“Is that really fair to the Pentagon, Brian? Since they do have a stake in this firm.” Rohart smiled. “But considering your forced incarceration I think I’ll forget that you ever told me about a military list.”
“Thanks. In any case there are more than enough commercial applications in here without even thinking about the military. Basically an MI should be able, intellectually, to do anything that a human being can do. Let’s consider safety. There are an awful lot of people who we train to do terribly boring jobs. Pilots of ships and airplanes are good examples. Those occupations used to be challenging, but now they are so almost completely automated that the little remaining work in those once proud jobs have made them inhumanly monotonous. It is impossible to make people remain continuously attentive. They can make an error, there can be an accident. This doesn’t happen to robots, who need not forget, nor ever lose their vigilance. Commercial planes already fly by wire and there is computer control always between the pilot and the ailerons, rudder, engines — everything. A pilot MI would do the job much better, interface directly with the computers and overriding them in case of emerging problems. No pilot fatigue or pilot error.”
“I certainly would not want my airplane to be without a pilot. What if something goes wrong, a situation that the machine isn’t programmed for?”
“Rohart, this is 2024 — this kind of thing doesn’t happen anymore. Today a person is safer in the sky than when standing safely on the ground. You are far more likely to be killed by your toaster. There is a smaller chance that the plane will break down than that the pilot will go insane.
“But there is one more market that I believe is much larger than all the others put together. It could be the largest, most important product in the world — with a market larger than the entire automotive industry, larger even than agriculture, entertainment or sports. The long-awaited personal robotic household servant. Which we are uniquely ready to supply.”
“I’m with you — and enthusiastic. I’ll put the suggestions to the board and discuss development.”
“Good.” Brian put the paper on the table. “I hope you will tell General Schorcht that. At the same time tell him I am doing nothing about developing any of those ideas.”
“What do you mean?”
“Just that. I’m still being treated as a prisoner. As a prisoner I protest and refuse to do any, work. No one can make me work — can they?”
“No, of course not.” Rohart looked worried. “But you are under contract—”
“Please remind the General of that as well. Help me pressure him, please. I want to do this work — I’m looking forward to it. But I won’t do a thing until I am a free human being again.”
Rohart left, shaking his head unhappily. “The board won’t like this either, you know.”
“Good. Tell them to take it up with the General. The decision is his now.”
This should stir things up, Brian thought. He slowly peeled and ate a banana, staring out the window at clouds and blue sky. Freedom. Not his, not yet. When the Chairman was safely away from the building, Brian strolled over to the lab, his guards still a few paces behind. Dr. Snaresbrook was just parking her car when he got there.
“Am I on time?” she asked.
“Perfect, Doc. Come on inside.”
She started to speak, but contained herself until the door had closed behind them. “Now, what’s the big mystery and hush-hush?”
“Just that. The lab here is the only place where I can have a conversation that isn’t bugged by the General.”
“You are sure that he is doing that?”
“I suspect that he is — which is good enough. Sven over there makes sure that this place is really free of electronic surveillance. It’s very good at it.”
“Good morning, Dr. Snaresbrook. I hope that you are keeping well.”
“Fine, Sven, nice of you to ask. You seem to be developing new social charms.”
“One must always seek perfection, Doctor.”
“Sure enough. Now, Brian — what’s the secret?”
“No secret. I am just completely teed off at being kept a prisoner. I told Rohart today that I would do no more work until my shackles were struck off.”
“Do you mean that?”
“Yes and no. Oh, I mean it all right, but it is just a smoke screen to hide my real plan. Which is that I am cracking out of here.”
Snaresbrook was shocked. “Isn’t mat a rather drastic decision?”
“Not really. I’m physically fit, jog every day and do it better than my guards. As a physician — would you say I can stand the stress of freedom?”
“Physically, no problem.”
“Mentally as well?”
“I believe so. I hope so. You’ve integrated your memories up to your fourteenth year. I think there are still gaps but they are not important as long as you are not aware of them.’’
“What I don’t remember I’ll never miss.”
“Exactly. But give me a moment to compose myself. This is all very much of a sudden shock. I agree that you are being held here against your will. You have committed no crimes, and there don’t appear to be any future threats to your life now that the DigitTech connection is known. Yes, I suppose I must agree with you. Have you any idea what you will do when you are out?”
“Yes. But wouldn’t it be wisest not to discuss that topic?”
“You’re probably right about that. It is your life and if you want to leave this place — then all the best of luck to you.”
“Thanks. Now the big, important question. Will you help me do it?”
“Oh, Brian, you are terrible.” Her mouth was clamped shut, firmly, but there was a tiny smile on her lips. She made up her mind with a surgeon’s ability to make instant life-and-death decisions. “All right, I’ll do it. What do you want?”
“Nothing yet. Other than a small loan. I only have a few bucks in my account, left from before the shooting. Could you scrape up ten thousand dollars in cash?”
“Some small loan! All right, I’ll get onto the computer network, use BuckNet and sell some stock.”
“My sincerest thanks, Doc. You’re the only one that I could ask. Tell me, are you or your car ever searched when you come here?”
“Of course not. I mean I have to show my pass and everything at the gate, but they never look into the car.”
“Good. Then please take this shopping list and use some of that money you are lending me to pick up these things. What do you say about another meet here a week from now? If you will be so kind as to bring the stuff on that list here, I would be ever so grateful. It will all fit easily into your medical bag. After that just forget about the whole thing for a while. I’ll phone you again when it’s closer to the time.”
Sven didn’t speak during their conversation, was quiet until Brian had returned from seeing Snaresbrook out.
“You neglected to mention to the doctor that I would be going with you,” it said.
“The matter never arose.”
“Is the deliberate omission of relevant facts the same as lying?”
“Philosophical arguments some other time, please. We have a lot to do. Any word from Cal Tech?”