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.It was clear now that, first, the Glis molecule,Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmland then his small use of logic of levels on betrayal, had saved him in his first two encounters.He wondered blankly, whatcould be the nature of space that man or Silkie had never so much asdreamed of?.Nothing to something to nothing, and that slightly caved-in  collapsed  body of LanJedd; these were the only clues.'Space,' said the computer in answer to Cemp's question, 'is considered to be an orderly, neutralvastness wherein energy and matter masses may interact according to a large but finite number of rules.The distances of space are so enormous that life has had an opportunity to evolve at leisure ininnumerable chance ways, on a large but finite number of planets on which  accidentally, it is presumed suitable conditions developed.'The definition deepened Cemp's gloom.It seemed like truth.Yet if it was literally so, then how could theNijjan have spanned those enormous distances in apparently no time at all? One or more of theassumptions needed to be modified.Or so it seemed.Cemp said unhappily, 'We've got to remember we're looking at an evolved universe.Perhaps, in itsyounger days, space was less  what did you say?  neutral.The speculative question arises, whatmight an unorderly space have been like?'This is something that can be learned, now that logic of levels is applicable.''Eh!' That was Baxter, astounded.'Logic of levels will work here? How?''Consider!' said the computer.'A command to operate the space-control areas will have to come fromthe central self of a Nijjan.Our problem is, we don't know what that command is, but some kind ofthought stimulates it.Once it is stimulated, a basic action response occurs.Naturally, someone will haveto force a dangerous confrontation in order to trigger such a cycle.'Cemp said quickly, 'Do you still have the feeling that what we might trigger is bigger than what happenedto the Glis and more basic?''Definitely.''But'  baffled  'what could be bigger than an apparently small object like the Glis expanding into thelargest sun in the known universe?''This is something you will discover, and I presume you are the one who will discover it.'Cemp, who hadn't thought about it, presumed instantly that he would indeed be the one.Thinking thus, feeling the irony but resigned nonetheless, Cemp transformed to his Silkie body.Heexpected that he would immediately perceive the distant tug on all his cells.But there was nothing.No awareness in him of a far-away segment of space.He had not the faintestsense of being unbalanced at some deep level.His entire body was at peace and in a state of equilibriumwith his surroundings.Cemp reported the situation to Baxter  and then warily transformed to human.But there was nodistant pull on him in that state either.A few minutes later the computer expressed what was already obvious.'They're taking no chances.Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlThey never did with Silkies.You'll have to seek them out.or else be exterminated one by one, nowthat they have found you.'From the corner of his eye, Cemp noticed Baxter as that analysis came through.The man's face had astrange look: sort of hypnotic, sort of inward-turning.Cemp was quick.He grabbed the man and yelled, 'What's the thought? What command is being given?'Baxter twisted weakly in that iron grip, abruptly stopped his resisting, and whispered, 'The message I'mgetting is absolutely ridiculous.I refuse  'XXIXHE DOORBELL rang with a soft, musical note.Joanne Cemp stopped what she was doing in theTkitchen and thought,The time has come for revelation.The night of no memory is over.Having had the thought, casually, as if it were an ordinary concept, she headed for the door.And thenshe simultaneously realised two things.The shock of each of the two brought a reaction of an intensitythat she had not previously experienced in her entire life.The first realisation was,Night of no memory!.Revelation!.Why, that's crazy! Where would I getan idea like that?The second realisation was that she was getting no thoughts from whoever had rung the doorbell.She felt a chill.She could read minds even better than her Silkie husband by the direct telepathicmethod.But from the person at the door she perceived no thoughts [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]