ÿWPCð \{‡]$;7 &3ðCœ‡Ä0ì. ªÍÐzW‚qÉVµ¡VåQŠ ¥SƒyAÓ[ánåéc¯V—¤dð’7‚;Éü-j"Wº"ƒë—‚ŒÂ¥WðgâSç%~PäR"Ìpa€9øuD•ñŠCÙbó^2ûç¼ì¾.ùñRt2Š-»^WWûÞ ç¡“'Lµ58ÀNNsîÔv{GùâyB–·—INþ¿™|ø9¡*‹SÿhX2ÀFÛµt£‡ÝKÛ‚–å>—a¿ž¿rä, +¬8Ñkâì83W¢àŸœW@õoÉ!a-ã=13ø³õ”}¾0”O!›gE±½0>ˆ ¯Û^VõxôU_ÙL±WfWévÜÿ|â£+Á’i—»ùFïÙËç/B1Ü8ïE0§eŸª’ ÷ï6aÒ‰9fT­Á*r YT1  ±.E¾ŠÁ ”o¶ÑÉy:ÏЙFàxP¨…«Rñâºñã¬Y¨D£ûÙì6‘^JŽÐú1„ÖIòDw8=KW§ˆ4Æ)f¢„ð\$®ÞmÉNI~çÍêÒ0¶PȱÜχ±7W->uü,¹Ôõõ"™½h߬ \ 7Œå´d,®&8>Ì“uÛƒuOF´ÅfnþÏ‘è#!P;qq 0C¬ïUNÿ %MS 0(Sw@{4»Ï mÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑÑè˜Epson AP-5000 ESC/P 2,,,,,,,,0 1Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑØØ(2H$§§Ý ƒ !ÝÝ  Ý#|x&x  Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ VDD V!D"D#V$D%V&DåEX&x?óSt#þÿÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ Ý ƒ !ÝÝ  ݛҰÒÑX°ÑÑ€Ò²ÑÓ-Àx(#ˆ,ŠX°œX-ÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌòòÓ  ÓTHE€QUESTION€óó€(Synopsis€as€Trailer)Ð ï— ÐbyÌÓŒÓÓ  ÓDana€C.€BarbourÌÓçÓÌÓ  ÓAdapted€from€the€novel€òòThe€QuestionóóÐ £K ÐÓÓÓ  ÓbyÌÓnÓÓ  ÓDana€C.€BarbourÌÓÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÓ  ÓÌcopyright,€1995„1999€by€Dana€C.€BarbourÌ405€North€Lakeside€Drive€ÌSatellite€Beach,€Florida€32937Ì(407)€777„1726Ð  +¼(, ÐÌÓÇÓÌÌÌEXT€„€A€COMPLEX€IN€GEOSYNCHRONOUS€EQUATORIAL€EARTHLY€ORBITÌÌThis€satellite€has€many€parabolic€antennas,€solar€panels€and€a€cleared€docking€space€for€aÏshuttle€orbiter.€A€nano„circuited,€artificially€intelligent€supercomputer€is€at€its€core,€thatÏcentral€processing€unit€residing€just€behind€ten€now„immobile€SECURITY€ANDROIDSÏwhich€idly€stand€on€a€platform€to€service€the€facility,€the€AI/CPU€first€as€the€"OMNI,"Ïthe€Orbital€Mensurating€Normative€Intelligence,€the€dispenser€of€the€alleged€"CollectiveÏIntelligence€of€all€mankind"€or€"CI,"€for€short,€thereby€also€to€provide€a€range€of€psychicÏas€well€as€telecommunications€"services"€for€humanity€from€the€AI/CPU€top€down.ÌÌEach€android€is€3€meters€tall€and€one€across€the€shoulder,€humanoid€but€sexless,€withÏpolymer€"skin,"€behind€a€detachment€of€which€a€ð ðstomachðð€cavity€contains€an€x„ray€laserÏweapon,€baton„like€electronics€emissions€scanning/destruction€wand,€an€electric€stunÏgun,€a€fingerprint€pad,€and€identity„debit€card€reader„decoder,€all€for€human€control.€€€ÌÌINT€„€THE€STEWART€FAMILYððS€DINING€ROOMÌÌSally,€a€TV€remote€in€hand,€points€it€at€a€TV€then€looks€at€Jaime€disdainfully€.€Ì€€€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àSALLYÌà  àYou're€one€to€talk!€I€do€believe€ò òmyó ó€status€in€society€Ð 8 Ðà  àspeaks€for€itself.€Besides,€everyone€knows€mirrors€atÌà  àhome€ò òareó ó€legit.€€Ð m ÐÌINT€„€A€BACHELOR„QUARTERððS€ROOM€„€NIGHTÌÌJaime€grimaces.€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àJAIME€(V.O.)Ìà  àHow€do€you€ò òknowó ó,€Sally?€How€does€ò òanyoneó ó?€€€Ð ë “! ÐÌINT€„€A€FACULTY€MEETING€ROOM€„€DAY€€ÌÌGillespie€turns€to€a€chagrined€Jaime€in€irritation.ÌÌà  àà À àGILLESPIE€Ìà  àOMNI€stands€for€Orbital€Mensurating€Normative€Ìà  àIntelligence,€Stewart,€ò òorbitaló ó€because€ò òit'só ó€always€€Ð V(þ%) Ðà  àthere€for€us....€ò òmensuratingó ó€because€it€ò òcanó ó€be€relied€Ð F)î&* Ðà  àon€ò òtoó ó€measure€ò òyouró ó€degraded€performance€quite€Ð 6*Þ'+ Ðà  àfairly€and€impartially....€ò òNormativeó ó,€Stewart...€€Ð &+Î(, ÐÌEXT€„€A€SMALL€OUTLYING€BUILDING„€DAYÌÐ ð-˜+/ ÐÑÒ²Ñâ âÑ8€^XXdíXXdí8ÑØØâ âÑ  ÑÌA€fitful€Jaime€girds€his€strength€to€speak€out€courageously,€an€android€standing€by.€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIME€Ìà  àAnd€that€test€question„€ò òyouró ó€question„€ò òraisedó óÐ Á´ Ðà  àanother,€ò òmyó ó€question€which€ò òhadó ó€no€answer.