Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Music Festival

Lunch is in the same restaurant where they had breakfast.This time it was full of Alfas, and Trevize and Pelorat were among the crowd, receiving a warm welcome.Baoqisi and Feilong did not join, they ate in a small, more private room next to them. The lunch consisted of several different kinds of fish, and the soup contained many slices of meat, which looked very much like kid.There were loaves of bread waiting to be cut on the dining table, with cream and jam on the side, and then a large plate of salad with everything.The strange thing is that there is no dessert, but there seems to be an endless supply of jugs of juice.The two Basemen are now having to refrain from eating such a good breakfast, but everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves.

"How do they keep from getting fat?" whispered Pelorat. Trevize shrugged. "Probably because of the heavy workload." Dining etiquette is clearly not a concern in this society, and there is constant noise, including shouting, laughter, and the slamming of thick (and apparently unbreakable) glasses on the table.Women's voices are as noisy as men's, but the pitch is much higher. Pelorat looked unbearable, but Trevize now (at least temporarily) completely forgot about the discomfort he mentioned to Hiroko, and felt only relaxed and happy. He said: "Actually, there is a lovely side to it. These people obviously enjoy life and have few worries. The climate is controlled by themselves and the food is unimaginably plentiful. This is their golden age, and it must continue. "

He had to yell aloud to get the words out, and Pelorat yelled back, "But it's so loud!" "They're used to it." "I don't understand how they can communicate in such a noisy place." Of course, the two base people couldn't hear anything.The strange pronunciation, ancient grammar, and special order of words in the Alfa language continued to be bombarded at a huge volume, which made them puzzled at all.For the two Basemen, it was like being in a frightened zoo. It was not until after lunch that they joined Baoqisi in a small building.This was the temporary residence assigned to them, and Trevize found that it was almost no different from Hiroko's home.Ferron was in another room, and according to Baoqis, she was so relieved by the chance to be alone that she was about to take a nap.

Pelorat looked at the hole in the wall that served as the gate, and said uneasily, "There is no privacy here. How can we speak with confidence?" "I assure you," Trevize said, "as long as the door is covered with a canvas screen, no one will disturb us. By the force of social convention, the canvas is like a wall of iron." Pelorat glanced again at the open skylight. "Our conversations will be overheard." "We don't have to yell. The Alphas don't do things like walls have ears. At breakfast, they stand outside the restaurant window, but they keep a polite distance."

Bao Qisi smiled and said: "You have learned so much Alpha etiquette in the short time you have been with the amiable piss; you are now confident in their respect for privacy. What happened?" Trevize said: "If you find that my psychic tendrils have improved, and you can guess why, I can only ask you to stay away from my psyche." "You know very well that Gaia will not touch your mind under any circumstances unless it is a life-or-death situation, and you understand why. But then again, my spiritual power has not failed, I can sense Something that happened a mile away. Is this your old space travel problem, my satyr friend?"

"Sexy? Come on, Bliss. It only happened twice in the whole trip, and that's it!" "In the worlds we've visited, there's only two women who are alive and well. Two in two chances, and they all happen within a few hours." "You know very well that in Complon I was out of my own hands." "That makes sense, I still remember her appearance." Bao Qisi laughed out loud for a while, and then said, "But I don't believe that Guangzi is capable enough to catch you without a fight, or to force your irresistible will." Add to your shrinking body."

"Of course not. I'm perfectly willing. But it was her idea." Pelorat said with a hint of envy, "Does this always happen to you, Grant?" "Of course it must be, Pei." Bao Qisi said: "Women can't help but be attracted to him." "I wish that was the case," Trevize said. "But it's not. I'm glad it wasn't—I really wanted to do something else with my life. Then again, I'm really making her impossible this time." Resist. After all, before we came, Hiroko had never seen people from other worlds, and apparently none of the existing residents of Alfa had ever seen them. From some of the things she slipped out of her mouth and a few casual words, I came to the conclusion that she had a rather exciting expectation that I might be different from other Alphas in physiology or technique. Poor little thing, I'm afraid she's disappointed."

"Oh?" Baoqisi said, "What about you?" "I don't," Trevizes said. "I've been in a lot of worlds, and I've had a lot of practical experience. I've found that no matter where you are, people are people and sex is sex. The difference is usually insignificant and not very pleasant. I have smelled a lot of perfumes in my life! I also remember a young woman who couldn't get involved unless the music mixed with screaming was turned up. It's loud. And when she puts on that music, I don't get the energy out of me. I assure you—as long as it's normal, I'll be fine."

"Speaking of music," said Bliss, "we were invited to a music festival after dinner. It was obviously a very formal thing, just for us. I guess the Alphas are very fond of their music." pride." Trevize made a face. "No matter how proud they are, it doesn't make their music any better." "Listen," said Bliss, "I guess the reason for their pride is that they are good at playing very old instruments—very old. With these instruments we might be able to get some information about Earth." Trevize raised an eyebrow. "Very interesting idea. This reminds me that the two of you may have obtained some clues. Janov, have you seen the single surname Li that Guangzi mentioned?"

"I did see it," said Pelorat. "I was with him for three hours. Hiroko did not exaggerate. He sang a monologue almost all by himself. When I came to lunch, He actually grabbed me and wouldn't let me go until I promised him that he would go back as soon as possible to hear more stories from him, and then he let me go." "Did he mention anything of importance?" "Well, he also—like the others—insisted that the earth was deadly radioactive. He said the ancestors of the Alphas were the last to leave, and that they would die if they didn't flee. And, Gülen, he He spoke so firmly that I had to believe him. I am now convinced that the Earth is dead, and our search was in vain."

