Barrington Bayley - Barrington Bayley SF Gateway Omnibus - The Soul of the Robot, The Knights of the Limits, The Fall of Chronopolis

The door robot was a big one, well chosen for his role as bouncer and intimidator. Jasperodus, still at the height of an inner hilarity, lunged forward and when the larger robot reached to seize him he took a grip on the other’s upper arm, twisted round and bent low so as to bring his assailant off the ground and sailing over his shoulder.

The doorkeeper crashed to the floor. Jasperodus stepped into the open, well pleased. Considering his befuddled reactions, he thought, he had performed the manoeuvre with skill.

But suddenly he decided he no longer wished to be drunk. He moved some yards away from the Good Oil and paused, drawing himself erect. With a considerable effort he tried to flush the deranging influences out of his system and to take a more sober appraisal of his surroundings. Slowly he damped down the erratic emotions that were swirling through him; reluctantly the giddy perceptions subsided. Then, with a step only slightly unsteady, he set off back to where he had left Cree Inwing.

It was early evening when Jasperodus arrived at the tavern. As he was about to mount the stairs the landlord accosted him and broached a matter of business.

‘I have need of a household robot, one who can work on his own initiative and be entrusted with various matters,’ he said. ‘From our brief acquaintance I feel that you would fit the post admirably, and I was wondering if your master has it in mind to dispose of you? Frankly, what price do you think he will accept?’

Jasperodus did not divulge any information that would be useful during future bargaining, as the landlord had hoped. ‘As to that,’ he answered, ‘you must consult my master himself. But you will not find me cheap.’ He glanced upstairs. ‘I go to rouse him now. If you care to follow me up shortly perhaps you and he can discuss the proposal.’

He entered Inwing’s room to find him sitting blearily on the bed, having just woken. When he described the landlord’s advances Inwing grunted sardonically and waved his hand.

‘But you must accept,’ Jasperodus told him in all seriousness.

Inwing peered at him in puzzlement. ‘What on Earth are you talking about? Have you gone mad?’

‘It is an obvious step,’ Jasperodus answered. ‘Our association has been fruitful, but we have achieved our object: we have arrived in Tansiann. Clearly our interests from now on will diverge. You, for instance, must wish to resume a military career and join the imperial forces – that much I have chanced to observe. I would only be an impediment to you if you regarded our relationship as binding.’

Inwing uttered a sad laugh. ‘You are observant indeed, but for my part it is all wishful thinking. Where will I ever raise the nine thousand imperial crowns necessary to buy a commission? They don’t make an officer of just any piece of riff-raff.’

‘That is exactly why I suggest you sell me. I am worth far more than nine thousand imperials.’

The expression on Inwing’s face showed that the thought was new to him. ‘Surely you are not prepared to endure construct bondage again on my account.’

‘Have no fear: the ruffian will have the use of me for no more than a few hours. I will depart and make my own way. I have discovered that it is possible for a robot to lead an independent existence in certain parts of the city, if he is resourceful enough – as I believe I am. There I can install myself and pursue my interests. I ask just one favour in return: that if I ever happen to be impounded I can claim to be your property so as to prevent any awkward situations.’

‘Naturally.’ Cree debated within himself. ‘Your plan seems sound, if hardly ethical.’

‘Don’t disturb your conscience; this city is more full of thieves and villains than the forest west of Gordona. Why does that rogue wish to purchase me? Not for his own use: a construct as costly and as able as myself is not put to work in a tavern.’ He stepped to the table and inspected Inwing’s belongings. ‘As I thought: your money has all disappeared while you slept. Our landlord, of course, will know nothing of it.’

Cree jumped up and examined his purse with annoyance. ‘What a nuisance!’ he exclaimed fretfully.

‘Never mind; we will shortly recoup.’

But Cree still seemed doubtful about the whole business. He paced the room, looked out of the window, then turned to Jasperodus.

‘I much appreciate your giving thought to my welfare; for my part I feel a little as though I would be deserting a friend.’

‘It is my own wish. I have my own way to go, and I lose nothing by this parting gesture. So let us say farewell. I have learned much from our travels together. Most important, perhaps, I have learned something of comradeship.’

Cree smiled. He extended his hand. ‘Very well, then.’

He and the robot shook hands.

At that moment there was a brief knock on the door and the landlord entered. ‘Perhaps you have become acquainted with my offer?’ he said ingratiatingly to Inwing.

Inwing tugged his moustache. ‘For a fact this robot is somewhat redundant to my future plans. I might be willing to sell if the price is right.’

‘Good! Then only the terms are to be agreed on!’ The landlord rubbed his hands, then stepped back to inspect Jasperodus. ‘How shall we fix his worth? A thousand imperials?’

‘Let me shorten all debate by speaking for my master,’ Jasperodus interrupted. ‘I am worth easily thirty thousand imperial crowns on the open market, as you, if you know what you are about, must be aware.’

The landlord raised his eyebrows. ‘A great sum, indeed; far beyond my expectations!’

‘You are buying a prime product. You will find me the most self-directed robot of your acquaintance, as perhaps you have already noticed. I am made to the very highest standards of workmanship, as any robotician will attest. This assessment of my own monetary value is an objective one; I cannot deceive.’

‘You have deeds of ownership, of course?’ the landlord said suddenly to Cree, and then, when the latter frowned in discomfort, his manner changed. ‘Aha! I thought not! It struck me as most odd that a ruffian of your description, able to frequent only such humble inns as my own, should at the same time be the rightful owner of this valuable property!’

‘And so you searched my belongings to make sure,’ Cree accused.

‘Of that I know nothing,’ the landlord retorted jovially. ‘Nevertheless my pot-boy is at this moment on his way to fetch the city guard, so that the matter may be cleared up.’

‘How then will you secure the robot, which presumably is your aim?’ Cree asked, puzzled.

‘I only wish not to be cheated,’ the landlord insisted. ‘Mark, I do not say that the robot is stolen – only that it might be. I would be willing to take a chance on it, if you care to complete the transaction speedily, but of course such a procedure will vastly lower the value of the merchandise.’ He pursed his lips. ‘I’ll give you a hundred imperials for him and undertake to smooth matters with the guard.’

‘Accept ten thousand imperials crowns, not one penny less,’ Jasperodus instructed Cree firmly.

The landlord was indignant. ‘Your robot interferes too much. Is his discipline always so lax? If so…’

‘He merely guards my interests,’ Cree placated. ‘He will do the same for you when he is yours. And as his advice is invariably sound, I stick at the figure of ten thousand imperials, and you may do your worst.’

After some bad-tempered bickering the landlord finally agreed. They went downstairs, where he produced the required sum in the form of a banker’s note, thus protecting Cree from being waylaid and robbed. Cree then turned to Jasperodus with a show of sternness.