JК
The Lovers :: Фармер Филип Хосе
Страница: 115 из 127But it was that of a barnyard creature which uses copper in itsblood cells. We wogs use magnesium as the oxygen-carrying element in our blood cells.'
'Our virus is useless!'
'Yes. Of course, in time, when you'd learned to read our writing and got hold of our textbooks, you'd have discovered the truth. But before that happened it would be too late, I trust, hope, and pray, for the truth to be of any importance or consequence.
'Meanwhile, we've determined just what you were up to. I'm sorry to say that we had to use force to do it, but since our survival was at stake and you Earthmen were the aggressor, the means justified the ends. A week ago we finally found an opportunity to catch a biochemist and his gapt while they were visiting a laboratory in the college. We injected a drug and hypnotized them. It was difficult getting the truth out of them but only because of the language barrier. However, I've learned a certain amount of American.
'We were horrified. But not really surprised. In fact, because we suspected something was afoot that we wouldn't like, and from the very first contact, we were ready to take action. So, from the first day your ship landed, we've been busy. The vessel, as you know, is directly–'
'Why didn't you hypnotize me?' Hal said. 'You could have done it easily and a long time ago.'
'Because we doubted that you'd be privy to anything that had to do with our blood. Anyway, we needed someone who had necessary technical knowledge. However, we've been watching you, though not so successfully, since you managed to sneak in the lalitha past us.'
'How did you find out about Jeannette?' Hal said. 'And may I see her?'
'I am sorry; I must say no to your second question,' said Fobo. 'As for the first, it was not until two days ago that we managed to develop a listening device sensitive enough to justify installing it in your rooms. As you know, we are far behind you in some departments.'
'I searched the puka every day for a long time,' said Hal. 'Then, when I learned of the stage of development of your electronics, I quit.'
'Meanwhile, our scientists have been busy,' said Fobo. 'The visit of you Earthmen has stimulated us to research in several fields.'
A nurse entered and said, 'Phone, Doctor.'
Fobo left.
Yarrow paced back and forth and smoked another cigarette. Within a minute, Fobo returned.
He said, 'We're going to have company. One of my colleagues, who is watching the ship, tells me Macneff and two Uzzites left in a gig. They should be arriving at the hospital any second now.'
Yarrow stopped in midstride. His jaw dropped.
'Our virus is useless!'
'Yes. Of course, in time, when you'd learned to read our writing and got hold of our textbooks, you'd have discovered the truth. But before that happened it would be too late, I trust, hope, and pray, for the truth to be of any importance or consequence.
'Meanwhile, we've determined just what you were up to. I'm sorry to say that we had to use force to do it, but since our survival was at stake and you Earthmen were the aggressor, the means justified the ends. A week ago we finally found an opportunity to catch a biochemist and his gapt while they were visiting a laboratory in the college. We injected a drug and hypnotized them. It was difficult getting the truth out of them but only because of the language barrier. However, I've learned a certain amount of American.
'We were horrified. But not really surprised. In fact, because we suspected something was afoot that we wouldn't like, and from the very first contact, we were ready to take action. So, from the first day your ship landed, we've been busy. The vessel, as you know, is directly–'
'Why didn't you hypnotize me?' Hal said. 'You could have done it easily and a long time ago.'
'Because we doubted that you'd be privy to anything that had to do with our blood. Anyway, we needed someone who had necessary technical knowledge. However, we've been watching you, though not so successfully, since you managed to sneak in the lalitha past us.'
'How did you find out about Jeannette?' Hal said. 'And may I see her?'
'I am sorry; I must say no to your second question,' said Fobo. 'As for the first, it was not until two days ago that we managed to develop a listening device sensitive enough to justify installing it in your rooms. As you know, we are far behind you in some departments.'
'I searched the puka every day for a long time,' said Hal. 'Then, when I learned of the stage of development of your electronics, I quit.'
'Meanwhile, our scientists have been busy,' said Fobo. 'The visit of you Earthmen has stimulated us to research in several fields.'
A nurse entered and said, 'Phone, Doctor.'
Fobo left.
Yarrow paced back and forth and smoked another cigarette. Within a minute, Fobo returned.
He said, 'We're going to have company. One of my colleagues, who is watching the ship, tells me Macneff and two Uzzites left in a gig. They should be arriving at the hospital any second now.'
Yarrow stopped in midstride. His jaw dropped.