The Godwhale (S.F. Masterworks) Read Online Free PDF Page A

not get past the scar.’
    ‘His team used CNS Sealer, fast-setting emulsification of embryonic brain cells that heals the wound three times faster than normal scarring. The Sealer is from embryonic carbon copies grown from human ova after your nuclear material is added. The ova have their own nuclei removed so that the only genes present are yours. The only antigens present are yours – no transplant rejection.’
    Larry shuddered. ‘Embryos?’
    ‘The CNS Sealer has extracts of pituitary and thyroid so it matures – sets – before the usual wound scar forms. Embryonic maturation rather than gliosis.’
    ‘Well . . .’ muttered Larry. ‘I suppose it is the only way. Sounds simple enough. Let’s get back to the mausoleum and check on my lower torso. I want to make certain it survived Suspension OK. My vital organs, you know.’
    Jen-W 5 -Dever shook her head. ‘No. Your lower torso was not suspended. It wouldn’t have been suitable, anyway. Too much tissue was lost in the crush and surgical attempts. The skin and muscle were already degenerating from neural loss. Inflammation and fibrosis were too extensive.’
    ‘But where will we find a . . . ?’
    ‘Now you mustn’t be concerned about that. Clinics supply us with the transplant organs we need. Your torso has already been ordered, years ago, with tissue antigens that match perfectly.’
    ‘Like the glial glue – the CNS Sealer?’ he asked.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Amazing.’
    ‘I know,’ she said. ‘The graft will be done high in your thoracic cord. You’ll keep your diaphragm and its phrenic nerves, but all your abdominal viscera will come from the CC donor – strong, young organs from a ten-year-old.’
    Larry felt weak. ‘A ten-year-old what?’
    ‘Donor. Grown from your nuclear material. A Carbon Copy.’
    ‘A live human?’
    Jen noticed his agitation. ‘I’m sorry, Larry. But I keep forgetting you’re from an era before budding. Your bud child is not considered a human being – just a donor. Business ethics require that a donor live only long enough to donate. Of course, if the donor is viable after the organs are taken, that is a different problem. But there is no question of viability in your donor’s case. The anastomosis will be too high.’
    Larry slumped into his mannequin.
    ‘My bud child is to die?’
    Jen didn’t answer. She was hoping that the mannequin would administer a tranquillizer. Larry’s vasomotors were too strong so soon after his rewarming; his blood pressure fluctuated wildly.
    ‘I don’t think I can go through with it,’ moaned Larry. ‘Isn’t there some other way?’
    She patted his slumped shoulder. ‘We’ll see. Let’s have a talk with Ira-M17. OLGA wants you to be happy.’
    The greying Project Director listened patiently and then took them to the wing of the Clinics near the playground.
    ‘I understand your concern, Larry, but there is no need. The donor is just that – a donor. It has had no real contact with humans, so it probably doesn’t even know what it is. The attendants do not speak when they service the grounds, so it has no vocal skills.’
    They watched through the one-way. A half-acre enclosure contained a dozen fruit trees, a fodder-feeder, and four fat goats – bucks. A teardrop-shaped wicker nest hung from a pin in the high wall surrounding the little garden. A few dried strips of partially eaten fibre protein dangled above the nest.
    ‘We use the area for fattening meat animals,’ explained Ira. ‘It gives the donor a little company. Let me turn up the audio.’
    Bleats and clucks filled the observation room. Larry glanced around the feed-lot playground – puzzled.
    Ira grinned. ‘We have no fowl right now. There usually are a few. That’s where the donor picked up the “chicken talk”. He competes with the birds for his food.’
    Goats gambolled, butted playfully, and nibbled on grass, leaves, and bark. Occasionally one would nudge the bottom of the nest.
    ‘Where is