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

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Zahn, Timothy - Spinneret


Somewhere in the back of Carmen's mind a light flashed on. "You're having
trouble adjusting to Army rules?" she asked casually.

Hafner let his breath out in a whuff. "I've had less trouble with the L.A. city
government. That's why I've been haunting Colonel Meredith's office, in factтАФI
can't seem to find the right way to go through channels."

"I know how you feel," she nodded. "It took me the better part of six months to
figure my own way around." She paused. "As a matter of fact, that whole
problem's been on my mind lately. What would you think of us organizing a sort
of citizen's advisory council to act asтАФoh, complaint clearinghouse and general
go-between with the military?"

"Sounds great," Hafner said. He cocked his head slightly. "Though тАж that 'us'
wasn't specifically you and me, was it?"

She laughed. "No, I'm not roping you in as cochair or anything. Actually, I'm
afraid the colonel hasn't gone for the idea yet; he thinks it would take up valuable
man-hours."

Hafner grunted. "If it simplified communication, it would pay for itself in the long
run." He leaned back slightly, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his
mouth. "So. I gather you want me to make the same suggestion to him, using my
scientific authority or whatever?"

"More or less." She found herself mildly impressed that he'd caught on so fast.
"You don't need to fake an independent brainstorm, though. All I want is for you
to get as many of the other scientists and technical people as you can to support
the idea. You're the real VIPs here, and the colonel knows it."

"And once you've got his permission to go ahead?"

She hesitated only a second. "When the colonel authorizes the council, I'll get you
one of the flyers."

"It's a deal," Hafner said promptly, getting to his feet. "If you'll excuse me, then,

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Zahn, Timothy - Spinneret


I'll go find myself a soapbox and get busy." Whistling something nineties-
sounding, he disappeared down the hall.