"Jean and Jeff Sutton - Alien From The Stars" - читать интересную книгу автора (Sutton Jean and Jeff)

more. Some minds, a few, were ready for nature's next step.
"What's that?" interrupted Toby. Barlo explained that most life-forms
quite early found their niche and remained there. Insects and birds were
typical. But in other forms the evolutionary process appeared unending. Such
emerging cultures, if they didn't destroy themselves in the process,
eventually reached the stars. But even that was an individual function rather
than one of race. In most societies it was the few who led the many. And the
next step he'd mentioned was the opening of the mind, its flowering, its
receptivity and response to the universe rather than to only its immediate
environment. The ability to receive telepathic projections, especially in the
form of imagery, indicated the opening mind. As he spoke, Barlo's large violet
eyes regarded the boy gravely.
Forgetful of the time, they talked. Toby thought it strange how quickly
people could adapt to new situations. Sitting under the stunted oak with Barlo
seemed quite natural. He marveled at how quickly his strange companion was
adjusting to this world. He was speaking as if he'd known Toby for a long,
long time. Toby wished he could meet Grandpa Jed.
Barlo revealed that the name of his planet was Raamz and that his sun
was Zaree. As he spoke, he projected a vivid image of incredibly tall pink
buildings jutting into a sky in which rode a dusky red sun. The air was alive
with vehicles of almost every size and description. "My world and my sun,"
said Barlo. His voice held a touch of pride.
"It's beautiful," replied Toby. No, beautiful wasn't the word; it was
fantastic. Fantastic and unbelievable. And yet it wasn't, for a man -- Toby
mentally had translated "creature" into "man" -- from the stars sat opposite
him now, telling of the wonders of the universe. But no one would believe him,
Toby decided. Except Grandpa Jed. Gramp would believe him. So would Linda
Jansen, who went to school with him. Linda was awfully smart. Perhaps there
were a lot of people who would believe him, but he wasn't too certain of that.
He listened avidly as Barlo told him more about himself.
He was a planetary archeologist. But instead of concentrating on a
single race he roved the known galaxy, searching out the artifacts,
inscriptions, and sepulchers of the distant past, whatever their forms. He
projected an image of the ruins of an ancient city on a bleak and shadowy
plain. The sun above it was purplish red. "The past yields the key to the
future," he explained.
Toby told him about his own dream of becoming a geologist. He opened his
specimen bag and displayed several minerals he had found that morning. Barlo
examined them interestedly as Toby described their physical and chemical
characteristics. He explained that his interest was not solely with rocks but
with all of nature; he wanted to know why things were as they were. Barlo
could understand that; Toby could see it in the large violet eyes.
Barlo said, "I believe you will make a very fine geologist." He glanced
toward the climbing sun. Suddenly Toby realized that his companion was
beginning to suffer in the growing heat and that he kept his eyes averted from
the harsher light.
"Come home with me," he urged.
Barlo shook his head, a gesture he'd learned from the boy. Toby
suppressed his disappointment; he'd been looking forward to having Barlo meet
his grandfather. "You can't stay here," he protested. Barlo explained that he