AMP The Core Read Online Free PDF Page B

through the wormholes to the Orienta. Send those first fifteen hundred through, and begin the transfer of any who are not essential to the ongoing conversion process. If we have to fight against these Bulgars, we are going to lose and lose badly. I believe it best that we move as many as we can through to the Orienta, where they will at least have a fighting chance against the Durians."
    Frig spoke. "Sir, what do you propose to do with our fleet?"
    I replied, "It looks like we aren’t going to have a choice but to scuttle it, Frig. That armada surrounding us is too big, and we can’t let our tech fall into any other species’ hands. We are going to move in closer to that planet to try to buy ourselves a little more time."
    The Colonel thought for a moment. "I believe you have identified our best option. Major Hargraves! See to it that our newest converts are sent through to the Orienta followed by all nonessential Marines. And Major—"
    The major replied, "Yes, Sir?"
    The Colonel continued, "Make it happen in a hurry! We have no time to waste!"
    Frig came over the comm. "I will coordinate the wormholes with the Gontas, Sir."
    Our ships were moved to just on the edge of the star system. The Human signal remained silent, but there were no other signs of it than that which we had seen before. Our single Wren remained in position near the original Bulgar fleet. I left the bridge to have a talk with Dr. Touchstone and Ashley.
    As I walked into the doctor’s lab, he was probing away at Quan’s circuits. "I tell you, Mrs. Grange, it looks as though the inhibitor circuit has been switched off. The first rule of making a sentient android would be to assure oneself that it could not bring harm to other bios. Quan would not be able to turn this circuit off if it was on. It must have been done by someone else."
    Ashley smiled at me as she replied to the doctor. "OK, so, what happens if we re-enable it? Can we turn it back off again afterward?"
    Touchstone nodded. "I don’t see why not. I will make the adjustments, and we can then test Quan’s reaction to a hostile stimulus."
    I sat in my favorite chair. "So, have you been listening to our troubles over the comm?"
    Ashley replied, "I have, and for what it’s worth, I think you made the right calls. If we fight, we lose, so we might as well send what we can through to the Orienta. If things change, we can always bring them back."
    I put my hand on her knee. "I came down here because I want you and the doc to go through. Take Quan with you."
    Ashley looked up with concern on her face. "You do realize that the Gontas may be furious that we have been trying to unravel the Duke without their knowledge. If we go through, we are going to have to share everything we have."
    I nodded. "I realize an alternative would be to put this research on hold for a while. I’m concerned that it might put a wedge between us at a time that is critical to our survival. We need the knowledge that Quan has, and the only way to get that securely is for us to do it ourselves."
    Ashley replied, "You mean the only way to ensure that we come out on top. The Gontas are going to come to that same conclusion."
    I sighed as I sat back. "Regardless, you should both go through. You might just have to shelve your investigation until things cool down. You can always drop Quan back into the deep freeze. I would like to see you crossing through by this evening at the latest."
    Touchstone replied, "He is right, Ashley; we can finish up this experiment and then pack what we need for a transfer. We aren’t doing any good if we stay here and get slaughtered."
    I spoke. "Funny, who would have thought that potentially facing the Durians would be the safer option."
    Touchstone stood back from the table. "OK, inhibitor circuits have been reset. Flip him back on, and let’s see what he has to say."
    Ashley flipped the switch.
    Quan spoke. "Strange, I feel as though something is wrong. The memories are flooding through my