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.”His grandchild made no reply.Gregor had already formed the distinct impression that she was no fan of the military, but here, for once, she was awed into silence.Most of the crew members that the pair saw in their passage were wearing helmets that kept them in close optelectronic contact with the thinking machines that handled the routine details of micromanagement.The flagship, and, Gregor presumed, the whole fleet, was at a medium stage of alert, which meant that dress uniforms were nowhere to be seen, and ceremony was kept to a minimum.People murmured and stepped aside for the eminent plenipotentiary, one or two of them saluting awkwardly.Gregor couldn’t remember if he, as a civilian, should be returning these salutes or not, so each time he compromised, responding with a small gesture.Had he been on the ground, there might have been a robot on hand to offer discreet counsel on matters of protocol.But the only robots on a warship would be carrying quite different matters in their data bank, she seriously doubted there were any anthropomorphic servants.In another minute, the visitors had reached the flagship’s bridge, where Admiral Radigast rose from his combat couch to welcome them.Here on the bridge the entire fleet at last became visible, if only on holostage, where it made an impressive sight to Gregor’s experienced eye.Radigast was putting out a hand for him to clasp.“Glad to see you, sir.Very glad.” In a moment, Gregor was being introduced to a few senior members of the admiral’s staff, as well as the Morholt’s captain.The admiral had a habit of squinting through narrowed eyes that suggested, erroneously, no doubt, defective vision.His manner and behavior were correct in all details, and even his uniform looked as immaculate in direct view as it had on stage, Gregor had heard rumors of legendary personal sloppiness.Still, Radigast somehow gave the impression of not spending much time on such details.The flurry of introductions over, he went immediately to the next point.“How long can you remain on board, sir?”Gregor explained briefly about the peace conference, though he thought the explanation was probably unnecessary.“But I’m determined to find out what’s happening here in our system before I go.”“I’m with you in that, Mister Plenipotentiary.I would also like to gather some kind of clue as to what’s going on.But I fear that’s going to take a little time.”Only now did the admiral get around to greeting Luon, in a pleasantly absentminded way.Then he crisply issued orders for two adjoining cabins, in what he called VIPcountry, to be made available.Gregor entered a mild protest.“I expect we’re only going to be on board for a short time.”“Of course, sir.But the young lady might want a place to, how do they put it?freshen up.”“Of course.Thank you.But we don’t want to put any of your people out of their quarters, I’m assuming that room is at something of a premium.”The squint turned into half a smile.“Not as premium as you might think, sir.Page 29ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThey built this ship to serve diplomatic functions when necessary, and that sometimes means entertaining visitors.Would you care to step into my quarters for a moment? We can both sit down and relax.”Again, a young male officer, this one was of higher rank, was detailed to look after Luon for a while.Here on a battleship, in contrast to the scout, there was a lot to see.“Give her Tour Number One,” the admiral tersely recommended.“Yes sir.”As the pair moved away, Gregor heard the young man asking what parts of the ship might she truly be interested in? And Luon’s answer, a peaceful murmur.Not even looking back; she was trying to keep grandfather happy, by keeping herself out of his way.A few moments later, as soon as the door closed on the two men alone in a small but comfortable cabin, Radigast added: “Frankly, it’s a relief to have someone in authority that I can talk to, and who can’t turn me off with the flick of a switch.Are you in the mood for a drink, sir?Or chew?”“Neither just now, thank you.Admiral, I hope you don’t credit me with more authority than Ireally have.I can see that this strange intruder presents a special problem for defense, especially if it won’t communicate.By the way, thank you for the thorough briefing on the subject.The general was most enlightening.”The fleet commander acknowledged the thanks with a nod.“Wanted to make sure you understand just where we are.” The latest chewing pod, whatever flavor it had been, was ejected in decisive fashion.A squirrel-sized housekeeping machine was on the spot to clean it up, almost before it landed.Radigast took a seat in a large chair, gesturing Gregor to another that looked just as comfortable.The admiral seemed to be relaxing into a more natural mode.The removal of a minor strain was evident.But something major still remained.