"Steve White - Emperor of Dawn" - читать интересную книгу автора (White Steve)

records. Including her picture." The tip of the admiral's tongue briefly appeared to lick his lips. "Since you
and she were fellow passengers, I couldn't help wondering if you had . . . well, if you can give me any
insights concerning her."

Corin knew precisely what sort of insights Tanzler-Yataghan had in mind. He kept his voice bland.
"Sorry, sir. I only met her at the very end of the voyage. So it was a very brief and superficial
acquaintance. My chief impression is that she's very strong-willed."

It was hard to tell from the admiral's expression if he'd taken the hint, or if he was merely disappointed
that he wouldn't be getting any specific pointers as to technique. "Ah, well. I suppose it can't be helped.
Dismissed, Commander."

"Sir." Corin departed. Outside, under the dazzling light of Iota Pegasi A, he took a deep breath of fresh
air.




CHAPTER TWO
The Beta Cassiopeiae Sector, 4325 C.E.
DM +63 137тАФa dim K7v orange starтАФwasn't much like Iota Pegasi. And the rust-red planet it was
peeking over wasn't at all similar to Santaclara. But Roderick Brady-Schiavona was gazing through the
transparency at it in a way that made him resemble Corin Marshak to a remarkable degree, given that
they didn't look in the least alike.

In fact, he wasn't looking at the local astronomical scenery, but at the ships that reflected the dawning
sunlight as they orbited in company with the titanic orbital fortress from which he gazedтАФthe sector
military headquarters, and therefore the natural location for the ceremony that was about to commence.
He turned from the transparency and looked around him. He stood on a mezzanine that overlooked the
fortress's vast docking bay where a Marine honor guard, like the row of dignitaries at right angles to it,
faced a dais. That dais filled the space which would have accommodated an arriving shuttle, and it was
unoccupiedтАФfor now.
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Roderick moved to the railing and looked down, watching for a moment as Marine noncoms dressed
the honor guard's lines to an even higher degree of exactitude. Then he glanced to right and left along the
railing, at others who, like him, were of rank insufficiently exalted to be with the reception committee
below.

"Why, Roderick!" The familiar voice was in bantering mode. "I expected you to be down below with the
rest of the social elite."

Roderick turned around, and his moody expression dissolved into a grin that wasn't quite as dazzling as
its wontтАФhe'd been away from the light of any sun long enough for his face to lose the accustomed ruddy
tan that went well with his chestnut-brown hair and provided contrast for his white teeth and blue-gray
eyes. He greeted the civilian-clothed figure the way a man who is leaving youth behind greets his mentor.