"Keith Laumer - Hybrid" - читать интересную книгу автора (Laumer Keith)

serve as a carrier ...
The surface of the organism heaved, a limb twitched. Apparently it was
on the verge of reviving. Soon it would scurry away and be seen no
more. It could be wise to make a quick examination; if the creature
should prove suitable as a host. ...
Quickly the tree elaborated a complex of tiny filaments, touched the
still figure tentatively, then penetrated the surprisingly soft surface
layer, seeking out nerve fibres. A trickle of impressions flowed in,
indecipherable. The tree put forth a major sensory tendril, divided and
subdivided it into fibres only a few atoms in diameter, fanned them out
through the unconscious man, tracing the spinal column, entering the
brain--
Here was a wonder of complexity, an unbelievable profusion of
connections. This was a center capable of the highest intellectual
functions--unheard of in a host creature. Curiously, the tree-mind
probed deeper, attuning itself, scanning through a kaleidoscope of
impressions, buried memories, gaudy symbolisms.
Never had the Yanda-mind encountered the hyperintellectual processes of
emotion. It pressed on, deeper into the phantasmagoria of dreams--
Color, laughter, and clash-of-arms. Banners rippling in the sun; chords
of a remote music, and night-blooming ffowers. Abstractions of
incredible beauty mingled with vivid conceptualizations of glory.
Fascinated, the tree-mind explored Pantelle's secret romantic dreams of
fulfillment--
And abruptly, encountered the alien mind.
There was a moment of utter stillness as the two minds assessed each
other.
_You are dying,_ the alien mind spoke.
_Yes. And you are trapped in a sickly host-creature. Why did you not
select a stronger host?_
_I ... originated here. I ... we ... are one. Why do you not strengthen
this host?_
_How?_
The Yanda mind paused. _You occupy only a corner of the brain. You do
not use your powers?_
_I am a segment...._ The alien mind paused, confused. _I am
conceptualized by the monitor-mind as the subconscious._
_What is the monitor-mind?_
_It is the totality of the personality. It is abole the conscious,
directing...._
_This is a brain of great power, yet great masses of cells are unused.
Why are major trunks aborted as they are?_
_I do not know._
There was no more information from the alien brain which indeed,
housed multiple minds.
The Yanda mind broke contact, tuned.
There was a blast of mind-force, overwhelming. The Yanda mind reeled,
groped for orientation.
YOU ARE NOT ONE OF MY MINDS.
_You are the monitor-mind?_ gasped the Yanda.