Resnick Mike Łowy na Snarka
Mike Resnick Oracle
Chmielewska Joanna Wielki diament T 1 (2)
05 (449)
rozdzial 02 (23)
wiedza i zycie2
03 Ultimatum Bournea
K. J. Yeskov Ostatni Wladca Pierscienia (2)
Przetacznik Gierowska Maria, Włodarski Ziemowit Psychologi (2)
13
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.One hundred miles away, the ground shifted on the floor ofOlduvai Gorge, and three of the lead-lined containers broke open.Joseph Meromo was long dead by that time; and, unfortunately,there were no _laibons_ remaining to aid those people who were nowcompelled to live Meromo's nightmares.* * *I had examined the necklace in my own quarters, and when Icame out to report my findings, I discovered that the entire campwas in a tumultuous state."What has happened?" I asked Bellidore."The Exobiologist has not returned from the gorge," he said."How long has she been gone?""She left at sunset last night.It is now morning, and shehas not returned or attempted to use her communicator.""We fear.".that she might."".have fallen and."".become immobile.Or perhaps even."".unconscious." said the Stardust Twins."I have sent the Historian and the Appraiser to look forher," said Bellidore."I can help, too," I offered."No, you have the last artifact to examine," he said."Whenthe Moriteu awakens, I will send it as well.""What about the Mystic?" I asked.Bellidore looked at the Mystic and sighed."She has not saida word since landing on this world.In truth, I do not understandher function.At any rate, I do not know how to communicate withher."The Stardust Twins kicked at the earth together, sending up apair of reddish dust clouds."It seems ridiculous." said one.".that we can find the tiniest artifact." said the other.".but we cannot find.".an entire exbiologist.""Why do you not help search for it?" I asked."They get vertigo," explained Bellidore."We searched."".the entire camp," they added defensively."I can put off assimilating the last piece until tomorrow,and help with the search," I volunteered."No," replied Bellidore."I have sent for the ship.We willleave tomorrow, and I want all of our major finds examined bythen.It is _my_ job to find the Exobiologist; it is _yours_ toread the history of the last artifact.""If that is your desire," I said."Where is it?"He led me to a table where the Historian and the Appraiserhad been examining it."Even _I_ know what this is," said Bellidore."An unspentcartridge." He paused."Along with the fact that we have found nohuman artifacts on any higher strata, I would say this in itselfis unique: a bullet that a man chose _not_ to fire.""When you state it in those terms, it _does_ arouse thecuriosity," I acknowledged."Are you.".going to examine it.".now?" asked the Stardust Twins apprehensively."Yes, I am," I said."Wait!" they shouted in unison.I paused above the cartridge while they began backing away."We mean."".no disrespect."".but watching you examine artifacts."".is too unsettling."And with that, they raced off to hide behind some of the campstructures."What about you?" I asked Bellidore."Would you like me towait until you leave?""Not at all," he replied."I find diversity fascinating.Withyour permission, I would like to stay and observe.""As you wish," I said, allowing my body to melt around thecartridge until it had become a part of myself, and its historybecame my own history, as clear and precise as if it had alloccurred yesterday.* * *"They are coming!"Thomas Naikosiai looked across the table at his wife."Was there ever any doubt that they would?""This was foolish, Thomas!" she snapped."They will force usto leave, and because we made no preparations, we will have toleave all our possessions behind.""Nobody is leaving," said Naikosiai.He stood up and walked to the closet."You stay here," hesaid, donning his long coat and his mask."I will meet themoutside.""That is both rude and cruel, to make them stand out therewhen they have come all this way.""They were not invited," said Naikosiai.He reached deep intothe closet and grabbed the rifle that leaned up against the backwall, then closed the closet, walked through the airlock andemerged on the front porch.Six men, all wearing protective clothing and masks to filterthe air, confronted him."It is time, Thomas," said the tallest of them."Time for _you_, perhaps," said Naikosiai, holding the riflecasually across his chest."Time for all of us," answered the tall man."I am not going anywhere.This is my home.I will not leaveit.""It is a pustule of decay and contamination, as is this wholecountry," came the answer."We are all leaving."Naikosiai shook his head."My father was born on this land,and his father, and his father's father._You_ may run fromdanger, if you wish; I will stay and fight it.""How can you make a stand against radiation?" demanded thetall man."Can you put a bullet through it? How can you fight airthat is no longer safe to breathe?""Go away," said Naikosiai, who had no answer to that, otherthan the conviction that he would never leave his home."I do notdemand that you stay.Do not demand that I leave.""It is for your own good, Naikosiai," urged another."If youcare nothing for your own life, think of your wife's.How muchlonger can she breathe the air?""Long enough.""Why not let _her_ decide?""_I_ speak for our family."An older man stepped forward."She is _my_ daughter, Thomas,"he said severely."I will not allow you to condemn her to the lifeyou have chosen for yourself.Nor will I let my grandchildrenremain here [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