Trevize leaned back in his chair, staring at Pelorat who was sitting on the narrow cot.Bliss was sitting next to Pelorat, but now she stood up and looked at the other two in turn. Finally, Trevize finally spoke: "Whether our search was in vain, Janov, let me decide. Tell me what that nagging old man told you—in short, of course." Pelorat said: "When Shan Li was speaking, I kept taking notes by the side, which made me appear more like a scholar, but I don't have to refer to those notes now. The way he talks is quite stream-of-consciousness. Every time he says One thing leads to another. But, of course, I've spent my life gathering information about the Earth and trying to organize it systematically, so I've developed an instinct for putting together long and disorganized The conversation condensed into…” Trevize said softly: "Condensed into the same lengthy and disorganized words? Just keep it simple, dear Janov." Pelorat cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Of course you are, buddy. I'll try to fit his words into a coherent chronological story. The earth was the original home of man and the birthplace of millions of species of plants and animals, and this continued for countless ages until Until the invention of hyperspace travel. Later, many outer worlds were established one after another. They broke away from the earth, developed their own culture, and then despised and oppressed the source mother star. "Centuries later, the earth finally managed to regain its freedom, but the surname Li Shan did not explain how the earth did it. Even if he gave me a chance to intervene, I would not dare to ask, because it would only lead him to other things off topic, and he never gave me a chance to ask a question. He did mention a cultural hero by the name of Elijah Bale, but the historical record has a very common tendency to attribute the achievements of generations to one character, so it's not worth going to..." Bao Qisi said: "Yes, dear Pei, we understand that." Pelorat stopped again and thought for a while. "Really, I'm sorry. Later, the earth set off a second wave of interstellar colonization, and many new worlds were established in a new way. The new colonists were more vigorous than the outsiders, surpassed them, defeated them, and multiplied continuously Going on, finally creating the Galactic Empire. During the war between the galactic colonists and the aliens - no, not a war, because he used the word 'conflict', and used it very sparingly - the earth became radioactive. " Trevize was clearly losing his patience. He said, "It's ridiculous, Janov. How can a world 'become' radioactive? Every world is more or less radioactive at the moment it is formed. And that radioactivity decays gradually. The Earth cannot suddenly 'become' radioactive." Pelorat shrugged. "I just relayed to you what he said, he just relayed to me what he heard, and the person who told him heard someone else relay—and so the story was passed on. It's a folk history, oral history. Word of mouth, who knows how much each transmission is distorted." "I understand this, but isn't there any book, document, ancient history, etc., which fixes this story at an early stage, and can provide us with a more accurate account than this legend?" "Actually, I asked him this question, and the answer was no. He vaguely mentioned that there are books that record ancient history, but they were scattered a long time ago. And what he told us is that the record." "Yes, very distorted records. The same thing happens again, every world we visit, the Earth data keeps disappearing—well, how did he say the Earth became radioactive?" "He didn't explain anything, at most he mentioned that the Outerworlders were responsible. But I guess the Earthlings see the Outerworlders as the embodiment of evil and blame them for all their misfortunes. As for the radioactivity..." At this moment, a crisp voice covered his words. "Bao Qisi, am I from another world?" Ferron was standing in the narrow doorway between the two rooms, her hair was a mess, and her pajamas (cut to fit Bliss's fuller figure) fell over one shoulder, revealing a rudimentary breast. Bao Qisi said: "We worry about someone eavesdropping on the outside, but we forget that the walls have ears on the inside—well, Feron, why do you say that?" She stood up and walked towards the child. Ferron said, "I don't have anything from them," she pointed at the two men, "and nothing from you, Bliss. Am I different from you because I'm from another world?" "You are from the outside world, Feilong," Bao Qisi said in a soothing tone, "but there is a little difference, it doesn't matter, go back to your room