"Will Hubbell - Cretaceous Sea" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hubbell Will)

"If we go ... yes. You weren't very clear about the nature of your resort. What you told me was
intriguing, but vague ... damned vague."

"We've been secretive," admitted Ann, "I think soon you'll understand why. This is something
extraordinary, and we're not catering to the general public. Our clientele appre-ciates privacy." Ann, a
consummate salesperson, paused for effect before proceeding. "If you're expecting a sales pitch, don't
worry. This isn't just a resort. Words can't possibly describe Montana Isle. It's almost beyond belief,
nothing is remotely like it. Fortunately, we have this ..."

A pair of doors glided open to reveal two seats floating in a short hallway that led to a large, empty
room. The chamber beyond was spherical, and the hallway formed an opening halfway up its sides. The
room's shimmering silver walls revealed it was a holotheater. Over thirty feet in diameter, it was the
largest Con had ever seen. Ann appeared pleased with the effect such a huge expenditure made on her
pro-spective customers; even John Greighton seemed impressed.
"Only a holovision could possibly convey what we're of-fering. You'll be the first people outside our
organization to see it." Ann gestured toward the two waiting seats. Mr.

Greighton, why don't you and Sara get comfortable while I get another seat for your daughter."

Con watched Ann and the receptionist struggle to lug a heavy seat to the hallway from a nearby supply
closet. Once it was in place, Ann went to a console outside the hall and activated some controls. The
seat levitated upward to the proper height. Con walked over to the floating seat and sat down. Once Ann
saw that everyone was buckled in, she re-turned to the console, pressed a button, and the outer doors of
the holotheater closed.

Con's seat bobbed slightly as it levitated to the center of the holotheater. Once she was in position, the
chamber's sil-ver walls darkened until she could barely see her father and his fiancee floating close by.
The holovision began subtly. First, the darkness above was pricked by stars. The soft sounds of water
became perceptible. Con looked down and saw the starlight reflected on the gentle waves of a sea. For
a short while, all she could see was water and the night sky.

The waves continued to move in a natural manner, but the sky changed at a pace accelerated for
dramatic effect. It light-ened, and soon dawn painted the heavens with increasingly bold colors, which the
waves reflected back. On the horizon, snowcapped mountains glowed orange pink in the day's first light.
The sun rose higher, and its rays touched the sea, seem-ing to set it on fire. It rose higher still, and the
water, which had blazed rosy gold just moments before, became clear. Con peered into its crystal
depths. A school of fish swam beneath, the sunrise sparkling pink and gold on their silver scales.

A huge, dark green creature swam into the school, flapping its front flippers like wings. The animal's long
and snakelike neck thrust its head among the fleeing fish, grabbing one. Next, the creature swam upward
until its head and neck burst through the waves. It seemed so close that Con could stare into its golden
eyes. A large fish flapped crosswise in its jaws. As Con stared in wonder at the plesiosaur, she heard
Sara squeal like she was at an amusement park. The creature, being only an illusion, ignored them both.
It flipped the fish into the air and caught it to swallow headfirst. Then, arching its neck downward, the
animal submerged and swam off into the depths.

The view began to change again. Soon Con felt that she was flying rapidly over the surface of the sea.
Only the lack of wind in her face made the illusion incomplete. The sense of motion was accompanied by
music, then words. "Come to the springtime of the world... a time when the Earth was new ... unspoiled
... and filled with wonders. A startling scientific breakthrough allows Temporal Transport to offer the