"Edgar Pangborn - A Mirror for Observers" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pangborn Edgar)

"Oh, he identified her after all. Mentioned it when he was here."

"Whatever brought him? More than a century since he resigned."

"I think, Elmis, he has some rather dirty little plans for Angelo, and wanted to find out
what plans we had, if any. We have none, except as they will develop in your good
Observer's mind. The boy may or may not be as potentially important as Kajna felt he
was. I hope he is тАФ you know I wouldn't send you out for a trivial cause. You're to go
there to Latimer, live in or near that lodging house as Benedict Miles. On your own. I
must have your independent judgment. That's why I won't tell you any more about the
child, and I'd rather you didn't talk with Kajna about the mission before you go. As for
Namir, you know the law of 27,140. The Abdicators aren't to be acted against, so long
as they do no positive harm." Drozma stroked the ork as it rose to stretch squabby legs.
His voice shook. "I can imagine situations in which you might have to review the
definitions of that cloudy word 'harm.' You know also that an Observer must not risk
violating human law, unless he is prepared to тАФ to prevent betrayal of Salvayan
physiology."
"Sir, we don't need euphemism, you and I. I'll ask Supply to give me a suicide-grenade
recheck. And, I think, a spare grenade, unless you object."

Drozma bit his lip. "I don't object. I've already told Supply to have everything ready for
you. . . . Elmis, the bitterness I saw just now in Namir тАФ I'd almost forgotten such
feelings could exist. Be careful. I suppose he's always in pain. His own thought turns on
him and eats him like a cancer. Salvayan pain, remember. No matter how human he
acts, don't ever forget he has our lower threshold of suffering along with our greater
endurance. I'm sure he still meditates, though he might deny it. And if his angry heart is
set on a thing, he'll turn aside for nothing except superior force." Drozma shifted fretfully
on his cushion. "It's an extended mission, Elmis. If you feel you should stay for the
whole of that boy's lifetime, you have my leave. Spare no expense тАФ be sure you draw
all the human money you'll need, and I'll authorize the Toronto Communicator to honor
any emergency requests. But even if you return quite soon I may not be here, so I think
I'll give you this."

From under his cushion he took a wrapped package, heavy but small. "A mirror, Elmis.
Unwrap it and look at it later if you like, not now. An Observer тАФ his name is lost тАФ
brought this in 23,965 from the island now called Crete. Bronze тАФ we've kept the patina
away from the best reflecting side. I don't suppose it's the first mirror made by human
beings, but surely one of the first. You might want the boy Angelo to look at his face in
it. You see, we think it possible that he's one of those who can learn how to look in a
mirror."

"Ah . . . ! Am I good enough for such a mission?"

"Try to be. Do your best. The peace of the laws be with you."
 part one


The problem of darkness does not exist for a man gazing at the stars. No doubt the
darkness is there, fundamental, pervasive and unconquerable except at the pin-points