"Norton, Andre - Solar Queen 02 - Plague Ship" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

statement of fact, but it carried over-tones which they were able to assess correctly. The Solar Queen was a
Free Trader, alone on an alien world. But the I-S ship might be cruising in company, ready to summon aid,
men and supplies. Dane drew a deep breath, the Eysies must be sure of themselves, not only that, but they
must want what Sargol had to offer to the point of being willing to step outside the law to get it.

The I-S Captain took a step forward. "I think we understand each other now," he said, his confidence
restored.

Van Rycke answered him, his deep voice cutting across the sighing of the wind in the grass forest.

"Your proposition?"

Perhaps this return to their implied threat bolstered their belief in the infallibility of the Company, their
conviction that no independent dared stand up against the might and power of Inter-Solar. Kallee replied:

"We'll take up your contract, at a profit to you, and you up-ship before the Salariki are confused over
whom they are to deal with--"

"And the amount of profit?" Van Rycke bored in.

"Oh," Kallee shrugged, "say ten percent of Cam's last shipment--"

Jellico laughed. "Generous, aren't you, Eysie? Ten percent of a cargo which can't be assessed--the gang
on Limbo kept no records of what they plundered."

"We don't know what he was carrying when he crashed on Limbo," countered Kallee swiftly. "We'll base
our offer on what he carried to Axal."

Now Van Rycke chuckled. "I wonder who figured that one out?" he inquired of the scented winds. "He
must save the Company a fair amount of credits one way or another. Interesting offer--"

By the bland satisfaction to be read on the three faces below the I-S men were assured of their victory. The
Solar Queen would be paid off with a pittance, under the vague threat of Company retaliation she would
up-ship from Sargol, and they would be left in possession of the rich Koros trade--to be commended and
rewarded by their superiors. Had they, Dane speculated, ever had any dealings with Free Traders before--
at least with the brand of independent adventurers such as manned the Solar Queen?

Van Rycke burrowed in his belt pouch and then held out his hand. On the broad palm lay a flat disc of
metal. "Very interesting--" he repeated. "I shall treasure this recording--"

The sight of that disc wiped all satisfaction from the Eysie faces. Grange's purplish flush spread up from
his tight tunic collar, Kallee blinked, and the unknown third's hand dropped to his sleep rod. An action
which was not overlooked by either Dane or Ali.

"A smooth set down to you," Jellico gave the conventional leave taking of the Service.

"You'd better--" the Eysie Captain began hotly, and then seeing the disc Van Rycke held--that sensitive
bit of metal and plastic which was recording this interview for future reference, he shut his mouth tight.

"Yes?" the Queen's Cargo-master prompted politely. But Kallee had taken his Captain's arm and was