Robot City 1 & 2 Read online

  Derec opened his eyes once more to the light. A shadow loomed over him, faceless andnearly formless, as before. He tried to reach out and touch it, but his limbs would not obey.

  "Turn off the sterilization field," the voice said, and the haze of light vanished. The shadow became the copper-colored head and clothed torso of a robot. The robot was gazing solicitously down at him. "Good morning," it repeated. "Please don't try to move."

  Derec's mind was slowly working its way backward from the explosion. He understood that he was no longer in the command center. The robot hovering over him was not Alpha. Which meant--

  "Aranimas got his robots," Derec croaked.

  "Excuse me, sir?"

  "He won," Derec whispered. "I didn't get away."

  "Sir?"

  "Tell Aranimas I won't stop trying--"

  "Sir, I would be happy to deliver the messagefor you. However, the person you named is unknown to me. Where may this individual be found?"

  "Aranimas is the ship's boss--"

  "This individual was a member of the ship's company?"

  "Yes--" The robot's responses were beginning to puzzle Derec.

  "Sir, I regret to inform you that no person of that name was found when the paramedics boarded--"

  "I'm not on the ship?"

  "You are resting on a therapeutic diamagnetic force field, more commonly known as an airbed. The airbed is in the Intensive Care Ward of the hospital at Rockliffe Station."

  The wave of relief that swept through Derec on hearing those words seemed to take all his energy with it. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to float on the gentle currents of sleep once more. Distantly, he heard voices, butcould not rouse himself to think about what they were saying.

  "He is fatigued," the robot said.

  "We need his assistance," a new voice answered.

  "Our needs are less pressing than his own," the robot said. "We will wait."

  The next time Derec awoke, the copper-skinned robot was again nearby.

  "Good evening," it said, coming to his side. "How are you feeling?"

  Derec managed an anemic smile. "I was just lying here thinking about all the times in the last week that I closed my eyes one place and opened them somewhere else. Every time it happened I found myself in worse surroundings and deeper trouble--until the first time I woke up here."

  The robot nodded gravely. "I promise that you will receive the best of care.""I know I will," Derec said. "Do you have a name?"

  "My assigned designation is Human Diagnostic Medicine Specialist 4. However, the supervisor of medicine for this district refers to me as Dr. Galen."

  "Why?"

  "He has never explained this to me. However, I have determined that Galen was the name of a Greek physician of the classical age who wrote on the subject of the 'vital forces' inhabiting the body. I believe that my supervisor found it amusing to call an advanced diagnostic technician by the name of a primitive medical mystic. Since this question concerns humor, I cannot offer an authoritative conclusion."

  "I think you're probably right," Derec said. "You won't be offended if I call you Dr. Galen? It's a good bit handier than your other name."

  "Why should I be offended, sir?""No reason," Derec said. At least not when I say it, he added silently. But that supervisor is definitely expressing some hostility. Probably has a secret fantasy of being a family practice doctor on a Settler world instead of tender-to-robots. "Where is your supervisor?"

  "On Nexon."

  Derec knew the name: it was one of the larger Spacer worlds, and the second-farthest from Earth. "You said this is Rockliffe Station?"

  "That is correct, sir."

  "Where is your local supervisor? The hospital director?"

  "Sir, I am hospital director at present."

  Derec frowned. "Maybe you'd better tell me some more about Rockliffe Station, then."

  "Certainly, sir. What would you like to know?"

  Rockliffe Station, Dr. Galen explained, was a centuries old Spacer facility, a way station datingdating from the days when a long interstellar journey could only be managed through a series of shorter Jumps. Dozens of way stations had been built while the Earth emigrants who would become the Spacers were colonizing the fifty worlds that would become their homes.

  With the coming of more powerful drives capable of spanning known space in one or two Jumps, most of the way stations had long since been abandoned. A few, of which this was one, had been fortunately enough placed that they outlived their original function.

  Rockliffe Station lay in the middle of one of the largest "open" regions along the fringes of Spacer territory, looking out toward the quarantine zone beyond which lay the Settler worlds. There were no livable worlds in the nearest star system, but there was one planet with a crust rich enough in iridium to justify a small mining and processing center.

  So Rockliffe had survived on the strength ofits usefulness as a listening post on the frontier, as a transshipment point for processed iridium, and a military outpost should relations with the Settlers deteriorate. But those were not reason enough to keep it active at the peak level of the early days--not enough even to maintain a human presence there.

  According to Dr. Galen, less than ten percent of the station was occupied, and that entirely by robots. The human supervision they required was provided by means of hypervision and the ships that called every two months.

  Only because of the chance that those visiting crews might need its services had the hospital been kept staffed. But the managers on Nexon were realists. Dr. Galen was hospital administrator because his caseload was usually zero, while the only other medical robot on station, a nurse-orderly, had a full schedule of cleaning and maintenance.

  No wonder the supervisor makes jokes at Dr.Galen's expense, Derec thought.

  "You seem disturbed by this information," Dr. Galen said. "Is there a problem?"

