A. E. Van Vogt - Imperiul Atomului 08 N

7/21/2019 A. E. Van Vogt - Imperiul Atomului 08 N

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A. E. Van Vogt

IMPERIUL ATOMULUI

UN NOU PROMETEU VA FURA SECRETELE ZEILOR NUCLEARI

CAPITOLUL I

SAVANII JUNIORI vegheaser toat !"a #$ng %"n!!#e o'ote#or( 'regt!)! *n or!&e

!' s vesteas& even!+ent"#. Ven! *ns noa'tea( a,a & s&h!+-ar &$teva g#"+e r"t&!oase 'esea+a 'res"'"se#or +ot!ve 'entr" &are na,terea *nt$r!a. Av"r tot",! gr! s n" %!e a"!)! /!n*nt$+'#are /e vre"n sen!or sa" "n !n!)!at.0 1e %a't( &o'!#"# +"#t a,te'tat ven!se 'e #"+e #a &$teva ore /"' revrsat"# or!#or. Era "n-!at '#'$n/ ,! -o#nv!&!os0 *n '#"s( +a! avea &$teva trst"r! &are o *ngro!ser 'e Ca+er!sta2e%. 1"' &e +a+a #"!( La/3 Tan!a( se tre! ,! as&"#t s&$n&ete#e a#n!&e( &o+ent &" a&r!+e4 555 C!ne5a s'er!at st$r'!t"ra asta +!&6 Se 'are & n!&! n5a %&"t -!ne o&h! ,! se ,! te+e /ev!a). Savant"# Jo7"!n( &e# &are as!stase #a na,tere( so&ot! vor-e#e e! r"5'revest!toare. 8otr$ses n" o #ase s va/ +!&"# +onstr" '$n a /o"a !( a,a & tre-"!a s a&)!onee ra'!/ 'entr" a'reven! "n /eastr". Tr!+!se *n gra- +a! +"#te save s %a& roat *n "r"# &o'!#"#"!(

'or"n&!n/"5#e s stea &$t +a! a'roa'e "na /e a#ta( &a "n 'aravan *+'otr!va ra/!a)!!#or ne%aste /!n/or+!tor. A%#at *n 'at( &" tr"'"# %!rav ree+at /e 'erne( La/3 Tan!a 'r!v! &" s"r'r!n/ere 555 a'o! &"*ngr!orare 555 a#a!"# stran!" &e *na!nta &" gre" s're ",. Ma! ns&"se 'atr" &o'!!( a,a & *,! //easea+a & &eea &e ve/ea era &" tot"# neo-!,n"!t *n ast%e# /e o&a!!. Era o %!!n) &" #!+-a as&")!t(!ar 'reen)a "n"! savant *n *n&'ere n" o !+'res!ona. S'"se %"r!oas4 555 Ce se *nt$+'# a!&!( Jo7"!n6 Savant"# se *ntoarse ne#!n!,t!t s're ea. Oare &h!ar n" *n)e#egea & or!&e vor- nes-"!trost!t *n a&e#e +o+ente n" '"tea /e&$t s5! a/"& +!&")"#"! a#te nenoro&!r!6 O-serv &" groa& %e+e!a se 'regtea s vor-eas& /!n no"0 at"n&! *,! #" !n!+a *n /!n)!( !+'#or$n/ *n g$n/ e!!ato+!&!. 1!n tre! 'a,! a"nse #$ng 'at ,! a&o'er! g"ra Tan!e! &" 'a#+a. 1"' &"+ era /e a,te'tat("!+!t /e &eea &e ! se *nt$+'#a( %e+e!a n" rea&)!on !+e/!at. *,! reven! *ns *n &$teva !'e ,!*n&e'" s se -at %r &onv!ngere0 to&+a! at"n&! &o,"# se *n!n ,!( 'este -ra)"# #"! Jo7"!n( Tan!a*,! v" 'entr" 'r!+a oar &o'!#"#. F"rt"na /!n 'r!v!r!#e a"r!! se st!nse. A-!a at"n&! -r-at"# *,! r!/!& &" -#$n/e)e 'a#+a /e'e -"e#e e! ,! se retrase *n&et *n s'ate#e &o,"#"!. R+ase a&o#o( *n%r!&o,at /e 'ro'r!a #"!*n/rnea#. C"+ /!ns're 'at n" 'orn! n!&! "n %"#ger ver-a#( av" /!n no" sent!+ent"# &'ro&e/ase *n +o/"# &e# +a! 'otr!v!t. O '#&"t /"r !nter!oar '"se st'$n!re 'e e# ,! /!n a&e#+o+ent /even! &onv!ns & !nterven)!a #"! sa#vase s!t"a)!a 555 *n +s"ra *n &are +a! '"tea %!


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sa#vat. Co'#e,!t /e a"toa/+!ra)!e( a'roa'e & "!t /e &o'!#. Se /e+et!&! at"n&! &$n/ La/3 Tan!a *ntre- &" o vo&e 'r!+e/!os /e &a#+4 555 C"+ s5a *nt$+'#at6 Jo7"!n se st'$n! #a t!+' s n" r!/!&e ne/"+er!t /!n "+er!( &eea &e ar %! %ost o gre,ea# /ene!ertat. *na!nte /e a a'"&a s s'"n &eva( %e+e!a vor-! /!n no"( /e a&east /at &eva +a! t!os4

555 1es!g"r( ,t!" & e!! ato+!&! s"nt &a"a. 1ar &$n/ s5a *nt$+'#at6 Jo7"!n era 'r"/ent. Savan)!! te+'#!er! avea" o -ogat e9'er!en) *n 'r!v!n)a +"ta)!!#orato+!&e0 s"%!&!ent &a s ,t!e & e!! a&)!ona" #a *nt$+'#are ,! & n" '"tea %! sta-!#!t n!&! o reg"#'e -ae stat!st!&e. Tot",!( +"ta)!a n" '"tea avea #o& /"' &e e+-r!on"# *+'#!nea o #"n *n'$nte&e#e +a+e!( a,a & +o+ent"# trans%or+r!! '"tea %! /e#!+!tat &" a'ro9!+a)!e. Asta *nse+na& tot"# se 'etre&"se '$n *n !an"ar!e :;; 1.


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*nt$+'#ase a&"+ /re't "n &a s'e&!a#. 555 Ze!! ato+!&! s"nt /e ne'tr"ns( rost! *n&et savant"#. Se 'rea & %e+e!a n"5# a"!se( 'entr" & vo&ea e! t!oas &ont!n"4 555


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&ertate( /e,! 'stra" !n/!re&t #egt"ra 'r!n Lor/ Te@s. A&est !n/!v!/ re",ea s5,! *n/e'#!neas&ro#"# /e !nter+e/!ar &" +"#t nat"ra#e)e( !nte#!gen) ,! 555 &e# '")!n a,a ! se 'rea #"! Jo7"!n 555 &"a/evrat '#&ere. P#!n /e s'eran)( Jo7"!n 'r!v! s're La/3 L3/!a( &"t$n/ 'e &h!'"# ,! *n at!t"/!nea e! "nse+n &$t /e +!& a# !nten)!!#or sa#e. O &ons!/erase *ntot/ea"na /re't o %e+e!e &" "n 'oten)!a#

ne%ast !+ens. 1ator!t e! *ntreg"# &o+'orta+ent a# %a+!#!e! L!nn se +o/!%!&ase. Era o %e+e!e /ev$rst +!#o&!e( /!st!ns ,! &" trst"r! '#&"te( /ar +a! 'r!+e/!oas /e&$t "n ,ar'e. Pe +s"r &e!ntr!g!#e e! 'er%!/e se *nt!nseser &a o &ara&at!)( &"'r!n$n/ tre'tat *ntreaga as &on/"&toare(%!e&are /!ntre 'ersoane#e &" &are av"sese /e5a %a&e *nv)ase( *n %e#"# e!( &"+ s5! )!n '!e't.Contra5!ntr!g!( '#an"r!( v!g!#en) 'er+anent( &on,t!!n)a 'er!&o#"#"! ne-n"!t &are 'oate a+en!n)asa" #ov! *n or!&e !' 555 a&esta a %ost 're)"#. Starea /e *n&or/are &ont!n" a /"nat +"#t %a+!#!e!L!nn. C" t!+'"#( otrava a 'tr"ns ,! *n &e!#a#)!. Cr!s'a)! ,! %"r!o,!( ne+"#)"+!)! ,! r-"ntor!( sea%#a" &" to)!! *n a&east *n&'ere( &" g$n/"r! as&"nse( /ar "r+r!n/ s&o'"r! 'rev!!-!#e0 ,! a&eastan"+a! /!n &a"a %e+e!! +a! *n v$rst. 2! tot",!( /e #a so)!a Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor n//"!a Jo7"!n s o-)!n "n !n/!&!" /es're%!na#!tatea hotr$r!#or #"ate. Dna#t ,! ve#t( art$n/ /eose-!t /e -!ne 'entr" v$rsta e!( %e+e!a sea%#a #a or!g!nea or!&re! nenoro&!r!. 1a& avea o 'rere 555 ,! ea avea *ntot/ea"na o 'rere 555*nse+na & *n&e'"se /ea o&"r!#e /e &"#!se. Pres"'"n$n/ & re",!se s5,! &onv!ng so)"# 555*n!nat *ntot/ea"na s're &o+'ro+!s 555 s !a hotr$rea /or!t /e ea( se '"tea s'"ne & s&ena era'regt!t 'entr" /eastr". 1e,! 'res!+)ea /"' &o+'ortarea #or & %"sese &onvo&at /oar /!n ra)!"n! 's!ho#og!&e(Jo7"!n *n&er&a s !a *n ser!os %a't"# & %"sese &ons"#tat. A+g!rea #"! n" /"r *ns +"#t. Avea!+'res!a & *! as&"#taser '#e/oar!a /oar 'entr" a *n/e'#!n! o s!+'# %or+a#!tate( %r a a&or/a &$t/e &$t aten)!e vor-e#or #"!. Lor/ Te@s *,! 'r!v! +a+a. Pe &h!'"# #"! -"at era *nt!'r!t "n $+-etvag. Fe+e!a *,! &o-or* '#eoa'e#e 'e "+tate( &a ,! &"+ n" ar %! /or!t s ! se &!teas& g$n/"r!#e.Ce#e /o" s"ror! se "!ta" #a Jo7"!n &" %e)e#e *n&re+en!te. Lor/"# Con/"&tor '"se &a't*n&or/r!!( e9'e/!!n/"5# 'e savant &" "n gest s&"rt. Jo7"!n 'rs! *n%!orat *n&'erea. Pentr" o !' se g$n/! s5! 'rev!n 'e savan)!! te+'#!er!(a%#a)! *n 'er!&o#. A-an/on re'e/e a&east !/ee( &ons!/er$n/5o #!'s!t /e sor)! /e !-$n/.


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rsr!se. O -oare /e v$nt s"%#a /e5a #"ng"#


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a 'atr" !n!)!a)!( &rora to&+a! #! se '"nea" #a)"r!#e /e g$t. Str!gte#e *n&etar *n !'a *n &are &r")a*n &are sttea" se "rn! /e s"- e!. B *nv)at"# A#/en se *+'#et!&! 'r!n +"#)!+ea /!n %a)a te+'#"#"! Rahe!n# &a ,! &"+ ar %! av"t'!&!oare /!n a#"at. C#t!n$n/"5se &a "n -e)!v( se &!o&nea /e oa+en!( %r s %!e 'e /e'#!n &on,t!ent/e &eea &e ! se *nt$+'#a. N" era s!ng"ra 'ersoan /!n +"#)!+e *ntr5o stare /e ,o& at$t /e ev!/ent(

a#t%e# ar %! %ost &" ","r!n) re+ar&at ,! t$r$t s're s'$n"rtoare. 1ar e9e&")!!#e #"aser g#oata 'r!ns"r'r!n/ere. F!e&are no" s'e&tator &are se a'ro'!a &"r!os s va/ &e se *nt$+'# *,! +an!%estagroaa *n %e#"# s". Fe+e!#e #e,!na". Ma! +"#tor -r-a)! #! se %&"se grea)( *n vre+e &e a#)!!(!+'res!ona)!( r+seser &" o&h!! *+'!enen!)!. Pe +s"r &e se a'ro'!a /e "na /!ntre +arg!n!#e +"#)!+!! %re+t$n/e( +!ntea *n&e'" s5!#"&ree &" %e-r!#!tate. V" o 'oart /es&h!s0 se n'"st! /!n&o#o /e ea ,! 555 a&easta era no"asena)!e 'e &are o s!+)! *n '!&!oare 555 '#"t! 'r!ntre t"%!,"r!. *ntr5o !' *,! //" sea+a & se a%#a'e ter!tor!"# Pa#at"#"! M"n!&!'a# a# Lor/"#"! ,! La/35e! Creg L!nn. F" +o+ent"# &e# +a! ter!-!# a# /!+!ne)!!. Pr!ns *n &"rs ,!( &"#+ea( /e -"nvo!e. Se'r-",! #a a/'ost"# "n"! ar-"st orna+enta#( 'e "+tate #e,!nat /e %r!&. *n&et"# &" *n&et"#

-g /e sea+ & *n %a)a #"! se gsea "n &or' /e /!re 're#"ng ,! n" 'rea *na#t. Un '$#&/e &o'a&! !5ar %! '"t"t serv! /re't 'aravan 'entr" a a"nge a&o#o. *n)e#egea & n" se '"tea *ntoar&e*n s!g"ran) 'e /r"+"# 'e &are ven!se( /ar n!&! n" *n/rnea s r+$n *n a&e# #o&. Se r!/!&hotr$t *n '!&!oare ,!... av" noro&. Pentr" & se /e+et!&! st$n/ ghe+"!t *n &eea &e 'rea a %! "nha+-ar #"ng ,! *ng"st( *nve&!nat &" gra/"r!#e. N" 'rea o as&"ntoare 'rea groav. S'a)!"# era at$t /e str$+t( *n&$t n"+a! %&$n/ "nt"ne# 'r!n +a#/r"# /e %$n /e #$ng ",a &ea +a! *n/e'rtat /e gra/"r! re",! s se s!+t *ns!g"ran). A-!a se '!t!se( &$n/ "na /!ntre ",!#e gra/"#"!( a%#at #a &$)!va ',! *n /rea'ta #"!( se/es&h!se. O %"r& /!n %!er #!&r! st!ns( a'o! /!s'r" *n&r&at &" "n sno' /e %$n. C" o #ov!t"r /e'!&!or( gr/ar"# tr$nt! ne'stor ",a( /"' &are se a"!r 'a,! *n/e'rt$n/"5se. A#/en( &are a-!a+a! avea &"ra s res'!re( n" %&" n!&! o +!,&are. To&+a! se 'regtea s s&oat &a'"# /!nas&"toare &$n/ -ang? se /es&h!se o a#t ", ,! a#t %"r& se "+'#" &" %$n( a'o! se %&" nev"t. C$teva +!n"te +a! t$r!" %" t"#-"rat /e o a#t%e# /e a'ar!)!e. O sav t$nr ,! "n -!at /e#a gra/"r! se o'r!r /!n&o#o /e -ar!era ,"-re/ /!n #e+n &are /es'r)ea 'or)!"nea o&"'at /e %$n/e rest"# gra/"#"!. F#&"#( &" s!g"ran) "n t$nr re&r"t ,! n" "n sav( *ntre-4 555 Un/e /or+!6 555 In 'av!#!on"# /e #a a'"s a# sav!#or( rs'"nse %ata &" o vo&eB ,ov!toare. 555 *n &are 'at6 555 A# tre!#ea. 555 Pe #a +!e"# no')!! a+ s + stre&or '$n #a t!ne. 555 E *+'otr!va reg"#a+ent"#"!( !se %ata tre+"r$n/. 555 N"5)! % 'ro-#e+e *n 'r!v!n)a reg"#!#or? se rst! so#/at"#. Pe &"r$n/?


