The Summer Queen Read Free Page B

only purpose was reproducing themselves. And
getting rid of them would require something far more sophisticated and lethal
than a dose of disinfectant. The replicators by design incorporated diamond and
other materials into their own analog-bacterial structures, making them
stronger, more active, and far more resistant to attack than any natural
organism.
    He studied the displays silently, feeling incredulity and
disgust grown inside him as he located the critical error sequence in their
programming. He glanced again at the systems monitors, confirming his worst
case expectations with one look. “This is eating its way through the shields.”
He turned back. “It’s feeding on their energy output. In about half an hour the
whole system is going to crash. Congratulations, gentlemen. You’ve produced a
universal solvent.”
    The looks on the faces of the researchers turned critical,
like the data readings behind him; and he realized that they had suspected it
all along. But they had not even dared to speak its name, had been hoping
against hope that he would come in here like a miracle and tell them that they
were wrong—
    “A universal solvent?” Irduz took a step backward, pressing
an ebony hand to his jeweled breastplate, “It can’t be.” It was the ultimate
demon of Old Empire technology run wild. “That absorbs everything it comes in
contact with. Everything. Nothing can contain it. Nothing can stop it. It’s the
end of the world ....”He looked back at the stricken researchers, his indigo
eyes filled with death. “By the Holy—”
    The Smith silenced him with an impatient gesture. “Tell me,”
he said evenly, to the cluster of researchers, “why haven’t you stopped this?”
    “We can’t—” someone protested.
    “What do you mean?” the Smith said angrily. “You knew what
the problem was. Anybody who knows bacteriology and its analogs could kill this
thing. You have the processing power here; and you presumably possess at least
the variety of chemical tools available to the average drug dealer. Don’t you—?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “But what, for gods’ sakes?” He caught the man and jerked
him forward. “What the hell were you waiting for?”
    “But—but—we can’t get in there.” The researcher gestured at
the seething mass waiting beyond the transparent wall.
    “You what?” the Smith whispered.
    “We can’t get at it.” He wiped his sweating face. “When the
emergency shields are up, there’s no way to get access to what’s contained
inside them. But if we open the shielding the solvent will get out—”
    The Smith laughed incredulously. “You can’t be serious.” He
looked at their faces. He looked back at the shield displays. “How in the name
of any god you like could you possibly set up a system with no emergency
access?” you miserable, stupid bastards—His hands tightened.
    “Isn’t there anything you can do?” someone asked, in a voice
that sounded pathetically high. “There must be something. You’re the expert—!”
    “I really don’t know. You’ve done your work so well,” he
said softly, twisting the knife, almost enjoying the look on their faces.
    “What if you can’t?” Irduz said thickly. “What will happen
to our world?”
    The Smith glanced at the data on the displays beside him. “It
could be worse.” He shrugged.
    They looked at him. “What do you mean?” Irduz demanded.
    “The term ‘universal solvent’ is really a misnomer. There
are a number of different biotechnical compounds you could call ‘universal
solvents.’ Their interests vary depending on their composition. A few things
would actually survive if this escapes containment—”
    “What kind of things?” Irduz said. “What—?”
    The Smith stared at his feet, rubbing his face, wiping away
any trace of sardonic smile. He looked up again, finally. “Titanium spires in
some of your monuments.”
    “What else?”
    He shrugged again. “There are a number of things I