"Harry Harrison - Galactic Dreams" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

something. David came in, quickly conscious of all their eyes upon him as he
crossed the room and took a chair. He was a lot like his father, with the same
build and height. A relaxed, easy-to-know boy with very few problems in life.

"Is something wrong?тАЭ he asked.

"Not wrong, Davy," his father said. He must be upset, David thought, he hasn't
called me that in years. "Or rather something is wrong, but with the state of
the world, has been for a long time.тАЭ

"Oh, the Panstentialists," David said, and relaxed a little. He had been
hearing about the evils of Panstentialism as long as he could remember. It was
just politics; he had been thinking something very personal was wrong.

"Yes Davy, I imagine you know all about them by now. When your mother and I
separated, I promised to raise you to the best of my ability and I think that
I have. But I am a governor and all of my friends work in government so I'm
sure you have heard a lot of political talk in this house. You know our
feelings and I think you should share them.тАЭ

"I do - and I think I would have no matter where I grew up. Panstentialism is
an oppressing philosophy and one that perpetuates itself in power.тАЭ

"Exactly. And one man, Barre, is at the heart of it. He stays in the seat of
power and will not relinquish it and, with the rejuvenation treatments, will
be good for a hundred years more.тАЭ

"Barre must go!тАЭ

Eigg snapped. "For twenty-three years now he has ruled - and forbidden the
continuation of my experiments. Young man, he has stopped my work for a longer
time than you have been alive, do you realize that?тАЭ

David nodded, but he did not comment. What little he had read about Dr. Eigg's
proposed researches into behavioral human embryology had repelled him:
secretly, he was in agreement with Barre's ban on the work. But on this only.
For the rest he was truly in agreement with his father. Panstentialism was a
heavy and dusty hand on the world of politics - as well as the world at large.

"I'm not speaking only for myself," Numen said, his face white and strained.
"But for everyone in the world, everyone who is against Barre and his
philosophies. I have not held a government position for over twenty years -
nor has Torrence here - but I think he'll agree that this is a small thing. If
this were a service to the people we would gladly suffer it. Or if our
persecution was the only negative result of Barre's evil works I would do
nothing to stop him.тАЭ

"I am in complete agreement.тАЭ Torrence nodded. "The fate of two men is of no
importance in comparison to the fate of us all. Nor is the fate of one man.тАЭ