Chapter 36 Chapter 34 Decision

In a world where communications are far-reaching and without delay, keeping secrets from leaking is difficult.Poole decided on the spot that this was a matter for face-to-face discussion. The Europa Council complained for a while, but all the members assembled in Poole's apartment, seven of them in all.Seven is a lucky number, which has been confusing people for a long time, no doubt derived from the revelation of the seven phases of the moon.It was the first time Poole had seen three of the committee members, but now he knew them in a way he hadn't been able to do before the Brain Cap.

"Chairman O'Connor, members, before you download this message from Europa, I would like to say a few words, just a few words, I promise! I would like to be able to report orally, so that I feel more natural- I I am afraid I will never feel safe about direct thought transmission. "As you all know, David Bowman and Hal are stored in the slate of Europa in the form of mimicry. Apparently the slate will not discard the tools that were once useful, and will often activate Harman to monitor us Events - when they care. I think my arrival has drawn attention, but it could just be my ego!

"But Harman is not just a passive tool. The David element still retains some personality, even emotion. Because we have trained together, through thick and thin, for so many years, it is obvious that he finds it easier to communicate with me than with other people. I would rather I'm sure he enjoys it, but maybe that's too strong a word... "He's also curious, inquisitive, and probably a little annoyed at the way he's been collected like a wild animal. Maybe we're nothing more than wild animals in the eyes of the intelligent beings who made the tablets. "Where are these intelligent beings now? Harman obviously has the answer, and it's a creepy one.

"As we've always suspected, the Slate is part of some kind of galactic network. The closest node, the Slate's controller, or boss, is just 450 light-years away. "It's literally at the gates! This means that the reports about humans and human activities that were transmitted in the early 21st century have been received 500 years ago. If the slate-- say 'Master', and respond immediately, any further The instructions should arrive around this time. "Obviously that's what's going on. Over the past few days, Slate has received a stream of messages, and presumably set new procedures in response to those messages.

"Unfortunately, Harman can only guess at the nature of those instructions. After you download this video, you will understand that he has more or less access to the circuits and memory banks of the tablet, and even has some kind of dialogue with it. Right, because it takes two people to call it a dialogue! I have never realized that the stone slabs with those powers are not conscious, and they don’t even know their own existence! "It's a question Harman has pondered on and off for a thousand years, and he got the same answer that most of us get. But his conclusions should carry more weight because he has inside information.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to be joking, but what can you call it? "No matter what made us tirelessly, or tampered with the mind and genes of our ancestors, it is deciding the next move, and Harman is pessimistic. No, it is exaggerated, it should be said that he thinks we have little chance. Big. But he's an observer now, too detached to worry about the future of humanity, the survival of humanity for no reason! That's just an interesting question for him, but he's willing to help us." To the surprise of the attentive audience, Poole paused. "Strange. I just recalled an astonishing incident from the past... I think that should explain what's happening now. Please bear with me...

“David and I were walking along the shore at Cape Kennedy one day, just a few weeks before the launch. We saw a beetle lying in the sand, which is very common. The beetle was on its six legs, struggling to turn over. "I ignored it - we were discussing complex technical issues, not David. He stepped aside and carefully turned it over with his feet. After it flew away I commented: 'Are you sure this is okay? Now it can fly off to eat someone's precious chrysanthemum.' And he said: 'Maybe, but I want to give it a chance to prove its innocence.' "I'm sorry, I promised I'd only say a few words! But I'm glad I still remember this episode, and I believe it will help to correctly interpret Haman's message. He wants to give mankind a chance to prove his innocence... …

"Now everyone, please check the brain cap. This is a high-density recording - at the top of the ultraviolet band, channel 110. Please relax, but make sure to use the visual connection. Beginning..."