"Mack Reynolds - Dawnman Planet" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

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Dawnman Planet
by Mack Reynolds



PART ONE

I

Supervisor Sid Jakes was in fine fettle. As his men inspected the papers
of the VIPs at the door and finally ushered them into the highly guarded
room, he took over and pleasured himself in presenting the exhibit.

The exhibit was in a square box which resembled a combination coffin
and deep freeze, which is exactly what it was. The exhibit itself was a
small charred creature about the size of a monkey or rabbit. However,
signs of clothing or harness could be made out, and what would seem to
be side arms.

The routine went almost identically with each visitor. At the door,
Ronny Bronston, or one of the other Section G operatives, would finish the
identification and call out such as, "Sidi Hassen, Hereditary
Democratic-Dictator of the Free-wealth of the Planet Medina."

The ruler of Medina would come forward, invariably blank of face; and
with a gesture, as though presenting his most valued possession, Sid Jakes
would indicate the exhibit.

The Section G agents had come to expect the same initial reaction each
time.
 It was: "What is it?"

Sid Jakes would grin happily, but hold his peace.

The VIP, his eyes probably bugging by now, would say, in absolute
astonishment: "Why, it's an alien life form!"

The sharper ones would sometimes say, that first time: "It's an
intelligent alien life form!"

Supervisor Jakes let them remain long enough to realize the full
significance of the badly burned, deep-frozen carcass; then, invariably