Corundums Woman by John Cleve

Author:John Cleve [Cleve, John]
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

We also store lots and lots of holodrama tapes, several programs such as Errar Sarcon here, and other . . , entertainments. This terminal's capability gives us something to look at, think about, talk about. Someones to talk at besides each other." Aaron half-turned to gesture at one of the men at work.

"That's Sabusaku, in the yellow with the TP helmet and floppy sandals. In another year-Murph he will be well off - since none of us spends anything here.

Through his off-hour studies using this terminal, he will also be a true expert in something called sam-you-rye. He wished to become expert and he has, right here. He wishes to teach. He will!" "All from this fine audio-visio-multiprogram computerminal the TMSM Company provides," Corundum said, "and full linkage to the planet's main bank." "Exactly - and the private display unit Sabusaku uses, in his turn. We have four available to us, with sound-sight inhibitors to make study a private matter. This is a crud job and we are all highly skilled experts, Captain Viking. TMSM takes good care of us."

"I have been impressed with its precautions on your behalf," Corundum said, leaning on the word that might apply to the man he was pretending to be - by allowing his "subterfuge" to be seen through. Doubtless Aaron was pleased with himself for having seen through the ruse; Captain Cautious just hadn't been cautious enough, this time! "And," Corundum said, with a tiny wry smile, "you stay current." "Yes. When new data, even irrelevant shit, is available from anywhere off-Dot, off-Murph, out-of-system - anywhere in the galaxy - it's beamed up here and stored until we can view it. Some we keep. Most we wipe. Why store things we'll never access? Murph-comp Central is Dot's data storage vault.

We feed up to Murph too, of course. Daily. We are also well guarded and defensed." "I understand you, Aaron," Corundum said without a blink at the words and a repeat performance of Aaron's anomalous arch look, "and elect not to be insulted at the warning." "Warning!" Aaron waved his arms and the printout from Jinni rippled with a rustling sound. "Oh no, Captain. Delighted to have visitors, always delighted. And to have equipment that we have long wanted. I'm so familiar with some of that stuff I even recognize the serial numbers. It's also nice to be able to pay less for it, with less paperwork."

Within her helmet, Janja smiled. Paper hardly existed but the phrase persisted. More than ancient, Corundum had told her. Aaron meant that there would be no formal requisition orders and no red tape in dealing with this . . . merchant. "No," Aaron said, "just sort of bragging, I guess. We know what we're lacking, Captain . . . Viking, and naturally we love the opportunity to brag about what we have. And will have! Now, Captain Viking. Your list shows no prices. Do you know them, or the aggregate value at current market?"

"I do not. I assume

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