Deep Black Road: The Head of the Snake

Chapter 48

"Listen, Brother Corran," said Bennett Harrington to the virtual screen on his desk in front of him, "my robotic daughter was working for General Orkan there while he was playing his little games; but I've heard nothing about her since his overthrow. Do you have any idea what's hap-pened to her?"

"I do, Brother," General Corran answered. "She was captured during that overthrow by the Ricky Sheppard robot; and it appears she's still in his company."

"Do you know where they are?"

"Possibly the moon."

"What?!"

"We tracked two robots there; however, due to the recent unexpected appearance of a third robot, I'm only guessing that those two are Ricky and your daughter."

"The moon," said Bennett. "I wouldn't have thought it possible. Anyway, she represents a considerable investment on my part; and I'd be rather put out if I lost it."

"I understand; but all I can do is advise you of any developments, since these three are objects of urgent concern to us."

"Why, if they're just robots?"

"That's just the point, Brother," said Corran. "Unlike normal robots, they're self-motivated, and aren't restricted by their programming in the decisions they make."

"Really? Do you have any idea how that was achieved? My engineers have been trying to do that for years."

"You'd have to ask their manufacturer, Dr. Sheppard."

"I'll do that. Thanks for your help, Brother."

"May the Emperor live forever."

"May he rule gloriously."

#

"Dr. Sheppard," said Sentinel over his link. "There's a call for you from a Bennett Harrington. Do you wish to take it?"

"Bennett Harrington?" Dr. Sheppard responded. "I wonder what he wants. Put him through to the terminal here in my office."

"Right away, sir."

"Hello, Mr. Harrington," he said as soon as the man's image appeared. "How are things going?"

"Well, I hear that my robotic daughter may be on the moon right now."

"That's probably true, since she and Ricky left for there some days ago."

"Oh, is that so? Who sent them there? You?"

Surprised, Dr. Sheppard said, "I had nothing to do with it. As far as I know, they went because they wanted to."

"But they're robots! Robots don't want-to anything!"

"That's where you're wrong, Mr. Harrington. Suzanne and Ricky are robotic humans; and they can do whatever they want, just like us carnate humans."

"How's that even possible?"

Dr. Sheppard sighed. "You remember Dr. Shamir told you he was transferring Suzanne's memories into her robot, right?"

"Yes."

"That wasn't the whole truth. He actually transferred her spark-her entire inner being, that mysterious something that makes her who she is-into that robotic body."

"I see." Bennett Harrington was quiet for a moment, and then said, "So what you're saying is that Suzanne isn't actually dead."

"Nope, she isn't."