Конец вечности
The Beginning of Infinity
ButnowheknewEarthforwhatitwas:aprisonsurroundedbyaninfinityoffreedom…Andmankinddiedout!"
Harlansaid,"Justdiedout.Nonsense."
"Theydidn’tjustdieout.IttookthousandsofCenturies.Therewereupsanddownsbut,onthewhole,therewasalossofpurpose,asenseoffutility,afeelingofhopelessnessthatcouldnotbeovercome.Eventuallytherewasonelastdeclineofthebirthrateandfinally,extinction.YourEternitydidthat."
HarlancoulddefendEternitynow,themoreintenselyandextravagantlyforhavingsoshortlybeforeattackeditsokeenly.Hesaid,"LetusattheHiddenCenturiesandwewillcorrectthat.WehavenotfailedyettoachievethegreatestgoodinthoseCenturieswecouldreach."
"Thegreatestgood?"askedNoysinadetachedtonethatseemedtomakeamockeryofthephrase."Whatisthat?Yourmachinestellyou.YourComputaplexes.Butwhoadjuststhemachinesandtellsthemwhattoweighinthebalance?Themachinesdonotsolveproblemswithgreaterinsightthanmendo,onlyfaster.Onlyfaster!ThenwhatisittheEternalsconsidergood?I’lltellyou.Safetyandsecurity.Moderation.Nothinginexcess.Noriskswithoutoverwhelmingcertaintyofanadequatereturn."
Harlanswallowed.WithsuddenforceherememberedTwissell’swordsinthekettlewhiletalkingabouttheevolvedmenoftheHiddenCenturies.Hesaid:"_Webredouttheunusual_.
