I have known stoppers in my day. But this was the whopper topper stopper. I stared speechlessly at Morton. If I looked like he did then my jaw was hanging open, my eyes were popping and I was gurgling like an idiot, Neebe smiled warmly upon us and waited impatiently until we got reglued and were able to speak again. I sputtered first. “Mark Forer… gone… thousands of years ago…”
“Why? Essentially an artificial intelligence must be immortal. I suppose bits and pieces get replaced as they wear out, but the intelligence will remain the same. Or grow. We have always been immensely pleased that Mark Forer saw fit to accompany us to this world. We sincerely hope that it watches and approves of the way we practice IM. But of course we would never consider asking it for aid. ”
“Well I would,” I said, climbing to my feet. “I certainly would ask for help without a moment’s hesitation. Mark Four’s social theories are about to get a lot of people shot dead. So that cold artificial intelligence had better have some answers how to arrange it so that they don’t.”
“But you will have to go back to Bellegarrique to dig Mark Four out,” Morton said. I nodded grim agreement. ’ “I was hoping you wouldn’t say that just yet. But, yes, Morton old friend. I’ve got to find where our great electronic leader lives and search it out. And there better be some ready answers.”
Chapter 28
“Do you know where Mark Forer plugs in?” I asked Neebe. She shook her head.
“Not physically. It is just known, understood, that Mark Forer came with us and aided in the design of the city of Bellegarrique. And never left it.”
“Well someone has to know.” I thought hard, then snapped my fingers. “Our old friend, Stimer, he should have that vital bit of info. One of the top men in the world of electricity. And if he doesn’t know he will surely know someone who does know. Do you have any idea of how I can contact him?”
“The telephone is over there.”
“Thanks, Neebe, but I don’t have his number or the slightest idea where he is staying or anything.”
“But no one has a number. And it doesn’t matter where he is staying. Just call CD and ask for him.”
“CD?”
“Central Directory. Here, I’ll get it for you.” She tapped the keypad and the screen lit up with NAME, PLEASE? in large letters. Very polite. Very efficient. I tip my hat to the man or machine that wrote this software. I answered four questions and the screen changed to RINGING. The letters faded and Stirner’s grim face appeared on the screen. He smiled faintly when he saw me, but he had obviously been watching the broadcast too.
“Ahh, good ofiplanet friend Jim. I hope that you are well. Can I do you a service?”
“You certainly can, good dynamo supervising friend Stirner, I would like to have a chat with your demigod, Mark Forer.”
“A strange choice of terms. I would certainly not refer to it as a demi . -. .”
“Then forget the term. Do you know where Mark Forer is?”
“Of course.”
“Will you take me to it?”
“Ahh, now that is a question that needs some thought. Mark Forer’s individualism has always been respected, for all the obvious reasons. I do remember reading in the historical records that after this city was founded it did make suggestions and was occasionally consulted. But not lately, not in, hundreds of years at least. I would not go to it myself, but, yes, I feel that I can take you. I respect your individualism just as I respect Mark Forer’s. We must each make our own way -in this world.”
“And I am going to make my way back into the city.”
“You must be careful. It will not be easy. The trains have stopped running and citizens are being forcefully stopped from leaving. At last report no one was returning.”
“I’ll think of something. You are still in the city?”
“Yes.”
“Stay near the phone. I’ll get there today. I must talk to Mark before Zennor’s deadly deadline runs out tomorrow morning. ”
I hung up and looked blankly into space. I could see no answers hanging out there. “Any advice, Morton?”
“None that makes any sense. Like being a returned deserter. ”
“Like you, that idea I considered and rejected. That would just get me back in jail and shot.”
“Mav I mairp a <:iifflTf”
“All aid greatly desired.”
“I will take you to the city. You will go as my father. We have a wonderful theatre group here in Ling and our makeup department is quite famous. You could be an old man, I could be your daughter and driver. It would be so exciting.”
“You’re wonderful!” I jumped to my feet and, in a fit of mad enthusiasm seized her and kissed her. Then I sat down quickly again as the hormones started humming and driving all other thoughts from mind. She was an incredibly bright, lovely, intelligent, beautiful girl and I was just going to have to forget all Shout that. For the time being. “We better get started.”
“My brother will take you to the theatre. I will phone them and arrange what must be done. Then I will make the transportation arrangements. You do not mind if I say .that I find this fascinating and exciting as well. I must thank you for letting me help. It is so much more fun than school.”
“The thanks are mine. What do you study in school?”
“Vulcanology. I just love the magma and the scoria, then when you go down thefumerole…”
“Yes. You must tell me of those burning pleasures. Later. ”
“Of course—there is my brother now.”
I think that it was a special train that they laid on. Just two cars and no other passengers. Morton looked guilty—but glad as well that he wasn’t going back to Bellegarrique. I waved him a stiff goodbye with my cane and climbed shakily aboard. I was ancient and crochety and needed practice. Gray beard, rheumy red eyes, wrinkled like an old boot, they had really done a great job at the theatre. A harness under my clothes had me bent over so far that I was staring down at my wrinkled and liverspotted hands.
The track was straight, the train was fast and there were no stops until we reached our destination. A black vehicle was waiting on the platform when we arrived. The driver got out and held the door open for us.
“You’ve driven one of these?” he asked.
Neebe nodded. “A two hundred volt Lasher-gnasher. Great fun to drive.”
“Indeed they are. I’ve got her rewed up to thirty-three thousand. More than enough energy for the trip.” He pointed to the circular housing between the rear wheels. “The flywheel is in here, electric generator on its shaft. Motor on the front wheels. Clean and nonpolluting.”
“And very hard to turn over with that gyroscope down there,” I said.
“You’ve got it. Good luck.”
Neebe spun the wheels and I was pushed back into the seat by a large number of G’s. We hurtled along the empty road.
“I’ll slow down before we reach the roadblock. Isn’t this fan! I wonder what the top speed is?”
“Don’t… find out!” I croaked as the landscape hurtled by in a blur. “Though I am an old man and have led a full life I don’t want to terminate it quite yet!”
She laughed her gorgeous bell-like laugh and slowed to something close to the speed of sound. She obviously knew the road well, all those bicycle outings of course, for suddenly she hit the brakes, slowed to a crawl, then turned the corner just before the barrier across the road.
“What you doing blocking the road like that, you varmints?” I croaked testily out of the window, then shook my cane at the fat captain who was leaning against it picking his teeth. Remnants of hotpup, I hoped.
“Knock off the cagal, Grandpop. Where do you think you’re going?”
“Are you as stupid as you look, stupid? Or haven’t you heard your supreme commander’s orders? City workers to return at once. I am an electrical engineer and if you want light in your latrines and refrigeration for your beer you will open that thing instantly or sooner.”