Jeffrey A. Carver Starstream 1 From A Changeling Star

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Ganz s report was accurate, too. There are subtle changes in the bone
structure of the skull, and in the ribs. As though bone was removed,
you know and replaced. There are also remnants of scar tissue in his heart,
lungs, interstitial tissues, and in the skin.
What about the
NAG
s? Broder asked.
Gorminski shrugged. They re there.
And that s all you can tell me?
Well, I d say it looks like he s stabilized just the way Jeaves
told us he was. Gorminski limped back and forth, studying the
data-structures. He pressed a switch. Jeaves, can you talk privately?
The robot replied from the examination room. Indeed. My assessment is
that my earlier speculation was correct. He healed from his injuries
with remarkable speed, and the earlier violent episode appears to
have been a transitional phase. He seems to have repressed all
memory of it, as well as of Ganz s attempt to terminate him. The
amnesia is not entirely unexpected, and is consistent with his
confused state when he came in last night. I would attribute it to
the injury, or to the transitional episode, or both. It may disappear. But I
predict that the
NAG
control will stabilize. I have no reason at this time to expect
that he will not ultimately prove reliable. I recommend going ahead as
originally planned.
Broder frowned. He fingered his neck medallion, then dropped it. I wonder.
Has he really repressed the memory? Or is he just hiding it well? We ll have
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to watch him carefully.
Gorminski peered at him a moment, then pressed another switch to mute the
connection to the robot. What s the matter? Don t you trust Jeaves, either?
I do, just not completely. I don t trust anyone completely. Not even you.
Broder paced, ignoring Gorminski s startled expression. Besides, that robot
is right too often.
What s bad about that?
One of these days, it s going to be wrong. And we won t be expecting it.
That s not a very politic sentiment, Stanley. Gorminski returned to
his scrutiny of the data. I d have thought you d be happy that we don t
have to blow the whole thing up.
I would be, Ilex. I would be very happy if I knew. If I only knew
.
He was still blinking off the effects of the suspensor drugs when Broder came
in and asked cheerfully, How are you feeling? He shrugged, straightening his
shirt. Well, you ll be happy to know that you checked out fine,
Broder said. Jeaves says that you had a mild concussion so it looks
as though you were right. You must have taken a fall and knocked
yourself on the bean.
Ah. Ruskin exhaled fully, his thoughts slowly coming back into
focus. He nodded, in what he hoped was a sufficiently casual manner.
Jeaves gave you an anticoncussive, which ought to fix you up pretty well, but
you should still take it easy for a while. Anyway, we ll be flying back to the
city today.
Ruskin drew another deep breath. So & I check out okay, then?
Absolutely. Broder looked at him closely. If you want to see your
readouts
Ruskin waved off the suggestion. Maybe later. One question was
answered already. It was obvious that they wouldn t show him the
actual readouts not if they wanted him to believe that he d suffered
a simple concussion. There was not much point in pursuing that
avenue.
Sure. Fine. Broder seemed to accept his response. Oh, you should
probably talk to
Jeaves about getting your things packed for you. We ll be leaving after
lunch.
Right.
Broder clapped him on the shoulder and left him alone. Ruskin
nodded to himself and stared thoughtfully at his hands. He rubbed his thumb
against the tip of his right index finger, wondering at a tiny bump that he d
just noticed there. Wondering why Broder had lied to him.
Tell me something, Jeaves.
Of course, sir. If I can. The robot drifted alongside him, humming.
Ruskin pointed out the window to the edge of the forest. Behind
him, the fountain and pool were murmuring, whispering in the courtyard.
What s out there, Jeaves? Really.
I m afraid I don t quite understand your question, Mr. Ruskin. The forest
preserve is out there. The sky. The mountains. You ve seen them. You ve [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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