Yngve, AR - The Argus Project
Page 31
The sun had set now, and from the rooftop they could see thousands of lights across the city. In the distance, city lights seemed to merge with the stars.
For a moment they hesitated to connect - knowing that they both must have changed - fearing that the other would now be a stranger, a damaged and cruel person - a killer.
And in the next moment they understood, just looking at each other: sometimes they had been killers, in order to protect the parts of them that were not killers.
In subjective time, they were already hundreds, if not thousands of years old - time enough to stop being squeamish. They reached out and connected physically, and saw only each other in the space of the mind.
"I did some terrible things out there," he said. "I almost went crazy, waiting for you."
He embraced her with such intensity he was glad it was only in their connected minds, fearing he might have crushed her in the physical realm.
They made love for an uninterrupted month in subjective time, experienced moments of greater pleasure than any couple of flesh and blood could hope for, before she finally managed to answer in words.
"I forgive you everything. Neither of us had much of a choice."
"And we still love each other."
"Yes. And we are the only ones of our kind. At least, the only ones I know of. For now."
Their conversation paused, as they shared their experiences... Venix learned of Caver Pi, Rogan Din, Islington, and Navbutler.
Argus learned of Christof Foss, Kolya Keaton, Arjja Texeira-Berg and her family, Dave Roman and the other Martians, Sugar - and Brutus-G.
He was not unhappy that Venix had knocked that android's head off, even though it resembled his own.
Venix did not reproach Argus for hurling the Kansler into space, or destroying the robot that impersonated her.
"I still wonder," she said, resting in his arms, "how much of all this was in Boulder's plans all the time. He willingly let the Kansler use him to almost win the war and murder hundreds, while using the Fleet's resources to realize his own vision. Boulder Pi used us, too. I cannot say I like him, but I feel no hate. He made me free."
"Then... what are we?" Argus asked. "I'm sure we could find some of our DNA samples stashed away somewhere, maybe graft our old flesh back on top of this, but what's the point of pretending?"
Venix said: "Are we even male and female anymore? I can't have children like I once could."
"And I cannot impregnate you in the old way. First I was so sad about that, I couldn't bear thinking about it... but now I think there is hope. We don't have to try and be turned back into flesh, even if it could be done."
Venix said: "If we could become this, then others could too. There is another way to live and create our own, unique offspring. But how, where?"
"Not here in the Solar System. But somewhere... out there, other beings have taken the same step, and populated the universe. A different life, but it is life . We are more than machines. We still learn, we still grow. I am learning to see possible futures, but I cannot put them in words or clear pictures. In time, I will."
"Perhaps we could stay here on Mars a while, help them out, learn a little more... but you don't think so?"
"No. When I was reborn, at first I felt stupid, confused, clumsy... but now we are facing another problem. We cannot reach our full potential here. As long as we continue to live among humans who are slower and weaker than us by design, we will slowly grow dumber in order to adapt to them. We need to live among equals, so we must find our equals. Not sit around and wait for them to be created here."
"You are right. I waited long enough for you to be built."
They fed on each other's determination; the result grew so strong it almost hurt to feel it. Was this how the first humans had felt, when they first learned to speak a language and give names to things, to themselves?
"I admit the Kansler was right," Venix said, "when he foresaw that cyborgs are better suited for life in space than flesh. In a way, both the forces that build and the forces that destroy helped create us. Perhaps, in a way, both Boulder Pi and the Kansler were used."
"I don't need to justify my existence. You're alive, Ven - just enjoy it. But - Boulder never knew who I really was? The Kansler had him fooled. How did he manage that? Was it just luck?"
"I have no idea."
"And the Kansler fooled himself into thinking an old broken-nosed ring-fighter was no match for his intellect. He was so cocksure I wouldn't see the light, until it was too late for him. But I changed much faster than he had expected... with your help."
"You fooled them all. You really are the greatest."
"How shall we live? What should our children be like?"
"I want them to be like you."
"And you. We'll think of something."
"Let's go then. Pick a nearby star... a yellow one."
"Rather a red one, that goes with your hair."
"Gus, you big lug. Stop joking, this is serious."
"I mean it. A red star. Old, dying. Where all the Kanslers died out or moved out. If there's anyone left there, they must have been around a long time, and learned something. And got wise. So we could ask for their advice."
"Let's ride."
48: EPILOGUE: The Human Race
They flew by the Asteroid Belt, made an orbit around Jupiter and its moons to pick up momentum, then passed Saturn and circled it for the final push out of the Sun's grasp.
The rings, myriad fragments stretching away into the unfathomable distance beyond the gas giant, floated past the ship.
An incoming message reached them over the radio. Though the signal was very faint, Argus recognized the voice through the static.
"Gus... I know that it's you. It's me - Chris! I'm still back here on Earth, in Kuwait. When the Martians learned you were going away, they got in touch and helped me send this message. I don't have much time. I found Giddog after the crash. Took him to a hospital, took care of him for you. He's fine now, but he misses you.
"I thought you were dead, but... that stubborn dog kept watching the skies, like he was waiting. As if he knew. And now that I know, I figured... maybe you want to come back for him. If you do, you know where to find us. Don't worry about that I won't be able to feed Giddog - both he and I are loaded with PP now, because we were your friends. I mean, we still are. We're famous.
"I tell everybody what a great guy you were, I mean you are. If you're not coming back... well... take care. Say hello to Gus, Giddog."
A half-anxious, needy bark sounded over the radio.
"Oh God," Argus said, staring out at the spectacle of Saturn's rings. Venix gave him an inquisitive look.
"Is that -?"
"Yeah, it's Giddog all right. I could send a reply. What do I tell a dog? What do I tell my best friend?" He cast a guilty glance toward the ship's screens and added: "My next best friend."
She put a hand across his cheek, and directed his gaze toward her mild smile. "How about: 'Hi Giddog, who's a good dog then, this is goodbye, thanks for everything Chris, bye.' "
"You always know what to say."
He embraced her and kissed her deeply, and her response was equally warm. Then he sent the spoken reply she had suggested. And he added, on his own, a few entirely improvised words.
His last worded message crossed the gulf of outer space, was picked up by satellites, and was relayed to the ears of a man and a dog. The man recorded the message for posterity...
"Chris, when people ask you, why did we leave, tell them that I expect others to follow us. Now the road lies open. There's room to spare for everyone, and all the time you need before the sun goes out. But we're not going to wait for the rest of you to catch up.
"Go there, or be square,
"Foul or fair, this is the game.
"Fly with pride or sink in shame,
"Lie in the cradle, mute and lame.
"The human race has just begun,
"We're speeding far beyond the sun.
<
br /> "Flying far as our eyes can see...
"Floating like butterflies, stinging like bees.
"This is F-Three-Oh Two-Oh, Flight Omega, signing out."