Конец вечности

           "ItwillbeyouyoungsterswhowillgooutintoTime,underthemoststrenuousconditions,tobringbackfacts.Cold,objectivefactsuncoloredbyyourownopinionsandlikings,youunderstand.FactsaccurateenoughtobefedintoComputingmachines.Factsdefiniteenoughtomakethesocialequationsstandup.FactshonestenoughtoformabasisforRealityChanges.

           "Andrememberthis,too.YourperiodasObserverisnotsomethingtogetthroughwithasquicklyandasunobtrusivelyaspossible.ItisasanObserverthatyouwillmakeyourmark.Notwhatyoudidinschool,butwhatyouwilldoasanObserverwilldetermineyourSpecialtyandhowhighyouwillriseinit.Thiswillbeyourpost-graduatecourse,Eternals,andfailureinit,evensmallfailure,willputyouintoMaintenancenomatterhowbrilliantyourpotentialitiesnowseem.Thatisall."

           Heshookhandswitheachofthem,andHarlan,grave,dedicated,proudinhisbeliefthattheprivilegesofbeinganEternalcontaineditsgreatestprivilegeintheassumptionofresponsibilityforthehappinessofallthehumanbeingswhowereoreverwouldbewithinthereachofEternity,wasdeepinself-awe.

           Harlan’sfirstassignmentsweresmallandunderclosedirection,buthesharpenedhisabilityonthehoningstrapofexperienceinadozenCenturiesthroughadozenRealityChanges.

           InhisfifthyearasObserverhewasgivenaSenior’sratinginthefieldandassignedtothe482nd.