that that which you have created is put to a practical
purpose," he argued, "is not to betray you. At this time cooperation
with our captors is the most logical course for survival we have. And
you have programmed me to survive and see to your survival, have you
not?"
74 The woman smiled. "Yes, I have," she said. "Sorry!"
75 "It's alright," the mechanical replied. The mechanical turned to
North. "You do intend that we will survive, do you not?" he asked. "You
do not intend to terminate our existence."
76 "There are some questions I have to ask, first. First of all, there
is the matter of your original,
and what became of him."
77 "Oh, I can answer that," announced Blazing Comet. "There was
legitimately some affection between them, though she had only married
him for his wealth. When they learned that he was dying, rejecting his
first rejuvenation, they realized his family would take all she had
when he was gone. So together they built my first containment system
and just before his death transferred his thought patterns into my data
banks. Since then, I have been him, protecting her from those that
would take what is rightfully hers."
78 "I see!" smiled North. "So she did not dispose of him, but he was a
willing part of your manufacture. Very well," North turned to the
woman, "we're going to the theater and I'm going to make a proposal to
your crew. I want you to cooperate, to advise them to go along with it,
do you understand?"
79 "I'll consider," agreed the woman, "I want to hear what you have to
say."
80 North nodded. "That's fair enough," he agreed. "Come along!"