"Jeff Kirvin - Unification Chronicles 1 - First Contact I" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kirvin Jeff)

place, he opened the door and strode in.

He was on the bridge of the white sphere, the TRS Envoy. She was humanity’s first true
starship, capable of crossing the vast gulfs between star systems in the blink of an eye. The
bridge was expansive, the sounds of dozens of crew members muffled only slightly by the
non-slip rubber flooring. The flat black floor ran right up to the far wall, which consisted of a
floor to ceiling viewscreen, displaying a view of space and the planet below. Jack always felt the
bridge was floating in space, open to the stars.

Jack’s target was the man sitting in the center of the bridge, his back to Jack. “Captain
Chenzokov!” Jack called with a baritone voice used to commanding men. Everyone on the
bridge turned to look, except Chenzokov himself.

Chenzokov continued to stare at the screen, showing Jack the back of his head. “Major
Killian.” The bridge crew seemed to expect more from their captain, but that was all he had to
say.

Rather than walk to the front of Chenzokov’s chair, Jack planted himself behind the
captain, in a direct line between Chenzokov and the door. He stood at military attention,
shoulders square, feet together, hands at his sides. “We need to talk, Captain.”

The captain didn’t turn. “So talk.”

“In private, sir.”

Now Chenzokov turned, his chair swiveling to face Jack. Chenzokov was much older than
Jack, a robust bearded Russian in his seventies. With the vista of the planet behind him, he
looked every inch the master of his ship. “We will do no such thing, Major. I trust my crew
with my life. Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of them.”

Jack didn’t move from attention, but somehow gave the impression of nodding. He
gathered a breath. “Why,” he said, “was I not informed of your intention to use the Tunnel
Drive?”

Chenzokov smirked, the action creasing his face. “Inform you?” He turned to address
Ensign Williams, the communications officer on duty. “Mister Williams, have we received any
changes to our orders?”

“No, sir.”

Chenzokov nodded. “I see. So then under the authority of President Staten, I am still the
captain of this ship?”

“Yes, sir.”
 “Hmm. Major Killian, it would seem that I am the captain of this vessel, it’s undisputed
lord and master. Why would it be necessary to inform you before moving it?”

“The security of this vessel is my responsibility, Captain—”

“No, Major Killian, the security of our passengers is your responsibility. The security of the