Read John Maddox Roberts - Spacer: Window of Mind for Free Online Page A

Come on. let's go to the gangway and see what this is all about."
    "This is most exciting," said Homer. "I foresee fine epic materia! in the offing." Kiril patted his shell. The crustacean had been teaching her a variety of subjects. In spite of, or perhaps because of, his alien appearance, she found it much easier to trust Homer than to trust the humans. They were now fast friends.
    "Just what I need,"" Kiril said ruefully, "a role in a talking crab's poem."
    Kiril stood nervously between Nancy and Lafayette. Her life aboard ship had been agreeably simple and comfortable, and now all was uncertain and insecure again. This situation seemed to overwhelm even her shipmates, and that disturbed her.
    "Now, keep in mind," Lafayette urged in a whisper, "you'll get a lot of nasty looks from navy people. Just remember you're a free freighter and pretend they're too low for you to even notice. The line people will be even worse, but pay them no attention." The animosity between the free freighters and the lines was deep and ancient. There was only slightly less hostility toward the navy. Most of the older members of the Angel's crew had at one time served in the navy, but only as wartime duty. Independent freighters were an unruly breed, and hated the regimentation that prevailed in navy and line ships.
    When the signal came, the skipper cycled the hatch open. Outside, on the vast deck, was an honor guard of Spacer Marines. The marines were drawn up in a double line facing each other, beam rifles at present arms. They were powerful men in shiny boots and white gloves, and wearing gleaming, black helmets. Of all the services, only Spacer Marines were permitted to handle energy small arms aboard a ship in space. At the far end of the double rank was an officer in full-dress uniform, complete with cape and ceremonial sword.
    "They only wear those silly outfits on diplomatic assign-merits," Torwald muttered.
    "Shut up, Tor," said the skipper. "All right, crew, let's show 'em who we are."
    The Space Angel's crew set off down the ramp in no particular order, vests and shirts unbuttoned, caps pushed back or shoved forward or canted to one side, deliberately exaggerating their slouch and sloppiness to spite the spit-and-polish marines. Homer was burbling one of his alien poems happily, delighted at the odd habits of humans. The towering Vivers eyed the marines with openly contemptuous amusement. A few of the marines, while perfectly motionless, could be seen to sweat.
    The officer, while remaining quite correct, grew red about the ears. "Captain HaLevy?" he asked, saluting smartly.
    "That's right, sonny," she said. "What's up?"
    "You shall be informed in good time. I am Major Martinaux." He was obviously too young to be a major, but by ancient custom, marine captains received the courtesy rank of major while serving aboard ship. There was only one captain in a naval vessel in space. "If you will come this way, please?"
    "Do we have any choice?" asked the skipper.
    The young officer allowed himself the minutest smile of satisfaction. "None at all." The marines performed a precise facing movement, and the Angel's crew tramped off between the two files. The skipper immediately stepped up next to the officer, on his right side. He looked distinctly nettled.
    "The superior officer stands on the right," whispered Lafayette to Kiril. She nodded, beginning to enjoy this games-playing. It confirmed her long-held opinion that all spacers, military or civilian, had the minds of ten-year-olds, but she was determined not to let the team down. She looked at the intimidating marines with the same feigned, amused contempt as the others.
    They left the immense landing bay and entered an elevator as large as the Angel's hold. They got off at a landing marked with a complicated blue-and-white insignia. "Diplomatic Corps," said Torwald, in an I-told-you-so tone of voice. From the landing they trooped down a long corridor that was as high-ceilinged as a cathedral.