Pegasus In Space
- Автор: Маккефри Энн
- Серия: Talents #3
- Язык: английский
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «Pegasus In Space». Краткое содержание книги:
For an overpopulated Earth whose resources are strained to the breaking point, there is only one place to look for relief: straight up. With the successful completion of the Padrugoi Space Station, humanity has at last achieved its first large-scale permanent presence in space. But there are those who, for motives of their own, want Padrugoi to fail. Standing in their way are the Talented, men and women gifted with extraordinary mental powers that have made them as feared as they are respected--and utterly indispensable to the colonization effort. Now, as sabotage and attempted murder strike the Station, it's up to the Talented to save the day. Only who is going to save the Talented?
Pegasus in Space is the tale of Peter Reidinger, first Tower Prime!
Again the lift doors didn't open until all four cards had been cleared. John Greene checked his wristwatch, humming under his breath as he nodded his head to count the seconds.
"Time's going to be tight," he said as he barreled out of the lift, turning left.
This upper hall was wider, and the doors farther apart, indicating possibly better accommodations.
"Not really so," Johnny remarked, picking up on Rhyssa's public thoughts. "This is the level we moved the Talents out of." He gestured upward with his thumb. "At least they have the privacy shielding, and space, which Barchenka begrudged us." He turned a corner abruptly, pointed to the lift at the end, and started to jog. "Third checkpoint."
Peter glided past them and was already slotting in his card when they reached him.
"Air's better up here," Dave remarked as they were taken upward again.
"Better be," Johnny said, and the lift opened into another hall, painted an AirForce blue. Only one door sported the security unit. Johnny held up his hand. "We'll be emerging in the rest-room area. Pretend you've just been and go if you need to."
While his card was being processed, he straightened his tunic, brushed imaginary fluff from one sleeve, angled his soft hat more comfortably on his head, and then strode out into the corridor, looking neither right nor left. Their destination lay in the large chamber where people were standing in groups, chatting brightly to each other as people do when passing time. No eyes seemed turned in their direction as they discreetly filed in. Rhyssa made a show of smoothing Peter's new tunic at the back and then turned to put her arm through Dave's before they sauntered in.
I'll go hobnob with the service contingent, Rhyssa, Johnny told her. Your seats are row H, 98, 99, 100. The hospitality suite is not far from them. Your seats should have reserved signs on them. Barchenka's more nearsighted than she'll admit so I doubt she'll recognize you from the stage. Catchya later And Johnny Greene moved obliquely left, slipping in among the uniforms.
Their timing had been excellent. Rhyssa barely had time to look around the foyer, which featured wall photomurals of various stages of Padrugoi's construction taken from space, when she became aware of activity in the corridor they had just vacated. A squad of Station police in white dress tunics filed out of the rear door and began moving the invited guests toward the far end. There the huge folding doors were sliding open. A tiny audible click heralded an imminent broadcast, delivered in a slightly accented contralto voice.
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, please display your invitations for inspection and proceed into the auditorium."
A security check here, too, huh? Johnny said from wherever he was. And it looks like the official Lighting-up will be exactly on the contractual hour, he added with a snide chuckle.
Slowly, the crowd entered what was designated on the Space Station plans as a mall for tourists and residents. Along the outer skin of the Station, transparent panels of one of the special alloys that had been developed for the purpose allowed a stunning view of the stars. Dark bulks were discernible, some of them in orbit around the Station. Peter's eyes widened, then he visibly relaxed as his other senses identified the dark objects to him.
Why can't we see them? he asked.
Barchenka has to officially turn on the lights. That's part of the ceremony, Rhyssa said.
They moved steadily forward to the wider space at the back of the arranged seating, where people were beginning to angle toward side aisles and their reserved places. There was no middle aisle.
Peter was looking all about him, gasping a little as he recognized the faces of well-known world leaders, all splendidly dressed for the occasion. While outwardly he was the epitome of patience, he kept up a running telepathic commentary on the notables.
I never thought I'd be so close to her. D'ya see all those jewels, Rhyssa? And there's the triple world medalist in track. He did the 5,000 meter, the 10,000, and the 10,000 relay. Peter especially envied runners.
They displayed their tickets to a hard-faced, white-coated usher who was diligently checking every card. She directed them to the right-hand aisle. And down to row H. The first three seats bore "reserved" cards. A large male usher hurried forward from the front to validate the tickets again, nodded, and directed them to take their seats. In the next few minutes they had to get up several times to allow others to pass.
Careful, Pete. You're floating, Rhyssa said, and casually pressed his arm to settle him more firmly in the seat.
All this up-ing and down-ing, Peter muttered, disgruntled, because those making their way to seats beyond him obscured his view out the windows. I can't wait until the lights come on and I can really see.
At least we're far enough to one side so that the stage doesn't obscure your view, Rhyssa said in an encouraging voice.
Peter sat very straight, though she could hear the rumble of his discontent, for what seemed like an intolerably long wait. Actually, the audience was in a hurry to be seated and very shortly she felt the air of intense anticipation in the boy.
"Those ushers are military," Dave murmured in her ear, smiling at her as if he had said something innocuous.
Rhyssa gave a look at the ones in front, facing the audience. The stance was unmistakable as a "parade rest"-hands clasped behind their backs, legs slightly apart.
Johnny, where did she conscript her ushers? Rhyssa asked in a diffident tone.
Where d'you think? Moscow. She's got many connections downside and all over that part of old Russia. But I knew about them. Sent many of 'em up myself so we had a chance to check 'em out unofficially, Johnny replied. They're not the ones we worry about. They're visible. Anyhow, all of my guests have got in safely. Lance Baden and Gordon Havers are among 'em, though I thought someone might spot Lance and challenge him. And, Rhyssa could hear his smug satisfaction, the others are properly dispersed.
She was about to quiz him on "what others?" when a wide door opened beyond her. She caught a glimpse of another large chamber, tables set along the outside and covered with trays of food. There seemed to be rather a lot of very big men and women, dressed in white waiters' jackets.
Are they indeed, said Johnny, catching her startled reaction. Good to know. Knew I was wise to bring your sharp eyes along, Rhyssa. Oh, and incidentally, Pete, there's power on tap all over this level.
Peter turned to look at Rhyssa, eyes puzzled.
What's going on, Johnny? Rhyssa asked crisply.
I honestly don't have a clue, yet.
"Hey, they're starting' " Dave said, pointing to other panels sliding open, where the wide steps to the stage were situated.
Space Station Construction Manager Ludmilla Barchenka led the procession, wearing a severe uniform of space-blue with a chestful of decorations from her grateful motherland, soft spacer's beret crammed on her large head. For once her expression was not sour: she had an air of triumph about her. Some facet of that emotion alerted Rhyssa.
I've never seen her this pleased before, Johnny. She is up to something.
Can you tell what?
Not as long as she wears that metal skullcap.