"Nancy Kress - Saviour" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kress Nancy)

"Do you mean things like quantum entanglement to transport information?" the head
of Livermore National Laboratory said cautiously. "Of course, we don't know
enough about that area of physics to predict for certain what may be discovered
eventually, or what a race of beings more advanced than ours might have discovered
already."

"So there might be quantum signals going out from the craft constantly, for all you
know."

The Livermore director spread his hands in helpless appeal. "Sir, we can only
monitor signals we already understand."

The president addressed his chief military adviser, General Dayton. "This shield
covering the craftтАФyou don't understand that, either? What kind of field it is, why
nothing at all gets through except light?"

"Everything except electromagnetic radiation in the visible-light wavelengths is simply
reflected back at us," Dayton said.

"So you can't use sonar, X-rays, anything that could image the inside?"

This time Dayton didn't answer. The president already knew all this. The whole
world knew it. The best scientific and military minds from several nations had been
at work on the object all week.

"So what is your recommendation to me?" the president said.

"Sir, our only recommendation is that we continue full monitoring of the craft, with
full preparation to meet any change in its behaviour."

"In other words, 'Wait and see.' I could have decided that for myself, without all you
high-priced talent!" the president said in disgust, and several people in the room
reflected with satisfaction that this particular president had only a year and three
months left in office. There was no way he would be re-elected. The economy had
taken too sharp a downturn.

Unless, of course, a miracle happened to save him.

"Well, go back to your labs, then," the president said, and even though he knew it
was a mistake, the director of Livermore gave in to impulse.

"Science can't always be a saviour, Mr President."

"Then what good is it?" the president said, with a puzzled simplicity that took the
director's breath away. "Just keep a close eye on that craft. And try to come up with
some actual scientific data, for a blessed change."

****