Page 31 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“Before we can destroy them, we must find them. And I believe you might possess our first important clue.”

“How so?”

“Six months ago, you filed a field report on a former subject of yours from your MIT days. Dr.Mark Murphy, I believe?”

“He wrote a paper solving a critical interface problem in organoid computing. I reviewed the report and sent it to my superiors. Why?”

“I read your analysis. It was brilliant, if you don’t mind my saying.”

“You are too kind.”

“Not at all. And we both know the central importance of organoid computing for the future of artificial general intelligence. Our very best minds believe that only biohybrid computer processors using lab-grown human brain structures can generate sufficient computational power.”

“I strongly agree with that assessment. The human mind is the most powerful computer in the known universe, and at the moment only humans exhibit true intelligence. It’s only logical to conclude that building a human brain computer is the surest path to creating machine intelligence.”

“No doubt the Guardians understand this as well.”

“No doubt.”

“And given the importance of organoid computing, I would think Dr.Murphy would be of some interest to the Guardians.”

“Agreed.”

“Do you think you can reestablish contact with him? Perhaps even rekindle your relationship?”

Linlin bit her lower lip. She and Mark had been intimate. It was one of the unfortunate duties required in the Bright Lantern program.

“I left MIT suddenly, just after graduation from the PhD program. We parted without rancor, though I know he was heartbroken. Knowing Dr.Murphy, I suspect he may still carry a torch for me. I believe I was his first love.”

“Have you stayed in touch?”

“No.”

“Can you find him?”

Linlin grinned mischievously. In her mind’s eye she saw Murphy’s parachute pants, skater shoes, and crazy punk rock concert T-shirts. He was both brilliant and juvenile. An Einstein brain trapped in a perpetual teenage mentality.

“It shouldn’t be too difficult. I am quite familiar with his peculiar foibles and his obvious weaknesses.”

“Then you have your first assignment.”

“What resources are at my disposal?”

“Anything you need—a blank check. When can you get started? Of course, you should take a few days off to get settled before you begin.”

Linlin stood.

“Time is our enemy. Who knows when these vicious Guardians will strike again? I’ll launch out as soon as I make contact with Murphy.”

Peng stood as well. “Extract every ounce of intelligence you can get from this Murphy fellow. Find out what you can about the Guardians so we can destroy them.”

“And what do you want me to do with Murphy when I’m finished?”

“If you think you can turn him into a working asset, please do so.”

“And if I can’t?”

“You said yourself he’s a brilliant mind and familiar with organoid intelligence. If we can’t turn his genius to our benefit, the only logical choice is to kill him.”