[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.'For instance: think of Azathoth as he/it is described -"an amorphous blight of nethermost confusion which blasphemes and bubbles atthe centre of all infinity"; that is, central in time and space.Now, giventhat time and space support each other's existence, they therefore commencedinitially simultaneously; and because Azathoth is coexistent with all time andconterminous in all space he was there at the beginning! This is in effect howhe became the first rebel - he altered the perfect negative-structure of atimeless spacelessness into the chaotic continuum which we have today.Consider his nature, Titus: a "nuclear chaos".Why, he was - he is - nothing less than the Big Bang itself, and to hell with your Steady-State theorists!''The Big Bang,' Crow repeated, patently in awe of the vision Peaslee hadconjured.'Of course.' The professor nodded.'Azathoth, who "created this Earth", andwho, it is foretold in books predating mere man, "shall destroy it when theseals are broken." Oh, yes, Titus - and this isn't the only mythos that has usgoing in flames next time!' He paused to let this last sink in, thencontinued:'But if you insist on looking at the Cthulhu Cycle literally, withoutadmitting this sort of cryptic reference,then consider this: following the failure of their rebellion, the Great OldOnes were served punishments.Azathoth was blinded and bereft of mind andwill.Now, a madman is unpredictable, Titus.He rarely recognizes eitherfriend or foe.And a blind madman has even less recognition.Howunpredictable, then, a blind, mad chaos of nuclearreactions?'While Peaslee had been talking, it had grown plain to me that something elsewas bothering Crow.He let the professor finish, then said:'But listen here, Wingate.I accept all you say, gladly; I thank our luckystars that you're here to help us out of a hole - but surely all we've done upto now is alert the CCD of your presence! All this talking, particularlywhat's been said about water and atomics as weapons - surely we've been givingthe whole show away?''Not at all.' The erudite Peaslee smiled.'True, in the beginning, when theFoundation first got started, we did give lots of information away in thismanner -''What manner?' I cut in, having been lost by the conversation.'Do you meanthat the Cthonians can listen in on our discussions?''Of course, Henri,' Crow answered.'I thought that was understood.They'regood at "receiving" as well as "sending", you know!''Then why didn't they know where we were without first having to find you inthat dream last night? Why didn't they pick your plans to come down here toHenley right out of your mind?'Crow sighed patiently and said: 'Don't forget that we have had the use ofcertain protections, Henri - the Tikkoun Elixir, the Vach-Viraj Incantation.Nevertheless,' he continued, frowning, 'that's just exactly what I was gettingat!' He turned to Peaslee.'Well, how about it, Wingate?Here in the houseboat, while admittedly I've been using the Vach-VirajIncantation pretty regularly, well, we've lately run out of the TikkounElixir.So what's to have stopped the Cthonians from listening in on us?''These devices you mention are poor protections, my friend,' the professoranswered.'Perhaps they helped a little, but obviously the burrowers werestill getting through to you - both of you - at least partially.It's my guessthat they've known where you were all along.They are not getting through now,however, as witness your alert minds and, despite lack of sleep, your newfoundfeelings of psychic and physical freedom.Now listen:'As I was saying, when first the Foundation got under way, we did give awaylots of information in this manner, and with the passage of time the would-behunters almost became the hunted!'In 1958 no fewer than seven recruits of the Wilmarth Foundation met untimely,unnatural deaths, and the remaining members immediately sought protection.Ofcourse, it had long been known that the star-stones of ancient Mnar formed theperfect barrier - certainly against their minions, to a lesser degree againstthe CCD themselves - but these stones were so few and far between, and usuallyonly accidentally acquired.A definite source and supply became imperative
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
