Variations on a Theme Page 12

  ~-o0O0o-~

  It seems I was premature in my celebration. It also seems I was over confident in my ability to remove all traces of intelligence and self-awareness from my Gardeners. The fact that this only became apparent after several thousands of the beasts had been released into the lower levels only makes matter worse. They have shown extreme curiousity and have fully explored their new habitat in a very short time. A group of fifty or more have been discovered several levels higher in the Redoubt, seemingly intent on reaching even higher still. In my further reading I have discovered that the antecedents on which I based my design much prefered to live under an open sky, and I fear that this is the imperative driving my creations.

  My porcine creatures have also developed rudimentary communmication, despite such not being a part of the information matrix used in their development. I have reports of their squealing being heard all through the Redoubt, and I am afraid I have once more been the cause of much distress to the good citizens of the higher levels.

  However things have not been a total failure. Waste reclamation is running at unprecedented efficiency, and Lord Marturioch has been impressed enough to give me sufficient leeway to get my creations under control. A team of fifty workers have started herding duties and I am confident that all Gardeners will be secure and brought back the lowest level in good time.

  I certainly hope that is the case, as a fresh batch of the beasts is even now coming to maturity in the vats, and I am loath to send them back to basic materials without any pressing reason.