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555 La na!-a &" nenoro&!)!! /e sav!? ,t!a /e %a't &o+'#otea *+'otr!va &et)en!#or. Era "!+!t( 'entr" & g$n/"# !+'#!&a o &"noa,tere a %e#"#"! *n &are sav!! se a'ra" /etrata+ent"# gre" /e s"'ortat #a &are era" s"'",! /!n 'artea st'$n!#or. A"!se e# &$te &eva '$nat"n&! /es're &"+ "n!! 'ro'r!etar! /e sav! /even!ser /eose-!t /e 'r"/en)! &a "r+are aasas!nate#or /!n "#t!+"# t!+'. 2! !at & a&"+ avea /ova/a( &h!ar ,! 'ar)!a#( & &eea &e 'rea /oar

o #egen/ s$ngeroas era a/evrat. D,! s'"se &" ev#av!e4 555 Tre-"!e s r!/!&+ n!ve#"# +ora# a# 'ro'r!etar!#or ,! 555 o&h!! ! se *ng"star 555 s%o#os!+ %or)a 'entr" a n!+!&! organ!a)!a se&ret a sav!#or. N" '"te+ to#era a,a &eva. F"r!a *! /!s'r" /!ntr5o /at at"n&! &$n/ o ", se /es&h!se Ia vreo s"t /e '!&!oare/e'rtare. Se &h!r&! !nst!n&t!v( #s$n/ -a#t 'ro-#e+a sav!#or. *n &!"/a ,o&"r!#or nervoase( '$n #a a+!a +!ntea *n&e'" s5! %"n&)!onee /!n no". Re",!&h!ar s5,! e9'#!&e &"+ /e s&'ase ra!e! *n "r+a &re!a %"seser &a't"ra)! &e!#a#)!. C" n"+a! /o"s't+$n! *n "r+ se +"tase #a no"a re,e/!n) /e 'e


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CAPITOLUL III

ME1RON LINN( Lor/"# Con/"&tor( se '#!+-a 'e o stra/ /!n ora,"# L!nn. Ie,!r!#e #"!avent"roase *n ora, /even!ser /!n &e *n &e +a! rare *n "#t!+!! an!( /ar era #a %e# /e &"r!os ,! /e

e+o)!onat &a *n tre&"t. Ur+rea( &a *ntot/ea"na( "n an"+e s&o'. 1oar a,a *,! '"tea "st!%!&at!+'"# ,! e%ort"# &he#t"!te. Era *nso)!t( &a /e o-!&e!( /e "n n"+r /e gar/!en!( 'regt!)! *n +o/ s'e&!a# 'entr" a&estees&a'a/e 'r!vate0 ase+enea "nor so#/a)! a%#a)! *n 'er+!s!e( e! *,! &ro!a" /r"+ *n "r+a sa" *na!ntea#"!( 're%&$n/"5se & n"5! !nteresea &$t",! /e '")!n 'ersona"# "s&)!v( 'a#!/( &" &h!'"# *+'!etr!t(a &r"! 'or"n& or!&$t /e ne*nse+nat /evenea #ege at$t 'e P+$nt( &$t ,! *n *nt!nse ter!tor!! /e 'ea#te '#anete. Lor/"# Con/"&tor &"ta one#e '!e)e#or &e#e +a! ag#o+erate( &" +r%"r!#e #or s!'!toare.Ve/erea at$tor &"#or! *! a+!ntea /e !#e#e t!nere)!!( &$n/ toat a&east 'arte a ora,"#"! n" era /e&$to on 'oso+or$t ,! &en",!e( !ar 'ro/"se#e neg"stor!#or era" /e &a#!tate *n/o!e#n!&. Co+er&!an)!! a" &a+ -o/ogn!t ne+"#)"+!)!( ,! &h!ars5a" *n%"r!at at"n&! &$n/( *n 'r!+e#e

!#e a#e ven!r!! sa#e #a '"tere( /e&retase & 'ro'r!et)!#e &e#e +a! -"ne vor %! a&or/ate n"+a! &e#or&are se angaa" s #e "grveas& ,! s #e *ngr!eas&( /ar &are se ,! o-#!ga" s o%ere /oar +r%"r!/e +$na *nt$! #a.5 v$nare. Cr!a /e at"n&! tre&"se &a "r+are a &on&"ren)e!(

/!r!#e v!" &o#orate #"aser #o&"# /"ghene#or /e o/!n!oar( !ar &a#!tatea +a! h"n a+r%"r!#or a &o!n&!s &" o +a! +are var!etate a a&estora. A&"+( Lor/"# Con/"&tor L!nn era nevo!t s5,! &ro!as& &" gre" /r"+ 'r!n +"#)!+ea /e&"+'rtor! ,! neg"stor!. P!e)e#e era" *n)esate &" oa+en! /e #a +"nte ,! /e /!n&o#o /e #a&( 're&"+,! &" o-!,n"!ta gr+a/ /e g"r5&as&( ven!)! /e 'e a#te '#anete. N" av" n!&! o 'ro-#e+ *n a #egao &onversa)!e !n a&ea /"'5a+!a. Se a/resa n"+a! a&e#or oa+en! &are n" //ea" vre"n se+n & ar re&"noa,te *n -r-at"#ne-r-!er!t( *+-r&at *n stra!e so#/)e,t!( 'e &$r!n"!tor"# I+'er!"#"!. N" !5a tre-"!t +"#t s se

as!g"re & &e! 'este o +!e /e oa+en!( tr!+!,! s'e&!a# 'entr" a &onv!nge 'o'or"# /e "ste)eahotr$r!! sa#e 'r!v!n/ re&ente#e e9e&")!! 'r!n s'$n"rare( %&ea" o trea- e9&e#ent. N" +a! '")!n/e ,a'te /!ntre e! se a'ro'!ar /e e#( !ar &" tre! !ntr &h!ar *n vor-. To)! tre! t&"r a-!#e re+ar&!'ro'agan/!st!&e. Iar &e! &!n&! )ran!( tre! neg"stor! ,! /o! +"n&!tor! &" &are s&h!+- /"' a&eea&$teva &"v!nte( rs'"nseser o-serva)!!#or sa#e &r!t!&e #a a/resa Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor &" #o!n&!#e'e &are( ev!/ent( #e a"!ser /e #a oa+en!! #"!. Era +"#)"+!tor( *,! s'"se( & 'r!+a &r! 'e &are o 'rovo&ase se s%$r,ea at$t /e -!ne.I+'er!"# L!nn se a%#a #a n"+a! o genera)!e /"' 're#"ng!t"# r-o! &!v!# &are !nsta#ase #a '"terean"# L!nn. Per&e'tor!! s! &ons!/era" & *n&asr!#e /!n !+'o!te era" *n& s&"te. Una /!ntre&a"e &onsta *n sr&!rea )r!! /e &tre te+'#e. Savan)!! *nro-!ser 'o'or"# *ntr5"n %e# &are( /"''rerea Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor( n" avea &ores'on/ent *n !stor!e.

An"+!te r!t"a#"r! a#e te+'#e#or era" /e nat"r h!'not!&( !ar &e! &are Ie o%!&!a" 555 'regt!)!*n +o/ s'e&!a# 555 re",ea" s s"geree a"/!tor!"#"! va#oarea e9a&t a &ontr!-")!e! /or!te. M!! /e%e+e!( +a! a#es( era" at$t /e s"-"gate /e stratage+e#e %o#os!te( *n&$t &h!ar te+'#!er!! %"sesernevo!)! s !ntro/"& /e "rgen) an"+!te restr!&)!! 'entr" &a e#e s n"5,! /onee *ntreg"# av"t.


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se 'regtea s a"ng "n savant. Lor/"# Con/"&tor era &on,t!ent( %r s %! %ost nevo!e &a K La/3 L3/!a s5# &onv!ng /ea&est #"&r"( & tre-"!a a&)!onat &$t +a! &"r$n/ 'entr" a /estr+a a&east &!"/at /o+!na)!eh!'not!&. P$n at"n&! *ns( 'res!"n!#e as"'ra e&ono+!e! &ont!n"a"( !ar 'ros'er!tatea ,! -"nstarean" '"tea" avea /e&$t &re,ter! +o/este. *n ora,"# L!nn &o+er)"# se *nv!orase( /ar *n a#te ora,e( &are

n" -ene%!&!a" /e s&"t!r!#e /e ta9e /e a!&B 'rogrese#e era" +a! +o/este. *n a&ea 'er!oa/ era" *n &"rs /e /es%,"rare +a! +"#te r-oa!e /e &"&er!re( /!ntre &aretre! 'e Ven"s( *+'otr!va tr!-"r!#or ven"s!ene. e#"# 'e &are ,!5# sta-!#!se 555 "n!%!&area *ntreg"#"!S!ste+ So#ar 555 &erea &a e9'e/!)!!#e s &ont!n"e( !n/!%erent /e 're). Ceva( &re/ea Lor/"#Con/"&tor( tre-"!a sa&r!%!&at. Ceva !+'ortant? 2! se o'r!se as"'ra te+'#e#or( &a %!!n/ s!ng"re#e ,!a/evrate#e r!va#e a#e &$r+"!r!! *n 'r!v!n)a ven!t"r!#or an"a#e /o-$n/!te. Lor/"# Con/"&tor se o'r! *n %a)a tara-e! "n"! neg"stor /e &era+!&.


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a&)!"nea +ea *+'otr!va te+'#"#"!. S"nt *n&re/!n)at & e! *+! vor a&&e'ta arg"+ente#e. S'"n$n/ a&estea( %a)a #"! %" #"+!nat 'entr" 'r!+a oar /e "n $+-et vag. Ce! 'reen)!,t!a" #a %e# /e -!ne &a e# &( serv!#( Patronat"# n" *n/rnea n!&! +&ar s !'eas& *n 'ro-#e+e#e'o#!t!&e %r *n&"v!!n)area #"!. 555 S"nt s!g"r /e a&easta( &ont!n" e#( ,! 'entr" & a+ /e g$n/ &a( *n a&e#a,! t!+'. s

're!nt o &erere -enevo# /!n 'artea te+'#e#or 'entr" reorgan!area #or. S'e&tator!!( '$n at"n&! t&")!( *n&e'"r s se ag!te. Ce! tre! rese+na)! *,! r!/!&ar o&h!! *n&are #!&rea o vag s'eran). Un"# /!ntre e!( &e# /e v$rst +!#o&!e( 8oro( s'"se '#!n /e e#4 555 E9&e#en)a voastr se 'oate -!"! 'e no!... Se o'r! 'entr" & Me+'!s *# 'r!vea as'r"( &" o&h!! s&'r$n/ /e %"r!e. 1/" *na'o!( /artre'tat &"ra"# *! reven!. La "r+a "r+e!( *,! s'"sese 'rerea. Lor/"# Con/"&tor tre-"!a s a%#e &e# era /!s'"s s &oo'eree. Tr!se e9'er!en)a &o'#e,!toare a &e#"! &are re",e,te s5,! sa#vee v!a)a*n "#t!+a !'. Jo7"!n !nterven! &"rten!tor4 555 1"' &"+ *n&e'"se s s'"n 8oro( vo+ %! %er!&!)! s a&or/+ &e#or s'"se /e/"+neavoastr o res'e&t"oas as&"#tare. Lor/"# Con/"&tor r$n! s!n!str". A&"+ "r+a 'artea &ea +a! !+'ortant( a,a & *,! re#"+et!&"#os e9'"nerea. "vern"# 555 art e# 555 era *n s%$r,!t 'regt!t 'entr" a *+'r)! te+'#e#e *n'atr" gr"'"r! se'arate( a,a &"+ /orea" /e +"#t t!+' savan)!!. Era 'entr" 'r!+a oar &$n/ a&e,t!aa"ea" /es're "n ase+enea '#an( /ar n!&! "n"# n" &o+ent. 1"' &"+ a" s"s)!n"t /!ntot/ea"nasavan)!! 555 &ont!n" Lor/"# Con/"&tor 555 era r!/!&o# s %!e venera)! *n a&e#ea,! te+'#e to)! &e!'atr" e! ato+!&!4 Uran!"+( P#"ton!"+( Ra/!"+ ,! E&s. !n$n/ &ont /e a&easta( savan)!! se vorse'ara *n 'atr" organ!a)!! /!st!n&te( *+'r)!n/ *n +o/ ega# te+'#e#e e9!stente *ntre &e#e 'atr"gr"'"r!. F!e&are gr"' se va /e/!&a.s#"!r!! "n"! s!ng"r e" ,! a

*ns",!r!#or a&est"!a( /e,! vor &ont!n"a( -!ne*n)e#es( s5,! *n/e'#!neas& a&t!v!t)!#e 'ra&t!&e'r!v!n/ %"rn!area '"ter!! &onvert!te a e!#or t"t"ror &e#or &are avea" nevo!e /e ea( *n &on%or+!tate&" reg"#!#e sta-!#!te /e g"vern. La &on/"&erea %!e&r"! gr"' se va a%#a n" "n &ons!#!" a# ega#!#or(&"+ 'rev"se s!ste+"# /e organ!are a te+'#e#or /e '$n at"n&!( &! "n ,e% 'entr" &are tre-"!asta-!#!t "n t!t#" &ores'"ntor rang"#"!. Ce! 'atr" ,e%! "r+a" s %!e n"+!)! 'e v!a) /e &tre "n&o+!tet re"n!n/ /e#ega)! a! g"vern"#"! ,! a! te+'#e#or. Ma! era" ,! a#te#e( /ar e#e re'reenta" a+n"nte. Cons!#!"#"! ! se a&or/ase ast%e# "n"#t!+at"+. 2! Jo7"!n n"5,! %&ea !#"!!. Patr" &ategor!! /e te+'#e( #"'t$n/"5se 'entr" a/eren)!(%!e&are /!ntre e#e &on/"s /e &$te "n savant a+-!)!os( rs'"ntor 'ro-a-!# /oar *n %a)a Lor/"#"!Con/"&tor( ar %! '"s &a't 'entr" tot/ea"na s'eran)e#or 'e &are #e n"tr!ser &e! +a! #"+!na)!/!ntre savan)!. E# "n"# 'r!v!se te+'#e#e &a 'e n!,te #&a,"r! a#e *nv)t"r!! ,! av"sese 'ro'r!!#e v!se#egate /e ro#"# 'e &are a&estea tre-"!a" s5# oa&e *n v!!tor. A&"+ se r!/!& ner-/tor( /e tea+ &an" &"+va "n"# /!ntre &ons!#!er!! *n%r!&o,a)! s !5o !a *na!nte. S'"se &" grav!tate4 555 Cons!#!"# va %! *n&$ntat s e9a+!nee 'ro'"nerea /"+neavoastr( ,! se &ons!/er'r!v!#eg!at s a!- *n %r"ntea g"vern"#"! "n &on/"&tor &are *,! /e/!& t!+'"# s" at$t /e 're)!os'#an"r!#or 'r!v!n/ 'ros'er!tatea te+'#e#or. N!+!& n" 'oate... N" se a,te'tase s re",eas& s o-)!n o a+$nare. 2! n!&! n" re",!. F" *ntrer"'t -r"s&.Lor/"# Con/"&tor !nterven! 'e "n ton /e%!n!t!v4 555 1e vre+e &e +$!ne vo! *n,t!!n)a 'ersona# Patronat"#( Cons!#!"# Savan)!#or este 'o%t!t/"ros s r+$n *n 'a#at 'entr" a '"ne #a '"n&t /eta#!!#e reorgan!r!!. Este /e a,te'tat &a a&est#"&r" s /"ree or!&$t *ntre o s't+$n ,! o #"n( sa" 'oate &h!ar +a! +"#t( a,a & v5a+ re'art!at&$te "n a'arta+ent s're %o#os!n).


