"Vinge Vernor & William Rupp - Just Peace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vinge Vernor)

cherry-colored molten rock dribbling off into the surf, converting the water into a low-lying fog beneath
them. Looking inland at the extent of the frozen lava, Chente could see that the land-forming process had
added thousands of square kilometers to the area.

Quintero turned to his companion at the railing. Martha Blount hadnтАЩt really changed in these last four
days, but she had been revealed in a-new aspect. For one thing, she had traded her full-length dress for a
gray jumpsuit that covered her but hinted at a lot more than the dress had. From their discussions on the
journey out he had found her to have a quick and lively mind that belied her outward reserve and
convinced him that she had earned her high position. At times he found her interest in his equipment and
plans somewhat too intense, and her political views too rigid, bat he knew better than to expect anything
else under the circumstances. And the more he knew of her, the more certain he was that her presence
here was not motivated strictly by political interest: there had been something between Martha and the
first Chente.

He gestured at the red and black landscape shimmering inтАЩthe superheated air below them. тАЬAre you sure
you still want to come down with my landing party?тАЭ

She nodded. тАЬI certainly do. ItтАЩs not as dangerous as it looks. WeтАЩll be going many kilometers inland
before we set down. IтАЩmтАФdoing a little reconnaissance here myself. IтАЩve never been in this part of the
world.тАЭ

==========

Further conversation became impossible as the nuclear jets lit up to angle the Diligence down toward the
black ridges that thrust up between the rivulets of fire. The jets were just one of many anachronisms in the
New Providencian military machine. Apparently they had been salvaged from one of the colonyтАЩs original
helicopters. With them, the dirigible could make nearly fifty kilometers per hour in level flight.
The Diligence flew inland until the ground below was solid and cold. The airship descended rapidly, then
leveled off just before its nose skid rasped across the jagged volcanic slag. Heavy grapnels were thrown
out and the ship was drawn to Earth.

Vicente called to ShipтАЩs Captain Oswald, тАЬWhoтАЩll be in charge of my ground party?тАЭ

тАЬFlight Corporal Nord,тАЭ the officer said, pointing to a tall, muscular man, who together with three other
men was dragging explosives and equipment out of the DiligenceтАЩs cramped hold. тАЬWeтАЩll stay on the
ground just long enough to drop you off, Citizen Quintero. WeтАЩre at the mercy of every breeze down
here. WeтАЩll come back for you in twenty-two hours, unless you signal us earlier.тАЭ He glanced at Martha.
тАЬCitizen Blount, I suggest you forego this landing. The country is pretty rough.тАЭ

Martha looked back at him, and seemed faintly annoyed. тАЬNo, I insist.тАЭ

Oswald frowned, but did not press the matter. тАЬVery well. See you in a day or so.тАЭ

Nord and two of the riflemen were the first to hit ground. Martha followed them. Then came Vicente,
loaded down with his own special equipment. Two more riflemen with the explosives brought up the rear.

The landing site was a flat area at the top of a narrow ridge. The seven of them clambered down the
hillside as the huge aircraftтАЩs engines throttled up. By the time they reached the bottom of the ravine that
followed the ridge, the Diligence was already floating five hundred meters over their heads.