“That is logical enough,” said Tamserole. “I wish I had been informed, however.”
“What is my duty?” Mandelbrot asked again.
“I have been changing the procedure since learning you would join me,” said Tamserole. “Until now, I have been programming the local memory of the central computer terminal in this console to make the judgements I have previously made myself. I will now leave you here to familiarize yourself with what I have done. Improve on it if you can.”
“What is your new duty?”
“I located areas in the power system that can be streamlined. I have already instructed function robots assigned to this station to meet me at certain areas of the city. I will supervise their improvements and attempt to identify other potential ones on the spot.”
“Very well.” Mandelbrot moved to the console and began studying the various readouts.Wolruf followed him unobtrusively.
Tamserole left the station without further discussion.
Mandelbrot first looked quickly through the information that told him the range and system that the station governed. As he had surmised, this was a backup facility that only went on line when and if the main power system failed. Once he had learned some basic information about his new duty, he ignored his work in order to call up the central computer through the console.
Questions posed through the console would initially be interpreted by the central computer as normal activity at the power station. If they aroused enough suspicion, of course, the central computer would realize that they were irrelevant to station duty and might be coming from the same humanoid robot who could not explain his recent past. Mandelbrot could not, however, pass up this opportunity.
Since the central computer had already refused to admit that Dr. Avery was on the planet, he would have to begin with indirect approaches. At least he had more information to work with than he had had in Avery’s office.
“What is migration programming?” He asked.
“PROGRAMMING THAT INSTRUCTS EACH HUMANOID ROBOT TO REPORT TO ITS ASSIGNED ASSEMBLY POINT.”
“What is the purpose of this programming?”
“TO INSURE THAT EACH ROBOT ARRIVES ON SCHEDULE AT ITS ASSIGNED ASSEMBLY POINT.”
That was no help.
“What is the purpose of the assembly point?”
“IT IS A RENDEZVOUS SITE FOR MIGRATING ROBOTS.”
“What will the robots do at their assembly points?”
“THEY WILL FOLLOW THEIR PROGRAMMING.”
“What will their programming be at that time?”
“IT WILL VARY WITH EACH ROBOT.”
Mandelbrot was about to ask for an example when the computer returned with its own question.
“WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR QUESTIONS?”
Mandelbrot considered aborting the dialogue, but did not want to raise any further questions about his behavior. He answered cautiously. “To learn why robots are migrating and what they will do at the assembly points.”
“YOUR MIGRATION PROGRAMMING IS SUFFICIENT INFORMATION FOR YOU AT THIS TIME.”
Mandelbrot did not dare reveal that he had not received such programming. If the city realized that, it would almost certainly try to program him. He might lose his independence in that event, and become an integral part of the city matrix. He looked down at Wolruf, who was waiting patiently.
“I will fulfill my duties here for a time and try to gather more information,” said Mandelbrot. “Do you feel safe in moving around on your own?”
“Yess,” said Wolruf. “Will walk around. Come back herr to meet u’. Okay?”
Mandelbrot considered the central computer. If he inadvertently alerted it in some way and triggered an investigation, he would not want to remain here. “I prefer a neutral site. Can you get back to that tunnel stop we used to get here?”
“Yess,” Wolruf hissed with her version of a grin. She obviously thought it a silly question. “ ‘U say when.”
Derec was lying on the couch with his eyes closed, tossing fitfully. He had eaten as much as he wanted, though he had had to force down enough to constitute even a small meal. Before, he had felt too weak to sit up; now, he was too restless to relax.
“Turn over,” Ariel said gently.
“Huh?” Derec started to look up at her, but he felt her hands slide under his shoulders and push him carefully onto his other side.
“Lie face down,” she said.
He welcomed the chance to follow directions instead of make decisions. When he tried to push himself to roll over all the way, though, his hands kept slipping on the fabric. Both his arms flailed weakly, accomplishing nothing. Finally, her slender fingers groped under his arms for a moment and gripped him just enough to help him onto his front.
Derec let out a long sigh and closed his eyes. Her fingertips began massaging the muscles of his upper back. Instantly, the tension began to break a little at a time.
As he relaxed, he concentrated more on the relief in his muscles that her massaging brought about. He could feel tiny vibrations each time she pushed, as though very slight kinks were snapping. Itwas like loosening any ordinary adhesion that might build up, such as a crick in one’s back, only they were very small.
“Is this helping?” She asked.
“Yes,” he whispered, not wanting to put out the energy to speak aloud. “It’s wonderful.”
She gradually worked her way downward. He could feel her breaking these kinks all the while. As more of his muscles were freed of them, he was able to relax a little more, and he became drowsy.
She continued for a time without speaking.
“You really feel bad?” Ariel spoke softly after a while. “I mean, you haven’t been awake that long.”
“Sleepy,” he whispered faintly. Her fingertips were a persistent, rhythmic source of pleasure. They moved back up to his shoulder muscles again and broke more of the adhesions.
He stopped relaxing. After a moment, he noticed it himself. As he started to wake up again, he opened his eyes, wondering what had happened.
“Feeling better?” She asked cheerfully.
“No. Not exactly.”
“What is it? Should I stop?”
“Could you-I mean, would you mind doing my upper back again? Right away?”
“Sure.” She returned her hands to the area where she had started, and where she had just kneaded a second time already.
“Thanks.” Derec paid close attention this time. The same kinks were loosened as before. He felt the same vibrations, the little snappings that relieved him of tension in the muscle.
Only those kinks had returned almost instantly. Not as many were back, at least not yet. He felt fewer this time than either time before. Still, the pattern was clear. The massages would have to be constant to do him any good.
“Is that better?”
“Uh-it’s fine. Look, I don’t want you to tire yourself out. Thank you. It does help.” That was true, but he couldn’t have her do so much work indefinitely for relief that lasted only a matter of seconds, or perhaps a few minutes.
“I’m glad.” Ariel quit, but remained sitting next to him, flexing her fingers.
“Could you help me turn over?”
“Of course.”
Again, his arms were weak and rubbery when he tried to push himself onto one side. She took his shoulders and brought him around in a kind of twist, where his pelvis and legs lay prone, but his upper body lay on one side. Then she moved to his legs and, with considerable effort, pulled him entirely onto his side.
“There.” She let out a breath and smiled.
He looked up to study her face. His secret hadn’t lasted very long. He was clearly in serious trouble and worsening rapidly.
“Derec? What is it?”
“I don’t see how I’m going to make it.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’m so tired. And weak. You can see for yourself. Avery could be anywhere on the planet, and I don’t think I have much time.” Even his tongue was slurring a little.