"Eric Flint - Ranks of Bronze 2 - Carthago Delenda Est" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flint Eric)

aggravated. But he managed to maintain a calm voice.

“So? What do you think accounts for the human success, Investigator? It was not simple
physical prowess, I can assure you!”

The Voivode pointed to the Gha commander. “This one—or any of its fellows—could easily
defeat a human in single combat. Several of them at once, in fact. But I have no doubt
whatsoever that on a field of battle, matched with equivalent weapons, the humans could have
defeated a Gha army.”

The Investigator was still not convinced.

“Gha are stupid,” it grumbled. “Everyone knows that. I am prepared to admit that the
humans were unusually intelligent, for a slave race, but—”

The Voivode had had enough. “Do you have any alternative explanation?” he demanded.

The Investigator was silent.

“In that case,” stated Agayan firmly, “I now exercise my command prerogatives. If the
humans seized their transport vessel, and coerced the Pilot into operating the craft, their most
likely destination would have been their original home. Their native planet. Accordingly, this
ship will proceed to that same planet. If the humans are there, we will destroy them. This vessel
is far better armed that any troop transport.”

“Their native planet?” exploded the Investigator. “That’s ridiculous! The humans were in
Guild service longer—far longer—than any other sepoy troops. They underwent tens and tens
of Stasis episodes. It must be hundreds—thousands—of years since their initial recruitment. I
doubt if we even have a record of—”

“The record will exist,” stated Agayan firmly. “I have instructed the Pilot to check. You
underestimate the care with which the Guild—”

He was interrupted by the appearance of the Pilot herself in the chamber.

“Ah!” he exclaimed. “I presume you have finished your examination of the records?”

“Yes, Guild Voivode.” The Pilot belonged to a spindle-shaped species which found bowing
impossible, so she indicated her respect by darkening her purple skin.

“The results?”

“The human planet—there is no name for it, beyond the catalog number—is only two
hundred and twelve light years distant. The humans were recruited slightly over two thousand
Guild years ago.”

Agayan turned triumphantly to Yuaw Khta.

“You see, Investigator?” He waved a finger-cluster at the Pilot, dismissing her. To his
surprise, the Pilot remained planted on her footskirt.