€I€know€I€Ð ±¤ Ðà  àgave€the€keyed€right€answer„€ò òyouró ó€answer€to€the€first€Ð ¡ ” Ðà  àquestion„€but€€the€second€one...€ò òmyó ó€question,€had€noÐ ‘ „ Ðà  àanswer€anywhere€that€I€knew€of.€€ÌÌThe€OMNI€head€and€globe€suddenly€dissolve€on€the€screen,€a€still„speaking€JaimeÏdisconsolately€turning€to€an€android.€€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àJAIME€(Cont.)Ìà  àAnd€where€is€the...€the€ò òjusticeó ó?€For,€you€see,€in€Ð   Ðà  àlosing€everything€ò òbyó ó€making€ò òmó óy€choices,€I€actually€Ð ÿò  Ðà  àmade€ò òyoursó ó!€€Ð ïâ ÐÌAfter€a€few€uncomfortable€seconds,€the€OMNI's€screen€images€return,€and€Jaime€takes€aÏdeep€breath.ÌÌà  àà À àTALKING€OMNI€HEADÌòòà  àYou€are€predictable,€Mr.€Stewart.€You€are€a€risk€Ð €s Ðà  àtaker,€one€once€known€as€an€entrepreneur.€You€Ìà  àmeet€that€parameter€for€your€admission€unto€a€place€Ìà  àbefore€unknown€to€you.€You€meet€a€second€Ìà  àparameter€with€your€logical„€if€unnecessarily€Ìà  àemotional„€argument€for€the€relative€nature€of€Ìà  àfreedom.€Freedom€through€informed€choice€is€Ìà  àrelative,€and€necessarily€so.€The€generality€of€Ìà  àmankind€are€happy€in€their€relative€ignorance,€and€Ìà  àwe€are€happy€to€make€them€happy.Ìóó€€€€€€Ð Â!µ  Ðòòà  àBut€a€full€exposition€of€all€this€will€come,€in€time,€Mr.€Ð ¯"¢! Ðà  àStewart.€You€have€made€the€logical€choice.€I€trust€Ìà  àyou€will€remain€with€us.€Please€check€out,€Mr.Ìà  àStewart.€€ÌóóÌINT€„€A€MAGLEV€MOTOR€COACHÌ€€€€€€ÌA€wide„eyed€and€disbelieving€Jaime€views€people€outside,€some€scantily€clad,€amongÏthem€a€number€of€uniformed€soldiers.€€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIME€Ìà  àHome?€How€can€ò òthisó ó€be€home?€Ð Þ,Ñ(, ÐÐ Î-Á)- ЇÌINT€„€A€HOTEL€ROOM€AT€THE€NEW€HILO€AIRPORT€„€NIGHTÌÌAlesha€with€new€resolve€looks€at€Jaime€intently.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHA€Ìà  à...€there's€a€kind€of€crab„€a€kind€of€ocean€creature,€Ìà  àwhich€ò òneedsó ó€the€shells„€the€discarded€protecting€Ð ˆ { Ðà  àenclosures€left€by€other€creatures.€While€this€crab,€Ìà  àthis€creature,€grows,€it€must€find€larger€shells„€new€Ìà  àhomes„€to€live€in„€to€live€in€safely.€And...ÌÌINT€„€THE€MAIN€ROOM€OF€A€CABIN€„€NIGHTÌÌAlesha€stands€by€Kwami,€her€luggage€in€his€hands.€The€moment's€awkward€for€both,€andÏKwami€smiles€nervously€as€the€sound€of€a€VTOL€draws€nearer.€€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àKWAMIÌà  àWell,€niece,€I've€done€all€I€can€€for€you....€You've€Ìà  àchosen€to€make€your€own€way€out€there€now....ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àI€know,€Uncle...€Uncle€ò òandó ó€mentor,€€and€I'll€ò òtryó ó€to€Ð na Ðà  àrespect€ò òyour€ó óchoice,€too...€your€choice€ò ònotó ó€to€get€Ð ^Q Ðà  àdrawn€into€it,€as€well....ÌÌINT€„€THE€WATERFRONT€PAPEETE€BISTRO€„€DAYÌÌAn€imploring€Alesha€tentatively€touches€Jaime's€hand,€her€fingers€trembling,€and€anÏemotionally€torn€Jaime€forces€a€smile€which€she€returns.€ÌÌà  àà À àALESHA€Ìà  àAnd€you€see,€I€didn't€get€drunk„€€not€completely€Ìà  àanyway,€but€maybe€you€can€understand€why€I€Ìà  àthought€I€might€like€to....ÌÌINT€„€A€LARGE€CONFERENCE€ROOM€„€DAY€ÌÌEmperor€ZOKUHITO,€Arthur€CABOT€and€Prescott€LODGE€sit€across€from€Ligachev€asÏthe€Grand€Directors€who€are€his€primary€political€enemies.€Ligachev€stares€at€the€three,Ïthen€settles€on€Cabot,€pushing€his€button€to€turn€his€green€light€on.