"Harry Harrison - Planet Of No Return" - читать интересную книгу автора (Harrison Harry)

The Smell of Death

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tance to me is the fate of all the planets that were cut off after the
Breakdown. It wasn't until I saw for myself what had happened to some of them
that I knew what an unyielding and harsh universe it could be. Mankind
basically belongs only on Earth. You may feel personally inferior because the
overcrowding and limited resources have caused an overall reduction in your
size. But you belong on Earth—and are a product of Earth. A number of us may
appear larger or stronger than you—but this is because we have been forced to
adapt to some cruel and violent worlds. I've become used to that—I even accept
it as the norm. It wasn't until I saw you that I realized that the home of
mankind was still a reality." He smiled a crooked grin.

"Please don't think me foolish for saying this," he said, "but I experienced a
sensation of both pleasure—and relief—when I met you. Like a child discovering
his long-lost parents. I'm afraid I'm not saying this very well. It's like
coming home after a long voyage. I have seen the way mankind has adapted to a
score of planets. Meeting you is, in a funny way a reassuring bit of
knowledge. Our home is still there. I am very happy to meet you."

"I believe you, Carver." She smiled. "And I'm forced to admit that I'm
beginning to like you too. Though I have to admit that you are not too good to
look at."

He laughed and leaned back, sipping at the cold drink that had been delivered
automatically to the table at his side. "Give me a year and you'll never
recognize me."

"I am sure that will be true. I'm a biologist, an exobiologist, so I know in
theory what can be done

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PLANET OF NO RETURN

with restoration growth, I'm sure that you will be as good as new after some
time. But that's just theory—I've never seen it in practice before. We're not
rich on Earth, so few of us can afford massive reconstruction like yours,"

"This is one of the few benefits of working for Culrel. They put you back
together again no matter how badty you get butchered. I'm going to have a new
eye behind this patch in a few months."

"How very nice. But speaking personally I would like to avoid all the benefits
of this kind of reconstruction if you don't mind."

"Good luck in that—I don't blame you."

They both looked up as Brion returned with the viewer. He took the recording