"Anderson, Kevin J - Seven Suns 1 - 2002 - Hidden Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anderson Kevin J)

Arm, comparing them with maps developed by the Hansa.
This single correlation caused an avalanche of subsequent breakthroughs: By
comparing the coordinates of neutron stars from the Klikiss drawings with known
stellar drift, she had been able to back-calculate how old the maps were. Thus,
she determined that the Klikiss race had disappeared five thousand years ago.
Using the coordinates and diagrams as a key, as well as all the other
information compiled on numerous digs, Louis, with his engineering bent, had
deciphered Klikiss mathematical notations, thereby allowing him to figure out
the basic functioning of the Torch.
The Chairman's gray eyes became harder, all business now. "I promise you this,
Margaret: If the Klikiss Torch does function as expected, choose any site you
wish, any planet you've wanted to explore, and I will personally see that you
have all the funding you require."
Margaret clinked her glass against his in a return toast. "I'll take advantage
of that offer, Mr. Chairman. In fact, Louis and I have a likely site already
picked out."
The previously untouched ghost world of Rheindic Co, full of mysteries, pristine
territory, uncataloged ruins . . . But first they had to do their duty dance
here and endure the public accolades after they ignited the gas world below.
Margaret went to stand beside Louis. She slipped her arm through his as he
struck up a conversation with the patient green priest who waited beside his
potted worldtree sapling. She could hardly wait for the experiment to be
finished. To her, an empty ancient city was far more exciting than setting a
whole planet ablaze.
2 BASIL WENCESLAS
Quiet and unassuming, Basil Wenceslas moved through social circles. He smiled
when he was supposed to, bantered when expected, and filed the details in his
mind. To an outsider, he never showed more than a fraction of his deepest
thoughts and intricate plans. The Terran Hanseatic League depended on it.
A well-preserved older man whose age was difficult to determine even with close
study, he had access to vigorous antiaging treatments and availed himself of
cellular chelation techniques that kept him limber and healthy. Dapper and
distinguished, he wore impeccable suits that cost more than some families earned
in a year, but Basil was not a vain man. Though everyone on the observation
platform knew he was in charge, he maintained a low profile.
When an overeager mahogany-skinned media charmer asked him for an interview
about the Klikiss Torch, he diverted the woman and her recording crew to the
chief scientist of the project, then melted into the small crowd. Watching.
Observing. Thinking.
He looked out at the great ball of ochre clouds that made Oncier look like a
poorly stirred confection. This system had no habitable planets, and Oncier's
gas mix was not particularly appropriate for harvesting ekti, the exotic
allotrope of hydrogen used in Ildiran stardrives. This out-of-the-way gas giant
was an excellent test subject for the unproven Klikiss Torch.
Chief scientist Gerald Serizawa talked smoothly and passionately about the
upcoming test, and the media crew pressed forward. Beside him, technicians
manned banks of equipment. Basil scanned the control panels, assessing the
readings for himself. Everything was on schedule.
Dr. Serizawa was completely hairless, though whether because of a cosmetic
choice, a genetic predisposition, or an exotic disease, Basil did not know. Lean