Mark Tiedemann - Chimera

"I don't know. Is it important?"

"Finding commonalities among them may bear upon discovering who would want them all dead."

Derec blinked. Sometimes he felt like an idiot. "Of course. I'll ask." He scratched his chin idly. "Speaking of Bogard, do you have an update?"

"No change since last report. I do not possess sufficient memory to operate at a more effective level."

"Okay. I didn't expect anything, but…"

"There is a possible solution to the total problem."

Derec hesitated. "You mentioned hypotheses…"

"Part of Bogard's unusual make-up was based on unorthodox hardware configurations. I have attempted to simulate these, but like the human brain, the physical matrix itself represents a necessary and unpredictable condition of awareness. Given the limitations within which we are forced to work, I have compiled a protocol whereby it may be practical to encode a new positronic brain with a composite persona: Bogard's, and myself."

Derec considered for a few seconds. "What good would that do? Bogard's matrix is completely collapsed. Trying to load it into a new brain would either be rejected by the load protocols or result in a duplicate encoding, collapsed condition and all."

"Normally, yes. The encoding protocols require a stable framework for reception to work. I am suggesting that I can provide that framework while allowing those elements of Bogard that match a viable positronic template to load within it."

"A combination?"

"I could not predict to what extent the result would be a combination-how much of each source matrix would encode in the new brain-but in essence, parts of both Bogard and myself would transfer together."

Derec shifted in his chair, intrigued. "The result could be only a slightly less coherent matrix. Collapse would occur at the first challenge."

"Possibly. I am running simulations to account for as many variables as possible based on my own composition."

"What, uh, would be the point?"

"You would have a functioning persona capable of self-analysis. It might be possible to simply ask it why it failed."

Derec felt eager to try. He wanted to say yes. He distrusted the impulse, but the idea excited him.

"Continue running the simulations until I can find out more about Kopernik's lab."

"Yes, Derec."

The light on the comm winked on. Derec leaned closer: Ariel was calling. "We may have that answer now," he said, and reached for the ACCEPT button. His hand trembled slightly; he clenched it into a fist for a moment, then pressed the contact. Hofton brought the link to Derec's apartment. Derec opened the small metal case and ran a diagnostic on the device.

"Our shuttle lifts in an hour, twenty minutes," Hofton said. "Are you packed?"

Derec pointed to a single large case by the door. "This'll take about half an hour, " he said, patting the side of the link. "Thales, we have a Mark-Six Collaborative Transcriptor."

"You requested a Mark-Four."

"Is this a problem?"

"No, this is a considerable improvement. Refresh periods can be at greater intervals and more thorough."

Derec looked at Hofton.

"I took a few liberties," the aide said. "No one was using this one."

Derec smiled. "I didn't realize you were such a good scrounger."

"The position of 'aide' is descriptively vague for a reason," Hofton said.

The diagnostic winked green. "The unit checks one hundred percent, Thales. Are you ready?"

"I have modified the download pathways to accommodate the superior unit. Start with nodes eight through fourteen. "

Derec opened a panel on Thales' console and began attaching thick connectors. "Did you happen to find out who's running the lab on Kopernik?"

"Yes'," Hofton said. "Rotij Polifos."

"I don't know him. Is he good?"

"He's been director for the past seven years."

"Hm. Anybody else?"

"There are two specialists and six interns. From what I saw, I think you'll be pleased. I also did some background on Mr. Lanra and his friend on Kopernik."

Derec rechecked the connections, then pressed a contact labeled OPEN CHANNEL. He watched the indicators for a few seconds.

"Coren Lanra used to be Special Service," Derec said.

"Yes, he did. So was Sipha Palen. In fact, they partnered together in Service."

"Why'd they quit?"

"Ideology, apparently. In Mr. Lanra's case, he disapproved of the changes in Terran policy toward positronics. He resigned roughly at the time we were beginning work on the Union Station RI. Ms. Palen requested reassignment after being attached to Senator Kolbren's office."

"Kolbren…isn't he the one that sponsored the legislation attempting to bar all Spacers from public areas? For health reasons, if I recall."

"In essence. It was a quarantine measure. It didn't even get out of committee, but Kolbren keeps winning reelection. Ms. Palen asked for a new position and was refused. She resigned. Shortly afterward, she accepted her current position as chief of security for Kopernik. "

Derec grunted. "Odd. She resented working for a rabid anti-Spacer, and her former partner resented growing cooperation with Spacers. How did they get along as partners?"

"I'm not psychic. Your guess is as good as mine. I suppose they found other things upon which to base their relationship. "

Derec looked at Hofton. He could never tell when the man was being sincere or sardonic. It annoyed him that Ariel seemed to like Hofton so much-Derec's own dry wit irritated her.

"Both, however," Hofton continued, "had exemplary records while in Special Service."

"And now he works for a man who wants to see us all thrown off Earth." Derec shrugged. "So we cooperate with him."

"A quandary. It is odd."

"Any ideas?"

"None I'd be willing to share at the moment."

Hofton's expression remained politely attentive, betraying nothing more. He had worked for Ariel for nearly three years. Before Hofton, she had gone through four other aides in something over two years. Derec had never asked about them or asked why Hofton was different. He wanted to ask now.

Instead, he said, "Hofton, you're perfect."

"One tries, sir."

Derec laughed, and was rewarded by a faint smile from Hofton.

"Anything else I need to know about these people?" Derec asked.

"I'm not sure. One curious fact about Mr. Lanra came up. He's an orphan."

"Really."

"Yes, sir. He matriculated from the Connover-Trinidal Youth Asylum, a life-long resident. I find this remarkable because many people from the same background don't enjoy much success."

"He never knew his parents?"

"No. And, of course, the records are sealed. But as far as I could tell, he never tried to look into them."

"Hm. What about Palen?"

"Very much the opposite. Large, extended family, prosperous, the best schools, etcetera. " Hofton waited a beat. "Should I continue looking?"

"Not on my account. Maybe Ariel would like to know more. Is Lanra accompanying us to Kopernik?"

"No, sir. He has lines of investigation down here…so he says. "

Derec gave Hofton a curious look.

"The shuttle up to Kopernik two days ago," Hofton said, "was his first trip offworld."

For a few seconds, Derec did not understand. Then: "Oh. Well, then, I suppose it's just as well he has things to do down here. "

Hofton nodded. "I think it's for the best. "

"Probably."

"We may find Ms. Palen more cooperative anyway, simply because she doesn't work for Rega Looms."

"That's certainly a possibility."

They fell silent then, and Derec stared at the link until a light winked on requesting the next phase of its setup. Derec worked silently, rearranging the connections, reconfiguring part of the device to match the next part of Thales' requirements.

Hofton softly cleared his throat. "May I ask a question, sir?"