  Derec thought about the question for a moment. He had grown progressively unhappier as Dr. Galen's explanation had proceeded. But did it matter so much that he apparently was still alone? At least Rockliffe Station was more or less familiar territory, unlike the asteroid colony or the raider ship. He should be able to have his own way more easily here.

  "No. No problem," Derec said. "Except I'd like to know a little more about what happened. How did I get here? You said something about paramedics--"

  "I do not know all the details. The dispatcher or dock supervisor would be better sources of information."

  "Tell me what you know."

  "Apparently your ship was disabled following its Jump. Exactly what happened next is notclear. The dispatcher will no doubt want to inquire about the circumstances. However, it appeared as though your ship discarded or released a smaller vessel, a shuttle or lifeboat, before changing course and heading into the Q-zone."

  "They must have cut us loose after the explosion--" Derec said thoughtfully.

  "The smaller vessel apparently was following an unacceptable approach vector and did not respond to the dispatcher's commands. On the assumption that it was a derelict, a tug was dispatched to intercept it and bring it in. When the derelict was boarded you were found and brought here."

  "Did they bring the ship--our ship--in, then?"

  "That is my understanding. Of course, my concern since that time has been with your care."

  "Of course," Derec echoed. If Aranimas's ship is here, maybe I didn't lose the artifact afterall, he thought joyously. "Listen, Dr. Galen, what would you say to my getting up and doing a little walking? Airbeds are as comfortable as beds get, but I'm tired of just lying here. Maybe I could go see what kind of shape the ship is in, answer any questions the dispatcher has."

  "I'm sorry, sir," Dr. Galen said. "Your injuries are not yet sufficiently healed to permit that."

  "What are my injuries?"

  "You suffered flash burns over fifteen percent of your body, primarily over your arms, face, and neck. Three of your ribs were cracked--"

  "I
must have fallen on the tile I was lifting."

  "--one puncturing your right lung and causing it to collapse. Your right eardrum was perforated and had to be replaced."

  "Frost! How long have I been here?"

  "The ship on which you were found was boarded six weeks ago.""Six weeks! Was I in a coma or something?"

  "Burns are extremely painful, as is reconstructive epidermal surgery," Dr. Galen said. "I kept you under chemical narcosis during treatment and the initial phase of recovery."

  "I guess I should be grateful. But six weeks--" Belatedly Derec remembered that he had not been alone on the raider ship. "Where're the others? Wolruf--Alpha--the girl. What've they been doing while I was narc'd?"

  "I am sorry. The only persons found were yourself and a female human."

  Feeling a sudden tightness in his chest, Derec looked away. It did not mean that Wolruf was dead and Alpha destroyed--there was a chance, perhaps even a good one, that they were on the larger portion of the ship still in space. But it did mean that while Derec had escaped and survived, he had not lived up to his promises to the caninoid. "I'm sorry, Wolruf," he whispered."Excuse me, sir?"

  "Never mind," Derec said. "Tell me about the girl."

  "She was found near you inside the ship--"

  "That's not what I mean. Tell me how she is."

  "Patient Katherine's physical--"

  "Katherine--is that her name?"

  "Is there some error?"

  "No--no, that's her," Derec said. "Where is she?"

  Dr. Galen turned away to the right and gestured with his hand. "Orderly, draw the curtain back."

  Derec turned his head to the right. What appeared to be the wall of his room suddenly become transparent, allowing him to see a slight human figure floating in a halo of light. She was naked, and he looked away, faintly embarrassed. When he did, he realized that he was naked, too. It was very straightforward and practical for them to be naked in a hospital,but something of a surprise all the same.

  "How is she?"

  "Her integumentary injuries were more extensive than your own, but she is healing well. Of course, her chronic condition remains unchanged."

  "What condition is that?"

  "I'm sorry." The robot paused. "I see that I have made an error. Since you were traveling together, I did not think that I was betraying any secrets by discussing Katherine's chart. I will have to report myself for this indiscretion."

  "I don't care about that," Derec said impatiently. "Has she been awake?"

  "No. Nor would we have allowed you to awaken if we did not need your assistance." Dr. Galen gestured with his right hand. "Close the curtain."

  "Assistance with what?" Derec asked as the wall became opaque again.

  "Sir, in the course of your care certain servicesservices have been rendered on account. It has not only been our obligation but our pleasure to be able to help you. However, as hospital administrator I am obliged to determine whether this account is collectable or is to be charged against regular station operations."

  "You woke me up to ask me for my insurance card?"

  "There is also the question of medical history. We can determine genetic endowment directly, but it is not always possible to determine all the synergistic outcomes of a particular gene complex. Without direct evidence, I have been obliged to follow more conservative parameters in your care, which in turn has had the effect of prolonging your recovery somewhat."

  "I don't understand. What about her?" Derec demanded. "You said she was hurt more badly than I was. Wouldn't it be even more important to find out who she is and get her medicalhistory? Why me and not her?"

  "Sir, while you were unconscious, we attempted to identify you by means of all the standard systems. We were not successful."

  "Standard systems--"

  "Fingerprint, retinagraph, absolute blood protein typing, and twenty-third chromosome codon map. We were not able to establish a match."

  "Of course you weren't. I'm not from here."

