"Edmond Hamilton - Pardon My Nerves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Edmond)

 PARDON MY IRON NERVES
A Captain Future Novelet By Edmond HAMILTON

If you think Grag’s an insensitive robot, read his own account of getting psychoanalysed
and repairing to Pluto’s Fourth Moon !


I've always been sorry for Otho. For his
limitations aren't his own fault.
CHAPTER I
You see, neither Otho nor I was born.
Metal Man
We were made, created by science of
Roger Newton, Curt's father, and of
Simon.

I DIDN'T want to do it. I, Grag, am not In their hidden laboratory on the
given to talking about myself. When Moon—the same Moon-Laboratory that
Curt Newton suggested that I write up this we Futuremen now call home—they used
particular adventure for the case-book in their scientific skill to create living beings.
which he records our doings I refused at I, Grag, was their first and supreme
first. creation. They made me of enduring metal,
I said, “No, Curt, I’d rather not. You powered by atomic generators that give my
know I'm not one to brag about my own metal limbs immense strength. I am
exploits.” stronger than twenty men together. My
“I know that,” he said. “But since it was photo-electric eyes can see better and my
you who where chiefly concerned in this audio-circuit ears can hear better.
business with the Machs, and since you’re And my metal brain is just as superior in
the only one who knows all the details you its own way. It contains millions of
should write the report on it.” electronic synaptic circuits. That's why I
Well, I had to agree. After all, Curt— can think and act so swiftly.
Captain Future—depends on me more than I can still remember the look of awe on
on any of the other Futuremen. It’s because the faces of my creators when they
we think alike, I guess. observed the quickness with which I
Of course Simon Wright was human learned.
himself once—long ago before his brain I remember overhearing Roger Newton
was transferred into the artificial serum- tell Simon, “Grag is a great creation in his
case that is now his “body”. But there’s way. But we'll try a different form, next
something a little remote about Simon time.”
even to Curt. Simon agreed. “We don't want to create
As for Otho, the other Futureman— another one like him !”
well, being an android or artificial man,
Otho looks human. But that's as far as it
O BVIOUSLY they were a bit
goes. Otho just doesn't think the way we frightened by the awesome
do. intelligence and power they had created in
I'll admit that I, Grag, don't look so me ! Naturally they felt that a few more
much like other people. I'm a metal man, like me would make all other living
seven feet high. Otho calls me a robot but creatures obsolete !
that's ridiculous—he merely does it That is why, when they created a second