The Novida Code Read Online Free PDF

what happens then?”
“I don't know. Nothing, I suppose.”
“No. Even a blank crystal gets read. But since it's a blank, reading it sensitizes it just sufficiently for us to be able to record onto it.”
“How?”
“Still through contact. By holding the sensitized crystal and concentrating extremely hard on projecting your thoughts.”
“Wow, that's perfect!” Auxana's enthusiasm was almost childish. “Have you really done that?”
“I've seen it done. For all my scepticism about the government ban, I was nevertheless scared of damaging my brain, and didn't dare to try. But I do have several friends who recorded onto several blanks in front of me, and I know it works.”
“But how do we go about passing the crystals to each other?”
“They must only be passed from hand to hand. In the event of any danger, they must be crushed. There'll be nothing left but a crystal gel, which will flood the nano-processors, thereby leaving nothing that can be used against us.”
“Right. I suppose we should hide these blanks amongst our music crystals.”
“Yes, but we can't risk taking too many. We'll be able to pretend we confused a few blank crystals with music, but not a hundred or so.”
“OK.”
    I admired Auxana, who was quite prepared to risk permanently modifying her brain. Even if the risk was minimal, we'd be obliged to use this technique over quite a long period, for it was clear that it would take us months to gain the confidence of the Efeghis.
    “ I suppose this will be our last direct conversation for a long time. Is there anything else I ought to know?” she asked.
“In tomorrow's class, you'd better be on your guard. Your role is to be more sceptical but you mustn't show your contempt for the real collaborators. And beware also of those who claim to be doing what we're doing. We must trust only each other.”
“What should I do if someone comes up to me claiming to be in the resistance?”
“Avoid them and let me know immediately.”
“Are you sure we can't try to recruit like-minded people?”
“It's too soon and far too risky. Even if they are sincere, they might make mistakes and take us down with them. I prefer us to operate alone, and take no risks. Don't forget that we're in the lion's den.”
“Don't worry,” replied Auxana, with a wry smile. “I shan't forget!”

6                Auxana
 
                   The class for volunteerswas full. All dressed like us, in black and silver, around thirty young men and women were assembled in the colonnaded hall that had previously served for marriage ceremonies .
                  I hadn't expected so many young people to have responded so soon to the siren call of collaboration. We'd arrived a little late as Lauren had wanted to hang around a little longer in the refectory, where Efeghis and humans were eating in their respective areas.
                  On the evening of our arrival, Commandant Amar was there, surrounded by his officers, including Olden, who had even made a special point of greeting me in particular as I went into the refectory. There was no need to feign my confusion as I replied to him.
                  But the next morning, only the humans were eating there, and Lauren had kept us back to see if the Efeghis would eat after us. I'd finally insisted that we go to class, as it was time, and I didn't want to draw attention to myself on the first day.
                  The class seemed to consist mainly of youngsters from very well-off families. Our city's upper middle class and most of the influential families were represented. I noticed that not everyone seemed particularly overjoyed to be there.
                  Some of them could barely mask their inner anger, and I realised that they'd been forced by their families to collaborate with the current regime. For a split second I felt impelled to move closer to them, but then I remembered