The Questor Tapes by D. C. Fontana Read Free Book Online Page A

attentively studied the night-lighted scenery, the traffic flow, the ramp signs, but he did not question Jerry’s operation of the car. Possibly Questor had not absorbed the principles of driving. Jerry’s mind raced over alternatives and plans for escape, but he kept running into barriers. He knew he might be able to engineer a minor accident that would disable the car. But that involved physical risk to himself and possibly to innocent bystanders. Besides, the android’s reflexes were faster than his and he could probably prevent it. He knew Questor was quicker and stronger than he was. Trying to escape on foot would be useless, and combat ridiculous. All he could do for the moment was go the slowest, longest route possible to Los Angeles International Airport and try to dissuade the android with logic. He cleared his throat, and Questor turned his head to look at him.
    “You realize this is insane. Don’t you understand you belong back at the lab? There is so much work to be done yet.”
    “The work has been done.”
    “You’re not capable of making that decision!” Jerry fought down an impulse to keep on shouting. Logic. Calm logic was the only answer. “Look . . . you know I literally put you together. I installed your—your brain. I fed in the program tapes.”
    “I am quite aware of that, Mr. Robinson. I have intended to ask you why your programming was so incomplete in one area and so redundant in another.”
    Jerry wriggled his shoulders uncomfortably, and his friendly face twisted into a scowl. “That wasn’t my idea. The scientists tried to decipher the Vaslovik tape, but all they did was destroy—” He switched suddenly to indignation, annoyed at himself for forgetting what Questor was. “I don’t have to answer questions from you. You are supposed to do what I tell you. Respect and obedience . . . respect and obedience.”
    “But I do respect you, Mr. Robinson, and I shall cooperate in all logical ways. Why are you not prepared to do the same in return?”
    “Because you are a machine!”
    A car cut into the lane ahead, just missing Jerry’s front fender. He braked and snarled an obscene comment about the driver’s birth and misbegotten lineage. Then, remembering, he glanced over at Questor. The android watched him quietly, apparently unfazed by the near miss.
    “ Cogito, ergo sum, ” Questor said.
    “What?”
    “A rather important philosophical aphorism, first enunciated by the French philosopher Descartes.”
    Jerry nodded and automatically guided the car into the cloverleaf ramp that would take them onto the San Diego Freeway heading south. “I think, therefore I am. What makes you think you think?”
    “Quite perceptive, Mr. Robinson. That question has been troubling me as well. Cogito, ergo sum. Am I?”
    Jerry kicked himself mentally, realizing what he had done. He could have continued on the Ventura Freeway, not turned south onto the very road past the airport! Maybe, if he was careful, he could ease onto the Santa Monica or Long Beach Freeway, both of which crossed this one. That would divert them long enough . . . long enough . . . for what?
    “Am I?” Questor asked again.
    “Just thinking doesn’t mean you’re alive,” Jerry said distractedly.
    “Since I function—crudely at times, I admit, but I feel I shall improve, with your help—your statement does not seem totally relevant.”
    “If you’re so damned perfect, why do you need me?”
    Now it was Questor’s turn to pause and think about his reply. He frowned slightly, but Jerry was too busy driving to notice it. “Because,” Questor said slowly, “my instructions are incomplete.”
    “You are simply an ambulatory computer device. Do you accept that much?”
    “Completely.”
    Jerry allowed himself a small sigh. “Good. Now, as a human being with years of experience in this human world, I’m telling you we can’t go to London.”
    This time he saw Questor tilt his head slightly to the right. It was an