"E. E. Doc Smith - D' Alembert 9 - The Omicron Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith E. E. Doc)

"Wait a minute," Helena called after her. "Is that all?"

"Isn't it enough? I didn't want to burden you with an overly complex task."

"Do you have any proof of what you're saying? How can we be sure this isn't just another one of
your tricks?"

The other woman paused. "Ask your father what he's heard from Omicron lately," she said. Then
the door slid open and Lady A stepped out of the room.

Helena gave brief thought to chasing after her, knocking her down, and capturing her for further
questioning—but it was very brief thought. She was quite familiar with the capabilities of those robot
bodies built by the conspiracy. They were equipped with reflexes and strength far superior to any flesh-
and-blood mortal, even a DesPlainian. Were Helena to try something so foolish, she'd probably end up
bruised and battered at the very least, possibly with a few broken bones as well, and Lady A would
continue along as though nothing significant had happened. Cursing her own impotence, Helena watched
the door slide silently shut behind the departing woman.

Helena sat in the darkness for five minutes, trying to put her thoughts in order. So much had
happened tonight, from two separate directions, and she wanted to make sure she had everything
absolutely straight before speaking to her father. He'd want to know every detail of the encounter with
Lady A so he could know what decision to make. Helena decided to put off for a couple of days telling
him about Fortier's proposal. Her happiness would be important to him, she knew, but right now he'd need
to concentrate on the astonishing offer from Lady A. The safety and security of the Empire took
precedence over everything else.

CHAPTER 3

Summit Conferences

As Head of the Service of the Empire, Grand Duke Zander von Wilmenhorst had almost instant
access to Empress Stanley Eleven any time of the day or night. It was a privilege he tried to use as seldom
as possible; knowing how precious her time was, he wanted to be sure a problem was worthy of her
attention before bothering her with it.

The current situation had reached that stage of imperial notice. Anything regarding the activities
of Lady A was important in and of itself—and the possibility of some other threat to the Empire as well
made it doubly so. After checking all his facts, von Wilmenhorst called the Imperial Palace.
 It was late afternoon, Moscow time, when the call came in. The Empress had been in the midst of
a reception honoring sponsors of several major charities when a page came and told her the Grand Duke
wished to speak with her on a matter of great urgency. The Empress excused herself graciously and went
immediately to the nearest room with a secure communications channel.

Edna Stanley was not a glamorous woman, but she knew how to dress for stunning effect. She
wore a suit of double-faced ivory silk with trapunto trim densely stitched in real gold thread. The ten
centimeter cuffs were canted back to form points almost at the elbows, the gold thread holding them stiffly
against her forearms. Her jacket's shawl collar was also held up by the gold stitching, framing her head
and her magnificent six-strand diamond and pearl collar. She looked so impressive that even an old friend
like von Wilmenhorst could not help but be impressed. They greeted each other warmly and then the