"Tanya Huff - Valor 2 - The Better Part of Valor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Huff Tanya)

the exception of Guimond, the rest—even the two engineers—wore the
sort of blank expressions usually seen after the words, "We need a
volunteer for .. ."
Guimond looked fascinated by everything he saw.
She had no doubt that each and every one of them had not only
marked the exits but carried a complete mental map of the route back
to the attachment and the armory—Marines being Marines and Recon
even more so.
When General Morris, Captain Travik, and Lieutenant Stedrin
entered, she brought them to attention.
There was nothing of the parade ground about the movement, but
they all ended up on their feet more or less at the same time. The
general made a sotto voce suggestion to the captain who then
sauntered—there really could be no other word for it even given the
natural gait of a species with opposable toes—back to Torin's side.
"So this is my reconnaissance team, is it, Staff Sergeant?"
He hadn't actually looked at them. Hadn't actually looked anywhere
but at her. "Yes, sir."
"Excellent." His smile showed almost enough tooth to be considered
a challenge—which would have been a lot more relevant had she been
another Krai. "I assume you've gone through their records, checked
them all out, made sure they're the best?"
"They were chosen for this mission because they are the best, sir."
"I know I was."
Jolly tones suggested he was making a joke. Torin decided not to get
it. "Yes, sir."
"Well, I'm not sure why the general wants them here—that is, right
here, right now. I'm quite sure you'd be capable of briefing them after
it's all over, but ours is not to question why."
Torin managed not to wince. Wonderful. Now, it's a theme.
"Have them sit down. They can take notes if they feel it's necessary.
I'll speak to you later."
"Yes, sir." After he'd turned and walked away, she turned herself,
saying quietly, "As you were." Expressions as the team sat ranged
from blank to bored. The one murmured observation had been too low
for her to hear content, so she ignored it. All things considered, it
hadn't gone badly.
Based on their two short meetings, Captain Travik seemed more an
idiot than a murderous glory-hog.
Not, she acknowledged, that those personality traits are mutually
exclusive. She'd be able to form a more relevant opinion after she saw
him in action.
A number of civilians filed in as she sat and the front rows filled
quickly.
"We're not taking them all in with us, are we, Staff?" Guimond
wondered, his voice a bass rumble by her left ear.
Torin sure as hell hoped not but all she said was, "We'll do what
we're ordered to do, Guimond."
"Yeah, but..."
"We'll find out soon enough." She heard his seat creak as he sat