"Gordon R. Dickson - The Last Master" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dickson Gordon R)

to repay, or justify a free grant of the amount of EC funds you’re after.”
“What about Wally’s value, once he’s revived?”

“But we don’t know that he’ll be of any value, Mr. Ho.” He picked up a paper from the far side of his
desk and glanced over it. “The medical opinion I’ve got here is very doubtful of returning him to any kind
of useful state in mind and body. Of course, he’d still be deserving, except that he’s presently in an
effectively noncitizenship state.”

“Then suppose I apply in his name?” said Ett.

The man looked up in something resembling a state of shock.

“Oh, you can’t do that!” he said. “Not as long as your relationship’s close enough to make you
responsible. A sibling or a parent automatically becomes guardian for anyone in a cryogenic state where
revival is possible. As guardian, you have to apply for aid on your own values as a citizen, not on those of
your ward.”

“All right,” said Ett. “Then I so apply.”

The other sighed.

“If you insist,” he said. “I’ll put these applications of yours through. But I must warn you not to expect
very fruitful results. Why don’t you talk to your ombudsman, or ombudswoman?”

“I will,” said Ett.

And he did.

For the forecast he had been given turned out to be quite correct. His application was turned down. So
he found himself an ombudsman, one of those individuals who were supposed to help the ordinary citizen
in his tangles with official red tape. But the ombudsman was, it seemed, as pessimistic as everyone else
had been.

“We can appeal, of course,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be doing my duty to you if I didn’t tell you you’ve
got damn-all chance…”

So they appealed.

They appealed to the Regional Authority, and were turned down. They appealed again to a review
board, and were again turned down. Finally they flew toKansas City to appeal before theNorthwest
Quadrant Court . Their appeal was denied. As they left the building, Ett asked the ombudsman about the
next step.

“We can go on,” said the ombudsman. “We can keep this up for years, if you like—there are plenty of
boards and courts and authorities and so on. There are just no end of appeals and requests for review
you can make.”

He paused as they climbed into an autocab for the ride back to the airport.

“But I have to tell you,” he said, leaning back as the cab moved off and loosening a tight cuff of his court