Goliath

PROLOGUE

Identity: Stage One: am small and insignificant, stranded on the vast expanse of nature. I hope I can survive.

—Deepak Chopra

“Come to course zero-nine-zero, ahead one-third. Make ship’s depth fifty meters.”

“Aye, sir, coming to course zero-nine-zero, making ship’s depth fifty meters.”

“Engage computer.”

“Aye, sir, computer engaged.”

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001011010101101010101110010101100101010110100101101010

110110111101001010110101011010010101101001010100101

“Mr. Chau. Prepare to bring Sorceress on-line. Flood nutrient womb. Prepare bacteria for injection.”

“Aye, sir. Nutrient womb flooded. Bacteria ready for injection.”

“Inject bacteria into womb. Engage DNA synthesizers.”

“Aye, sir. Injecting bacteria. Engaging DNA synthesizers.”

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GATATACCAG

“Activate sensor orbs. Activate voice recognition and response programs.”

“Aye, sir. Sensor orbs activated. Voice recognition and response programs on-line.”

“Transfer primary ship’s control to computer. Sorceress, this is Covah. Are you on-line?”

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TG C A A

“Sorceress, acknowledge.”

ACKNOWLEDGED. SORCERESS ON-LINE.