"Davis, Jerry - Elko the Potter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Davis Jerry)

possible that he only recreated it. Perhaps he saw such a thing
earlier in his life. If so, then go on with the next phase."
A few of the members of the board nodded at this, but Lemmas
--- who was acting director in the Chairperson's absence --- shook
her head. "We've all reviewed Professor Burns's data. There is no
evidence of the wheel in any temporal scans earlier than Elko
Potter's first cart."
"I suggest that his time scans may not have caught earlier
incarnations," Gibson said.
"We are all aware that Professor Burns's project may cut into
your own research time with the temporal devices, Professor
Gibson. I suggest that you let him get on with his project as
quickly as possible so that it minimizes delay with yours."
Gibson rolled his eyes but said nothing.
"Now, if there are no further objections, then I would say
Professor Burns has the green light for the second phase of his
project." Lemmas stared at Gibson, waiting for him to object.
Gibson heaved a loud, disgusted sigh and crossed his arms
defensively across his chest, but said nothing. Lemmas turned to
Raymond. "Once you submit a detail of your plans," she said, "you
shall have what assistance you need and free use of Temporal
Transfer Chamber number three."
Raymond exited from the meeting gleefully, carefully avoiding
Steve Gibson's smoldering stare.

#

Forty-two years was a long time to be alive. His face lined,
his hands hard and stiff with arthritis, Elko the potter could no
longer work. His wife was long dead, and his sons had already
taken over his trade. He was nothing but a burden on them, now,
and so one night with the moon full in the sky --- and having the
distinct feeling that he was being watched --- Elko scraped up
with dignity he still had and took a walk along one of his late
father's canals to the river. There on the shore, he removed his
shirt, headpiece, skirt, and sandals, and waded out into the
churning muddy water. "I give myself to the gods of Earth and
Water," he said, "in thanks for the gift of my life."
The current grew strong and swept him off his feet. He
treaded water as he was carried along past the city and out beyond
the farmlands. To either side of him were great expanses of
moonlit desert, calm and peaceful. Elko felt relaxed, and floated
easily. He wasn't in a rush to get it over with. He was reliving
memories of his wife and his children.
A ring of lights glared down at him, and there was a harsh
sloshing sound as a lot of water tried to climb up the side of a
silver wall. It only reached so far, then came surging down in a
wave that came back at Elko. He bobbed with it as it passed him,
then amazingly the wave hit another silver wall on the other side
and came back again. There was a round silver wall completely