Gill gasped as the scene of carnage was played over Norbert's visual receptors and relayed to the screen aboard the Dolomite's lander.

Norbert, standing in front of the harvester's sealed door, was saying, "I am awaiting further orders, Dr. Myakovsky."

"Yes," Stan said. "Just stand by for a moment." He turned to Gill. "What's the matter? Why are you looking that way?"

"I—I wasn't prepared for the violence, Doctor. I had no idea Norbert was programmed to kill."

"How could you have thought otherwise? What do you think we're out here for? A sight-seeing trip? Gill, we're all programmed to kill."

"Yes, Dr. Myakovsky. If you say so."

"You, too, are programmed to kill, are you not?"

"In defense of human lives, yes, I suppose I am. It is just that I didn't know we were going to exercise that option so ... lightly."

"We're here to get rich," Stan said. "Whatever it takes. Right, Julie?"

"That's right, Stan," Julie said, then turned to the artificial man. "You'll share in the money we get, too. Even an artificial man can use money, right?"

"All sentient beings need money," Gill said dryly.

"That's right," Julie said. "Anyhow, we're in it now, and it's us or them. You know what Potter will do if he finds us? The same thing he did to the Valparaiso Queen."

Gill nodded but didn't answer.

"Think about it, Gill," Stan said. "Don't get humanitarian on us too soon." He paused, then added, "If it's really against your principles, perhaps you'd like to wait in the back bay until this phase of the operation is over? I wouldn't want you to do anything foolish."

"Do not worry about me, sir," Gill said. "I have no sentiment about matters of killing. Sentiment was not programmed into me. I was surprised, that is all, but now I understand. I am ready to do whatever is necessary to protect you and Miss Julie."

"Glad to hear it." Stan wiped his forehead. He looked like he himself was having a little trouble getting used to killing. Only Julie showed no signs of upset.

Gill hesitated. "Sir, we have no visual contact with the crew volunteers."

"Damn it!" Stan said. "Does everything have to go wrong at the same time? Norbert! Can you get into the harvester?"

"The door is locked, Doctor," Norbert said.

"I doubt it's a very advanced locking mechanism. Give me a close-up of the lock."

Norbert leaned forward, focused on the locking mechanism and switched to the X-ray mode.

Stan studied the picture for a moment "It looks like pretty standard stuff. Tell you what, just rip off the keypad and you'll be able to turn the handle manually."

"Yes, sir."

"Better hurry up about it. It would be best to prevent those guys from getting in touch with Potter."