01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
Danyk got to his feet and walked away. Steve looked after him regretfully. Lately, their
conversations had become sparring matches. He sat by the river until it was almost dark.
Maia would be waiting for him and soon it would be time for the last meal the family would
share before they started their journey to the court of the High Thane.
She wasn't in their rooms when he returned. He bathed and dressed in a fresh tunic. He
glanced at the Bole which was positioned against one wall. It was dormant and had been
since his return from the city.
"Status."
"Integrity."
"You've been uncharacteristically silent for a few days."
"I have not been called upon to utilise my capabilities."
"Don't tell me you're having a fit of the sulks!"
"A 'fit of the sulks' is not recorded in my menu as being one of my capabilities."
"We're going on a long journey tomorrow and you will be lashed to the back of a Vix."
The Bole remained silent.
"I see the prospect doesn't thrill you."
"To be 'thrilled' is not one of my capabilities."
"Why this sudden preoccupation with your capabilities?"
"My capabilities are being under utilised."
Steve stared hard at the metal cube.
"What ingenious quirk of programming leads you to that conclusion?"
"I am activated on a continual basis but utilised infrequently, therefore, my capabilities are
not being fully utilised."
Steve sat on the edge of the bed.
"All right, I'll give you something to utilise your capabilities. Determine the nature of the -
lodger - I have living in my mind."
Steve felt a surge of humour within.
"Insufficient data."
"Don't give me that crap! Run sensor scans and determine my status."
"Sensor scans complete."
"And what are your conclusions - if you say 'insufficient data', I'll trash you!"
"Your technical expertise is insufficient for you to attempt the dismantling of a Bole Mark
IV. Sensory investigation determines that you are within physical tolerances - "
"I suppose that means I'm a fine figure of a man?"
"Physically, you are within design tolerances, as recorded. Mentally, your status is -
Violation!"
Steve felt the blood ebb from his face.
"Violation?"
"Confirmed."
Steve groped for another question.
"What form of violation."
"My sensors have detected that your mental capabilities are not within the design
tolerances."
"Less than design tolerances, or greater?"
"Greater."
"I go back to my first question - What is the nature of the invader?"
"The definition is beyond my vocabulary capabilities."
"You are trying to tell me that you can't define the alien life form which has invaded me?"
"Correction - you have not been invaded by an alien life form."
"But you just said - "
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