Beside him, sallow-faced and balding Chief Science Adviser Howard Palawu said cheerily, "I reviewed the records, Your Majesty. It's been one hundred eighty-three years since the first report of finding these robots came back from the Robinson expedition on Llaro."

"Then it's about time we figured out what they're all about," Peter said, not taking his eyes from the hulking sentient machine. Jorax was so large and powerful that he loomed with the threat of a walking land mine.

To the left of the King's chair, Lars Rurik Swendsen, the Hansa engineering specialist, leaned over. His blue eyes sparkled with ideas and childish fascination. "And the Ildirans have known about them for longer than that, but they've never done a complete dissection and analysis."

"Well, we all know the Ildirans don't have a highly developed sense of curiosity," Palawu said. The two specialists were so enthused they seemed to forget the King's presence as they chatted. "They're not interested in innovation. Butwe can study, and learn, and adapt a wide variety of technologies for our own benefit. Oh, this is a great day for our war effort."

Swendsen nodded. "Hansa cyberneticists have hit a plateau in advancing our compies. We haven't seen significant improvements for generations now. But these Klikiss robots have lasted for thousands of years without any degradation."

King Peter tried to dampen their zeal with common sense. "No degradation, gentlemen? Not one of the Klikiss robots can remember what happened to their entire creator race. I'd say mass amnesia constitutes a bit of 'degradation,' don't you think?"

Below them, the robotics laboratory had been configured as both a mechanical repair bay and an exquisite operating theater. Numerous analytic and diagnostic instruments were mounted in racks that lined the octagonal room. The reinforced central platform was far sturdier than a simple surgical table to accommodate the sheer bulk of Jorax.

Well-armed palace guards and specially assigned EDF silver-beret commandos stood along the chamber walls and outside the doors, aware of the potential danger and alert for any treachery.

Although the Klikiss robot towered over all the humans, he made no threatening move as he swiveled his flattened geometrical head, scanning the equipment arrayed for the dissection. The robot's articulated arms were retracted into his ellipsoidal carapace. "You have nothing to fear. I have deactivated my self-protective systems, and I grant you my full cooperation."

Always beware of someone who says, "You have nothing to fear,"Peter thought. This same robot had already obliterated Dr. William Andeker "by accident." The guards remained alert.

The cybernetics team armed themselves with laser cutters and diamond saws, delicate probes, and a host of other precision tools. "We'd better get started," said the lead researcher. "Jorax, if you'd care to recline here, it'll be more convenient for us."

Peter frowned, not sure the robot's priority was to make the dismantling procedure "convenient" for the humans. But Jorax seemed perfectly cooperative, even solicitous.Why is he doing this? What is the real reason?