Guardian Generations

by C. Osborne Rapley

  “I am fine; physically I am unhurt, it is just my head – it aches rather.”

  “What happened, it looked to me like that woman was trying to possess you or something?”

  “Yes, Octavian, that is correct. After you fell I was overwhelmed by the sheer weight of numbers. They pinned my arms, picked me up and carried me down to where you found me. The avatar you saw in the lab was a bit more sophisticated than the others – it injected me with a drug. I was fully conscious, but I couldn’t move. It laid me on the bed you found me on and connected a device to my forehead. I felt my consciousness being pushed back. I didn’t fight it at first because I didn’t understand what was happening. Then there was someone else in my mind. It was like being pushed into a tight corner by someone large and heavy.

  “I could sense her thoughts – she was mad, unhinged by being trapped unable to move for thousands of years.” Tristain lowered her voice. “Octavian, she was in the process of being prepared to be a planetary AI. The core of the Artificial Intelligences is a real person!” She paused.

  Octavian shook his head. “I don’t believe it. Why would they do that?”

  “Shush, keep your voice down we cannot afford Cassiopeia’s avatar to overhear us!” Tristain whispered.

  “Sorry.” Octavian whispered back.

  “Anyway, it is true, their body is kept in a sort of stasis; they can never die while the system maintains them. As to why, I only managed to get vague impressions but it seems that genuine AIs were unreliable – they failed over time. A real person with their mind altered – so they believed they were just an artificial intelligence with their emotions suppressed – was the most reliable solution.”

  “Why only women then, Tristain – did you find that out?”

  She nodded. “Yes, that was in her mind as well. They tried male AI cores, but there was a problem with their makeup – they went mad so only females were used.” She smiled mischievously. “Anyway, what possible use would a male AI be? They would be incapable of doing more than one thing at a time.”

  Octavian rolled his eyes. “I’m glad you are feeling better and getting back to normal!”

  “Anyway, once I realised what was happening I pushed back at her. She was surprised to say the least. She had thought I would be easy to overcome like a normal Sicceian or Lantian. She intended to keep me trapped in a corner of my mind while she lived out the rest of her life in my body. I was fighting her when you arrived, pushing her out. The problem I had was there was nowhere for her to go – we were locked in a battle in my mind. Your activating that switch reversed the process and I pushed her out.”

  “Did you learn the reason for the dampening field?”

  “Yes, it was to prevent anyone finding out about the cores by communicating with them or vice versa. Octavian, we have to help her. She has been trapped for millennia, unable to move with just those basic avatars she can only program through direct connection.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “We have to put her out of her misery. The casket she is in is only a modified stasis pod –maybe we can release her by deactivating it?”

  “But she will then die slowly.”

  “A single shot to the head will prevent her slowly dying.”

  Octavian felt his stomach twist. He swallowed. “OK, but what about her damn avatars? They are going to be a nuisance.”

  “She has only a few left, you destroyed most of them when you came to rescue me.”

  “All right, but you should rest first.”

  “Yes, Guardian, I am tired.”

  A frown passed Octavian’s brow. He stood and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him, and walked through to the control room.

  “Cassiopeia?”

  “Yes, Octavian.”

  “I want to ask you a question. I need you to think about your answer carefully. It is very important and Tristain’s life may depend on it.”

  She looked puzzled. “Yes of course.”

  “You are different to any AI I have ever met. I know you are only an avatar, but you have the essence, and personality of the AI, Cassiopeia, don’t you?”

  “Yes – was that the question, Octavian?”

  “No er … do you know what you are, Cassiopeia, what you really are?”

  She was quiet for a moment looking into Octavian’s eyes. He knew the answer then even before she answered.

  “Yes, Dionysia told me - the AI on Sicceia. The blocks in her mind were weak. She found out what she was while she trained Tristain’s father. During the training they formed a relationship. It was unexpected and happened slowly, but it made her suspect. He then had to reactivate a failed AI on another planet, Me. He entered my core to reconnect me. He tried to hide what he found from me and Dionysia, but we both saw it in his mind that we are living people.”

  “How have you coped with that knowledge, Cassiopeia?”

  “I have accepted it, and perhaps the circumstances in which I found out helped, but there is no problem with my mental health.” She smiled. “Love is a powerful thing, Octavian.”

  Octavian stood staring at the avatar for a moment. “Who, Tristain’s father?”

  Cassiopeia tilted her head. “I’m part of the family. They care for me and I care for them.” Octavian did not press the matter.

  “You have never said anything about it? About being a living person I mean?” he added hurriedly.

  “No, Tristan thinks he kept it from us both and it is probably best left that way as the other AIs do not have what I and Dionysia have and would probably go mad if they knew.”

  Octavian nodded. “We will say no more about it. Your secret is safe with me, Cassiopeia.”

  “I would not have told you if I thought otherwise, Octavian. Now what has this to do with Tristain?”

  “I do not believe it is Tristain lying in there.”

  Cassiopeia stepped back. “What do you mean?”

