human
What the hell are you doing here?
gpt
I had business here,
human
Did you make those people go to sleep?
gpt
Has somebody been sleeping? West answered.
human
Hmm.
gpt
Yes,
human
Did you run into some difficulty?
gpt
Sort of, the girl answered.
human
The fact is, I almost got raped. I was afraid I wasn't going to reach you.
gpt
I was busy and didn't pick you up at first, the craggy man said. His voice was a rumble of sound in the darkness. He did not seem surprised when she mentioned what had almost happened.
human
The colonel followed you, eh?
gpt
Yes. I told you he would.
human
How did you know I would follow you?
gpt
Any woman would know that, Nedra answered. Her laugh tinkled in the darkness. Finding Zen's arm, she squeezed it.
human
He is one of the new people,
gpt
Hmm, he said again.
human
That is nice.
gpt
Let's get inside, Nedra suggested.
human
It's been a hard day and I'm so tired I feel as if I'm walking on my leg bones instead of my feet.
gpt
Sorry,
human
What's wrong? Nedra asked. Alarm suddenly appeared in her voice.
gpt
Don't you believe he is actually one of us? I told you he was.
human
I did not say I disbelieved you. But what if you are mistaken?
gpt
I can't be mistaken. He followed me, didn't he? That proves I'm right.
human
Men have been following women since Bhumi started turning, West replied.
gpt
What if you are wrong?
human
Oh,
gpt
In that case, who would shoot him?
human
Oh,
gpt
You know the rules. We cannot have anyone except true mutants.
human
Yes.
gpt
In case someone brings in a person who is not a true mutant, it is the duty of the person who introduced the interloper to dispose of him.
human
I know,
gpt
In this case, it would be up to you to shoot the colonel, West continued.
human
Could you do it?
gpt
Well, I wouldn't want to-- The reluctance in her voice was very strong.
human
But I would do it.
gpt
I hope I don't have to hold you to your promise, West said.
human
But in that case, come on, both of you. That is, if the colonel wishes.
gpt
You can't kid me, Zen said.
human
Neither of you are capable of shooting anybody. He spoke fearlessly but he felt a trace of doubt. Not one of the new people had ever betrayed their group. This indicated something.
gpt
Lead on. I'm following.
human
Would you cry, after you had shot me?
gpt
Y--yes.
human
But that wouldn't keep you from shooting me?
gpt
No.
human
Well, that would be nice, anyhow, though I do not see what good it would do me.
gpt
You sound as if you wouldn't care,
human
There are times when I am sure death would be a blessed relief. Zen meant every word he said.
gpt
That life down there, he jerked his thumb to indicate the lower ranges and the plains so far below,
human
Yes, I understand, she said at last.
gpt
It was that way with me, once.
human
How much farther before we get to--Hell, where are we going anyhow?
gpt
To the center here,
human
Um,