  "Sir, by hyperwave we have direct access to the records of all fifty Spacer worlds."

  "Did you check the records for Aurora?"

  "Yes. We were not able to establish a match."

  "But I'm from there--I know I am."

  "I'm afraid that's not possible. Aurora keeps scrupulous records on their citizens as part of their population-control program. If you were an Auroran, this conversation would not have been necessary."

  "But you found out who she is," he said."That is correct. Katherine's full records were made available to me."

  With sudden fury, Derec demanded, "Are you telling me that you searched the citizenship records of fifty planets and can't find out who I am?"

  "No," Dr. Galen said. "We have searched the records of fifty-five worlds, including Earth and the four nearest Settler planets. We do have a right of request with most Settler worlds for access to their records. Unfortunately those records are not as complete as we are accustomed to dealing with, and in some cases are not even centralized. Also, certain worlds charge exorbitant fees to respond to data requests from Spacers and then are exceedingly slow to respond. For all these reasons, it seemed to us that a more straightforward inquiry was in order.

  "Therefore, could you please tell us who you are?"The empty feeling had returned full force. "I wish I could," Derec said hoarsely. "Stars, how I wish I could."

  CHAPTER 14

  KATE

  "How interesting!" Dr. Galen exclaimed. "Do you mean to say that you have no personal memories whatsoever?"

  Derec repeated the now familiar litany of events which began with his waking in the survival capsule. Partly because he was growing weary of the tale himself and partly to minimize questions, he glossed over some of the details, including the fact that the raider had been screwed by aliens.

  "I will have to amend your chart to reflect this state of retrograde amnesia," Dr. Galen said when Derec was through. "This is a muchmore fascinating problem than your other injuries. As a matter of fact, amnesia is a hobby of mine."

  "What do you mean, a hobby?"

  "Perhaps I should say specialty, but that does not convey the deep intellectual satisfaction it gives me."

  "How many cases have you treated?"

  "You will be my first," Dr, Galen said. "I am tremendously pleased by the opportunity."

  "Your first?" Derec said, incredulous. "How can you call yourself a specialist, then? And what do you mean saying that you're 'fascinated' or 'pleased'? You're not programmed to experience emotion."

  "Strictly speaking, that is correct," Dr. Galen agreed. "But the concept of losing one's sense of identity has always created the kind of positive positronic state which I associate with the term fascination. You see, due to the memory structure of the positronic brain, it is quite impossibleimpossible for a robot to forget anything, least of all its own identity. Amnesia represents a state for which robot experience offers no analogue."

  "The lure of the unknown."

  "Diagnostic robots such as myself are constructed with a reinforced curiosity integral," Dr. Galen said. "Perhaps that is a contributing factor."

  Derec felt as though he were being lectured in his own specialty. "But positronic brains go south all the time," he protested. "They're vulnerable to hard radiation, to glitches in the power supply--lots of things can go wrong."

  "That is correct, Derec. But those conditions you describe would result in mental shutdown, and in some instances the complete destruction of the positronic brain. However, humans are frequently able to continue to function with such a major system failure. That is what I find fascinating. Beyond that, I believe that robots have much to contribute to the investigationinvestigation of human brain function, including memory defects."

  "Why is that?"

  "I note that many human philosophers have recognized that the search for self-knowledge is the hardest search of all. It is extremely difficult for the human brain to contemplate and analyze the human brain. Its limitations mak
e it impossible to see its limitations."

  Derec found himself in agreement with the robot. "The only thing a camera can't see is itself. The only thing a ruler can't measure is itself."

  "Quite. Questions of human brain functions have therefore been the slowest to yield to investigation by human researchers. Many aspects of human behavior are still puzzles despite centuries of neurological and biochemical studies."

  "So what do you think you can do?"

  Dr. Galen spread his hands wide. "Positronicbrains were not developed by copying how human brains function. They were developed by copying how human beings behave. Therefore, though the positronic brain is the product of the human brain, it represents a distinct form of intelligence and a different perspective."

  "Are you saying that positronic brains are more capable than human brains?"

  "The key is that a robot does what it does differently than a human brain," Dr. Galen said diplomatically. "I am convinced that it is an invention of the human brain which will eventually unlock the secrets of the human brain. So I am pleased to have the opportunity to do more than study and speculate."

  Derec shook his head. "Forget it. I don't want to be a lab animal."

  "Forgive me," Dr. Galen said. "In my enthusiasm I neglected to make clear that my primary interest is to help you. There are tests which Ican perform to determine the cause of your condition. Depending on the cause, there may be measures which can be taken to reverse your condition."

  "Do you mean you can bring my memory back?"

  "I will not know the likelihood of that until I have examined you."

  Derec regarded the promise of a magic cure with skepticism. "Look, I'm not going to be here very long," he said. "Let's not start something we won't have time to finish."

  "I do not understand."

  "You said that ships call here every two months. If I've been here six weeks, my ride out of here should show up in two weeks--probably less."

  "No, Derec," Dr. Galen corrected. "Fariis came and went while you were recovering. The next vessel, the Heritage, is due in six weeks, three days."Derec stared. "A ship's already been here? Then why am I still here?" he demanded.