|
|
|
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
When the silk worm and the starfish returned to their starting point, Nemo
Page 17
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
flicked them both off the edge and into the pouch.
"Tell me what you're looking for," Nemo said.
"We're looking for answers," J.D. said. "Answers . . . and more questions."
"Tell me what answers you're looking for."
"We already found one-a big one. You. We built Slarfarer to find out whether
other civilizations exist. Or whether we were alone. Now we know that answer."
"The answer to your question is self-evident," Nemo said.
"Not to everyone. At least not to a lot of human beings. Their philosophy
depends on their being alone in the universe."
"Earth has passed through a decline," Nemo said.
"I-what do you mean?"
"Europa and Androgeos knew of other beings."
METAPHASE 31
"After they were rescued, after they left Earth and joined Civilization-"
"When they lived on Earth, they spoke to others."
"They had myths. They believed in gods and demigods and fantasy creatures.
That doesn't count as knowing about spacefaring beings."
"Yet their myths were more accurate than Earth's current myths of solitude."
"There are lots of different myths on Earth right now. But . . . you're right.
Europa and Androgeos came from a sophisticated culture. That's probably why
they fit in so well with Civilization."
Nerno's feet drummed softly on the floor, a complicated rhythm. Seven against
five? J.D. could not quite tell.
"If we do go back to Earth-I'm not saying we'll accept the exile, but if we
do-there are lots of people who won't believe we've met alien beings."
"You'll tell them you met alien beings," Nemo said.
Several attendants scuttled and swooped nearer. Nemo rounded them up and
herded them into the pouch.
"I'll tell them, but they won't believe me. They'll say we faked the records.
They'll say it's all a monstrous hoax."
"You wouldn't fake information."
J.D. thought she heard shock in Nemo's voice.
"But they'd say we did. So we could claim we succeeded. So we could claim they
shouldn't put us in jail because we were right all along. They'll want proof
that we're right."
She waited, but instead of replying, Nemo lifted the delicate pouch and placed
its fluted edge against a silkdraped wall, where it stuck.
"You could prove we were right, Nemo," J.D. said.
"If they saw me, they'd believe you'd met alien people.
"They sure would."
"If they saw me, they wouldn't put us in jail."
J.D. laughed. "They wouldn't put you in jail, that's
32 VONDA N. McINTYRE
for sure." She stretched out her hands to Nemo. "It's a lot to ask, I
know, but five hundred years isn't long to people like you and Europa.
Wouldn't you at least think of visiting the solar system? You could learn
everything there is to know about human beings."
"Your invitation's tempting," Nerno said.
"You'll do it?" J.D. exclaimed, astonished.
"I'm sorry, I have another commitment."
"I understand." The thrill J.D. had felt dropped abruptly into disappointment,
with sad amusement that people gave the same excuses everywhere. "Five hundred
years is too long."
"This time it is, I am sorry."
J.D. rose and stretched.
"I've been here for hours," she said. "I have to go back to the Chi for a
Page 18
ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html
while."
"You are leaving."
"I have to rest, and eat-" She shrugged. "Things that are easier back on the
Chi."
"I can offer you food," Nemo said.
Nemo snaked out one long tentacle to the far side of the chamber. The curtain
there was a mass of iridescent bubbles of silk. Nemo's tentacle quivered
across the surface.
It moved. The bubbles fluttered and bobbed and separated, the whole mass
expanding, opening like a flower.
Each sphere was a living creature, depending from the curtain by three long
slender limbs. The creatures had no heads, no other appendages, only a
circular ring of spots.
Eyespots, J.D. thought, knowing she was making another assumption without much
evidence.
Nemo chose one at the edge of the mass and stroked it. It released its hold on
the silk and wrapped its legs around Nerno's tentacle.
Nemo extended the creature toward her.
"A decorative food," Nemo said.
J.D.'s helmet radio emitted a noise, not Nerno's voice, but Victoria's, a
quick sound of protest more
METAPHASE 33
quickly cut off. J.D.'s friends worried when they thought she was in danger,
but they were beginning to understand that facing the danger was her
responsibility. They were beginning to understand that they had to let her do
her job. Stephen Thomas had once offered to take her place, but he had only
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkwiatpolny.htw.pl
|
|
| Cytat |
Dobre pomysły nie mają przeszłości, mają tylko przyszłość. Robert Mallet
De minimis - o najmniejszych rzeczach.
Dobroć jest ważniejsza niż mądrość, a uznanie tej prawdy to pierwszy krok do mądrości. Theodore Isaac Rubin
Dobro to tylko to, co szlachetne, zło to tylko to, co haniebne.
Dla człowieka nie tylko świat otaczający jest zagadką; jest on nią sam dla siebie. I z obu tajemnic bardziej dręczącą wydaje się ta druga. Antoni Kępiński (1918-1972)
|
|
