Taggart? -Yes? -Ten seconds to jump, sir. -So? So? So if you don't get that computer back on-line, sir... this unstable gravity well's gonna suck us in... one molecule at a time, sir! Navcom on-line. Plot your course, Mr. Blair! Vector one entered and confirmed. Vector three entered and confirmed. What happened? You just plotted a jump through a gravity well... in under ten seconds... and Navcom can't do that. That's not bad. I mean, that's not bad... for the second-best pilot at the academy. You shut up! Next time you don't follow my orders... I'll dump you with the rest of the garbage, you got that? You plot a course for the Tiger Claw, Mr. Blair. Yes, sir. Jeez. Guy's got a serious attitude problem. This is Lieutenant Hunter of the T.C.S. Tiger Claw. Unidentified freighter bearing two-niner-three... state your course and business. This is the Diligent carrying supplies... and two replacement pilots for the Tiger Claw. Stay on course. Have your captain transmit his security clearance. Roger that, Lieutenant. Taggart on his way. Fighters from the Tiger Claw, sir. They've queried us. Well, send the countersign. Roger that. Identification acknowledged. They'll escort us in. Diligent, you're clear to land in bay 2C. Welcome to the Tiger Claw. Captain? Lieutenant J.G. Christopher Blair... reporting for duty, sir. At ease, Lieutenant. Commander Gerald tells me that you have something for me. Yes, sir. An encrypted communiquй from Admiral Tolwyn. Why didn't the admiral send a drone via the Pegasus? The Pegasus was destroyed by a Kilrathi battle group... seventeen hours ago. I see. Communications? I want this disk decrypted ASAP. Yes, sir. Oh, Lieutenant? You wouldn't be related to Arnold Blair, would you? He was my father, sir. He married a Pilgrim woman, didn't he? Yes, sir. Pilgrims don't think like us. You won't have to worry, sir. They're both dead. I'm sure the lieutenant's heredity... will have no bearing on his performance, Mr. Gerald. No, sir. I'm sure it won't. I suggest you stow your gear... and familiarize yourself with the ship. That's all, Lieutenant. Yo, B. Look at these rapiers. They're beat to hell, man. I don't see any of the hornets we flew back at the academy. Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. You know what I do see? Blonde. Hey, how you doing? Systems on-line. Hello, I'm Merlin... the latest in mobile interface cockpit-- Two Dralthis on your tail--one above, one below. You got five, maybe ten seconds. Clock's ticking. What do you do? Simple. I go vertical and inverted... do a 180 at full throttle... apply brakes... and drop in behind 'em. Bang, you're dead. Not fast enough. Dralthis are too quick, particularly in a climb. You've just taken a missile up your tailpipe. OK, let's reverse the situation. You're locked on a Dralthi. It goes evasive, enters an asteroid belt. If I'm locked on... there's no such thing as evasive action. And you're dead again. You see, it's an ambush. Five or six fighters hide behind rocks... the size of your swollen head and pounce. A Kilrathi gang-bang. What's the matter? Did I bruise your ego? No. I'm just, uh, not used to getting combat tips... from a grease monkey, that's all. Lieutenant Commander Deveraux... your wing commander. You have a name? Uh, Lieutenant Blair, ma'am. Well, Lieutenant Blair... if you want to play at being a fighter pilot... I suggest you find a virtual fun zone. Meanwhile, step down from the rapier. I apologize, ma'am. The mission sheet said the rapier was unassigned. I didn't realize it belonged to Lieutenant Commander Chen. What are you doing on the flight deck? Getting acquainted with our new surroundings. Good job, B. We're on the ship five minutes... and you're already hitting on our wing commander? How was I to know? She's just another tight-ass C.O. Who cares? Let it go. Now I'm gonna show you how ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Питер FM на английском - текст Через тернии к звёздам на английском - текст Марс на английском - текст Последний дюйм на английском - текст Новый Гулливер на английском |