and sleep." Ferron became very docile, as she always was when Baoqisi willed her.She turned away and asked again, "Am I evil incarnate? What is evil incarnate?" Bao Qisi turned her back to the other two and said, "Wait for me, I'll be right back." She came back in less than five minutes, shaking her head, and said, "She's asleep, and she'll be asleep until I wake her. I think I should have done that long ago, but any adjustment to the mind must have Necessary reasons." She defended herself again: "I can't keep her thinking about how her genitals are different from ours." "One day she will know she is androgynous," Pelorat said. "Someday," said Bliss, "but not now. Go on with the story, Pei." "Yes," Trevize said, "in case I'm interrupted later." "Well, so the Earth became radioactive, or at least the crust. There was a lot of Earth's population back then, all in a lot of big cities, and most of the cities were underground—" "Wait," Trevize interjected, "that's impossible. It must be the result of a planet's golden age tainted by localism, and the content is only based on the golden age of Trantor. In its heyday, it was the capital seat of a pan-galactic regime." Pelorat paused, then said: "Honestly, Gülen, you shouldn't be playing tricks. We mythologists know very well that myths and legends contain a lot of plagiarism, moral lessons, natural cycles, and hundreds of other distorting factors. We try our best to remove these extra ingredients to get the possible core truth. In fact, the same method must be applicable to the most serious historical research, because no one can write clear and transparent historical truth— —Even if there is a so-called truth. What I tell you now is almost a paraphrase of what Li, surnamed Shan, told me, but I think I have added fuel and jealousy, although I have tried my best to avoid it.” "Okay, okay," Trevize said, "Go ahead, Janov, I didn't mean to offend you." "I'm not angry—let's assume that those big cities really exist. As the radioactivity gradually increases, all the cities begin to disintegrate, and the scope becomes smaller and smaller. In the end, only a very small number of people remain, hiding in places that are less radioactive. Live a precarious life. In order to maintain a small population, in addition to strict birth control, they also euthanize people over the age of sixty." "It's terrible." Bao Qisi said indignantly. "There is no doubt about it," said Pelorat, "but according to the surname Li, they did. That may be the real historical fact, because it is certainly not a compliment to the people of Earth, and it is unlikely that someone fabricated such a self. It's a lie. People on Earth were despised and oppressed by the people of the other world in the past, and then by the empire; but this statement may also be exaggerated out of self-pity. Self-pity is a very tempting Emotions, for example..." "That's right, that's right, Pelorat, I'll talk about that example another day, please continue with the story of Earth." "I'm very sorry—then the empire suddenly showed mercy and agreed to send a batch of non-radioactive soil to the earth and transport the contaminated soil away. Needless to say, it was a huge project, and the empire quickly lost Patience. Especially during this period, if my guess is correct, it was just around the time when Kenda V stepped down. After that, the empire was too busy to take care of itself, so it had no intention of taking care of the earth. "The radioactivity continued to increase, and the population of the Earth continued to decrease. Finally, the Empire showed mercy once again, willing to move the remaining Earthlings to another new world that belonged to them—in short, this world. "Prior to this, it seems that there was an expedition that inoculated life in this ocean. Therefore, when the plan to relocate the earth's people was put into effect, Alpha already had an oxygen-rich atmosphere and abundant food. Moreover, the Galactic Empire No other world would covet this world, because there is always a certain natural distaste for a planet orbiting a binary star. In such a galaxy, I think, there are too few planets suitable for human habitation, even in all respects. Planets that are all suitable, and no one wants to pay attention to them, people will preconceived to think that there must be something wrong. This is a common way of thinking, for example, there is a very famous example, it is..." "I'll talk about that famous example later, Janov," Trevize said. "Now let's talk about that migration." "The rest of the work," Pelorat will speak faster, "is to prepare a land base. The imperial staff find the shallowest part of