Конец вечности
Full Circle
Wherewasheduringhourswhenheshouldhavebeenasleep?Anoldmanneedshissleep.Harlanwassureoftheanswer.TherewereCouncilconsultationsgoingon.AboutHarlan.AboutNoys.AboutwhattodowithanindispensableTechnicianonedarednottouch.
Harlan’slipsdrewback.IfFingereportedHarlan’sassaultofthatevening,itwouldnotaffecttheirconsiderationsintheleast.Hiscrimescouldscarcelybeworsenedbyit.Hisindispensabilitywouldcertainlynotbelessened.
AndHarlanwasbynomeanscertainthatFingewouldreporthim.ToadmithavingbeenforcedtocringebeforeaTechnicianwouldputanAssistantComputerinaridiculouslight,andFingemightnotchoosetodoso.
HarlanthoughtofTechniciansasagroup,which,oflate,hehaddonerarely.HisownsomewhatanomalouspositionasTwissell’smanandashalfanEducatorhadkepthimtoofarapartfromotherTechnicians.ButTechnicianslackedsolidarityanyway.Whyshouldthatbe?
Didhehavetogothroughthe575thandthe482ndrarelyseeingorspeakingtoanotherTechnician?Didtheyhavetoavoidevenoneanother?Didtheyhavetoactasthoughtheyacceptedthestatusintowhichthesuperstitionofothersforcedthem?
InhismindhehadalreadyforcedthecapitulationoftheCouncilasfarasNoyswasconcerned,andnowhewasmakingfurtherdemands.TheTechniciansweretobeallowedanorganizationoftheirown,regularmeetings-morefriendship-bettertreatmentfromtheothers.
