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

cause the feudalistic nobility to be tossed onto the ash heap. A
planet with a dictatorship doesn’t want subversives from some
democracy trying to undermine their institutions—and vice versa.”
“And it’s our job to enforce all this, eh?” Ronny said.
“That’s right,” Metaxa told him sourly. “It’s not always the
nicest job in the system. However, if you believe in United Planets,
an organization attempting to coördinate, in such a manner as it
can, the efforts of its member planets, for the betterment of all,
then you must accept Section G and Interplanetary Security.”
Ronny Bronston thought about it.
Metaxa added, “That’s why one of the requirements of this
job is that you yourself be a citizen of United Planets, rather than
of any individual planet, have no religious affiliations, no political
beliefs, and no racial prejudices. You’ve got to be able to stand
aloof.”
“Yeah,” Ronny said thoughtfully.
Ross Metaxa looked at his watch again and sighed wearily.
“I’ll turn you over to one of my assistants,” he said. “I’ll see you
again, though, before you leave.”
“Before I leave?” Ronny said, coming to his feet. “But where
do I start looking for this Tommy Paine?”
“How the hell would I know?” Ross Metaxa growled.




II

In the outer office, Ronny said to the receptionist,
“Commissioner Metaxa said for me to get in touch with Sid Jakes.”

She said, “I’m Irene Kasansky. Are you with us?”
Ronny said, “I beg your pardon?”
She said impatiently, “Are you going to be with the Section?
If you are, I’ve got to clear you with your old job. You were in
statistics over in New Copenhagen, weren’t you?”
Somehow it seemed far away now, the job he’d held for more
than five years. “Oh, yes,” he said. “Yes, Commissioner Metaxa has
given me an appointment.”
She looked up at him. “Probably to look for Tommy Paine.”
He was taken aback. “That’s right. How did you know?”
 “There was talk. This Section is pretty well integrated.” She
grimaced, but on her it looked good. “One big happy family. High
interdepartmental morale. That sort of nonsense.” She flicked
some switches. “You’ll find Supervisor Jakes through that door,
one to your left, two to your right.”
He could have asked one what to his left and two what to his
right, but evidently Irene Kasansky thought he had enough
information to get him to his destination. She’d gone back to her
work.