"David Weber - Fifth Imperium 02 - The Armageddon Inheritance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weber David)

TamaтАФboth of whom have long-standing personal and family connections with the ImperialsтАФwere
among the chiefs of staff of their nations. We face a danger such as this planet has never known, and our
only purpose is to respond to that danger. Towards this end, we have stepped outside traditional chains
of command in making our selections. You are the most senior officer we've asked to join us, and I might
point out that we've asked you to join us. If we must, we willтАФas you are well aware we canтАФcompel
your obedience, but what we want is your alliance."

"Perhaps," Tsien said, but his voice was thoughtful.

"Marshal, the world as we have known it no longer exists," the American said softly. "We may regret that
or applaud it, but it is a fact. I won't lie to you. We've asked you to join us because we need you. We
need your people and your resources, as allies, not vassals, and you're the one man who may be able to
convince your governments, your officers, and your men of that fact. We offer you a full and equal
partnership, and we're prepared to guarantee equal access to Imperial technology, military and civilian,
and complete local autonomy. Which, I might add, is no more than our own governments have been
guaranteed by Governor MacIntyre and Lieutenant Governor Horus."

"And what of the past, General Hatcher?" Tsien asked levelly. "Are we to forget five centuries of
Western imperialism? Are we to forget the unfair distribution of the world's wealth? Are we, as some
have," his eyes shifted slightly in ChernikovтАЩs direction, to forget our commitment to the Revolution in
order to accept the authority of a government not even of our own world?"

"Yes, Marshal,'' Hatcher said equally levelly, that's precisely what you are to forget. We wont pretend
those things never happened, yet you're known as a student of history. You know how China's neighbors
have suffered at Chinese hands over the centuries. We can no more undo the past thanyour own people
could, but we can offer you an equal share in building the future, assuming this planet has one to build.
And that, Marshal Tsien, is the crux: if we do not join together, there will be no future for any of us."

"So. Yet you have said nothing of how thisтАж body will be organized. Nine members. They are to hold
co-equal authority, at least in theory?" Hatcher nodded, and the marshal rubbed his chin, the gesture
oddly delicate in so large a man. That seems overly large, Comrade General. Could it be that you intend
toтАФI believe the term is 'pad'тАФit to present the appearance of equality while holding the true power in
your own hands?"

"It could be, but it isnтАЩt Lieutenant Governor Horus has a far more extensive military background than
any of us and will act as his own minister of defense. The function of this body will be to serve as his
advisors and assistants. Each of us will have specific duties and operational responsibilitiesтАФthere will be
more than enough of those to go around, I assure youтАФand the position of Chief of Staff will rotate."

"I see." Tsien hid his hands on his briefcase and studied his knuckles, then looked back up. "How much
freedom will I have in making my nominations?"

"Complete freedom." Hatcher very carefully kept his hope out of his voice. "The Lieutenant Governor
alone will decide upon their acceptability. If any of your nominees are rejected, you'll be free to make
fresh nominations until candidates mutually acceptable to the Asian Alliance and the Lieutenant Governor
are selected. It is my understanding that his sole criterion will be those officers' willingness to work as
part of his own command team, and that he will evaluate that willingness on the basis of their affirmation
of loyalty under an Imperial lie detector." He saw a spark of anger in Tsien's eyes and went on
unhurriedly. "I may add that all of us will be required to demonstrate our own loyally in precisely the same
fashion and in the presence of all of our fellows, including yourself and your nominees."