Asimov's Future History Volume 1 Read Online Free

few problems. The disruption and time-delays caused by the moving of location was more than compensated for by the new enthusiasm shown by everyone. The development of the positronic brain and the associated systems that would be required to create a usable robot continued in the new offices.
    Robertson played little part in the day to day running of the new organisation. He would occasionally be seen in the laboratories having the latest development showed to him by Dr. Lanning. Harlan however, played a more significant role in the new company. He started to work alongside the Richard and Lee on the develpment of the motor functions in preparation for them leaving the team and returning to Consolidated.
    New staff also started working within the project. The most significant for David was the joining of Harlan’s wife Noÿs. She started working on the development of the control programmes for the positronic brain with Liz and immediately proposed some inovative thoughts to the design. The changes enabled them to reduce the levels of uncertainty that existed in the preparation of each positronic brain. This also reduced the number of brains produced that had to be scrapped.
    Richard and Lee stayed with them for two months whilst new people were recruited and their work handed over. They held a farewell party for them and the few others who had decided to remain in the old company.
    The highlight of the party was the “hosting” of the party by the first prototype robot of the new company.
    This time it was with pride that David unveiled the robot, then nearly fell off the podium laughing. “Who did that?” he asked, instantly turning to Thor.
    The positronic brain was sporting a bolt through the base and held an axe in an attached ‘hand’. A visitor badge was pinned to its ‘lapel’ with the name ‘Frankenstein’ neatly printed on it!
    “Couldn’t resist it, and I’m sure Isaac Asimov would have appreciated it!” replied Thor.
    They put the positronic brain through its paces and its ‘party pieces’. It recited the American Constitution in a voice that was slightly metallic but clearly understandable. Dr. Lanning stood in front of the vision camera and asked the brain who he was.
    “You are Dr. Alfred Lanning Ph.D., and the mastermind of this project,” replied the voice synthesis unit.
    It seemed strange to hear the voice coming from speakers a couple of metres away from the ‘ears’.
    Thor then took his place in front of the unit.
    “Who am I?” he asked, in a slightly stilted voice.
    “You are Thor Simpson, and you make the coffee,” came the surprising reply.
    “Revenge is sweet!” cried David as he raced out of the door with Thor in hot pursuit.
    Much merry making took place that evening and it almost seemed that the leavers were beginning to have second thoughts about their decisions.
    “How have you managed to make so much progress in such a relatively short period of time?” asked Sue as the party began to wind down.
    David was still a little surprised at the change of culture of the organisation. The attendance of partners at this sort of event would have been unheard of in the old company.
    “Would you believe you husband is a genius? No, I didn’t think you would.”
    “Some of it comes from the change in style of the company and improved investment, but a large amount must be down to Andrew Harlan and his wife Noÿs. He has brought some new angles to some of our original research and she has totally new ideas related to artificial intelligence.”
    “Why have you not heard of him, or her for that matter, in that case. I thought you knew of most of the key players in this industry.”
    “That’s a good question,” David half said/half pondered his reply.
    “Thinking about it I don’t know anything about him or her and I’m not sure any of the others do …” he trailed off in thought.
    The next day in the office started slowly. Some were nursing sore heads and there was some