[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
B.O.B. unit like myself could have done. Reinhardt had constructed Maximillian as a therapeutic research
project, or so he told the other humans. With Maximil-lian s aid, he was able to take over the ship. He
and Maximillian had secretly reprogrammed the other ro-bots to help him. They were not responsible . . .
he d altered their circuitry and memories radically. This al-tered programming did not manifest itself until
the time he d chosen for the takeover, when then: secret, special programming was keyed by a selected
phrase spoken only by Reinhardt.
Those humans who survived you see what s left of them working around the ship. Occasionally some
die, despite the best efforts of Reinhardt s programmed surgeons. Some die from natural causes, I m
sure, but I believe others experience a flash of reality and kill themselves.
Only a flash? Couldn t some of them, Vincent asked hopefully, still retain enough to be returned to a
normal state?
I doubt it, Bob said sadly. Their brains have been altered to do Reinhardt s bidding. They retain no
individual will, react to nothing save the task they are assigned to. When I was able to isolate myself with
one, I tried to communicate. None has ever responded to me.
How come you weren t reprogrammed by Rein-hardt along with all the other robots?
It was through no cleverness of my own. But for an accident of circumstance, I would be as obedient
as any you have encountered. You see, I was lying dor-mant in the back of the maintenance area when
Rein-hardt reprogrammed the robots in my section of the ship. My task was originally performed by
humans, so I may not have been on any of his lists. I was reac-tivated several days after the humans had
been killed ... or brought here to be altered. By that time Rein-hardt was in complete command of the
Cygnus. He was too occupied with other tasks to consider that he might have missed one potentially
uncooperative robot. I have taken care not to draw attention to my indepen-dent nature.
Regardless, he would have been right not to be concerned. A single unreprogrammed mechanical or
two could be no threat to him. Not with the sentries al-ready under his command and Maximillian to do
his bidding.
There was no aura of vengeance to Bob s words. Such extreme memory-emotions were denied
mechani-cals. But Vincent thought he could detect a certain dis-satisfaction.
There must be something... he began.
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
The door opened behind them. Two sentry robots stood there. A rapid display of lights raced across
their external monitoring units as they reacted to the presence of Vincent and Bob in the restricted area.
They must know I ve told you, Bob said hurriedly. Your presence alongside me is enough. We re
done for.
Get down.
Bob cut his repellers and fell almost to the deck as the sentries weapons rose to firing position. Before
ei-ther could shoot, Vincent s own lasers flared several times. Both sentries were knocked back into the
ante-room, clear of the surgery. They spewed droplets of liquid metal and sparking internal modules.
Oblivious to anything not directly affecting their des-ignated task, the humanoid surgeons continued
oper-ating. Vincent led Bob through the now open door, closed it quickly behind them. They concealed
the two punctured metal shapes as best they could, then started up the corridor.
Perhaps when this new information was laid before him, Captain Holland would initiate action somewhat
more compelling than conversation.
Durant paced the dining room, ignoring the food and the view outside.How to make them believe? he
thought frantically.How to show them the importance of Reinhardt and what he proposed to
attempt? So far Dan and Harry had offered nothing against the com-mander except groundless
suspicions. Hehad to con-vince them!
What s wrong with you people? His frustration poured out. The man has given us our lives or have
you already forgotten that his generosity is enabling us to repair thePalomino ? Or that once he was
sure we meant him no harm and he glared accusingly at Booth he s been a perfect host? More than
that, he s offered to let us take back to Earth details of his fan-tastic accomplishments and discoveries,
knowing he can never be certain we ll see he receives proper credit for them.
Holland looked sympathetic, but still said what had to be said. That doesn t obviate the fact that he s
tech-nically a pirate operating a stolen ship, Alex.
We don t know that! Durant slammed a fist on the table, rattling crystalware and spilling gravy on the
immaculate imitation-lace tablecloth. He says the others abandoned ship and tried to return home. They
may still be on their way, if they had trouble with their supralight engines.
I think we have enough evidence to believe other-wise, Alex.
Circumstantial, Dan! Only circumstantial. I've seen no reason to think that
Holland interrupted him. I ve seen enough to make me worry. Both about the actual fate of the missing
crew and about Reinhardt s state of mind.
Don t be so blasted superior. Men like Reinhardt are a special breed. They push back the frontiers of
human knowledge. Sure, that can be a little unsettling at times.
Holland gave him a long look. You mean, one set of rules for those pushing back the frontiers and
an-other for those of us who simply want to live with them?
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Don t put words in my mouth. Where would we be without men like Reinhardt?
Healthier, said Pizer. I m not anti-research, Alex. You know that. Only against uncontrolled research.
Like uncontrolled fusion. You can get burned both ways.
Reinhardt says he s checked everything.
Charlie doesn t mean that, Holland explained. Science needs a system of checks and balances just
like law. Here, Reinhardt is both. He shook his head slowly. In my book, that s research without
control. It s Reinhardt s other activities that worry me most, not this intended suicidal plunge into the
black hole.
Other activities? Durant s brows drew together. What are you talking about, Dan?
Reinhardt waited expectantly, watching the doorway opposite. The probe ship, now docked, rested
nearby.
The door leading from the umbilical passageway opened. Quietly, the humanoid pilot of the probe joined
them. Reinhardt looked him over, then said im-passively, Maximillian will take you to debriefing. I want
to check out personally your ship s instrumenta-tion and the information you recorded.
He stepped past the pilot. The pilot did not ac-knowledge the movement. He waited somnolently until
Maximillian closed the door leading to the ship. To-gether, the two machines began the passage by
cylin-der.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]