"L. E. Modesitt - Spec-Ops" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

passed for it. Then, Casimir was the only other person deJahn knew who drank it for
breakfast. Where deJahn's brother had picked it up ... who knew? Casimir couldn't
even explain, but he also couldn't explain why he liked teaching.

"Just jawing about officers. Little good that does."

"Better than holding it inside." Vielho sipped the tea.

"You ever think about being a teacher?" asked deJahn.

"Me?" Vielho laughed. "No way. Got as much patience as a scroach seeking
a Seasie. Why?"

DeJahn shook his head. "Just wondered."

****

VI.
0750. The briefing was in the tech mess. All the briefings took place there. DeJahn
didn't want to be late, slipped into the spot at the table beside Meralez. She didn't
look at him. He returned the favor by looking straight ahead.

Chihouly lumbered in, glanced at deJahn and Meralez, and gave deJahn a
knowing headshake. DeJahn shrugged.

0801. Major Delles stepped out into the small open space in front of the
twenty techs. All stood and stiffened.

"Carry on." Delles gestured for them to sit.

With the others, deJahn settled in, waiting to hear what Delles had to say. He
wouldn't like it. Briefings meant trouble ahead.

Delles cleared his throat, then straightened his shoulders. His poopsuit had
creases, and the gold oak leaves on the starched collars glistened.

DeJahn was just happy to have enough clean suits.

"Power is the key to any advanced technology. Even biotech and biowar
require large amounts of power. In this sector, the Seasies are still relying heavily on
old-style power plants. In particular, they have a large magnetodynamic coal plant,
the Tanshu-two. This mission is to bring down the plant. We'll take out the cooling
systems, then the security lines, and finish up with a double, an ultra-ex powered
EMP and then red goo for the coal itself. The satellite team will be handling the
biobirds for the EMP and goo. We get the dirty work first."

A power plant? That sounded like the beginning of something, something
deJahn wasn't sure he'd care for. The only reason the Seasies hadn't gotten rid of
the old-style coal plants was that the costs were sunk. Spec-ops would be doing
them a favor... unless a short-term power shortage happened to be necessary for