Inhuman(113)

“And you’ll remain a hero in her eyes,” 1 concluded. “All of that is acceptable, but there is one very serious loose end.”

“The Purists,” Aldous said, immediately knowing to what 1 was referring.

She smiled. “Very clever, aren’t you?”

Aldous narrowed his eyes. “But you knew that already, didn’t you? You’ve met me before, 1. Admit it.”

Her lips formed a sideways smirk. Every move she made was designed to manipulate. The smirk was irresistible. “No. I’ve met Aldous Gibson—Gibsons even—sure, but I’ve never met you.” She put her beer down on the table and sat back against the couch, clasping her hands together. “The universes we’ve assimilated are relatively similar, but each one unfolds quite differently. If you’re wondering whether or not you and I have sat down to have this exact conversation, the answer is no. It would amaze you to see how different a person can be from one universe to the next. Events that might seem so simple can have profound impacts on us and forever change, not just how other people think about us, but also how we think about ourselves, and what we think about the world. It’s enough to make you question whether or not there really even is a self.”

Aldous’s face screwed up slightly in reaction to 1’s revelation, the notion of the self being in question causing him extreme discomfort; the discomfort bordered on revulsion.

“I’ve met Aldous Gibson before,” she continued, “in many different circumstances, but I’ve never met you. Sure, the others were clever, but this situation is entirely new to both you and I.”

“I’ll have to trust you on that,” Aldous replied, somewhat dubiously.

1 smiled broadly in response. “Yes, yes indeed you will. So, what do you intend to do about the Purists? In keeping with your observations about James Keats, he’s helped them build defenses already that we can’t penetrate, yet are also independent from his control. We can’t move on from this universe until everyone is part of our collective. Not even the Purists, however unlikely it might seem that they’d one day be able to develop an infinity computer, can be left to their own devices. It’s too dangerous. Eventually, people who disagree with Purist norms will be birthed and will have access to the advanced technology James has provided for them. If an intellect similar to James’s were to arise in the future, all of our efforts could be for nothing. We have to rescue them from themselves.”

“I’ll handle that part,” Aldous replied.

“How?”

“That’s my business.”

1 shook her head, her amused smile returning. “We have to trust each other, remember? You said so yourself.”

“I trust that if you don’t already have the key to assimilating the Purists, you’ll follow through on your promise to assimilate Craig Emilson. If I give you the Purists up front, there will be no reason for you not to simply kill him instead.”

“Ah,” 1 responded. “You’re exchanging the Purists for your friend.”

Old-timer was aghast as he watched the memory unfold.

“He’s not my friend,” Aldous replied tersely, “but he’s a post-human, and he, like everyone else, is my responsibility.” He leaned forward and repeated his earlier warning, his tone threateningly intense. “I mean it, 1. No one can die. No one.”

Her smile remained unflinching as she shrugged. “And no one will,” she said reassuringly. “Are we ready to shake on it?” she asked as she held out her hand.

Aldous stared at her hand, an offer to seal the deal, and he took in a deep breath. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“I want to be the first one assimilated...tonight.”

“Tonight?” 1 responded, amused. “I admire your dedication, but it really isn’t necessary. You’ll need to remain a post-human for the time being or else—”

“I’ll be a post-human too,” Aldous interrupted. “I want to be a hybrid. I’ll need an MTF generator so that I can pass for post-human, as well as the ability to access the post-human mind’s eye system, but my plan also requires that I be an android before it begins.”

1’s eyes narrowed. “Why?”

“You know why,” Aldous replied.

She nodded. “Yes, I do. I just wanted to hear you admit it.”

Aldous paused for a moment before finally acquiescing. “Fine. I am taking away your ability to renege on our deal. As I see it, there are three things you can use to blackmail me. The first is Craig’s life, which is why I won’t help you gain access to the Purists until he’s delivered to me on Venus as an android. The second is my wife’s life, which is why I want to be the one to assimilate her. I’ll keep her pattern with me until our mission is complete. And the last is my own life. If I’m already assimilated, but in a body of my own specifications, not the least of which is that it’ll be separate from the network you use to hop from person to person in your high-tech demonic possessions, then I’ll be rather difficult to terminate. Is that good enough for you, or would you like to waste more of our time?”