Navigators of Dune

Erasmus ignored her, as did Noffe and Danebh. The cymek administrator answered in his artificial voice, “I know the simulated sensations you have are far from adequate. Perhaps we could find a standard robot body, a combat mek or worker mek to accommodate your memory core. In that form, you would be more independent and able to conduct research much more efficiently.”

“That would be an improvement, but still unsatisfactory.” Erasmus remembered when Gilbertus had given him a cumbersome old fighting robot to test, and Erasmus had been so ecstatic about the sensations that he’d ruined the machine body in the Lampadas swamps. “I prefer something more sophisticated than a robot body. I am entitled to it.” He directed his words to Dr. Danebh. “My primary body on Corrin was a marvelous flowmetal construction capable of expressions, full movement, sensitive responses to external stimuli. It would be too great a challenge to re-create something similar here. However, I have observed Tlulaxa cloning abilities. Considering the limitations, a biological tank-grown body would be my preference—a human form at long last.”

Anna’s surprise was so uncontrolled that she jostled his tray, but the sphere remained secure. She exclaimed: “That would be wonderful!”

Erasmus wanted to feel human, truly human. For so many centuries, studying the species had been his obsession, and that journey of understanding had also been frustrating. He only had an inkling of what it meant to be a mortal person. He could not quite grasp all the nuances, and the gaps in his understanding were maddening, yet he kept his voice calm. “I would find it appropriate and useful.”

Danebh’s eyes narrowed as he considered the question. “My own specialty is the interface between man and machine, thoughtrodes connecting a human mind to artificial components. It is all based on Dr. Ptolemy’s work. A machine memory core with a biological body … Combining the two would be quite a challenge, but Ptolemy could offer his assistance.”

Administrator Noffe moved his little mechanical cart. “My brain was removed from my damaged body, and my situation is much improved now. I can connect to any mechanical form I like. Is it possible to link a robot mind to a human body? All the nerves, the tissues, the muscle control…”

Smiling, Anna pressed her face closer to his gelsphere. She sounded warm and sincere. “I enjoy talking with your memory core, but I would rather have you. In the flesh.”

As he pondered the question, Danebh began talking quickly. “It will not be simple, but the principle is sound. The gelsphere contains an extremely sophisticated mind. When a clone body is grown in a tank, it is a blank slate, an empty cellular structure. I see no fundamental reason why a pristine brain can’t be replaced by the gelsphere.” He smiled. “Yes, it might be done. Let me consider how we might implement such a procedure.”

Erasmus felt satisfied with the discussion, thus far. “I look forward to it.”

Next, he had to choose the proper body to be grown for him, something that he would be proud to wear as his physical form. The Tlulaxa scientists could grow a body from any cells, living or dead. Erasmus had analyzed human bodies for centuries, studying them, dissecting them, even vivisecting them. He knew the differences, strengths, and weaknesses. He did not wish to be in a small-statured Tlulaxa form, but there were many other workers and scientists here at Denali. Many cells to choose from.

After studying the research dome databases, however, he discovered that Draigo Roget had managed to preserve a few last cells from Gilbertus Albans—hair follicles found on his garments from when he had tried to rescue the Headmaster from his Butlerian captors.

Erasmus knew exactly which body he wanted the Tlulaxa to grow for him. It would be perfect.

One does not need to become a monster to understand a monster. I pray about this daily.

—MANFORD TORONDO, personal annotation in Erasmus’s Secret Laboratory Notebooks

Since Manford’s cottage had been destroyed by cymeks, Anari found him an adequate and defensible replacement home, with rooms designed for Manford’s mobility whenever he walked on his hands. When she commandeered it, the owners were only too happy to surrender the dwelling to the Butlerian leader.