Конец вечности
Life-Plotter
ThePsychologistsandSociologists,intheirrareintrovertivestudiesofEternity,calleditidentification.MenidentifiedthemselveswiththeCenturywithwhichtheywereassociatedprofessionally.Itsbattles,alltoooften,becametheirownbattles.
Eternityfoughtthedevilofidentificationasbestitcould.NomancouldbeassignedtoanySectionwithintwoCenturiesofhishomewhen,tomakeidentificationharder.PreferencewasgiventoCenturieswithculturesmarkedlydifferentfromthatoftheirhomewhen.(HarlanthoughtofFingeandthe482nd.)Whatwasmore,theirassignmentswereshiftedasoftenastheirreactionsgrewsuspect.(Harlanwouldn’tgivea5othCenturygrafenpieceforFeruque’schancesofretainingthisassignmentlongerthananotherphysioyearattheoutside.)
AndstillmenidentifiedoutofasillyyearningforahomeinTime(theTime-wish;everyoneknewaboutit).ForsomereasonthiswasparticularlytrueinCenturieswithspace-travel.ItwassomethingthatshouldbeinvestigatedandwouldbebutforEternity’schronicreluctancetoturnitseyesinward.
AmonthearlierHarlanmighthavedespisedFeruqueasablusteringsentimentalist,apetulantoafwhoeasedthepainofwatchingtheelectro-graviticsloseintensityinanewRealitybyrailingagainstthoseofotherCenturieswhowantedanti-cancerserum.
Hemighthavereportedhim.Itwouldhavebeenhisdutytodoso.Theman’sreactionsobviouslycouldnolongerbetrusted.
Hecouldnotdoso,now.Heevenfoundsympathyfortheman.Hisowncrimewassomuchgreater.
