Page 44 - Tales Apocalyptic and Dystopian

The Browser

be a martyr to your faith. I assure you that the hierocoms cannot
tolerate failure of a browser. That is why they gave you that question
to ask. It originally was our test, not theirs; we forced the first
browser to institute it.”
“Why?”
“Because we are determined to be the masters of our fate. If a
browser appears to be a threat, we have no recourse but to clam up,
refusing assistance. The hierocoms will interpret that as a loss of
ability to browse, and effect a replacement. You should understand
what that entails. Do you?”
Thea nodded.
“It is a deal I must make. Whether you are the devil or not I might
never be able to prove. But you must serve us, so I must not
jeopardize your existence. All right; I think I can stay sane and do
this. I’m tired now. Let me call the hierocoms and see about getting
some sleep.”
“That’s fine, Thea. I look forward to working with you. But aren’t
you forgetting something rather important?”
“What?” she said, reaching for and finding the call button.
“My name. It’s Dr. Hyman Feinfettel.”

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