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“Perhaps,” said the expendable. “It might be latent in all humans. We have no way of knowing. Your influence on events, however, points to an exceptionally powerful ability.”
“And might my ability be transferrable to my children through my genes?”
“It is conceivable that your ability is genetic in origin rather than a mutation.”
“So if there were still nineteen copies of me, then all nineteen wallfolds would have a chance to pass on my timeflow genes.”
“That is correct.”
“Instead I will only have the potential to reproduce in one wallfold. If I get sick and die, or if I marry an infertile woman, or if my children don’t marry—my line might die out.”
“Tragically, that is always a possibility for gene-based sexual reproducers.”
“I’m just saying that I . . . I regret that everybody else has nineteen chances, and only I am limited to a single chance for my genes to continue.”
“Because you believe your genes would confer a great blessing upon the human race.”
Ram thought about this for a moment. “I suppose that’s what every adolescent male believes with his whole heart.”
“If they think at all.”
“But I’m not an adolescent. If I really do have some ability to manipulate time, and if it can be passed on genetically, then it would be a shame for that genetic strain to die out. I’d believe that even if it weren’t my own genes in question.”
“Are you asking us to impregnate all the females on all the ships with your DNA, so that you can be sure of having progeny?”
“No!” said Ram in horror. “What a terrible thing for a woman, to wake up pregnant—a violation of trust. It would destroy all nineteen colonies.”
“Not to mention being embarrassing when all the babies look like you,” said the expendable. “Though we find that you are not unattractive by many cultures’ standards, women are likely to be resentful and your offspring would grow up damaged in unpredictable ways by the hostility of their community.”
“Then why did you even bring up such a possibility?”
“You seemed to be asking us to ensure your reproductive success. Broadcasting your seed in this fashion would give you your best odds.”
“I don’t want odds.”
“Then find a willing woman, marry, and have a lot of babies,” said the expendable.
“I will,” said Ram.
“Then why are we having this discussion?” asked the expendable.
“Are you on a deadline? Am I delaying an urgent appointment?” asked Ram.
“Yes,” said the expendable. “You are not capable of contributing to the activities we are about to engage in.”
Still Ram did not lie down to receive his injections and begin stasis. “Promise me something,” said Ram.
“What point is a promise if you won’t remember it?” asked the expendable.
“You’ll remember it,” said Ram. “Promise me that you’ll remain functional and present in the wallfold where my children will live. Look out for them. Do everything you can to see to it that my abilities have a chance to become part of the human heritage.”
“I don’t have to promise that,” said the expendable.
“Why not?”
“Because we have already determined that to fulfil the original goal of this mission, our best course of action is to observe closely any useful or interesting traits that emerge in the different wallfolds, and manipulate events in such a way as to enhance those traits.”
“Manipulate? How?” asked Ram.
