"Richard Hatch - Battlestar Galactica 5 - Paradis" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hatch Richard)

"I don't know what we would have done without you," said Apollo,
drawing Gar'Tokk aside. "There are just enough similarities between your
language and the natives for us to begin genuine communication."

"Yes," said Gar'Tokk. "There is a link."

They walked alone and in silence, finally stopping to examine a simple
water-wheel that was used to irrigate rows of small, neat crops. "No
wonder we didn't detect any technology from space," said the commander.
"Their technology doesn't go beyond simple subsistence-level agriculture."

Gar'Tokk pointed up the hill where a large, curved horn suggested a
hunter-gatherer past, or possibly active present. "They choose," he said
simply.

Apollo thought about it. "They blew that to welcome me when I first
made contact. The leader of this clan came out to meet me. Yarto decided
the same as I did. First contact should not be made by young warriors."

"What did Starbuck say to that?" asked the Noman.

Apollo was stunned. Had Gar'Tokk made a joke? He added his bit: "He
should be flattered that we still think of him as young."

Gar'Tokk let the silence gather before he added, "What we've lived
through, ages us all."

Apollo asked the necessary question. "Remember when I said that you
could leave us at the first habitable planet?"

Gar'Tokk nodded but decided to say nothing. They walked to the
perimeter of the village. The red sun was beginning to set, streaking the
horizon with colors so bright that it seemed as if the sky bled.
 "I love this place," said Apollo.

"I, too," Gar'Tokk agreed.

"May we be good guests."

Gar'Tokk smiled grimly. "You always prove yourself a leader by
understanding more."

That sentence was a profound speech for the Noman. Apollo raised an
eyebrow, inquiring, "What inspires that remark?"

His comrade was frank, as always. "We have been invited as guests
only."

Apollo watched the sun's continued descent. The first stars of night