Конец вечности
Crime
Wehadplansforexpansion,ofcourse.’TennewSectionsaphysioyear’wasoneoftheslogansofthetime.Themassduplicatormadethatallunnecessary.WebuiltonenewSectioncompletewithfood,powersupply,watersupply,allthebestautomaticfeatures;setupthemachineandduplicatedtheSectiononceeachCenturyallalongEternity.Idon’tknowhowlongtheykeptitgoing-millionsofCenturies,probably."
"Alllikethis,Andrew?"
"Allexactlylikethis.AndasEternityexpands,wejustfillin,adaptingtheconstructiontowhateverfashionturnsouttobecurrentintheCentury.Theonlytroublescomewhenwehitanenergy-centeredCentury.We-wehaven’treachedthisSectionyet."(NousetellingherthattheEternalscouldn’tpenetrateintoTimehereintheHiddenCenturies.Whatdifferencedidthatmake?)
Heglancedatherandsheseemedtroubled.Hesaidhastily,"There’snowasteinvolvedinbuildingtheSections.Ittookenergy,nothingmore,andwiththenovatodrawon-"
Sheinterrupted."No.Ijustdon’tremember."
"Rememberwhat?"
"Yousaidtheduplicatorwasinventedinthe300’s.Wedon’thaveitinthe482nd.Idon’trememberviewinganythingaboutitinhistory."
Harlangrewthoughtful.Althoughshewaswithintwoinchesofbeingastallashimself,hesuddenlyfeltgiant-sizebycomparison.Shewasachild,aninfant,andhewasademigodofEternitywhomustteachherandleadhercarefullytothetruth.
Hesaid,"Noys,dear,let’sfindaplacetositdownand-andI’llhavetoexplainsomething."