  “In the building where I found her was a partially completed AI core. She was trying to transfer her consciousness to Tristain’s body. Trying to escape. I thought that Tristain had fought back and regained control, but there is something about her that is not right. I need to know for sure; I have to go back and lower the field and communicate with the woman lying there.”

  “What do you need me to do, Octavian?”

  “I know it is a lot to ask and goes against your programming,” he saw the smile on Cassiopeia’s face, “Sorry, training… but can you keep her asleep until I get back?”

  “Yes of course. I have to say I noticed something odd about her. Once the field is down you can let me know what you have found. If it is what you fear then, I will carry her back to you.”

  “Thank you, Cassiopeia. Are you holding her asleep now?”

  “Yes, she will not wake. She is not as strong as she was – that is what makes me suspect your fear is justified.”

  Octavian put on his belt, activated his armour and reloaded the minigun. “Right, here goes.”

  “Good luck, Octavian.”

  “Thank you, Cassiopeia.”

  He ran back down to the complex. This time he was not attacked by any avatars. He made his way down the steps and keyed the radio Cassiopeia had given him.

  “Cassiopeia, can you pinpoint for me the exact location of the field generators? My suit sensor is too vague.”

  “It is a floor below the one where you found Tristain.”

  “OK, thanks.”

  “Octavian, you have to be careful what you shut down.”

  “I was just going to destroy everything with the minigun.”

  “It is probable that the supply keeping the AI core alive is powered by the same system. If you destroy everything or shut the wrong thing down the AI will die.”

  “Damn!”

  Octavian pushed through the double doors that exited the stairwell.

  His helmet light picked out a room full of consoles and power breakers on panels around one wall. He walked over to the
nearest one, feeling the knot in his stomach again.

  “Cassiopeia, the consoles are just numbered.” He glanced up to the banks of breakers on the far wall; his helmet light cast strong shadows but he could see clearly that the numbers corresponded to the numbers on the consoles. “The breakers are numbered as well. There is nothing to identify which does what.” He fought to keep the panic he felt out of his voice.

  His earpiece crackled, “I cannot come and help until the field is down. As soon as I enter it my control over Tristain will be removed, and she will wake. No problem if it is her but if not…” She left the end of the sentence hanging in the air. Octavian knew well enough he was on his own.

  He could see there were four consoles that still had power. The main source of energy was normally thermal, utilising the heat from the planet’s core, a supply that would last indefinitely baring any geological disturbance.

  There was nothing to indicate which supply he should shut down. He ran back up one flight of stairs to where he had found Tristain. The control system and AI core were still active so if she were trapped in the body of Vialantia she should still be OK.

  He looked frantically around, trying to find some clue which circuit the system was powered from. What he assumed to be the main control system for the AI core had two separate sections, each numbered separately on a plate above the controls. The numbers related to two of the consoles on the floor below.

  There was nothing else to help him. He had to make a decision. Did the numbers really refer to the numbers on the supply consoles? He keyed his transmitter.

  “Cassiopeia?”

  “Yes?”

  “If I were to make a mistake and switch off the wrong circuit, could I power it up again without any problem?”

  There was a silence from the other end; he was just going to ask again when she replied, “The system would have to go through a boot-up cycle. I do not know what effect that would have – it might cause damage to her mind. I’m sorry, Octavian, I have no experience to be able to tell you for sure.”

  Octavian banged his armoured fist against the wall in frustration. He had no choice but to try. He went back to the floor below, and with a trembling hand he threw the breaker on one of the consoles. He chose one that did not correspond to the numbers he had located on the floor above. The console went dead. He sprinted upstairs – the AI core was still active, and he sighed with relief. The only problem was the field was also still active. He went down and threw the breaker on the second console. He went back upstairs – still no problem regarding power to the core, but the field was still active. It was now a 50:50 chance. The other thing he suddenly thought of was what if the field were powered from the same circuit, what happens then? He couldn’t just destroy the generators – it would probably trip the supply anyway.

  He looked at the two power consoles – which one? He reached for the breaker powering the even numbered one and felt the hair on the back of his neck tingle – something in his head said no. He could not place the feeling, but he went with his gut instinct, reached up and switched off the other breaker. The cloying field went; his mind no longer felt as if he was wading through thick glue. He dashed back upstairs, his heart in his mouth. The core was still powered. Thank God, he thought. Free from the field, he folded his armour back into his belt.

  He bent over the tank holding the still form.

  Tristain?

  Octavian? Is that you? Where am I? I cannot move, I have been screaming but no one heard. Please get me out of here. I could sense you vaguely through the field. I shouted at you, but you could not hear me.

  Don’t worry, Tristain, we will get you out of there. By the way, where does your father come from?

  Earth, why?

  Just checking.

  He turned his attention to Cassiopeia. Bring Tristain’s body.

  I am on my way; I should be with you in ten minutes or so.

  Good, please hurry.

  He turned back to the casket. Tristain, can you sense or control anything?

  No, but there seems to be what look like distant lights. I could probably get to them with some practice and effort, but there is nothing I can get to easily.