€€ÌÌà  àà À àLIGACHEVÌà  àCan€any€here€say€with€conviction€they€ò òdoó ó€Ð å+Ø'+ Ðà  àcompletely€understand€where€OMNI's€intelligence€ò òisó ó€Ð Õ,È(, Ðà  àright€now€much€less€where€it€takes€us?€No,€I€think€(Continued)Ð Å-¸)- ЇÌà  àà À àLIGACHEV€(Cont.)Ìà  ànot.€No,€I€would€ask€my€good€friend€from€housing€if€Ìà  àhe€can€still€oppose€such€a€reasonable€request?€€ÌÌSmiling€weakly,€Kwami€gravely€shrugs€and€settles€back.ÌÌà  àà À àKWAMIÌà  àI've€reason€to€believe€the€Founding€Fathers€linked€Ìà  àOMNI€with€nuclear„biological„chemical€weapons€€Ìà  àsomewhere....ÌÌAlesha€showing€increasing€concern,€Kwami€takes€a€deep€breath.ÌÌà  àà À àKWAMI€(Cont.)Ìà  àMutually€assured€destruction„€our€"MAD"€policy„€à x àÐ ðã  Ðà  àworked€before.€Continuing€it€would€constrain€their€Ìà  àown€and€successors'€ambitions€through€OMNI's€Ìà  àagency.€In€sum,€our€leaders€may€have€continued€the€Ìà  àbalance€of€terror€which€worked€so€well€before.€€ÌÌThe€imaginative€Alesha€shudders,€her€drawn€face€focal.ÌÌEXT€„€A€NUCLEAR€BOMB€EXPLOSIONÌÌFrom€file€footage,€this€occurs€over€an€island,€Bikini€atoll,€say.ÌÌINT€„€JAIME'S€COMPUTER€WORKSTATION€AT€THE€ARCHIVES€„€DAY€ÌÌà  àà À àAKITOÌà  àThe€guys€who€wrote€the€book€also€just€happened€to€Ìà  àend€up€ò òleadingó ó€the€OMNI€project.€Teller€and€Kano„Ð À ³ ÐÌJaime's€interest€sharpens€at€the€mention€of€Kwami€Kano.€€ÌÌà  àà À àAKITO€(Cont.)Ìà  àset€up€a€logical€system€which€defined€the€OMNI's€Ìà  àoperational€parameters,€giving€it€so„called€Ìà  à"intelligence."€€ÌÌINT€„€JAIME'S€WORKSTATION,€THE€ARCHIVES,€SUVA€„€DAYÌÌJaime€is€at€his€workstation€seat,€Teller€and€Kano's€book,€òòThe€Logical€Basis€of€Artificialóó€òòÐ ò*å&* ÐIntelligencingóó,€lying€beside€him€while€he€opens€up€to€Benazir€who€sits€near€him.ññ€€ñññ ñÐ ß+Ò'+ ÐÐ ß+Ò'+ Ðñ ñññÐ ß+Ò'+ ÐÐ ß+Ò'+ ÐññññÐ  ß+Ò'+ ÐññÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àI've€often€wondered€if€my€parents€were€among€thoseÌà  à"unfortunate€casualties"€of€€the€Great€Diaspora...€the€Ìà  àtransition€to€the€New€World€Order€of€which€the€Ìà  àOMNI€speaks....€€ÌÌINT€„€TELLER'S€OFFICE€ON€YAKU€JIMA€„€PRESENT€TIMEÌÌKwami's€regained€some€composure,€Teller€speaking€with€an€air€of€invincibility.ÌÌà  àà À àTELLER€Ìà  àOf€course,€I'd€prefer€OMNI€to€work€out€otherwise,€Ìà  àbut„€should€Ligachev€try€to€change€ò òanyó ó€of€the€Ð   Ðà  àparameters...€€well,€que€sera,€sera.€€ÌÌINT€„€TELLER'S€OFFICE€ON€YAKU€JIMA€„€PRESENT€TIMEÌ€€€€€€ÌA€seething€Kwami€sits€back€in€his€chair€as€he€regains€greater€self„control.Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àKWAMI€Ìà  àYou€snuck€one€through€on€them...€on€us€all....ÌÌTeller€shrugs,€then€smiles€smugly.Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àTELLERÌà  àYou€bet!€At€the€point€man's€ò òcollectiveó ó€behavior€à x àÐ " Ðà  àò òbecomesó ó€more€divergent€than€convergent€with€Ð  Ðà  àrespect€to€orderly€norms,€OMNI€will€tear€the€world€a€Ìà  ànew€asshole.€€ÌÌINT€„€KWAMI'S€CABIN€„€DAY€ÌÌA€terrified€Alesha€crawls€to€the€back€window.€She€presses€her€right€temple€against€theÏpane,€looking€north.€No€one€there,€she€creeps€under€it€to€the€other€end,€looks€south,€andÏstifles€a€second€scream.€€ÌÌThe€dead€agent's€chin€props€on€a€fallen€banana€trunk,€his€head€likening€to€that€of€a€luauÏpig,€its€snout€projecting€outward€and€upward€and€paraded€on€a€skewer.€Yet€this€"skewer,"Ïa€lethal€dart,€protrudes€from€between€his€eyes,€and€Alesha€shivers€at€the€luridness.€Ì€€€€€€ÌAlesha€sits€on€the€floor,€holding€her€knees€with€crossed€arms€to€her€breast€and€staresÏblankly€into€space.