Конец вечности
Beyond the Downwhen Terminus
Harlannotedtheblotchesofageuponthemandthewayinwhichtheytrembled.Itwasasthoughhismindnolongerhadtheabilityorthestrengthtofiltertheimportantfromtheinconsequential,butwereselectingobservationalmaterialinapurelyrandommanner.
Wearilyhethought:Whatdoesitmatter?Whatdoesanythingmatternow?
Twissellsaid(Harlanheardhimdimly),"I’lltellyounowthatI’vebeenmoreanxiousthanIcaredtoadmit.Sennorusedtosayoncethatthiswholethingwasimpossible.Heinsistedsomethingmusthappentostopit--What’sthematter?"
HehadturnedatHarlan’soddgrunt.
Harlanshookhishead,managedachoked"Nothing."
Twissellleftitatthatandturnedaway.ItwasdoubtfulwhetherhespoketoHarlanortotheair.Itwasasthoughhewereallowingyearsofpent-upanxietiestoescapeinwords.
"Sennor,"hesaid,"wasthedoubter.Wereasonedwithhimandargued.WeusedmathematicsandpresentedtheresultsofgenerationsofresearchthathadprecededusinthephysiotimeofEternity.Heputitalltoonesideandpresentedhiscasebyquotingtheman-meetshimselfparadox.Youheardhimtalkaboutit.It’shisfavorite.
"Weknewourownfuture,Sennorsaid.I,Twissell,knew,forinstance,thatIwouldsurvive,despitethefactthatIwouldbequiteold,untilCoopermadehistrippastthedownwhenterminus.Iknewotherdetailsofmyfuture,thethingsIwoulddo.