the ocean, dig up the sediment from the deeper part, and add it to the lowest part of the ocean." The shallow seabed finally created this new earth island. The boulders and corals on the seabed were also dug up and put all on this island. Then they planted land plants on it, trying to consolidate this new land by plant roots This project is also quite huge. Maybe several continents were planned at first, but after the island was built, the temporary mercy of the empire has cooled down. "After all the remaining population on the earth was sent here, the imperial fleet took all the staff and machinery away, and never returned. Those earthlings who moved to the new earth soon found that they were completely isolated from the world." Trevize said: "Completely isolated from the world? Did the surname Li say that no one has ever come here from other worlds in the galaxy before us?" "Almost completely isolated," said Pelorat. "Even if people's superstitious distaste for double galaxies were not taken into account, I don't think there is any need for anyone to come here. Every once in a while, a ship will come here." , just like we are now, but it will leave eventually, and no other ships will follow. The story ends here." Trevize said: "Have you ever asked where the single surname Li Earth is?" "Of course I asked, he didn't know." "He knows so much about Earth's history, how could he not know where it is?" "I also specifically asked him, Grant, whether that star, about a parsec away from Alpha, could be the sun around which the Earth orbits. But he didn't know what a parsec was, and I said it was an astronomical scale." Short distance. Long or short, he says he doesn't know where the Earth is, or anyone who knows. And he thinks it's bad practice to try to find it. He also says Earth should be in space forever wandering in peace." Trevize said, "Do you agree with him?" Pelorat shook her head, looking very sad. "Not quite. But he said that, at the rate of radioactive buildup, the Earth must have been completely uninhabitable shortly after the migration program; and now it must be burning so hot that no one can get near it at all." "Absurd," Trevize said firmly. "A planet doesn't suddenly become radioactive, and even if it did, the radioactivity doesn't increase, it just decreases." "But the single surname Li is very sure. We have met so many people in various worlds, and they all agree that the earth is radioactive-of course it is meaningless for us to continue searching." Trevize took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice under control as he said, "Ridiculous, that's not true." Pelorat said, "Well, brother, you can't believe something just because you want to believe it." "It doesn't matter what I want to do. We've found on every world that all Earth data has been wiped out. If Earth is a radioactive dead star that no one can get close to, and if there's nothing to hide at all, those Why is the data cleared?" "I don't know, Grant." "No, you know. When we got close to Melpomenia, you said that destroying records and radioactivity can be two sides of the same coin. Destroying records is to remove correct information, and spreading stories of radioactivity is to create disinformation. Both Everyone has given up the idea of ​​finding the earth. We must not be fooled, and we cannot give up so easily." Bliss said, "Actually, you seem to believe that the nearby star is the Sun of the Earth, so why argue about radioactivity? What does that matter? Why not just go to the nearby star and see if the Earth is there ; if it is there, what does it look like?" Trevize said: "Because the inhabitants of Earth—whatever divine they may be—must possess extraordinary powers, I wished to know a little about that world and its inhabitants before approaching. In fact, since I have always known Earth It is very dangerous to advance rashly without knowing anything. So I plan to keep you guys in Alpha, and I will march to the earth alone, and a life is enough.” "No, Grenn," said Pelorat eagerly, "Bliss and the boy should probably stay here, but I must go with you. Before you were born I began to search for the Earth, and now I am far away from you." With the goal so near, I must not stand still, no matter what the danger may be." "Boqisi and the child are here." Baoqisi said: "I am Gaia, even if we confront the earth head-on, Gaia can protect us." "I hope you're right," Trevize said sullenly, "but Gaia doesn't retain its early memories. It completely forgets the role Earth played in its founding." "That's what happened early in Gaia's history, when it wasn't organized enough, and it wasn't evolved enough, and it's