"Kathy Tyers - Firebird 2 - Fusion Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tyers Kathy)

Dardy rubbed his chin. тАЬI think I know what she wants. YouтАЩre mentioned in the monthly report from
Federate Regional Command.тАЭ

Brennen swiveled on the deskтАЩs slick top. тАЬYes?тАЭ He maintained a casual pose, but Firebird felt his
conflict of inner feeling at the mention of his former superiors.

тАЬIt identifies your new position,тАЭ Dardy said. тАЬ тАШLieutenant General Brennen D. Caldwell, formerly of
Special Operations, has accepted a position with the Thyrian Home Forces, as General Coordinator,
serving as a liaison between the Sentinel College, Aerospace Academy, and Home Forces.тАЩ тАЭ

Formerly of Special Operations, Firebird echoed to herself. She didnтАЩt even try to mask her bitterness,
though Brennen would feel it. Ten years of Federate service. The best intelligence officer they ever
had, and they let him go. All because his superiors wouldnтАЩt admit that my people were about to
create a terrible disaster.

Brennen flicked one hand, and a stack of papers slid aside. тАЬAt least they acknowledge that I exist,
again. For four months it looked like I had permanent deep-cover here.тАЭ Firebird caught his glance. A
man with intelligence and initiative, rising quickly in the ranks, was bound to tread on someoneтАЩs toes,
and last year Brennen had done itтАФthough Firebird and Dardy (and who else on Thyrica?) guessed the
FederatesтАЩ acceptance of his forced resignation was temporary, and would one day be rescinded.

Dardy touched his own four-rayed star. тАЬWeтАЩre going to have a Sentinel on the Federate High Command
some day, Caldwell, and you happen to be the best candidate this generation.тАЭ
Firebird snorted inwardly. Sometimes Dardy sounded like Ellet Kinsman. He certainly shared her
convictions regarding the ascendancy of Sentinel ideas; even Brennen admitted tiring of his friendтАЩs ultra
conservatism.

тАЬTime to get home.тАЭ Dardy picked a pair of scan cartridges off BrennenтАЩs desk and slid them into his
paper case.

тАЬGood to see you, Dardy.тАЭ Firebird clasped his hand.

After Dardy had gone, Brennen bent down behind his desk.

тАЬMan?тАЭ When he straightened, he held his hands cupped. тАЬSomething for you. He walked slowly around
the desk, then bent down in front of her and opened his fingers.

Between them nestled a lily. Eight intensely blue-green petals framed its yellow center, and its heady,
honey-rich odor made her blink. тАЬBrennen.тАЭ She looked up. тАЬItтАЩs beautiful. WhatтАЩs it called?тАЭ

тАЬRemember the mira lilies at Hesed?тАЭ

At the SentinelsтАЩ pastoral sanctuary world, they had been married, eight months before. They hadnтАЩt
stayed long, but comforting impressions of Hesed always lingered below the surface of her mind. тАЬArenтАЩt
mira lilies white?тАЭ she asked.

тАЬThe blue lilies are rare, but look how this sets off your coloring. It will stay fresh indefinitely in this
climate, if you give it enough light. It only needs air and a little moisture.тАЭ

He tipped the lily off his hands onto hers. Gingerly, she examined the delicate blossom. Behind the bloom