"A. E. Van Vogt - The Rat & the Snake & Other Stories" - читать интересную книгу автора (Van Vogt A E)

secure in the knowledge that shortly no alien mind would
know his planet existed. Knowing, too, that his race would
live again, and this time never die.
Enash staggered to his feet, clawed at the roaring com-
municator, and shouted his new understanding into it. There
was no answer. It clattered with the static of uncontrollable
and inconceivable energy. The heat was peeling his armoured
hide as he struggled to the matter transmitter. It flashed at
him with purple flame. Back to the communicator he ran
shouting and screaming.
He was still whimpering into it a few minutes later when
the mighty ship plunged into the heart of a blue-white sun.




A.E. Van Vogt

THE BARBARIAN

In his initial address to the Patronate, following his return from
Venus, Tews said among other things, "It is difficult for us to realze,
but Linn is now without formidable enemies anywhere. Our opponents on Mars
and Venus having been decisively defeated by our forces in the past two
decades, we are now in a unique historical position: the sole great power
in the world of man. A period of unlimted peace and creative
reconstruction seems inevitable."
He retrned to the palace with the cheers of the Patronate ringing in
his ears, his mood one of thoughtful jubilation. His spies had already
reported that the patrons gave him a great deal of the credit for the
victory on Venus. After all, the war had dragged on for a long time before
his arrival. And then, abruptly, almost overnight, it had ended. The
conclusion was that his brilliant leadership had made a decisive
contribution. It required no astuteness for Tews to realize that, under
such circumstances, he could generously bestow a triumph on Jerrin, and
lose nothing by the other's honors.
Despite his own words to the Patronate, he found himself, as the
peaceful weeks went by, progressively amazed at the reality of what he had
said: no enemies. Nothing to fear. Even yet, it seemed hard to believe
that the universe belonged to Linn; and that, as the Lord Adviser, he was
now in his own sphere in a position of power over more subjects than any
man had ever been. So it seemed to the dazzled Tews.
He would be a devoted leader, of course - he reassured himself
hastily, disowning the momentary pride. He visualized great works that
would reflect the glory of Linn and the golden age of Tews. The vision was
so noble and inspiring that for long he merely toyed with hazy,
magnificent plans and took no concrete action of any kind.
He was informed presently that Clane had returned from Venus. Shortly
thereafter he received a message from the mutation.
His Excellency,