"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 26 - The Coming Event" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

unforeseen damage. Yet even that had provided no defense. The
aberration must, somehow, be inherent. But what?

"Your orders, Master?" Icelus was waiting. "Shall I continue
with the examinations?"

How often must he go over the same ground? There was a
point beyond which any further effort would be worse than
uselessтАФefficiency demanded the full utilization of each and
every facility and the technicians had other work.

Elge said, "Terminate."

"All, Master?"

"All." Every brain to be thrown into a furnace to be consumed
by fire, the components dissolved into basic elements, the
residue to be blasted deep into space. To Jarvet he said, "Order
an assembly. I will meet the Council in an hour."

They sat at a long table, the warm hue of their robes the only
touch of color in the bleakness of the chamber. Dekel was the
first to speak, as Elge had predicted, but the mental achievement
gave him little pleasure. The man was old, patterns established;
the merest tyro could have done as well.

"This matter concerns Central Intelligence?"

"Yes."

"You have fresh information?" Boule was swift in his attack.
"There is nothing to be gained by discussing what we already
have covered."

Like Dekel and the rest, he was old, but that was to be
expectedтАФmen did not achieve power without the passage of
time. But age was relative and small signs betrayed when the fine
edge had been crossed; the delicate balance between optimum
efficiency and the insidious decline toward senility. Signs
watched for by all as they all watched Elge. He with the highest
office must demonstrate his ability to hold it.

From where he sat Theme said, "From my study of recent
information I arrive at the conclusion that nothing new can be
learned of the degeneration of the units by further
examinations."

"Agreed. That is why I ordered a termination of all such
activity." Elge continued, "There is no need to detail the negative
findings. They are as before. Nor is there need to discuss