Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [6]
He fell to thinking of other things. The biggest of his unanswered questions pertained to Miranda. Why on Mintaka did his colleague, the randy Dr Miranda Seeward, own a bio-lab on Rho Junction? And why had she created a virus that affected the orbitofrontal cortex? And why was she selling it to an illicit bio-dealer on Scolar?
Tekton set his moud about researching the orbitofrontal cortex. When it was ready he questioned it to death - or at least until it began to repeat itself.
What is its function? he asked.
As I have said, Godhead, it manages emotion and reward.
Reward?
And punishment.
Hmmm. That is why it affects decision-making.
Yes, it integrates reinforcers.
Tekton pondered further. Miranda had developed a virus that manipulated part of the brain and was selling it to a distributor on Scolar - the seat of Orion’s greatest philosophers. Intriguing. He had no doubt that this was somehow intertwined with her project for the Sole Entity. Now, if he could persuade Carnage Farr to share his analysis of the virus, he could gazump Miranda, or even better, poach her ideas to gain Sole’s favour.
But how did one persuade someone like Carnage to share information? The man was renowned for his brilliance - and his paranoia.
Everyone has their vulnerabilities, reminded free-mind.
Usually their family, agreed logic-mind.
And how fortuitous, Tekton thought, to be travelling with Carnage’s sister.
He concluded, at that point, that Thales Berniere might well turn out to be incidental to his needs but that the woman Bethany could be the key.
Blackmail her, proposed logic-mind.
How gauche, said free-mind. Charm her.
Tekton considered both options and decided on the latter for a number of reasons, not the least being that sub-light travel was so tedious.
He would need a diversion.
He began his seduction of Bethany Ionil with dinner - champagne and barbecued Mioloaquan mussels. The evening was only a moderate success, although it started well when the young scholar Thales begged off attending, saying that he felt unwell.
Bethany accepted the invitation but spent much of her time distracted and out of sorts.
‘You seem pensive,’ said Tekton as gently as he could manage considering he had ordered silver service and fresh flowers from the hydroponic section.
Bethany Ionil pushed her thin hair back behind her ears and sat up straighter. Her plain overalls and bare face made her look older than Tekton, though he guessed she was younger by many years.
A woman ages so gracelessly if she does not pay attention to herself, he thought, and promptly told his moud to order in some more feminine clothing.
For what or whom, Godhead?
Not for me! Tekton snapped at it in exasperation.
The moud fell silent.
‘My apologies if I seem . . . unhappy, Godhead Tekton. It’s Thales. I’m concerned that he is unwell’ She linked her fingers together and twisted them.
Tekton poured her a second glass of champagne and put on his most affable and considerate expression.
Look sincere. Open the eyes a little wider, logic-mind told him.
Mouth too, free-mind added.
‘Our journey will be relatively quick, my dear. But yours is a complex situation. I would benefit from a more detailed explanation of circumstances if I am to be of use to you.’
She shot him a straight and somewhat piercing look.
He responded to it head-on. ‘I see your doubt, my dear. Why should I care, you ask? Let me reassure you that I’m a philanthropist at heart, and fortunate to be in a position to indulge my passion. Helping people is what I love to do.’
Overdoing it, logic-mind warned.
‘I have also been known to make the odd wise investment when the right information falls my way.’
The doubt left her eyes. He’d offered her something she could believe.
‘Godhead Tekton, if you can make money at my brother’s expense, I shall tell you everything I know and shout hallelujah!’
Tekton clapped his hands together with feigned glee. ‘Ah Bethany, I believe we will deal fabulously together.’
She unburdened herself then, not skimping on any details that might paint her in any better