Конец вечности
The Beginning of Infinity
WhysuchanimprobableReality?…Youseemabstracted,Andrew!Areyouinterestedatall?"
Harlanheardhersayhisnamewithalltheintimatetendernessshehadusedinweekspast.Itshouldgrateonhimnow,angerhimwithitscynicalfaithlessness.Andyetitdidn’t.
Hesaiddesperately,"Goonandgetitoverwith,woman."
Hetriedtobalancethewarmthofher"Andrew"withthechillangerofhis"woman"andyetsheonlysmiledagain,pallidly.
Shesaid,"WesearchedbackthroughtimeandcameacrossthegrowingEternity.Itseemedobvioustousalmostatoncethattherehadbeenatonepointinphysiotime(aconceptionwehavealso,butunderanothername)anotherReality.TheotherReality,theoneofmaximumprobabilitywecalltheBasicState.TheBasicStatehadencompassedusonce,orhadencompassedouranalogues,atleast.AtthetimewecouldnotsaywhatthenatureoftheBasicStatewas.Wecouldnotpossiblyknow.
"Wedidknow,however,thatsomeChangeinitiatedbyEternityinthefardownwhenhadmanaged,throughtheworkingsofstatisticalchance,toaltertheBasicStateallthewayuptoourCenturyandbeyond.WesetaboutdeterminingthenatureoftheBasicState,intendingtoundotheevil,ifevilitwas.FirstwesetupthequarantinedareayoucalltheHiddenCenturies,isolatingtheEternalsonthedownwhensideofthe70,000th.ThisarmorofisolationwouldaffectusfromallbutavanishinglysmallpercentageoftheChangesbeingmade.
