Конец вечности

           WhathashappenedtoNoys?"

           "ItellyouIdon’tknow."

           Harlan’sfisttightenedonthewhip;hisvoicewaslow."Yourlegfirst.Thiswillhurt."

           "ForTime’ssake,listen.Wait!"

           "Allright.Whathashappenedtoher?"

           "No,listen.Sofarit’sjustabreachofdiscipline.Realitywasn’taffected.Imadechecksonthat.Lossofratingisallyou’llget.Ifyoukillme,though,orhurtmewithintenttokill,you’veattackedasuperior.There’sthedeathpenaltyforthat."

           Harlansmiledatthefutilityofthethreat.Inthefaceofwhathadalreadyhappeneddeathwouldofferawayoutthatinfinalityandsimplicityhadnoequal.

           Fingeobviouslymisunderstoodthereasonsforthesmile.Hesaidhurriedly,"Don’tthinkthere’snodeathpenaltyinEternitybecauseyou’venevercomeacrossone.Weknowofthem;weComputers.What’smore,executionshavetakenplace,too.It’ssimple.InanyReality,therearenumbersoffatalaccidentsinwhichbodiesarenotrecovered.Rocketsexplodeinmid-air,aerolinerssinkinmid-oceanorcrashtopowderinmountains.Amurderercanbeputononeofthosevesselsminutes,orseconds,beforethefatalresults.Isthisworththattoyou?"

           Harlanstirredandsaid,"Ifyou’restallingforrescue,itwon’twork.Letmetellyouthis:I’mnotafraidofpunishment.Furthermore,IintendtohaveNoys.Iwanthernow.ShedoesnotexistinthecurrentReality.