"Feintuch,.David.-.Seafort.06.-.Patriarchs.Hope.Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feintuch David)

"Suit up, and go into the chamber. Check out—"

"I won't need a suit, sir. It's been purged."

"Suit up," My tone was icy. "We'll take no chances."

"Aye aye, sir," At least he seemed abashed, as well he should, quarreling with a
direct order. On the other hand, as a civilian I had no right to give nun
orders.

"Look around, report by radio anything mat out of place," As he turned to
the suiting-room door I added, "Careful with your seals!"

LeBow's expedition found nothing. By the time he emerged, the lifeless cadets
had been carried to sickbay, and two staff sergeants had arrived to escort die
canister to the lab. We all watched LeBow disconnect it from the intake.
Ignoring common sense, I held my breath to inspect it gingerly. The customary
factory label, the usual warnings. If the manufacturer had inadvertently sent us
a contaminated canister, I'd see the culprit hanged. I hoped that was the case.
The alternatives didn't bear thinking about

There was work ahead, and I'd realized I didn't trust Hazen to do it alone. This
was one of the moments I regretted refusing to carry a personal caller. An old
habit, dating from my days as Commandant. As I'd learned on Hibernia, a
commander who carried a caller had no peace.

"Would you give Branstead a call?" I gave Hazen my chief of staff's code. "Tell
him to cancel my suborbital. I'll spend the night in Devon."

"Nick, we have to get home." Ariene looked apologetic. "Derek's coming, and
tomorrow there's the delegation from Dutch Relief."

"Belay that. Commandant. Let me talk to him." I took the caller. "Jerence?
Arlene's on the way home, I'll stay here." Ariene shot me a look of annoyance.
"Lay on transport tomorrow. I'll let you know when. No, I'm fine. There's been
an... incident. What? I don't care, reschedule him. Next week." I rang off, gave
my wife an awkward hug. "Get ready for Derek, listen to die Hollanders for me.
I'll see you soon."

Somewhat mollified, she rested her chin on my shoulder. "Nick, those cadets..."

««Yes, I know. Terrible."

"I mean the survivors,"

"Death happens, Ariene, We've bom seen it. They have to get used—"

"They're bewildered, and in pain."