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

known to carry out assignments well into their eighties, and Jules and Yvette knew there would always be
jobs waiting for them.

But being SOTE's top team of agents required razor sharp reflexes. There could be no fumbles, no
mistakes. Jules and Yvette had so far avoided them, and the time to leave graciously was before they made
any, while they still had a perfect record. They were hoping for at least one more major assignment
though, one last great task to set a standard for the next team to aim at. What they really wanted, of course,
was a chance to demolish Lady A's conspiracy once and for all, so they could hand over the responsibility
to their cousins with a clean slate.

All four agents were living at Felicité, the d'Alembert estate on DesPlaines, more or less marking
time. There was always something to do, and the women in particular worked out in the gymnasium to get
back into perfect shape after having had their babies, but they were all quite relieved when they were
summoned to the communications room for a call from the Head.

Von Wilmenhorst greeted them all warmly, but there was a strange, almost regretful look in his
eyes that had them puzzled. The movements of the four agents were subdued as they took chairs around
the well-worn oak conference table. Mercifully, the Head did not keep them in suspense too long. "The
assignment is just for Jules and Yvette this time," he said, "but I'm afraid you're not going to like it."

"We've never expected to like our assignments," Yvette said quickly, "but we do whatever's
necessary and be glad we can help."

"I know," the Head nodded, "but I suspect you'll find the conditions of this one a little more
odious than most. You'll have to work with Lady A."

As the agents' faces clearly registered their astonishment, the Head filled them in on the
background of the Omicron problem and the need to combine forces with the conspiracy to get to the
bottom of the mystery as quickly as possible. "I've spoken with the Empress," he concluded, "and she's
agreed to the Omicron mission at least; we're still keeping our options open regarding the larger venture
until we see what we learn on Omicron. I want to hear your thoughts on the matter."

"My thoughts on the matter are not fit for delicate ears," Yvette said hotly. "Lady A is an amoral,
lying, murderous, cheating traitor who killed her own granddaughter, not to mention hundreds—if not
thousands—of other more innocent people in her quest for power."

"But can you work with her?" the Head persisted gently.

Jules cut in before his sister could continue her tirade. "Yes, we can work with her—if she's on the
level. My concern is that this is just another of her tricks to get at Evie and me. What if she doses us with
nitrobarb as soon as she gets us alone?"
 "You'll have your suicide capsules, of course," the Head said somberly. "She knows that, too,
which is why I'm pretty sure she's smooth with us right now. If this is some sort of hoax, she's gone to a
lot of trouble for such a tiny payoff. The situation on Omicron is real enough; her description of the events
is at least consistent with our own sketchy knowledge. We'd have to investigate anyway: her suggestion of
a combined mission does make some sense."

"She always makes sense," Pias muttered. "That's what frightens me the most."

"Time is short," von Wilmenhorst reminded them. "I have to let her know soon whether we'll