"A. E. Van Vogt - The Best Of A. E. Van Vogt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

and so charges were laid against me. I have thirty more years to serve. It would be pleasant to leave my
body behind and tour the universe--but as I said IтАЩll discuss that later.
I wouldnтАЩt say that weтАЩre a superior race. We have certain qualities which apparently тАЬyour people do
not have. We live longer, not because of any discoveries weтАЩve made about ourselves, but because our
bodies are built of a more enduring element--I donтАЩt know your name for it, but the atomic weight is 52.9
#. Our scientific discoveries are of the kind that would normally be made by a race with our kind of
physical structure. The fact that we can work with temperatures of as high as--I donтАЩt know just how to
put that--has been very helpful in the development of the sub-space energies which are extremely hot,
and require delicate adjustments. In the later stages these adjustments can be made by machinery, but in
the development the work must be done by тАЬhandтАЭ--I put that word in quotes, because we have no
hands in the same way that you have.
I am enclosing a photographic plate, properly cooled and chemicalized for your climate. I wonder if
you would set it up and take a picture of yourself. All you have to do is arrange it properly on the basis of
the laws of light--that is, light travels in straight lines, so stand in front of it--and when you are ready think
тАЬReady!тАЭ The picture will be automatically taken.
Would you do this for me? If you are interested, I will also send you a picture of myself, though I must
warn you. My appearance will probably shock you.
Sincerely,
Skander

Planet Aurigae II
Dear Pen Pal:
Just a brief note in answer to your question. It is not necessary to put the plate into a camera. You
describe this as a dark box. The plate will take the picture when you think, тАЬReady!тАЭ I assure you it will
be flooded with light.
Skander
 Aurigae II
Dear Pen Pal:
You say that while you were waiting for the answer to my last letter you showed the photographic
plate to one of the doctors at the hospital--I cannot picture what you mean by doctor or hospital, but let
that pass--and he took the problem up with government authorities. Problem? I donтАЩt understand. I
thought we were having a pleasant corres-pondence, private and personal.
I shall certainly appreciate your sending that picture of yourself.
Skander

Aurigae II
Dear Pen Pal:
I assure you I am not annoyed at your action. It merely puzzled me, and I am sorry the plate has not
been returned to you. Knowing what governments are, I can imagine that it will not be returned to you for
some time, so I am taking the liberty of inclosing another plate.
I cannot imagine why you should have been warned against continuing this correspondence. What do
they expect me to do?--eat you up at long distance? IтАЩm sorry but I donтАЩt like hydrogen in my diet.
In any event, I would like your picture as a memento of our friendship, and I will send mine as soon as
I have re-ceived yours. You may keep it or throw it away, or give it to your governmental
authorities--but at least I will have the knowledge that IтАЩve given a fair exchange.
With all best wishes
Skander

Aurigae II
Dear Pen Pal: