"Timothy Zahn - Angelmass" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zahn Timothy)

Telthorst could speak. "But enough talk. Your ship is in the Number Six cargo holdтАФyou'll be taken
there directly from here. You know how to handle it?"

"Yes, sir," Kosta said. He did, too, after a fashion, though almost everything the ship would need to
do should already have been pre-programmed into it.

"Good," the commodore said. "Remember that you're not to leave the cocoon for a minimum of
twelve hours after you've been dropped. That's a minimumтАФif Empyreal ships are still poking
around you'll obviously need to sit tight longer. Just take your time and don't panic. You should be
totally undetectable inside the cocoon, and if we do our job properly they'll never even notice you
leaving the Komitadji. We should also be getting a data pulse from the automated sleeper drop on
Lorelei as soon as we arrive, provided we're grabbed by the proper net and our timing is on mark. If
there's time, I'll dump a copy to you before you're dropped. Once you're down, go to the coordinates
programmed into your ship's computer and pick up the final current-conditions compilation, the false
identity papers that should be waiting for you, and the access information for your credit line."

"A very limited credit line," Telthorst put in. "Keep that in mind, and try to find ways to be
economical."

"Yes, sir, I will," Kosta said, trying not to grimace. Money again. With Adjutors, it was always
money. "If that's all, Commodore," he added, "I'll get down to my ship."

Lleshi nodded. "Go ahead. And good luck on your little trip to heaven."

"Thank you." Kosta looked the commodore square in the eye. "I won't fail, sir."



"Scintara Catapult Control, Commodore," the man at the communications board called up to the
balcony. "We have signal green."

"Acknowledged." Lleshi gave his status board a leisurely scan. Ship's rotation was at zero, energy
weapons charged and ready, missiles loaded into their tubes and stand-by armed. Everything in place
for a little jaunt into enemy territory. "SeTO?"

"All green, Commodore," Senior Tactical Officer Campbell reported from his console. "Alpha and
Beta both. Ship and crew at full battle stations."

Peripherally, Lleshi saw Telthorst swivel around from his observer's console at one side of the
balcony. "Beta?" he asked, a suspicious overtone in his voice. "What's Beta?"

"It's a simulation run," Lleshi told him. "Fighters at station; that sort of thing. We do intend an
eventual invasion of these systems." He eyed the Adjutor, noting the other's tight-lipped expression.
"Your last chance to get off here if you'd rather," he offered.

Telthorst returned his gaze without blinking. "Your last chance, Commodore, to not risk this ship."


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