Chapter 49 Chapter 41: Renrui's Memories

Dr. Fo was reluctant to talk about his first mission to Jupiter, and his second trip to the magic planet ten years later.That was a long time ago.And he's said it hundreds of times to members of Congress, space committees, and journalists like Willis. In any case, he has an inescapable duty to his fellow passengers.As the only man alive to have seen the birth of a new sun (and a new solar system), they wanted him to have some special insight into the world they were rapidly approaching.It was naive to think that way, and he could tell them far less about the Galilean satellites than the scientists and engineers who had worked on that planet for many years, when he was asked: "What is Europa like (or Gurney? Mead, Io, Callisto...)?", he would guide them to the ship's library to search for information.

But one experience was unique, and half a century later he still doubted whether it had really happened; or if it was just David Bowman appearing in his dreams while he was asleep on the Discovery.But it seems easier to believe that a spaceship is haunted... But when the floating dust slowly condenses into a figure that has been dead for many years, it is impossible for him to be in his sleep.If it hadn't been for that warning (he remembered well that Bowman's lips had not moved, but the voice came from a loudspeaker in the control room), Leonoff and everyone on board would have been vaporized when Jupiter exploded.

"Why did he do it?" Dr. Fo said in an after-dinner discussion. "I've been puzzled by this question for fifty years. Whatever he became, after he left the Discovery capsule and went out to investigate Diguci He must have been human at the time of the board, not quite an alien. We know that he returned to Earth, in short, because of the accident that exploded in orbit; there is also evidence that he went back to see his mother and Ex-girlfriend, it's enough to show that he is a sentient entity." "So where do you think he is now?" Willis asked. "Where would he be now, for that matter'"

"Perhaps the last question doesn't make any sense, even to humans. Can you know where your consciousness is?" "I'm not talking about metaphysics. I'm talking about a location in our heads." "When I was young," rejoices Mikhailovich, who has a knack for softening violent fights, "my mental development was slower than average." "Let's say he's on Europa, and we know there's a Tigut plate there, and Bowman must have bonded to Europa somehow, just as he relayed the warning." "Do you think he gave us the second warning to stay away?"

"We'd better not mention that warning now." "If the circumstances are favorable—" Captain Smith, who always allows people to discuss freely, actually interrupted this time. "Dr. Buddha," he thought, "you have a special identity, so you should be able to tell us more things. Bowman showed up to help you once. If he is still around here, he may be willing to help you again. I was worried about the 'do not come here to land' order, and I would be happier if he could reassure us that this warning is temporarily inactive." Before Dr. Buddha answered, there were several whispers of "I heard, I heard" in the surrounding area.

"Yes, I've thought about the same thing. I've told the Galaxy to watch for any indications, as he may contact them." "Of course," said Merlin, "he might be dead by now, if ghosts could die." Even Mikhailovich had nothing to say about it, so Merlin felt that no one took her ideas seriously. She interrupted again. "Why don't you call him on the radio? That's what radios are for, aren't they?" This idea came to Dr. Buddha's mind, but he didn't think about it seriously because he was too naive. "I would," he said, "I don't think that would do any harm."