The Beginning of Infinity

           TherewasacrawlinguncertaintyinsideHarlan,anirresolutionthatwasconsuminghim.Hehadtheblasterinhishand.ItwasaimedatNoys.

           Butwhydidshesaynothing?Whydidshepersistinthisimpassiveattitude?

           Howcouldhekillher?

           Howcouldhenotkillher?

           Hesaidhoarsely,"Well?"

           Shemoved,butitwasonlytoclaspherhandslooselyinherlap,tolookmorerelaxed,morealoof.Whenshespokehervoiceseemedscarcelythatofahumanbeing.Facingthemuzzleofablaster,ityetgainedassuranceandtookonanalmostmysticqualityofimpersonalstrength.

           Shesaid,"YoucannotwishtokillmeonlyinordertoprotectEternity.Ifthatwereyourdesire,youcouldstunme,tiemefirmly,pinmewithinthiscaveandthentaketoyourtravelsinthedawn.OryoumighthaveaskedComputerTwisselltokeepmeinsolitaryconfinementduringyourabsenceinthePrimitive.Oryoumighttakemewithyouatdawn,losemeinthewastes.Ifitisonlykillingthatwillsatisfyyou,itisonlybecauseyouthinkthatIhavebetrayedyou,thatIhavetrickedyouintolovefirstinorderthatImighttrickyouintotreasonlater.Thisismurderoutofwoundedprideandnotatallthejustretributionyoutellyourselfitis."

           Harlansquirmed."AreyoufromtheHiddenCenturies?Tellme."

           Noyssaid,"Iam.Willyounowblast?"

           Harlan’sfingertrembledontheblaster’scontactpoint.