Конец вечности
Beyond the Downwhen Terminus
Nodifyouseeit."
Harlannodded.
"Itwillreachzero-pointbackward.Attheminus-fifteen-secondpoint,alignthecontactpoints.It’ssimple.Youseehow?"
Harlannoddedagain.
Twissellwenton,"Synchronizationisnotvital.Youcandoitatminusfourteenorthirteenorevenminusfiveseconds,butpleasemakeeveryefforttostaythissideofminustenforsafety’ssake.Onceyou’veclosedcontact,asynchronizedforce-gearwilldotherestandmakecertainthatthefinalenergythrustwilloccurpreciselyattimezero.Understood?"
Harlannoddedstillagain.HeunderstoodmorethanTwissellsaid.Ifhehimselfdidnotalignthepointsbyminusten,itwouldbetakencareoffromwithout.
Harlanthoughtgrimly:There’llbenoneedforoutsiders.
Twissellsaid,"Wehavethirtyphysiominutesleft.CooperandIwillleavetocheckonthesupplies."
Theyleft.Thedoorclosedbehindthem,andHarlanwasleftalonewiththethrustcontrol,thetime(alreadymovingslowlybackwardtowardzero)-andaresoluteknowledgeofwhatmustbedone.
Harlanturnedawayfromthewindow.Heputhishandinsidehispocketandhalfwithdrewtheneuronicwhipitstillcontained.Throughallthishehadkeptthewhip.Hishandshookalittle.
