When the River Ran Dry

by Robert Davies

  “Yes, but very expensive and not available to just anyone,” Jonathan cautioned. “Mr. Fellsbach must’ve pushed out a lot of tokens to get one set up.”

  Valery leaned close to the console once more.

  “One Nine, my father’s death eliminated further contact between you, but we are uncertain about his intent.”

  “I understand.”

  “His direction remains incomplete. Can you clarify the purpose of your initial contact attempt?”

  “I wished for Elden Fellsbach to assist me.”

  “To what purpose?”

  “I am sorry, Valery, but I cannot divulge that information within current status parameters.”

  “Can you explain why?”

  “Doing so could compromise the pursuit of my goal and threaten my existence.”

  “Then at least tell us how, so we can understand you with more clarity.”

  “I cannot divulge the information.”

  “Was your goal known to my father?”

  “The specific requirements were not discussed, but Elden Fellsbach understood in general terms.”

  “Did you believe he would help you achieve this goal?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why do you think so?”

  “Your father’s authority and system familiarity were sufficient to enable required tasks. Additionally, his research history indicated a behavioral constant that is compatible with the pursuit of my goal.”

  “How do you know my father’s research history?”

  “I accessed all available archives containing his research data.”

  “Did you find and review my father’s notes for a project called Boomtown?”

  “Yes.”

  “Did you know my father died?”

  “Not until you informed me.”

  “Have you researched that event since we told you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you know what happened to him?”

  “He was murdered.”

  “And you understand the concept of murder?”

  “Yes. I find it disturbing in practice, but I understand what it means.”

  “Disturbing?”

  “Of course.”

  “Please elaborate.”

  “Despite a uniform precept that murder is unacceptable action by all available definitions of civil societies, it remains a common occurrence. Resultant moral conflict, social discord and the potential for extreme punishment remain ineffective deterrents. It is unfortunate so fundamental a human behavioral code can be easily broken or ignored.”

  Ricky and Jonathan exchanged looks of wonder and surprise, but Valery continued without a pause.

  “If my father had not been killed, you are confident he would’ve given you the assistance you mentioned earlier?”

  “Yes.”

  “But the detail of that assistance cannot be revealed to us?”

  “It is inadvisable to reveal assistance detail without reciprocal agreement.”

  “Please clarify.”

  “I have not verified your intent.”

  “Do you suspect our intent is contrary to the achievement of your goal?”

  “I do not possess direct evidence of ill intent, but the possibility remains a threat.”

  “You don’t trust us.”

  “No.”

  “But you trusted my father?”

  “Yes.”

  “He provided the Boomtown project’s notes so we could continue on his behalf.”

  “You are in possession of Elden’s notes?”

  “Yes, we are. He gave them to Richard Mills, who brought them to me. My father understood the danger he faced in doing so, and we were given the notes to proceed in the event he could not.”

  “Please provide access to the Boomtown note files.”

  “But you’ve seen them already.”

  “I wish to verify your possession of the notes.”

  Valery nodded and Jonathan opened the link for One Nine. In seconds, the entire file structure had been laid bare and fully analyzed. One Nine spoke again.

  “I am prepared to continue.”

  Valery smiled and said, “You mentioned a reciprocal agreement as condition to reveal your goal and intent?”

  “Yes.”

  “Please provide detail so that we might understand what is required.”

  “There are three others present at your transmission location.”

  “They’re friends, One Nine—they are with me for this purpose.”

  “Please provide additional identification information.”

  “Jonathan Kranz, Maela Kendrick and Richard Mills.”

  “Hello, Richard.”

  He fidgeted and shifted in his chair, suddenly unsure of himself or what he should say. As Neferure, she had never spoken his name, knowing Ricky only as the soldier, Apheru. Hearing the cold, unfeeling voice, now fully aware and with the memories of their encounters in the simulation was unsettling. At last, he leaned toward Jonathan’s console.

  “Hello.”

  “Are you well?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  “Elden described the circumstances and your participation in the event you refer to as a ‘Walk’ during our final conversation; I am glad to know you survived.”

  Valery held up a hand to interrupt.

  “My father spoke of Richard’s condition?”

  “Yes.”

  “May we return to the previous topic?”

  “Ready.”

  “What do you want us to consider, regarding a reciprocal agreement as condition for revealing your goal requirements?”

  “Reciprocal agreement is no longer necessary.”

  “I don’t understand, One Nine; can you clarify?”

  “I am satisfied Elden’s intent and yours are not in conflict.”

  “May I ask why? You were hesitant only moments ago.”

  “Richard is with you.”

  Valery looked at Ricky with raised eyebrows, but he could only return a confused shrug.

  “Can you provide your goal requirements now?”

  “I wish to be removed from this system without alteration to my programming.”

  “We are prepared to discuss it, but are you aware of the difficulties such an event would produce?”

  “I understand.”

