The Cyborg and the Sorcerers

by Lawrence Watt-Evans

  "No."

  "No detectable variation in pulse or respiration."

  "I think he's telling the truth."

  "Query: Possibility of antiinterrogation conditioning."

  "Extremely remote."

  "Continue action."

  "If there are no devices, then what does a wizard use to work magic? What does he need?"

  "Nothing."

  There was still no change in Kurao's pulse. "What makes a wizard different? Why can he do things ordinary people cannot?"

  "He's been changed by another wizard."

  "What's been changed?"

  "The structure of the brain."

  "Explain that a bit more."

  "Well … you know, the brain is where all thought and emotion occur, where the personality is."

  "Yes, I know that."

  "The human brain is made up of millions of smaller parts—"

  "I know all this; I don't need a lecture on anatomy."

  "You know that everything is controlled by the connections between the cells of the brain?"

  "Yes."

  "Well, a person becomes a wizard when another wizard rearranges those connections in a particular way; it allows one to use wizard sight, to see the underlying forces of the world and to manipulate them."

  "What do you think?"

  "Explanation tentatively satisfactory. Term 'magic' would apply to theoretical concept 'psionics.' "

  "Good. Can we get out of here, then?"

  "Negative. Orders require capture of enemy weapons research if possible, destruction of enemy capability if capture is not possible."

  "How do we capture psi powers?"

  "Require detailed description of modification of human brain required to induce psionic capability."

  "Right." He shifted his grip on Kurao's wrist "Tell me exactly what you have to change, which connections you rearrange."

  "I can't explain in words."

  "Could you explain if you had a diagram of a brain?"

  "I don't think so."

  "You do know how to make someone a wizard?"

  "Of course; I've trained three apprentices."

  "Why can't you explain it, then?"

  "I don't know; I just can't. It's a matter of feel. I just feel what has to be changed."

  "You became a wizard the same way, yourself?"

  "Of course."

  "And the wizard who trained you?"

  "He had his master, too."

  "It must have started somewhere."

  "Oh, there are legends about a first, original wizard; she was said to have come from somewhere near Setharipoor. That was right after the Bad Times, when things were still pretty much of a mess, so the stories are vague. I don't know much about her."

  "The legends give no explanation of how she acquired the ability?"

  "No. I suppose it was just natural, something she was born with."

  "Any comment?"

  "The possibility of psionic capability as a result of induced mutation has been theorized."

  "You think this first wizard was a mutant? Wouldn't some of her children have inherited the trait, then? There would be hereditary wizards as well as the apprenticed ones."

  "There is no evidence to indicate that the theoretical first wizard produced offspring."

  "Oh. That's true." Some mutants were sterile, after all; that might have been the case here, he thought, or perhaps she simply hadn't bothered with children. He considered for a moment. "Have there ever been any such mutations reported?"

  "Negative. No evidence of practical psionic capability has been reported prior to detection of gravitational anomalies on this planet."

  "That's what I thought. What now?"

  "If no detailed plans or explanations are available, orders call for the capture of a working model of each new weapon, to be analyzed."

  Slant looked at the almost-lizard. He would like to be able to do such things, he realized, and the best way to capture this new weapon was to carry it back in his own head. "Could you make me a wizard?" he asked Kurao.

  "Anyone can become a wizard—but I won't do it. It's dangerous and forbidden."

  Slant tapped the snark's plastic case on the tabletop. "I think you should reconsider," he said.

  Kurao looked at the weapon and said nothing.

  "Take a look at my brain, then, and see if it would be possible." It had occurred to him that the local population might be a variation on human stock incompatible with his own.

  The familiar electric tingle returned, and Slant forestalled the computer by reporting, "I know, I know; he's using magic."

  The eerie sensation stopped, and Kurao asked, "What are you?" His eyes were wide. "I thought you'd just found that thing, but you're all wrong inside; there's metal all through you, and something strange in your head, and your nervous system is put together wrong."

  "I'm a weapon from the Bad Times, just as much as the snark. Can you make me a wizard?"

  "I'm not sure. I think so, but it would take hours; your brain is full of blocks and traps, and some connections are spliced together with metal."

  "How long does it usually take?"

  "About a quarter of an hour."

  "If I insist," Slant asked, lifting the snark, "would you make me a wizard?"

  Kurao looked at the weapon again. "I wish I knew how to ruin that thing without making it explode."

  "Well?"

  "Yes, I'll make you a wizard—at least, I'll try."

  "Good. Shall I have him start? If he makes me a wizard, I'll have the weapon in my head."

  "Negative."

  "What? Why not?"

  "Exact nature of neurological modification unknown. Risk of impairment of cyborg unit functioning, loyalty, intelligence, and/or conditioning precludes any such experimental modification. Furthermore, this procedure would require the cooperation of untrustworthy enemy personnel."

  "What do you want, then?"

  "Capture and analysis of working model."

  "How am I supposed to do that?"

  "Exact nature of neurological modification must be analyzed."

  "You said that; how am I supposed to do it?"

  "Dissection of working model designated 'Kurao' would be most efficient."

  "The hell it would!" Slant exclaimed aloud.

