Конец вечности
Computer
Harlansatmotionless.Hewasthinkinghardandfast.OrdinarilyprofessionalpridewouldhaveforcedHarlantodisdainexplanation.AnObserver,orTechnician,forthatmatter,didhisjobwithoutquestion.AndordinarilyaComputerwouldneverdreamofofferingexplanation.
Here,however,wassomethingunusual.Harlanhadcomplainedconcerningthegirl,theso-calledsecretary.Fingewasafraidthecomplaintmightgofurther.("Theguiltyfleethwhennomanpursueth,"thoughtHarlanwithgrimsatisfactionandtriedtorememberwherehehadreadthatphrase.)
Finge’sstrategywasobvious,therefore.BystationingHarlaninthewoman’sdwellingplacehewouldbereadytomakecounteraccusationsifmatterswentfarenough.Harlan’svalueasawitnessagainsthimwouldbedestroyed.
And,ofcourse,hewouldhavetohavesomespeciousexplanationforplacingHarlaninsuchaplace,andthiswouldbeit.Harlanlistenedwithbarelyhiddencontempt.
Fingesaid,"Asyouknow,thevariousCenturiesareawareoftheexistenceofEternity.Theyknowthatwesuperviseintertemporaltrade.Theyconsiderthattobeourchieffunction,whichisgood.Theyhaveadimknowledgethatwearealsoheretopreventcatastrophefromstrikingmankind.Thatismoreasuperstitionthananythingelse,butitismoreorlesscorrect,andgood,too.Wesupplythegenerationswithamassfatherimageandacertainfeelingofsecurity.Youseeallthat,don’tyou?"
Harlanthought:DoesthemanthinkI’mstillaCub?
Buthenoddedbriefly.
Fingewenton.
