Chaos Space - Marianne de Pierres [45]
As the reassuring noises of illness had not abated, Tekton was encouraged to search the Geneer’s sleeping quarters. The room was singularly uninspiring aside from one startling object. On the bedcovers lay a book. Tekton knew it was a book because the Tan Andao Studium had one in its vacuum vault which was never removed for fear of deterioration.
Tekton pounced on it. The weight of it surprised him and the brittle outer cover pricked at his trembling thin-skinned fingers. Imagine a Geneer, of all ‘esques, owning such a priceless thing and using it.
Horrifying, observed free-mind.
Insane, agreed logic-mind.
Their agreement left Tekton rather unnerved. He turned the pages with utmost care, wondering over the mess of hieroglyphics.
Moud?
A detectable delay as the moud brought itself out of hibernation. I’m here, Godhead.
Can you tell me what this means?
Another pause.
It appears to be the title of the work: ‘Welding for Four Dimensions’.
And the other?
An inscription, I believe, Godhead.
Yessss . . .
‘From your loving father, CF(C)’
Aaaah…copy this page to your memory. I wish to review it later.
Yes, Godhead.
Tekton heard the short blast of a sanitary jet and replaced the book in its original position on the covers. Several quick, soundless steps took him back into Connit’s living room where he swiftly retrieved the dish of quark eggs.
Labile Connit returned, bleary and out of sorts.
‘I can see,’ said Tekton, with a bold lack of concern, ‘that I have come at an inconvenient time. Please, have the quark eggs and champagne with my compliments. I will call again when you are feeling better.’
Connit stared fixedly at the dish of eggs that Tekton once more held out to him and pressed his hand to his mouth. Tekton dropped the dish onto a table and turned to leave. By the time he had reached the door he could hear the sanitary jet blasting again.
Back in his rooms Tekton reviewed the inscription. From your loving father CF(C).
For some reason those initials piqued his memory.
Is there any record of Labile Connit’s planet of origin?
No, Godhead.
Tekton sucked a finger. To his annoyance the ingre membrane shed onto his tongue. He spat it out and made a note to increase the oil in his diet.
On what planet does the Yeungnam Studium reside? Tekton knew that he should remember such a detail but Geneering Studiums—even the famous Yeungnam—did not figure on his list of itinerant facts that were worthwhile retaining.
Yeung Lesser, Godhead.
I want you to collate the names of all the C. Connits—or variations on that name—alive or passed, living within several parsecs of Yeung Lesser.
I would have to employ the Vreal Studium’s VI to gain such information, the moud informed him.
Tekton paused and thought for a moment.
Should I pursue this?
No, his logic-mind stated firmly. Satisfying idle curiosity is not worth the computational allowance.
Instinct is not merely idle curiosity, argued his free-mind. Instinct is a most profound and valuable ally.
Employ the VI, Tekton told his moud.
The list came back seconds later. It was lengthy but not interminable.
Now, see if you can connect someone on this list with your available known facts about Labile Connit, he told it.
Godhead?
For Lostol’s sake, do I have to spell it out! Can’t you think for yourself?
Of course, Godhead, in a restricted way. The moud sounded rather hurt.
Do any of them have a male offspring of Labile Connit s age? Are any of them engineers? Commonalities. I WANT COMMONALITIES! Tekton’s mind-shout brought on the beginnings of a throbbing temple but when the moud reinserted a new list in his virtual eye the headache was swept away by a rush of akula.
Three Connits had commonalities but Tekton knew immediately that only one mattered. Lasper (Carnage) Farr-Connit: progeny—one male child, whereabouts unknown. Mother: Tekla Connit, deceased. Lasper Farr was currently