Asimov's Future History Volume 1 Read Online Free Page A

dismantling of the demonstration pieces they had put together for the night.
    David found himself working next to Dr. Lanning.
    “What do you know about Harlan?” he asked in as casual way as he possibly could.
    “In what way? He’s a fair engineer with a good grounding in logic electronics. Anyway why?”
    “Just curious. Where did he go to University and thinking about it where is he from? I don’t recognize his accent.”
    “Oh, he told me he’s from New England. I forget exactly where but I think his parents were East European so perhaps that explains the peculiar accent. University wise I don’t know. Why are you asking all of the questions? Have you heard something?”
    “No, as I say I’m just curious. Where do you want these pieces to be stored?” He quickly changed the subject. He did not want to appear to be looking for problems.
    David spoke to the others over the next few days and found nothing of any real value regarding Harlan and Noÿs. As was usual with him this made him more curious and determined to get to the bottom of it. About three weeks after the party he presented the “evidence” he had collected to Sue after the children were in bed and they were sitting quietly after their evening meal.
    “Well I’ve investigated all the possible sources of information and here are all the facts I’ve been able to determine.”
    Sue smiled to herself. David had switched to ‘Lecture Mode’. She could almost see him marking the points off on a whiteboard.
    “He is supposed to come from New England having emigrated there from the old Soviet block with his parents at a very young age. He then appears to have got his qualifications via a number of relatively low key Universities in the Mid-West. He made his money out of publishing and some very astute stock market deals.”
    He paused and took a sip of coffee.
    “She apparently was brought up in New Zealand and they met through the stock market of all places. She was working for a computer company who were developing artificial intelligence systems for analysing stock movements.”
    He reached over and picked up a folder of newspaper items.
    “There is very little about them in any of the papers, medias and reference libraries which is quite an achievement in today’s multi-media rich society. The only things I can find relate to events over 10 years ago. Noÿs Harlan has written a few papers on artifical intelligence that have been published.”
    “Have you checked the shipping records to see his immigration details,” asked Sue.
    She had researched the family tree a few years earlier and had managed to track her family back to when then had entered the country in the early 1900’s from Ireland using such details.
    “Yes, Sherlock,” he replied with a smile. “But unfortunately all the records related to immigration from Russia of that period were destroyed in a fire and of course it was before copies were put onto the GlobalNet,” replied David.
    “How convenient,” said Sue with some irony in her voice. “This is getting to be more and more of a mystery as time goes on. What about …”
    She was interrupted by the door chime announcing a visitor.
    David glanced at the view screen and exclaimed, “The plot thickens! It’s Noÿs Harlan. I wonder what she wants.”
    “Well we aren’t going to find out by leaving her on the door step so let’s let her in and find out,” said Sue rising to meet her at the door. “You’d better hide your research or it will look very strange!”
    David quickly tidied up the papers and discs and put them in the bureau while Sue greeted her and made her welcome.
    Noÿs entered as David was sitting back down. Sue organized drinks for them all while David exchanged pleasantries regarding the weather.
    “Well I cannot believe you’ve only come to talk about the weather,” said Sue coming straight to the point. “What can we do for you?”
    David grimaced at Sue and tried to interrupt her. Noÿs