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*ntre-area *# %&" 'e Jo7"!n s se s!+t st$nen!t( &&! e9!stase o 'er!oa/ *n v!a)a #"! &$n/n" &re"se *n n!+!&. 2! tot",!( *n&et"# &" *n&et"# /even!se 'e "+tate &onv!ns & ter!-!#a %or)!nv!!-!# /evo#tat /e &ea +a! +r"nt s"-stan) ra/!oa&t!v n" '"tea avea a#t e9'#!&a)!e.Rs'"nse 'r"/ent4

555 *n tor!!#e +e#e /!n t!nere)e a+ v"t tr!-"r! &are venera" e! a! '#o!!( e! a! a'e#or(

e! a! &o'a&!#or ,! /!%er!)! e! a! an!+a#e#or. A+ *nt$#n!t ,! rase +a! avansate( "ne#e /!ntre e#e a!&!'e P+$nt( a &ror e!tate era o %!!n) !nv!!-!# atot'"tern!&( &are tr!a "n/eva *n s'a)!"( *ntr5"n#o& n"+!t 'ara/!s. Toate a&este #"&r"r! #e5a+ st"/!at( ,! *n a&e#a,! %e# a+ as&"#tat var!anta %!e&r"!gr"' *n 'r!v!n)a *n&e'"t"#"! Un!vers"#"!. Una /!ntre #egen/e s"s)!ne & no! to)! a+ a'r"t /!ng"ra "n"! ,ar'e. N" a+ v"t "n ase+enea ,ar'e. O a#t 'oveste s'"ne & o +are revrsare /ea' a !n"n/at '#aneta( /e,! n" ,t!" &"+ ar %! %ost 'os!-!# a,a &eva &" a'a e9!stent. O a tre!a'oveste !&e & -r-at"# a %ost &reat /!n #"t( !ar %e+e!a /!n -r-at. Pr!v! s're as&"#ttor"# #"!. Lor/"# Con/"&tor *n&"v!!n) /!n &a'4 555 Cont!n". 555A+ v"t 'a+en! &are se *n&h!na" %o&"#"! ,! a+ v"t oa+en! &are a/ora" a'a. A'o!( #a%e# &a +"#)! a#)!! *na!ntea +ea( a+ str-t"t v!#e *n &are se s'"ne & s#,#"!es& e!! no,tr!. A+/es&o'er!t "r+e#e #or 'e %!e&are '#anet4 vaste *nt!n/er! /eo#ante( av$n/ +"#te +!#e a/$n&!+e ,!#)!+e. 2! *n a&este one a+ r!t( /e #a a/'ost"# "nor !/"r! /e '#"+-( %o&"r!#e !n&re/!-!# /estr#"&!toare &are ar/ &" %"r!e ve,n!& *n str%"n/"r!#e P+$nt"#"!. C" a/evrat( a+ g$n/!t at"n&!(e!! Uran!"+( Ra/!"+( P#"ton!"+ ,! E&s s"nt &e! +a! '"tern!&! e! a! Un!vers"#"!. C" s!g"ran)(+!5a+ !s( n!+en! &" +!ntea *ntreag n5ar *n/rn! vreo/at s %a& &eva &are s *! s"'ere. Lor/"# Con/"&tor( &are *n t!+'"# 'eregr!nr!#or sa#e *nt$#n!se ast%e# /e s#a,"r! a#e e!#or(s'"se /oar4 555 8++? N" +a! av" t!+' 'entr" a#t &o+entar!". 1!ntr5"n #o& &are 'rea %oarte a'roa'e( r-"%n! o-"-"!t"r +a! rs"ntoare /e&$t or!&e t"net 'ogor$t vreo/at /!n &er. J"+tate /e +!n"t +a!t$r!" "r+ "n v"!et at$t /e '"tern!& ,! /e %"r!os( *n&$t 'a#at"# se &"tre+"r /!n te+e#!!. Pa"a /e/"' a&eea n" a/"se ,! #!n!,tea. 1!n toate 'r)!#e se a"ea" v!-ra)!!#e

gea+"r!#or *n +!! /e s"nete. 2! at"n&!( t"+"#t"# %" a&o'er!t /e o a tre!a e9'#o!e( "r+at!+e/!at /e o a 'atra. U#t!+a av" "n !+'a&t at$t /e &o'#e,!tor( *n&$t /even! ev!/ent 'entr" or!&!ne & s%$r,!t"##"+!! era a'roa'e.

CAPITOLUL IV

CQN1 AL1EN INTR *n +are#e te+'#" Cov!s( *n /"'5a+!aa &e#e! /e5a tre!a !#e /e/"' na,terea &o'!#"#"! %a+!#!e! L!nn( era "n o+ !stov!t ,! %#+$n/. 1ar era( /e ase+enea( "n o+

v$nat( +&!nat /e toate g$n/"r!#e "n"! %"gar. Se 'r-",! *n s&a"n"# o%er!t /e "n!or. *n t!+' &et$nr"# *n&er&a s 'r!&ea' &e se *nt$+'#( A#/en *! 'or"n&! s n" s'"n n!+n"! n!+!& /es're'reen)a #"! a&o#o( *n a%ar /e 8oro( savant"#5,e% a# te+'#"#"! Cov!s. 555 1ar 8oro n" este a!&!( *ng!+ "n!or"#. To&+a! a '#e&at s're 'a#at"# Con/"&tor"#"!. A#/en se a'"& *n gra- s5,! #e'e/e ha!ne#e %e+e!e,t!. O-osea#a *# 'rs! *ntr5o !'. N"e +o+ent"#( g$n/! &" s"-!t vo!o,!e. Asta *nse+na &( '$n #a *ntoar&erea #"! 8oro( e# erasavant"# sen!or a# te+'#"#"!. Pentr" "n o+ &are tre&"se 'r!n toate e+o)!!#e a&e#e! /"'5a+!e!( era&a o a+$nare a sent!n)e!. Por"n&! s ! se a/"& +$n&are. L" a'o! *n st'$n!re &a-!net"# #"! 8oro


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,! '"se *ntre-r!. Pentr" *n&e'"t a%# s!ng"ra e9'#!&a)!e %&"t '"-#!& '$n #a a&ea or *n #egt"r &"e9e&")!!#e /e #a te+'#"# Rahe!n#. A#/en &h!-"! as"'ra arg"+ente#or o%!&!a#e toat seara ,!( 'e+s"r &e se g$n/ea( /evenea tot +a! %"r!os. Era &on,t!ent & !/e!#e sa#e 'rea" oare&"+ ra/!&a#e(/a& n" &h!ar eret!&e0 &" toate a&estea( 'ara/o9a#( se s!+)ea rn!t & e!! a" %ost at$t /e 'ro%"n/

!gn!)! *n te+'#e#e #or. *ntr5"n %e#( ,t!a &" &ert!t"/!ne 555 %r &a a&est #"&r" s %e o /ova/ /e ne&re/!n) 555 & e!! n" *,! vor arta ne+"#)"+!rea /!n 'ro'r!e vo!n). $n/"r!#e "n"! %"gar /"&ea"(*n +o/ a"to+at( s're ast%e# /e &onv!nger! 'ra&t!&e. *na!nte s se *nseree /e5a -!ne#ea( st"/!a *n&toate 'os!-!#!t)!#e. 1!n t!+'"r! !+e+or!a#e( e!! %avor!aser an"+!te 'ro&ese. O%!)er!5&o+an/an)! ,! a#)!/e)!ntor! #ega#! /e nave s'a)!a#e a/"&ea" *n te+'#e #!ngo"r! /e %!er. 1"' /es%,"rarea&ere+on!a#"#"! ,! e%e&t"area '#)!!( %!era? era 'strat vre+e /e o ! *n a'ro'!erea s"-stan)e! /!v!nenea&o'er!te. Peste 'atr" !#e 555 &$te "na 'entr" %!e&are e"( 555 energ!a s"-stan)e#or se trans%era #!ngo"r!#or( &are era" a'o! trans'ortate #a -or/"#nave#or0 a&o#o( 'r!ntr5"n s&"rt r!t"a#( era" /e'"se *n n!,te !n&!nte +eta#!&e &are '"tea" %!+e,te,"g!te /e or!&e +"n&!tor +eta#"rg!st( !ar 'r!n "t!#!area a &eea &e era &"nos&"t /re't o &e#"#%otoe#e&tr!&( o a#t ns&o&!re %o#os!t /e %oarte +"#t vre+e( #a %e# &a %o&"#( sa-!a( s"#!)a ,! ar&"#(se '"tea *n&e'e sa" o'r! #a &o+an/ o ser!e /e e9'#o!! &ontro#ate. At"n&! &$n/ avea" s"%!&!ente !n&!nte +eta#!&e /e a&est %e#( &h!ar ,! &e#e +a! +ar! nave&onstr"!te vreo/at /e o+ se '"tea" *n#)a &a ,! &"+ gre"tatea #or ar %! %ost ne*nse+nat. 1e #a*n&e'"t"# #"+!!( s"-stan)a /!v!n era 'strat *n te+'#e *n 'atr" *n&'er! se'arate. Iar &ea +a!strve&he *nv)t"r /!n !stor!e s'"nea & /a& e!! s"nt a'ro'!a)! 'rea +"#t /ev!n /eose-!t /e%"r!o,!. A#/en &$ntr! &" gr! +!&! &ant!t)! /!n %!e&are t!' /e s"-stan) /!v!n( a'o! tr!+!se 'atr""n!or! s a/"& o !n&!nt +eta#!& /!n grota /e testare *n gr/!na /!n s'ate#e te+'#"#"!( *n a&e#+o+ent *,! //" sea+a & ,! &e#e#a#te te+'#e tre-"!a" s se a#t"re a&est"! 'rotest. A%#ase & ,ase/!n &e! ,a'te +e+-r! a! Cons!#!"#"! *nv)a)!#or se a%#a" *n& #a 'a#at ,! -n"!a & s!t"a)!a #or n" era/e#o& ",oar. Se a'"& s #e s&r!e /!n &a-!net"# *noronat a# #"! 8oro &e#or r+a,! #a &on/"&ereate+'#e#or *n a-sen)a &ons!#!er!#or( 'or"n&!n/"5#e s %a& a&e#a,! #"&r" &a ,! e#. Le /es&r!se *na+n"n)!+e '#an"# s"( *n&he!n/ &" 're&!area4 M!e"#

!#e! va %! +o+ent"# 'rotest"#"! nostr". Tr!+!se a'o! %!e&are s&r!soare 'r!ntr5"n +esager"n!or. N" avea n!&! o *n/o!a#. P$n a /o"a ! #a 'r$n !ntro/"sese gr"n)e#e /e "ran!"+( ra/!"+('#"ton!"+ ,! e&s *n s!ste+"# /e &o+"tare %otoe#&tr!&a. 1e #a o /!stan) #a &are ! se 'r" & sea%# *n s!g"ran) a's -"ton"# &are a&)!ona &"+"tator"#. *n !'a *n &are ter!-!#a s"-stan) se&onto'! &" '!#a( se /ean, o e9'#o!e !+'res!onant. Ur+ar !+e/!at a#te tre! /et"nt"r!. 1oar/o" te+'#e !gnoraser a'e#"r!#e %"gar"#"!. Pr!+a e9'#o!e s'"#-er "+tate /!n te+'#"# Cov!s ,!#s *n "r+ "n +or+an /e r+,!)e /e !/r!e ,! '!atr. N" %" gs!t *n v!a) n!&! o %!!n) o+eneas& *n vre"n"# /!ntre &e#e 'atr" te+'#e. 1!nA#/en n" +a! r+sese n!&! +&ar o -"&at /e &arne sa" o '!&t"r /e s$nge. Pe #a ora /o"( &ete 'estr!)e se ag!ta" #a 'oa#e#e &o#!ne! 'e &are se *n#)a 'a#at"#. r!#e'a#at"#"!( &re/!n&!oase st'$n"#"!( #e )!n"ser '!e't &" gre"( /ar *n &e#e /!n "r+ se retraser *ns'ate#e 'or)!#or. To)! s#"!tor!! Con/"&tor"#"! se 'regtea" /e ase/!". J"+tate /e or +a! t$r!"( &$n/ hr+#a!a a"nsese #a &"#+e( Jo7"!n( &are //"se o ra!t'r!n ora,( se stre&"r 'r!n t"ne#"# se&ret &are /"&ea *n 'a#at ,! &er" 'er+!s!"nea s se a/resee


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+"#)!+!!. Lor/"# Con/"&tor *# 'r!v! *n/e#"ng( s&r"ttor. *n &e#e /!n "r+ *n&"v!!n). #oata sere'e! s're 'or)! &$n/ a&estea se /es&h!ser( /ar #n&!er!! re",!r s5! )!n #a /!stan). Jo7"!n *,!&ro! /r"+ *n a%ar. 1e,! avea o vo&e +a! /egra- '!)!g!at( es'#ana/a &are se /es&h!/ea *n %a)a&o#!ne! era at$t /e !ngen!os &onstr"!t( *n&$t 'er+!tea "n"! vor-!torsse a/resee +"#)!+!! 'r!ntr5oser!e /e +ega%oane.

Pr!+"# #"! gest a %ost s5,! s&oat 'ang#!&!#e /!n 'r( !s$n/"5# s se reverse 'e "+er!.#oata *n&e'" s str!ge4 555 Savant"#? E "n savant? Jo7"!n r!/!& +$na. Iar #!n!,tea &are se #s( %" 'entr" e# o /ova/ & revo#ta era 'e &a#e sse st!ng. M"#)!+ea '"tea %! &ontro#at. In &eea &e5I 'r!vea( n"5,! %&ea !#"!! as"'ra "n"! event"a#

ata& a# a&este! a/"nt"r! as"'ra 'a#at"#"!. 2t!a & /ea %"seser tr!+!,! 'or"+-e! tor!&" +esae &tre &e#e tre! #eg!"n! &are *,! avea" ta-ra /!n&o#o /e !/"r!#e ora,"#"!. C"r$n/( a&ea%or) /!s&!'#!nat avea s +r,#"!as& 'e str!( 're&e/at /e "n!t)! /e &ava#er!e a#&t"!te /!nso#/a)! /!n 'rov!n&!e( a# &ror e" era o #egen/ar 'asre "r!a,( n"+!t Er'#en. Era !+'ortant &a+"#)!+ea s %!e *+'r,t!at *na!nte &a a&e! "&!ga,! -!ne 'regt!)! s5,! %a& !ntrarea *n s&en. 555 Cet)en! /!n L!nn( s'"se e#( &" o vo&e s!g"r( hotr$t( a)! %ost ast! +artor! #a o/ova/ gr!toare a '"ter!! e!#or. La &"v!nte#e #"!( +"#)!+ea rs'"nse &" str!gte ,! va!ete. A'o! se #s /!n no" #!n!,tea.Jo7"!n &ont!n"4 555 1ar n" a)! *n)e#es &"+ se &"v!ne +esa"# 'e &are n! #5a" trans+!s a&este se+ne. 1e a&east /at( /oar t&erea *nt$+'!n vor-e#e sa#e. Re",!se s5! st'$neas&. 555 1a& e!!( &ont!n" e#( #5ar %! &ons!/erat v!novat 'e Lor/"# Con/"&tor( at"n&! ar %!'"t"t s /!str"g #a %e# /e ",or 'a#at"# #"!( a,a &"+ a" %&"t &" 'ro'r!!#e te+'#e. N" Lor/"#Con/"&tor ,! %a'te#e sa#e !5a" s"'rat 'e e!. 2t!+ & *n "#t!+a vre+e an"+!)! savan)! a" *n&er&ats *+'art te+'#e#e *n 'atr" gr"'"r! se'arate( *n a,a %e# *n&$t %!e&are gr"' s s#"eas& /oar 'e"n"# /!ntre &e! 'atr" e!. A&esta( ,! n"+a! a&esta este +ot!v"# %"r!e! &are !5a &"'r!ns ast! 'e e!. Se a"!r str!gte4 555 1ar ,! te+'#"# t" a %ost /!str"s? Jo7"!n e!t. N"5! '#&ea s %a& 'e +art!r"#. V"se /o" /!ntre s&r!sor!#e tr!+!se /eA#/en 555 &e#e a/resate te+'#e#or &are n" !5a" "r+at !nstr"&)!"n!#e 555 ,! #e /!str"sese &" +$na #"!.N" re",ea s5,! e9'#!&e &"+ /e a'ro'!erea '"r +e&an!& a s"-stan)e#or /!v!ne 'ro/"sesee9'#o!!#e. 1ar /e "n #"&r" era( tot",!( &onv!ns. Ze!! n" 'rotestaser %a) /e %a't"# & era" s#"!)! *na&e#a,! te+'#". 2! at$ta t!+' &$t a&east s!t"a)!e era s!ng"ra &are 'er+!tea savan)!#or s r+$n'"tern!&!( at"n&! &eea &e se 'etre&"se '"tea %! &a#ea 'r!n &are e!! arta" & /or!n)a #or era a&eea,!. Jo7"!n %" nevo!t s a/+!t & ra)!ona+ent"# s" 'rea o %or+ /e so%!s+. 1ar n" era+o+ent"# s5,! '!ar/ *n&re/erea. *n!n /!n &a' s're &e! &are str!gaser( a'o! 'r!v! s',!t s're&er. 555 Pr!eten!( s'"se e# &" grav!tate( +rt"r!ses& & a+ %ost 'r!ntre &e! &are s"s)!nea" s#"!rease'arat. A+ &re"t & e!! ar %! %ost 5+"#)"+!)! s %e venera)! %!e&are *n te+'#"# s". Re&"nos& &+5a+ *n,e#at. Se rs"&! 'e "+tate s're 'a!at( "n/e ,t!a & *# as&"#t "re&h! +"#t +a! !+'ortante /e&$tor!&are /!ntre &e#e /!n +"#)!+ea /e /e/es"-t ,! s'"se4 555 S"nt *n&re/!n)at & %!e&are o+ &are( #a %e# &a +!ne( a &re"t *n ere!a se'arr!!( s5a&onv!ns a&"+( &a ,! +!ne( & n!&! &e! 'atr" e! ,! n!&! s#"!tor!! #or n" vor +a! 'er+!te *n v!!tor oase+enea -#as%e+!e. 2! a&"+( *na!nte /e a se *nt$+'#a a#te ne&a"r!( +erge)! #a &ase#e voastre &"to)!!.


