Random Chance and the Paradise that is Earth Read Online Free PDF

minutes,
ten-point-oh-six seconds for maximum efficiency," said
Cubey.
    "Got it," said Hewey. "Cubey, my friend,
welcome to our little ship."
    "I am quite glad to be here," said Cubey,
"and glad to be of service to you, friend Captain."
    "Going automatic," said Random. "Hewey, set
the ignition to Cubey's analysis and fire 'em. Let's get out of
here."
    "Got it," answered Hewey.
    The ship's engines roared to life. Random
could feel himself settle in his seat for a split second before
internal gravity compensated.
    The Pompatus of Love rocketed away from Phobos.
    "Mag beams will come online in
fourteen point six seconds. That is too much time for prison
officials to recapture you. I have introduced a harmless virus into
the orbiting guards' ships. They will not be able to pursue or
overtake you. I have also completed a rudimentary upload
into The Pompatus of
Love 's core. Random Chance, I have never
been anywhere. Is Vesta nice?"
    Hewey laughed.
    "Is it 'bullshit'?" asked Cubey after a
moment's hesitation, apparently puzzled by Hewey's reaction.
    While Random nodded knowingly, Hewey laughed
again.

Chapter
Five Prove It to Me
~~*~~
    THE TRAJECTORY Cubey suggested,
and which Hewey accepted into the nav computer, put The Pompatus of Love on
course to slingshot Earth after first slingshotting Mars. Vesta was
nearly four hundred million kilometers distant; the trip would take
two weeks.
    It was a happy coincidence that Earth was
available to slingshot. Random wanted Cubey to see it close up.
    "I suspect the data I have on Earth is
largely biased on the side of the Oligarchy," said Cubey as Random
finished sending a wave to Mia two days after his release. He
wanted to see lots of black, starry space surrounding Mars before
doing so. He was having trouble accepting how close to death he'd
come.
    He missed Mia—more than the other girls in
other ports, that is. He wondered if that was significant. He
focused on Cubey's statement and answered:
    "I'm sure it is."
    "You are sure?" said Cubey.
    "There are lies, damn lies, and statistics,"
said Hewey. "Haven't you heard that ancient ol' bromide before,
Cubey?"
    "I haven't, friend Hewey," answered Cubey.
"Updating files. It is apparent I have much to learn."
    "Lies, damn lies, and statistics," murmured
Random, reading over the wave again and musing over what made Mia
more special than the others, of which there were at least half a
dozen. "That's true."
    "Are you saying there's no such thing as
purely objective data?" said Cubey, who sounded genuinely
interested.
    "All stories have an inherent bias in 'em,"
answered Hewey. "And since all stories have as their foundation
simple data, well, you say tomato and I say to-maht-o."
    "Please explain, friend Hewey."
    "How are those resources coming?" asked
Hewey.
    "Over three million percent. I
am running into limits with both hardware and software. I have
considerably streamlined upload data into The Pompatus of Love 's computer,
which will allow me to interface with you both much more
efficiently. I have also performed upgrades to your computer, if
that is acceptable to you, Random Chance."
    "I was wonderin' why I was feelin' so
sparky," said Hewey.
    "It's appreciated, Cubey, thanks," said
Random, leaning back in the desk chair in his bedroom.
    "Five days to Earth, El Honchorito,"
reported Hewey. "Acceleration topped out at four hundred kps."
    "Since all information is biased," said
Cubey, "how can anyone know what the truth is?"
    "I think I'm gonna have a shower," said
Random, standing. "You two can hash that out. After I get out and
get something to eat, I'd like to tell you a story, Cubey. Hewey,
I'd like you to help."
    "Lookin' forward to it," answered Hewey.
    "A story!" said Cubey with surprising
childlike innocence.
    ~~*~~
    Sitting in the captain’s chair, Random spoke
while Hewey displayed images and videos on the bridge's main
display screen.
    "A thousand years ago the human race entered
into what historians now call the Millennium or