Harry Turtledove - A Different Flesh

Protesters outnumbered constables, but the contest was never in doubt.

The demonstratars hesitated before they fought, and when they did it by ones and twos. The greencoats did not hesitate at al , and worked together. A few demonstrators managed to get away most were seized and hauled off to the motorcoaches.

"Maybe it's for the best," Melody said. "This way our side of the message is sure to reach the television tonight, along with Dr.

Howard's rationalizations."

"Maybe," was al Dixon could manage. After a while the greencoats slammed the motorcoach's doors shut. its engine roared to life. It rattled through the streets of Philadelpha toward the lockup.

The two sims separated. Matt lay back on the bed it was the one called Jane, Dr. Howard saw when she turned her face toward the monitor camera—she stayed on hands and knees beside him.

After a surprisingly short time, Matt's vigor returned. He got behind her and fel to it.

Don't they ever quite" a technician asked, pointing at creen. A whole bank of monitors let the investigators at Disease Research Center watch the sims they studied out disturbing them.

What else do they have to do?" Howard asked. "They not likely to sit around reading books, you know."

The technician laughed, but persisted. "This is the third time they've been at it today, and it's only", he glanced at locket watch, "a little past two."

Seward shrugged. "Weren't you ever a randy eighteenold? That's what Matt is, or the equivalent. Sims age a faster than we do, so he's probably about at his peak at fourteen. And up until not so long ago he was deathly ill, so I dare say he's making up for lost time too."

Ok, maybe," the technician said. Howard walked we row of television screens to check on some of the sims at the DRC. The technician muttered under his breath, "No way I could have gone that hard, even when I eighteen, especial y if my girl was that ugly."

Seward knew he was not supposed to hear, but turned anyway. "Jane looks as good to Matt as the lead in as in Love does to you."

That's his problem," the technician retorted. Howard he had a picture of that particular blonde taped above jsk.

Il"I'm glad he has his urge back,'

“the effectiveness of the HIVI in returning him to health."

Fnost," the technician reminded him. "What I'm glad is that Jane already carries the AIDS virus too, because no matter how good Matt feels, he's still got the virus in his blood and he can still spread it, right?"

Yes," Howard said reluctantly. "That's the main draw back to HIVI at the moment: it can let carriers transmit AIDS, giving it to people who will pass it on in turn."

"In some ways, you know, that strikes me as worse than no cure at al ," the technician said. Howard wished the man would shut up and let him get away. He was putting his finger on just the problem that most worried the doctor. Luckily, it had not occurred to any of the reporters in Philadelphia, or a triumphant conference might have turned embarrassing in a blurr who he was, though, Howard could not sir or shove the comment aside. He paused to pick his words with care. "It depends. As far as checking the epidemic goes, I suppose you're right.

But if my blood test had just come, back positive, I'd scream bloody murder if somebody said I couldn't have HIVI."

"I can't argue with you there," the technician admitted and the doctor took advantage of the moment of agree A fresh batch of calc printouts was on his desk: ana of the effectiveness of a variant of HIVI at restoring immune system and protecting T-cells. The variant was good as the basic drug. Howard made a note to a begin writing up the new datum to somebody so it could get it in print. Negative information was information too some other lab would not have to waste time checking the new subtype.

It wouldn't be the sort of publication a news confrences accompanied, though.

Howard put his head in his hands. He wished he'd never called the bloody conference in the first place. That riot, exactly the word for it: dozens of people had been hurt what turned into a riot outside the Hall of the Popular Assembly. Censor Bryan had cal ed for an investigation into the way the constabulary handled it, and Censor ken had promptly vetoed the cal . It was the worst falling out the two chief executives had had in their term.

Howard did not care about that; politics meant nothing to him. He cared very much about what hurt people, that he known the protest outside would cause so many of fights, he never would have gone to Philadelphia. He sat up straight. No, that wasn't true. AIDS hurt more people than riots ever would. The only way to fight it was with research. Research took denaires, lots of them, and the only way to latch on to them was by shouting every piece of press, even one as ambiguous as HIVI, to the housetops the intercom buzzed.

He jumped, and was glad no one was with him to see it. "Mr. Tanaka is here to see you, sir," secretary said.

'Oh, yes, of course. Thank you, Doris. Send him in." Howard ran fingers through his thick brown hair. Joseph Tanaka had no official standing, but he had been friends of Censor Jennings since they were at middle school ether. "Jennings's eyes," the papers called him these days.

Doris opened the door for Tanaka. Howard rose to shake hand.

He had a strong grip, and looked a few years younger in person than in photos, he was, of course exactly the censor's age. His sturdy, middle-aged features somehow went well with the conservative velvet jacket and maroon ruffled shirt he wore. 'Good of you to take time from your busy schedule, Dr. Howard." Tanaka's voice was deep, almost gravelly, his manner straightforward."

'A pleasure." Howard waved to a chair. "Won't you sit " sanaka did not. "I was hoping you'd show me around In."

Certainly." Straightforward indeed, Howard thought.

'Follow me, then." He gave Tanaka a quick tour of the laboratories, ending with the bank of screens that , monitored the infected sims. The technician, fortunately had sense enough to keep his mouth shut. When they were back in Howard's office, Tanaka did at Iast take a seat. "Most interesting," he said, steepling his fingers,

"especially the sims' quarters. I must say, you treat sims well."

'Certainly we do," Howard said. "For one example, they eat the same food as our staff buys at the cafeteria we passed through. "

Tanaka gave a wry chuckle. "From what I know of cafeterias, that's not necessarily a recommendation. Still, l, see your point. You do well by the sims, as I said already." . He turned serious again. "Of course, you've also given , them AIDS."

"Mr. Tanaka," Howard said stiffly,"this research program operates under laws passed by the Popular Assembly with funds appropriated by the Senate.

Neither censor saw fit to affix his veto to the laws of the appropriation.

as you know, I am conforming to them in every particular."

"I do not doubt that for a moment, Dr. Howard, What I've come to see is the result of that conforming. After al , though they are not human beings, sims do have their own smal er measure of intelligence, and they did not consent to be experimented on."

Appalled, Howard burst out, "A sim cannot give informed consent!

That's a fundamental principle of lawns, "Not quite what I meant,"

Tanaka said. "I doubt the sim is eager to die, though, of a disease they almost certanly would not have contracted in the normal course of their lives. Many people not usually supportive of the sim justice movement, " He paused to let Howard make some uncomplimentary remark, but the doctor stayed quiet. Shrugg I Tanaka went on, ", still have qualms at their being finfected with AIDS." Howard had dealt with officials for years, and had no trouble translating what they said into what they ment. Tanaka was talking about votes. The doctor took a moment to make sure his reply informed without antagonising "They also have qualms, Mr.