Read Online The Questor Tapes by D. C. Fontana - Free Book Online Page B

course,” Questor said politely. “That is my programmed imperative.”
    Darro was presiding over the meeting in the security conference room, and presiding with some impatience. Every new revelation caused a ripple of excitement or startled comment in the audience. They included the project scientists, intelligence personnel, and several other government representatives from the five powers. Two high-ranking generals sat in the front row, frowning as Darro spoke.
    “Next, the American government has uncovered a few disturbing facts. Dr. Bradley, please?”
    Phyllis Bradley rose and glanced briefly at the sheaf of reports in her hand. “Our psychologists are unanimous in the opinion that despite Robinson’s intelligence, he displays a well-defined personality introversion. Dr. Chen?”
    “Our doctors concur totally. It is highly unlikely that Robinson could have planned this—or even cooperated willingly.”
    “In short,” Darro said, “it appears that the android engineered its own escape.” He waited for the babble of talk to recede. “What we face, then, is an incredibly efficient machine. Its capabilities may go far beyond what we ever expected.”
    Gorlov hunched up to the edge of his chair suspiciously. “My government finds it hard to consider even such a clever machine to be an international crisis. You have asked to be given exceptional powers, Mr. Darro.”
    “I suggest to your government, Doctor, it may be crucial to find it now—while there is only one such machine to deal with.”
    The French scientist, Audret, pushed to his feet and spoke over the furor in the room. “Monsieur, it required our combined resources to build only one of them. If you are suggesting someone plans an army of such devices—”
    Darro interrupted coldly. “Doctor, are you certain this machine may not be capable of reproducing itself? And there are other possibilities. We know it can change its appearance at will, perhaps to resemble any of you here, or even a national leader.” He ignored the stir of voices and quieted them with the power of his own. “But the most pressing questions are why was it designed? Why was it programmed to escape? I think it’s important that you now hear from someone who actually knew and worked with Dr. Vaslovik. Miss Allison Sample, his former secretary.”
    Allison had been seated in a corner, barely noticed by the others. At Darro’s gesture, she stood and came to the podium. Darro noticed that she trembled slightly and her hands dripped with nervous perspiration. He extended himself and managed a genuinely reassuring smile for her.
    “Miss Sample has been made aware of the confidential nature of this meeting. Please speak freely, Miss Sample.”
    She nodded, a little more sure of herself. “I’d like to make it clear I first consented to answer questions about my former employer only because of my concern for Mr. Robinson.”
    “Miss Sample was admirably reticent,” Darro interjected. He nodded to her. “But what changed that? When Vaslovik’s background records were checked— thoroughly checked by my people—please tell us what was discovered.”
    Allison bit her lip nervously. It was difficult for her to admit the facts that Darro had shown her. How could she have worked so closely with Vaslovik and never known? She realized that the audience was waiting for her, and forced herself to speak. “Except for his scientific and academic life, almost everything else about him or his past either couldn’t be verified or . . . or appeared to be totally false.”
    The listening group exploded in agitation again, and Darro waited for them to quiet. “Copies of that investigative report will be distributed. Miss Sample, did Professor Vaslovik seem to be concerned over the things happening in the world?”
    Allison hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. Very worried.”
    A phone light on the table beside the podium began to flash. Phillips instantly picked it up and answered it in a low