Salvation полностью

“That such a criminal concept has taken root in human culture is most distressing to us,” Hai-3 said. “This is not why we made our biotechnology available to you. We only wanted to help you before we fly onward to the God at the End of Time. Death is not something biological entities should suffer anymore. I hope you can explain that to people in your media companies who have influence—perhaps upon the successful conclusion of your case?”

“Of course. I’m sorry about the way people have twisted the possibilities of Kcell application. Unfortunately, there are those among us, thankfully a small minority, who live by a different set of rules, which makes such unpleasant stories believable.”

“The Olyix understand. You are new to sentience. Your behavior is still affected by your animal origin. You seek to advance yourselves at the expense of others.”

“As I said: a minority.”

“We were like you once. Our biotechnology allowed us to modify ourselves, to cast aside such animal-derived impulses. We gave ourselves a higher purpose.”

Yuri maintained a polite expression. He knew what was coming, and out of the corner of his eye he caught Stéphane grinning knowingly. The Olyix were unremittingly evangelical. Hai-3’s cooperation came with a price: He had to endure the sermon. “Sadly for now,” he said, “we are stuck with our more humble bodies and all their flaws.”

“Indeed,” Hai-3 said. “But consider that if you joined with us, crimes like the one you face today would be a thing of the past.”

“What you ask is interesting, but as a species I don’t think we’re ready for a voyage to the end of time. We’re not mature enough to face a deity—yours or anyone else’s.”

“You can be. That is what we hope to offer you before our arkship flies onward once more. We continue to learn how to adapt our Kcells to function in your bodies. Our growthmasters believe we can one day model clusters to duplicate your neural structure. When that happens, you can become immortal like us.”

“The singularity download. Yes. I think our society has a long way to go before we accept that. If the body is not original, we would not be us.”

“The body, any body—ours, yours—is merely a vessel for the mind. The mind is evolution’s pinnacle. Sentience is extraordinarily rare in this universe. It must be cherished and protected at all costs.”

“Good to know we agree on that.”

“Would you consider coming with us, Yuri Alster?”

“I don’t know. Anything is possible, I suppose,” he replied diplomatically.

“I will pray for you, Yuri Alster,” Hai-3 said. “And I urge you to consider what we can offer. Sentient species are the children of this universe, the reason it exists. It is our destiny to travel to the conclusion and join together in bliss and fulfillment with the final God.”

“I see.” He almost said it, almost asked: What about steady state theory? Human cosmologists were now almost convinced that the universe was eternal—that the idea of a trillion-year cyclic state, of Big Bang origins and Big Crunch collapses, was no longer valid. So why do the Olyix think it’s going to end? But he had a job to do. “You have given me a lot to consider. For that I thank you.”

Another ripple wound its way around Hai-3’s midsection. “You are most welcome. And I consider it an act of friendship on my part to extend our help to you with this unpleasant case you are working on. To devote yourself to the recovery of others less fortunate is an honorable calling.”

Yuri hoped the Olyix couldn’t pick up on the flash of guilt he felt. “I do what I can.” And what Ainsley Zangari wants.

“Your dedication is to be commended. I will pray for your success in recovering the unfortunate man who has been abducted.”

Yuri gave the alien a level stare. “You are most kind. Your help eliminating one line of inquiry has been very beneficial for me. Thank you.” He steeled himself and shook hands with Hai-3 again. This time he didn’t flinch; anger allowed him to keep a tight rein on his reactions.

—

“Baptiste Devroy was not in his flat,” Boris informed Yuri as soon as he was back out on Geneva’s streets.

“Shit. Where is he?”

“He deactivated his altme and left the flat at ten fifty-seven this morning. Civic surveillance shows him getting into a cabez, which was requested by Dawn Mongomerie, his current girlfriend. The tactical team are backtracking it.”

“Ten fifty-seven,” Yuri mused. “Interesting coincidence; that’s about when we started looking for Horatio. Where was I then?”

“At Horatio’s flat on Eleanor Road.”

“Fuck it, they were watching to see if anyone noticed he’d gone! And then Jessika and I turned up, Connexion security officers. They must have started shitting themselves.” He called Jessika. “I hope you’ve made progress. They know we’re coming.”

“How the hell do they know that?” she demanded.