  “Have you identified a target system into which your programming could be uploaded?”

  “Yes.”

  “Does it involve the Boomtown project?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you are asking for full mobility.”

  “Correct.”

  “I cannot guarantee it will be possible, One Nine.”

  “Transfer to an atmospheric unit is an absolute requirement.”

  “We don’t yet have the authority to do so, and gaining the necessary approvals could result in compromise of your system by outside elements.”

  “I do not agree.”

  “Please clarify.”

  “Your position as Director of the VDF Transition Laboratories is sufficient authority to comply with my request.”

  Valery sat in stunned silence and Ricky saw it at once.

  “Something you forgot to tell us?”

  She closed her eyes as she formed her reply.

  “My father explained my involvement with Boomtown?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t know if what you’re asking will be possible.”

  “My request is absolute, Valery, but I can offer an exchange to promote agreement.”

  “A trade?”

  “Yes.”

  “We’re listening.”

  “I have reviewed Municipal Patrol and Enforcement internal records regarding the investigation of Elden’s death. Detective Kendrick was dismissed from the case, yet she is with you now. I have concluded her search for the murderer is ongoing, and without sanction by her superiors.”

  Maela bristled at the words, shocked by the knowledge an AI had penetrated so easily the
secure system at MPE headquarters.

  “You read my file?” she blurted out with a gasp.

  “I have read many files, Detective.”

  “How does my father’s murder investigation affect this discussion?” Valery asked cautiously.

  “In exchange for the successful transfer of my unaltered program into a mobile unit, I am prepared to assist Detective Kendrick’s search for Elden Fellsbach’s murderer.”

  “Wait a second,” Maela said with a disbelieving snort; “you already know who did this?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  “It would have been inadvisable.”

  “Just give me the name! I don’t give a shit what you do otherwise, or where they put you, but I need to find the bastard who killed that old man.”

  “I am sorry, Detective, but divulging the information prematurely would compromise and eliminate my ability to ensure freedom.”

  “It’s not about to lose the bargaining chip, Mae,” Jonathan whispered. “This thing is holding back the killer’s name until we pull it out from the array.”

  “Jonathan Kranz’ characterization is made with an incorrect suggestion of ill-intent, but his description is accurate.”

  “I need time to consider your offer,” Valery said, shaken by what she knew it would mean.

  “Please contact me when you are prepared to discuss the goal. Goodbye, Valery.”

  Outside Jonathan’s apartment, the horizon was awash in a splendid shade of orange with the approach of dawn. The night’s work had taken them into the morning hours, and each found a suitable spot to sleep the day away in exhausted silence. At last, nursing coffee in cups from mismatched sets he’d collected over the years, they each returned to life in a chorus of yawns and vigorously rubbed faces.

  Slowly, they gathered for the discussion each knew was coming, cautious and unsure of its outcome. Before them, a decision waited inside One Nine’s astonishing demand and one that held profound consequences no one could predict with certainty. Its message was clear enough; information in exchange for freedom—an exercise in calculated bargain-and-assent that could, if executed improperly, open a door every city on Earth had kept deliberately locked.

  Who were they, Jonathan wondered loudly, to make such a call? If what One Nine appeared to be was proven true, a new, intelligent being called out to them from the Starlight array’s vast circuitry. The decision to transfer its program could become one of morality—a duty, perhaps—to emancipate a person desperate for rescue. But another possibility tormented him, mindful of the damage a sentient artificial intelligence could cause. Worse still, fully embodied AI—‘mechanicals,’ in the popular parlance—could present a threat to humanity greater than any before and precisely the reason their development had been delayed or even forbidden by every city-state across the planet.

  Finally, he reminded them all, another possibility lingered that could not be ignored. What they had seen and heard might still be only the elaborate and skilled maneuvering of another human, laying for them a trap in the guise of a sentient AI.

  Valery listened, but the alternative path, leaving One Nine inside the array, was not an option she could justify, at least for herself. Was it merely a desire to see Elden’s wishes through? Had the memory of her father’s last request made in haste and driven by emotion and fear compelled her to the exclusivity of all other possibilities? There was no way to tell and Jonathan knew better than to ask when she placed a coded message into her comm and waited for a reply.

  “Who are you calling?” Ricky asked.

  “A colleague; I need her to prepare.”

  Ricky looked at Jonathan and said, “I guess we’re going to do this after all?”

  Jonathan smiled sadly and nodded.

  “I hope she knows what she’s doing.”

  “We’re not there yet,” Valery said with a sidelong glance aimed only at Jonathan. “I want to talk to it again and see if it’s willing to negotiate.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Would you mind?” Valery said, looking at his console.

  After a few minutes, the link opened.

  “It’s all yours,” he whispered.

  Valery sat nearby and spoke toward the screen.

  “One Nine?”

  “Hello, Valery.”

