The Rod of Light (Soul of the Robot)

There was no doubt that religion was destined to play a large part in the developing robot culture, validating construct nature, giving mythic depth and ideation to a previously blank background. Proof could be found in the evangelising efforts of the various rival cults, whose methods, while highly successful, Jasperodus could not help but find amusing.

When living in human society he had been able to observe the procedures of human missionaries. A favourite ploy of these had been to teach the prospective convert a certain prayer and persuade him to recite it, just as an experiment, or if he was a confirmed unbeliever as a favour, or indeed by means of any stratagem whatsoever. What was being relied on was the human mind’s established susceptibility to self-suggestion. The prayers contained emotional charges, so expertly devised that there was nearly always some effect, and in a percentage of cases total belief followed in due course.

Robot evangelists parodied this practice fairly precisely. Typically they sought physically to readjust the brains of others so as to incorporate the approved beliefs in the form of cortical hardware; or to adminster data infusions to induce visions of the god or gnosis concerned, and so on. Some of the cults had found a short cut and established workshops to manufacture constructs in their own mental images. Usually these guaranteed believers were recognisable by birthmark sigils stamped somewhere upon their persons.

Jasperodus himself was frequently plagued by eager worshippers. He came at length to his domicile: a roomy building whose zinc-iron was tinted lilac (life in the dwellings of humans had given him comparatively luxurious habits). He found the door already open. Within, seated demurely on a galvanised iron bench, were three slim constructs. On the lap of one rested a box-like case decorated with glittering trim. Jasperodus eyed it with a sour feeling.

On his entry they leaped to their feet. ‘Jasperodus!’ one greeted warmly. ‘We have just heard of your return, and so hurried to welcome you. Was your trip successful?’

‘Only in part.’ Resignedly Jasperodus placed himself on a steel stool.

‘Ah well, that is something. And of course travel helps one to see things in a new perspective. Could our last conversation have new meaning for you, for instance?’

‘No, I am sure it does not,’ Jasperodus replied, in a vain bid to be discouraging.

His visitors were evangelists for Alumnabrax, but belonged to a schismatic sect which had arrogated additional attributes to the deity. Specifically, they taught that Alumnabrax could alter his size. He could become smaller than an atom or larger than a billion galaxies, his marvellous metal being unrestricted by any law of extension. Furthermore he expanded without colliding with the objects or worlds about him, because of his property of double occupation of space. Any world enjoying double occupation with any part of his body was subject to extraordinary happenings. It was because his finger had at one time passed through the planet Earth, it was said, that robotkind had arisen there.

No doubt one or other cult would in time progress to the point of denying that humanity had played any part in originating robots at all.

The case-carrying robot had the star sigil of the Alumnabrax size cult embossed in silver on his forehead. The case hung from a strap about his neck, resting against his middle. ‘Oh, if you could but be granted the vision of his glory, of his might, of his majesty!’ the robot implored. To know that we may one day exchange our crass Earthly metal for his godly indestructible metal! That we may be like him, unlimited in size or technology! See him and you will believe, Jasperodus!’

Hopefully he pulled two leads out of the case and moved them suggestively in Jasperodus’ direction.

Jasperodus shook his head. ‘To believe in anything whatsoever goes against my precepts,’ he said politely but firmly. ‘I arrive at everything through inductive thought.’

‘Ah, but is that not also a species of belief?’ the third visitor said in a quick, eager tone. ‘Belief in the twin pillars of reason and induction—how did you come by this belief?’ The robot spread his arms wide. ‘Why, by design! By the will of your manufacturer! So it is arbitrary belief, do you see?’ His words became more measured. ‘But what if Alumnabrax is secretly your manufacturer, and imparts the true paradigm of construct belief only to his chosen ones? Surely it is in your interest to discover if this is true? That is all we ask, Jasperodus, Just to see!’

‘We are not like some worshippers of fictitious gods who use force to gain their converts,’ the other robot said sanctimoniously. ‘Why, there are some who lie in wait for their victims, equipping themselves with special limbs to grasp and hold, while deluding images are made to flood helpless brains! We do not do that. We know that all must come to Alumnabrax voluntarily.’