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Robert Heinlein - Citizen Of The Galaxy
Atec Февраль 20 2008 18:00:37
Книга только для ознакомления
. So Brisby called Thorby in.
Thorby was first warned of the necessity of keeping his mouth shut Brisby told him that the punishment for blabbing would be as heavy as a court-martial could hand out. "But that's not the point. We have to be sure that the question never arises. Otherwise we can't discuss it."
Thorby hesitated. "How can I know that I'll keep my mouth shut when I don't know what it is?"
Brisby looked annoyed. "I can order you to."
"Yes, sir. And I'll say, 'Aye aye, sir.' But does that make you certain that I wouldn't risk a court-martial?"
"But -- This is ridiculous! I want to talk about Colonel Baslim's work. But you're to keep your yap shut, you understand me? If you don't, I'll tear you to pieces with my bare hands. No young punk is going to quibble with me where the Old Man's work is concerned!"
Thorby looked relieved. "Why didn't you say it was that, Skipper? I wouldn't blab about anything of Pop's -- why, that was the first thing he taught me."
"Oh." Brisby grinned. "I should have known. Okay."
"I suppose," Thorby added thoughtfully, "that it's all right to talk to you."
Brisby looked startled. "I hadn't realized that this cuts two ways. But it does. I can show you a dispatch from his corps, telling me to discuss his report with you. Would that convince you?"
Brisby found himself showing a "Most Secret" dispatch to his most Junior, acting petty officer, to convince said junior that his C
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