Iranaputra took especial pride in relating to her the story of the artifact’s discovery, not neglecting in his modest fashion to emphasize that he’d been the first to set eyes on it. She listened raptly, as she did to all their tales. It was amusing to see the five seniors treat the cajoling, demanding, pleading requests that arrived regularly from the combined military strength of the First Federal Federation and the Keiretsu with blithe indifference.
Five tottery, cranky, highly individualistic old folks in control of the most powerful device in the cosmos, Ashili mused, and all they chose to do with it was relax on its artificial beach, swim in its artificial ocean, soak up its artificial sun, and consume its artificial food. In effect, they were doing no more than continuing their retirement on a grander scale.
She played no favorites, though she spent more time with Heath than any of the others. Much to the amusement of his friends, she apparently found his military reminiscences of as much interest as they did her regular nude swims in the warm sea, though she listened to all of their individual histories with apparently equal enjoyment.
They were having a midday dip. Iranaputra preferred to take his long swim at noon because he chilled quickly. Of course, the Autothor could have adjusted the temperature as easily as it did the position of the “sun,” but Iranaputra and his companions found it more natural to have the light source overhead concurrent with the warmest part of the day. They experimented with their climate as freely as with the food.
Ashili observed them as they dallied in the mild surf. Five seniors acting like so many children, delighting in the biggest toy in history. Gelmann and Shimoda were splashing each other playfully. Heath floated on his back, while Hawkins and Iranaputra stood in the shallows debating the possible biologic origins of some mollusk they’d excavated from the sand.
She turned away to study the fake igneous escarpments that formed the little cove. If this vast chamber was a reflection of the homeworld of the artifact’s designers, it must be a pleasant place. Why would beings who dwelt on such a world have need of a warship of such size? Such speculations shrank the ship’s vast dimensions, allowing the frigid void outside to press close and dim the benign artificial sun.
She left the artifact’s discoverers to their diversions and strolled out onto the beach, lying down on her back with her feet toward the water, letting the warm air dry her coffee-colored skin. As soon as she was comfortable she donned her service underclothing and walked over to confront the enigmatic, ever-present blue ellipse. A check of her wrist chronometer showed that exactly seven days had passed since she had been brought aboard. Seven days almost to the minute.
It was time to act.
“Autothor!”
The scintillating Blueness had no face to turn to her, but that was the impression she received as it replied. “What is it?”
“I want you to move.” A quick glance oceanward showed that her elderly rescuers were paying no attention to her.
“Very well,” the Autothor replied pleasantly. “Where would you like me to move to?”
“Not you. Not your physical representation. I want you to move the ship. Into orbit around a world called Reconcavo. I will provide you with spatial coordinates.”
The device’s reply surprised her. “Why?”
“So that friends of mine can examine and study you.”
“You are examining and studying me here.”
“Not in the kind of depth and detail that can be achieved elsewhere, with proper facilities. Do you mind being studied in greater depth?”
“No.” It started to drift beachward. “If you will wait, I will be glad to consult the others.”
“No, no.” Without pausing to consider the possible consequences, she hurried to interpose herself between the Autothor and the water. “There’s no need to ask them. Just do it. I’m giving you a direct order.”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t acknowledge that.”
“Why not?” What was she doing wrong?
“Because you are not one of those who saw to my reactivation.”
She was ready for that. “Since prior to your reactivation you had no cognitive abilities, how do you know I wasn’t present and didn’t participate in that process?”
“I know a great many things which would surprise you. About ancient wars and technologies, the state of the universe, about consciousness and perception.” The blue ellipse bobbed gently a meter above the sand. “One thing I am certain of is that you could not have participated in my awakening because only five organics did. Five organics and a subservient mechanical. Now there are six organics. This logic is basic.”
“I see. What if there were only five organics present now?”
“There are six.”
“True. But if there were five, would I be counted among the critical number and consequently able to issue directives to which you would respond?”
As she waited for the Autothor to reply she looked again to the figures in the water. During the past week she’d come to know them pretty well. They really were a bunch of old darlings. Shimoda would have the hardest neck to break. Heath would be the next toughest. The other three were not worth worrying about.
“You can’t contravene logic so simply,” the refulgent Blueness was telling her. “If one of the five were to be not here, then there would be four. Four reactivators. Your presence alters only numbers, not history.”
“What if all of them became not here, or incapable of issuing directives, and only I remained?”
“Then I would be compelled to return to storage. That would be awkward for you.”
“How so?”
“Not having responsible organics to concern myself with, I would initiate a conservational shutdown of unnecessary facilities. These would include organic life-support systems.”
Despite the warm air and pseudo-sunshine, she felt a sudden chill. “That makes good sense. So I am correct in assuming that you will not accept any directives from me?”
“Only those involving food, liquid refreshment, or matters concerning personal hygiene, because I have been directed by my reactivators to do so.” There wasn’t a hint of hostility or rejection in the Autothor’s tone.
“That’s all right.” She smiled automatically, even though the expression was wasted on the device. “I just wanted to know. You don’t mind my inquiring, do you?”
“Certainly not. I am programmed to respond to all interrogatories that do not compromise integrity.”
“Good. Now, if you’ll pardon me, I think I’ll go join the other organics for a swim. Could you bring up the sunset, please? I really love the evening light.”
“I am sorry, but I cannot acknowledge that request because …”
“I know why. Forget it. No hard feelings.”