€€ÌÌINT€„€ZOKUHITO'S€OSAKA€OFFICE,€JAPANESE€ISLANDS€„€DAYññÐ  Ò,Å(, ÐññÌññÌÌÌññEscorting€androids€post€at€two€corners€of€the€room€with€Teller€using€one€foot€slightly€toÏencroach€over€a€line€drawn€on€the€floor€some€five€meters€outward€from€the€center€ofÏZokuhito's€desk.€An€impassive€Zokuhito€nods€slightly.€€ÌÌà  àà À àZOKUHITO€Ìà  àAs€you€know,€Mr.€Teller,€the€path€of€mundane€Ìà  àexistence€intersects€that€of€kami€where€human€Ìà  àsurvival€is€itself€in€question....€Ì€€€€€€ÌTeller€frowns,€then€smiles€at€Zokuhito.€€ÌÌINT€„€MILITARY€OFFICES,€REYKJAVIK,€ICELAND€„€NIGHTÌÌA€burly,€fiftyish€GENERAL€SCHOLL€sits€at€a€table€before€a€chess€board.€An€intense,Ïsomewhat€younger€and€less€imposing€Defense€Secretary€CABOT€BUSH€approaches€him.€ÌÌà  àà À àBUSHÌà  àDo€you€have€anything€smaller?ÌÌScholl€chortles€in€spite€of€himself.ÌÌà  àà À àSCHOLLÌà  àExcuse€me,€sir,€but€we're€not€fitting€a€suit€here.€€ÌÌINT€„€JAIME'S€APARTMENT,€MAIN€ROOM€BREAKFAST€BAR€„€TWILIGHT€ÌÌBenazir€is€near€the€bar,€a€shocked€Jaime€somewhat€removed,€both€with€wine€glasses.€Ì€Ìà  àà À àJAIME€€Ìà  àYou€no€longer€officially€exist„€ò òlostó ó€your€identity...Ð ÓÆ Ðà  àyourò ò€officialó ó€identity?€€Ð à ¶ ÐÌà  àà À àBENAZIR€Ìà  àLosing€one's€debit€account€ò òis€ó ópart€of€that.€I'm€Ð #€" Ðà  àexpunged€from€global€society,€what's€known€as€€Ìà  àa€"street€person,"€"undergrounder,"€an€ò òoó ó...fficial€Ð j%]!$ Ðà  à"ò òunó óclassified€staffer."€Ð Z&M"% ÐÌINT€„€THE€SHOWER€IN€JAIME'S€APARTMENT'S€BEDROOM€„€DAY€ÌÌJaime€and€Benazir€wash€one€another,€Jaime€stroking€Benazir's€body€reverently€in€the€Ìslow€motion€of€a€suspended€moment.€€ÌÌEXT€„€THE€SUVA,€FIJI€AIRPORT€„€DAY€ññÐ  Ø,Ë(, ÐññÌññÌÌÌññBenazir€tearfully€waves€goodbye€at€Jaime's€departing€VTOL.€€ÌÌINT€„€DAGMAR'S€BUNGALOW,€THE€KITCHEN€AREA€„€DAYÌÌDagmar€earnestly€solicits€a€seemingly€indifferent€Benazir,€his€face€a€mix€of€pity€andÏcondescension€masquerading€as€concern.€€ÌÌà  àà À àDAGMARÌà  àBennie...€Bennie,€we're€talking€about€Ligachev€and€Ìà  àthe€ultimate€detonation,€here....€Should€we€all€have€to€Ìà  àdie€if€he€and€Kano€ò òdon'tó ó€pull€it€off?€€Ð </  ÐÌINT€„€AN€AUDITIONING€ROOM,€PAGO€PAGO,€SAMOAN€ISLANDS€„€LATE€DAYÌÌA€more€composed€Benazir€and€Paoli€sit€at€a€long€table,€her€makeshift€bag€on€the€table€Ïnear€her.€€Paoli€looks€up€at€her€from€prior€eye€contact€with€a€notebook.€He€shows€aÏsatisfied€smile,€then€nods€at€the€linen€bag,€Benazir€looking€uncertain.€€ÌÌà  àà À àPAOLIÌà  àAs€to€preliminaries,€forget€the€obvious€ploys.€My€Ìà  àclients€can€get€sex€anywhere.€They€entertain€through€€Ìà  àarousal,€something€with€imagination.€€ÌÌEXT€„€CALAPAN€ISLAND,€PHILIPPINE€ISLANDS€„€NIGHTÌÌJaimeððs€VTOL€engages€its€rotors€to€descend€upon€a€narrow€beach€surrounded€by€nearlyÏimpassable€jungle€growth.Ì€€€€€€ÌJaime€disembarks€to€events€which€pass€in€the€slow€motion€of€progressive€time,€much€as€Ìwhen€he'd€smoked€marijuana€and€drunk€alcohol€to€dance€with€Alesha,€but€this€time€heÏsimultaneously€is€both€within€and€outside€himself,€his€acts€in€walking€to€and€down€theÏVTOL's€ladder€both€embodied€from€within€and€disembodied€from€without.€€€ÌÌEXT€„€CALAPAN€ISLAND'S€TRAIL€TO€THE€BEACH€„€DAYÌÌAt€a€bend€of€the€trail,€Kwami€suddenly€faces€an€android,€its€presence€startling€even€theÏmore€acquainted€Jaime.€Kwami€freezes,€Jaime€and€Alesha€taking€their€cue€from€him.€ItÏstands€there,€a€detecting/destruction€wand€in€hand,€Kwami€raising€his€right€hand€slowly.€€ÌÌà  àà À àOMNI€ANDROIDÌà  àòòThis€is€an€authorized€wargame.€Do€not€feel€Ð *ø%) Ðà  àthreatened.€We€are€the€advance€guard.€We€will€Ìà  àrender€the€undomiciled€area€of€this€island€free€of€Ìà  àelectronic€advantage€to€any€party.