"Jeff Verona - Field Day" - читать интересную книгу автора (Verona Jeff)

"Of course it does," I said. "One of the youngsters mentioned the militia
to
me. Some kind of self-defense force, is it?"
"The militiaтАФ"
"The militia is SovereigntyтАЩs business." The speaker was an elderly,
thin-faced man. He wore the same mottled dun outfit as Patrick Henry, and
his
white hair had been shorn close to his scalp. "It doesnтАЩt concern the EC."
I shrugged. "Just curious."
"You shouldnтАЩt be curious about matters that donтАЩt concern you," said the
elderly man, in a voice like a snake slithering though dead leaves.
"Sovereignty was founded to get away from that kind of curiosity, from
bureaucrats and governments who wanted to know too much about the private
business of free citizens. While you are in our house, Mister Hammond, you
will respect our rules."
I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. "Of course, sir," I said. "I
meant no disrespect."
His face utterly still, the man continued to stare at me. "No one ever
does,
Mister Hammond. Not if they are wise. But disrespect comes when some people
think they know more than others, when they cross lines that they are too
blind to see. When that happens, they need to be educated as to where the
line
lies."
Every other conversation had died as the old man spoke to me. "I certainly
understand the importance of education," I said, as I touched the EC
insignia
on my chest.
As the manтАЩs eyes narrowed, I realized I had made my second mistake that
day.
 "The EC is not interested in education," he said. "Rather, you are
interested
in seeing our children jump through your hoops like so many trained dogs.
We
do not appreciate it, Mister Hammond. You may have authority to do as you
do,
but you have no inherent right to it. And we accept that authority only
because we must."
At the head of the table, Jeb Lee cleared his throat. "General Bradley,
these
people are our guests."
The general shifted his gaze first to Tevi and then to Jeb. "Perhaps the
ECтАЩs
attitude toward us is reflected in their choice of representatives."
JebтАЩs smile flickered from pleasant to carnivorous. "They have ears,
general."
The man beside me fumbled for his wine glass.
After a pause, the general nodded. "So they do." He returned his attention
to
his plate and didnтАЩt speak again throughout the meal.