Read Living in Syn for Free Online Page B

more
talkative, more cooperative.
    "Mission. 
I do appreciate you coming.  I hope this isn't inconvenient.  Do you have a
date this evening?"
    Mission
scowled at her.  "So ... it's going to be one of those kind of
interviews."  He gestured at the old clothes, the tattered work boots, and
the 25 year old navy yarn cap on his head.  "It just so happens that I'm
working today.  I've conducted my surveillance at one site this morning and
I'll cover another area this evening."
    Susan
nodded.  "Nothing, I hope that will lead to a med tech station?"
    Mission
shook his head.  "No.  I do homework first.  And then, only if I am
satisfied that the situation is favorable, do I move.  None of that tonight."
    He
looked around the office appreciatively.  The mahogany furniture, her desk the
size of Rhode Island, and the circular table in the corner for conferences
spoke volumes on Susan's success.  Four different vases with fresh flowers
brightened the room.  Behind her stood an impressive collection of printed
books.  Mission could see the psychology section and he noted the presence of
every landmark book from Freud's The Interpretation of Dreams , to Jung's Psyche and Symbol , to Skinner's Beyond Freedom and Dignity ,
through the more modern works.  Except ...
    "Susan,
I see all the great works of psychology here, except The Convergence of
Human and Synthetic Psychology by ... hmmm ... who is it?  St. Francis? St.
James?  St. Jean?"
    She
blushed and Mission counted it as a small victory.  She recovered and said,
"Well, you flatter me.  It is for time and the academia to determine if my
book should stand alongside these."  She gestured behind her.
    "But
how do you know about my book?"
    Mission
shook his head.  "Would you be surprised to hear that I read your book the
first week it came out?"
    Susan
backpedaled.  "But the math, the formulas for estimation of synaptic
junction capabilities versus neuronal synapse connection is integral to the
idea that ... "
    "That
constant elasticity balances the organism's superior capabilities in
redirecting processing responsibility.  But I think a deeper examination will
show it is the relatively primitive state of specialized processors like
visual, that limit syn flexibility.  There is no argument that there must be
specialized processors, but they must also be backwardly compatible so that
they are also capable of handling redirected functionality.  Thus, the syn
brain would have the ability to use 20% of visual processor capability to say,
salvage vital language functions."
    Susan
didn't know how to react.  "That's ... that's a very interesting ... and
... and promising hypothesis.  How did ... how did?"
    Mission
smiled.  "Do you think that I get wasted every night and watch football or
bass fishing or the all-sex channel?  Hell, there are 800 channels.  I get
drunk and watch the University Channel.  I've watched a math course every
semester for six years.  And computer architecture.  And literature.  I think
you judge me on your opinion of my occupation."       
    "Okay. 
Guilty.  I'm guilty.  It is inspiring to know you haven't stopped learning. 
Have we traded enough barbs now?  Can I start my questions?"
    "Sure. 
Let's start."
    "Okay. 
How did you discover the synthetic Tom Brown?"
    "I
count on the tendency of runaways to live in the Free Zone, but to work outside
it.  Then I patrol the Free Zone borders and look for visual matches.  I
spotted him on October 1 coming home from what I believed to be construction
work."
    "Why
construction?"
    "The
clothes were a good match, but the water jug clinched it, indicating he's out
away from plumbing."
    "If
you spotted him on October 1, why did you wait six days before attempting
recovery?"
    "I
like to watch them for a while.  I try to eliminate surprises.  I tailed him to
the hotel, made sure I knew where his room was, followed him when he left the
hotel, that sort of thing."
    "Anything
unusual in his