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Le *ntoarse s'ate#e ,! !ntr ',!n/ +s"rat *n &"rtea 'a#at"#"!. Lor/"# Con/"&tor era "n o+ &are *n)e#egea *ntot/ea"na &a"r!#e /e %or) +aor. 5555 Ma! r+$ne s5+! rs'"n! #a o s!ng"r *ntre-are( ! se a/res e# *ntr5"n t$r!". Careeste a/evrat"# +ot!v 'entr" &are vre! &a %!"# n"ror!! +e#e s r+$n *n v!a)6 Jo7"!n rs'"nse &" s!+'#!tate4

555 1!ntot/ea"na +!5a+ /or!t s v/ &e s5ar *nt$+'#a /a& "n &o'!# a# e!#or ar 'r!+! oe/"&a)!e ,! *ngr!!re nor+a#e. Asta a %ost tot &e a s'"s. 1ar a %ost /ea"ns. Lor/"# Con/"&tor ,e/ea &" o&h!! *n&h!,! ,!re%#e&ta as"'ra a&este! event"a#!t)!. *ntr5"n t$r!" *n&"v!!n)( *n&et( /!n &a'.

CAPITOLUL V

DNC 1IN FRAE1 COPILRIE( CI ane s!+)!se ne&onten!t4 N" s"nt /or!t? N!+en!n" + !"-e,te? Ost!#!tatea 'r!n)!#or %a) /e e# se re%#e&ta ,! *n %e#"# &"+ era tratat /e save#e *nsr&!nates5! 'oarte /e gr!. Se *nt$+'#a "neor! &a +!&"# +"tant s n" a!- 'e n!+en! *n 'rea+ ore *n ,!r.Iar at"n&! &$n/ *ngr!!toare#e *,! a/"&ea" a+!nte /e e# ,! *# gsea" tv#!n/"5se *n #eagn"# "/ ,!'#!n /e +!er!e( n" 'rea //ea" /ova/ /e r-/are. M$!n!#e #or( /e,! &a'a-!#e /e +$ng$!ere( /evenea" oare&"+ as're at"n&! &$n/ *# at!ngea".M!!#e /e /ove! /e -r"ta#!tate trans+!se +",&h!#or ,! nerv!#or #"! era" 'r!+e#e #"&r"r! 'e &are #ea%#ase /es're #"+ea *n&on"rtoare( *n&e'"se /e +!& s se as&"n/ ,! &ont!n" s o %a& ,! /"' &e*nv) s +earg.

C!"/at( at"n&! &$n/ /e'r!nse 'r!+e#e &"v!nte( 'entr" "n t!+' se 'etre&" *n v!a)a #"! os&h!+-are. C" &an/oare *! /ev#"!se #"! Jo7"!n &$teva #"&r"r! /!n &are a&esta 'r!&e'" *n s%$r,!t &sav!! neso&otea" 'or"n&!#e 'r!+!te. Ce#e &$teva *ntre-r! '"se &" o&a!a %!e&re! v!!te %&"r &a(*n &e#e /!n "r+( sav!! o-ran!&! s %!e -!&!"!)! 'entr" %a'te#e sa" &o+entar!!#e #or ne&h!-"!te.F!e -r-a)! sa" %e+e!( a&esta a %ost 're)"# 'e &are #5a" '#t!t 'entr" a a%#a & ,! &o'!#a,!! nea"tora)!&res& ,! 'ot /a *n v!#eag %e#"# *n &are s"nt trata)!. C" toate a&estea( &re,terea '"ter! ! /e *n)e#egere a t$nr"#"!

a av"t ,! /eavantae. *ntre tre! ,! 'atr" an!( C#ane a o-servat &$t era /e /!%er!t %a) /e&e!#a#)!. *ngro!tor /e /!%er!t. *ntre 'atr" ,! ,ase an! sntatea #"! s"%er! &/ere /"' &/ere( /ar-tr$n"# savant !-"t! /e %!e&are /at 555 &" gre"( &e5! /re't 555 s5# '"n 'e '!&!oare. C"r$n/ /"'a&eea( Jo7"!n *n)e#ese & 'entr" &a -!at"# s s"'rav!e)"!as& era nevo!e /e o a&)!"ne +a! hotr$t.

555 Ce!#a#)! &o'!! s"nt v!nova)!( *! s'"se Jo7"!n Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor *ntr5o !( 'a#!/ /e%"r!e. *# &h!n"!e. Le este r",!ne &" e#. E! str!& tot &eea &e *n&er& e" s %a&. 2e%"# an"#"! L!nn *# 'r!v! ne/"+er!t 'e te+'#!er. 555 E! -!ne( ,! +!e *+! este r",!ne &" e#( +!5e r",!ne n"+a! #a g$n/"# & a+ "n ase+eneane'ot. Tare + te+( Jo7"!n( & e9'er!en)a ta se va s%$r,! &" "n e,e&( a/"g e#. F" r$n/"# #"! Jo7"!n s5# 'r!veas& +!rat. *n &e! ,ase an! &are tre&"ser /e #a &r!ate+'#e#or( 'rerea #"! /es're Lor/"# Con/"&tor /even!se +"#t +a! -"n. A"nsese s va/ *n e#'e &e# +a! +are a/+!n!strator &!v!# /!n !stor!e( *n&e'$n/ &" vre+"r!#e #egen/are. Pe #$ng a&easta


16/104

! se 'rea & *ntrerea "neor!( /!n&o#o /e a'aren)a +ohor$t( )e#"# "r+r!t /e +are#e -r-at4"n!%!&area I+'er!"#"!. Pe /eas"'ra era ,! o+"# &are /even!se a'roa'e &o+'#et o-!e&t!v *n %a)av!e)!!. A&"+ asta &onta. Pentr" a5# sa#va 'e C#ane avea nevo!e /e &oo'erarea &$r+"!tor"#"! /!nL!nn. Pro-a-!# & Lor/"# Con/"&tor +!ros!se & v!!ta #"! Jo7"!n avea "n s&o' an"+e( 'entr" &$+-! 're%&"t4

555 2! &e vre! /e #a +!ne6 S5# tr!+!t *n 'rov!n&!e( "n/e s 'oat %! &res&"t *n !o#are /esav!6 555 Asta !5ar %! %ata#( rs'"nse Jo7"!n. Sav!! /e r$n/ /!s're)"!es& +"tan)!! *n a&eea,!+s"r &a #!-er)!!( &ava#er!! sa" 'atron!!. Sntatea tre-"!e s5! %!e as!g"rat a!&!( *n ora,. Ce##a#t /even! ner-/tor. 555 At"n&! /"5# #a te+'#e( a&o#o "n/e te 'o)! o&"'a /e e# /"' 'o%ta !n!+!!. 555 Te+'#e#e s"nt '#!ne /e !n!)!a)! ,! "n!or! g#g!o,!( s'"se Jo7"!n. Lor/"# Con/"&tor se *n&r"nt. Jo7"!n ,ov!a( &eea &e

*nse+na & &ererea #"! "r+a s %!e gre" /e *n/e'#!n!t. Toat 'ovestea /evenea s"'rtoare. 555 Tare + te+( -tr$ne( !se Lor/"# Con/"&tor &" grav!tate( & n"5)! /a! sea+a &are e'ro-#e+a.


17/104

+!estr!e. Pov$rn!,"r!#e %"seser terasate ,! *ntr!te( a'o! a&o'er!te &" ver/ea) ,! ar-",t! *n a,a %e#*n&$t -tr$n!! &a Jo7"!n &" gre" +a! '"tea" re&"noa,te +g"ra stear' /e o/!n!oar. *n 'artea /e a'"s a one! se *n#)a o st$n&. Ca s a"ng! *n v$r%"# e! tre-"!a +a! *nt$! s"r+e! o &rare *ng"st ,! a-r"'t( !ar a'o! s "r&! n!,te tre'te t!ate /!re&t *n '!atra /"r. C$n/ Jo7"!n o #"ase *n 'r!+!re( st$n&a a&easta era go#a,. S"- /!re&ta #"! *n/r"+are ,! *n

+are gra-( o +"#)!+e /e sav! &raser '+$nt( !ar gr/!nar!! '#antaser t"%e( !ar- ,! t#or!(ast%e# *n&$t a&"+ e9!sta o 'av *+'otr!va soare#"! /ogor!tor0 ver/ea)a te *+-!a #a '#!+-are( !ara+-!an)a era '#&"t ,! '#!n /e &"#oare. R!/!& "n gar/ /!n %!er 'entr" a *+'!e/!&a a&&es"#&"r!o,!#or /!ns're 'ote&a /!n a'ro'!ere. La 'oart 'ost "n 'an!& *na#t /e ,ase '!&!oare ,! ,ase)o!! ,! #at 'e +s"r. A#egerea #"! n" era *nt$+'#toare( 'entr" & -r-at"# avea "n at"4 &" vreo'atr" an! *na!nte( nevasta *! ns&"se "n &o'!# a# e!#or. Ur!a,"# era "n !n/!v!/ vese# ,! /eose-!t/e 'r!etenos( &are 'r!n 'reen)a #"! !+'"ntoare *n %a)a 'or)!! *ng"ste !-"tea ,5! *+'!e/!&e 'e'",t!! /!n &e *n &e +a! go+oto,! s5# "r+reas& 'e C#ane /!n&o#o /e gar/. 1"' &e &"!-"# %"ast%e# 'regt!t ,! restr!&)!!#e sta-!#!te(

&e!#a#)! &o'!! -o/ogn!r ,! *,! str!gar ne+"#)"+!rea &$teva s't+$n! #a r$n/. Ore *n ,!r//ea" t$r&oa#e *n "r"# 'or)!!( *# ne&ea" 'e 'an!& ,! 'ro%era" a+en!n)r! *n /!re&)!a st$n&!!.P$n #a "r+ r-/area ne+s"rat a 'an!&"#"! ,! &a#+"# #"! !+'ert"r-a-!# !5a" &onv!ns sren"n)e. 2! a,a( /"' +"#t vre+e( -!e)e#"# s'er!os *,! gs! *n s%$r,!t #!n!,tea( *n&e'" s s&a'e /ea+!nt!rea v!o#en)e! !+!nente( -a &h!ar tr!a 'entr" 'r!+a oar sent!+ent"# s!g"ran)e!. 1!n a&e#+o+ent n" *# +a! -gar *n sea+. N!+en! n" se +a! "&a *+'re"n&"e#(/ar/e,! a&east!n/!%eren) era ,! ea o /ova/ /e &r"!+e( &e# '")!n era o at!t"/!ne 'as!v. P"tea s5,! tr!as&'ro'r!a v!a). M!ntea #"! 555 a&e# a+este& &o+'#e9 ,! g!nga, /e e+o)!!( at$t /e &h!n"!t ,! s'er!at '$nat"n&! 555*n&e'" s se treeas& /!n *nt"ner!&"# *n &are '#"t!se. Jo7"!n *# a"t &" a-!#!tate. II *nv)&$teva 'oe!! s!+'#e( *!5'ovest! -!at"#"! /es're %a'te ero!&e ,! -t#!! gran/!oase ,! *! /e'n&$teva /!ntre 'ove,t!#e &e#e +a! o-!,n"!te &" $ne. *! //" 'r!+e#e #+"r!r! &" 'r!v!re #a at+os%era'o#!t!& /e #a 'a#at 555 !n%or+a)!! a#ese &" gr!( /ar *ntot/ea"na &ore&te. Ins!st tot t!+'"#( &"+"#t &onv!ngere( as"'ra %a't"#"! & a te %! ns&"t +"tant era "n #"&r" /eose-!t( s'e&!a# ,!!+'ortant. Or!&!ne '"tea %! o %!!n) o+eneas& o-!,n"!t( /ar '")!n! era" a#e,!! e!#or ato+!&!. Jo7"!n ,t!a & e9!sta "n 'er!&o# *n a +o/e#a ego5"# "n"! L!nn ast%e# *n&$t s se &ons!/eres"'er!or &h!ar ,! %a) /e +e+-r!! 'ro'r!e! %a+!#!!. 555 *,! va &"noa,te #!+!te#e &"r$n/( 'e +s"r &e va *na!nta *n v$rst. L"&r"# &e# +a!!+'ortant a&"+ este &( #a o't an!( +!ntea #"! a /even!t s"%!&!ent /e '"tern!& 'entr" a *n%r"ntao&r!#e &e#e +a! groso#ane ,! +a! gre" /e s"'ortat ven!te /!n 'artea &e#or#a#)! -!e)!. C$n/*n&ear& s #e rs'"n/( *n& se +a! -$#-$!e ,! -o#-orose,te &a "n !/!ot( &a s n" +a! vor-!+ &$t/e a#n!& se 'oart at"n&! &$n/ *nt$#ne,te "n ne&"nos&"t0 /ar /a& n" este #"at 'r!n s"r'r!n/ere( a*nv)at s se &on5 tro#ee( r+$n$n/ t&"t. A, vrea 555 *n&he!e Jo7"!n 555 s5! A /a)! o&a!a s se o-!,n"!as& ,! &" v!!te /!n 'artea /"+neavoastr. Era o &erere +ere" re*nno!t( /ar *ntot/ea"na res'!ns. Re%""r!#e *# *ngr!ora" 'e Jo7"!n.&are se a'ro'!a /e o'te&! /e an!. A/esea se s!+)ea t"#-"rat g$n/!n/"5se #a &eea &e se va *nt$+'#a/"' +oartea #"!. Pentr" a se as!g"ra & ,o&"# n" va %! /eastr"os( *n&e'" s atrag s'r!!n"# "norvest!)! /as!( 'oe)! ,! !stor!&!. 1"' &e era" #a *n&e'"t &onv!n,! &" arg"+ente( /evenea" "n"#&$te "n"# 'ro%esor! '#t!)! a! -!at"#"!. Savant"# *! s"'raveghea &" str!&te)e( *n/e'rt$n/"5! gra-n!&'e &e! &are( *ntr5"n %e# sa" a#t"#( 'rea" s n" a're&!ee &"+ se &"v!ne !+'ortan)a *ntre'r!n/er!!#"!.. E/"&a)!a -!at"#"! se /ove/! a %! at$t /e &ost!s!toare( *n&$t n!&! a"toare#e -ne,t! a#e


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Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor 555 -"n!&"# #"! 555 sa" a#e Lor/"#"! Creg 555 tat# #"! 555 n" re",ea" s a&o'ereonorar!!#e oa+en!#or %a!+o,! angaa)! /e Jo7"!n.


19/104

&h!ar ,! +"tan)!#or tre-"!a s #e sta-!#eas& *n/ator!r! 'otr!v!te &" 'os!-!#!t)!#e #or. II +$hnea s&onstate &( to&+a! a&"+( &$n/ se a'ro'!a /e 'er!oa/a &ea +a! s!ng"rat!& a v!e)!! sa#e( n" se'"tea -!"! /e&$t 'e &e! /e a&e#a,! s$nge &" e#. 1ar &h!ar ,! 'e e! n"5! )!nea #ao#a#t /e&$t a+-!)!aneo-os!t &are *# +&!na 'e %!e&are *n 'arte.


20/104

a&east s#-!&!"ne a '#anete! Marte. Cana#e#e s"nt at$t /e #arg! ,! /e a/$n&! *n&$t n" 'ot %!(/e e9e+'#"( otrv!te( n!&! +&ar 'entr" "n t!+'. 555 J"/e&$n/ #a n!ve# +a&ro&os+!&( rs'"nse -!at"#( este a/evrat. L"+ea +o#e&"#aro%er '")!ne 'os!-!#!t)!( *n a%ara %or)e#or 'e &are &or'"# o+enes& #e 'oate '"ne *n va#oare. Lor/"# Con/"&tor &!"#! "re&h!#e. Oare a"!se -!ne6 Era 'os!-!# &a "n -!at /e tre!s'ree&e

an! s vor-eas& a,a# F"sese &$t 'e &e s ',eas& *n %a) ,! s se arate &e#or /o!0 a&"+ *nsa,te'ta( "!+!t ,! &"r!os. C#ane &ont!n"4 555 Ne&a"# &" tat# +e" e & are 'rea +"#t *n&re/ere. N" *n)e#eg /e &e *,! *n&h!'"!e & &e#&are *! /rn!&e,te r-o!"# este gh!n!on"#. 1a& a, %! *n #o&"# #"!( a, &er&eta +a! &" gr!'os!-!#!t)!#e /e tr/are ,! a, %! +a! atent #a &er&"# s%t"!tor!#or +e!. Ne##!an $+-!4 555 Vor-e,t! &" hotr$rea 'e &are )!5o / v$rsta. 1a& vreo/at ve! a"nge 'e "n &$+' /e#"'t( te ve! &onv!nge & n!&! o !/ee 're&on&e'"t n" se 'otr!ve,te &" rea#!tatea. Teor!!#e &on%"ese 'r-",es& /e o-!&e! *n %a)a 'oto'"#"! /e sge)! ,! s"#!)e sa" *n #"'ta &" s-!!#e ,! se&"r!#e.


