Free The Rings of Tantalus by Edmund Cooper Page B

situation, the life-function can be interrupted—just as, for example, it is interrupted in S.A. The robot concerned should strike at the heart and on no account must there be any brain damage. Matthew knows that we have bio-hearts and electro-mechanical hearts in store. I assured him that interruption of function would only be temporary… It is the old double-bluff with variation on a theme.”
    “I still don’t like it,” said Indira.
    “Lieutenant, I did not ask you to like it,” snapped Conrad. “Long ago, I learned that if you wish to survive, you fight fire with fire. Now let’s all get some sleep.”

 
    Phase Four
    HEADS YOU WIN, TAILS YOU LOSE
     
    Conrad was up before daybreak. Automatically, he checked the security of the Santa Maria . John, Peter and Paul were at their guard posts in the sensitive areas. They had received no visitors. The night had passed without incident.
    On the nav deck, Matthew stared impassively at the screens.
    “Anything to report, Matthew?” It was a stupid question. The robot had his instructions. He would have called Conrad if there had been anything.
    “Nothing of significance, sir. A number of small creatures resembling the terrestrial bat appeared at dusk and again just before daybreak. Their numbers were not at any time critical.”
    “Good. Have Peter bring me coffee and a bacon sandwich. I’ll take it here.”
    “Decision noted, sir. Execution proceeds. Request precise definition of terms, also quantity required.”
    “Dammit, Matthew! You know how I take my coffee and bacon.”
    “Previous data has been variable, Commander. Of the two hundred and ninety-three times you required coffee on Kratos, on one hundred and seventy-three occasions you ordered—”
    “Cancel statement,” said Conrad wearily. “You are a bloody ass—no, cancel that statement also… Definition follows: coffee, one half litre, hot, strong, black, sweet. Bacon, smoked, two twenty-five centimetre rashers grilled, crisp. Bread, slices, one, white. Definition adequate?”
    “Definition adequate,” said Matthew with just a hint of robotic humour. “Delivery time estimated at six point five minutes S.E.T. plus or minus three percent from now.”
    “I will take it over here,” said Conrad. “I’ll watch the screens while I am having my breakfast. I want the chopper and hovercar out of the hold and lowered dirtside. They will be used about two hours from now. During that time you and such of your merry band—Mark and Luke, I think—as are not on security duty will check engines, fuel, controls, every vital component. Execute!”
    “Decisions noted, sir. Execution proceeds. Is the Commander aware that such inspections were carried out in Earth orbit and also in Tantalus orbit?”
    “The Commander is aware,” retorted Conrad, “and intends to stay that way. Call Lieutenant Smith to the nav deck at her earliest convenience. Do not designate emergency.”
    “Decision noted. Execution proceeds.”
    Somehow, Matthew contrived to leave the nav deck with heavy robotic dignity.
    Lieutenant Smith arrived before the coffee and the bacon sandwich. She looked a little dishevelled and sleepy still. The white hair was straggly but strangely attractive. She had fine features, thought Conrad, as if seeing her again for the first time. He remembered those idyllic days at Applecross in the North West Highlands of Scotland. Her light brown skin was beautiful, and the fact that she had tin legs didn’t matter a damn. He remembered that the real limbs had been cut off by a bunch of crazy South
    American thugs who called themselves freedom fighters. They had cut her legs off after they had raped her and compelled her lover to watch. Then they had gouged his eyes out. Conrad hoped desperately that she did not have nightmares any more. He suspected she did. What had happened to her would be burned into her brain for ever.
    His own prosthetic arm twitched, and he scratched his silver eye patch nervously.