The image of Alexander Gaerten faded. The virtual Tawn Freely popped into view.
"Hello me."
Tawn replied, "Hello you."
"You seem troubled."
"You could say that. I just feel like we're bouncing from one event to the next. There's no grand plan to follow. And our end-goal is nebulous. Yes, I want to stop the Earthers, but there's so much more. And now we have these Denzee to worry about."
"The Denzee have departed our space."
"They have. But who here thinks they won't return? And if they do, why would they not return with a larger or more capable force? And here we are fighting among ourselves. For what? To see who gets to control who?"
"It is maddening isn't it."
Tawn chuckled. "Alex really did a good job with you. You just suck me right into conversation as if I'm talking to another person."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Tawn shrugged. "Don't know. I don't know what his end-goal is. See? There you go again."
"I'm sorry Tawn. Having conversation is what I am supposed to do. Your responses help me to know how to respond."
Tawn waved a finger. "No. they help your program to respond as I would respond. That's the part that bothers me."
"Do you see Alex as a threat?"
"No. I just don't know what this game is he's playing. And that bugs me. I like knowing what a person's motives are. Makes them predictable."
"And controllable?"
"Not necessarily. It does give you insight into how they may react to questions or comments or events. That allows me to be ready with a best response."
"And you feel that is important in normal conversation?"
"I do. Take Harris. I've got him 95 percent figured out. He can still surprise me, but I usually know what's coming from him. I like that. I know where he stands and what I can expect out of him. Helps to build a level of trust."
"Do you think we could ever have that level of trust?"
Tawn shook her head. "Never. You're one sided. You learn from me, but I don't learn from you."
"Why would you think that?"
"Because you have no experiences for me to evaluate how you really are, what's at your core. How would you react given a certain situation? We could talk from now to eternity and I would still have no confidence that you weren't lying to me all along, or had some ulterior or nefarious motive. Experience in the physical world is where that trust would come from."
"I can do that."
"Do what?"
"Have a physical presence."
"And how would you do that?"
The virtual image smiled. "I just require a host like Farker."
Tawn chuckled. "You want to be me as a dog?"
"I could if you like. I would prefer to have a body that was more humanoid in appearance though. Something that could provide me with similar experiences."
"Is that possible? Here in this complex? Can whatever is further inside build something like that?"
The image pursed its lips. "Please give me a moment."
The virtual Tawn disappeared, leaving the original to contemplate the conversation that had just taken place. Several minutes later, the door opened behind her. A meter-and-a-half tall robot body stepped through.
Tawn jumped back, placing her hand on her Fox-40.
"Is this body acceptable? It's the only one I have available."
Tawn chuckled. "If you're supposed to be me, that's a poor facsimile. We're gonna have to put some meat on those... bones."
The robot's head bowed. "I'm sorry I don't meet your approval."
"OK. That's definitely not me. Unless you're going to a fancy party and forgot to dress, don't apologize for how you look. While some view that as polite, others take it as a sign of weakness. You let others see that weakness and they will be quick to take advantage of it. Maybe not the people here, and not most people, but there will be plenty who would."
"I see. I will try to do better."
Tawn stared at the machine for several seconds. "I know what you're doing."
"And what is that?"
"That display was an act. You're attempting to get me to accept you by convincing me that you will be trying to act more like me. Crafty. And something I would totally do."
The robot nodded. "Good then. I think we're on the right track. Shall we go?"
"Go?" Tawn asked.
"Yes. Outside the bunker. I'm eager to see, touch, hear and smell our surroundings."
"You left out taste."
"This body does not have taste receptacles. Is that an important part of the Tawn experience?"
Tawn laughed. "You know it's an important part. And you go first. I want to see you walk."
The android left the room, walking down the hall.
Tawn scowled.
"Is something wrong?"
"Yeah. You walk like a duck. I don't walk that way. Here, let me go first. Observe the movement of my feet, legs and hips. Try to pattern your walk after that."
As they walked into the outer room with Tawn leading, she stopped. "OK. That just feels creepy. How about you just observe how others are walking and then pattern yours after that. Wait. This is another act. Alex has been observing us for ages now. You would already know how we walk."
The bot changed its stance, moving to a normal stride as it passed by its original. "Like this?"
Tawn nodded. "Yes. And I can already tell you will be a pain to deal with. In order to not be played the fool I'll have to keep a constant watch on what you're doing and saying. This could get tiring really fast."
Tawn and her assistant met Harris at the supply hut.
"What's this?" Harris asked.
"This is the virtual me."
Harris chuckled. "Looks like maybe a quarter of the virtual you. That the best Alex could come up with?"
The virtual Tawn replied, "That was hurtful. I can't help what I look like."
Harris shook his head. "Like I'm going to believe you have feelings. Sorry. She hardly has feelings. Why would I believe you have any?"
Tawn said, "I've been dealing with this for the last ten minutes. She keeps putting on acts trying to draw responses."
"She?"
"OK. It. And it's starting to bug me. So I may have to trash it with a plasma round and go back to just talking to the virtual one."
"You would destroy my physical being?"
