"David Feintuch - Seafort 6 - Patriarch's Hope" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feintuch David)

midshipman, but unfortunately those days were decades past My old
friend had a laser glare of his own mat had held him in good stead
since he'd become First Stad-holder of Hope Nation, and he was
unimpressed by mine.

"... with her vast cargo holds, a crew of eight hundred ninety,
transporting over three thousand passengers, bristling with
armaments, she'll carry U.N. prestige and authority to our far-
flung colonies across the infinite reaches of..."

Derek leaned close. "He does go on."

I turned to Jeff Thorne, whispering. "Do you hear? Now the idiot's
making policy. 'Carry U.N. authority' indeed. As if we need a
warship these days to deal with our own dominions."

"With some of them, you might." He raised a hand to forestall my
reply. "I think Dubrovik's wrapping it up."

"... and so, to commission UNS Galactic, I have the honor to
present His Excellency Nicholas Ewing Seafort, Secretary-General
of the United Nations." Turning, the Admiral flashed me a pleased
smile, like a toddler expecting a parent's approval.

Welcoming applause rolled across the crowded hall, whose coolers
labored to counteract the sweltering London summer.

I groped for my silver-headed cane, hoisted myself from my seat,
and winked at Artene, graving, gaunt, and lovely. "Shall I fire


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PART I

Dubrovik right nowr I was half-serious.

Her tips barely moved. "Of course, dear. The Territorials would
love a martyr as a candidate, next election.**

With a sigh, I limped to me waiting microphones.

"Voyager is landing," Mark TUnitz, head of my security detail,
muttered into his throat mike. Our hen* set down precisely on the
cross that marked the center of Devon Naval Academy's pad.

TUnitz was an assignee of U,N, Investigations. General Donner was
drawn from U.N.A.F., Karen Bums from Naval Intelligence, other
security agents from New York Police Command. An odd system, but
giving all services a hand in the SecGen's protection deterred the
formation of a praetorian guard, with the resultant interservice