Diamond Age   ::   Стивенсон Нил

They passed up through many tunnels, always taking the uphill fork until they saw sunlight shining down from above through the waves, casting lines of white light on the translucent roof. Nell severed the tunnel behind them, wielding her sword like the sweep of a clock's hand. The warm water rushed in on them. Nell swam up toward the light. Miranda was not swimming strongly, and Carl was torn between a panicky desire to reach the surface and his duty to Miranda. Then he saw shadows descending from above, dozens of naked girls swimming downward, garlands of silver bubbles streaming from their mouths, their almond eyes excited and mischievous. Carl and Miranda were gripped by many gentle hands and borne upward into the light.

New Chusan rose above them, a short swim away, and up on the mountain they could hear the bells of the cathedral ringing.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Neal Stephenson is the author of The Diamond Age, Snow Crash, Zodiac, and The Big U



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Jeremy Bornstein

Douglas (Carl Hollywood) Crockford

K. Eric Drexier

Wayne "Hank" Hansen

Steve Horst

Steve Johnson

Marco Kakofen

Sachiko Emma Kashiwaya

Kevin Kelly

Alan Moores

Chris Peterson

Rattana Schicketanz

Dean Tribble