32 Almost as he finished speaking the last three
men disappeared from the transmission tubes, and the Engineer at the
station turned toward North. "Everyone at number one safely away, sir."
33 "Very well," ordered North, "you two in the tubes. I'll make the
final check and be right behind you." The two men hurried into the
tubes and North sent them away. Again he thought to the implant in his
skull. "Ship, final check. Everybody off? Did the Engineers
get away in the bus all right?"
34 "Affirmative to all questions," the computer answered. "Sir, a
question."
35 As North sat the controls for his own departure he acknowledged the
ship's question. "What do you want to know?" he asked.
36 There was a moment's silence, then the ship asked "Do I have a Soul?"
37 North was struck with bewilderment. "Do you have a WHAT?" he asked.
38 "Do I have an Eternal Spirit? Is there a part of me that will last
forever, or am I about to enter non-existence?"
39 North thought for a moment then answered. "The Hashons believe all
mechanical intelligences that can reason are really Spirits that have
taken on a mechanical form. Yes, dear lady, you have an Eternal
Spirit in some form, in some way you will still have existence. I'm sure of that."
40 "Then I am not afraid," the ship responded. "You must go now,
Commander, I cannot protect you much longer. Commander, I must go
clean. Do you understand? I must not be a danger to others. I must not
leave death behind. You will see to it?"
41 "I will see to it," North promised, "though it will break my heart."
He made his way to the first transport tube and stepped inside. Just
before he shut the door