"David Brin - Fourth Vacation of George Gustaf" - читать интересную книгу автора (Brin David)

Hamilton watched from the midline as the opposing teams swirled across the turf,
twisting and striking with graceful power from the backs of their responsive mounts.
Suddenly one of the visiting Americans broke out of the mass of jostling animals,
driving the ball toward the sole defender at the English goal. Immediately behind him
galloped George Gustaf, narrowing the gulf with each second.
The defender made a feint, then tried to block to the left. But the American was
only momentarily fooled. His horse deftly sidestepped to give the rider room for a
shot.
On the carry-through, the American's mallet hit George Gustaf in the shoulder,
throwing him off his mount to land with a thud in the rough turf.
Almost as one, the onlookers rose to their feet with a gasp, as the pro and
amateur sports physicians ran onto the field where the English captain lay still on the
ground. Even when he could be seen moving--rolling over onto his back and finally
sitting up with the aid of his teammates--the silence in the huge stadium was like the
humming of a high-voltage wire. Hamilton found his fists clenched tight, and tried to
wonder why. Others had been shaken up before, yet the crowd had reacted nothing
like this.
Finally, the tall man was helped to his feet. He shrugged off the hands that
clutched at him and turned to wave at the crowd.
The cheers were like a dam bursting. The shouts and applause went on for
minutes, with the officials apparently uninterested in maintaining order. When the
American who had clipped him came up, leading both of their mounts, Gustaf
smiled and shook his hand firmly, causing the audience to roar once again.
The play finally resumed, as vigorous as ever. The English declined a penalty.
Hamilton had become so engrossed that he didn't notice when Dan An Man came
alongside, accompanied by a short, broad-faced woman and three elegantly featured
androids. Dan finally took him by the elbow.
"Hamilton," he said. "These people are from World Legal Services. It's very
important that they talk with you."
Hamilton smiled. He had become used to meeting important people lately.
"Can't it wait, Dan? We can talk after the game is over."
The short human shook her head. She introduced herself as Ms. Ing. "I'm afraid
that just won't do, Mr. Smith. We have to talk to you now. Something is brewing
that could lead to the first violent human-android confrontation since the
Amalgamation!"


"What the hell do you mean, they're not a tribe?" Hamilton shouted. The lounge
they had appropriated had a large window overlooking the stadium. The cheers of
the crowd could be heard through the glass.
Ing shrugged. "You will have to admit that the pattern that is developing is not the
classic outgrowth that occurs when an urban tribe is discovered. Usually--"
"Yes, yes. Usually the tribe shrivels up and dies due to ridicule. This time, on the
other hand, public interest has been very friendly to the Bath and Garter tribe. So
what? I'm pleased that my discovery hasn't caused them the discomfort I feared it
would. Other than that, I see no faults in my sociological analysis!"
The woman frowned. "Have you any idea of the rate at which the Bath and Garter
has been acquiring novice members, Mr. Hamilton?"
"I was aware there's been some increase. I suppose there's a certain fad appeal
that--"