Free Infinite Day by Chris Walley Page A

other than a strong urge for self-preservation. Maybe some built-in restraints as well. Perhaps.” He looked hard at Merral. “There’s also something of a deep issue that I didn’t have time to explore, about it hating humans. A contempt for us.”
    The professor scratched the back of his neck and turned to Merral. “What I said to the chairman is this: I think it is a real threat, and on a space vessel you will be very vulnerable.”
    â€œProfessor, I am collecting warnings at a considerable rate today. But I’m afraid we have no option but to take Betafor. Her ability in communication and surveillance is something that we have no replacement for.”
    â€œYes, I can see that. But, Commander, I would be failing in my duty if I didn’t warn you that this is a most dangerous traveling partner. It is potentially psychotic. If you are allowed to fly with it, I would urge you to be very cautious. Remember, too, that it is a solitary creature. It makes no friends. Ultimately it does not need you .”
    â€œWhat particular situations do you fear?”
    Elaxal wiped his face with a handerchief. “Commander, I hope I’m not alarming you, but there is one situation you need to avoid at all costs. I think what prevents it from murdering humans is simply that it is desperately frightened of the consequences. It really does fear being destroyed itself. Now, if it were possible to kill all of you without risk to itself, then . . . I could see that might be very tempting.”
    â€œThat doesn’t encourage me.”
    â€œIt wasn’t meant to.”
    â€œAnd you have told Ludovica Bortellat this?”
    â€œYes, it’s in my report.”
    â€œThat’s going to make our departure very tricky.”
    The professor rose from his seat. “I’m sorry. But I have my duty, Commander.”

    Merral was still pondering the professor’s warnings when Vero turned up carrying a number of bulky packages.
    â€œFor you.” He put them on the table.
    â€œWhat are they?”
    â€œNew dress uniform of a commander of the Farholme Defense Force.”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œA press conference is scheduled for five thirty.”
    â€œA press conference? For whom?”
    â€œYou and Ludovica.”
    â€œAnd who arranged that?”
    A hint of evasion crossed Vero’s face. “I felt it would be useful. And the meeting with the official war artist at six. And for the speech to the volunteers at six fifteen.”
    â€œThe official war artist ? What do you mean?”
    Vero came closer and raised a finger to his lips. “Not so loud. It’s part of a cunning strategy. It builds our mission up in the public eye. It makes it harder for Ludovica to cancel it.”
    â€œI don’t like it. I thought you had given up trickery.”
    â€œOh, this isn’t trickery. This is open. We are going public.”
    As Vero turned to go, Merral spoke. “Wait! A Professor Elaxal has just examined Betafor and decided that she is an unstable and immoral creature, capable of psychopathic acts.”
    Vero gave a grunt. “Impressive. It took us twenty-four hours to find that out.”

    About five o’clock, Merral met with Ludovica, who had changed into a functional but smart-looking trouser suit, and together they walked outside. A warm wind was blowing in from the sea, and every so often, little dust devils would part the dry grass and columns of sandy air would whirl past them. Through the haze, Merral could see the gleaming and distorted forms of the inter-system freight shuttles being readied at the end of a distant runway.
    â€œI have many misgivings, Merral,” Ludovica said. “For a start, you have no real rescue plan.”
    â€œI know. We’ll assemble all the data we have and put something together. We have some weeks to do that. And we will have the benefit of surprise.”
    â€œYou will need