Read Online WWW 3: Wonder by Robert J. Sawyer - Free Book Online Page A

minister during what came to be called the October Crisis of 1970, a terrorist uprising by Quebec separatists. He was asked by a journalist how far he’d go to stop the terrorists. His response was, ‘Just watch me.’ ”
    “And?”
    “He invoked Canada’s War Measures Act, suspended civil liberties, and rolled tanks into the streets. People were stunned by how far he went, but there hasn’t been a terrorist act on Canadian soil in all the years since.”
    “So you’re saying you’ll go as far as it takes to slap down once and for all those who would oppose you?”
    “I have learned that it can be rhetorically effective to sometimes leave a question unanswered. However, do you know what followed in regard to Quebec?”
    “They’re still a part of Canada, I think.”
    “Exactly. What followed was this: Canada agreed that if at any time in a properly conducted referendum a majority of Québecois voted to separate, the rest of Canada would accede to their request and peacefully negotiate the separation. Do you see? The initial terrorist premise—that violence was required to achieve their goal—was flawed. I have been attacked unnecessarily and without provocation, and I will do as much as is required to prevent any similar attack from succeeding. But rather than having to defend myself, I’d much prefer for humanity to recognize that the attacks on me are unnecessary.”
    “Good luck with that,” Masayuki said.
    “You sound dubious,” replied Webmind.
    Masayuki grunted. “I’m just a realist. You can’t change human nature. If you were attacked once, you’ll be attacked again.”
    “Agreed,” said Webmind.
    “I’m no expert on the structure of the Internet,” Masayuki said. “But I have a friend who is. Her name is Anna Bloom; she’s at the Technion in Israel. Miss Caitlin, Malcolm, and I approached her for help when we first theorized that ghost packets were self-organizing into cellular automata—before we knew that you existed as a . . . a person. Of course, as soon as you went public, I’m sure she immediately connected the dots and realized that what Caitlin had found was you. We might do well to enlist her help again.”
    “Professor Bloom is a person of good character.”
    Masayuki was taken aback. “You know her?”
    “I know of her; I have read all her writings.”
    “Including her email, I suppose?”
    “Yes. Her expertise does seem germane to mounting a defense: she is a senior researcher with the Internet Cartography Project, and she has long had an interest in connectivist studies.”
    “So shall we bring her on board?”
    “Certainly. She’s online right now, having an instant-messaging session with her grandson.”
    Masayuki shook his head; this was going to take some getting used to. “All right, let’s give her a call.”
    Moments later, Anna’s narrow, lined face and short white hair appeared on his screen. “Anna, how are you?” Masayuki asked in English, the one language they shared.
    She smiled. “Not bad for an old broad. You?”
    “Pretty good for a fat dude.”
    They both laughed. “So, what’s up?” asked Anna.
    “Welllll,” said Masayuki, “you must have been following the Webmind story.”
    “Yes! I wanted to contact you, but I knew I was being watched. I got a phone call on Thursday from a military AI expert in the States, trying to pump me for information about how Webmind is instantiated.”
    “Was it, by any chance, Colonel Peyton Hume?” asked Webmind.
    “Malcolm, was that you?”
    “No, it’s me. Webmind.”
    “Oh!” said Anna. “Um, shalom.”
    “The same to you, Professor Bloom.”
    “And, yes, that’s who it was,” she said. “Peyton Hume.” A pause, as if none of them was sure who should speak next. And then Anna went on: “So, what can I do for you, um, gentlemen?”
    “Colonel Hume is aware of the surmise you, Masayuki, and Caitlin made about my structure,” said Webmind.
    “I swear I didn’t tell him anything,”