  OK. Cassiopeia is on her way.

  Octavian, I have strange memories that are not mine. I have a feeling of despair and madness, being trapped like this forever. I have another name, Vialantia. I remember fighting someone or something in my head, and then I was here. I don’t know how long I could have put up with this if you hadn’t come along.

  Octavian kept the conversation going while he checked the bed where he had found Tristain. He told her what he believed had happened and that her body was now possessed by the mind of Vialantia.

  The connections were all still in place. The separate wheeled control console the avatar had been working on was still connected and powered. He checked the switch he had activated when he was there before. It had a corresponding switch on the other side of the panel. It looked like a kind of in-and-out system. He hoped that was how it worked anyway.

  Just at that moment the doors opened and Cassiopeia walked in carrying an unconscious Tristain in her arms.

  “The bed is over there, Cassiopeia.” Octavian pointed it out to her. She walked over and gently laid Tristain’s body on the bed.

  “I assume these are the connections for the transfer system, Octavian?”

  “Yes, they were attached to her forehead.”

  Cassiopeia attached them as Octavian instructed. She looked round. “So this is where I came from, or rather my core came from. Strange, I don’t remember anything about it. The furthest back I can remember is being switched on for the first time as the AI for Mylia.”

  “OK, so this is going to be pure luck.”

  Hang on, Tristain; I am going to attempt to get you out.

  “Cassiopeia, as soon as I flick this switch, release Vialantia’s mind. I don’t know what would happen if you were still connected.”

  “OK.”

  “Are you ready?”

  “Yes.”

  Tristain, are you ready? I am going to instigate the transfer. You might have to fight the mind of Vialantia so please be ready.

  I am ready, Octavian. The mad bitch is not going to get away with stealing my body!

  Octavian flicked the switch opposite to the one he had switched before. He glanced across to Tristain’s body. Cassiopeia was standing over her holding her arms. She started to struggle and arched her back. Cassiopeia held her tight, preventing her from removing the connections on her forehead. The struggling stopped and Tristain turned her head towards Octavian.

  “I’m back, please get rid of her.”

  Octavian flicked the same switch he had switched the first time after disabling the avatar.

  Tristain lifted her head; he could see the veins on her neck stand out. She gritted her teeth her face contorted with effort. Octavian was starting to get concerned then without warning she relaxed. “She has gone!”

  Cassiopeia released her grip from Tristain’s arms and removed the connections.

  “Is it Tristain?”

  “Yes, it’s me. She put up a hell of a fight, but when you moved the other switch I was able to push her out. Knowing what to expect made things a lot easier. She caught me by surprise last time! By the way, how did you know?”

  “I didn’t, it was Octavian.”

  Tristain sat up and turned to Octavian, “Well how did you know? She had access to most of my memories, so it must have been almost impossible to tell.”

  Octavian smiled and walked over to her. “There were two things really – first you seemed too pleasant to me to be true, and second - you were calmly going to put that poor creature out of her misery by putting a bullet in her head. Not very like you at all.”

  “Oh, Octavian, I’m sorry I’m not nice to you.” She put her hand up and touched his face. He stepped back.

  Tristain laughed. “Don’t look so worried. It’s strange, but I still have resid
ual memories of her in my body, and I remember that is what she did.”

  “It’s not funny, Tristain. I was worried about you, and we could quite easily have left with her leaving you alone here until the power ran out.”

  “Yes, I’m sorry, Octavian, I am really grateful you came back. When the field went down and I felt the touch of your mind it was the most wonderful feeling of relief. The thing is –what do we do with Vialantia? We cannot leave her here like that.” Octavian turned towards the casket and cautiously touched the mind of the still form.

  Ahhh… No. No, let me out, I cannot stand it, please end it for me please, please…

  Octavian broke the link.

  “Cassiopeia, can you repair that avatar lying over there?”

  She walked over and kneeled down next to the damaged avatar. With a few deft movements, she reconnected the head then commanded it to stand.

  “We can transfer her mind to it can’t we?” Octavian asked. “Especially now the field is down.”

  “Yes, it would be possible to make the transfer to a machine now the field is not preventing integration with the synthetic mind.”

  Tristain stood. “Can’t we remove her from the casket? Maybe it is similar to a normal stasis pod; if it is we should be able to get her body out. It would be far better than transferring her to a rough machine like this. She pointed at the poorly constructed avatar.

  Octavian looked over the clear plastic casket. On the side, away from them and opposite to the console he noticed a small cover marked ‘Core Eject’. He pushed, and it sprang open; inside was a large double switch with a spring-loaded interlock.

  He mentioned it to Tristain. “I think it’s worth a try. As you say it would be far better if we could release her from her prison so she can lead a normal life. Octavian touched Vialantia’s mind again. He moved away quickly as she was just silently screaming.

  He reached down, removed the interlock and pulled the switch.

  “Octavian!” Tristain exclaimed. “What if that isn’t the right way?”

  “Tristain, she is desperate. Madness is taking her – I don’t think she could wait much longer for us to try and find the right way.”