“The intruder, as you aptly call it, does not represent my only motherless communication problem.It’s not even my prime, original reason for wanting to talk to you, Plenipotentiary Gregor.”The admiral drew a deep breath.“Sir, you and I have never met before, but I’ve kind of followed your record, and I think maybe you’re someone I can talk to.Do you have any idea what’s happened to His Nibs our president?”Gregor was only faintly surprised by the blunt question.Yes, it was time, and past time, to be direct.He allowed himself to sigh.“I have been trying to reach him for almost three days now, without success.”Radigast nodded slowly.He did not seem as surprised as Gregor thought he should have been.“What about the vice president?”“She’s on Prairie, Admiral, as you doubtless know.She’s not been returning my messages either, but so far I haven’t made them urgent.In her case the seeming reluctance to communicate is more easily explained.She’s up to her eyebrows in a high-level conference, strategic planning.”Radigast did not seem at all reassured.He grunted, and popped another chewing pod into his mouth, this time forgetting to offer one to his guest.“I know.The Joint Chiefs are there too.”There was a slight pause before he admitted: “I don’t always get on superbly well with them.”“So I’ve heard.” Gregor spoke carefully.“Admiral, it won’t do to have a rumor spread to the effect that the president of Twin Worlds is missing, or that he’s deliberately chosen to isolate himself in such a way that the other components of his government can hardly reach him.”“Especially if the motherless rumor is true.” The admiral grunted again, and nodded.“If that kind of crap hasn’t started yet, believe me, it soon will.Page 30ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlI’ve tried to reach him directly, and got the same treatment you did.Can you think of any good excuse for the way he’s acting?”Gregor responded only with a silent headshake.It was understandable that a president might not have much to say at any given moment, or might want time to be alone, to think.But there was no excuse for dropping totally out of contact.As long as the fleet was deployed in the inner system, it would never be more than a few minutes away from its civilian commander-in-chief, at the speed of light or radio.Radigast had evidently determined to speak his mind to someone, whatever the consequence might be.“Sir, understand me.I’m not talking parties and politics here.I’ve got no motherless interest in politics.As part of the military I shouldn’t have, and I don’t.But he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.”His grandchild made no reply.Gregor had already formed the distinct impression that she was no fan of the military, but here, for once, she was awed into silence.Most of the crew members that the pair saw in their passage were wearing helmets that kept them in close optelectronic contact with the thinking machines that handled the routine details of micromanagement.The flagship, and, Gregor presumed, the whole fleet, was at a medium stage of alert, which meant that dress uniforms were nowhere to be seen, and ceremony was kept to a minimum.People murmured and stepped aside for the eminent plenipotentiary, one or two of them saluting awkwardly.Gregor couldn’t remember if he, as a civilian, should be returning these salutes or not, so each time he compromised, responding with a small gesture.Had he been on the ground, there might have been a robot on hand to offer discreet counsel on matters of protocol.But the only robots on a warship would be carrying quite different matters in their data bank, she seriously doubted there were any anthropomorphic servants.In another minute, the visitors had reached the flagship’s bridge, where Admiral Radigast rose from his combat couch to welcome them.Here on the bridge the entire fleet at last became visible, if only on holostage, where it made an impressive sight to Gregor’s experienced eye.Radigast was putting out a hand for him to clasp.“Glad to see you, sir.Very glad.” In a moment, Gregor was being introduced to a few senior members of the admiral’s staff, as well as the Morholt’s captain.The admiral had a habit of squinting through narrowed eyes that suggested, erroneously, no doubt, defective vision.His manner and behavior were correct in all details, and even his uniform looked as immaculate in direct view as it had on stage, Gregor had heard rumors of legendary personal sloppiness.Still, Radigast somehow gave the impression of not spending much time on such details.The flurry of introductions over, he went immediately to the next point.“How long can you remain on board, sir?”Gregor explained briefly about the peace conference, though he thought the explanation was probably unnecessary.“But I’m determined to find out what’s happening here in our system before I go.”“I’m with you in that, Mister Plenipotentiary.I would also like to gather some kind of clue as to what’s going on.But I fear that’s going to take a little time.”Only now did the admiral get around to greeting Luon, in a pleasantly absentminded way.Then he crisply issued orders for two adjoining cabins, in what he called VIPcountry, to be made available.Gregor entered a mild protest.