not the same thing today." "I hope so—or this morning, you obtained some information on Earth that we don't know about? I specifically asked you to try to talk to some older women." "I did." Trevize said, "What's new for you?" "There is no data on Earth, it's completely blank." "what--" "But I found that they have very advanced biotechnology." "Oh?" "While there were originally only a few species of life on this small island, they bred countless species of flora and fauna and engineered the right ecological balance to be stable and self-sufficient. The oceans they found when they arrived thousands of years ago Biology, now has been greatly improved, nutritional value has increased a lot, and it is more delicious. It is because of their biotechnology that this world has become a rich paradise. In addition, they also have plans for themselves." "What kind of plan?" "They know very well that in this situation, they are confined to a small piece of land, and they cannot hope to expand their living area at all, but they dream of becoming amphibious," said Bao Qisi. "Turn into what?" "Amphibians. They plan to develop gill-like tissues to assist the breathing function of the lungs. They dream of staying in water for an extremely long time, and they dream of finding other shallow water areas and building artificial structures on the seabed. Provide me with this information It’s exciting to think about it, but she also admits that the Alphas have been working towards this goal for centuries with very little progress.” Trevize said: "They are probably more advanced than us in two areas of climate control and biotechnology, I don't know what technology they use." "We've got to get experts," said Bliss, "but they may not want to talk." "That's not the primary reason we're here, but obviously the base would benefit a lot from learning from this tiny world," Trevize said. "In fact, we have a way of controlling the climate quite well on Terminus," Pelorat said. "Many worlds are well controlled," Trevize said, "but it's always the overall climate of a world that's controlled. But in Alpha, it's localized weather. They must have the technology we lack— —what else did you find out, Bliss?" "Socially--they seem to be a holiday-loving people, and enjoy their holidays whenever they don't have to farm or fish. There's a music festival after dinner tonight, as I told you. There's a beach party tomorrow daytime , it is conceivable that those who can leave the field work will gather around the island, enjoy the fun of playing in the water, and take the opportunity to praise the sun, because it will rain in the next day. The fishing fleet will return before the rain the next morning, In the evening of the same day, another food festival will be held for everyone to taste this catch.” Pelorat snorted. "Usually every meal is so sumptuous. I don't know what kind of event the food festival will be like?" "I guess it's not about the quantity, it's about the taste. The four of us are invited to all the events anyway, especially tonight's music festival." "Playing ancient instruments?" Trevize asked. "That's right." "By the way, why do you say they are ancient musical instruments? Primitive computers?" "No, no. That's the point. It's not electronic music at all, it's mechanical music. According to their description, it's played by rubbing strings, blowing air on pipes, and beating some leather." "You didn't talk nonsense, did you?" Trevize looked surprised. "No, I haven't. I also know that your Hiroko will be on stage too, and she's going to blow a kind of pipe—I forget the name—you should be able to bear it." "As for me," said Pelorat, "I am glad to have the opportunity. I know very little about the original music, and would like to hear it myself." "She's not 'my Hiroko'," Trevize said coldly, "but in your opinion, have those instruments ever been popular on Earth?" "That's what I guess," said Bliss, "at least the Alpha women tell me that those instruments were invented long before their ancestors came here." "In that case," Trevize said, "it might be worth listening to the rubbing and puffing and knocking, if it's possible to glean a little information about Earth." Oddly enough, of the four of them, Feron was the most excited about the evening concert.Near dusk, she and Bao Qisi took a bath in the small bathroom at the back of the house.There is a bath in the bathroom, with a constant flow of hot and cold water (or should I say cold and warm water), a washbasin and a closet, all of which are clean and functional.Under the western sun, the bathroom is well-lit and the atmosphere is refreshing. As usual, Feilong was fascinated