"Mack Reynolds - Planetary Agent X" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

subjects. “Ever hear of the planet Shangri-La?” he asked her. He
took a sip of his brew.
“Of course,” she said. “A rather small planet, Earth type
within four degrees. Noted for its near perfect climate and its
scenic beauty.”
“Captain was talking about it,” Ronny said. “Sounds like a
regular paradise.”
Tog made a negative sound.
“Well, what’s wrong with Shangri-La?” Ronny said
impatiently.
“Static,” she said briefly.
He looked at her. “It sounds to me as though it’s developed a
near perfect socio-economic system. What do you mean, static?”
“No push, no drive,” Tog said definitely. “Everyone—what is
the old term?—everyone has it made. The place is stagnating. I
wouldn’t be surprised to see Tommy Paine show up there sooner
or later.”
Ronny said, “Look, since we’ve known each other, have I ever
said anything you agree with?”
Tog raised her delicate eyebrows. “Why, Ronny. You know
perfectly well we both agreed that the eggs for breakfast were quite
inedibble.”
Ronny came to his feet again. Considering her size, she
certainly was an irritating baggage. “I think I’ll go to my room and
see if I can get any inspirations on tracking down our quarry.”
“Good night, Ronny,” she said demurely.




VII
 They ban into a minor difficulty upon arrival at New Delos.
The captain called both Ronny Bronston and Tog Lee Chang Chu
to the bridge.
He nodded in the direction of the communications screen. A
bald headed, robed character, obviously a priest, scowled at them.
Captain Woiski said, “The Sub-Bishop informs me that the
provisional government has ruled that any spacecraft landing on
New Delos cannot take off again without permission and that
every individual who lands, even United Planets personnel, will
need an exit visa before being allowed to depart.”
Ronny said, “Then you can’t land?”
The captain said reasonably, “My destination is Merlini. I’ve
gone out of my way slightly to drop you off here. But I can’t afford
to take the chance of having my ship tied up for what might be an
indefinite period. Evidently there’s considerable civil disorder
down there.”
From the screen the priest snapped, “That is an inaccurate
manner of describing the situation.”
“Sorry,” the captain said dryly.