Rama Revealed (Arthur C. Clarke Collection: Rama) by Arthur C. Clarke Clarke & Gentry Lee

Author:Arthur C. Clarke Clarke & Gentry Lee
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9780795325700
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2012-11-30T06:00:00+00:00

9

During a conversation the next day, Archie told Nicole that her request to see videos of Katie could not be granted. Nevertheless, Nicole persisted, taking advantage of every opportunity when she was alone with Archie or Dr. Blue to reiterate her request. Because neither of the octospiders ever indicated that images from Katie’s life in New Eden did not exist in their files, Nicole was certain that the video data were available. Viewing these data became an obsession with her.

“Dr. Blue and I talked today about Jamie,” Nicole said late one night after she and Richard were in bed. “He has decided to enter optimizer training.”

“That’s good,” said Richard sleepily.

“I told Dr. Blue that she was lucky, as a parent, to be able to participate in the events in her child’s life. I then expressed again our concern about knowing so little about what’s happened to Katie…. Richard,” Nicole said in a slightly louder voice, “Dr. Blue did not say today that I would be unable to see the videos of Katie. Do you think that signals a change in their attitude? Am I wearing down their resistance?”

Richard did not respond at first. After some prompting, he sat up in bed. “Can’t we go to sleep just this one night without another discussion of Katie and the damn octospider videos? Jesus, Nicole, you’ve talked about nothing else for over two weeks. You’re losing your balance—”

“I am not,” Nicole interrupted defensively. “I’m simply concerned about what has happened to our daughter. I’m certain that the octospiders have many many segments they could put together to show us. Don’t you want to know?”

“Of course I do,” Richard said, sighing heavily. “But we’ve had this same conversation several times already. What is to be gained from having it again at this hour?”

“I told you,” Nicole said. “I sensed a change in their attitude today. Dr. Blue didn’t—”

“I heard you,” Richard interrupted crossly, “and I don’t think it means anything. Dr. Blue is probably as tired of discussing the subject as I am.” Richard shook his head. “Look, Nicole, our little group is coming apart at the seams. We desperately need some wisdom and sanity from you. Max grumbles every day about the octospiders’ invasion of his privacy, Ellie is downright lugubrious except during the rare moments when Nikki causes her to smile, and now, in the middle of everything, Patrick has announced that he and Nai want to get married. But you are so obsessed with Katie and the videos that you aren’t even able to give advice to anybody else.”

Nicole gave Richard a harsh glance and lay down on her back. She didn’t reply to his last comment.

“Please don’t be sullen, Nicole.” Richard said about a minute later. “I’m only asking you to be as objective about your own behavior as you usually are about the actions of others.”

“I’m not being sullen,” Nicole replied, “and I’m not ignoring everyone else. Anyway, why must I always be the one who is responsible for

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