William F Wu - Emperor (Isaac Asimovs Robots in Time)

Emperor - Isaac Asimov's Robots In Time - William F. Wu

ISAAC ASIMOVS

ROBOTS

IN TIME

by

WILLIAM F. WU

THE LAWS OF ROBOTICS

A robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.

A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.

A robot must protect its own existence, as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.

ISAAC ASIMOVS

ROBOTS

IN TIME

EMPEROR

WILLIAM F. WU

Copyright 1994

Databank by Matt Elson

This novel is dedicated to

The memory of my paternal grandfather, Yuan San Wu, who passed the story of the building of the Great Wall to me through my father

Special thanks are due during the time of writing this novel to Dr. William Q. Wu and Cecile F. Wu, my parents, for indulging my lifelong interest in history; Ricia Mainhardt; Robert L. DeCandido of the New York Public Library (Research) Preservation Division, for assistance with the descriptions of papermaking; and John Betancourt, Leigh Grossman, Keith R.A. DeCandido, and Byron Preiss

R. Hunter sat in the office chair of Mojave Center Governor, the robot he had been assigned to reassemble. Hunter had to decide what appearance to use on his next mission. He wore his usual northern European physiognomy now, with short blond hair and blue eyes. A brawny six feet six inches tall, he had been designed with the ability to change his shape and appearance at will and might have to do so for the next trip back into the past, to China in 1290.

First, however, he would discuss the question with the humans on his team. His internal clock told him the time was 6:49 P.M. They were having dinner now and would join him here soon.

After four previous missions into the past, Jane Maynard, the roboticist, and Steve Chang, the general assistant, had a routine established now. Since their return last night from the outskirts ofMoscowin 1941, they had each had a good nights sleep. They had spent the day relaxing inMojaveCenter, this new underground city in theMojave Desert. Then Jane had called Hunter about an hour ago to say they were meeting for dinner before coming to see him.

While they rested, Hunter had hired a historian who specialized inChinaduring the time of Kublai Khan to join the team. Marcia Lew had arrived from her home inHoustona short time ago. She had agreed to join Hunter here soon to meet the rest of the team.

Hunter had been especially designed and built to lead the search for Mojave Center Governor, the missing experimental gestalt robot who was supposed to be runningMojaveCenter. However, without warning, he had abandoned his responsibilities. MC Governor had divided into the six component gestalt humaniform robots out of which he was comprised and vanished.

Each gestalt robot had fled back in time to a different era. Hunter had led his team of humans on successful missions in pursuit of the first four component robots. Now they stood here in the office of MC Governor, merged and shut down, waiting for the last two in order to complete the Governor robot again.

Hunter, city computer calling. The Governor Robot Oversight Committee is waiting for you on a conference call.

Excellent. Please connect me.

The faces of the four Committee members appeared on Hunters internal video screen in split portrait shots. As usual, they did not waste any time with social amenities. They exchanged greetings briefly, then Hunter got right to his report.

MC 4 has been joined to the first three components who were already in custody, said Hunter.

Youre as efficient as ever, said Dr. Redfield, the tall blonde. She smiled approvingly. Youve progressed so quickly that I suppose it has been fairly easy for you.

As I have said before, this does not predict the difficulty of the next challenge. I still cannot guarantee that the remainder of my work will be completed at the same speed.

Where was MC 4? Dr. Chin cocked her head to one side, looking at him with curiosity. Nearby, this time?

In westernRussia, said Hunter. He had not informed them of the time travel device and hoped that the necessity of doing so would not arise. He was deliberately vague in his reports. So far, his rapid success had satisfied them.

We have very little to criticize. Professor Post stroked his black beard for a moment. Nothing, in fact, that I can see. Where do you expect to go next?

I have a lead inEast Asia, said Hunter.

Really? Dr. Chin said. This is quite a change in geography.

I have only preliminary information, Hunter said cautiously.

Your information has always been good, said Dr. Khanna, speaking with his Hindi accent. Your success could not have come about so quickly otherwise.

I feel I must repeat that I can make no guarantee of my progress to come, said Hunter.

Yes, yes, said Dr. Khanna impatiently. You say that every time we speak with you. I will ask you the same question I posed last time. Do you have any reason to believe that the next mission will be more difficult than the previous ones?

I can only rephrase my original point, said Hunter. I cannot predict the challenges that my team will face.

We note your caution, said Dr. Chin. And, as always, we wish you good luck.

Im satisfied, Hunter, said Dr. Redfield. Maybe we should let you get on with your duties.

I agree, said Hunter. Do you have any more questions?

No one did.

Good luck, said Professor Post.

Thank you. Good-bye. Hunter broke the connection. He could hear footsteps approaching the office door and recognized Steves and Janes patterns. Come in, he called out, before they knocked.

Jane came in first, grinning. Hi, Hunter. She shook her head, and her rich brown hair swayed. Even after all the time weve spent together, you still surprise me sometimes. Was it our footsteps, our heartbeats, our voice patterns, or... She shrugged. I dont know what else.

I recognized your footsteps, said Hunter.

Steve came in behind Jane. Evening, Hunter.

Good evening. How does your head wound feel?

Steve grinned. I wouldnt call it a wound, exactly. I still have a bump on my head, but that painkiller I got last night from R. Cushing took care of the headache.

I contacted Cushing today, and he told me your medication will remain in effect for several days. At the end of that time, he expects you will be healed to a point where further medication is unnecessary. Do you feel well enough to join us for the mission to find MC 5?

Yes. Ill be fine. But I want to discuss whether you need me or not. Before the last mission, I wanted out because I didnt feel I was necessary.

Oh, not again, said Jane. Were a team. We dont have to talk you into going again, do we?

Im not mad like I was last time, said Steve. But I dont want to be taken for granted, either. Hunter, we know a nuclear explosion has eliminated Beijing, and you told us were going to the time of Kublai Khan. I followed the news for a while myself this afternoon. But do you need me or not?

Yes, I believe so, said Hunter, as he heard the sound of footsteps approaching. My concern is how to blend in with the local people as much as possible. I hired a historian named Marcia Lew who