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

УI didnТt understand how you got together with Fletcher in the first place.Ф

Chandra stopped her pacing. Her eyes gazed into her own past, a gaze thick with contempt. УIТm the only officer on the ship who wasnТt FletcherТs choice,Ф she said. УHe had someone else picked for my place but he didnТt get to Harzapid before the war happened. When the squadron shipped out I got sent aboard. I didnТt know anyone andЧФ She shrugged. УI tried to make myself agreeable to my captain.Ф Her mouth drew up in a sneer. УIТd never met anyone like him. I thought he had an interesting mind.Ф She barked out a laugh. УInteresting mind! HeТs as dull as a rusty spoon.Ф

They looked at each other for a few brief seconds. Then Chandra took a half-step closer to MartinezТ desk, her fingertips drifting over the black surface, cutting through the holographic display of the hyper-tourney game.

УI could really use your help, Gare,Ф she said.

УI canТt promote you, either. You know that.Ф

An intense fire burned in ChandraТs eyes. УBut your relatives can,Ф she said. УYour father-in-law is on the Fleet Control Board and Michi Chen is his sister. Between the two of them they should be able to work an overdue promotion for a lieutenant.Ф

УIТve told you before,Ф Martinez said. УI canТt do anything out here.Ф

She looked at him levelly. УSome day,Ф she said, УyouТre going to need a friend in the service, and IТm going to be that friend. IТm going to be the best and most loyal friend an officer ever had.Ф

Martinez had his doubts: ChandraТs friendship seemed to come at a very high price. Though, professionally speaking, could think of no reason why Chandra shouldnТt be promoted.

Other than the erratic and impulsive behavior, of course, and the chaotic love life.

But how bad was that, really? he asked himself. Compared with some of the captains heТd known, Chandra was practically a paragon.

Chandra, misunderstanding his silence, leaned forward and took his hand. Her fingers were warm in his palm. The hologram gleamed on her tunic.

УPlease, Gareth,Ф she said. УI really need you now.Ф

УIТll speak to Lady Michi,Ф Martinez said. УI donТt know how much credit IТve got with her, but IТll try.Ф

УThank you, Gareth.Ф She rested her hip on the desk and leaned across to kiss his cheek. Her scent flared in his senses. He stood, and dropped her hand.

УThat wonТt be necessary, lieutenant,Ф he said.

She looked at him for a moment out of her long eyes, and her look hardened. She straightened and regained her feet.

УAs you wish, captain,Ф she said. She braced, her pointed chin held high. УWith the captainТs permission?Ф

УYou are dismissed,Ф Martinez said. His mouth was dry.

She went to the door and slid it open.

УI meant what I said,Ф she said, Уabout being your friend.Ф

She was gone, leaving the door behind her. Someone walked pastЧLord Shane Coen, MichiТs red-haired signals lieutenantЧand Coen cast a curious glance into the room.

Martinez nodded at him in what he hoped was a brisk, military fashion, and sat down behind the game of hyper-tourney.

It was a while before he could get his mind on the game.

***