"G. David Nordley - The Forest Between the Worlds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Nordley G. David)

considered himself open minded, but the idea of her letting one of the round, furry, vaguely spider-shaped
beings stick its organ into her body in the name of science was a little beyond him.

Jones groaned. "Akil, everyone knows she’s been screwing the things; she’s said as much herself. She
likes to shock people. Like standing in front of me covered with nothing but dirt and scratches and saying
‘oh, yes, I did’ when I’m open-mouthed and saying ‘you couldn’t have.’

"But she’s serious. She thinks they do it to exchange data encoded in molecules as well as to bond with
their group, like the Bonobo. Well, she’s bonded all right. Addicted is what I’d call it. But I don’t think
the Forest People are doing anything more than following instincts."

"I understand there’s some debate about that," Akil said, with some understatement. The dispute
concerning the intelligence or not of the Forest People was more like a minor war among the staff. He
tried not to take sides, but if there were genuine intelligence on these worlds, it had reacted very slowly to
their presence. Or maybe it was just watching.

"Debate, hell! We’re just spinning our wheels. She’s got all the data because she’s the only human being
on this planet the Forest People accept, because she’s the only one that would ever be willing to do . . .
that! I don’t know why I care."

Akil found himself momentarily speechless at the display of feeling and wondering whether Jones and
Fina had some kind of relationship. Meanwhile, he stood in front of Fina’s door feeling like an idiot as he
confronted her dome’s cyberservant.

"I’ll try again." He spoke toward the door. "Will you at least tell me if Dr. Fina is in?" Akil asked it. "I
don’t need to bother her, just tell me if she’s in. We are concerned. If she is in and you don’t tell me, she
may be inconvenienced unnecessarily in our efforts to find out."

"I have been instructed not to answer any questions."

The hell with it, Akil decided, and struck the door with the flat of his hand. It made a low, hollow woody
sound. "Sharada Fina!" he yelled. "We just want to know if you’re home."

"I’m doing something private," her voice answered. "Please respect my privacy."

"Sorry," Akil said and turned away, embarrassed, then stopped.

Something seemed wrong with her voice, he thought–her intonation or timing. A lack of tension, perhaps,
or natural irritation?

"Dr. Jones. . . ."

"I heard, and I don’t believe it either. It’s a sim. That woman’s headed for a disciplinary hearing. Base
ops, I’m formally requesting authorization to take control of Dr. Fina’s dome system. Explain things to
Commander Richards. Hang on, Mateo, I’ll be right up there."

The ground base computer acknowledged its instruction. Akil’s intuition told him that after the ten
minutes of lightspeed delay plus however long it took to get Commander Richards’ attention and
decision, they would find an empty hut with its robot AI dutifully following its master’s instructions to
simulate her presence for as long as possible.