"Mack Reynolds - Pacifist" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reynolds Mack)

All the wariness was back, suddenly. The months-long tiredness, and doubt, and the growing nausea
brought on by violence, violence, violence. If only he could never hear the word kill again.


He said, “When I first joined the Pacifists, I was positive they had the only answer. Now I’ve taken my stand,
but perhaps I am not so sure. Why do you think it won’t?”


The scientist pointed a finger at him. “You make a basic mistake in thinking this a matter of individuals. To
use an example, in effect what you are saying is, kill the dictator and democracy will return to the country.
Nonsense. You put the cart before the horse. That dictator didn’t get into power because he was so
fabulously capable that he was able to thwart a whole nation’s desire for liberty. He, himself, is the product of
a situation. Change the situation and he will disappear, but simply assassinate him and all you’ll get is
another dictator.”


The other’s words bothered Warren Casey. Not because they were new to him, subconsciously they’d been
with him almost from the beginning. He looked at the scientist, waiting for him to go on.


LaVaux touched himself on the chest with his right forefinger. “Take me, I am doing work in a field that can
be adapted to military use, although that is not my interest. Actually, I am contemptuous of the military. But
you threaten my life if I continue. Very well. Suppose you coerce me and I drop my research. Do you think
that “will stop investigation by a hundred, a thousand other capable men? Of course not. My branch of
science is on the verge of various break-throughs. If I don’t make them, someone else will. You don’t stop an
avalanche by arresting the roll of one rock.”


A tic began in the cheek of Casey’s usually emotionless face. “So you think . . .” he prompted.


LaVaux” eyes brightened behind the bifocals. He was a man of enthusiastic opinions. He said, “Individuals in
the modern world do not start wars. It’s more basic than that. If the world is going to achieve the ending of
warfare, it’s going to have to find the causes of international conflict and eliminate them.” He chuckled.
“Which, of course, opens up a whole new line of investigation.”


Warren Casey stood up. He said, “Meanwhile, Professor, I represent an organization that, while possibly
wrong, doesn’t agree with you. The ultimatum has been served. You have one week.”


Professor LaVaux saw him to the door.


“I’d like to discuss the subject further, some day,” he said. “But, of course, I suppose I won’t be seeing you
again.”


“That’s right,” Casey said. He twisted his mouth wryly. “If we have to deal with you further, Professor, and I