《Logs 》作者： - Walter Jon Williams【EPUB】

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Logs by Walter Jon Williams “Logs” is an excerpt from Conventions of War, Book Three of Dread Empire’s Fall, which will be published in 2005 by HarperCollins (U.S.) and Simon & Schuster (U.K.) *** LORD GARETH MARTINEZ ate alone in his office, staring sourly at the plump buttocks and chubby faces of the naked winged children that so oddly ornamented his office walls. He was served by his cook, Perry, and he dined alone. It was normal for him to eat by himself. He was the squadron’s tactical officer. A tactical officer was normally a lieutenant, and would mess in the wardroom, a kind of club for the lieutenants. Martinez, a full captain, couldn’t take a meal in the wardroom without an invitation. Squadron Leader Chen had her own dining room, as did the flagship’s Captain Gomberg. Unless someone invited him, or unless he invited others, his unique status on the ship ensured his solitude. He had left the relatively carefree life of a lieutenant behind, but he missed the companionship that life had brought him. He would have traded that companionship for the loneliness of command, but the fact remained that he wasn’t in command, and he had to dine alone anyway. Perry cleared Martinez’ plate and offered to pour more wine. Martinez placed his hand over the glass. “Thank you, Perry,” he said. Perry took the glass and left in silence. Martinez called the tactical display onto the wall, just to make certain nothing new had appeared. Even though the naked children on the walls gazed at the displays as if in fascination, Martinez found there had been no change. The flagship Illustrious and six other warships—”Chenforce”—were on an extended raid into Naxid space. Their task was to destroy enemy