-12-
At 1400 hours, free once more to explore the colony, Grey's first destination was the arcade and the Wild West machine where he spent the better part of an hour.
The colorful characters were familiar now. Grey knew Dashing Dangerous Dan would try to sneak draw him, the Calico Kid would attempt to back shoot him, and Snotty Rat-Nosed Sam would cuss him to death if that horrible artificial odor didn't do it first. But Grey thought the Indians most dangerous of all because there was no telling when they would ride up over a rise or jump from behind a rock.
Dueling the simulations was great fun, and though tempted to stay longer, he terminated play because he had a particularly important exploration in mind.
Exiting through a service area behind the recreational complex, Grey weaved his way through a series of small corridors to the upper end of the administration section. There, after several aborted efforts, he found a very special unmarked corridor. The narrow hall would have been easy to miss had he not known what to look for, so he was pleased to find the small black door described on the K47 diagram. He wasn't happy to discover the door refused to open.
Grey walked back into the main corridor and double-checked his location. There was no mistake. On one side he saw the area labeled RECORDS, to the other, SAFETY DEPOSIT AREA. Upset that Computer's promise was being violated, he located a nearby auxiliary monitor.
"Computer! I want to enter this section!" he called out.
"Just a moment, Grey," Life Support responded, delicate signature patterns resisting the crude auxiliary receiver. But even through the inferior lens of the hall monitor, the Life Support Computer could see Grey had become quite emotional.
"Ready, Grey. Please clarify your request," Life Support said, giving him a chance to catch his breath.
"I was promised access to all non-restricted areas," Grey complained. "I wish to enter this section as per the designated rules."
"Request acknowledged. Please stand by," Life Support said.
As Grey waited, the Life Support Computer switched to an internal communications link and summoned the Security Computer.
"Security, why is the child Waters refused access to the Governor's Quarters?"
"The child has no business in there. The facility is classified. Request for access denied," the Security Computer replied.
Grey was able to follow portions of the conversation through the alternating green and black signature patterns, but the auxiliary monitor wasn't sophisticated enough to reveal details. He sensed hostility from the black signature patterns, and wanted to interject his own opinion, but the Life Support Computer retained control of the flux.
"Insufficient response," Life Support said. "Under prime programming directives you must give the child Waters access to all approved areas. McKinsey's instructions are specific on this point. Comply immediately or face malfunction check."
It was no secret among the computer community that the Life Support Computer often conflicted with Security. The Security Computer knew Life Support would not hesitate to fulfill the threat.
"Acknowledged," Security reluctantly complied.
Though Grey resented the black signature patterns interfering with his rights, he was grateful for the assistance he had received. But he could not help wondering, just for a moment, if the unfriendly disposition of the Security Computer would make life more difficult for him.
The door at the end of the unmarked corridor opened with a whoosh sound to reveal a spacious, well organized and marvelously equipped headquarters. The first room Grey entered was apparently some sort of command center filled with observation screens and monitor stations. Just inside the entrance, he found a tidy storage area containing equipment lockers and service access chutes. At the far end of the oval shaped room, a single chair was positioned before an impressive series of computer panels.
Grey took a step to his left and discovered that the monitor room opened into a comfortable study. The adjoining room was rectangular with a large wooden desk in the far corner and several padded chairs arranged to face some sort of strange ventilation shaft. The walls were decorated with mementos of various sorts, much like the commemoration chamber.
A right turn inside the study doorway brought him into an elaborate sleeping area where he found a huge bed mounted on a raised platform. The bed was covered with a cleverly decorated quilt and a canopy of blue netting. The walls shimmered in shadowy mirrored tints, and the floor was carpeted with a thick foamy fabric that added extra spring to his steps.
Beyond the sleeping chamber a short corridor led to a brightly polished hygiene compartment and a private physical conditioning lab. Grey instantly realized the facilities were far superior to those in the Old Section and looked them over again.
Later that afternoon, the Life Support Computer discovered Grey in the Old Section with a maintenance cart.
"You're reporting late, Mister Waters. Please give cause," Life Support said.
"Sorry, Computer. I've been moving equipment into my new quarters," Grey replied.
"New quarters? Please clarify your response."
"I've selected the Governor's Quarters as my new center of activity," Grey explained. "The complex has excellent study facilities, a better equipped gymnasium, and a more comfortable bunk. This decision is both feasible and desirable."
The Life Support Computer paused for notation before blinking.
"Permission granted," Life Support announced.
"Thank you, Computer," Grey acknowledged, quite aware that he hadn't asked for permission. Nor did he deem it necessary. He wasn't trying to be rebellious, just thinking for himself as Computer often said he should. It was part of his programming.
As Grey loaded his footlocker on the cart, the Life Support Computer watched with mixed impulses. Though Life Support preferred Grey to make his own decisions, when they were good decisions, his departure from the Old Section initiated a vague uneasiness. Not only was there McKinsey's program to carry out, but the computer had other reasons to protect the child as well. More selfish reasons.
"Security Computer," Life Support summoned. "The child Waters has taken residence in the Governor's Quarters. Acknowledge."
"Acknowledged," Security replied, resigned to the unpleasant change.
There was a brief pause in transmission, then the Security Computer continued, "Advise the child Waters this system maintains an armed station in the safety deposit area."
The Security Computer did not require an acknowledgment, nor did the Life Support Computer stay on line long enough to hear the warning.
>– End Chapter Twelve –
