Chapter 10

 It was the next afternoon that the four were escorted by a trim-uniformed guard of honor across the flat spaceport to the Discovery.

"The Jovians wanted to reduce Earth to colonial status, to be exploited for its natural resources," John explained to his companions as they walked. "All atomic installations were destroyed, all technicians and scientists exterminated¹ systematically² and all scientific books burned. They were very thorough about it.

"The successful revolt was accomplished³ with a concealed⁴ stock-pile of atomic weapons. Since that time, they've been garrisoned⁵ against the return of the Jovians. But atomic power was gone and so were the scientists who could bring it back and the books from which new scientists could learn.

"It's because they can't replace even so small a thing as an electric light bulb that destruction or unnecessary use of any sort of equipment is the rankest sort of treason. They've been saving all their technological⁶ capital for a last-ditch stand against the expected invasion.

"And it was their faulty, groping sort of maintenance that saved our lives, because even a heat-gun deteriorates⁷ in 150 years. That gun hadn't been fired since the Revolt!"

"Then we can be their salvation⁸?" suggested Phil.

"Yes. The scientists who built the Deneb colony can rebuild the technology of our own Earth. It will take a long time ... there'll have to be schools and we'll all have to work hard ... but maybe some of us will be able to go back, in 30 or 40 years, say, when the Discovery can return to Deneb."

They were nearing the ship, and John saw the officers crowding the main port, watching them come.

"It's sort of inconsequential, I know," said Ann then. "But several times the Third Sarge referred to us as 'deevs.' Did he mention to you what a deev is?"

John smiled.

"It's an ancient military slang term, just like 'sarge' and 'topkick,'" he replied. "'Deev' is just plain old D.V. Distinguished⁹ Visitor. And I suppose we are, at that."

The End

1 exterminated   

v.消灭，根绝( exterminate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• It was exterminated root and branch. 它被彻底剪除了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The insects can be exterminated by spraying DDT. 可以用喷撒滴滴涕的方法大量杀死这种昆虫。 来自《用法词典》

2 systematically   

adv.有系统地

参考例句：

• This government has systematically run down public services since it took office.这一屆政府自上台以来系统地削减了公共服务。
• The rainforest is being systematically destroyed.雨林正被系统地毀灭。

3 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

4 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

5 garrisoned   

卫戍部队守备( garrison的过去式和过去分词 )； 派部队驻防

参考例句：

• The town was garrisoned with two regiments. 该镇有两团士兵驻守。
• A hundred soldiers were garrisoned in the town. 派了一百名士兵在城里驻防。

6 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

7 deteriorates   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• After a few years' planting, the quality of the potato crop deteriorates. 土豆种了几年之后就会退化。
• Virus activity deteriorates in plasma stored at room temperature. 在室温下储藏的血浆中病毒活动逐渐衰退。

8 salvation   

n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困

参考例句：

• Salvation lay in political reform.解救办法在于政治改革。
• Christians hope and pray for salvation.基督教徒希望并祈祷灵魂得救。

9 distinguished   

adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的

参考例句：

• Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
• A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。