"Eric Frank Russel - The Space Willies" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Eric Frank)

the enemy will have hardly enough time to identify you as
hostile before they lose trace of you. We have every reason
to believe that you'll be able to slip through into their rear
without trouble."
"I hope so," contributed Leeming, seeing that a response
was expected.
"The only danger point is here." Shifting his finger an inch,
Farmer placed it on a bright star. "A Lathian-held solar sys-
tem containing at least four large space-navy stations. If
those fleets happen to be zooming around the bolt-hole, they
might intercept you more by accident than good judgment.
So you'll be accompanied that far by a strong escort."
"That's nice."


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"If the escort should become involved in a fight, you will
not attempt to take part. Instead you will take full advantage
of the diversion to race out of range and dive through the
Combine's front. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir."
"After you get through you must use your initiative. Bear
in mind that we don't want to know how far back there are
worlds holding intelligent life - you would never reach the
end of those even if you continued to the crack of doom. We
want to know only how far back there are such worlds in reg-
ular communication with various members of the Combine.
Whenever you come across an organized planet playing ball
with the Combine, you will at once transmit all the details
you can offer."
"I will."
"As soon as you are satisfied that you have gained the
measure of the enemy's depth, you will return as quickly as
possible. You must get the ship back here if it can be done.
If for any reason you cannot return, the ship must be con-
verted into scrap. No abandoning it in free space, no dump-
ing it into an ocean or anything like that. The ship must be
destroyed. Markham has emphasized this, hasn't he?"
"Yes, sir."
"All right. We're giving you forty-eight hours in which to
clear up your personal affairs. After that, you will report to
Number Ten Spaceport." Farmer held out a hand. "I wish
you all the luck you can get."
"Thinking I'11 need it?" Leeming grinned and went on,
"You're laying very heavy odds against ever seeing me again.
It's written across your face. I'll be back - want to bet on it?"
"No," said Farmer. "I never gamble because I'm a bad
loser. But if and when you do return, I'll tuck you into bed