Hosato sank into an uncomfortable silence. He certainly couldn’t dispute her claim of vanity.

“Now, to answer your question,” the robot continued. “Although Sam is firm in his beliefs, he has been impressed by you and your methods. As I mentioned, he has been programmed for paranoia, and your continued success in eluding him, first in the manufacturing area, then again later in the purge, has him partially convinced of the effectiveness of your modus operandi.”

“It’s nothing any human couldn’t have done,” Hosato commented.

“Which brings us to your role,” Suzi pronounced. “I have been your companion for several years now. During that time I have observed you practicing and in actual combat. Now that my new programming has removed the restrictions on my actions, I feel that I can beat you, Hosato. Since you can defeat Sam’s methods, if I can defeat you, it will provide the proof I need to convince Sam to implement my plan.”

A chill ran over Hosato as he realized the full extent of Suzi’s deadly intent.

“I fail to see,” he said slowly, “how your cutting me down with a blaster demonstrates any superiority of ability.”

“I quite agree,” Suzi replied. “That is specifically why I had Sam’s designer robots whip up a little something special for the occasion.”

The robot circled around Hosato and stopped beside Turner’s desk.

“A blaster against an unarmed human proves nothing,” she said, and tossed the hand blaster into the corner farthest from Sasha and James. “These will.”

Hosato focused on the objects on the desk for the first time. Epees. The weapons that had been so much of his life all these years. For a moment he thought they were his own swords, but closer scrutiny, even from this distance, showed they weren’t.

“You’ve always said,” Suzi’s voice interrupted his thoughts, “that fencing was a combat of the mind first and the body second. My own analysis confirms your statement. You’ve matched your mind and sword against a wide array of humans, with an unbroken record of success. Well, I have one final challenge for you. Match your mind and abilities against mine against a robot. Let’s see how well your human reasoning fares against a machine!”

With her one arm she picked up one of the weapons and tossed it to Hosato, who caught it with an easy motion. Before he could launch an attack, however, she quickly snatched up the second sword and had it between them.

“Before you begin,” she said, “take the time to examine your weapon. I wouldn’t want your defeat credited to any lack of familiarity with your sword.”

Hosato obediently tested the heft and balance of the new sword. It was perfect. Identical in every way to his own dueling epees—except the point.

“I see you’re curious about the point,” Suzi observed. “That is a special design. It’s a miniaturized one-shot blaster, set to be triggered on impact with the metal of a robot’s body. The point of my own weapon is standard.”

Hosato’s eyes flicked to Suzi’s sword. She was right. Her epee was normal—needle sharp and deadly.

“I specifically point out that your weapon contains a charge sufficient for one shot only,” Suzi continued. “Do not entertain any hopes of succesfully destroying me and the security robot there.”

With a sweep of her sword she indicated the silent sentinel in the corner.

“What is more, that unit will defend itself from any attack you might launch against it. I advise you of this because such an attempt would result in your being destroyed by its blaster, thereby negating the demonstration I have so painstakingly arranged.”

The remaining object on the desk caught Hosato’s eye.

“Why the camera unit?” he asked.

“It is there for two reasons,” Suzi replied. “Both involving my own vanity. First, I wish a record of your defeat. Second, there may be times in the action when your colleagues’ view of the battle might be obscured by our movement. When combat begins, I will activate the viewscreen on my back, which will provide a view for them at all times.”

She turned slightly toward Sasha and James.

“Might I point out that it will therefore be unnecessary for you to shift position say, to move closer to the blaster in the corner. As such, any motion on your part will not be interpreted as innocent curiosity, but as an attempt to counterattack, and the unit there will defend itself accordingly. Is that clear?”

“What happens if he wins?” Sasha asked, ignoring the threat to her own person.

It was a good question, one that had not occurred to Hosato. He was busy preparing himself mentally for the duel.

“In the unlikely event that that should occur,” Suzi said levelly, “the security robot will immediately destroy him with its blaster. He is far too dangerous to allow his continued existence.”

“If that’s the case,” Hosato asked, “why should I fight at all?”

“Again, there are two reasons,” Suzi replied. “I know you, Hosato. The first reason is time. You’ll stall for more time, just as you’ve been doing, hoping for a miracle to save you. You’ll fight for more time, even if it’s a matter of minutes. The second reason is your pride. You’d rather be killed in a fight than standing meekly to the slaughter. Besides, right now you want nothing more than to prove, even with your dying breath, that you can beat me, that a man is better than a machine.”

Hosato let out a long breath.

“You know me pretty well, Suzi,” he said. “Or at least you think you do. Since there seem to be no further questions to be answered, shall we begin?”

So saying, he extended his sword and settled into his en garde position.

Suzi also extended her sword in preparation.

“You forgot to salute.” she pointed out.

“No I didn’t,” Hosato replied. “The salute is a sign of respect for one’s opponent.”

“Your attempts to arouse anger in me are quite useless. Hosato. A robot—”

Hosato attacked.

Darting forward in a long, low glide, his blade hung in the air until Suzi began her parry. Then, in the blink of an eyehe deceived her blade and tried for the hit.

Suzi’s sword was a blur of motion, striking his blade once, twice, and finally wrenching it from his grasp to send it clattering to the floor.

Hosato froze, his eyes focused on the glittering point of Suzi’s sword poised inches from his heart.

“—is not dependent on normal conditions for efficient operation,” Suzi said, her train of conversation uninterrupted. “That attack was so elementary as to be insulting, Hosato. Pick up your weapon and try again.”

Hosato stooped slowly and regained his sword. As he didhe shot a glance at Sasha and James. They were staring fixedly, not at himbut at Suzi’s back. It took him an instant to recall that the humiliating incident was being recorded and displayed on the robot’s viewscreen.

He returned his thoughts to the duel. Suzi would not be easy to beat, if she could be beaten at all. What was it the maestro had always said. “Fence with your head, not your heart.” He needed to think, to plan. Unfortunately. Suzi was apparently unwilling to allow him the necessary time to organize his strategy. As soon as he regained his upright position, she moved forward, sword extended for the kill. Hosato parried reflexively and attempted a counterthrust.

What followed was a blinding display of swordwork as the weapons darted back and forth at dazzling speeds, now blocking a thrust, now probing for the exposed target. In the end, the result was the same. Hosato’s sword clattered to the floor and Suzi’s point stopped inches short of its target.

“Much better,” Suzi commented. “You haven’t used that combination since Uran. Remember. When your opponents hired a maestro to represent them in the duel. It worked there, but not here.”

Her voice hardened.

“Pick up your sword, Hosato. Give it your best shot. This time I won’t stop. This time, when the exchange ends, you’ll be dead.”