It appears that the enemy is absorbing my barrage with little effect. More precisely, for each enemy unit destroyed by my fire 2.4 fresh units immediately move out to replace it. Thus it appears I am ineffective, while already my own shielding is suffering severe damage. Yet while I have offensive capability I must carry on as my commander would wish. The pain is very great now, but thanks to my superb circuitry I am not disabled, though it has been necessary to withdraw my power from my external somatic sensors.

“I can assure you, gentlemen, insofar as simple logic functions are concerned, the Mark XX is perfectly capable of assessing the situation even as you and I, only better. Doubtless as soon as it senses that its position has grown totally untenable, it will retreat to the shelter of the rock ridge and retire under cover to a position from which it can return fire without taking the full force of the enemy’s attack at point-blank range. It’s been fully briefed on late developments, it knows this is a hopeless fight. There, you see? It’s moving…”

32

“I thought you said—dammit, I know you said your pet machine had brains enough to know when to pull out! But look at it: half a billion plus of Concordiat funds being bombarded into radioactive rubbish. Like shooting fish in a barrel.”

33

“Yes, sir, I’m monitoring everything. My test panel is tuned to it across the board. I’m getting continuous reading on all still-active circuits. Battle Reflex is still hot. Pain circuits close to overload, but he’s still taking it. I don’t know how much more he can take, sir; already way past Redline. Expected him to break off and get out before now.”

34

“It’s a simple matter of arithmetic; there is only one correct course of action in any given military situation. The big tactical computer was designed specifically to compare data and deduce that sole correct action. In this case my readout shows that the only thing the Mark XX could legitimately do at this point is just what the Professor here says: pull back to cover and continue its barrage. The onboard computing capability of the unit is as capable of reaching that conclusion, as is the big computer at HQ. So keep calm, gentlemen. It will withdraw at any moment, I assure you of that.”

35

“Now it’s getting ready—no, look what it’s doing! It’s advancing into the teeth of that murderous fire. By God, you’ve got to admire that workmanship! That it’s still capable of moving is a miracle. All the ablative metal is gone—you can see its bare armor exposed—and it takes some heat to make that flint-steel glow white!”

36