"Bud Sparhawk - Childish Things" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sparhawk Bud)

the Intercessor spoke impatiently, glancing at the time. He too wanted to return from this useless foray.
тАЬAs a matter of fact, I question our entire planetary policy. As much as the few remaining traditionalists
might like the idea, living on a planet, with all of its attendant problems and risks is just too damned
much trouble. I say we stop the entire program and concentrate on really important things, such as the
matter of further research into the Message's references to its own sources!тАЭ

****

The Lector raised an eyebrow at the pensive governor, expecting the usual argument. тАЬI agree,тАЭ the
Governor replied amiably. тАЬA few years ago this might have been a promising place for development.
But Philip is right; we haven't the time or the inclination to develop places like this any longer. Mark the
rest of the damn planets off our list and move on to the next item. I want to get back to the extra-galactic
colony as soon as possible to see the initiation of our Transmission.тАЭ

тАЬWe will most assuredly have enough time for that,тАЭ the Lector advised. The wave front of the Message
would be so tenuous by the time it exited the Galaxy that it would not be detectable by any means. In
response humanity had decided to rebroadcast the Message, adding in their own developments and
discoveries, so that it would reach all within the local group. тАЬNone of us want to miss it.тАЭ

тАЬYou all know that the power for the Transmission will completely wipe out my development budget for
the next century at least,тАЭ moaned Philip IX, regretting the waste of the suns that would be sacrificed.

тАЬThen we are all agreed?тАЭ the Lector asked, turning the subject back to the planetary item on the agenda.
There were only a few weak rebuttals from some of the more recalcitrant members, indicating that the
Lector's decision was a mere formality to ratify a choice that all had made independently. тАЬSo be it,тАЭ the
Lector said; humanity's search and development of planetary resources would cease.

****

тАЬDon't worryтАЭ the shiva technical murmured in its soft purr as it lowered old Hugh into the rig and
attached the crown to his head. тАЬThe anesthetics will block any pain that you might feel. You will
remain conscious; after all, I'll need your cooperation to guide me through the process.тАЭ

Hugh glanced at the multilimbed assembly that reared over him: The Surgical Hospital Invasive Virtual
Assembler, shiva for short, was an automated surgeon that would disassemble his brain and free the

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mind it enclosed. It was yet another wonder derived from the contents of the Message.

In a few weeks his mind would be in one of the nearly immortal bodies floating in open space. There his
consciousness would be joined with the others who had renounced their human form. The structures had
been produced in great numbers after their possibility was defined by the Message: Bodies that were
internally fueled, virtually indestructible, and highly mobile, capable of existing unprotected even in
deep space, carrying their thousands of souls whither they wished. Within the bodiesтАЩ community he
knew he would share mental space with Marlene and others of his extended family who had gone
before, rejoining the warm surrounding companionship that defined humanity. The pod to which their
body belonged would be departing the solar region soon and he did not relish remaining behind, captive
to the charity of others.