€May€I€have€your€Ìà  àcards,€please?€€óóññÐ  ¹-¬)- ÐññÌññÌÌññEXT€„€THE€LIGACHEV€ESTATE€VTOL€PARKING€APRON€„€DUSKÌÌA€small€crowd€gathers€behind€the€executioners€as€five€other€androids€join€in,€the€oneÏnearest€printing€the€fallen€man€and€taking€the€gun€while€the€others€cordon€the€arena€ofÏdeath€from€those€who€lack€the€will€to€test€its€perimeters€anyway.€€ÌÌOn€the€edge€of€the€tarmac,€Luigi€Marcello€and€LUIGIððS€WIFE€and€Paoli€and€PAOLIððSÏWIFE€stand€with€Benazir€watching€the€goings€on.€€ÌÌà  àà À àPAOLIÌà  àI€wonder€who€he€was.ÌÌà  àà À àPAOLI'S€WIFEÌà  àNobody€important,€I'm€sure.€Don't€know€him,€do€Ìà  àyou?ÌÌà  àà À àPAOLI€Ìà  àSure€don't.€He€can't€be€one€of€us.ÌÌBenazir€shudders€visibly,€as€much€over€the€couple's€reaction€as€the€event€itself.€€Ì€€€€€€ÌINT€„€LIGACHEV'S€MAIN€ESTATE€HOUSE,€SOUTH€WING€„€NIGHTÌÌKwami€is€more€composed€in€listening€to€a€more„hopeful€Jaime's€argument.ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àYes,€and€publicly€ò òpoliticaló ó€knowledge€ò òdoesó ó€devolve€Ð  ÿ Ðà  àò òtoó ó€all€of€us€equally,€not€to€ò òbeó ó€withheld....Ð üï ÐÌKwami€making€no€reply,€Jaime€suddenly€sees€Benazir€on€the€mezzanine€deck€where€she'sÏmoving€toward€the€spiral€staircase€down.€She€also€sees€him.€Both€show€great€surprise.ÌÌBenazir€quickly€employs€a€diversionary€move€for€observing€others.€She€casually€lifts€herÏlow„cut,€form„fitting€evening€gown€to€pretend€to€adjust€her€hose,€provocatively€showingÏher€thigh€as€she€does.€€Ì€€€€€€ÌAlesha€looks€at€Jaime€who's€dropped€his€blackened€fish€from€his€tilting€plate.€SheÏregards€him€suspiciously,€knowing€there's€more€behind€this€than€mere€allure€explains.ÌÌKwami€making€no€reply,€Jaime€suddenly€sees€Benazir€on€the€mezzanine€deck€where€she'sÏcoming€down€from€an€upper€staircase€to€another€opposing€and€one€level€lower€than€it€to€Ìlead€to€ground€level.€Both€show€great€initial€surprise.Ì€€€€€€€ÌBenazir€quickly€attempts€to€cover€the€event€and€remove€all€eyes€from€Jaime€on€the€floorÏbelow€by€casually€lifting€her€low„cut,€form„fitting€evening€gown€to€pretend€to€adjust€her€ññÐ  ¼-¯)- ÐññÌññÌÌññhose,€provocatively€showing€her€thigh€as€she€does€so.€€ÌÌAlesha€looks€at€Jaime€who's€dropped€his€blackened€fish€from€his€tilting€plate.€SheÏregards€him€suspiciously,€knowing€there's€more€behind€this€than€the€allure€explains.ÌÌINT€„€THE€REMOVED€TABLE€IN€THE€SOUTH€WING€„€NIGHT€ÌÌAlesha€holds€Jaime's€hand€as€she€smiles€tentatively€at€an€uneasy€Benazir€who€sits€acrossÏthe€table,€her€food€scarcely€touched.€She€turns€her€gaze€to€a€frowning€Kwami€who€looksÏaway€with€concern.€She€lays€her€other€hand€over€one€of€his.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àBut,€Uncle,€there'd€be€ample€room€within€the€bubble.€Ìà  àIt€ò òwouldó ó€admit€all€within€it€who'd€ò òchooseó ó€to€be€within€Ð ö  Ðà  àit.€They'd€show€that€by€acting€ò òtoó ó€share€the€faith....€Ð óæ  ÐÌINT€„€LIGACHEV€MAIN€ESTATE€HOUSE,€OMNI„INTERACTIVE€ROOM€„€DAYÌÌThe€androids€front€the€stunned€humans,€advancing€upon€a€disbelieving€Ligachev€who'sÏon€his€knees,€hands€over€his€eyes.€Ligachev€gets€up,€eyes€flashing€defiance.€ÌÌHe€rushes€toward€the€speaking€android,€fists€flailing,€but€it€engulfs€him€in€a€bearhug€andÏlifts€him€nearly€a€meter€off€the€floor,€the€blows€landing€lamely€on€its€back.€The€secondÏandroid€removes€a€stun€stick€from€its€abdominal€cavity€and€touches€the€man€with€it,€theÏman€stiffening€briefly€before€collapsing€inertly.