's over and you're among the
vanquished. The orders were to kill all stragglers, but what the hell?
You're worth more to us alive and you've earned your chance. Lorne,
escort him to camp." He added, grimly, "And make sure that nothing
happens to him on the way."

*****
The room was like many others he had seen before. A bleak place with
Spartan furnishings: a desk, a chair behind it, another facing it, set
squarely on the floor and fitted with invisible electronic devices to
winnow the truth from lies. A place designed to intimidate, holding
nothing to distract the attention, as much a cell as the one in which he
had been held since his surrender three days ago. Time which Dumarest
had spent with the tireless patience of an animal knowing there was
nothing else he could do.
 Major Kan Lofoten was waiting for him. Like the room, he was the
product of functional intent. Neatly uniformed in black and maroon, his
face was a hard combination of lines and planes. His eyes, deep-set
beneath slanting brows, were shrewdly direct. A man of middle-age, dark
hair brushed back from a high forehead, his mouth thin and cruel. When
he spoke his voice held an unexpected resonance, a depth of inflection
which Dumarest guessed was as cultivated as his exterior.

"Be seated, my friend. Rest your hands on the arms of the chair.
Relax, no harm will come to you. To business, but first my apologies for
the delay. As yon can imagine we have been busy." And then, without
change of tone, he said, "You are Earl Dumarest A mercenary attached to
Haiten's Corps. Your first engagement?"

"Yes."

"You joined, where?"

"On Ragould." There was no point in lying and the man would
already know the answer to the questions he asked. But he wanted more
than bare answers. "I was desperate," added Dumarest. "I'd traveled Low
and found no work available. The Corps was recruiting and it seemed a
good idea to sign up. We left the next day and came to Hoghan. The rest
you know."

"Perhaps." The Major moved some papers. "You have fought as a
mercenary before?"

"No."