by Baoqisi's breasts, and Baoqisi had to say (now that Feilong could understand Galactic Standard) that in her world, everyone was like this.Regarding this statement, Feilong inevitably asked: "Why?" Baoqi thought for a while, and found that there was no reasonable explanation at all, so she replied with a tried and tested answer: "Because it is so!" After taking a bath, Bliss helped Ferron put on the underwear provided by the Alphas and figured out the correct way to put on the skirt.Feilong was wearing nothing above the waist, which seemed innocuous and customary.As for Bliss herself, although she was wearing an Alphabet dress from the waist down (it felt a little tight in the hips), she still put on her blouse.In a society where women are generally topless, it might seem a little silly to refuse to show their breasts, especially since her breasts are not overly full, and they are as beautiful as any woman here, and yet-she put them on anyway. Next two men with wheel shovels use the restroom.Trevize murmured, as men usually do, that the ladies are taking up too much time. Bliss turned Ferron around to make sure the dress would fit on her boyish hip. "It's a pretty dress, Feron, do you like it?" Feilong stared at the skirt in the mirror and said, "I like it very much, but will it be cold if I don't have any clothes on my upper body?" After speaking, she touched her bare chest with her hands. "I don't think so, Feron, the world is quite warm." "You're wearing clothes." "Yeah, I did, because that's what everyone in my world wears. Now, Feron, we're going to have dinner with lots and lots of Alfa people, and we'll be with them after dinner, and you feel like Can you bear it?" Feron looked distressed, so Bliss continued, "I'll sit on your right and hold you; Pei will sit on the other side and Trevize will sit across from you. We won't let anyone People talk to you, and you don't need to talk to anyone." "I'll try it, Bliss," replied Feron in the highest pitched voice. "After dinner," Bliss continued, "some of the Alphas will play music for us in their own special way. Do you know what music is?" She hummed some notes, trying to imitate electronic harmonies. Feilong suddenly became radiant. "You mean XX?" The last word was in her native language, and she sang after saying it. Baoqisi widened her eyes.It was indeed a beautiful tune, though wild and full of vibrato."That's right, that's music," she said. Feron said excitedly: "Jinby will make any time—" She hesitated, then decided to use Galactic Standard: "Music, it makes music with XX." She used her mother tongue again for the last word. Bao Qisi repeated the word hesitantly: "Humph?" Feron laughed out loud. "It's not hum, it's XX." When the two words were pronounced together in this way, Bao Qisi could also hear the difference, but she still couldn't pronounce the latter correctly.She asked instead, "What does it look like?" The Galaxy Standard Language vocabulary that Feilong learned was limited, so she couldn't make a correct description. She gestured for a long time, but Bao Qisi still didn't have a clear picture in her mind. "It taught me how to use XX." Ferron said in a proud tone: "My fingers move like Gibby, but he said that I won't have to use my fingers soon." "That would be really nice, my dear," said Bliss. "After dinner we'll find out if the Alpha plays as well as Gibby." Feilong's eyes sparkled and her heart was filled with joyful anticipation, so that despite the crowds, laughter, and noise at dinner, she enjoyed a hearty meal.Only once, when a dinner plate was accidentally knocked over, causing a sharp noise in the neighborhood, Feilong showed a horrified expression.Bao Qisi hurriedly hugged her tightly so that she could feel safe and warm. "I don't know if we can have a meal alone," she whispered to Pelorat. "Otherwise, we'll have to get out of this world. Eating these isolated animal proteins is bad enough, at least I'm going to be able to sit still." Swallow quietly." "They're just in a good mood," said Pelorat.He will, within reason, put up with whatever he considers to be primitive behavior or primitive belief. Dinner ended immediately, and then it was announced that the music festival was about to begin. The hall where the festival was held was almost as spacious as the dining room, and there were many camp chairs (Trevize found it rather uncomfortable to sit on) in it, and it could seat a hundred and fifty people.These visitors were the distinguished guests of the evening, so they were brought to the front row, and many Alfa people politely admired their style of clothing. The two men were completely naked from the waist up, and