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first ship-borne synthetic gravity generators, which will revolutionize every aspect of space travel and habitation.Aztec is also carrying the materials and startup equipment for establishing a basic mix of core industries and the technologies necessary for running them. That capability is essential to founding a viable pilot base on Earth and expanding it rapidly later. "Our first task, now that we are able to operate as a coordinated unit, will be to overhaul, apprehend, and board theAztec. Recognize that this is not an act of war but a legal repossession. Our aim will be to achieve occupation peacefully. Briefings and unit assignments to that end will follow. I'm counting on everyone in the Terran Defense Force that I'm now privileged to command, and Captain Walsh and his crew, to make this a clean and professional first operation in the service of Earth. Thank you." The senior figures then proceeded to the Captain's Lounge for socializing and refreshments, while the Trojan 's honor guard detail returned to quarters. The transfer of personnel and materials fromEskimo continued for several hours. Then, left with only a skeleton crew, the smaller craft detached and moved away to stand five miles off whileTrojan fired its main drives to accelerate toward the inner Solar System.Eskimo, its added boosters now spent, was tied to its present velocity and would follow in its own time. * * * It was a day later when a sergeant showed Robin into General Nyrom's stateroom and office in the Command Module, and then left, closing the door. Robin stood formally, conscious of the gap in ranks between them more so now that Nyrom had been elevated to General and C-in-C of the entire Terran military command. His immediate superior was Major Ulak. But life in a closed community like the Trojan 's encouraged more direct and relaxed contact, and their dealings when Nyrom was a colonel had established something of a precedent. "At ease, Lieutenant." Nyrom waved toward the metal-frame visitor's chair on the opposite side of the desk. Technically, it was "lieutenant-commander," but Nyrom wasn't going to go through mouthing that every time. "Thank you, sir." Nyrom waited until Robin had settled, resting his cap on his knee. "Has it occurred to you that the name of this vessel will very likely go down in history?Trojan is the first officially commissioned warship of the New Order that will arise on Earth. While the founding colony is still young and yet to acquire strength, its defense will rest primarily in our hands. I hope you realize the importance and the privilege of the task that places on all of us." "I'll bear it in mind, sir." Nyrom sat back, elbows resting on the arms of his chair, and interlaced his fingers. "So what's bothering you?" "Oh, nothing. This isn't a complaint. More in the line of a suggestion . . . and a request." "Go on." Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html "It's to do with the announcement yesterday about commandeering theAztec. " "I think that 'repossess' would be a more politic word to use, Lieutenant." "I'm sorry, yes. . . ." "So, what about it?" "The President stressed that he wants it to be a peaceful occupation of the ship. And I can see why, if things took a difficult turn say, because the people on it won't cooperate and it resulted in force having to be used, that would be a bad thing. The record in history that you just mentioned, for example, might not read so well." "I'm listening." The look on Nyrom's face said that he still had no idea where this was leading. Even though Robin had tried rehearsing this several times, the words still came awkwardly. "Well, sir, my mother is aboard theAztec. " "Yes, I know. A bio-scientist sent by the Academy on Dione." "She wasn't a Pragmatist supporter. And as things stand, the new Terran government is something she'll be opposed to. Right now, that would probably apply to most of the others there on theAztec too. . . ." Robin made an open-handed gesture. "But I was also with her long enough after we came from Earth to know why she's that way. You see, sir, she deals with Kronian scientists. She's only ever heard one side of it. She doesn't really understand what the New Order means. Because no one's ever really explained it. What they say on the news gets distorted." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |