Computer

           HarlanhadbeentwoyearsaTechnicianwhenhere-enteredthe482ndforthefirsttimesinceleavingwithTwissell.Hefounditalmostunrecognizable.

           Ithadnotchanged.Hehad.

           TwoyearsofTechnicianhoodhadmeantanumberofthings.Inonesenseithadincreasedhisfeelingofstability.Hehadnolongertolearnanewlanguage,getusedtonewstylesofclothingandnewwaysoflifewitheverynewObservationproject.Ontheotherhand,ithadresultedinawithdrawalonhisownpart.HehadalmostforgottennowthecamaraderiethatunitedalltherestoftheSpecialistsinEternity.

           Mostofall,hehaddevelopedthefeelingofthepowerofbeingaTechnician.Heheldthefateofmillionsinhisfingertips,andifonemustwalklonelybecauseofit,onecouldalsowalkproudly.

           SohecouldstarecoldlyattheCommunicationsmanbehindtheentrydeskofthe482ndandannouncehimselfinclippedsyllables:"AndrewHarlan,Technician,reportingtoComputerFingefortemporaryassignmenttothe482nd,"disregardingthequickglancefromthemiddle-agedmanhefaced.

           Itwaswhatsomepeoplecalledthe"Technicianglance,"aquick,involuntarysidelongpeekattherose-redshoulderemblemoftheTechnician,thenanelaborateattemptnottolookatitagain.

           Harlanstaredattheother’sshoulderemblem.ItwasnottheyellowoftheComputer,thegreenoftheLife-Plotter,theblueoftheSociologist,orthewhiteoftheObserver.ItwasnottheSpecialist’ssolidcoloratall.Itwassimplyabluebaronwhite.