21/104

s&$n&eas&( a'o! s -o#-oroseas&. 1e #$ng e#( Ne#*!an !se &" as'r!+e4 555 C#ane( v!no5)! *n %!re? C"v!nte#e s"nar &a o 'or"n&. !'$n/ s#a-( -!at"# se

n'"st! *na!nte( o&o#!n/"5# 'e Lor/"# Con/"&tor. O/at a"ns *n &a'"# s&r!! a-r"'te /e

'!atr( 'orn! s &o-oare va#v$rte( a'roa'e -"r$n/( s're '+$nt"# a%#at #a +a! -!ne /e /o"e&!/e '!&!oare /e/es"-t. A'o! /!s'r" /e5a #"ng"# 'ote&!!. 1"' &$teva !'e /e t&ere( Ne##!an *ntre- #!n!,t!t4 555 Pot s vor-es&6 Lor/"# Con/"&tor o-serv & 'ro%esor"# n" ! se a/resa %o#os!n/"5! t!t#"r!#e( ,! -"e#e #"!s&h!)ar "n $+-et. Un ant!!+'er!a#!st. Un +o+ent +a! t$r!" se s!+)! *ngr!orat 555 re'"-#!&an!!,t!a era" *n&')$na)! 555 /ar se +"#)"+! s *n&"v!!n)ee &ererea &" o +!,&are a &a'"#"!. Ne##!an s'"se4 555 S5a '"rtat #a %e# ,! &" +!ne( at"n&! &$n/ Jo7"!n +5a a/"s 'entr" 'r!+a oar s5! %!"'ro%esor. Este o *ntoar&ere #a o an"+!t stare e+o)!ona# 'e &are a tr!t5o 'e &$n/ era &o'!# +!&. Lor/"# Con/"&tor n" rs'"nse. Pr!vea 'este ora,. Era o ! &e)oas( a,a & a-"r"#/e'rtr!! as&"n/ea &art!ere#e +rg!na,e. 1e #a *n#)!+ea a&easta 'rea" & se /!o#v *n '$( !ar/!r!#e ,! '+$nt"# /evenea" !+ater!a#e. 2! tot",!( /!n&o#o '"tea r! r$"# ,er'"!tor ,! sate#e( *n'arte a&o'er!te /e v#"# /e &ea). *n a'ro'!ere se /!st!ngea" s&o-!t"r!#e a+%!teatre#or( go#!te a&"+(&$n/ "n r-o! &o#osa# /e&!+a res"rse#e "+ane a#e *ntreg"#"! P+$nt( a &r"! 'o'"#a)!e a"nsese#a !n&re/!-!#a &!%r /e ,a!e&! /e +!#!oane /e #o&"!tor!. N"+a! *n t!+'"# v!e)!! #"! n"+r"#oa+en!#or se /"-#ase. Era *n%r!&o,tor ,! +!n"nat *n a&e#a,! t!+'( &a ,! &"+ toat o+en!rea( &" o&h!! a)!nt!)! s're"n v!!tor #"+!nos( ,!5ar %! *n&or/at '"ter!#e 'entr" at!ngerea a&e#"!a,! )e#( /eo&a+/at *n&vas&"ns/!n&o#o /e or!ont"# *n/e'rtat. Lor/"# Con/"&tor *,! *ntoarse 'r!v!r!#e s're st$n&. Fr s se "!te #a Ne##!an( *ntre-4 555 La &e se g$n/ea oare &$n/ a s'"s & %!"# +e"( Lor/ Creg( ar tre-"! s se 'eas& /etr/area /!n "r"# #"!6 Ne##!an r!/!& /!n "+er!.

555 1e&! a)! a"!t6 Tre-"!e s v 'rev!n & ar %! *ntr5"n +are 'er!&o# /a& ase+enea re+ar&!ar a"nge #a "re&h!#e an"+!tor 'ersoane. S!n&er s %!"( n"5+! /a" sea+a /e "n/e *,! o-)!ne!n%or+a)!!#e. 2t!" *ns & are o +are *n!nare s're !ntr!g!#e /e 'a#at ,! 'o#!t!&. Este %oarte as&"ns. Lor/"# Con/"&tor se *n&r"nt. *n)e#egea %oarte -!ne a&east /!s&re)!e. Oa+en!! &are a%#a"'rea +"#te /es're '#an"r!#e a#tora avea" toate ,anse#e s s%$r,eas& asas!na)!. 1"' o +!&e!tare. Con/"&tor"# *ntre-4 555 Ce a vr"t s !& /es're nave#e s'a)!a#e &are trans'ort a'a ,! &are e9'#o/ea *na!nte/e ater!are6 Ce ,t!e e# /es're ase+enea #"&r"r!6 . A %ost r$n/"# &e#"!#a#t s ,ov!e. *n &e#e /!n "r+( Ne##!an rs'"nse4 555 A a+!nt!t /es're asta /e +a! +"#te or!. *n &!"/a re)!ner!#or sa#e( -!at"# s!+te nevo!a"ne! &o+'an!! ,! e /orn!& s !+'res!onee( a,a & "neor! *,! +rt"r!se,te g$n/"r!#e oa+en!#or *n&are are *n&re/ere( &"+ s"nt e". Pro%esor"# *# 'r!v! &" s!g"ran) 'e Lor/"# Con/"&tor. 555 1es!g"r( toate a&este !n%or+a)!! n" a"ng +a! /e'arte. Mare#e o+ se *n!n ",or4 555 *)! s"nt re&"nos&tor( s'"se e# o%t$n/. 1"' o 'a"( Ne##!an &ont!n"4 555 A 'o+en!t /e +a! +"#te or! /es're !n&!/ent"# /e #a te+'#"# Rahe!n# &are a av"t #o& 'e


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vre+ea &$n/ s5a ns&"t( at"n&! &$n/ 'atr" te+'#e a" sr!t *n aer. A+ /e/"s & Jo7"!n *! 'ovest!se&$te &eva /es're asta ,! & 'ro-a-!# tot Jo7"!n a #sat #a 'ro'r!etatea #"! "ne#e /o&"+ente se&rete(Ia &are -!at"# a av"t a&&es. V a+!nt!)!( 'oate( & /e #a +oartea I"! Jo7"!n( a %&"t tre! v!!te #aa&ea re,e/!n). Lor/"# Con/"&tor *,! a+!nt! vag & Ne##!an *! &er"se *n &$teva r$n/"r! 'er+!s!"nea.

555 Cre/ & n" +a! este nevo!e s v s'"n( &ont!n" Ne##!an( & !n/!%erent /e starea #"!e+o)!ona#( +o/"# /e a g$n/! a# -!at"#"! este /eose-!t /e +at"r( ase+ntor "n"! t$nr /e &e#'")!n no"s'ree&e an!. 555 8++( +or+! Lor/"# Con/"&tor( a'o! /even! +a!

hotr$t. Tre-"!e s *# v!n/e&+ /e a&east s#-!&!"ne. S"nt +a! +"#te +eto/e. Z$+-!( &a"n"# &are *,! a+!nte,te. *n r-o!( &$n/ /orea+ s v!n/e&+ 'e &!neva /e %r!&( *# e9'"nea+ #a/!ve&se 'er!&o#e *n t!+'"# #"'te!. P"tea s %!e "&!s( -!ne*n)e#es( /ar /a& s"'rav!e)"!a( /o-$n/eatre'tat *n&re/ere *n s!ne ,! &"ra. La %e#( "n orator tre-"!e &a +a! *nt$! s5,! e9ersee &ontro#"#g#as"#"! ,! a'o! s vor-eas& ne&onten!t 'entr" a &$,t!ga s!g"ran) ,! e#o&ven).


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Lor/"# Con/"&tor se 'regt! /!n no" /e '#e&are( &$n/ o-serv &a!et"# /e not!)e /e #$ngt"-. II r!/!&( a'o! *# rs%o!. Toate 'ag!n!#e era" a#-e( &eea &e 'rea &"r!os( /ar /es&o'er! o st!")&" &ernea# ,! "n to& as&"nse *n a&e#a,! #o& *n &are gs!se &a!et"#. 1even! /!ntr5o /at %oarte !nteresat. L" !+ara ,! *! s&oase /o'"#. Pr!v! &" aten)!e&ernea#a( a'o! o +!ros!. In &e#e /!nB"r+( $+-!n/( ast"' st!")a ,! o '"se *na'o! *n !ar-.

In t!+' &e &o-ora 'e &rare( se g$n/ea4 555 Jo7"!n a av"t /re'tate. M"tan)!! ,t!a 'ot %! nor+a#!( &h!ar s"'ernor+a#!.

CAPITOLUL VII

LA VREMEA ACEEA( r-o!"# +ar)!an *+'#!n!se /o! an! ,! /ea se /ove/!se &ea +a!&ost!s!toare &a+'an!e +!#!tar *ntre'r!ns vreo/at. Ch!ar /e #a *n&e'"t( &$n/ era *n sta/!"#'regt!tor( //"se na,tere #a /!s'"te *nver,"nate. A 'orn! Ia r-o! sa" n" 555 a&easta %"sese*ntre-area &are t!+' /e tre! an! s&!n/ase gr"'"# &on/"&tor!#or *n /o" ta-ere a/verse. Lor/"#Creg L!nn( tat# #"! C#ane ,! %!"# Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor( /ese+nat enera#52e% a# e9'e/!)!e!( a %ost

/!n 'r!+a !' ,! %r reerve *+'otr!va r-o!"#"!. A"nsese *n ora, &" tre! an! *n "r+( ven!n/ /e 'e Ven"s &" !aht"# s'a)!a# 'ersona#( *nso)!t/e &ea +a! +are 'arte a stat"#"! s" +aor. Petre&"se a'o! &$teva #"n! /!s&"t$n/ *n &ontra/!&tor!"&" &e! /!n %a+!#!a I"! ,! &" /!ver,! 'rote&tor! !n%#"en)!. 555 A sos!t vre+ea( #e s'"nea e# as&"#ttor!#or( &a I+'er!"# s5,! 'stree &" str!&te)ehotare#e a&t"a#e. 1!ntr5"n s!+'#" ora,5stat a+ a"ns a&"+ s /o+!n+ *ntreg"# P+$nt( &"e9&e')!a &$torva ter!tor!! +"ntoase. Patr" /!ntre &e#e "ns'ree&e &ont!nente !ns"#are /e 'e Ven"ss"nt a#!ate &" no!. 2! n" ave+ /e &e s ne te+e+ /e sate#!)!! #o&"!)! a! #"! J"'!ter at$ta t!+' &$t 'ee! tr!es& /oar -ar-ar!. Este a/evrat & +ar)!en!! &ont!n" s5,! &$r+"!as& '#aneta *ntr5"n +o/&a+ -r"ta#( /ar ar %! +a! *n)e#e't s n" ne a+este&+. Tr!-"r!#e 'e &are #e5a" *nv!ns se rs&oa#*+'otr!va #or &" reg"#ar!tate

,! asta Ie va /a /e #"&r" o -"na -"&at /e t!+'. A,a & e! n" re're!nt n!&! o a+en!n)are'entr" no!( !ar a&esta tre-"!e s %!e s!ng"r"# nostr" &r!ter!" 'entr" or!&e r-o! *n v!!tor. 1a& ra'oarte#e s'"nea" a/evr"#( +"#)! 'atron! ,! &ava#er! era" &onv!n,! /e te+e!n!&!aa&este! arg"+enta)!!. 1ar &$n/ Lor/"# Con/"&tor se art %avora-!# r-o!"#"! *,! s&h!+-ar'rerea( &e# '")!n *n +o/ '"-#!&. So)!a Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor( L3/!a( ,! Te@s( %!"# L3/!e! /!ntr5o &stor!e anter!oar( era"&e! +a! a'r!g! s"s)!ntor! a! !nva!e!. Arg"+ent"# #or( 're#"at a'o! ,! /e Lor/"# Con/"&tor( era &+ar)!en!! a#eseser s!ng"r! r-o!"# 'r!n re%""# &ategor!& /e a *ntre)!ne #egt"r! &o+er&!a#e ,! /ea#t nat"r &" rest"# S!ste+"#"! So#ar. C!ne '"tea ,t! &e se '"nea #a &a#e( &e ar+ate se 'regtea" *nse&ret sa" &$te nave s'a)!a#e se &onstr"!a" 'e o '#anet &are /e +a! -!ne /e /o!s'ree&e an! n"'r!+!se n!&! "n v!!tator6

A %ost "n arg"+ent hotr$tor. Re+ar&a sea& a Lor/"#"! Creg & v!novat 'entr" a&eastaar '"tea %! +eto/a %o#os!t /e I+'er!" #a !nva/area !ns"#e! ven"s!ene C!+-r! n" !5a %&"t s serg$n/eas& 'e 'art!an!! r-o!"#"!. Meto/a %"sese s!+'# ,! "&!gtoare. Nea+"# C!+-r!( "ntr!- /eose-!t /e -n"!tor( a&&e'tase &" gre" s 'r!+eas& +"sa%!r!. A" /even!t ne#!n!,t!)!( &$n/(/"' &$teva #"n!( 'este tre!e&! /e +!! /e -r-a)! t!ner! ,! vo!n!&! a"nseser 'e +s"#( s!ng"r! sa"*n gr"'"r!. Ne#!n!,tea #or era "st!%!&at. *ntr5o noa'te( v!!tator!! se a/"nar *n tre! /!n &e#e +a!+ar! ora,e &!+-r!ene ,! ata&ar toate o-!e&t!ve#e !+'ortante. P$n *n or!( o s"t /e +!! /e#o&"!tor! %"r +asa&ra)!( !ar !ns"#a &"&er!t.