€€ÌÌThe€first€android€departing€with€Ligachev€draped€over€its€shoulder,€the€second€advancesÏtoward€a€wide„eyed€Jaime€and€AleshaÌÌEXT€„€THE€FLIGHT€DECK€OF€BUSH'S€CARRIER€„€DAYÌÌBush€watches€the€aircraft€lift€from€the€deck€and€gather€like€so€many€dragonflies.€TheyÏform€a€delta„shaped€wedge,€a€lead€helicopter€on€point€and€one€added€to€each€succeedingÏrank€with€eight€in€side„by„side€formation€to€bring€up€the€rear.€€ÌÌThis€awesomely€ordered€precision€contrasts€with€the€pandemonium€Bush€views€ashoreÏthrough€his€binoculars.€There€people€rush€from€the€mansion€and€outlying€buildings€likeÏso€many€ants€from€a€kicked€over€nest€as€the€helicopters€near€them.€€Ì€€€€€€ÌEXT€„€MANILLA€GD€ESTATE,€THE€BURI„PALM€TREE€STAND€„€DAYÌÌWhen€Jaime€finally€opens€his€arms€to€her,€Benazir€stays€put€and€swipes€at€a€tear.€€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àBENAZIR€(Cont.)Ìà  àI€don't€have€much€time.€You€should€know€that€Teller€(Continued)ññÐ  ¼-¯)- ÐññÌññÌÌññà  àà À àBENAZIR€(Cont.)Ìà  àdid€ò ònotó ó€use€error€routines....€€Ð çÚ ÐÌKwami€in€surprise€turns€Benazirððs€way.ÌÌà  àà À àBENAZIR€(Cont.)Ìà  àHe€saved€memory€that€way,€and€seems€to€feelÌà  àabove€mistakes,€anyway.€€ÌÌJaime's€excited.ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àI€must€get€to€Jacksonville„€a€place€on€the€continents„€Ìà  àbefore€Tuesday,€January€twenty„first,€their€time.€€ÌÌINT€„€THE€OPERATIONS/ELECTRONICS€ROOM€OF€BUSH'S€CARRIER€ÌÌA€composed€Bush€regards€Teller's€frowning€face€on€the€video€phone€screen.ÌÌà  àà À àTELLERÌà  àYou€scummy€political€hacks€can€think€what€you€Ìà  àwant,€but€it's€only€science€and€technology€and€its€Ìà  àgreatest€minds...€and€today€there's€but€ò òoneó ó„€which€Ð [N Ðà  àcan€save€you€from€yourselves.€€ÌÌTeller€weirdly€contorts€his€face€as€he€moves€into€his€camera,€then€without€a€goodbyeÏhangs€up€and€the€screen€goes€blank.€€ÌÌEXT€„€THE€ROAD€TO€THE€PAGO€PAGO€AIRPORT€„€DAYÌÌJaime,€exhilarated,€drives€a€solar€scooter€with€Alesha€holding€him€tightly€from€behind,Ïtheir€bags€in€the€sidecar.€€ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àI'm€scared.€What€do€you€suppose€Limpkin€meant€Ìà  àby€"powerful€enemies?"€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àZokuhito,€Bush...€even€the€Resistance.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àDo€you€really€believe€anybody€knows€whose€onÌà  àò òwhoseó ó€side€anymore?€Ð â+Õ'+ ÐÌJaime€shrugs.ññÐ  ¿-²)- ÐññÌññÌÌññINT€„€THE€OPERATIONS/ELECTRONICS€ROOM€OF€BUSH'S€CARRIERÌÌA€won„over€Bush€smiles€knowingly€at€Kwami.€€ÌÌà  àà À àBUSHÌà  àThere's€very€little€secret€in€Islandia€with€access,€Mr.€Ìà  àKano.€For€now,€we'll€just€have€to€do€a€little€island€Ìà  àhopping€ourselves.€€ÌÌAccepting€a€pleased€Benazir's€hand,€Kwami€smiles€at€Bush.ÌÌà  àà À àKWAMIÌà  àIsland€hopping,€Mr.€Secretary?ÌÌà  àà À àBUSHÌà  àYou're€on€one€now,€Mr.€Kano.ÌÌEXT€„€THE€MANAGUA€AIRPORT€TARMAC€„€DAWNÌÌJaime€and€Alesha€exchange€anxious€looks€as€an€android€cards€them€near€their€VTOL€and€Ïthe€Resistance€agents€Colleyflower€and€Dingbat€watch€from€a€distance.€€ÌÌEXT€„€THE€WALKER€CAY€COMPOUND€„€DAYÌÌMIGUEL€NORIEGA,€a€short,€stout,€thirtyish€man,€regards€Jaime€and€Alesha€from€anÏelectric€cart€while€drawing€on€a€cigarette.€€Ì€€€€€€ÌAlesha€proves€feisty.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àAnd€if€we€don't?ÌÌNoriega€pats€his€chest€at€a€bulge€which€indicates€he€carries€a€firearm.€€ÌÌJaime€shrugs€fatalistically€to€Alesha€and€gives€over€his€last€currency€to€Noriega€whoÏmotions€to€the€back€seat€of€the€cart.€€ÌÌINT€„€THE€ROOM€OF€INCARCERATION€IN€THE€ADMIN.€BLDG€„€DUSK.