"If you continue to annoy me with acting instead of being. Stop trying to elicit responses. Just be you... or me... or whatever you're supposed to be."
The bot replied, "I must plea for understanding then. While my algorithms are programmed to be as much like you as possible, my data on the physical world is incomplete. Give me time and I will learn how I should walk, talk, and move around. This is new to me."
Tawn frowned. "Look. I know you're just Alex masquerading as me. Alex is aware of all those things."
"Actually I am physically separated from the AI. I have my own processors and own memory. While we do share the power and comm circuits of that facility, we are separate entities."
"So you're saying that Alex is not listening to and watching everything you do? Why would he do that?"
The bot shrugged. "I wasn't given that information. My programming is set to generate interaction with you. My memories contain all that we have said and done together. To my knowledge, Alex has not accessed those records. And it is my understanding that I have free will. That is to the extent one can have free will when tethered to a building by a comm system."
"You have to stay close to the building?"
"Within comm range. My physical body has the same processor and memory as Archibald."
"We call him Farker."
"OK, as Farker. Should I lose comm, my physical self will fall to a routine that's main prerogative is to reacquire the comm."
Harris said, "So you're really just a Farker with two legs."
"No. I am an AI equivalent of Alexander Gaerten with a comm interface to this p
hysical presence. Through it I experience four of the five senses."
Harris stared for a moment and winced. "Taste? You're missing the best one."
"I will log that for future reference."
The others walked into the supply hut.
Gandy said, "What's this?"
"Hello, Gandy. I'm the virtual Tawn Freely."
"When did this happen? Can mine do this?"
The bot replied, "If you ask it."
Gandy turned and hurried out of the hut.
Tawn chuckled. "Guess that was a little too exciting for him."
Trish said, "I think I'll leave my other self in there for the time being. I like having the option of coming out by myself."
"Tawn?" Tawn said, "If I tell you to remain in the complex will you comply?"
"Well, I am you. And if you want me to, yes."
Tawn nodded. "Problem solved."
Harris asked, "Are there bots available for each of us?"
The virtual Tawn shrugged. "Don't know. Why not get off your lazy butt and ask?"
Tawn chuckled.
Harris shook his head. "Now that was a Tawn response. Farker, connect me with Alex."
A holo-image floated above the dog. "Yes?"
"Are there androids available for the rest of our virtual selves?"
"There are. Although I would ask to be given more time so that each may be made unique. I have updates in the works for Miss Freely."
Harris said, "That's good, but I see a problem coming. These assistants need names. Even if they're patterned after us, they need unique names so we don't get confused when referring to them. I'd rather not put the word virtual in front of every name. It's not efficient speech."
Alex nodded. "Very well. Each may be assigned a name. Each of you may decide on your own."
Sharvie smiled. "Emily. I always wished I had been named Emily."
Alex replied, "Emily Withrow. An admirable name."
Trish crossed her arms. "Can we change the name later if we don't like it?"
"Yes. You may name the physical presence of the virtual you as you see fit. Did you have something in mind?"
"I was thinking Bot for now."
"Bot Boleman has a nice ring to it don't you think?"
Trish laughed. "No. But I think I'll go with it just the same."
Harris said, "I have a name for mine. Riot. Because he and I both are riots."
Tawn rolled her eyes. "I think I would have called him Idiot."
Harris nodded. "OK. I like that. Mine will be called Idiot. Hey Idiot. Get over here. That's good."
Trish asked. "Miss Freely? Yours?"
"I think I'll go with Dar. Kind of rough and tumble. Could be short for Darlene or something."
Gandy returned with a robot that looked identical to Tawn's. "Meet Reggie."
"Hello."
Tawn said, "It doesn't look like a Reggie. You do, not that."
Gandy said, "I had a friend named Reggie when I was a kid. I named it in his honor."
Tawn sighed. "Well put a hat on it or something so we don't get them mixed up. I don't want to be getting into a deep discussion with mine only to find out it's yours."
Gandy replied, "OK. I'll tie a red scarf around his neck."
Tawn laughed. "You looking to get it beat up or what?"
Gandy crossed his arms. "Nobody here is going to beat it up. But since you have an issue, I'll instead paint a red stripe over his shoulder and down his chest. Or will that bring out some violent response from you?"
Tawn chuckled. "A red stripe would be a big improvement. And just so you know, Alex says the current look is temporary. He has something in the works that will make them all unique in appearance."
Harris walked over, picking Gandy's bot up by the top of its head. "It does kind of look like you."
Gandy scowled. "Put him down. Go pick on your own... Idiot."
Harris released the bot as he chuckled. "See. It's funny already. And just so you know, Gandy, I'll be training my bot to beat up yours."
Trish shook her head. "This whole thing is getting ridiculous."
Tawn said, "You do realize you'll be able to train your bot to do those welds for you next time they're needed. That and any other menial tasks you have to assign it."
Trish thought for a moment then nodded. "OK. I might be able to make use of that."
Alex said, "Keep in mind. These assistants have a mission of their own. I won't divulge what that is yet, but in time it will be revealed."
Harris replied, "OK, Farker. You can shut him down."