when Trevize thought about it, he tightened his abs, occasionally looking down, complacent at his black-haired chest.Pelorat was busy observing everything around her, and didn't care about her own appearance.Bao Qisi's top shirt attracted many suspicious eyes, but everyone just watched secretly and did not make any comments in person. Trevize noticed that the hall was only half full, and that the audience was overwhelmingly women, presumably because many of the men had gone to sea. Pelorat nudged Trevize with an elbow, and whispered, "They have electricity." Trevize looked at the vertical glass tubes hanging on the wall, and noticed that there were some on the ceiling, too, all of which glowed softly. "It's fluorescent," he said. "It's pretty primitive." "Yeah, but it does. We have these in our room and bathroom too. I thought they were just for decoration. If we figured out how to do it, we wouldn't have to be in the dark at night." Bao Qisi said displeasedly, "They should tell us." "They thought we knew, that everybody should know," Pelorat said. At this time, four women appeared from behind the scenes, walked to the venue in front of the hall, and sat down next to each other.Each holds a lacquered wooden instrument, similar in shape but less easily described.The main difference between those instruments is the size, one of them is quite small, two are slightly larger, and the other is quite large.In addition, each held a long pole in the other hand. The audience whistled softly as the four of them entered, and they bowed to the audience.The breasts of all four were tightly wrapped in tulle, as if to avoid touching the musical instruments and affecting the performance. Trevize interpreted the gnawing as approval or delighted anticipation, and felt it was polite to do the same.Feron made a trill that was much sharper than a whistle, and Baoqisi immediately grabbed her tightly, but before she stopped, she had already attracted the attention of some audience members. 四名演出的女子中，有三位未做任何准备动作，便将她们的乐器置于须下，不过最大的那个乐器仍放在地上，夹在那位演奏者双腿之间。每个人右手的长杆开始前后拉动，摩擦着近乎横跨整个乐器的几条细线，左手的手指则在细线末端来回游移。 崔维兹心想，这大概就是想像中的“摩擦”吧，不过听来完全不像摩擦发出的声音。他听到的是一连串轻柔而旋律优美的音符，每个乐器各自演奏不同的部分，融合在一起就变得分外悦耳。 它缺少电子音乐（“真正的音乐”，崔维兹不由自主这么想）无穷的复杂度，而且有明显的着复。然而，当他慢慢听下去，他的耳朵就渐渐习惯这种奇特的音律，开始领略出其中的微妙。但需要如此细听却容易使人疲倦，因此他分外怀念真实音乐的纯粹、数学化的精准，以及震耳欲聋的音量。不过他也想到，如果听久了这些简单木制乐器的音乐，他想必也会渐渐喜欢。 等到广于终于出场的时候，演奏会已进行了约四十五分钟。她立刻注意到崔维兹坐在最前排，于是向他微微一笑，他则诚心诚意地轻吹口哨，跟其他观众一起为她暍采。广子打扮得非常漂后，穿着一条精致无比的长裙，头上戴了一大朵花。她的乳房完全裸露，（显然）因为它不会影响到乐器的演奏。 她的乐器原来是一根黑色的木管，长度大约三分之二公尺，直径约有两公分。她将那个乐器凑到唇边，对着末端附近的开口吹气，便产生了一个纤细甜美的音调。她的手指操纵着遍布管身的金属物件，随着她手指的动作，音调有了忽高忽低的变化。 罢听到第一个调，菲龙立刻抓住宝绮思的手臂说：“宝绮思，那就是XX。”那个名字听来很像“哼嘀”。 宝绮思冲着菲龙坚决地摇了摇头，菲龙却压低声音说：“但它的确是啊！” 臂众纷纷朝菲龙这边望来，宝绮思将手用力按在菲龙嘴巴上，然后低下头来，冲着她耳朵轻声说：“安静！”这句话声音虽小，对下意识而言却可算强而有力。 菲龙果然开始安静地欣赏广子的演奏，但她的手指不时舞动着，好像是她在操纵那个乐器上的金属物件。 最后一位演出者是个老头，他的乐器挂在双肩，乐器两侧有许多皱褶。演奏的时候，他左手将那些皱褶拉来拉去，右手在另一侧黑白相问的键上快速掠过，同时按下一组一组的键。 崔维兹觉得这个乐器的声音特别无趣，而且相当粗野，听来不太舒服，使他联想到奥罗拉野狗的吠声——并非由于乐声像狗叫，而是两者引发的情绪极为类似。宝绮思看来像是想用双手按住耳朵，裴洛拉特的脸孔也皱了起来。只有菲龙似乎很欣赏，一只脚还轻轻打着拍子。当崔维兹注意到她的动作时，发现音乐节拍与菲龙的拍子竟然完全吻合，令他感到非常惊讶。 演奏终于结束，观众报以一阵激烈的口哨声，菲龙发出的颤音则盖过了所有声音。 然后观众开始三五成群闲聊起来，场面变得相当吵杂，不输阿尔发人其他聚会的喧哗秤谌。每位演出者都站在观众席前，跟前来道贺的人亲切交谈。 菲龙突然挣脱宝绮思的掌握，向广子冲过去。 “广子，”她一面喘气，一面喊道：“让我看看那个XX。” “看什么，小可爱？”广子说。 “你刚才用来制造音乐的东西。” “喔，”广子大笑一声，“那唤作横笛，小家伙。” "May I take a look at it?" “好吧。”广子打开一个盒子，掏出那件乐器。它现在被拆解成三部分，不过广子很快就将它结合起来，然后递到菲龙面前，吹口对准她的嘴唇。“来，尊驾对着这儿吹气。” “我知道，我知道。”菲龙一面急切地说，一面伸手要拿笛子。 便子自然而然抽回手去，又将笛子高高举起。“用嘴吹，孩子，但勿碰。” 菲龙似乎很失望。“那么，我可不可以看看就好？我不会碰它。” “当然行，小可爱。” 她又将笛子递出去，菲龙便一本正经瞪着它看。 室内的萤光灯突然微微变暗，同时笛子发出一个音调，听来有些迟疑不定。 便子吓了一跳，险些让笛子掉到地上，菲龙却高声喊道：“我做到了，我做到了，健比说总有一天我能做到。” 便子说：“方才是尊驾弄出的声音？” “对，是我，是我。” “然而尊驾是怎样做到的，孩子？” 宝绮思感到很不好意思，红着脸说：“我很抱歉，广子，我现在就带她走。” “不，”广子说：“我希望她再做一回。” 敖近几个阿尔发人已经围过来旁观，菲龙挤眉弄眼，仿佛很努力在尝试。萤光变得比刚才更暗淡，笛子忽然间又发出一个音调，这次的声音听来既纯又稳。然后，遍布笛身的金属按键自己动起来，笛子的音调有了不规律的变化。 “它和XX有点不一样。”菲龙有些上气不接下气，仿佛吹笛子的是她本人，而不是电力驱动的气流。 裴洛拉特对崔维兹说：“她一定是从萤光灯的电源取得能量。” “再试一回。”广子以惊愕的声音说。 菲龙闭上眼睛，笛声现在变得较柔和，也被控制得更稳定，在没有手指按动的情况下，笛子自己演奏起来。来自远方的能量，经过菲龙大脑中尚未成熟的叶突，转换成了驱动笛子的动能。最初几乎是随机出现的音调，现在变成一连串的旋律，将大厅中每一个人都吸引过来，大家全部围在广子与菲龙周围。广子用拇指与食指轻轻抓着笛子两端，菲龙则始终闭着眼睛，指挥着空气的流动与按键的动作。 “这是我方才演奏的曲子。”广子悄声道。 “我都记得。”菲龙只是轻轻点了点头，尽量不让自己的注意力分散。 “尊驾未遗漏任何一个音符。”一曲结束后，广子这么说。 “可是你那样不对，广子，你吹得不对。” 宝绮思赶紧说：“菲龙！这样说没礼貌，你不可以……” “拜托，”广子断然道：“请勿打断她的话。为何不对，孩子？” “因为我能吹得不一样。” “那么表演一下。” 于是笛声再度响起，不过曲式较先前复杂，因为驱动按键的力量变化得更快，转换得更迅速，组合也更为精致细腻。奏出的音乐比刚才更繁复，而且更感性、更动人无数倍。广子不禁僵立在那里，整个大厅中也听不到其他声音。 甚至当菲龙演奏完毕后，大厅中仍是一片鸦雀无声。最后还是由广子打破沉默，她深深吸了一口气，然后说：“尊驾曾如此演奏过吗？” “没有，”菲龙说：“以前我只能用手指，可是我用手指做不到那样。” 接着，她又以干脆而毫不自夸的口气，补充了一句：“没有人办得到。” “尊驾还会演奏其他曲子吗？” “我能制作一些。” “尊驾的意思是——即兴演奏？” 菲龙皱起眉头，显然听不懂这个词，只好朝宝绮思望去。宝绮思对她点了点头，于是菲龙答道：“是的。” “那么，请示范一番。”广子说。 菲龙默想了一两分钟，然后笛声开始奏起，那是一连串缓慢而简单的音符，整体而言带着如梦似幻的感觉。萤光灯变得时明时暗，全由电力被抽取的多寡而定。这点似乎没人注意到，因为光线的变化似乎成了音乐所带来的特殊效果，就像有个电力幽灵正听命于声波的指挥而不停变化着。 