Читать книгу The Science Fiction Anthology онлайн

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Blynn grinned weakly. “Maybe it was rather an ostentatious thing to do, but the fabric’s beautiful stuff.”

He rubbed his nose reflectively. “Fact is, I’ve been hearing disturbing rumors. They say some fellow named Kuhak’s invented a ground car that can run without tracks.”

Clarey almost said “Guhak,” but caught himself in time. “Nonsense,” he scoffed. “The more I know of them, the more surprised I am they ever got as far as inventing the chains.”

“But they did, no getting around that. This is what Earth’s afraid of, you know,” he reminded Clarey—unnecessarily. “This is why you were sent here. And, if the rumor’s true, it looks as if you weren’t needed at all. I got the bad news by myself.”

“But why should it be that upsetting?” Clarey tried to laugh. “You look as if it were the end of the world.”

The colonel gave him a long, level look. “I consider that remark in the worst of taste.”

Clarey stopped laughing.

“Remember,” the colonel reminded Clarey, again unnecessarily, “this is the way we ourselves got started.”