"James P. Hogan - The Immortality Option" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hogan James P)

The Immortality Option
James P. Hogan
This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are
fictional, and any resemblance to real people or incidents is purely coincidental.

Copyright ┬й by 1995 James P. Hogan

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any
form.

A Baen Book

Baen Publishing Enterprises
P.O. Box 1403
Riverdale, NY 10471

ISBN: 0-7434-7163-6

Cover art by David Mattingly

First printing, October 2003

Distributed by Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020

Typeset by Bell Road Press, Sherwood, OR
Production by Windhaven Press, Auburn, NH
Printed in the United States of America
Acknowledgment
This is to thank Hans Moravec of the Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, for
his help and fascinating thoughts on minds, machines, and where they could all be leading. And
for some very enjoyable company.
Dedication
To June, Yvette, and Lucy
YOUR CALL IS IMPORTANT TO US. . . .
"I would not advise attempts at deviousness," Mormorel warned. "We have artisans well skilled in
methods of persuasion."
Thirg nodded his metal head toward the high priest and the king. "The truth is that I shall remain
free however heavily you weigh this body with irons and chains, while both these eminences stand
captives of their own delusions," he said. "For who can force me to believe that which I choose not to?
Their treasures in guarded vaults produce only anguish for fear of their loss. But can anyone steal the
knowledge that is wealth to me, that I share openly with any? It is impossible.
"There are those humans who, like thee, can prosper only by the coerced labor of others. And
there are humans like I, who would see all of Robia follow Carthogia into freedom. Now call they
inquisitors if thou wilt. There is nothing more that can be added."
Eskenderom was radiating purple. "What manner of impudence impels such to speak thus of a
monarch! To the acid vats with them!" he raged.
But a thoughtful gleam had come into Frennelech's imagers. "Methinks the Lifemaker has consigned
these three into our hands for a purpose. We shall have our vengeance, yes. But let it be a public