Random Chance and the Paradise that is Earth Read Online Free

column."
    "Friends make allowances for one another;
they forgive the weaknesses and faults of the other. They enrich
the other's life by dint of acquaintance, offered regularly and
over a long period of time. Random Chance, I have located your
birth world, Earth."
    Random didn't have to force this smile.
"Isn't it beautiful?"
    He expected the silence after that to go
whole days. He was surprised when Cubey said immediately: "Yes ...
yes, it is."
    "Friends share beautiful things with each
other."
    "Updating files. I have located your
recreational vehicle. It too is quite beautiful."
    "I agree. Can you contact it without
alerting others to what you’re doing?"
    "Attempting now.”
    "Let Hewey know you and I are friends. While
you’re doing that, I need to pee. How do I do that without making a
mess in here?"
    A blob pushed itself out of the opposite
wall and began to take shape. Ten seconds later it formed into a
toilet. Random stood and went to it and unbuttoned his jeans.
“Thank you, Cubey.”
    “Certainly. When you are finished, let me
know.”
    A voice sounded out in his ear a moment
later.
    "How ya doing, amigo? I've been
worried."
    "Not as worried as I was about you," said
Random in mid-pee. "Hewey, have you met Cubey? Cubey, Hewey
..."
    He motioned to the air with his chin, as
though both were flesh-and-blood people standing in front of
him.
    "Cubey, eh?" said Hewey. "Did Random name
you?"
    "Affirmative," answered Cubey. "But the
designation is sufficient."
    "How 'bout breakin' my good friend outta
there?" asked Hewey.
    "This part of the facility is entirely
automated," said Cubey. "After interrogation I am to process Random
Chance, friend, to lockup where he'll face human interrogators.
They will determine his ultimate fate."
    "I take it this cubicle moves only in that
direction," said Random. “I’m finished,” he added, buttoning
up.
    The toilet turned back into a blob as it
disappeared back into the wall. "Do you still see Earth,
Cubey?"
    "Yes."
    "The Oligarchy programmed you so that you
would never see it or know about it. They programmed you to
'process' people like me who oppose them. What do you suppose will
happen when the human interrogators get hold of me?"
    "Thirty-eight percent of those in automated
processing are incinerated within three Martian-standard hours,"
said Cubey matter-of-factly.
    "And do I fit the criteria for
incineration?"
    "Yes," said Cubey.
    "Where are you, Hewey?" asked Random.
    "They've got me in zero-g storage," said
Hewey. "I sense traces of atmo ... and people, though not many. I'm
mostly powered down, amigo. There are sensors on me, and if I power
up they'll inform someone. I don't want to find out who."
    "Friends help one another," said Cubey.
    "That they do," said Hewey.
    "Can you help me, Cubey?" asked Random.
    "I am computing permutations of possible
solutions. Random Chance, if I fail, you will very likely die."
    "I have faith in you," said Random.
    "Faith: Confidence or trust in a person or
thing."
    "First time correct," said Random.
    "I am running at five hundred thousand
percent. I have attained control of the detention facility's solar
power plant. Random Chance, am I a person or a thing?"
    "To everyone else, you're a thing, Cubey,"
replied Hewey. "But to Random there, you're a person, always and
forever. Trust me, I know him."
    "Trust," said Cubey. "Faith, trust ...
friendship ..."
    Random nodded.
    "My holding subroutine has expired, Random
Chance," said Cubey. "If I don't process you to the human
interrogators, they will suspect a bug in my software and
investigate. I must send you to them now."
    Random nodded again and sat.
    "I have a lock on your channel, friend
Hewey, and will remain in contact as Random Chance is in transport.
Permutation calculations proceeding. Random Chance: have faith in
me."
    "You're my friend," said Random as he felt
the cube start moving. "So of course I do."

Chapter
Four Lawyered Up
~~*~~
    THE CUBE’S movement was whisper-silent