"Kathy Tyers - Firebird 1 - Firebird" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tyers Kathy)

fled the Aurian system for the distant whorl of star systems they called the тАЬStarry Pool,тАЭ hoping its
worlds would still be inhabited by the ancient human kind from which they had once come. Thus an
electrostatically shielded ship carrying twenty-seven survivors eventually made planetfall on the
southern-spinward edge of the Whorl, at Thyrica.

The AuriansтАЩ talents first terrified the Thyrian humans, then impressed them, then won them over. A cure
was developed for the hereditary androcidal effects of the makkah. Proving themselves undeceivable
mediators among those willing to submit to their appraisal, those survivorsтАЩ sons and daughters reunited
the first worlds of the Federacy, then stepped back to let others govern.

So the story went.

Before Korda reached the center of the electronic teachboard, he twisted his lean shoulders toward the
array of seats and began to speak. тАЬSo, you think Naetai can take VeeRon from the Federacy? Well, I
happen to think you have just a chance to do it.тАЭ

At FirebirdтАЩs right hand, Corey fingered the edge of his desk terminal. тАЬSlimy,тАЭ he whispered.

Firebird nodded uneasily without taking her eyes off Korda. She was already guaranteed a First MajorтАЩs
commission on graduation by her class and flight evaluations. Top marks on this special seminar would
win her a commendation, too. But Korda struck her instinctively as the belligerently insecure sort of little
man who compensated for size with meanness. His kind liked to make everyone else look
badтАФparticularly a woman at the top of her division. She shifted her weight uncomfortably, feeling her
seat shift to compensate.

тАЬI intend to teach you all you can learn about the FederacyтАЩs Thyrian telepaths: Sentinels, the trained
ones are called. As officers, you young incompetents will be more likely to encounter them than your
blazer-bait subordinates will. You wonтАЩt find a more self-righteous, exclusive group if you see half the
galaxy. The Sentinels virtually founded the Federacy, you knowтАФnot that it trusts them entirely.
Common people fear what they canтАЩt control.тАЭ He cut off their exchange of knowing glances. тАЬYes, IтАЩm
Thyrian too, and starbred: there are Aurians in my background. But IтАЩm no Sentinel. No one tells me
what I can do with my abilities.тАЭ

Firebird went rigid. If Korda had such abilities, how much had he influenced the recent decision to attack
VeeRon? She eyed him suspiciously.

A habitual glance at the tiny time lights on her wristband broke her concentration. KordaтАЩs introductory
remarks concerning his own testing and training under Master Sentinels would have fascinated her on any
other day, but tonight she faced her mother.

Queen Siwann had made the appointment months before, which usually didnтАЩt bespeak a matter of
personal warmth. Moments of warmth between them had been so rare that Firebird could recall every
one vividly. Not that she expected affection from a mother she rarely saw and hardly knew, who had
feelings of her own to protectтАФ Siwann couldnтАЩt really afford to involve herself emotionally with her
Wastling child. Firebird knew and understood that.

For centuries, the Wastlings had provided Naetai with daredevil entertainers and Naval officers. Some
were heroes in the history scanbooks, but none lived long enough to have children of their own. That
tradition of limitation, rigorously enforced by their own elder brothers and sisters, ruled their fate. Those
who refused their Geis Orders disappearedтАФor had fatal accidents, like Lord Rendy Angellson. Firebird