"Walter Jon Williams - Dread Empire's Fall - 03.5 - Logs" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

Which was all too true. Lieutenant Lady Chandra Prasad was Captain FletcherТs lover, a situation thorny with the potential for intrigue and service politics. That potential was all the greater for the fact that she and Martinez, at the time both obscure lieutenants of provincial origin, had been involved with each other some years earlier, a tempestuous relationship that featured mutual betrayals and a parting that had left Martinez feeling more relieved than rueful.

Martinez didnТt know if Captain Fletcher was aware of his past involvement with Chandra, and the lack of certainty made him uneasy. His unease was increased by his knowledge of ChandraТs character, which was ambitious, restless, and explosive.

Which was why he didnТt want to be alone with her, certainly not for any length of time.

He got a card and envelope from his desk, and in his best hand wrote a brief acceptance. As he sealed the card in its envelope he had a mental picture of Fletcher touching the card stock with his sensitive fingers and shaking his head at its inferior quality.

Martinez offered the envelope to Chandra, who was looking down at MartinezТ desktop with her head tilted, casting a critical glance at TerzaТs pictures.

УItТs unfair that your wife is beautiful as well as rich and well-connected,Ф she said.

УSheТs also talented, brave, and highly intelligent,Ф Martinez said, and held the envelope clearly in ChandraТs line of sight.

Her full lips gave an amused twist. She took the envelope, then glanced with her long eyes at the naked, winged boy-children fluttering on the office walls. УDo you like the view from your desk?Ф she asked. УThe captain tells me theyТre called putti, and theyТre an ancient artistic motif from Terra.Ф

УI wish theyТd stayed there,Ф Martinez said.

УI imagine youТd prefer naked girls,Ф Chandra said. УI seem to remember that you liked naked girls very well.Ф

Martinez looked up at her and saw the invitation in her eyes. Suddenly he was aware of the nearness of her, the scent of her perfume. He looked away.

УNot in such quantity,Ф he said.

УDonТt underestimate yourself. You juggled quite a number of us, back on Zarafan.Ф

He looked at her again. УItТs not Zarafan any more.Ф

Now it was ChandraТs turn to look away. Her eyes passed over the chubby children. УStill,Ф she added, УitТs a good deal more cheerful than what the captain has in his private quarters.Ф

Martinez told himself that he wasnТt interested in what Chandra had seen in her visits to the captainТs chambers. УIs that so?Ф he found himself saying.

УOh yes.Ф She raised an eyebrow. УItТs nothing like what heТs got in the public areas.Ф

Pornography, then, Martinez concluded. The thought depressed him. УThank you, lieutenant,Ф he said. УI wonТt take up any more of your time.Ф

УOh,Ф Chandra said, УI donТt have anything to do. IТm not on watch for hours yet.Ф

УI have work,Ф Martinez said. Chandra gave a shrug, then braced to the salute.

Martinez again called up the tactical display. Chandra left the room.

Martinez glanced at the display and saw nothing new. In fact had no work, not until the squadcom found a task for him or something unexpected turned up on the tactical display.

Martinez called up hyper-tourney on the desktop computer and tried to lose himself within a game of strategy and abstract spacial relationships.

He played both sides, and lost.

***