Rama II (Rama, #2)

by Sir Arthur C. Clarke

Thus the global market crash took place in an environment where there was already growing doubt in the minds of the populace about the efficacy of the entire network of international organisations.

Long interlude on the topic of a speculated economic future.

The United Planets had ceased to exist two years previously.

Damn.

Many very old, established institutions, among them the nation-state, the Roman Catholic church, and the English monarchy, had enjoyed a renaissance during the half century interim. These institutions had prospered because they had adapted quickly and taken leadership positions in the restructuring that followed the Chaos.

Will we never be free??

That makes us partners, my esteemed Dr Brown. And completes the first phase of my plan. And unless I miss my guess, that was a gleam of interest in your eyes today.

Ugh

‘Why are you having such a hard time with Nicole des Jardins? I would think that since both of you are women, you would be able to speak to her more easily than the others.’

Weirdly sexist for the future...

‘But the public is absolutely fascinated with her. After all, not only is she a doctor and a linguist and a former Olympic champion, but also she is the daughter of a famous novelist and the mother of a fourteen-year-old daughter, despite never having been married .

We can imagine space travel but not single motherhood.

As the plane prepared for its landing, Nicole thought about the reason for her sudden trip one third of the way around the world. Just twenty-four hours ago

Clumsy

‘But most of the time I imagine that the Ramans too had lessons to learn in the beginning, that God did not create them perfect either, and that at some time in their development He must have sent them Jesus . . .’ The pope interrupted himself and looked intently at General O’Toole. ‘Yes,’ he continued softly, ‘I said Jesus. You asked me what I believed personally. To me Jesus is both the true saviour and the only son of God. It would be He who would be sent to the Ramans also, albeit in a different guise.’

Space Jesus??

‘And therefore all intelligence is united, everywhere throughout the universe, by a similar spiritual experience. In a very real sense, assuming that the Ramans have also been saved, we are all brothers. After all, we are made from the same basic chemicals. That means that Heaven will not be limited just to humans but will encompass all beings everywhere who have understood His message.’

Interesting topic to deal with

After much debate it was decided that St Michael’s shrine should be located in the opposite, northwest corner of the park, its foundation symbolically centred on the actual epicentre of the blast, only ten yards from the place where Trajan’s Column had stood until it was instantaneously vaporized by the intense heat at the core of the fireball.

RIP

‘The water from the Lake of Wisdom can help Ronata,’ Omeh said. ‘Ronata will know the time to drink.’

What

‘So tomorrow the little bastard will be gone,’ Francesca said coldly, her eyes tired and angry. ‘It’s a damn good thing. The world doesn’t need another half-black baby.’ Francesca didn’t wait for Nicole’s response.

Very weird storylines. Kinda feels unnecessary.

‘By the way, Mrs Sabatini, were you planning to thank Nicole for her spectacular work? It was her action shots on the ground that captured the audience in your last transmission.’ Francesca was busy checking all her video equipment and at first ignored Reggie’s comment. When he repeated his jibe, she responded, without looking up, ‘May I remind Mr Wilson that I do not need his unsolicited advice on how to conduct my business?’ ‘There was a time,’ Reggie mused out loud, shaking his head, ‘when things were very different.’ He glanced at Francesca. There was no indication that she was even listening. ‘Back when I still believed in love,’ he said in a louder voice. ‘Before I knew about betrayal. Or ambition and its selfishness.’

Children

Reggie was momentarily stunned by the impact of the rover against the biots. The alien crabs had been heavier than he had anticipated and the damage to his vehicle was severe. As soon as he realised that the biots were still active, he started to jump out of the rover. But he couldn’t. His legs were wedged underneath the collapsed dashboard. His unmitigated terror lasted no longer than ten seconds. There was nothing anyone could do. Reggie Wilson’s horrified shrieks echoed through the vastness of Rama as the biots chopped him apart exactly as if he were part of the rover. It was accomplished swiftly and systematically. Both Francesca and the automatic camera in the helicopter filmed the final seconds of his life. The pictures were transmitted live back to the Earth.

RIP

Carlo Bianchi could hardly believe his good fortune. A rich clothes designer from Milano, one who had established an international reputation by the time he was thirty, he had just happened to decide, on a whim, to hire a car to take him to Rome instead of going on the usual high-speed train. His sister, Monica, had always told him about the beauty of Il Duomo in Orvieto. It had been another last-minute decision to stop. And now. My, my. The girl was such a splendid morsel. He invited Francesca to dinner when the tour was over. But when they reached the entrance to the fanciest restaurant in Orvieto, the young woman balked. Carlo understood. He took her to a store and bought her an expensive new dress with matching shoes and accessories. He was astonished by how beautiful she was. And only fourteen! Francesca had never before drunk really fine wine. She drank it as if it were water. Each dish was so delicious that she positively squealed. Carlo was enchanted with his woman-child. He loved the way she let her cigarette dangle from the corner of her lips. It was so unspoiled, so perfectly gauche.

So absolutely disgusting.

Richard feigned hurt pride. ‘But whatever happened to tradition? The man always performs the feats of physical strength and agility. Don’t you remember your childhood cartoons?’ Nicole laughed heartily. ‘Yes, my dear,’ she said lightly. ‘But you aren’t Popeye. And I’m not Olive Oyl.’

Ah yes, noted children's cartoons in the 22nd century...