"Mack Reynolds - Computer War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

Scanned by Highroller.

Proofed more or less by Highroller.

Made prettier by MollyKate's/Cinnamon's style sheet.



Computer War by
Mack Reynolds
PART ONE
Chapter I
NUMBER ONE SAID, "Coaids, we are in session."

The murmuring dropped away to be replaced by respectful silence.

With the others, Ross Westley gave full attention to his ultimate leader.
He had read somewhere that eventually a person's character was reflected
in his face. Were it true, then Number One was overly fond of the sensual
pleasures as well as power. As a young man, he must have been
exceptionally handsome; now, at approximately seventy, his face had gone
gross, his smile, when it did appear, humorless. His voice, even when
addressing these, his closest associates, was empty of inflection save that
of command.

It was said, Ross knew, that since the cruelly suppressed revolt of
Maximilian Barker, for years Number Two in the Alphaland hierarchy, the
Presidor had only one intimate. His vices, did they exist, and his face
proclaimed they existed, were enjoyed in solitude. It was said he was a
connoisseur of vintages, in spite of the United Temple's ban on alcoholic
beverages, and a gourmet with a staff of half the best chefs on the planet.
It was even said he took tobacco, in some form or other.

Number One said now, "Coaid Graves."
 Graves was not a member of the Central Comita and nervously shuffled
his papers in this august gathering.

He said, "The computers reveal that Betastan could be reduced with a
short, sharp conflict lasting 2.35 months, plus or minus 3.8 days. The cost
in casualties would be 17,900 killed and 310,000 wounded, plus or minus
293 killed and 7,021 wounded. The cost would be 127,895,367,400 gold
Alphas, plus or minus 6,730,412."

Number One looked at his Deputy of Finance, who indicated
unhappiness.

"Coaid Matheison?"

Deputy Matheison jiggled a stylo. He was obviously in awe of his leader
and his voice came in apology. "It seems fantastically expensive for a war