"Linnea Sinclair - Silent Run" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sinclair Linnea)

SILENT RUN
by Linnea Sinclair


Set in the same universe as my novel, Finders Keepers, this short story introduces
Captain Shandy McAllister, who is about to become embroiled in a mixture of
political intrigue, personal challenges... and learn a little about love in the
process...




I

“Rinnaker shuttlecraft, you’re cleared for final approach to Bay Six-Fiver Beta.
Acknowledge.”
“Deneb Approach, this is Rinnaker shuttle Lancer-One. Acknowledged.
Thanks. Switching helm over to Deneb Auto Guidance.”
“Computer confirms. You’re on the mark, Lancer-One.
Cut power to one-third.”
“Acknowledged. One--"
“Lancer-One, this is Deneb Approach. Increase power. There’s a Tryll off
your stern, mark one-eight-zero-point-three. Repeat. Increase power.”
“Power up.”
“Nanjir Tryll, Nanjir Tryll, this is Deneb Approach. Decrease power. Change
course to nine-zero-point-five. Repeat. Decrease power! Change course to
nine-zero-point-five!”
“Den... Nanj... Unable to...”
“Nanjir Tryll, change course now! This is Deneb Approach. You’re in the path
of an incoming Rinnaker shuttle. Repeat. Take nine-zero-point-five immediately!
“Lancer-One, this is Deneb. Abort! Abort!”
“Negative, Deneb. We’re too tight. We’ll try to outrun thebastard. Clear the--"
“This is Deneb Approach. All craft hold position. We have an emergency in
Bay Six-Fiver Beta!”



II

“We’re not lovers!” Shandy McAllister winced as the line of faces down the
Port Tyber bar turned abruptly in her direction.
The man on her right leered at her. “Jump-jockey gossip says different. Says
you’re right cozy with Captain Talvarrin. So how’s ‘bout using some of that
horizontal influence for me?” His hand shook noticeably as he slid his journeyman’s
data-tab towards her. His breath reeked of the sour odor of a rafthkra junkie. “I can
work drive tech, cargo tech, anything Rinnaker needs.”
“I don’t have any connections with Rinnaker, Hillard.” Nor would she give him
a recommendation if she did. The once respected tech had degenerated into one of
the lowest forms of dock slime she’d ever met. And growing up in the Syar
Colonies, she’d just about met them all.