Конец вечности
The Beginning of Infinity
Noyssaid,"InironingoutthedisastersofReality,Eternityrulesoutthetriumphsaswell.Itisinmeetingthegreatteststhatmankindcanmostsuccessfullyrisetogreatheights.Outofdangerandrestlessinsecuritycomestheforcethatpushesmankindtonewerandloftierconquests.Canyouunderstandthat?Canyouunderstandthatinavertingthepitfallsandmiseriesthatbesetman,Eternitypreventsmenfromfindingtheirownbitterandbettersolutions,therealsolutionsthatcomefromconqueringdifficulty,notavoidingit."
Harlanbeganwoodenly,"Thegreatestgoodofthegreatestnumber--"
Noyscutin."SupposeEternityhadneverbeenestablished?"
"Well?"
"I’lltellyouwhatwouldhavehappened.Theenergiesthatwentintotemporalengineeringwouldhavegoneintonucleonicsinstead.Eternitywouldnothavecomebuttheinterstellardrivewould.ManwouldhavereachedthestarsmorethanahundredthousandCenturiesbeforehedidinthiscurrentReality.ThestarswouldthenhavebeenuntenantedandmankindwouldhaveestablisheditselfthroughouttheGalaxy.Wewouldhavebeenfirst."
"Andwhatwouldhavebeengained?"askedHarlandoggedly."Wouldwebehappier?"
"Whomdoyoumeanby’we’?Manwouldnotbeaworldbutamillionworlds,abillionworlds.Wewouldhavetheinfiniteinourgrasp.
