"Connie Willis - Uncharted Territory" - читать интересную книгу автора (Willis Connie)

I got 181's log again and then changed my mind and asked for the whereabouts. I checked them for the
two times we'd been in Sector 248-76. Wulfmeier'd been on Starting Gate both times, which didn't
prove anything. I asked for a verify on him.

"Nahhd khompt," Bult said.

I looked up. He was standing next to the computer, pointing his umbrella at me.

"I need the computer, too," I said, and he reached for his log. "Besides, it's almost dinnertime."

"Nahhd tchopp," he said, moving around behind me so he could see the screen. "Forcible confiscation of
property."

"That's what it is, all right," I said, wondering which was worse, being stuck with his bayonet of an
umbrella or another fine. Besides, I couldn't find out what I needed to know with all these people hanging
over my shoulder. And dinner was ready. Evelyn pushed the kitchen door open with his shoulder and
brought out a platter of meat. I asked for the catalog.

"Here you go," I said, standing up. "Nieman Marcus at your disposal. Go at it. Tchopp."
Bult sat down, shot his umbrella open, and started talking to the computer. "One dozen pair digiscan
polarized field glasses," he said, "with telemetry and object enhancement functions."

Ev stared.

"One 'High Rollers Special' slot machine," Bult said.

Ev came over with the platter. "Bult can speak English?" he said.

I grabbed a chunk of meat. "Depends. When he's ordering stuff, yeah. When you're talking to him, not
much. When you're trying to negotiate satellite surveys or permission to set up a gate, no hablo inglais."
I grabbed another hunk of meat.

"Stop that!" C.J. said, bringing in the vegetables. "Honestly, Fin, you've got the manners of a
gatecrasher! You could at least wait till we get to the table!" She set the vegetables down. "Carson!
Dinner's ready!" she called and went back into the kitchen.

He came in, wiping his hands on a towel. He'd washed up and shaved around his mustache. He came
over close to me. "Find anything?" he muttered.

"Maybe."

Ev, still holding the meat platter, was looking at me inquiringly.

I said, "I found out those binocs you lost are gonna cost us three hundred."

"I lost?" Carson said. "You're the one who lost 'em. I laid 'em right next to your pack. Why on hell's it
three hundred?"

"Possible technological contamination," I said. "If they turn up on an indidge it'll be five hundred you lost
us."