all such problems, Idris Hamilton. They weigh heavily upon us. There are no clear-cut answers. I, personally, believe that the project is worthwhile. But I could be wrong … You have been greatly excited—over-extended—by the information we have given you. The monitors indicate abnormal neural activity, and we do not wish to take risks. Therefore, it is my decision that you will rest for a while.”
Idris tried to say something, but the voice would not carry his words. Then vision faded. He tried desperately to think. But his thoughts seemed to be engulfed in jelly. He slipped rapidly into unconsciousness, almost welcoming it.
9
I T LOOKED LIKE the master’s cabin on the
Dag
, and yet it was not. But it was a good simulation. There were the two chairs, the desk, the bunk, the communications panel, the pictures on the wall, and even what looked like bond-fuzz on the deck.
The old man sat in one of the chairs, the girl in the other.
“Greetings, Idris Hamilton,” said the old man. “While you rested, we have made changes. We thought you would appreciate a familiar environment. Also we have made your eye mobile. It is a great technical achievement. By act of will, you can use your eye as you would use a living eye. Also, by act of will, you can take the camera to any position you wish. It will give you an illusion of movement. But I recommend caution until you have learned to completely control your new powers.”
“Thank you. I like the changes.” Idris ignored the fact that he was a brain in a nutrient tank and willed his head to turn. The eye responded somewhat jerkily, but it enabled him to look all round the cabin. He saw a length of cable that led to a shiny metal cabinet. There had been no such thing in his cabin.
“What is that?”
The old man smiled. “That is where you live. The other end of the cable is attached to your mobile eye.”
“Is it possible for me to see my brain?”
“Certainly. I do not think it advisable. But it is possible. Do you really wish to see a mass of grey matter in which countless electrodes have been implanted? That, surely, would be the ultimate nakedness. Be guided by me. It would not be a beneficial experience.”
“Perhaps you are right,” said Idris tightly. “Dammit, I don’t like my voice. Can you modify it?”
“Easily. Whenever you wish.”
“I want something that sounds more like me—like I used to sound. But that will wait. First, more questions. What about Suzy Wu? Were you able to resurrect her?”
“Alas, no. The deterioration of tissue was too great. I do not know how much you understand of physics. But you, fortunately, were in a unique position. The normal evaporative processes were inhibited by the perfect seal of your space suit. You see, in vacuum even a solid will—”
“Skip that. What of the cargo? We had twenty children and two teachers in suspended animation.”
Zylonia spoke. “Captain Hamilton, we managed to resuscitate eleven children and one teacher. Five of the children have suffered some brain damage; but the remaining six and the teacher—though they still do not function at optimum performance, perhaps—are in excellent condition. When their suspended animation systems failed they were already at near-zero, as you know. Their air-tight caskets helped to retard evaporation loss, just as in your case. You will meet them presently.”
“Let it be soon,” said Idris. “Let it be very soon. They are my only link with the world I have lost. Who knows—they may even manage to keep me sane.” He looked at the old man. “You, sir. You who are my psycho-surgeon. You know all about me, but I know nothing of you—except that you have wasted much of your life trying vainly to reconstruct a human personality out of a lump of cerebral debris. Do I call you Doctor, or do you have a name?”
“Forgive me. I should have introduced myself earlier.” He smiled. “You may call me Doctor, if you wish. But I also have a name. It
Idris tried to say something, but the voice would not carry his words. Then vision faded. He tried desperately to think. But his thoughts seemed to be engulfed in jelly. He slipped rapidly into unconsciousness, almost welcoming it.
9
I T LOOKED LIKE the master’s cabin on the
Dag
, and yet it was not. But it was a good simulation. There were the two chairs, the desk, the bunk, the communications panel, the pictures on the wall, and even what looked like bond-fuzz on the deck.
The old man sat in one of the chairs, the girl in the other.
“Greetings, Idris Hamilton,” said the old man. “While you rested, we have made changes. We thought you would appreciate a familiar environment. Also we have made your eye mobile. It is a great technical achievement. By act of will, you can use your eye as you would use a living eye. Also, by act of will, you can take the camera to any position you wish. It will give you an illusion of movement. But I recommend caution until you have learned to completely control your new powers.”
“Thank you. I like the changes.” Idris ignored the fact that he was a brain in a nutrient tank and willed his head to turn. The eye responded somewhat jerkily, but it enabled him to look all round the cabin. He saw a length of cable that led to a shiny metal cabinet. There had been no such thing in his cabin.
“What is that?”
The old man smiled. “That is where you live. The other end of the cable is attached to your mobile eye.”
“Is it possible for me to see my brain?”
“Certainly. I do not think it advisable. But it is possible. Do you really wish to see a mass of grey matter in which countless electrodes have been implanted? That, surely, would be the ultimate nakedness. Be guided by me. It would not be a beneficial experience.”
“Perhaps you are right,” said Idris tightly. “Dammit, I don’t like my voice. Can you modify it?”
“Easily. Whenever you wish.”
“I want something that sounds more like me—like I used to sound. But that will wait. First, more questions. What about Suzy Wu? Were you able to resurrect her?”
“Alas, no. The deterioration of tissue was too great. I do not know how much you understand of physics. But you, fortunately, were in a unique position. The normal evaporative processes were inhibited by the perfect seal of your space suit. You see, in vacuum even a solid will—”
“Skip that. What of the cargo? We had twenty children and two teachers in suspended animation.”
Zylonia spoke. “Captain Hamilton, we managed to resuscitate eleven children and one teacher. Five of the children have suffered some brain damage; but the remaining six and the teacher—though they still do not function at optimum performance, perhaps—are in excellent condition. When their suspended animation systems failed they were already at near-zero, as you know. Their air-tight caskets helped to retard evaporation loss, just as in your case. You will meet them presently.”
“Let it be soon,” said Idris. “Let it be very soon. They are my only link with the world I have lost. Who knows—they may even manage to keep me sane.” He looked at the old man. “You, sir. You who are my psycho-surgeon. You know all about me, but I know nothing of you—except that you have wasted much of your life trying vainly to reconstruct a human personality out of a lump of cerebral debris. Do I call you Doctor, or do you have a name?”
“Forgive me. I should have introduced myself earlier.” He smiled. “You may call me Doctor, if you wish. But I also have a name. It
Similar Books
