"Philip Jose Farmer - Jesus on Mars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Farmer Phillip Jose)

5
Orme and Bronski had expected that their colleagues would be brought to their
quarters. But on reflection they realised that Shirazi and Danton would have to be
quarantined and so placed elsewhere. When their interrogators showed up in the
morning, Bronski told them that he had seen the capture on TV.
'Of course,' Hfathon said.
Sha'ul opened a box and began bringing out new artefacts. Bronski got
red in the face, and Orme growled.
Hfathon said, 'What troubles you?'
'Apparently you're just going to continue the lessons and not satisfy our
curiosity,' Bronski said. 'Don't you have any feelings of empathy, of compassion?
Aren't you human? You must know that we're bursting with eagerness to know
what happened to our shipmates. Are they all right? How did you get them? What
do you plan for them?'
Hfathon's long, lean face remained impassive.
'No, I'm not human, not strictly speaking. But I know what you mean. Yes,
I appreciate your feelings. If I were in your situation, I'd burn with impatience. But
this committee has been instructed by the Council to tell you nothing. I don't
know why; it seems to be a security measure. The Council will tell us in its own
good time why these restrictions have been placed.'
'For the love of God,' Bronski said. 'Can't you tell us anything at all?'
'We've been told to teach you our language as swiftly as possible. The
Council apparently believes that time is vital. So, let us proceed.'
Upon having this translated, Orme bit his lower lip, and said, 'Avram, you
tell these hyenas that we're not cooperating with them until they tell us what's
going on. Mum's the word until then.'
Bronski spoke Greek. The six looked grave, but only Hfathon replied.
'We have means to make you co-operate, but we are too humane to use
them. Very well. Your comrades are unharmed and in good health. They're in
quarters not unlike yours and not distant from here. The woman can't speak any
language we know, but the man knows some Hebrew. It isn't quite the language
used in our liturgies, but it's close enough for a limited communication. He's been
told about you.'
'Ask him how those two were removed from the Aries,' Orme said.
Bronski reported that Hfathon said that the lander had been examined by
some Krsh scientists. After determining its methods of operation, two of them had
gone up to the ship. They'd been admitted and when the two Earth people had
refused to leave, they'd been anaesthetised.
Orme said, shaking his head, 'Can you imagine the consternation on Earth
when that scene was transmitted?'
Bronski spoke to Hfathon. 'Did it occur to you that this seizure might be
regarded as a hostile act? Are you trying to start a war?'
Ya'aqob said, 'There is no need for war. What we've done has been for
your good. It will all be explained in time to the satisfaction of your people. Now,
let's get on with the lesson.'
The swift pace of the lesson allowed little time for thinking about anything
else. Nevertheless, Orme couldn't help wondering now and then about
everyone's reaction on Earth.' What were the governments of the North American