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enera#"# &are &o+an/ase e9'e/!)!a %"sese Lor/ Te@s. La !ns!sten)e#e +a+e! sa#e(Patronat"#( r",!nat( a'ro-ase sr-tor!rea v!&tor!e!. Era /e&! /e a,te'tat &a 'art!an!! &"'#"#"! L3/!a5Te@s s 'r!veas& re+ar&a #"! Creg /re'to /ova/ /e !nv!/!e. S5a s"gerat & vor-e#e #"! era" ne/e+ne 'entr" "n -r-at at$t /e !#"str". S5a/at &h!ar /e *n)e#es( &" v!en!e( & /e %a't r-oa!e#e &on/"se /e e# a" %ost nes%$r,!t /e #"ng!( &eea

&e era se+n"# "ne! nat"r! e9agerat /e 'r"/ente. Un!! a" +ers at$t /e /e'arte *n&$t a" s"s)!n"t&( *n rea#!tate( e# n" ar avea *n&re/ere *n &a'a&!tatea ar+ate#or /!n L!nn ,! & a,a &eva n" era/e&$t o &r!t!& osn!& #a a/resa +!#!tar!#or( !ar s!ng"ra &on"!e &are se '"tea trage %" &( #a "r+a"r+e!( n" era /e&$t "n #a,. Pentr" Lor/"# Creg( &are se *n&')$na s r+$n #a 'rerea #"!( &e# +a! +are ,o& a ven!tat"n&! &$n/ a /es&o'er!t & '$n 6 Tan!a( so)!a #"!( *! s'r!!nea 'e a/versar!. A %ost at$t /e %"r!os*n&$t !+e/!at !5a tr!+!s o &erere /e /!vor). La/3 Tan!a( a# &re! s!ng"r +ot!v *n s"s)!nerear-o!"#"! era &onv!ngerea & a&esta ar nete! &ar!era so)"#"! e! ,!( !+'#!&!t( 'ro'r!a e! 'o!)!eso&!a# ar /even! +a! *na#t( s"%er! o &/ere nervoas. O s't+$n +a! t$r!" *,! reven!sea'roa'e &o+'#et( /ar starea /e s'!r!t *n &are se a%#a o %&" s 'orneas& *n trs"r s're &art!er"#genera# a# so)"#"! e!( s!t"at *n a%ara ora,"#"!. A"ns a&o#o #a ora +ese!( se t$r* *n %a)a #"! *ngen"n&h! ,! *# r"g s o !erte( *n 'reen)a a s"te /e *na#)! o%!)er!. U#"!t( Creg o &on/"se *n gra-'r!ntr5o ", /!n a'ro'!ere( ,! ast%e# se *+'&ar. 1!n a&ea 'er!oa/ /ata trans%or+area La/35e! Tan!a. Arogan)a *! /!s'r". Ren"n) #a &e#e+a! +"#te /!ntre a&t!v!t)!#e so&!a#e( /e/!&$n/"5se &+!n"#"!. Fr"+"se)ea e! +$n/r( a'roa'eor-!toare( /even! "na /e+n. 2! ast%e#( *ntr5o /!+!nea) /e 'r!+var t!+'"r!e( *,! sr"t so)"#( &a o so)!e !"-!toare ,!gr!"#!e( "r$n/"5! /r"+ -"n( a'o! 'r!v! &"+ !aht"# se *n/e'rta *n v!te 'entr" a se a#t"ra!+'res!onante! %#ot!#e /e nave s'a)!a#e +o-!#!ate *n &ea#a#t 'arte a P+$nt"#"!( "n/e era'rev"t /e&o#area s're Marte. Nave#e s'a)!a#e 555&a /e a#t%e# toate !nstr"+ente#e( ar+e#e ,! +!#oa&e#e /e trans'ort ,! /e#"'t &"nos&"te /!n ve&h!+e 555 avea" #!+!te#e #or. Era" &e#e +a! ra'!/e nave /e)!n"te /e o+( /ar&$t /e ra'!/e( n!+en! n" %"sese vreo/at *n stare s s'"n. La vre+ea !nva!e! '#anete! Marte(&onv!ngerea &ea +a! rs'$n/!t era & nave#e s'a)!a#e '"tea" at!nge !n&re/!-!#a v!te /e o +!e /e+!#e 'e or *n s'a)!"# #!'s!t /e

aer. C"+ tor!a s're Marte ne&es!ta *ntre 'atr"e&! ,! o s"t /e !#e 555 *n %"n&)!e /e'o!)!!#e /!n a&e# +o+ent a#e &e#or /o" '#anete 555 /!stan)a +!n!+ '$n #a Marte era est!+at #a"n +!#!on /e +!#e. M"#te +!n)! #"+!nate &ons!/era" a&east &!%r gre,!t. Pentr" &( /a& ar %! %ost &ore&t( ar%! *nse+nat & "ne#e /!ntre ste#e#e +a! *n/e'rtate s5ar %! a%#at #a s"te /e +!#!oane /e +!#e/e'rtare. A&east !/ee 'rea *ns at$t /e r!/!&o#( *n&$t !5a %&"t 'e +"#)! s se *n/o!as& /e!s&"s!n)a ,! /e,te't&!"nea savan)!#or te+'#!er!. O nav s'a)!a# #"ng /e o s"t &!n&!e&! /e '!&!oare '"tea trans'orta n"+a! /o" s"te /eoa+en! *ntr5o tor!e s're Marte &" /"rata ,! ,a!e&! /e !#e. 1e,! avea s"%!&!ent #o& 'entr" +"#t+a! +"#)! 'asager!( reerva /e aer !+'"nea a&east #!+!tare. Aer"# '"tea %! '"r!%!&at /oar 'entr""n t!+'( %o#os!n/"5se an"+!te &h!+!&a#e. 1o" s"te 555 a&esta era n"+r"# /e oa+en! *+-ar&a)! *n %!e&are nav a'ar)!n$n/ 'r!+e!%#ote &are 'rs! P+$nt"#. In tota# '#e&ar &!n&! s"te /e nave( a &ror /est!na)!e era +are#e /e,ert&"nos&"t s"- n"+e#e /e Mare C!++er!"+. Un &ana# #at /e o +!# /es'!&a *n /o" /e,ert"#( !ar /e%!e&are 'arte a &ana#"#"! '"st!etatea era *+'!ns *na'o! &a#e /e &$te o s"t /e +!#e /e o vegeta)!ea-"n/ent &e5,! trgea seva /!n +!!#e /e *ng"ste &ana#e a"9!#!are. Os#!n( "n"# /!ntre &e#e +a!


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!+'ortante &!n&! ora,e a#e +ar)!en!#or( se a%#a *ntr5o va#e *nt!ns( *n #o&"# *n &are &ana#"# ,er'"!a're&"+ "n r$" s!n"os. *ntr5"n %e#( &ana#e#e era" n!,te r$"r!. *n t!+'"# 'r!+ver!!( a'a /!n e#e &"rgea ne*ntrer"'t /e#a nor/ #a s"/( 'e "r+ *n&et!nea tre'tat( '$n &$n/( 'e #a +!#o&"# ver!!( &"rgerea se o'rea. Se ,t!a/!n ra'oarte#e s'!on!#or & 'o'"#a)!a ora,"#"! Os#!n /e',ea &" +"#t "n +!#!on /e #o&"!tor!.

C"&er!rea #"! ar %! %ost o #ov!t"r /evastatoare 'entr" +ar)!en! ,! "n s"&&es %r ega# 'entr"*nv!ngtor!. F#ota a"nse 'e Marte &on%or+ 'rogra+"#"!( toate nave#e 555 &" e9&e')!a "ne!a 555*n&a/r$n/"5se *n !nterva#"# sta-!#!t /e 'atr"e&! ,! o't /e ore. La +!e"# no')!! &e#e! /e5a /o"a!#e( nave#e 'orn!r *n #"ng"# &ana#"#"! s're ora,( &$te e&e

*n r$n/. O/at a"nse #a #o&"# sta-!#!t( a%#at #a vreo &!n&! +!#e /e'rtare /e 'er!%er!aora,"#"!( ,!r"r!#e /e nave &o-or$r 'r!ntre t"%!,"r! sa" *n &$+' /es&h!s. *n&e'"r !+e/!at s/es&ar&e to)! so#/a)!!( +aor!tatea &a!#or ,! s"%!&!ent e&h!'a+ent ,! hran 'entr" o 'er!oa/*n/e#"ngat. A" %ost ,ase ore 'er!&"#oase. *n t!+'"# /es&r&r!!( nave#e era" /eose-!t /e v"#nera-!#e #aevent"a#e#e ata&"r! a#e "n"! an"+e t!' /e nave /e asa#t( 'rev"te &" #"ng! -er-e&! +eta#!&!(&a'a-!#! s str'"ng '#&!#e s"-)!r! /!n &are era" &on%e&)!ona)! 'ere)!! e9ter!or!. 1a& o navata&atoare re",ea s s"r'r!n/ "n trans'ortor *n aer( &e! a%#a)! #a -or/ era" '!er/")!. A'ro'!!n/"5se/!ntr5o 'arte( agresor"# 'er%ora "na /!ntre '#&!#e /!n 'artea /e s"s( a'o! rst"rna trans'ortor"# 'es'ate. C"+ nava n" era 'rev"t &" 'ro'"#soare #a 'artea s"'er!oar( /e o-!&e! se 'r-",ea &a o'!atr. *n&er&r!#e re'etate /e a +onta 'ro'"#soare ,! #a 'artea /e s"s a nave#or( !/ent!&e &" &e#ea%#ate /e/es"-t"# #or( n" a" %&"t /e&$t s 'ro/"& ars"r! ra/!oa&t!ve e&h!'ae#or ,! 'asager!#or(!ar !nsta#area "nor -#!n/ae /e '#"+- s"'#!+entare n" a /at n!&! "n re"#tat. 1!n %er!&!re( &e#e ,ase ore tre&"r %r n!&! "n ata&. La /o" &eas"r! /e #a ven!rea or!#or(ar+ata 'orn! s're ora,( "r+r!n/ trase"# &ana#"#"!. 1"' o or /e +ar,( avangar/a a"nse 'e&"#+ea "n"! /ea# &e /o+!na o *nt!ns va#e *n &are se rea" #!&r!n/ #"+!n!#e /!n Os#!n. O'r!r(&a-r$n/"5,! &a!!. *n&e'"r s se *nv$rt *n &er&. *n +are gra-( "n +esager 'orn! *na'o! 'entr" a5!ra'orta #"! Lor/ Creg "n #"&r" ne&re"t4 *n va#e *,! avea ta-ra o ar+at +ar)!an at$t /e !+ens(*n&$t &ort"r!#e ,! a&aret"r!#e se '!er/ea" "n/eva *n ara. enera#"# ven! *n ga#o' s ar"n&e o 'r!v!re. Ce! /!n 'rea+a #"! 'ovestea" +a! t$r!" &n!&!o/at n" #5a" v"t +a! #!n!,t!t &a at"n&! &$n/ &onte+'#a *ntreaga va#e. 1e,! se 'oate &as'eran)e#e #"! *ntr5o v!&tor!e ra'!/ s se %! nr"!t *n &h!ar a&e# +o+ent. Ar+ata /!n %a)a #or 555%r *n/o!a#( 'r!n&!'a#a %or) +ar)!an 555 n"+ra *n "r /e ,ase s"te /e +!! /e oa+en! ,! era&o+an/at /e *ns",! Rege#e !natg!n.

Lor/"# Creg to&+a! #"ase hotr$rea s ata&e n"+a!/e&$t( &$n/ o %#ot!# /e nave /e ata&/",+ane tre&" %"#gertor 'este /ea# ,! /es&r& "n 'oto' /e sge)! as"'ra gr"'"#"!( rn!n/a'roa'e &!n&!e&! /e so#/a)!. enera#"#52e% s&' nevt+at( /ar #"&r"# a&esta era /e'arte /e are'reenta "n s"&&es. I+e/!at //" or/!ne#e ne&esare. P#an"# #"! era s!+'#". Rege#e !natg!n ,! stat"# s" +aor a%#aser5&" s!g"ran) & "r+a"n ata&. 1ar n" era s"%!&!ent & ,t!a"( &! tre-"!a s *n,t!!n)ee o ar+at /!s'ersat *ntr5o ta-r &ese /es%,"ra 'e o s"'ra%a) *nt!ns. A %ost +ot!v"# 'entr" &are Creg n" e!t s *n&ea' #"'ta.Ata&ator!! era" *ntr5o !n%er!or!tate /e "n" #a ,ase. A'rarea %" nes!g"r ,! st$nga&e #a *n&e'"t( /ar/even! &"r$n/ +a! hotr$t( *n s'e&!a# /ator!t s"'er!or!t)!! n"+er!&e. Ma! t$r!" s5a a%#at & os"t /e +!! /e +ar)!en! a" %ost "&!,! sa" rn!)!( !ar +!&a ar+at a &e#or /!n L!nn '!er/"se tre!e&!/e +!! /e oa+en!( +or)!( 'r!on!er! sa" /!s'r")!. 2! &$n/ v" & n" re",!se s *na!ntee '$n/"'5a+!aa t$r!"( Lor/"# Creg or/on retragerea. 1ar ne&a"r!#e #"! era" /e'arte /e a se %! *n&he!at. Pe &$n/ tr"'e#e //ea" *na'o! /e5a


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#"ng"# a'e#or ver"! a#e &ana#"#"!( o &eat /e &!n&! +!! /e re)! 555 &are '$n at"n&! %&"ser+anevre "n/eva #a /!stan) 555 #e &" *n s'ate( t!n/"5#e retragerea s're ta-r ,! *n/e'rt$n/"5!/e &ana!( *ns're /e,ert. C/erea *nt"ner!&"#"! sa#v ar+ata /e #a a#te '!er/er!. *,! &ont!n"ar +ar,"# '$n /"'+!e"# no')!!( &$n/ se( &"%"n/ar *ntr5"n so+n %r v!se. Lor/"# Creg *ns n" av" 'arte /e o/!hn.

C" a"tor"# %o&"r!#or trans+!se +esae &tre nave#e a%#ate *n s'a)!". O s"t /!ntre e#e &er&etar &"'r"/en) teren"# ,! a'o! /es&r&ar +a! +"#t e&h!'a+ent ,! a#te 'rov!!!. Era /e a,te'tat &a nave/e ata& s *n&er&e s #e hr)"!as&( /ar n" se *nt$+'# n!+!&( a,a & '$n #a ven!rea or!#or re",!rs se *n/e'rtee %r n!&! "n !n&!/ent. C" re'e!&!"ne( *nt"ner!&"# no')!! &e/ #o&"# #"+!n!!str#"&!toare a !#e!. No!#e +ater!a#e /e r-o! #e 'r!nser -!ne *n a&ea !.

1",+an"# *! hr)"! &eas"r! *ntreg!( /ar 'entr" Lor/ Creg /even!se ev!/ent & Rege#e!natg!n n" se 'r!&e'ea s 'ro%!te /e s"'er!or!tatea n"+er!& a tr"'e#or #"!. Manevre#e+ar)!en!#or( st$nga&e ,! greoa!e( %"r /e"&ate &" ","r!n)( a,a *n&$t s're sear( #a a/'ost"#&ava#er!e! &are r+ase s )!n *n #o& ar+ata /",+an( oastea genera#"#"! !-"t! s se /es'r!n/ /!n*n&er&"!re. In a&ea noa'te( ar+ata /!n L!nn av" *n s%$r,!t 'arte /e -!ne+er!tata o/!hn. Lor/"# Creg*n&e'" s s'ere /!n no". *,! //ea sea+a &( #a nevo!e( '"tea s5,! *+-ar&e tr"'e#e ,! s'rseas& '#aneta( %r a#te '!er/er!. Era o 'ers'e&t!v tentant( &are se 'otr!vea &" &onv!ngerea#"! !nt!+ & ar %! av"t '")!ne ,anse /e !-$n/. 1ar *n)e#ese &" regret & n" se '"tea '"ne 'ro-#e+a *ntoar&er!! *n L!nn. *ntreg"# ora, #5ar%! &ons!/erat /!s&re/!tat &a genera#. La "r+a "r+e!( e# a#esese #o&"# ata&"#"!( &h!ar /a& %"sese*+'otr!va a&este! &a+'an!!. 2! +a! era &eva. "r!#e re#e ar %! s'"s & e#( &are se o'"seser-o!"#"!( a '!er/"t /!na/!ns a&east -t#!e. N"( hotr$t( n" se '"tea *ntoar&e *n L!nn. 2! a'o!(tre-"!a or!&"+ s a,te'te '$n #a sos!rea &e#e! /e5a /o"a %#ote &" *n& o s"t /e +!! /e oa+en!(&are avea s soseas& *n "r+toare#e /o" s't+$n!. 1o" s't+$n!6 *n &ea /e5a 'atra ! a'a /!n ,an)"r!#e *ng"ste &a n!,te 'ang#!&! &are%&ea" #egt"ra &" &ana#"#( a'roa'e se&ase. S're sear( so#/a)!! se *n&!era" 'e n!s!'"# +!,&tor /es"- '!&!oare#e #or. *n %a)( &$t ve/ea! &" o&h!!( n" era a#t&eva /e&$t *nt!n/erea ro,!at!& a/e,ert"#"!. Tre-"!a s +a! e9!ste "n &ana# "n/eva( s're rsr!t( #a vreo no"s'ree&e !#e /e +ers(/ar Lor/"* Creg n" *n/rn! s 'orneas& *ntr5o e9'e/!)!e at$t /e r!s&ant 'entr" ar+ata #"!.2a'tee&! /e +!! /e oa+en! avea" nevo!e /e +"#t a'. Era 'entr" 'r!+a oar *n &ar!era +!#!tar a #"! Creg &$n/ r+$nea %r reerve /e a'.Pro-#e+a /even! ,! +a! grav &$n/ "ns'ree&e /!ntre &e#e /o"s'ree&e nave s'a)!a#e tr!+!se *n&"tarea 're)!os"#"! #!&h!/ e9'#o/ar &h!ar *na!nte s a"ng *n ta-r( revrs$n/ as"'ra /e,ert"#"!,! a ne%er!&!)!#or a%#a)! /e/es"-t"# #or "n ,"vo! /e a' o'r!t. A

/o"s'ree&ea nav re",! s ater!ee( /ar &"+ a'a a%#at #a -or/ *n&e'"se s /ea *no&ot( %" sa#vat *n "#t!+a !' n"+a! 'entr" & &e! /!n e&h!'a a&)!onar /o'"# 'ne"+at!&(#s$n/ #!&h!/"# %!er-!nte s se s&"rg *n n!s!'. Co+an/ant"#( a'roa'e &o't( !e,! t!n$n/"5se /!n &a-!na /e &ontro# ,! *! ra'ort Lor/"#"!Creg4 555 A+ %&"t *nto&+a! &"+ ne5a)! or/onat( /o+n"#e. A+ ar"n&at toat *n&r&t"ra ,! a'o!ne5a+ &"%"n/at &" nava *n a'( %o#os!n/5o &a 'e "n reervor. I+e/!at a *n&e'"t s se *n%!er-$nte. A!&! trase o *n"rt"r( /"' &are &ont!n" *n&!"/at4 555 S"nt -#este+a)!! a&e!a /e e! a! a'e#or( #a &are se *n&h!n +ar)!en!!. E! tre-"!e s %! %&"tasta. 555 Prost!!? s'"se Lor/ Creg.