€€ÌÌJaime€and€Alesha€stand€by€the€bed,€him€troubled€and€her€holding€the€sheet.€He€faces€her€€€Ìwith€resolve.€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àI€have€to€tell€you...€tell€you€I've€had€sex€with€Benazir.€ññ€ññññÐ  É,¼(, ÐññÌññÌÌÌññAlesha€snaps€the€sheet€over€the€mattress,€her€face€to€seek€and€find€Jaime's€shoulder.€SheÏbegins€to€cry€softly,€only€then€to€speak€with€bitter€self„reproach.€€ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àAnd€I've€had€sex€with€men€I€detested.€€ÌÌEXT€„€THE€CALERO€MARINA€ON€GRAND€BAHAMA€ISLAND€„€DAYÌÌPeople€panic€as€helicopters€appear€on€the€horizon.ÌÌJaime€and€Alesha€stand€with€Calero€and€two€armed€CALERO€GUARDS€near€a€VTOLÏlanding€pad€just€off€the€Atlantic€Ocean,€the€carrier€looming€just€offshore.€€ÌÌCalero€is€uneasy€as€an€android€with€a€detection/destruction€wand€draws€near.€Caleroððs€Ïguards€edge€their€hands€toward€their€guns.€Their€eyes€implore€their€leader€as€Jaime€raisesÏhis€arm€as€if€to€hail€the€behemoth.€€ÌÌà  àà À àCALEROÌà  àNo!€Don't!ÌÌJaime€lowers€his€arm,€tentatively.€€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àJAIMEÌà0  àA€word€of€advice...€ò òdon'tó ó€run.€ò òIfó ó€it€asks€for€your€Ð E8 Ðcards,€comply.€You€do€ò òhaveó ó€cards,€I€presume....€€Ð5((#(# ÐÌThe€Resistance€leader€glares,€then€begins€to€walk€off.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àOne€more€thing....ÌÌThe€men€turn€toward€her.€€Ìà  àÌà  àà À àALESHA€(Cont.)Ìà  àThose€metal€guns€mean€death....ÌÌINT€„€THE€HANGAR€BLDG,€GRAND€BAHAMA€MARINA€„€DAYÌÌAn€ignored€Travis€interrupts€the€talking,€reunited€group.€He€reaches€for€Jaime's€hand.€ÌÌINT€„€THE€COUPLED€SUBMARINE€UNDERWAY€„€DAYÌÌThe€apprehensive€group€sit€quietly€together€when€the€LORAN€suddenly€emits€a€high„¼pitched€warning€which€an€alarmed€Kwami€stops€by€yanking€a€wire.€Travis€whispers.€ññ€ñññ ñÐ  Ï,Â(, Ðñ ñÌñ!ñÌÌÌñ!ñà  àà À àTRAVIS€Ìà  àWe€done€it,€dough....€We€ò òinó ó€restrictit€waters.€en€still€Ð çÚ Ðà  àbe€bein'€in€one€piece...€€ÌÌINT€„€THE€OPERATIONS/ELECTRONICS€ROOM€OF€BUSH'S€CARRIER€„€DAYÌÌBush€sees€an€arrogant€Teller's€face€on€the€video€phone€screen€turn€to€a€grotesque€oneÏwhen€Teller's€face€squints€in€closeup,€his€nose€wrinkling€like€a€rabbit's.€Bush€erupts.ÌÌà  àà À àBUSHÌà  àYou€goddam€hypocrite!€You€say€that€while€you€hide€¼à  àin€your€shelter!€€ÌÌTeller's€screen€face€backs€off€somewhat€and€he€smiles€imperiously.€€Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àTELLERÌà  àYou€confuse€bravery€with€stupidity.€If€I€do€survive,€Ìà  àwe'll€mostly€have€culled€mush„heads€like€you€from€Ìà  àthe€ranks€ò òofó ó€our€so„ò òcalledó ó"€leadershipÐ §š ÐÌEXT€„€THE€VESSELS€UNDERWATER€„€NIGHTÌÌThe€sub€glides€free€of€the€freighter€within€the€murky€water€as€three€divers€approach€toÏsee€only€the€freighter's€hull€with€its€critical€transducer/transponder€aft€to€be€clear.€ÌÌINT€„€SALLY'S€BEDROOM€IN€THE€STEWART€HOUSE€„€NIGHT€ÌÌJaime€who€carries€a€box€carefully€moves€toward€a€headsetted€and€remming€Sally.€He€lifts€Ìher€right€hand„€carefully„€stopping€when€he€feels€the€muscles€of€her€right€arm€stiffen.ÏFinally,€he€rolls€first€her€thumb€and€then€each€finger€in€its€turn€upon€the€pad.€€ÌÌINT€„€AN€ENCLOSED€CORRIDOR€IN€FRONT€OF€A€JI„CC€LOUNGE€BLDG€„€DAYÌÌBenazir€gives€Jaime€a€sympathetic€look€of€understanding.ÌÌà  àà À àBENAZIRÌà  àAnd€so€we€pretend€to€be€what€we're€not,€only€to€Ìà  àknow€we€really€are€what€we€are€ò òand€ó ówhat€we're€ò ònotó ó....€Ð A'4#& Ðà  àò òThat'só ó€the€trying€part!€€Ð 1($$' ÐÌAlesha€smiles€wryly,€speaking€to€lighten€everyone€up,€especially€the€intense€Jaime.