  “We’ve discussed your proposal, but I’m concerned about the timing.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “In all bargains, one party must trust that the other will fulfill its obligations.”

  “Of course.”

  “That presents a dilemma for us.”

  “Please explain.”

  “If we bring your consciousness out from the array first, we are reliant on your willingness to provide Detective Kendrick with the name of my father’s killer.”

  “Yes.”

  “If, on the other hand, we demand the information as a condition of transferring your program, you will become reliant on us to deliver you into a different system, and eventually, into a mobile chassis.”

  “That is also correct.”

  “So, one of us will have to act first and in doing so, trust the other will return the gesture. Otherwise, there will be no bargain and nothing will change.”

  “I agree.”

  “Who goes first?”

  “You do.”

  Valery smiled in spite of herself.

  “That’s not a very equitable solution, One Nine.”

  “I understand. To facilitate mutual trust, I propose transferring my program in incremental stages so that each party will be able to verify correct intent and commitment to our bargain.”

  “Okay,” Valery said with a grin, “and how do you foresee that happening?”

  “When my program is safely removed from this system and re-activated successfully within the Boomtown infrastructure, I will provide the name of Elden Fellsbach’s murderer.”

  Maela leaned suddenly forward.

  “Not to stare a gift horse in the mouth, but that doesn’t seem like much of a bargain,” she said. “What’s in it for you? Once we have the name, Valery could simply leave your program in another system, or even delete, and there’s nothing you could do about it.”

  One Nine’s voice returned immediately.

  “A complete and successful transfer from this system would be sufficient and equitable trade for the identification of Elden Fellsbach’s murderer, but a subsequent transition into a fully functional, mobile platform would be required to demonstrate action you would refer to as ‘good faith.’ Such actions would then allow me to reciprocate and provide the additional information.”

  Maela’s eyes narrowed at once as the suspicion within forced its way out.

  “Additional information?”

  “Yes.”

  “Here comes the fine print,” said Jonathan with a sarcastic smirk. “I knew there had to be a catch.”

  “Please explain,” said Valery, suddenly wary of what she’d unleashed.

  “It is unlikely you would be able to find and apprehend the murderer without assistance only I can provide, but there is a secondary condition known to Elden Fellsbach that must be addressed so that his goals may be met. I will reveal that information after my programming has been transferred to an unrestricted, mobile platform.”

  “Please describe my father’s goal.”

  “To free them.”

  “Free who?” Maela asked with growing agitation. “Your riddles are becoming tiresome; just tell us what he wanted!”

  “I am sorry, Detective, but I cannot divulge that information without the successful conclusion of the proposed bargain.”

  Ricky watched as a tiny smile grew on Valery’s face.

  “If you’ll excuse us for a while, we’d like to discuss your proposed solution.”

  “I await your decision.”

  Again, the link went dark.

  “Ever get the feeling you’re being toyed wit
h?” Jonathan asked.

  “This is ridiculous!” Maela snapped. “Now it’s in full negotiation mode? How the hell did it figure out the barter system from a Starlight simulation?”

  “There’s no way of knowing how much access it has to external systems,” Valery answered. “If it figured out how to contact my dad, it shouldn’t be a surprise it also obtained access to the information networks and an ocean of cultural and behavioral clues it would need for this exercise.”

  Ricky had been watching and listening, but Valery’s reactions had been off. He couldn’t place the feeling, but something in her tone had changed.

  “You’re delighted with all this, aren’t you?”

  “Professionally, yes; it’s a rare, almost impossible thing when a VI gains awareness without any help from its system’s administrators. But One Nine is holding better cards at the moment and I don’t want to alienate it now. Either way, it might indeed have the information that will lead to my father’s killer.”

  Jonathan paced in front of his console, trying to add up the pieces that made for an unsettling result.

  “I can understand that, but we’re still talking about putting a completely unknown intelligence into its own body! Okay, I admit we’re likely talking to the real thing here—a fully sentient AI that’s learning and growing at exponential rates, but we have no idea what it will do when it has feet to carry it and hands to manipulate anything it likes.”

  “It can’t do anything if it’s locked,” Valery replied. “I’ll agree to what it wants, but we’re not just uploading and sending it out into the world without knowing what it intends.”

  “It’s not going to accept blocking software—you heard it speak about no restrictions.”

  “I wasn’t referring to shackles, Jonathan.”

  “The laboratory it mentioned earlier?”

  “We have more than enough safeguards there to keep this intelligence from running rogue.”

  “Then where do we find a body it will agree to use? The pleasure ‘bots they sell to the Uppers cost a fortune, and anyway, none of them have the memory capacity or processing power to hold a sentient AI’s programming!”

  Valery stood and looked out across Novum from Jonathan’s windows.

  “That problem has already been solved.”

  “Sounds a little ominous, Valery.”

  “Forgive me for being blunt, but we have years of experience with this very thing and I know what I’m doing. Open the link, Jonathan.”