"FWLS51" - читать интересную книгу автора (A Future We'd Like to See)

the deep thought of a computer user. "Traffic controller... not
too much ice, just basic security. Okay. Is there a light
blinking on the shuttle?"

Benton leaned out a window, gazing upward. "None I can
see."

"How about now?"

"Ah! Little red light?"

"Okay... that means it's shuttle number two. I'll bring it
down, but I need you two to keep me from crashing it. Give me
directions."

"Alright..." I said, unbuckling and hopping out of the rent-
a-rover. I stared upward, shielding my eyes from the downfall.
"Left a little... no, MY left... okay... watch that roof..."

Gradually the ship descended, making a flat-surface landing
on the street. The hatch popped open, and a very confused pilot
stepped out.

"Hey, you kids!" he called. "Do me a favor and call the
C'atel Traffic Department! My shuttle just broke down."

"You two stay here," I said, whispering to them through my
rolled-down window. "I'll handle the pilot."

"But--"

"Don't worry, I can take him," I smirked. Jody had her
hacking skills, Benton his... well, drawing skills, but I still
had my analysist's edge. Pilots did not fall into a blind spot.

I examined the pilot. Okay, no physical signs of trauma...
very average, probably doesn't like his job, bad home life... I
can harp on that.

"Hello!" I called out, sending out waves of trust and
compassion. "Say, tell me about your father..."

*

"I have offices on Terra," I said, handing the sobbing pilot
one of my business cards. "If you want to talk, I'm there for
you. I can conduct by holophone if need be. That'll be fifty
credits for this session."

The pilot nodded, pulling out his credit chip to transfer