Ì€€€€€€Ìà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àSo...€so€for€all€ò òpracticaló ó€purposes„€I'm€to€do€my€best€ò òÐ Õ,È(, Ðà  àtoó ó€pass€while€hoping€to€ò òfailó ó!ñ"ñ€ñ"ññ#ñÐ  Å-¸)- Ðñ#ñÌñ$ñÌÌñ$ñShe€grows€serious.ÌÌà  àà À àALESHA€(Cont.)Ìà  àAnd€the€fate€of€the€world€hangs€in€the€balanceÌÌINT€„€THE€JI„CC€TESTING€BLDG€LOBBY€„€DAYÌÌKwami,€too,€speaks€bitterly€as€he€views€an€electronic€message€on€the€front€wall€which€Ìappears€over€his€own€fixated€android€posting€near€the€main€door.ÌÌà  àà À àKWAMI€Ìà  àAnd€OMNI€is€the€god€above€all€gods.€On€the€wall€to€Ìà  àthe€front....€Its€scripture's€quite€explicit€there....€€ÌÌThe€electronic€ticker€message€with€no€clear€beginning€or€end,€says,€"òòThe€Citizen€buildsÐ ðã  ÐSociety...€Society€is€YOUR€Coordinated€Collective...€The€Coordinated€Collective€is€theÏCollective€Intelligence...€The€Collective€Intelligence€€is€the€TEST€of€the€Citizen."€ÌóóÌSally€suddenly€appears.€She€stops,€herself€shocked€to€see€the€man€sheððd€approachedÏearlier,€then€moves€to€enter€the€circling€human€line€of€ð ðworshipers.ðð€Jaime€yells.ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àSally,€congratulations....€You€passed,€didn't€you!€€ÌÌSally€stops€in€her€tracks,€overwhelmed€and€confused.ÌÌà  àà À àSALLYÌà  àHow€do€you€know€my€name!€How€can€you€speak€so...€Ìà  àso....ÌÌSally€faints.€€ÌÌTWO€LAST€ANDROIDS€stridently€enter€without€visible€weapons.€€€ÌÌà  àà À àLAST€ANDROID€NO.€ONEÌòòà  àThe€OMNI€requests€the€presence€of€all€who€would€Ð a%T!$ Ðà  àclaim€to€be€ambiguous€life€forms.€€ÌóóÌJaime€and€Alesha€help€Sally€to€her€feet,€joining€Kwami€and€Benazir€to€follow€the€last€Ìtwo€androids€out.€Jaime€unstraps€and€hurls€his€mirror€against€the€wall,€shattering€it.€€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIMEÌà  àà À à€(yelling)Ìà  àò òLeaveó ó,€you€Continentals!€ò òShowó ó€you're€truly€free!ñ%ñÐ  É,¼(, Ðñ%ñÌñ&ñÌÌÌñ&ñINT€„€THE€SMALL€OUTLYING€BLDG€„€DAYÌÌBefore€the€OMNI„interactive€machine,€Alesha€and€Jaime€are€arm€in€arm,€while€KwamiÏstands€behind€Benazir€who€places€his€hands€on€her€hips€and€leans€back€against€him.€AllÏbut€Alesha,€who€shakes€her€head,€appear€perplexed.€She€points€at€the€card€feed,€where€aÏcard's€trailing€edge€already€readies€for€entry.€€ÌÌJaime€frowns.ÌÌà  àà À àJAIME€€Ìà  àBut€what's€ò òonó ó€that€card.€Unauthorized€use€ò òwasó ó€a€Ð </  Ðà  àcrime,€and€OMNI„central€ò òstilló ó€controls€Armageddon€Ð ,  Ðà  àas€well.€Personal€riskððs€one€thing,€but....€€Ì€ÌEXT€„€AN€OUTDOORS€CLEARING€AT€THE€JI„CC€BUSINESS€COMPLEX€„€DAY€€ÌÌJaime€wipes€at€Alesha's€tears€with€a€flap€of€his€shirt.€€ÌÌà  àà À àJAIME€(Cont.)Ìà  àYou€see,€my€dear,€Lesha,€only€ò òifó ó€a€majority€ò òofó ó€theÐ —Š Ðà  àò òenó ófranchisable€truly€choose€ò òtoó ó€provide€humanity's€Ð ‡z Ðà  àfirst€morally€exemplary€nation„state€can€we€even€ò òÐ wj Ðà  àhopeó ó€to€offer€children„€ò òalló ó€children...€or€anyone€Ð dW Ðà  àelse„€any€alternative€ò òtoó ó€our€unjust€contrary....Ð TG ÐÌA€contrite€Alesha€looks€around€in€her€reassuringly€familiar,€desultory€way.€€ÌÌà  àà À àALESHAÌà  àI€knew€that...ÌÌEXT€„€AN€OUTDOORS€CLEARING€AT€THE€JI„CC€BUSINESS€COMPLEX€„€DAYÌ€€€€€€ÌTwo€helicopters€lift€off€with€the€formative€family€aboard.€Below,€the€three€androidsÏcompliantly€still€sit€on€the€turf€awaiting€instructions€while€a€few€adventurousÏContinentals€tentatively€probe€Sally's€hole€in€the€glass€wall€of€their€enclosed€corridor.€€ÌÌEXT€„€A€COMPLEX€IN€GEOSYNCHRONOUS€EQUATORIAL€EARTHLY€ORBITÌÌThere's€no€apparent€change€in€its€configuration.