Sleepers Of Mars
- Автор: Уиндем Джон Паркс Лукас Бейнон Харрис
- Год: 1977
- Язык: английский
- Год: Coronet Books/Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
- ISBN: 0340173262
- Жанр: Научная фантастика
Электронная книга - «Sleepers Of Mars». Краткое содержание книги:
Of course, we are now well used to the idea of Man On The Moon, we have become blasé as to the possibilities of inter-planetary travel. But imagine two expeditions to Mars, one British, the other Russian, both in the process of discovering a mechanical race, invented and produced by the Martians as they believe their specie to be dying.
The other four novellas in this collection give further evidence of John Wyndham’s genius at invention, characterisation and sense of movement.
Behind me in the silent room stood two guards, flanking a pair of doors which led to inner apartments. They were rigid as statues of wood and gold; not a movement, not a creaking of their military harness, revealed them for human beings. Even when, with a sudden click, the doors flew wide open, their eyelids did not so much as flicker. Without hesitation, I crossed the room, and as I crossed the threshold the doors slid together once more and refastened themselves.
The room I now entered seemed austere to my Atlantean taste. There was comfort in its chairs and couches, but unnecessary decorations had been discarded. There were none of the prized featherwork pictures essential to any house of social standing, nor were the usual intricate screens visible, while the lighting arrangements, instead of providing an excuse for an orgy of gold-work, were carefully concealed. I approached the far corner, and saluted a figure which sat sunken in a chair.
‘You commanded me, Zacta, and I have come,’ I said.
Zacta raised his white-haired head and searched my face with a troubled look. He was a very old man; so old that none knew his true age. Even the oldest could remember but little change in him, and in the popular mind he was all but immortal. The wisdom which the phenomenal man had amassed during his longevity had guided Atlantis through many a crisis, until he had come to be regarded as a mixture of oracle and demi-god. There was even a growing superstition that when Zacta should die, Atlantis would fall.
‘Yes, Xtan, I sent for you,’ he said, still studying my face. He put up a hand and stroked his beard, pausing so long that I became uneasy. At last he said:
‘I have been told that you are experimenting with vibrations, with a view to finding a new weapon. Is this true?’
I nodded. ‘It is perfectly true—and I have been more successful than I had hoped.’
Zacta shook his head slowly. ‘I have always feared this. That vibration should have remained unknown.’
‘But you have taught——’
‘I have taught you to seek truth, and science is a form of truth. My quarrel is not with your discovery, but with your publication of it. There are some forms of knowledge which it is unwise to spread; men are not yet ready to handle them. They cannot control themselves; how, then, should they be able to control mighty weapons? This knowledge of yours must be suppressed—it is a danger, not a blessing.’
‘But-’
Zacta lifted his hand, ‘It must be forgotten. I have given the matter my deep consideration, and I know that it may be perilous for Atlantis—for the world.’
I grew angry. My researches had taken considerable time and money. My invention was acclaimed by the military authorities. But if this old dotard were against me, all my work would go for nothing. I knew only too well his power and influence. Scarcely a soul in all Atlantis would dare to disagree with Zacta.
It was plain that the old man was losing his grip. Could he not see that my invention meant the dream of ages come true —the mastery of the world?
He saw my rising temper with increasing displeasure. ‘You are not even a pioneer,’ he said coldly. ‘There was a weapon such as yours in Lemuria.’
‘I am not interested in mythology,’ I answered contemptuously.
‘Lemuria is no myth. It existed as a great empire, greater than Atlantis is today. It discovered a form of vibrator, and though it was wise enough to see the danger, it was not wise enough to suppress the invention entirely. The scientists experimented with a new type. Something went wrong. Matter was disintegrated; the crust of the Earth was weakened so that the volcanic fires burst through. The Earth cracked open; the whole world shook in great paroxysms, and when all was quiet again Lemuria no longer existed.’
‘A legend,’ I said. ‘An exaggerated version of some little local eruption. As for this tale of the great Lemuria—well, it may amuse children as much as any other fantasy.’
Zacta shrugged his shoulders. ‘Truth is not altered by belief or disbelief. Lemuria, I say, destroyed herself: it shall never be said that Atlantis destroyed herself.’
We looked deep into one another’s eyes, exchanging a challenge.
‘You must suppress that knowledge,’ he repeated. ‘Vibrators most not be built.’
I laughed. ‘Your information is out of date. Six vibrators have already been built and mounted.’
The old man sagged farther in his chair. He looked even older; his eyes were tragic as he stared. At last he asked: ‘Where are they mounted?’
‘They are strung along the east coast from Azco,’ I told him. ‘It is a chain of defence against attack from beyond the Pillars of Hercules. The barbarians in Aegypt and the countries round its sea have become restive. They are jealous of our prosperity, and sooner or later they will attack us. The vibrators will strike their crews and their rowers dead, and not a drop of Atlantean blood will be spilt. Think of that, Zacta; think of that mastery, and then you will see what the vibrators really mean to us.’
Zacta answered slowly: ‘Truly, you have limited vision. How long will your machines remain mere defensive weapons? How long will it be before they are carried out into the world to conquer; to spread death, destruction and deserts? No, I say; the vibrators shall be destroyed.’
‘And I say they shall not.’
We faced each other tensely. Zacta’s eyes grew hard and menacing. A youthful strength and purpose seemed to shine in them. I knew that he saw Atlantis, perhaps all culture, hanging upon our decision. So did I, but from the opposite angle.
His blue-veined, fragile hand began to move towards his side. I was younger and quicker on the draw. There was a faint ‘phut’ from my hand-tube. Zacta’s tube clattered on the floor. He fell forward with a little feathered dart in his heart….
I stood for a moment scarcely conscious of what I had done. Then as I gazed at his slumped form, the true enormity of the thing came home to me. I had killed the greatest man in all Atlantis. Yet I was but the instrument of his destruction; the true contest had been between Zacta and my vibrator—and the vibrator had claimed the wisest of men as its first victim. Somehow I began to think of my machine as a sentient creature; I was fighting to protect the thing to which my brain had given birth.
I glanced swiftly round the room. There had not been noise enough to alarm the guards, but they were posted outside the only door. Could I march out, trusting to bluff? The risk would be great, for I did not know Zacta’s usual method of dismissing his visitors.
The window offered more hope, providing that I was not noticed from the street. I decided that it was safer than an attempt to pass the guards. Impatiently, I kicked off my sandals and fastened them to my belt; then, thankful that Zacta’s austere taste had not caused him to remove the decoration from his house-front, I grasped the scrolled stonework beside the window and began to climb.
Luckily, there was only one floor between me and the roof, for though the carving offered easy holds, I was in bad form for such exercise; moreover, I was afraid of becoming giddy. It was with intense thankfulness that I at last pulled myself across the coping. There was little time to waste. I had no idea when someone would enter Zacta’s room and find the body.
As swiftly as I could, I refixed my sandals and looked for the roof door. It was not difficult to find, and luck was with me, for it was unlocked. At the top of the stairs I pulled myself together, and began to descend with an appearance of unhurried dignity.