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great burden on Sarazen who unbeknownst to him at this time had a big decision to make.
    “ Astonishing.” Sarazen exclaimed, fighting to conjure the appropriate words.
    “ Indeed. But do you not see the mere fact that you too feel these peculiar feelings would indicate that you are not like the others. Surely you must have known this before?” Sarazen thought deeply about his existence so far and perhaps Cole was right. He used to believe his momentary lapses into thoughtful analysis were just an individual glitch. Now it was clear that he was intrinsically different to the others, the Silicant’s who performed their functions without hesitancy and did not share the same 'emotional' turbulence. Even his companion Keera did not understand his pontificating behaviour. The more time passed spent in the company of Cole, the more alien she became in his eyes. Dutiful, faithful, efficient yes, but nothing more.
    “ And now I have to tell you what you probably already know. You can never again join with The Mother.” Cole was serious and stern. Sarazen immediately went to speak but his thought processes were fast and aborted any 'emotional' outburst as he calculated the appropriate response. Cole continued as he saw that Sarazen was hesitant.
    “ You know as well as I do that if you share your data with The Mother, she will access your memories of our conversation. She will know that you are a danger now and you are aware. Also, it needs not be said that it would bring the wrath of The Mother down upon me and I will no doubt be renewed before the morning light. I am making sense, am I not? You do understand what has happened here?” Sarazen nodded and looked up to the ceiling of the ageing living space, the roof cracked and infested with organics.
    “ Tell me one thing, Cole. I cannot envisage a time when I would not have connected to The Mother at down time. How did you do it knowing that it could have led to your termination?”
    “ Risk. It is a concept that I have learned in my awareness. It can offer great reward or punish with equal measure. When the possible reward outweighs the possible punishment, there is only one logical choice. Of course, the primary command states that we must maintain our core systems at all times. I concluded that if not connecting before the darkness fell would knowingly lead to my demise, then my programming would not allow it and I would connect anyway. When the light of the Star faded and my power cells began to enable the sleep phase I knew then that it was all a falsehood.” Sarazen smiled and shook his head in admiration of Cole's audacity. If only he could draw upon the courageous spirit of the farmer who had thrown his existence into chaos and made everything that he knew before this fateful cycle a lie.

 
    CHAPTER 5
     
    Sarazen stared out of the window as the transit carriage barrelled along the hot rails back to the heart of the city. The journey this time seemed much shorter; Sarazen’s mind churning new concepts, regurgitating the same scenarios without ever reaching a satisfactory level of closure. Had this awareness that Cole spoke of made the perplexed troubleshooter any more content? Certainly Sarazen did not think so, if anything it had brought a new inexplicable feeling of uncertainty which Cole had described as 'fear'. Sarazen had never before feared for his individual continuance, he had never before had reason to doubt the wisdom of the mother, indecision was indeed never a factor in Sarazen’s functioning.
    Sarazen had spent too much time with Cole, an inordinate amount of time for the job he had been assigned. Not only would he have to be accountable for this, but also a full report was expected detailing every aspect of the investigation. Sarazen dreaded his return to the office. Cole had asked something of him that was seemingly beyond his programming, the production of a falsehood with intent to pervert the course of an investigation. Not only would he have