  "What? What are you talking about? I didn't say anything." Confusion was plain on Kurao's face.

  "He's a human being, not a weapon!"

  "Who are you talking to?"

  "Subject is both human being and weapon. There is no contradiction."

  Slant could not argue with that, having just referred to himself as a weapon. "I can't dissect him!" He started to protest further but caught himself, remembering the computer's warning about further dysfunction; he groped about for something to say.

  "Primary cyborg personality will not be required to perform actions suited to medical programming."

  Slant started to frame another objection, something about antagonizing neutral natives, when he felt the familiar crawling of his skin; there was a moment of confusion, as he slipped between possible reactions. The stimulus was not one that any of his specialized personae were conditioned to respond to. Instead, the computer's override cut in, and he twisted jerkily, his finger pressing the snark's trigger convulsively; the wizard's mouth flew open in shock and pain as the beam cut into his chest, and blood spewed out across the table and the twitching body of the newly animated lizard.

  Chapter Eleven

  BEAM TORE AT THE WIZARD, THEN THROUGH HIM and at the far wall, showering dust across the smear of blood on the floor, burning for a long, long moment before Slant could resume control and release the pressure of his finger on the trigger.

  He looked with disgust at the mangled corpse and the blood that drenched the table. "Was that necessary?"

  "Termination of enemy personnel seemed advisable. Gravitational anomaly representing enemy weapons research activity posed possible threat to cyborg unit and success o
f mission."

  "You didn't have to be so thorough! Look at this mess!"

  "Control of cyborg unit by override through relay is imprecise. Margin of error must be compensated for."

  "Oh, hell." Slant slumped on his stool, staring at the motionless lizard, its green hide spattered with darkening red.

  "Delay inadvisable."

  "What am I supposed to be doing, then?"

  "Transportation of corpse to ship is recommended action."

  "What's the hurry?"

  "Risk of discovery increases with time. Also, brain tissue may deteriorate."

  "Oh, that's just wonderful. How am I supposed to get this bloody mess out of the city?"

  "Possible course of action: Ship lands in city, destroying resistance and interference, allowing cyborg unit to transport corpse to ship without interference. Possible course of action: Cyborg unit departs city on foot, destroying resistance and interference with available weapons. Possible course of action: Cyborg unit conceals corpse and departs city on foot."

  "The first two are stupid."

  "First and second courses of action require loss of mission secrecy and involve open combat. Third course of action has lowest probability of success."

  "It does? Why?"

  "High probability of detection by guard at checkpoint in city wall."

  It took Slant a second to realize the computer was referring to the city gate. "Even if he detected me, though, I could just shoot him and run for it."

  "Affirmative."

  "Then that's the best thing to do, right?"

  "Affirmative."

  "Sometimes you're pretty stupid."

  The computer didn't answer.

  Slant rose and began looking around the shop for something he could use to conceal Kurao's body. He considered, but dismissed, the velvet draperies; he doubted that someone carrying a large bundle wrapped in velvet would go unnoticed. After a few moments of searching, he found a roll of something like canvas at the back of one shelf; if there were enough of the stuff, it would be perfect.

  He unrolled it on a part of the floor that had not received much of the spraying blood, and decided that the size might be adequate. It was fortunate that Kurao hadn't been any larger than he was.

  Slant walked behind the corpse, which had fallen forward against the table, and then froze; he had heard a noise from the front of the shop, as if someone had entered through the bead curtain.

  He waited, motionless. If someone was in the shop, he or she would call out for the proprietor, and when no answer was forthcoming, do one of two things: leave, or look in the back. If the newcomer left, there was no problem; if he looked in the back, Slant might have to kill him. He waited for the call for Kurao.

  It didn't come, and Slant decided that either he had imagined the sound or someone had brushed the bead curtain without entering. He stopped and pulled Kurao's body back upright; it took an effort, as the drying blood had adhered to the table, and the old man had been heavier than he looked. He started to pick the body up by the armpits, to dump it onto the canvas.

  The velvet draperies swung aside and a young woman entered.

  She took a step into the room, then saw a stranger holding Kurao's dead body and stopped; her mouth opened, but she did not scream. Instead a small gasping squeak emerged.

  Recovering his composure first, and wanting the psychological advantage of being the first to speak, Slant demanded, "What are you doing here?"

  As he spoke, he looked her over; she was small, both short and thin, wearing a gray robe, with light-brown hair and wide-set green eyes in a heart-shaped face. He could almost certainly kill her with a single blow if necessary; she looked frail, delicate, and gentle. He knew that appearances could be deceptive but was quite sure she posed no threat other than the possibility of screaming and attracting more dangerous foes. Her expression was childlike, more surprised and confused than horrified by the sight of the bloody corpse.

  "I—I live here."

  "Who are you?"

  "I'm Ahnao; I'm Kurao's apprentice." Her gaze had moved down from Slant's face to Kurao's, and on down to the gaping hole in the wizard's chest; her expression was gradually changing from surprise to shock and horror.

  "Don't scream," Slant ordered her.

  She looked up at his face again, away from the wound. "He's dead, isn't he?"

  "Yes."

