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

ultimate travel experience." The music began to swell as an island became visible in the distance, the
early-morning sun glowing on its rocky sides. "... Montana Isle, set in the pristine beauty of America's
ancient Montana Sea. The most exclusive destination in history ... enjoy absolute privacy amidst the
untouched splendor of nature." Con's seat seemed to fly over the island, then circle back. The island was
small and mostly rocky. In its center, a mesa of dark rock rose from a grove of trees. For an instant, Con
thought she spotted some structures clustered at the base of the spire, but her perspective changed
before she could be sure. Her seat dipped toward low rocky cliffs above sandy beaches. Now the gently
rolling waves appeared inches beneath her feet. Instinctively, she lifted her legs. A haze, tinted gold by the
morning light, gave the view a dreamlike quality. "Montana Isle ... as close as your back door and
millions of years from everything." The music swelled to a crescendo as Con's seat seemed to soar higher
and higher above the island until it was a tiny fleck of gold in a sapphire blue sea. The mainland was now
visible, covered with greenery and cut by rivers flowing from the nearby mountains. The unpolluted air
was so clear she could see for miles. It was a sight of breathtaking beauty.

The vision faded, and they were once again looking at the silver walls of the holotheater. Con's father
grinned like a kid discovering an exotic new toy. Sara glanced at him, then formed her expression into a
demure imitation of his. Con's reaction was more complicated. She was enchanted, even dazzled, yet
dubious that the holovision was genuine. While part of her hoped it was, she also found that prospect
unset-tling.

As the seats floated back to their starting places, the doors parted to reveal Ann Smythe waiting for
them. Next to her was a small table with champagne in a silver ice bucket and four glasses. "You're the
first to see it," she said, popping the cork. "I thought we'd celebrate. Dom Perignon, vintage 2047."

By the time they were out of their seats, Ann had filled three glasses. She hesitated and looked to John
Greighton before filling the fourth. "I know your daughter's not quite eighteen, but perhaps you'd..."

"I don't drink," said Con before her father could answer.

Ann gave John and Sara their glasses. They were made from hand-cut crystal. "A toast!" she said. 'To
the ultimate travel experience ... time travel!"

2

ANN SMYTHE WENT TO HER OFFICE AND SHUT THE DOOR

before entering Peter Green's code in her computer. When the link was established, she submitted to a
retinal scan and entered her password before Green's face appeared on the viewscreen. His features had
been redone by a well-known designer, but his handsome face had a harsh cast. Ann was convinced that
his somewhat sinister appearance was inten-tional. The cold, pale eyes, however, were beyond artifice.
They bore into her. "Well?" Green said.

"I sold him," said Ann. Tell him the good news first, she thought.

"He didn't balk at the price?"

"He didn't blink. Convincing him the offer was genuine was the hard part, even with the holovision. Once
he believed he would actually go back in time, the privacy won him over. He's been hounded ever since
he got engaged again. I told him that only he and Sara would ever know if they packed their swimsuits."