Hamilton, Peter F. / Гамильтон, Питер - Собрание сочинений (53 произведения) [1992-2021, fb2/epub, ENG]

Fallen Dragon / Дракон поверженный 2016, epub (retail), ISBN: 978-0-330-46690-5, Pan Books Great North Road / Звёздная дорога 2013, epub (retail), ISBN: 978-0-345-52668-7, Del Rey / Ballantine

Manhattan in Reverse 2012, epub (retail), ISBN: 978-0-345-52807-0, Del Rey / Ballantine

Double Year Lost 1992, fb2 Falling Stones 1992, fb2 Adam's Gene 1993, fb2 Eat Reecebread 1994, fb2 (with Graham Joyce) Starlight Dreamer 1994, fb2 The White Stuff / Белое вещество 1997, fb2 (with Graham Joyce) Softlight Sins 1997, fb2 Lightstorm 1998, fb2 The Return of the Mutant Worms 2011, fb2 Ten Love Songs to Change the World 2016, fb2 A Window Into Time 2016, epub (retail), ISBN: 978-0-425-28649-4, Del Rey Genesong 2019, fb2 Light Chaser 2021, epub (retail), ISBN: 978-1-250-76981-7, Tor.com

EARTH CALLING

Drifting through interstellar space, three light-years out from the star 31 Aquilae, the Neána abode cluster picked up a series of short, faint electromagnetic pulses that lasted intermittently for eighteen years. The early signatures were familiar to the Neána, and faintly worrying: nuclear fission detonations, followed seven years later by fusion explosions. The technological progress of whoever was detonating them was exceptionally swift by the usual metric of emerging civilizations. Metaviral spawn chewed into the cometry chunks that anchored the vast cluster, spinning out a string of flimsy receiver webs twenty kilometers across. They aligned themselves on the G-class star fifty light-years away, where the savage weapons were being deployed. Sure enough, a torrent of weak electromagnetic signals was pouring out from the star’s third planet. A sentient species was entering into its early scientific industrial state. The Neána were concerned that so many nuclear weapons were being used. Clearly, the new species was disturbingly aggressive. Some of the cluster’s minds welcomed that. Analysis of the radio signals, now becoming analogue audiovisual broadcasts, revealed a bipedal race organized along geo-tribal lines, and constantly in conflict. Their specific biochemical composition was one that, from the Neána perspective, gave them sadly short lives. That was posited as the probable reason behind their faster than usual technological progression. That there would be an expedition was never in doubt; the Neána saw that as their duty no matter what kind of life evolved on distant worlds. The only question now concerned the level of assistance to be offered. Those who welcomed the new species’ aggressive qualities wanted to make the full spectrum of Neána technology available. They almost prevailed. . . .

It was five days after Easter, and Paris was soaking up the heat from an unseasonably bright sun. Paula Myo, deputy director of the Intersolar Commonwealth’s Serious Crimes Directorate, slipped her shades on as soon as she emerged from the marbled archway of the Justice Courts. Her escort squad pushed past the unisphere reporters crammed on the broad stone stairs. The clamor of shouted questions merged into a single unintelligible wall of noise. Even if she’d wanted to comment on the verdict, she never would have been heard. It always amazed her how stupid reporters were, as if any one of them could have gained an exclusive under these kinds of circumstances. Not that her opinion would have been welcomed by the large crowd of protesters shouting and jeering behind the cordon the city gendarmes had thrown up across the big boulevard outside. They’d certainly picked up on the Easter theme. Glaring holographic placards demanded RESURRECT OSCAR NOW. FREE THE MARTYR. OSCAR DIED FOR US, SAVE HIM FOR OUR SINS. Her deputy, Hoshe Finn, was waiting at the foot of the broad stairs beside the Directorate’s dark Citroën limousine. “Congratulations, Chief,” he muttered as the malmetal door curtained open for her. Paula took one last glance at the snarling faces of the protesters, all directing their venom at her. It wasn’t what she was used to. Disapproval and not a little bigotry because of what she was, certainly; as the single person from Huxley’s Haven, otherwise known as the Hive, to live in the Greater Commonwealth, she had long since accepted her notoriety. Like all of Huxley’s residents, she was genetically profiled to excel at her job, which in her case was police work. It was a profession that normally resulted in a decent amount of approval at the conclusion of a successful case. Not this time. . . .

Добавлено: 03 Hamilton, Peter F. - The Saints of Salvation (Salvation) - 2020.epub

Добавлено: Hamilton, Peter F. - Light Chaser - 2021.epub