Конец вечности
Crime
YarrowwascalledandforawhileitlookedasthoughoneCubwouldbeoutofthecourse,buthewasbroughtaroundeventually.Aweeklaterhewasbackinhisseat.YetthemarkofthatevilnightwasonhispersonalityforaslongasHarlanknewhimthereafter.
AndnowHarlanhadtoexplainRealitytoNoysLambent,agirlnotmucholderthanthoseCubs,andexplainitatonceandinfull.Hehadto.Therewasnochoiceaboutthat.Shemustlearnexactlywhatfacedthemandexactlywhatshewouldhavetodo.
Hetoldher.Theyatecannedmeats,chilledfruits,andmilkatalongconferencetabledesignedtoholdtwelve,andtherehetoldher.
Hediditasgentlyaspossible,buthescarcelyfoundneedforgentleness.Shesnappedquicklyateveryconceptandbeforehewashalfthroughitwasborneinuponhim,tohisgreatamazement,thatshewasn’treactingbadly.Shewasn’tafraid.Sheshowednosenseofloss.Sheonlyseemedangry.
Theangerreachedherfaceandturneditaglowingpinkwhileherdarkeyesseemedsomehowthedarkerforit.
"Butthat’scriminal,"shesaid."WhoaretheEternalstodothis?"
"It’sdoneforhumanity’sgood,"saidHarlan.Ofcourse,shecouldn’treallyunderstandthat.HefeltsorryfortheTime-boundthinkingofaTimer.
"Isit?Isupposethat’showthemassduplicatorwaswipedout."
"Wehavecopiesstill.Don’tworryaboutthat.We’vepreservedit."
"You’vepreservedit.Butwhataboutus?Weofthe482ndmighthavehadit."Shegesturedwithlittlemovementsoftwoclenchedfists.
"Itwouldn’thavedoneyougood.
