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

УWe beg your pardon, my lady squadcom,Ф said Master Weaponer Gulik. УWe would like to make a presentation on the occasion of your birthday, if we may.Ф

УI would be honored, master weaponer,Ф Michi said.

GulikЧa small, dour, rat-faced manЧsqueezed into the room past one of the cup-bearing statues and approached MichiТs seat. He was followed by Master Engineer Thuc, a massive, muscled, slab-sided Terran with the goatee and curling mustachios of the senior petty officer. Behind these came the senior machinist, electrician, signaler, and the other petty officers in charge of the shipТs departments.

УWe wish to present you with this memento of your time aboard Illustrious, my lady,Ф Gulik said.

The memento was a scale model of the Illustrious, with the green, pink, and white of FletcherТs paint scheme minutely and exactly detailed. The model was mounted on a brass base built in the cruiserТs workshops.

Michi thanked the deputation, and led the officers in a toast to the department heads. The deputation left, and the dinner resumed, one course after another, each reflecting the genius of FletcherТs personal chef, each course marked by toasts and compliments.

Martinez was aware of Chandra smouldering next to him, her leg jigging up and down with impatience.

УYou might have stood up for yourself,Ф she told Martinez as he walked to his cabin after the feast.

УNo one was attacking me,Ф Martinez said. УThe worst anyone said was that I wasnТt a tragic hero, and I hope to hell thatТs true.Ф

УFletcherТs said a lot of things about you,Ф Chandra said.

УYes,Ф Martinez said. He opened his cabin door, then turned to her. УBut IТm not supposed to know that, am I? Because IТm not supposed to be on intimate terms with the captainТs girlfriend, am I?Ф

He closed the door on the mask of thwarted fury that had replaced ChandraТs face, made his way to his desk, and sat down. From around his neck he removed the disk of the Golden Orb, the empireТs highest decoration, and then opened the buttons on his dress tunic.

After the four-hour formal meal he felt like a bird stuffed and trussed for roasting.

The winged children on the walls looked at him hungrily.

***

Chandra walked into MartinezТ office in the middle of the afternoon watch and slid the door closed behind her. She looked at the game of hyper-tourney being played on MartinezТ desk top and said, УWell, IТm free of the bastard at last.Ф

Martinez looked up at her, his mind still filled with the intricacies of velocities and spacial relationships. УCongratulations,Ф he said.

The color was high on ChandraТs cheeks, and her eyes burned with fury. She paced back and forth in front of MartinezТ desk like a tigress whose feeding was arriving half an hour late.

УI finally asked him!Ф she proclaimed. УI asked him if heТd get me promotedЧand he said he wouldnТt!Ф

УIТm sorry,Ф Martinez said. The words came reluctantly. He didnТt want this scene taking place in his presence, and he didnТt want to know any of the details of her relationship with the captain.

DoesnТt she have any friends among the lieutenants? he found himself thinking. DoesnТt she have anyone to talk to on this ship?

УCaptains canТt promote lieutenants,Ф he said.

УThis one can.Ф Chandra said savagely. УYou know how those High City officers stick togetherЧall heТd have to do is trade a favor with one of his cousins, Fletcher promotes the cousinТs cadet nephew in exchange for me getting my step.Ф

All that was true enoughЧFletcher could have traded a favor with someone. That was how the high-caste Peers kept everything in their small circle.

УBastard wants me to stay in my place,Ф Chandra said fiercely as she paced. УWell, I wonТt. I just wonТt.Ф