"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 24 - Nectar of Heaven" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

You'll lose nothing by waitingтАФat least you'll have cover."

The ones expected had canopies, then. A comfort worth the
delay.

"Just a word," said the supervisor, "but let's get into the
warm."

His office was snug, adorned with maps, prints, geological
schematics. A pile of manganese nodules rested on a table with
the assay report beside them. A hammer stood in a corner
together with a pair of boots caked with dried mud. A parka
hung on a nail behind the door. From a cupboard the supervisor
took a bottle and two glasses. Pouring, he offered one to
Dumarest then lifted his own.

"Health!"

A toast to which Dumarest responded. The spirit was raw and
heavy with the odor of smoke, but his system was grateful for the
warmth it gave.

"A bad one," mused his host. "The storm, I mean. We got a
special reportтАФbut I guess you know that."

"I suspected it when I saw the administrators leave."

"Smart." The supervisor refilled both glasses. "I've been
watching you, Earl. You and some others. How are you fixed for
a stake?"

"I can manage."

"So I imagined-тАФa pity in a way, but if you were like the rest
we wouldn't be talking. I'll make it short. If you want I can offer
you a winter job."

Dumarest shook his head.

"Now take your time," urged the supervisor. "Think about it.
Shelter and food and warmth until the next season. Subsistence,
but a smart man could add to it. One who can handle a deck, for
example?" His eyes were direct. "You know what I'm talking
about?"

"You've money here," said Dumarest. "Machines, stores,
housing, tools, equipment and all the rest of it. It's cheaper to
hire guards than to move it."

"That's right. Take on the job and you'll be on the cadre next