"Philip E. High - These Savage Futurians" - читать интересную книгу автора (High Phillip E)

Laughter, a series of jeering and obscene threats then Corby's voice
again. "Only one thing to do, Del friend, you come to us and maybe we
beat you up only a little or you can just keep going. Yes, you can do that,
you can keep going. Know what's lying out there, what chance you'll
stand? Know what happens to those who leave?"

Ventnor struggled shakily upright and looked at the group of menacing
figures slightly below. Then he turned slowly and walked shakily but
steadily in the opposite direction.

On the outskirts of Gret the Padre dispatched a message:

Subject: Ventnor, Robert. Classification 225/9/446. Characteristic
alteration in the identity disc of this specimen indicates increasing
G-positive.

Local population therefore incited to "elimination level."

Unfortunately, however, specimen escaped by flight beyond the
boundaries.

Padre

G.B. S.E. Sector D-

The message was received and passed through various departments
before it ended up in the right office but on the wrong desk.

Hobart tossed it on the right one. "Yours, old man."

Matheson nodded, studied it and frowned. "My God, another 'marker'
job. I hate endorsing these things."

Hobart moved his shoulders slightly. "Routine, all it needs is your
signature."

"My signature deprives a man of his life."

"Oh, come off it, you know damn well it's necessary."

Matheson sighed, tiredly. "Wish I was so damn certain or, for that
matter, so detachedly and insufferably self-righteous."

"Let's not get personal, old chap. You're not being scientific about this.
One cannot mix sentiment with science- history should prove that."

"It does, it does. At the same time, such convictions fail to salve my
conscience."

Hobart chuckled dryly. "Don't look now, but your inhibitions are