This Old Rock

Начало книги

“Damn bloodsucking tiny-skulled government bureaucrats!” Dolph Wigner yelled as soon as the link dropped and returned the Hopper’s viewscreen to a view of their peanutshaped asteroid. He slapped the worn upholstery of the arm of the captain’s chair in frustration. “Sasha, I think it’s a conspiracy to make us buy more junk from the friends of these vampires on credit. By the time they’re done, we won’t own half of this rock!”

“Daddy?” a small, sleepy voice ventured from the compartment directly under him.

“What is it Tina?” he snapped, much too loud, he realized.

“What’s wrong, Daddy?” she asked. “Are you mad?”

Tiny-skulled, Dolph realized, might sound like Tina-something to his three-year old.

“Not at you, Tina. Go back to sleep now, OK? Sweet dreams.”

“What’s wrong, love? It’s one in the morning!” Sasha called from the wardroom below, which doubled as their bedroom. “Is Tina OK?”

“Tina is fine. I was just venting at whoever changed the requirement on the air lock door motors three months after our shipment left Luna! Forgot the time.”

Читать дальше →