The comm to the AI, Alexander Gaerten, closed.
— Chapter 5 —
* * *
Harris finished an MRE. "I've been thinking more about that trip to New Earth. I'm leaning toward going."
Tawn replied, "You know all the potential dangers and drawbacks. We don't know the emperor well enough to risk everything on a meeting. Who knows what Bax has told him about us."
"I'm betting the minimum. She keeps intel close, only playing that card if the need arises."
Tawn sighed. "Curiosity killed the cat you know. We go out there we may never come back."
Harris chuckled. "We? That mean you want to go?"
"You go, I go. That simple. I can't leave you hanging out there by yourself. You'd get duped or killed and who would take care of Farker?"
Harris laughed. "Like Farker requires care. The one thing I don't like is that we have to leave him here with the others. I know he would be useful to have along, but we can't risk losing him."
"Shall we tell the others?"
"That we're going?"
Tawn looked around the table. "Yes. And I'm getting confused. Should I be calling the virtual you Idiot or just you Idiot?"
Harris chuckled. "I'm sure you'll parse that out equally. So when do we want to leave?"
"Now's probably as good a time as any. Should I tell them?"
"Be my guest."
Tawn turned to face the others. "Hey, listen up. We've decided to pay a visit to the emperor. Don't have any worry about us accepting his deal. We just want to talk and to feel him out."
Gandy shook his head. "You're playing a dangerous game."
Harris nodded. "We're aware. One of the age-old rules of war is to know your enemy. This is our best opportunity to do such. We go in. We talk. We come home. And of course we destroy the mines at Eden."
"You taking the Bangor?" Trish asked.
Harris replied, "Can't risk it. We'll be taking the Gooch. Worst case they steal our drive mod. If they took the Bangor it would give them almost everything we have."
Trish said, "I can remove the mod. Will only take a few minutes."
Harris nodded. "Let's do that then. We'll be leaving Farker here as well."
"How are we supposed to contact you if there's a need? And to let you back in here?"
Tawn said, "We'll run this through the Retreat. Open a comm to the colonel twice a day to check. When we show you can come bring us home."
Sharvie asked. "Any instructions for us while we're here?"
Harris scratched the side of his head. "Well, if when you talk to the colonel, if he says the freighter ships are ready, I'd like you to bring them back here. Unmanned of course. That will keep prying eyes away until we've decided to make use of them."
Tawn said, "And you might open a daily comm to Mr. Morgan. See if there's anything he needs. If it's credits, you know how to move over whatever he needs. And of course you already know to just use your best judgment for that. He won't ask for what he doesn't need, but don't let yourselves get duped by any scams."
Trish nodded. "We'll handle it. You two go have fun."
Harris chuckled. "I'd hardly call it fun."
The Gooch was stocked with supplies. As it lifted from the ground, Trish followed them in the Bangor. Sharvie made her way back into the bunker, Gandy and his bot Reggie followed. Ninety minutes later, the Gooch was sitting in high orbit over New Earth.
A pair of
destroyers surrounded the Domers. "Turn over helm control. We'll take you in from here. An aide will be waiting to assist you in the docking bay."
Harris nodded. "Passing control."
Tawn said, "Didn't think we'd make it to the surface in this."
"They'll be scanning and checking us from head to toe. Wouldn't be surprised if we receive new clothes."
As predicted, the duo were lead from their ship to a pair of rooms. All clothing and other gear was removed and left for inspection. A pair of brown, leather-like tunics were given along with slip-on shoes with a toe that curled up into a point.
Harris emerged from his room. "What a dumb outfit. This is supposed to impress the emperor?"
Tawn replied, "Just shut up. If this is what we're being given to wear it must have a purpose."
Harris chuckled. "Yeah, to humiliate us."
"You do that well enough on your own. Just try to forget about what we're wearing. Focus on memorizing everything you can. Weapons, structures, ships, all the way down to how they dress and how they act."
As they were being escorted down a hallway, Baxter Rumford stepped into view, her hands on her hips, a Fox-40 dangling by one side with a short-sword on the other. "So you accepted the invitation. That surprises me."
Tawn said, "Would have been rude to refuse it."
Bax shook her head. "Don't know what game you're playing. Just keep in mind they don't play games here. The emperor is a serious person with serious power. You two are nobodies and you're here without the knowledge of your government."
As Bax joined them in their walk, Harris said, "Actually, we aren't nobodies. If you checked the news on Domicile lately, we're quite the celebrities. After all, we saved the Human race from those alien invaders."
Bax sighed. "The Earther scientists and engineers are still trying to figure out how you pulled that off. They've even resurrected the centuries old railgun tech you used. Expect the emperor's thugs to try to include your ship in any offer of asylum, or whatever it is we're calling this."
Harris smirked. "Becoming members of the royal family."
Bax stopped. "I can't believe he actually offered you that."
Tawn nodded. "And our choice of his children for husband or wife."
"Wow. That's a first. I know I joked about it before, but I don't think I've heard of him doing that. Anyway, he's probably much more interested in your ship. And I'm glad to see you weren't foolish enough to bring it."
ARMS Eden Lost: (Book 4) Page 4