这些音符的组合一再着复，先是音量变得较大，然后曲调渐趋繁复。接下来成了变奏，在基本旋律仍清晰可闻的情况下，曲调变得更激昂、更有力，渐渐催逼到令人喘不过气来。最后，缓缓升到最高点的旋律突然急转直下，造成一种俯冲的效果，带着听众迅速落回地面；众人却仍陶醉在置身高空的感觉。 接着，一阵前所未有的混乱撕裂宁静的空气。崔维兹虽然习惯于另一种完全不同的音乐，也不禁感伤地想道：我再也听不到这么美妙的音乐了。 等到众人好不容易安静下来后，广子将笛子递了出去。“来，菲龙，这是尊驾的！” 菲龙迫不及待要接过来，宝绮思却抓住她伸出去的手臂说：“我们不能拿，广子，它是件珍贵的乐器。” “我另外有一个，宝绮思，虽比不上这个好，但这是我应当做的。谁能将这乐器奏得最美妙，谁便是其主人。我从未听过如此之音乐，既然我无法发挥其全部潜力，我拥有这乐器即是错误。我希望早就知晓如何得以隔空演奏。” 菲龙接过笛子，现出极其满足的表情，将它紧紧抱在胸前。 现在，他们的住所两个房间各后起一盏萤光灯，此外盥洗间也后起一盏。这些灯光都很微弱，在灯下阅读会相当吃力，但至少不再是一片黑暗。 然而此刻他们却逗留在屋外。夜空中满布星辰，这种景象总是令端点星土生土长的人着迷。端点星的夜空几乎不见什么星辰，唯一显眼的天体是暗淡的银河，看来像是极远方的一团云气。 便子刚才陪同他们一道回来，因为她担心他们会在黑暗中迷路或摔倒，一路上她都牵着菲龙的手。直到她帮他们打开萤光灯，跟他们一起待在室外的时候，她牵着那孩子的乎仍未放开。 宝绮思心里很清楚，知道广子正处于难以决断的情感矛盾中，因此她决定再试一次。“真的，广子，我们不能拿你的笛子。” “不，菲龙万万要收下。”但她似乎仍然犹豫不决。 崔维兹一直望着天空。此地的黑夜名副其实，虽然他们的房间透出一点光后，却几乎没什么影响，更遑论远处建筑物射出的微弱灯火。 他说：“广子，你看到那颗分外明后的星星吗？它叫什么名字？” 便子抬头瞄了一下，并未显出什么兴趣。“那是'伴星'。” “为什么叫这个名字？” “每八十个标准年，它便环绕我们太阳一周。每年这个时候，它都是一颗'昏星'。尊驾在白昼亦能见到它，倘若它徘徊于地平线之上。” 很好，崔维兹想，她对天文并非一无所知。他又说：“你可知道，阿尔发还有另一颗伴星，它非常小、非常暗淡，比这颗明后的伴星遥远许多许多，不用望远镜根本看不见。”（他自己没有见过，但他不必花时间搜寻，太空艇电脑的记忆库中有详尽的资料。） 她以冷淡的语气答道：“我们在学校学过。” “好，那颗又叫什么？那六颗排成锯齿状的星星，你看到了吗？” 便子说：“那是仙后。” “真的？”崔维兹吃了一惊，“哪一颗？” “全部，整个锯齿唤作仙后。” “为什么叫这个名字？” “我缺乏这方面的知识，我对天文学一窍不通，尊贵的崔维兹。” “你看到锯齿最下面的那颗星吗？就是其中最后的那颗，它叫什么？” “它就是一颗星，我不知其名。” “除了两颗伴星之外，它是最接近阿尔发的恒星，距离大约只有一秒差距。” 便于说：“尊驾如此认为？我不知晓。” “它会不会就是地球环绕的恒星？” 便子盯着那颗星，些微兴趣一闪即逝。“我不知晓，我从未听人那样说。” “你不认为有这个可能吗？” “叫我如何说？无人知晓地球究竟在何处。我——我如今必须向尊驾告辞。明天上午海滩节之前，轮到我在田间工作。午餐后我在海滩跟您们碰面。好吗？” “当然好，广子。” 她立刻转身离去，在黑暗中慢慢跑开。崔维兹望着她的背影一会儿，便跟其他人走进昏暗的小房舍。 他问：“有关地球的事，你能不能判断她是否在说谎，宝绮思？” 宝绮思摇了摇头，说道：“不，我不认为她在说谎。她的精神处于极度紧张的状态，我直到演奏会结束才察觉到。在你向她问及那些星星之前，她就已经那么紧张了。” “那么，是因为她舍弃了那支笛子？” “大概吧，我也不清楚。”她转头对菲龙说：“菲龙，我要你现在回到自己房间。你上床之前，先到盥洗间去尿尿，然后洗洗手，再洗洗脸，刷刷牙。” “我很想演奏那支笛子，宝绮思。” “只能玩一会儿，而且要非常小声。懂了吗，菲龙？还有，我叫你停的时候就一定要停。” “好的，宝绮思。” 于是这个房间中只剩下三个人，宝绮思坐在一张椅子上，两位男士则坐在各自的便床上。 宝绮思说：“还有必要在这颗行星继续待下去吗？” Trevize shrugged. “我们一直没机会讨论地球和那些古老乐器间的关系，或许我们可以从那里发现什么线索。而且，渔船队可能也值得我们等一等，那些男人可能知道些待在家的人不知道的事。” “可能性太小了。”宝绮思说：“你确定不是广子的黑眼珠吸引你留下来？” 崔维兹以不耐烦的语气说：“我不了解，宝绮思，我选择该怎么做跟你有何相干？为什么你好像总要显得高高在上，板起面孔对我做道德判断？” “我并不关心你的道德，但这件事会影响到我们的探索。你想要找到地球，好对你自己的选择做最后的验证，看看你否定孤立体世界，选择盖娅星系的抉择是否正确，我希望你能找到答案。你说你必须造访地球，然后才能做出决定，而你似乎坚信地球就环绕着天空中那颗后星，那么就让我们到那里去探个究竟。我承认，在我们出发前若能找到一些资料，的确会有帮助，可是我相当清楚，在这里找不到我们需要的资料。我可不愿由于你喜欢广子，就让大家留在这里陪你。” “我们或许会离开这里，”崔维兹说：“让我考虑一下。广子这个因素不会左右我的决定，我向你保证。” 裴洛拉特说：“我觉得我们应该向地球前进，即使只是为了看看它到底有没有放射性。我看下出待下去有什么意义。” “你确定不是宝绮思的黑眼珠迷惑了你？”崔维兹这话有些报复的意味。他几乎立刻就后悔了：“不，我收回这句话，詹诺夫，我只是一时孩子气发作。话说回来——这是个迷人的世界，即使完全不考虑广子，我也不得不承认，要不是在现在这种情况下，我会忍下住永远留下来。难道你看不出来吗，宝绮思，阿尔发使你对孤立体的理论不攻自破？” “怎么说？”宝绮思问。 “你一直坚持一种理论，任何真正孤立的世界都会变得危险而充满敌意。” “就连康普隆也一样，”宝绮思以平静的口吻说：“即使它不能算是处于银河的主流，虽然在理论上它是基地联邦的一个联合势力。” “伹阿尔发不同，这个世界虽然完全孤立，可是你能抱怨他们的友善和殷勤吗？他们提供我们食物、衣物、住宿场所，还为我们举行各种庆祝活动，盛情地邀请我们留下来。对他们还有什么好挑剔的？” “表面上没什么，广子甚至将她的身体给了你。” 崔维兹怒冲冲地说：“宝绮思，这件事哪里又妨碍到你了？不是她将身体给了我，而是我们互相奉献，这全然是两情相悦。在适当情况下，你也一定会毫不迟疑地献出自己的身体。” “拜托，宝绮思，”裴洛拉特说：“葛兰完全正确，我们没有理由反对他的私人享乐。” “只要不影响到我们的行动。”宝绮思执拗地说。 “不会影响我们，”崔维兹说：“我们将很快离开这里，我向你保证。耽搁一下是为了搜集更多资料，不会花太久的时间。” “但我还是不信任孤立体，”宝绮思说：“即使他们捧着礼物前来。” 崔维兹举起双手。“先得出结论，然后再扭曲证据去迁就，简直就是——” “别说出来，”宝绮思以警告的口吻说：“我可不是女人，我是盖哑娅。感到不安的是盖娅，不是我。” “没有理由——”此时，门上突然发出一下搔抓声。 崔维兹愣住了。“那是什么？”他低声道。 宝绮思轻轻耸了耸肩。“拉开门看看，你说过这是个亲善的世界，不会发生任何危险。” 尽避如此，崔维兹仍踌躇不前。不久门外传来轻声的叫喊：“拜托，是我！” 那是广子的声音，崔维兹立刻将门掀开。 便子快步走进来，她的两颊满是泪水。 “将门拉上。”她气喘吁吁地说。 “怎么回事？”宝绮思问。 便子紧紧抓住崔维兹。“我无法置身事外，我尝试过，然而我承受不了。尊驾快走，您们全部走，带那孩儿与您们一道离去。驾着那艘太空船驶离——驶离阿尔发——趁着天色仍暗之际。” “可是为什么呢？”崔维兹问。 “否则尊驾将丧命，您们全部将丧命。” 三位外星人士目不转晴盯着广子良久，然后崔维兹说：“你是说你的族人会杀害我们？” 便子两行热泪滚滚而下。“尊驾已踏上死亡之途，尊贵的崔维兹，其他人也将陪伴您。很久以前，学者们发明出一种病毒，对我们无害，我们具有晃疫力，然而对外星人士有致命威胁。”她心慌意乱地摇着崔维兹的手臂，“尊驾已经感染。” "how come?" “当我们交欢时，那即是管道之一。” 崔维兹说：“但我不觉得有什么不对劲。” “病毒街在潜伏，渔船队归来后才会让它们发作。根据我们的法律，这种事必须经过全体决议，甚至包括所有男人，大家必将决定非如此做不可。我们负责让您们留下，直到做出决议之时，亦即后天早上——如今趁着天黑又无人起疑，赶紧走吧。” 宝绮思厉声问道：“你的族人为什么要这样做？” “为了我们的安全，我们人稀物丰，不希望外星人士侵犯我们。若果有人来访之后，将我们的位置传出去，其他人将接踵而来。因此之故，每隔很长一段时日，偶尔有一艘太空船抵达，我们便需确保它不再离去。” “可是既然如此，”崔维兹说：“为什么你要来通风报信？” “勿问缘由——好，我将告诉您们，因我又听到了，听——” 他们都听到了，隔壁房间传来菲龙奏出的辍柔笛声——甜美无比的笛声。 便子说：“我无法忍受这音乐自人间消失，因为小家伙亦将死去。” 崔维兹以严厉的口吻说：“是不是因为这样，你才把笛子送给菲龙？因为你知道她死了之后，你可以再拿回去。” 便子看来惊愕万分。“不然，我心中未有这般想法。当我终于想到之际，即明了绝不该如此做。带着那孩儿离去吧，也带走那支我再也见不到的笛子。尊驾回到太空便安全，尊驾体内的病毒只要不发作，一段时日后便会死亡。我所求的回报，是您们不再提起这个世界，勿让他人知晓它的存在。” “我们不会说出去。”崔维兹说。 便子抬起头来，低声道：“尊驾离去之前，我能否再吻尊驾一回？” 崔维兹说：“不，我被感染一次已经够了。”然后他用较和缓的口气说：“别哭，否则别人问你为什么哭，你将无言以对——看在你如今力图拯救我们的份上，我原谅你对我所做的伤害。” 便子抬头挺胸，用双手手背仔细拭干脸颊，又深深吸了一口气。“我感谢尊驾宽恕。”随即匆匆离去。 崔维兹说：“我们马上把灯关掉，在屋里等一会儿，然后离开这里——宝绮思，叫菲龙别再玩她的乐器。当然，记得将笛子带走。我们得一路摸到太空船那里，希望在黑暗中还能找到它的位置。” “我找得到。”宝绮思说：“太空船上有我的衣物，不论成分多微弱，它仍算盖娅的一部分，盖娅寻找盖娅不会有问题。”说完，她就钻进她的房间去找菲龙。 裴洛拉特说：“你想他们会不会设法破坏太空船，迫使我们留在这里？” “他们的科技还做不到这一点。”崔维兹绷着脸说。宝绮思牵着菲龙走出来之后，崔维兹便将灯火尽数熄灭。 他们一声不响地在黑暗中坐了大约半小时，感觉却好像足足等了大半夜。然后崔维兹缓缓地、悄悄地拉开门。夜空似乎多了一点云气，不过群星仍在闪烁。现在仙后星座高挂中天，底端那颗可能是地球之阳的恒星，正发出耀眼的光芒。四周静寂无声，连一丝风都没有。 崔维兹小心翼翼踏出房门，再示意其他人跟出来。他一只手自然而然挪到神经鞭的握柄上，虽然他确定不会用到，不过…… 宝绮思带头走在前面，她一只手拉着裴洛拉特，裴洛拉特又拉着崔维兹；宝绮思另一只手拉着菲龙，菲龙另一只手握着笛子。在几乎全黑的暗夜中，宝绮思双脚轻轻探着路，引领大家朝远星号上极微弱的“盖娅感”前进。