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A'o! 'or"n&! &a 'atr" o%!)er! s5# es&ortee *na'o! #a nav. Era o +s"r /e 're&a")!e !n"t!#. Ce!#a#)! so#/a)! s"s)!nea" a&e#a,! #"&r". Ze!! +ar)!en! a!a'e#or ,! &ana#e#or %&"ser a'a s %!ar- ,! ast%e# nave#e e9'#o/aser. *ntr5o &"v$ntare as'r ,!re'e!t( Lor/"# Creg *n&er& s &onv!ng #eg!"n!#e a%#ate /e %a) & n" se '"tea *nt$+'#a n!+!&/!n &a"a "n"! #!&h!/ !no%ens!v( trans'ortat *n reervoare#e o-!,n"!te a#e nave#or.

O vo&e *# *ntrer"'se4 555 At"n&! /e &e n" a/"&e)! a' *n e#e6 Re+ar&a %! *nt$+'!nat &" ova)!!. E9'#!&a)!a &are a "r+at 555 an"+e & 'artea 'r!n&!'a# anave#or n" 'oate %! '"s *n 'r!+e/!e *n a&est %e# 555 n5a +a! &onv!ns( 'ro-a-!#( 'e n!+en!. *n &ea /e a ,a'tea !( ar+ata *n&e'" s s"%ere /e sete. Lor/ Creg era &on,t!ent & n"5,!'"tea 'er+!te s a,te'te sos!rea &e#e! /e5a /o"a %#ote. A,a & se hotr* 'entr" "n '#an Ia &are s'g$n/!se at"n&! &$n/ o'tase 'entr" Os#!n &a )!nt a ata&"#"!. Ch!ar *n a&ea noa'te &he+ os /o" s"te /e nave ,! *,! *+-ar& oa+en!!( &$te tre! s"te&!n&!e&! /e %!e&are.


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+aW t$r!"( Ne##!an !5a *n+$nat "n +esa /!n 'artea #"! C#ane. In s&r!soare se s'"nea4


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&!"/at & era a!&! &eva &e n" '"tea *n)e#ege. 1e &e %"sese nevo!e s %!e trans+!s L3/!e!6 1e &e n"/!re&t #"!6 555 Este ev!/ent( s'"se La/3 L!nn( & s&r!soarea tre-"!e tr!+!s( /e vre+e &e este vor-a /eo *n&h!nare /!n 'artea te+'#"#"!. Asta a,a era( 'r!&e'" Lor/"# Con/"&tor. N!+!& n" %"sese #sat #a vo!a *nt$+'#r!!.

Tre-"!a s tr!+!t s&r!soarea. Tre-"!a s tr!+!t -"&)!&a /e +eta# re'reent$n/ o+ag!"# e!#or. 1ar ae &e toate a&estea %"seser /!r!ate s're L3/!a6 Re&!t! r"g&!"nea /ar n" gs! n!+!&/eose-!t *n a%ar( 'oate( /e -ana#!tatea e!. Era at$t /e &o+"n( /e ne!+'ortant( gen"# /er"g&!"ne &are *! %&ea 'e so#/a)!! -tr$n! s se *ntre-e 'entr" &e #"'t &a 'ro,t!!. R$n/"r!#e era"rare( &" s'a)!! +ar! *ntre e#e( ,! asta /!ntr5o /at *! atrase aten)!a. 555E! -!ne( !se $+-!n/( o vo! #"a ,! o vo! '"ne *n &"r!er"# /!'#o+at!&. I+e/!at &e !ntr *n &a-!net"# #"!( a'r!nse o #"+$nare ,! '#!+- s&r!soarea /eas"'ra %#&r!!.*n /o" +!n"te( &ernea#a !nv!!-!# *n&e'" s !as #a !vea# *n s'a)!!#e /!ntre r$n/"r!. C$te ,aser$n/"r! /e s&r!s +r"nt( *nghes"!te *ntre %!e&are /o" r$n/"r! a#e r"g&!"n!!. C!t! "!+!t &$tevae9'#!&a)!! *nso)!te /e !nstr"&)!"n! 're&!se ,! a+n"n)!te. Era "n '#an /e ata& 'entr" ar+ate#e /e 'eMarte( &" "n &ara&ter 5 +a! /egra- +ag!& /e&$t +!#!tar. Se %&ea" &$teva re%er!r! !n/!re&te #aar"n&area *n aer a te+'#e#or &" +"#)! an! *n "r+

,! se //ea /e *n)e#es & se '"tea" a,te'ta #a &eva &o+'#et /!%er!t /!n 'artea e!#or. La s%$r,!t"# s&r!sor!! era #sat "6 s'a)!" 'entr" se+nt"ra #"!. N" se+n !+e/!at( /ar /"'&e &h!-"! "n t!+' *,! s&r!se n"+e#e 'e h$rt!e( o '"se *n '#!& ,! a'#!& +are#e s!g!#!". A'o! se #s'e s'ate( &h!n"!t /!n no" /e a&eea,! *ntre-are4 1e &e L3/!a# P$n Ia "r+ n" *! tre-"! 'rea +"#t t!+' &a s *n)e#eag a+'#oarea !ntr!g!#or &are/rn!&!ser a&)!"n!#e I"! Lor/ Creg *n "#t!+!! tre! an!. 555 At$t /e a'roa'e6 g$n/! e# s"+-r". At$t /e a'roa'e( &h!ar *n %a+!#!a #"!. Une#e /!ntre !ntr!g! a" %ost 'ro-a-!# "r!te *n #o&"r!#e/e *nt$#n!re a%#ate #a ,a!e&! /e '!&!oare s"- re%"g!"# /e 'e st$n&a "n/e "n &o'!# a# e!#or sttea &""re&hea #!'!t /e o )eav +eta#!&( as&"#t$n/ ,oa'te#e &ons'!rator!#or ,! &onse+n$n/"5#e &"&ernea# s!+'at!& *n 'ag!n!#e "n"! &a!et a'arent ne*n&e'"t. Lor/"# Con/"&tor avea &"no,t!n) & so)!a #"! "ne#t!se %r *n&etare *n s'ate#e s". Se&stor!se &" ea 'entr" &a *n a&est %e# o'o!)!a s a!- "n re'reentant a-!# *n &on/"&ere. Era %!!&a"ne!a /!ntre &e#e +a! no-!#e %a+!#!! /!n L!nn( a! &re! -r-a)! +"r!ser #"'t$n/ 'entr" Rahe!n#. 1e%a't( /o! /!ntre e! %"seser 'r!n,! ,! e9e&"ta)!. C$n/ ea avea no"s'ree&e an! ,! era /ea +r!tat,! &" "n &o'!#( Lor/"# Con/"&tor '"sese #a &$#e &" so)"# e! &eea &e avea s %!e &ons!/erat /re't&e# +a! s&an/a#os /!vor) "r+at /e o no" &stor!e /!n !stor!a I+'er!"#"! L!nn. Lor/"#Con/"&tor %"sese ne'stor. To&+a! ""r'ase n"+e#e ora,"#"! ,! a# I+'er!"#"! L!nn *n %avoarea%a+!#!e! sa%e. Ur+tor"# 'as tre-"!a s %!e v!n/e&area a tot &eea Ce #"+ea *ntreag n"+ea rn!#enev!n/e&a-!#e a#e r-o!"#"! &!v!#. Cstor!a &" L3/!a "r+r!se a&est #"&r" ,! %"sese o +!,&are*n)e#ea't. Ea era s"'a'a /e s!g"ran) 'entr" toate r-"%n!r!#e e9'#o!ve a#e %or)e#or o'o!)!e!.M"#)"+!t +anevre#or e!( e# ,t!a Ia &e s se a,te'te ,! 'ro&e/a *n a,a %e# *n&$t toat #"+ea s %!e+"#)"+!t. Pre%&$n/"5se & *! "r+a s%at"r!#e( n"+!se s"te /e a/+!n!strator! &a'a-!#! /!n ta-raa/vers( a/"sese *n

serv!&!"# g"vern"#"! so#/a)! ,! 'atron! /!n ta-ra a/vers 'e &are *! *nsr&!nase &"s"'ravegherea 'o'"#a)!!#or gre" /e st'$n!t a#e P+$nt"#"! sa" &" g"vernarea &o#on!!#or so#are( *n"#t!+!! e&e an! tot +a! +"#)! 'atron! a'ro-aser #eg!#e #"! *n Patronat %r o-!e&)!!. Se a+"a"'")!n /e %a't"# & *n& *,! +a! &!tea /!s&"rs"r!#e. R!/!&"#!a" %or+"#e#e #"! or!g!na#e &"+ ar %!4Ma! re'e/e /e&$t '"te)! vo! gt! s'aranghe#"#0 Vor-e#e + o-oses&( /o+n!#or0 S %!+


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+"#)"+!)! /e '!s!&a noastr. 2! a#te#e. 1ar +ere"( *n "#t!+a /e&a/( toate 'orn!r!#e 'art!ane seto'!ser *n !nteres"# genera# a# I+'er!"#"!. Iat at"n&! &$n/ agen)!! *# !n%or+aser /es're "ne#e&o+'#ot"r!( !nvest!ga)!!#e "#ter!oare /ove/!ser & *n e#e n" era" !+'#!&a)! oa+en! sa" %a+!#!!!+'ortante. N!&!o/at n" o *nv!n"!se 'e L3/!a 'entr" %a'te#e e!. A%#$n/"5se *n o'o!)!e( n" '"tea %a&e

a#t%e#( tot a,a &"+ n!&! e# n" !-"t!se( &" an! *n "r+( s se )!n /e'arte /e a+-!)!!#e 'o#!t!&e a#egr"'"#"! &r"!a *! a'ar)!nea. 1a& &e#or +a! *n%!er-$nta)! &on/"&tor! a! o'o!)!e! #! s5ar %! 'r"t &*! tr/ea r+$n$n/ 'rea ne"tr( L3/!a ar %! %ost asas!nat. N"( n" *! re'ro,a &eea &e %&"se '$n at"n&!. 1ar /e /ata asta era a#t&eva. Ar+ate !+ense%"seser /e&!+ate /!n &a"a !ntr!g!#or e!( n"+a! 'entr" a se /ove/! & Lor/"# Creg este +a! '")!nvre/n!& /e&$t Lor/"# Te@s. Lor/"# Con/"&tor *n)e#ese & s! t" a)! a /even!se 'r!+e/!oas. Ce#+a! !+'ortant #"&r" 555 g$n/! e# 555 era sa#varea #"! Creg( &are era gata s5,! *n&ea' o%ens!va. *na&e#a,! t!+'( tre-"!a s a!- gr! s n" o a#ar+ee 'e L3/!a ,! 'e a&o#!)!! e!. N" se *n/o!a &a&e,t!a gs!ser o +eto/ 'entr" a5! !nter&e'ta &ores'on/en)a &" Creg. Oare s5! *+'!e/!&e6 N5ar%! %ost 'rea *n)e#e't. Tot"# tre-"!a s 'ar &$t se 'oate /e nor+a# ,! o-!,n"!t. 1a& e! s5ar %! s'er!at( e9!sta r!s&"#"nor tentat!ve nes-"!te /e a5# asas!na 'e Lor/"# Con/"&tor. Or( era ev!/ent & at$ta t!+' &$tar+ata Lor/"#"! Creg r+$nea !nta&t( gr"'"# n" ar %! *n/rn!t n!&! o a&)!"ne ra/!&a#. Tre-"!a s 'er+!t &a sa&"# /e s&r!sor!( &" +esa"# #"! C#ane *n"ntr"( s a"ng *n +$!n!#e#or( #a %e# &"+ 'ro-a-!# se *nt$+'#ase &" *ntreaga &ores'on/en) /e '$n at"n&!.

1a& s&r!soarea ar %! %ost /es&h!s( era /e a,te'tat o *n&er&are /e asas!nare a I"! C#ane.A,a/ar( &e era /e %&"t6 Lor/"# Con/"&tor 'ost gar/!en! *n toate #o&"r!#e /e *nt$#n!re /!n &"rtea 'a#at"#"!(!n"s!v *n &e#e /o" /e #a 'oa#e#e st$n&!! 'e &are se a%#a re%"g!"# #"! C#ane. Mot!v"# o%!&!a# 'entr"'reen)a gar/!en!#or era a%!,at 'este tot( #a ve/ere4 M5a+ st"rat s *nt$#nes& #a tot 'as"# &"'#"r! !n/e&ente 'reo&"'ate &" sr"tat"#. A&est#"&r" n" n"+a! & este /e 'rost g"st( /ar a /even!t at$t /e %re&vent *n&$t ne&es!t +s"r! hotr$te.ar/!en!! vor %! retra,! *ntr5o s't+$n sa" /o". M -!"! 'e -"n"# s!+X- a# %!e&r"!a( +a! a#esa# %e+e!#or( 'entr" &a *n v!!tor a&este s&ene s n" +a! a!- #o&. O s't+$n sa" /o"( 'entr" a5# 'rotea 'e C#ane '$n #a &ere+on!a /e #a te+'#". 2!5ar %! /or!t s va/ &e avea /e g$n/ s %a& -!at"# &" +eta#"# 'e &are !nten)!ona s5#tr!+!t 'e Marte( /ar &" s!g"ran) 'reen)a #"! era !+'os!-!#. A /o"a ! /"' &ere+on!e( Lor/"#Con/"&tor v! -! &" Ne##!an4 555 Cre/ & ar %! -!ne s %a& o tor!e 'e P+$nt( s'"se e#. La *nt$+'#are( %r "n trase"an"+e. S '#e&e &$t +a! &"r$n/. Ch!ar +$!ne. In&ogn!to. At$t *n 'r!v!n)a #"! C#ane. C$t /es're e#( %&" o v!!t 'r!eteneas& *n ta-ra reg!+ent"#"!/e gar/( *n a%ara ora,"#"!. Pentr" so#/a)! a %ost o ! /e ne"!tat. A '"s #a -ta!e "n +!#!on /esester)!( *n s"+e +!&!( /ar *+'r)!te &" /rn!&!e. A" av"t #o& &on&"rs"r! /e r!e( a#ergr! ,!*ntre&er! /e tot %e#"#( &" 're+!! 'entr" &$,t!gtor!0 &h!ar ,! *nv!n,!! &are se str/"!ser &$t /e &$t a"%ost *n&$nta)! s 'r!+eas& re&o+'ense *n -an!. Una 'este a#ta( a %ost o ! -"n. La '#e&are( ova)!!#e *# *nso)!r '$n &$n/ a"nse #a 'oartaMar)!an. Ar %! %ost nevo!e /e &e# '")!n &$teva s't+$n!( /a& n" #"n!( 'entr"

&a a%e&)!"nea tr"'e#or( /o-$n/!t &" a&east o&a!e( s se st!ng. C" toate a&este +s"r! /e 'reve/ere '"se *n a'#!&are( Lor/"# Con/"&tor e9'e/!e&ores'on/en)a ,! a,te't "r+r!#e. Era nevo!e &a gr"'"# L3/!e! s #"&ree &" re'e!&!"ne. Un &ava#er go#! sa&"# 'o,ta#. Un a#t&ava#er ,! "n 'atron tre&"r *n rev!st s&r!sor!#e ,! #e *+'r)!r *n /o" &ategor!!. Una /!ntre


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gr+e!( /e /e'arte &ea +a! vo#"+!noas( %" !ntro/"s #a #o& *n sa&. Lor/ Te@s *n&e'" s o&er&etee 'e &ea#a#t( e9trg$n/ &$teva e&! /e s&r!sor! 'e &are ! #e tre&" +a+e! #"!. L3/!a #e e9a+!n "na &$te "na( *n+$n$n/"5#e'e &e#e &are tre-"!a" /es&h!se "n"!a /!ntre&e! /o! sav!( &"nos&tor! *n %o#os!rea &h!+!&a#e#or. A&e,t! sav! era" &e! &are *n/e'rta"s!g!#!!#e.

