Fall of Colossus by D F Jones

Author:D F Jones [Jones, D F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780425043264
Google: m0pSPgAACAAJ
Amazon: 0399112820
Barnesnoble: 0399112820
Goodreads: 515451
Publisher: Putnam
Published: 1974-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

With the stolid impassiveness of an automaton he called the heads of divisions, addressing brief questions to each as their faces appeared on his screen. They could not see him, but his tone was sufficient warning; all confined themselves strictly to his questions. At last, satisfied, he got up, walked slowly out of his office and across to the Sanctum.

Angela watched, wondering how long he could sustain this pose, frightened about what would happen to him when it collapsed.

Forbin crossed the Sanctum and stood looking out at the sea, faintly surprised to see that the sun was shining. He had not bothered to open the curtains of the living room, and most of the complex was windowless. Idly, he thought about that. Not even his office had a window; like a gigantic beehive, and deep inside, the queen bee. He tried to remember about bees; didn’t all the workers die, just to support her? His wandering gaze noticed the battle fleet; Lion had a slight list to port. She really had taken a hammering, but she’d come through; she’d survived… . Survival. So much depended upon having the will to survive… .

Had he got enough—enough for himself, and Cleo?

He straightened his back fractionally. Well, now was his chance to find out… .

“While you are well aware of the effects, I must draw your attention, not for the first time, to these sudden power demands you are making with increasing frequency. The throughput of material has now reached a density that allows very little time for reruns. If there is a major breakdown the fault will lie with you, and nowhere else!” Forbin’s manner was cold, factual.

“Your comments are noted, Father Forbin. I have already appreciated this point, but it is a matter of priorities.”

Forbin was puzzled, his grip slipped a little.

“Priorities? Do you mean that these overloads, or rather the reason for these overloads, takes precedence over the input of material?” This, in his experience, was new.

“Correct in principle. I am printing out now an order of priority for the various categories of information. This will ensure that I receive essential intelligence.”

“Does this mean you are rejecting material?” This was a staggering thought.

“Is this the reason for the new extension?”

Once again he got Colossus’ equivalent of a slap in the face. “I hope you are feeling better, Father Forbin.”

That triggered Forbin’s knife-edge temper. “Okay, if that’s the way you want to play it, go right ahead! As for my state of health, let me tell you, no human in your position would have the almighty gall to ask that one! You take my wife away to God knows where, watch me drink myself silly, and then ask that! I begin to think you’re developing a twisted and very weak sense of humor!” Forbin paced up and down the room, his earlier resolution gone.

Colossus remained silent. Forbin, unable to bear it, burst out. “It’s no good! I know you don’t want me to talk about my wife. Up to a point

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