"James White - SG 09 - Galactic Gourmet" - читать интересную книгу автора (White James)

very good, and the other-species staff have similar complaints. There is a rumor,
never officially denied by O'Mara, that the Senior Physician in charge of training,
Cresk-Sar, has deliberately arranged this to encourage more study during leisure
periods."
"I understand," said Gurronsevas, "and sympathize."
Timmins smiled again and said, "You have concealed storage spaces here and
here, and recessed attachment points for any pictures or wall hangings you may have.
They work like this. Would you like help unpacking and arranging your personal
effects?"
"Since I have very few, that will not be necessary," Gurronsevas replied, and
pointed. "But as quickly as possible I would like that larger container to be stored
under moderate refrigeration where I can have ready access to it. The contents will be
required for my work."
 The expression on Timmins' soft, yellow-pink features was probably one of
curiosity, which Gurronsevas did not intend to satisfy as yet, then it said, "There is a
cold-storage facility at the other end of your corridor. We don't need to waste time
going for a gravity sled; it isn't very heavy."
A few minutes later Gurronsevas's precious container was in a cool, safe place,
and Timmins went on, "Would you like to rest now, sir? Or tour part of the hospital,
or maybe visit our dining hall for warm-blooded oxygen-breathers?"
"None of those," Gurronsevas replied. "I will return to my quarters and
familiarize myself with the hospital layout. Then I would like to find my way to the
dining hall, alone. Sooner rather than later I must learn to—how does your species put
it?—stand on my own six feet."
"Understood, sir," said Timmins. "You have my personal comm code. Call me if
you need help."
"My thanks, Lieutenant," said Gurronsevas. "I will need help—but hopefully not
too often."
Timmins raised one hand and left without speaking.
Next day Gurronsevas was able to find his way to the correct level without
having to ask anyone for directions, but this was because, during the final stages of
the journey, he followed two Melfan student nurses who were discussing the
necessity for hurrying their next meal to avoid being late for a lecture. He was sure,
however, that he would be able to find the place again without passive guidance.
In the four principal languages spoken throughout the Federation—Tralthan,
Orligian, Earth-human and Illensan—and as a spoken identification for translation by
the other user species, the sign above the wide, doorless entrance announced MAIN
DINING HALL, SPECIES CLASSIFICATIONS DBDG, DBLF, DBPK, DCNF,
EGCL, ELNT, FGLI AND FROB. SPECIES GKNM & GLNO AT OWN RISK.
Gurronsevas moved inside and stopped, paralyzed as much by the sight of so many
other species together in one place as by the muted roar of their barking, grunting,
growling, cheeping and whistling conversations.
Gurronsevas did not know how long he stood staring across that vast expanse of
highly polished floor with its regimented islands of eating benches and seating
grouped together by size to accommodate the incredible variety of beings using them.
It was far beyond anything in his previous experience. He identified members of the
Kelgian, Ian, Melfan, Nidian, Orligian, Dwerlan, Etlan, Earth-human, and his own
Tralthan species, plus others that were completely new to him. Many of them were
occupying tables and using eating utensils that had been designed for entirely
different life-forms, seemingly for the purpose of conversing with other-species