"Lichtenberg,.Jacqueline.-.Sime.Gen.01.-.First.Channel" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lichtenberg Jacqueline)

To my parents, especially Daddy, who always knew I'd write a book some day,
To Mike Amsden, who sent me a copy of House of Zeor, and got me into all this,
And, of course, to Jacqueline Lichtenberg, who created a universe and shared a dream.
JEAN LORRAH
My work on this book must be dedicated to Jean Lorrah, and through her to the imaginative faculty that somehow allows people to share their dreams.
JACQUELINE LICHTENBERG
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Since publication of the second Sime/Gen novel, Unto Zeor, Forever, (Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1978, Playboy Books, 1980), the number of people involved in the work has risen steadily until now we have three fanzines dedicated to the Sime/Gen universeЧAmbrov Zeor, A Companion in Zeor, and Zeor Forum: Transfer for AncientsЧall three of which can be reached care of Ambrov Zeor, Box 290, Monsey, New York 10952. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
We must acknowledge here the aid and assistance of the fanzine contributors and staffs in answering mail and providing information -to the fans as this book progressed. We must also thank those who read and commented on portions of the manuscript as it was written.
In particular, we owe thanks to Anne Golar, editor of


Ambrov Zeor, Karen Litman, editor of Companion in Zeor, arid Katie Filipowicz, editor of Zeor Forum, who is also working on a Sime universe concordance and so helped us with continuity, and to Judy Segal for the care and attention she has lavished on the story of Rimon Farris.
A separate acknowledgment goes to Mary Jo DiBella, the special production assistant on the AZ staff, who has spent untold hours helping us with this manuscript.
We would also like to thank Victor Schmidt of the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped for his personal help in providing access to the Sime/Gen novels as well as many other SF and Star Trek books to the handicapped readers. As we were finishing the rough draft of this book, we were on our way to the 1978 August Party. We stayed over at Mary and Vic's house, and Mary let us use her typewriter to finish the book. It takes a lot to maintain one's cool with two frantic writers as houseguestsЧbut then Mary Schmidt is a writer, too, so she understood.
And as always, we must thank Doubleday for their quick and courteous forwarding of mail so that we have been able to meet and interact with so many readers. If ever the post office box number doesn't reach us, you can reach us through any of our publishers for more information on the sequel to First Channel, the sequel to Unto Zeor, Forever or its early drafts (being published in Ambrov Zeor) or other works that we are doing.

Jean Lorrah Murray, Kentucky July 1979

Jacqueline Lichtenberg
Monsey, New York
July 1979







Prologue
A SIME LEGEND
In the Days of the Ancients, Simes and Gens lived together without strife, the Gens freely giving selyn to the Simes, the Simes protecting and caring for the Gens. But then the Gens grew selfish. They wanted to keep all the selyn for themselves. The Simes grew weaker and weaker, and finally they went to the Ancients to ask for help, that they should make the Gens give up the selyn they could not use.
The Ancients called the Gens before them and asked why they kept for themselves the energy of life that they could not use. "It is a great treasure," they said. "See how the Simes desire it. It must be very valuable, and therefore we will store it up."
At that the Ancients became angry. "You have not the wits to know that this substance has value only when you share it! For your foolishness, we make you subject to the Simes, to be their cattle. And to the Simes we give the power to take selyn from you, whether you will or not."
And so it has been ever since.

Chapter 1
WHAT GENS ARE FOR
Rimon Farris woke with a start, his body instantly at full battle alertness, his mind crystal-clear. Before his eyes focused, he felt the bed bounce again as little Serri jumped on his feet, saying, "Rimon, come on! Mama says you gotta get up now!"
With a groan, he fell back on the pillow, quelling the shock reaction. The room went out of focus in a sickening whirl, and in a panic he fought for self-control.
The bed was still rippling up and down with Serri's jumping. Rimon said irritably, "Serri, don't you know better than to do that when I'm in need?"
"You can't be in need; not for another week!"
But she stopped bouncing.
The room steadied. A burning ache began to spread from the base of Rimon's skull down his back and into his arms. Don't panic, Rimon told himself. Breathe evenly.
Serri eased herself off the bed, her concern at his lack of response barely perceptible to Rimon. She was only a child. Her nager had no more power than Kadi's. "Rimon Чyou're all right, aren't you?"
To reassure her, Rimon hauled himself to a sitting position. "I will be if you'll go away and let me get up." He met her deep blue eyes for a moment, then buried his head in his hands, wishing he hadn't moved.
She backed toward the door, watching him dubiously. "Everybody else's finished breakfast. You better not fall asleep again, or Mama will scold me." She turned and skipped out, copper curls bouncing.
Stumbling to the shower, Rimon let the water wash over him, then turned it to cold and held his forearms under the stream to dull the feverish ache in his swollen

ronaplin glands. It was impossible. He couldn't hold out for another five days. His father would understand, even if Mama didn't.