"Niven, Larry - Rainbow Mars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Niven Larry)

"The picture book didn't show feathers."

"There must be more than one kind of snake," Svetz said. "The locals worshipped this one. I'll bet the SecGen loves it."

"They'll find something else to worship. Svetz-" Ra Chen's words stuck in his throat.

"Sir?"

"Waldemar the Tenth is dead."

"Long live the Secretary-General." Then his fatigue-blurred mind caught up. "Wait, now. The natives were ready to cut my heart out for that snake, and now we don't need it?"

Ra Chen sighed. Svetz babbled, "Or do we? Who's the next Secretary-General? Does he like animals?"

"That's being settled, I don't doubt. Take Wrona home. Get some sleep. Everything goes to hell when power changes hands."

PART ONE

"If only we had a time machine!'

Chapter 2

Willy Gorky's coming was announced. The Institute for Temporal Research had two hours to prepare.

The atmosphere as Svetz arrived was low-intensity frantic. Hum of techspeak, hum of power, three techs swearing quietly over yellow lights on a display. Some looked up from the Guide Pit as he and Wrona passed. Nobody particularly wanted to talk to Hanville Svetz, but Wrona was still a curiosity.

The Director saw Svetz in a corner quietly eating a bowl of dole yeast. He said, "Get the dog out."

Svetz nodded and stood. He rubbed Wrona between her ears. "Home," he told her, and turned back toward the door. She laughed with her tongue lolling.

"Home, my ass," Ra Chen bellowed. "I need you here!"

"Make a decision, Boss."

Ra Chen took two seconds to think. Wilt and Hillary both got along with Wrona, but Svetz could see both techs on duty in the Pit. They couldn't take her. The Zoo dogs fought with her.

"The dog stays. Good idea anyway. We'll have something to show Gorky."

"Yes sir. Why are we showing off for Willy Gorky?"

Ra Chen looked toward the Guide Pit. It looked impressive, and busy. He said, "Waldemar the Tenth liked extinct animals. Waldemar the Eleventh likes planets and stars, they say, and he's not a mental deficient."

Svetz flinched. Nobody would have dared to use that term when Waldemar the Tenth was Secretary-General!

A whisper of wind from outside: limousines setting down in the drive.

"The Institute for Temporal Research has been transferred from Bureau of History to Bureau of the Sky Domains-that's the new title for Space Bureau. Willy Gorky's the Director. He's our new boss. Are you ready for that?"

Svetz smiled sourly. 'Time will tell."