“Hey, how about that?” Bud exclaimed happily. “It really savvies those electronic brain impulses!”
“And minds them-which is equally important,” Tom added.
102 THE VISITOR FROM PLANET X
A moment later the brain energy seemed to become impatient. It spurted off in its wheeled container toward a laboratory workbench.
Crash! A rack of test tubes went sailing to the floor with an explosion of tinkling glass.
Stop! Tom signaled frantically. Again Exman obeyed the order.
“It’s like a mischievous kid,” Bud said.
Almost as if in defiance, Exman scooted off in another direction. Then it stopped abruptly and swiveled around, one of its antenna arms knocking a Bunsen burner to the floor as it did so.
Come here! Tom signaled. As the culprit approached, he added sternly, Stop where you are. And stay there until you receive further orders.
This time Exman stood patiently, awaiting the next signal. Bud got a brush and dustpan, and the boys cleaned up the broken test tubes and replaced the burner on its shelf.
Then Tom began feeding more complicated instructions to Exman through the electronic brain. He guided him through a number of dancelike movements and other drills, and got him to send out a wave of heat which the boys could instantly feel. Tom was even able to make the robot aim its wave energy so as to short-circuit a switch on an electrical control panel.
Tom was both pleased and excited. “Bud,” he exclaimed, “the brain reacts as quickly as that of a highly intelligent being! Just imagine-without EXMAN TAKES ORDERS 103