Cea /e5a ,a'tea s&r!soare 'e &are o #" era &ea /e #a C#ane. L3/!a 'r!v! s&r!s"# /e +$n /e'e '#!&( a'o! &!t!t n"+e#e e9'e/!tor"#"! 'e 'artea &ea#a#t ,! $+-!. 555 S'"ne5+!( *ntre- ea( + *n,e# e" sa" so#/a)!! 'r!ves& '!t!&!!( +"tan)!! ,! a#te 'o&!tan!!/e %e#"# sta &a 'e n!,te '"rttor! /e gh!n!on6 555 Ch!ar a,a( s'"se "n"! /!ntre &ava#er!. 1a& ve! a,a &eva *n !"a -t#!e! *nsea+n/eastr"( !ar or!&e &onta&t &" e! a/"&e nenoro&!re. La/3 L3/!a r$se. 555 Onora-!#"# +e" so) este &o+'#et /e!nteresat /e ase+enea %eno+ene 's!ho#og!&e. 1ea&eea ar tre-"! s ve/e+ /a& ar+ata Lor/"#"! Creg va a're&!a &"+ se &"v!ne +esa"# /e #a %!"##"! +"tant. Ar"n& s&r!soarea s're sa&. 555 P"ne5o *n"ntr". A+ v"t /ea &on)!n"t"#. Tre! s%ert"r! /e or +a! t$r!" &"r!er"# 'o,ta# *,! &ont!n" /r"+"# s're nav. 555 N!+!& !+'ortant( *! s'"se L3/!a %!"#"! e!. Tat# t" v!treg 'are +a! 'reo&"'at *n "#t!+"#t!+' /e 'strarea ,! *ntr!rea +ora#e! *n !n&!nta 'a#at"#"!. Lor/ Te@s era g$n/!tor.

555 Tare5a, vrea s ,t!" /e &e a &re"t /e &"v!!n) s5! +!t"!as& !er! 'e so#/a)!! /!n#eg!"nea /e gar/. 1ar &eea &e5! s"r'r!nse ,! +a! +"#t 'e &ons'!rator! se 'etre&" *n !"a "r+toare( &$n/Lor/"# Con/"&tor &onvo& &e#e /o" Ca+ere a#e Patronat"#"! *n ses!"ne &o+"n. I+e/!at /"'&e a"! vestea( La/3 L3/!a se *n%!!n) *n &a-!net"# #"! ,! *n&er& s a%#e /es're &e era vor-a.


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*n&et. L3/!a *n&h!se o&h!!( tre+"r$n/ /e ne#!n!,te. C"v!nte#e so)"#"! e! *nse+na" & n"vor %! n!&! "n %e# /e /e-ater! sa" /!s&")!!. Patronat"# "r+a s votee +a! t$r!"( /ar /"' %e#"# *n&are Lor/"# Con/"&tor *n&e'"se 'reentarea hotr$r!! sa#e( a&easta avea s /ev!n &" s!g"ran)#ege. Te@s se a'#e& s're +a+a #"!4

555


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CAPITOLUL IX

LOR1 CRE &!t!5&" "!+!re s&r!soarea #"! C#ane. N"5! %" gre" s 'r!&ea' & r"g&!"nea-!at"#"! serv!se &a 'rete9t 'entr" trans+!terea "n"! +esa +"#t +a! !+'ortant. Fa't"# & "n

ase+enea ,!ret#!& %"sese ne&esar *! //ea %!or!. Stratage+a %o#os!t &on%erea /o&"+ent"#"! ogre"tate 'e &are( *n +o/ nor+a#( e# n" ar %! a&or/at5o "n"! '#an at$t /e ne-"nes&. I+'ortant era & n" &erea /e&$t s&h!+-r! +!nore *n /!s'"nerea tr"'e#or. Inten)!a #"! era sata&e. P#an"# ant!&!'ase a&est #"&r" ,! a/"gase "n %a&tor 's!ho#og!& gre" /e &re"t. Tot",!(a+!nt!rea e9'#o!e! &e#or "ns'ree&e nave "+'#"te &" a' venea *n s'r!!n"# I"!0 "n %eno+en *n&nee9'#!&at /"' /o! an!. Creg &$ntr! *n/e#"ng a%!r+a)!a /!n s&r!soare &"+ & 'reen)a ar+ate! Rege#"! !natg!n IaOs#!n n" %"sese *nt$+'#toare( &! "r+are a "ne#t!r!#or '$n at"n&! ne/ev#"!te /!n L!nn. A+ stat ase/!at a!&! vre+e /e /o! an!( g$n/! e# %"r!os( ,! a+ %ost nevo!t s /"& "nr-o! /e%ens!v n"+a! /!n &a" & +a+a +ea v!treg ,! /o#o%an"# /e %!!5s" /ores& s '"n +$na'e '"tere?

Se !+ag!n 'e e# +ort ,! 'e Lor/ Te@s /even!n/ Lor/ Con/"&tor. Prea o 'ers'e&t!v*ngro!toare.


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*ntot/ea"na ro/"# hotr$r!! ne!nt!te a &e#or t!ner! &o+-!nat &" !s&"s!n)a r-o!n!&!#or veteran!. #at &e /e v s%t"!es&( 'entr" v!a)a voastr ,! 'entr" v!&tor!e4 %!)! hotr$)! *n tot &eea &eve)! *ntre'r!n/e ,! n" /a)! *na'o! n!&!o/at? Ca osta,!( vo+ *n&h!na v!&tor!a noastr e!#or ato+!&!. F!e &a "rr!#e +e#e /e -!ne s v *nso)eas& *n #"'t? Creg L!nn( Lor/ Con/"&tor.

Cea /e5a /o"a -t#!e /e #a Os#!n n" a stat n!&! o !' s"- se+n"# *n/o!e#!!. C$n/ setre!r *n /!+!nea)a #"'te!( #o&"!tor!! ora,"#"! 'r!v!r &" groa &"+ 'e &ana#"# #at /e o +!# ,! '&!oate &ana!e#e a%#"ente a!e a&est"!a se s&"rgea"((( '"hoa!e /e a' o&ot!t. A-"r!! se r!/!&a" 'esteora, *n nor! /en,!. La a/'ost"# #or( nave s'a)!a#e -"ra" *n '!&a /eas"'ra /!r!#or( !ar +!! /eso#/a)! se revrsa" 'e str!. A-!a tre&"ser &$teva ore ,! &a'!t"#area ar+ate#or Rege#"! !natg!n#"ase o ase+enea a+'#oare( *n&$t %a+!#!a Rega# n" +a! avea n!&! o ,ans s se sa#vee.*ns'!+$ntat( +onarh"# &er" 'rote&)!a "n"! o%!)er /!n L!nn( &are !! &on/"se s"- es&ort #a Lor/"#Con/"&tor Aso&!at. C'eten!a -!r"!t se ar"n& #a '!&!oare#e #"! Creg0 a'o!( &a "n se+n /e-"nvo!n) a &"&er!tor!#or( 'r!v! *n#n)"!t /e 'e o *n#)!+e( a#t"r! /e &e# &are *# &a't"rase('r-",!rea '"ter!! +!#!tare +ar)!ene. *ntr5o s't+$n se 're/ar toate reg!"n!#e( &" e9&e')!a "n"! ter!tor!" +"ntos( -!ne *ntr!t.Marte era &"&er!t. *n to!"# ser-r!#or &are av"r #o& *n !#e#e "r+toare( *ntr5"n a+"rg( o sgeatotrv!t 'orn! /!n "+-ra "ne! /!r! /!n Os#!n ,! str'"nse g$t"# #"! Lor/ Creg. M"r! *n &h!n"r!groan!&e o

or +a! t$r!"( %r &a "&!ga,"# s 'oat %! gs!t. Tre! #"n! /"' a&eea( &$n/ vestea +or)!!sa#e a"nse *n L!nn( a+-e#e ta-ere a&)!onar ra'!/. L3/!a *! e9e&"tase 'e &e! /o! sav! &h!+!,t! ,!'e &"r!er #a &$teva ore /"' &e a%#ase /e v!&tor!a #"! Creg. A&"+ tr!+!se asas!n! 'entr" a5! "&!/e'e &e! /o! &ava#er! ,! 'e 'atron"# &are as!staser #a /es&h!/erea &ores'on/en)e!. *n a&e#a,! t!+'( *!'or"n&! #"! Te@s s 'rseas& ora,"# ,! s '#e&e #a "na /!ntre 'ro'r!et)!#e #"! *n/e'rtate. *n !'a *n &are gr!#e Lor/"#"! Con/"&tor sos!r s5# arestee( t$nr"# s'er!at se a%#a 'e/r"+ &" nava #"! 'ersona#. A&east sa#vare /e "#t!+ +o+ent !5a /o+o#!t Con/"&tor"#"! a&&es"#/e %"r!e !n!)!a#. Tre'tat( 'e +s"r &e se s&"rgea 'r!+a !( *n e# &re,tea o s!n&er a/+!ra)!e 'entr"so)!a sa. *n)e#ese & n"5,! '"tea 'er+!te s '"n *n 'er!&o# re#a)!!#e #"! &" ea( +a! a!es a&"+( &$n/+are#e Creg +"r!se. A"nse #a &on"!a & ea n5ar %! %ost &" s!g"ran) *n stare s or/oneasas!narea #"! Creg. Pro-a-!# vre"n &o+'#!&e s'er!at( te+$n/"5se 'entr" 'ro'r!a '!e#e( a&)!onase/e "n"# s!ng"r0 !ar L3/!a( &" o *n)e#egere /esv$r,!t a s!t"a)!e!( '"r ,! s!+'#" a&o'er!se tot"#'entr" o&h!! #"+!!. 1a& ar %! r"'t re#a)!!#e &" ea *n a&e! +o+ent( '"tea %! %ata! 'entr" soartaI+'er!"#"!. 8otr$rea #"! era( /ea #"at at"n&! &$n/ so)!a a'r" &" *ntreaga s"!t /"' ea 'entr"a5,! e9'r!+a *n +o/ o%!&!a# &on/o#ean)e #e. C" #a&r!+! *n o&h!( *! #" +$na *ntr5a #"!. 555 L3/!a( s'"se( este "n +o+ent ter!-!# 'entr" +!ne. Ce +s%t"!e,t!6 Ea 'ro'"se o &o+-!na)!e *ntre %"nera#!! o%!&!a#e ,! sr-tor!rea tr!"+%a# a v!&tor!e!.A/"g4 555 1!n ne%er!&!re( Te@s este -o#nav ,!@n" va '"tea %! a#t"r! /e no!. Se 'are & este vor-a/es're o -oa# &are s5ar '"tea s5# )!n /e'arte 'entr" o 'er!oa/ *n/e#"ngat. Lor/"# Con/"&tor &re" & re&"noa,te *n a&este &"v!nte o a-an/onare( &e# '")!n 'entr""n t!+'( a a+-!)!!#or e! *n 'r!v!n)a #"! Te@s. Era /e %a't o &on&es!e e9traor/!nar( n" a-so#"tne&esar 555 /"' 'rerea #"! 555 'entr" 'strarea *ntreg!! a%a&er! /e'arte /e g"ra #"+!!.

Se a'#e& ,! *! sr"t +$na. *n t!+'"# %"nera#!!#or ',!r *+'re"n *n "r+a s!&r!"#"!. *ns!nea #"! *ns &ont!n"a s %!e *ngr!orat *n 'r!v!n)a v!!tor"#"!. N" se '"tea *+'!e/!&a s5,! re'ete*ntre-area4 2! a&"+6 Era "n %e# /e agon!e a nehotr$r!! "n"! o+ &on,t!ent /e #!+!te#e 'e &are #ea/"&e &" ea -tr$ne)ea. M!ntea #"! *n& +a! &"ta &" %rene!e o so#")!e &$n/ 'r!v!rea *! &" as"'ra "n"! -!at


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'"rt$n/ toga &en",!e /e savant. C"+ t$nr"# +ergea a#t"r! /e 'ro%esor"# Ne##!an( n"5! %" gre" s5# re&"noas& 'e ne'ot"# s"( C#ane. *n a&e# +o+ent( 'entr" Lor/"# Con/"&tor 555 &are &ont!n"a s ',eas& *n "r+a s!&r!"#"!str#"&!tor &" r+,!)e#e %!"#"! s" "&!s 555 #o&"# e9'res!e! &h!n"!te /e 'e &h!'"# *+'!etr!t %" #"at /e"n aer g$n/!tor. N" & ,!5ar %! '"t"t '"ne 'rea +"#te s'eran)e *ntr5"n +"tant( /ar *,! a+!nt!se

vor-e#e s'"se o/at /e Jo7"!n( 'e &$n/ *n&er&a s5# &onv!ng s #ase -!at"# *n v!a). 1e e# va/e'!n/e &e se va *nt$+'#a +a! t$r!"( *! s'"sese r'osat"# savant te+'#!er. 2! a/"gase o're!&ere 555 &"+ & C#ane *,! va &$,t!ga 'ro'r!"# #"! #o& *n ga#er!a oa+en!#or !#",tr! /!n L!nn. 1e,! *n/"rerat ,! /!s'erat /!n &a"a '!er/er!! s"%er!te( Me/ron L!nn $+-! *nver,"nat.Pregt!rea -!at"#"! tre-"!a s &on)! n"e( /ar( &a s&h!+-are( era nevo!e s se '"n a&&ent"# 'e/evo#tarea e+o)!ona#. Ch!ar /a& a-!a a"nsese #a '"-ertate( ven!se 'ro-a-!# vre+ea 'entr" C#ane s /es&o'ere& %e+e!#e era" n!,te %!!n)e ar$n/ /e e+o)!!( 'er!&"#oase ,! tot",! *n&$nttoare. E9'er!en)a &"%e+e!#e ar '"tea /eter+!na a&e# e&h!#!-r" *ntre +!nte ,! tr"' 'e &are o e9!sten) s"'er5!nte#e&t"a#!at #5a /r"n&!nat.

Y Y Y

CAPITOLUL X

555 FAMILIA 1ELET( /even!t +a! t$r!" L!nn( s'"se 'ro%esor"# Ne##!an e#ev"#"! s"(Lor/"# C#ane L!nn( a 'tr"ns *n a%a&er!#e &o+er&!a#e -an&are *ntr5"n %e# %oarte s!+'#"( *n "r+ &"o s"t &!n&!e&! /e an!. Era o ! /"roas /e var( #a &$teva s't+$n! /"' %"nera#!!#e Lor/"#"! Creg. Ce! /o!sttea" s"- "n &o'a& %a#n!&( *n &"rtea +o,!e! 'e &are C#ane o +o,ten!se /e #a Jo7"!n. *n #o& srs'"n/( -!at"# /e 'a!s'ree&e an! a'roa'e & se r!/!& /e #a #o&"# #"! ,! 'r!v! *n #"ng"# /r"+"#"!

&are /"&ea s're L!nn( a%#at #a o'te&! /e +!#e /e'rtare. La or!ont se rea "n nor /e 'ra% ,!'entr" o !' v" o s&$nte!ere( &a ,! &"+ rae#e soare#"! s5ar %! re%#e&tat 'e o s"'ra%a) +eta#!&.Ar %! '"t"t %! o roat *n +!,&are( /ar /!stan)a era *n& 'rea +are 'entr" a /!st!nge a+n"nte#e. C#ane *n)e#ese -r"s& a&est #"&r"( 'entr" & se a,e *na'o! *n s&a"n. *n&e'" s &o+entee&e#e s'"se /e Ne##!an. Era sa" n" a/evrat & *nte+e!etor"# %a+!#!e! sttea Ia &o#) /e stra/ ,!*+'r"+"ta -an! tre&tor!#or *n s&h!+-"# "nor s"ven!r"r!( &"+ ar %! -!"ter!!#e ,! !ne#e#e6 555 S"nt &onv!ns( *n&"v!!n) /$n/ /!n &a' -tr$n"#( & str+o,"# t" a %ost "n &+tar!s&"s!t ,! & se 'r!&e'ea #a +eta#e rare ,! #a '!etre 're)!oase. 1ar &"r$n/ /"' a&eea s5a +"tat *ntr5o /"ghean.


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t!+'"# a /o-$n/!t &ase ,! +o,!! 555/ar ,! /",+an!( /!n r$n/"# &e#or &are *,! '"nea" #a -ta!e'ro'r!et)!#e( a+g!n/"5se & *n &$teva #"n! *,! vor '"tea '#t! /ator!!#e. Ne##!an se o'r! ,! 'r!v! *ntre-tor s're e#ev. S'"se4 555 1"' e9'res!a %e)e! ta#%e *+! /a" sea+a & &eea &e )!5a+ 'ovest!t te5a '"s 'e g$n/"r!(t!nere.

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A. E. Van Vogt - Imperiul Atomului 08 N

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