"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 12 - Eloise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

concerned than he appeared. "Rehousing the unit had no effect
on the decayed intelligence. If anything it showed a marked
decline. Three attempts were made. On the last the unit did
nothing but scream."

Alone, distracted, terrified perhaps; torn from the close
association with other minds which it had known for years. A
great many years, longer by far than any normal lifetime. And
yet why should any cyber scream? Certainly not from reasons of
emotion. But from what else?

"Destroy the bank," ordered Nequal. "Total extinction."

"Master!"

Nequal ignored Yandron's voice, his gesture.

"Continue your investigations," he said to Quendis. "Test the
entire installation down to atomic level and conduct molecular
examinations of all units."

A thousand dead brains to be ripped apart and probed with
electron microscopes. Tons of metal to be checked for any wild
radioactivity or unsuspected crystallization. Every drop of
nutrient fluid to be scanned for random chemical combinations
which could have occurred, despite the monitoring devices.

And still, perhaps, they would find nothing.

As they left the office Yandron said, "Master, it could be that
the decay is not from the cause Cyber Quendis suspects. The
aberration could be due to the units using different frames of
reference. The intelligences, old as they are, could have
progressed to a higher order of relationship, using mental
concepts of a type we cannot understand."

"You are saying that I may have destroyed a superior
intelligence," said Nequal. "I had considered the possibility."

"Naturally, Master, butтАФ"
 "Why did I order the destruction? The answer should be
obvious. If ancient brains could progress to that point then
others, growing old, will reach it also. Therefore, we have lost
nothing. If, however, the decay is not of that nature, then we
have avoided the risk of contamination."

"Yes, Master."

Was there a hint of doubt in the carefully modulated voice?
Nequal looked keenly at his aide. A man remained at the apex of