"Jack Williamson - Hindsight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williamson Jack)

interest in the Astrarch's eyes. The dictator made an impatient gesture for silence. In
a flat, abrupt voice he stated: "Veronar, you are an Earthman."
"Once I was an Earthman."
The black, flashing eyes probed into him. "Veronar," the Astrarch said, "trouble
is coming with Earth. My agents have uncovered a dangerous plot. The leader of it is
an engineer named Grimm, who has a Martian wife. The fleet is moving to crush the
rebellion." He paused. "Now, do you want the vacation?"
Before those ruthless eyes, Brek Veronar stood silent. Life, he was now certain,
depended on his answer. He drew a long, unsteady breath. "No," he said.
Still the Astrarch's searching tension did not relax. "My officers," he said, "have
protested against serving with you, against Earth. They are suspicious."
Brek Veronar swallowed. "Grimm and his wife," he whispered hoarsely, "once
were friends of mine. I had hoped that it would not be necessary to betray them. But
I have received a message from them."
He gulped again, caught his breath. "To prove to your men that I am no longer
an Earthmana ship that they have sent for me v.ill be waiting, on April 8th, Earth
calendar, in the desert south of the Martian city of Toran."
The white, lax mask of the Astrarch smiled. "I'm glad you told me, Veronar," he
said. "You have been very usefuland I like you. Now I can tell you that my agents
read the letter in the cigar. The rebel ship was overtaken and destroyed by the space
patrol, just a few hours ago."
Brek Veronar swayed to a giddy weakness.
"Entertain no further apprehensions." The Astrarch touched his arm. "You will
accompany the fleet, in charge of the autosight. We take off in five hours."
The long black hull of the Warrior Queen lifted on flaring reaction tubes, leading
the squadron. Other squadrons moved from the bases on Pallas, Vesta, Thule, and
Eros. The Second Fleet came plunging Sunward from its bases on the Trojan
planets. Four weeks later, at the rendezvous just within the orbit of Mars, twentynine
great vessels had come together.
The armada of the Astrarchy moved down upon Earth.
 Joining the dictator in his chartroom, Brek was puzzled. "Still I don't see the
reason for such a show of strength," he said. "Why have you gathered three fourths
of your space forces, to crush a handful of plotters?"
"We have to deal with more than a handful of plotters." Behind the pale mask of
the Astrarch's face, Brek could sense a tension of worry. "Millions of Earthmen have
labored for years to prepare for this rebellion. Earth has built a space fleet."
Brek was astonished. "A fleet?"
"The parts were manufactured secretly, mostly in underground mills," the
Astrarch told him. "The ships were assembled by divers, under the surface of
freshwater lakes. Your old friend, Grimm, is clever and dangerous. We shall have to
destroy his fleet, before we can bomb the planet into submission."
Steadily, Brek met the Astrarch's eyes. "How many ships?" he asked.
"Six."
"Then we outnumber them five to one." Brek managed a confident smile.
"Without considering the further advantage of the autosight. It will be no battle at
all."
"Perhaps not," said the Astrarch, "but Grimm is an able man. He has invented a
new type reaction tube, in some regards superior to our own." His dark eyes were
somber. "It is Earthman against Earthman," he said softly. "And one of you shall
perish."