"DEAD" - читать интересную книгу автора (Howard Joseph)

"So you outsmarted me. Since I never got your warrant -- I know the
law -- you can't lengthen my sentence by more than a year for a year."
"My dear friend," said a Klaurum, "you're free. You've served. Here
on Earth," he added.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean we had a tracer on you. You never got away.
"When you settled here, we figured it was misery enough. We just came
around to see how you'd acquit yourself if you thought you were going to
be caught.
"You surprised us with your magnanimity. You were more concerned with
these animals than with yourself."
"They are not animals. They are people, like us. Perhaps they don't
have our advancement, but I love them."
"Well! But then perhaps you know them better than we.
"Let's go. Your disruptiveness is forgiven. We welcome you back to
society."
"I'm not going." If I were to leave, I'd not be allowed back. But
having let me settle and having no charges against me, they could not make
me go -- the fifty years' rule.
"What?"
"I'm staying here. I'm used to here."
"But you're giving up civilization!"
"I'm giving up a stagnant civilization for one that has more vigor."
"You know," a Klaurum said, "they're going to blow themselves up in a
few years. We checked your ship. The fuel has died. We can't guarantee
getting you off if a nuclear war starts."
"I'll take that chance. Please don't drop by before then." I was
cutting myself off, fearful of loosing my resolve.
"One last chance..."
"No."
I showed them the door and closed it.
So many times I wanted to help these humans, but could not. I had
lived in fear of discovery.
Now I was free. To do what?
For all my knowledge and longevity I was still only one man who would
not be believed if he told the truth.
I looked out my window at a slowly awakening city below.
Well, I am a writer. Now I can say things without worrying an agent
might pick up my off-worldliness. Yes, I have some advantage.
I felt a momentary touch of panic for having burned my bridge to my
people.
Jerk.
But I was happier than I'd been in 70 years.