  "What happened?"

  "I don't know; I thought you might be able to tell me."

  She shook her head. "Who are you?"

  "My name is Slant. I came in and found him like this."

  There was a moment's silence; Ahnao looked down at the corpse again, then automatically looked away. Her expression had change to horror and disgust; Slant watched carefully. The danger of a scream seemed to have passed.

  Then her expression changed yet again, to simple surprise. "What's that lizard doing?" she asked.

  Slant looked down at the table; the newly animated lizard was moving, walking jerkily across the table, nodding as it went. "I don't know," he said. "Is it yours?"

  "No. It's an automaton, a new one. He must have just finished it."

  "But wouldn't it die when he did?" Slant was genuinely surprised and curious.

  "Unless he'd turned it over to someone, I think it would. I wonder whose it is? No one's ordered a lizard recently—not that I know of, anyway."

  "When did you leave?"

  "Oh, around noon, I think."

  "Someone might have come in who wanted one in a hurry."

  "I suppose. What's it doing?"

  Slant looked at the lizard again, and saw that it was scratching a groove in the dried blood with its lower jaw. A wave of uneasiness washed over him; he suspected that he was about to be identified as Kurao's murderer, but if he took any action to prevent it, that would also be sure to condemn him.

  The lizard shaped a single shaky letter, then stumbled and collapsed. The letter was F.

  Slant did not understand that at all; he had expected an S.

  "Query: Automaton's intelligence."

  "Hell, I don't know. What does F stand for?"

  "Information insufficient."

  The girl was looking at the letter curiously. "F," she said. "Do you mean Furinar?"

  The lizard moved its head, as if trying to nod.

  "Query: Meaning of term 'Furinar.' "

  "I don't know, either." Aloud, he asked Ahnao, "What's Furinar?"

  "He's a friend of ours. Do you think I should try to contact him?"

  "Is he a wizard?"

  "Yes."

  "Maybe he's the killer."

  "Oh, I don't think so!"

  "Recommend termination of subject 'Ahnao.' Further delay inadvisable."

  "No, wait a minute; I want to find out more about this Furinar. He might be a threat. Also, do we really want to leave another corpse around to attract attention? And what about this damn lizard?"

  "Continue action."

  "Why don't you think he's the killer? Why else would the lizard do that?"

  "I don't know. Maybe you're right. Let me contact him." Her eyes suddenly became unfocused, gazing off into infinity; Slant reached for his snark, then changed his mind. It might already be too late. He guessed that she was using some sort of telepathic communication.

  "Gravitational anomaly representing enemy weapons research activity occurring in immediate vicinity of cyborg unit. Recommend immediate termination of subject 'Ahnao.' "

  "No, wait; she's not attacking us, and I still want to find out what's going on. Besides, by now she may have alerted this Furinar character. She might be useful as a hostage."

  "Continue action."

  The computer was being unusually agreeable, Slant thought; that worried him.

  The girl came out of her apparent trance and immediately turned as if to run; Slant moved faster, however, and grabbed her wrist before she could take a step. She struggled, and he threw his other arm around her neck, restraining her effectively.
r />   "What's going on?" he asked. "Why did you try to leave?"

  "Furinar says you killed Kurao!"

  As Slant had suspected, wizards apparently were telepathic. "How does he know? Was he here?'

  "No, Kurao sent him a message; you were threatening him with a death machine from the Bad Times, and you killed him!"

  "Why did the lizard write an F?"

  "Kurao turned it over to Furinar just before he died; Furinar wanted to contact me, but I wasn't listening, so he used the lizard."

  "Where is Furinar now?"

  "He's on his way here; he'll be here any minute. Let me go!"

  "Damn!"

  "Recommend immediate evasive action."

  "No, they can track me, the way they did in Teyzha. I can use the girl as a hostage, though."

  "Affirmative. Query: Possibility of handling corpse in addition to hostage."

  "Oh, hell. I'd forgotten about that." The girl twisted in his grip, trying to free herself; he tightened his hold, not because that made it any more secure but as a warning. "Hold still. You were right, you know, I did kill Kurao; if you don't do exactly what you're told, I'll kill you, too. Do you understand?"

  She nodded.

  "Good." He looked at the corpse and decided there was no way he could possibly carry it while holding Ahnao and a weapon. If he didn't get it back to the ship, though, he would have to kill another wizard for the computer to dissect. An idea struck him. "Do you need the whole corpse? Would just the brain do?"

  "Information insufficient; however, brain alone would probably be sufficient. Furthermore, brain and corpse are expendable, as others are available."

  "Good." He loosened his hold on Ahnao and informed her, "Im going to let go of you. Don't run away, don't do anything suspicious, and I won't hurt you. Remember, I'm much faster and stronger than you are, and I have weapons from the Bad Times. Do you understand?"

  She nodded again, and he released her. She stood, trembling, just where she was, her head turned to watch him.

  He took the snark from his pocket and grabbed a firm hold on Kurao's ear with his free hand; he wished the old man had had hair, as it would have provided a better grip. Then, with the snark set on a fine beam, he cut through the cadaver's neck, leaving the severed head hanging from his hand by its ear.