“I expect we’re only going to be on board for a short time.”“Of course, sir.But the young lady might want a place to, how do they put it?freshen up.”“Of course.Thank you.But we don’t want to put any of your people out of their quarters, I’m assuming that room is at something of a premium.”The squint turned into half a smile.“Not as premium as you might think, sir.Page 29ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThey built this ship to serve diplomatic functions when necessary, and that sometimes means entertaining visitors.Would you care to step into my quarters for a moment? We can both sit down and relax.”Again, a young male officer, this one was of higher rank, was detailed to look after Luon for a while.Here on a battleship, in contrast to the scout, there was a lot to see.“Give her Tour Number One,” the admiral tersely recommended.“Yes sir.”As the pair moved away, Gregor heard the young man asking what parts of the ship might she truly be interested in? And Luon’s answer, a peaceful murmur.Not even looking back; she was trying to keep grandfather happy, by keeping herself out of his way.A few moments later, as soon as the door closed on the two men alone in a small but comfortable cabin, Radigast added: “Frankly, it’s a relief to have someone in authority that I can talk to, and who can’t turn me off with the flick of a switch.Are you in the mood for a drink, sir?Or chew?”“Neither just now, thank you.Admiral, I hope you don’t credit me with more authority than Ireally have.I can see that this strange intruder presents a special problem for defense, especially if it won’t communicate.By the way, thank you for the thorough briefing on the subject.The general was most enlightening.”The fleet commander acknowledged the thanks with a nod.“Wanted to make sure you understand just where we are.” The latest chewing pod, whatever flavor it had been, was ejected in decisive fashion.A squirrel-sized housekeeping machine was on the spot to clean it up, almost before it landed.Radigast took a seat in a large chair, gesturing Gregor to another that looked just as comfortable.The admiral seemed to be relaxing into a more natural mode.The removal of a minor strain was evident.But something major still remained.“The intruder, as you aptly call it, does not represent my only motherless communication problem.It’s not even my prime, original reason for wanting to talk to you, Plenipotentiary Gregor.”The admiral drew a deep breath.“Sir, you and I have never met before, but I’ve kind of followed your record, and I think maybe you’re someone I can talk to.Do you have any idea what’s happened to His Nibs our president?”Gregor was only faintly surprised by the blunt question.Yes, it was time, and past time, to be direct.He allowed himself to sigh.“I have been trying to reach him for almost three days now, without success.”Radigast nodded slowly.He did not seem as surprised as Gregor thought he should have been.“What about the vice president?”“She’s on Prairie, Admiral, as you doubtless know.She’s not been returning my messages either, but so far I haven’t made them urgent.In her case the seeming reluctance to communicate is more easily explained.She’s up to her eyebrows in a high-level conference, strategic planning.”Radigast did not seem at all reassured.He grunted, and popped another chewing pod into his mouth, this time forgetting to offer one to his guest.“I know.The Joint Chiefs are there too.”There was a slight pause before he admitted: “I don’t always get on superbly well with them.”“So I’ve heard.” Gregor spoke carefully.“Admiral, it won’t do to have a rumor spread to the effect that the president of Twin Worlds is missing, or that he’s deliberately chosen to isolate himself in such a way that the other components of his government can hardly reach him.”“Especially if the motherless rumor is true.” The admiral grunted again, and nodded.“If that kind of crap hasn’t started yet, believe me, it soon will.Page 30ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlI’ve tried to reach him directly, and got the same treatment you did.Can you think of any good excuse for the way he’s acting?”Gregor responded only with a silent headshake.It was understandable that a president might not have much to say at any given moment, or might want time to be alone, to think.But there was no excuse for dropping totally out of contact.As long as the fleet was deployed in the inner system, it would never be more than a few minutes away from its civilian commander-in-chief, at the speed of light or radio.Radigast had evidently determined to speak his mind to someone, whatever the consequence might be.“Sir, understand me.I’m not talking parties and politics here.I’ve got no motherless interest in politics.As part of the military I shouldn’t have, and I don’t.But he [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]