-15-
The next morning, Grey went down to the Starlight Emporium looking for new clothes. The stock of children's wear wasn't large but the Sales Computer was very helpful, especially after Grey gave his credit number. Apparently sales had been slow for some time. After acquiring some useful items, he found a trim white Thomas McKinsey Souvenir Lab Coat, authentic right down to the optional weights fitted into the lining. The coat was a little big but the Sales Computer assured him he would grow into it.
Later that afternoon, for the first time since the incident in the safety deposit area, Grey returned to the arcade where he enjoyed several hours of earnest combat with the Wild West machine.
In the weeks that followed, Grey began spending more time in the administrative control sections, areas he'd been afraid to enter before because of the security emplacements. For the first time he had the opportunity to speak with the various higher function levels on a regular basis and learn how different they were from each other. The ingrained brain patterns that allowed them to work independently also gave each computer a unique series of personality traits. Grey paid special attention to these traits. They were most interesting.
"Life Support, why is the child Waters dismantling recreational devices in the arcade area?" the Security Computer inquired on an internal trunk line.
"Grey is practicing disassembly of electronic units as an independent study," Life Support said. "The project is approved by Library and Inventory raised no objections. He will assemble the units in convenient locations closer to his daily activities."
"I don't like this. Make him stop," Security complained.
"Your approval is not required," Life Support said, displaying an uncooperative signal pattern. A number of other computers, mostly among the minor function levels, indicated they shared the sentiment. Especially the systems hoping Grey would assist their maintenance schedules.
With a tool cart full of components, Grey spent the first of many afternoons visiting the central computer areas and even some of the more isolated stations along the periphery. At each location he reassembled an arcade device and moved on, rarely even bothering to play with the relocated toys. The tasks were time consuming, and Grey often worked through his recreation periods, but he didn't mind. The complicated procedures were challenging, and when the final unit was in place, he put away his tools with a great deal of satisfaction. The program had gone well.
The pride Grey experienced in his duties did not make him significantly different from the computers. They, too, were programmed for peer approval and self-esteem. Thus it was with much relief that many systems dropped off line when lunar night came. The quarterly review period had arrived—a time to perform badly needed test runs. Even some of the major systems dropped off line. They also needed rest.
Grey stirred at 0200 hours. He was fully alert, having only pretended to sleep so he wouldn't be monitored. By his side, as it had been for the last few weeks, lay the toy six-shooter from the arcade. He hid the troublesome instrument under his pillow, slipped quietly to the floor, and reached under his bed for the more effective Lassiter laser pistol he'd found hidden in the bottom drawer of Thomas McKinsey's desk. He checked the computer monitor. The boards were dark. Sleeping.
"Let the game ensue," he thought adventurously.
He crept around the edge of the bed, crawled through the darkened monitor room, and squeezed between the sliding doors into the dimly lit corridor. He paused, listening for the reassuring computer chimes that were now familiar to him, then moved down to the entrance of the safety deposit area. Entering quietly, he worked his way around the registration desk until he saw the monitor station clearly. The Security Computer was running a regularly scheduled internal system check. The standby bar was dark, the indicator barely flickering. Grey crawled to the end of the counter awaiting the signal’s return.
He didn't need to wait long. Circuits weary from a difficult test run that had to be repeated twice, the Security Computer finished making the rounds and settled down for the remainder of the night cycle. The moment black signature patterns reappeared on the monitor screen, Grey made his move.
"Draw, you varmit!" he challenged, jumping into the middle of the room with borrowed blaster in hand.
Startled once again, the Security Computer instantly went to red alert. Again there was the blaring of sirens, the scrambling of security units, and the momentary panic of the other computers when com links were blacked out. As the Communications Computer was flooded by requests for information that could not be answered, even the Defense Computer tried unsuccessfully to learn the extent of the danger.
In the safety deposit area, Grey stood defiantly amidst the bedlam he had provoked watching the discharger swivel toward him. This time he struggled to remain calm. He did not run. He would not run.
When the monitor finally identified the intruder, the Security Computer contemplated suppressing the disturbance once and for all, but before the Security Computer acted on the impulse, Grey took aim and fired at the disrupter emplacement, melting the trigger mechanism. A second blast tore away the wall supports, the gun tumbling to the floor in a clatter of broken parts. Suddenly, unexpectedly unarmed, the Security Computer realized the kid wasn't playing cowboys and Indians this time. The attack was for real!
– End Chapter Fifteen –
