"Mack Reynolds - Pacifist" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

have shocked Phil McGivern into submission immediately. As it is now, if our estimates of his character are
correct, the best we can hope for is capitulation after several of his intimates have been dispatched.”


Casey said wearily, “He will never capitulate, no matter what we do. He’s one of the bad ones.”
The third board member, who had not spoken to this point, said thoughtfully, “Perhaps his immediate
assassination would be best.” The chairman shook his head. “No. We’ve thrashed this all out. We want to
use McGivern as an example. In the future, when dealing with similar cases, our people will be able to
threaten others with his fate. We’ll see it through, as planned.” He looked at Casey. “We have another
assignment for you.”


Warren Casey leaned back in his chair, his face expressionless, aside from the perpetual weariness. “All
right,” he said.


The second” board member took up an assignment sheet. “It’s a Priority One. Some twenty operatives are
involved in all.” He cleared his voice. “You’ve had interceptor experience during your military career?”


Casey said, “A year, during the last war. I was shot down twice and they figured my timing was going, so
they switched me to medium bombers.”


“Our information is that you have flown the Y-36G.”


“That’s right.” Casey wondered what they were getting to.


“The board officer said, “In two weeks the first class of the Space Academy graduates. Until now, warfare
has been restricted to land, sea and air. With this graduation we will have the military erupting into a new
medium.”


“I’ve read about it,” Casey said.


The graduation will be spectacular. The class is small, only seventy-five cadets, but already the school is
expanding. All the other services will be represented at the ceremony.”


Warren Casey wished the other would get to the point.


“We want to make this a very dramatic protest against military preparedness,” the other went on.
“Something that will shock the whole nation, and certainly throw fear into everyone connected with arms.”


The chairman took over. “The air force will put on a show. A flight of twenty Y-36Gs will buzz the stand