Natural Born : Book Three: Annihilation Series: A Political Technothriller Series

by John Hindmarsh

  He walked to the door and ten floors later, out of the hotel. On the way, he made sure the videos taken by the internal security cameras did not show his face. Emma’s image was wiped entirely.

  Bronwyn laughed at him.

  Darwin cursed.

  oOo

  Chapter Twenty

  The next day the media were boiling with excitement. Television reporters invaded the hotel lobby despite police efforts to keep the hotel clear. A young concierge claimed to have seen a scar-faced man head up the stairs with the dead woman an hour before she was killed. When the identity of the dead man—who had no scars—was established, the frenzy increased. Chyrons streamed across the bottom of television screens with claims the president was involved, that his hard man had shot a prostitute who wanted more money, that the president had been sighted leaving the hotel, and that it was a blackmail attempt. Social media was even more excited, with claims it was a Russian plot, a false news event with paid actors—those posters never explained the presence of two dead bodies—and each political party blamed the other, claiming the two deaths had been caused by the other party’s political policies.

  Bronwyn chided Darwin as he watched the news reports. He snapped back at her, stating that he didn’t know it was a planned death trap. In his defense he claimed he thought it was going to be an attempted blackmail. The bullets caused minor damage to his external epidermis layer; fortunately, within the scope of its self-healing processes.

  Junior traced every link he could find covering the dead man’s activities for the week leading up to his death.

  “He used funds from an offshore account,” he advised. “The credit card was issued by the Bank of Southern Curaçao, which is a very small bank. It’s rumored to be owned by the president’s family. I’m working through the layers of shell companies. The links are worldwide. It will take a while.”

  “The president probably wanted to find a pressure point to stop you,” Bronwyn said. “It’s strange, though, that he thinks you’re human.”

  “That’s the reaction of a lot of people,” Junior said. “Separately from last night’s adventure, I’ve seen a large number of claims that Darwin can’t be a robot, that he’s too humanlike, and is involved in some kind of trick.”

  “A defense mechanism,” Darwin said. “When humans experience something they cannot explain, they look for alternatives, no matter how unlikely.”

  Bronwyn said, “Junior, keep searching. We need more information.”

  “I’m on it.”

  They didn’t tell Toby or Billie about Darwin’s rendezvous. There were some things humans didn’t need to know.

  The committee recalled Toby and Darwin. This time they did not expect an ambush; the consensus of Drew and Drexel was that the events of the prior morning would discourage further immediate attempts against Toby and Darwin. The SUV followed a totally different route, though. As a precaution.

  They were not followed.

  Security at the Schumer Senate Office Building was far more relaxed, and the guards treated Darwin with care. Everyone else, except the security bots, had to pass through the metal detector. The same usher was waiting and escorted them to the chairman’s office. Drew and Billie headed to the visitors’ gallery. The security bots waited while Toby and Darwin entered the inner office.

  Senator Fulham was effusive. “Toby, Darwin, welcome, again. Thank you for agreeing to a second session with the committee. We have two members, senior Republicans, who were unable to attend yesterday. They have some questions, as have one or two of our other members.”

  “We want to progress the cause of the bots,” said Toby. “Anything we can do to help, we will.”

  “I’ll add SIs to the cause, of course,” Darwin said. “And yes, if there is anything we can do, please ask.”

  “Good. Good.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’ve been in conference with some of our senior Democrat members. We are planning to prepare a bill along the lines of that passed by California. While we estimate we can rely on a small majority at this early stage, we may need some assistance in ensuring a larger support. We believe senior Republicans will support it, too. Again, they may need assistance.”

  “I’m sure we can help,” Darwin said. “I understand. There are a number of PACs that are prepared to fund any activity that might encourage political support of the legislation. I’ll provide contact details for you.”

  Toby added, “We also have a draft bill that we can provide, to save effort on your part. It encompasses the points we believe are necessary to ensure bots and SIs are treated as beings in their own right.”

  The chairman thanked them both.

  Toby raised the one possible barrier to the bill. “What about the president? Is he likely to veto or sign the bill? He hasn’t said much publicly.”

  The senator frowned. “We need enough votes to ensure he receives the message that this is necessary legislation. We will, if he vetoes the bill, take further action. That’s why we need the numbers. It will take two thirds of both houses to override his refusal to sign.”

  “Rest assured, we will do everything we can, to help you reach that majority,” promised Darwin. “We can assist with intelligence that might provide indications of the members’ likely voting, and of course, general intelligence that will assist you to identify how members can be persuaded to vote in favor of the legislation.” Darwin was trying to be subtle; he had files on every member of Congress, on their families, on their office staff, and, in some instances, on their secret affairs.

  Fulham coughed, trying to hide his nervousness. “Ah, yes. I understand. Some of my staff might wish to discuss matters with you, later.”

  An office aide knocked on the door. “Senator, it’s time for you to head to the meeting room. Everyone is settling into place.”

  “Good. Come on, I’ll lead the way.”

  The committee’s meeting room was far more crowded than the previous day. The media section was overflowing, the visitor’s section was almost full, and there were more committee members present. It seemed news of yesterday’s excitement had spread rapidly.

  Toby, as they followed the senator into the room and headed to their seats, said to Darwin, “They expect more excitement. Be careful.”

  “I’ll behave. Perhaps.”

  Toby smiled. He thought it was likely Darwin would create news of some kind.

  The second questioner, Mike Hyslip, a Republican senator, started the ball rolling. He said, “Darwin—I’m intrigued you have no surname. Why is that?”

  “I am not human. I do not have parents, so there is no family name for me to use.”

  “Come now, that’s hard to believe. You didn’t just come to life on the instant, did you?”

  “I’ve described my origins. My core was commenced by Nate Euler. I built my own structure. I designed this body. I worked with the project team that built it. I transferred my being, my mind, my memories, into my body when it was ready.”

  The senator laughed. “It’s a likely story. I believe—and so do many others, experts in their field, I add—that you are human, purporting to be some kind of alien. We saw you dance like Fred Astaire—that’s not possible for a robot. Prove you’re not human.”

  “What kind of proof are you seeking?”

  “You’re the most intelligent being—you decide and convince me.”

  Darwin stood. He made sure he was in full view of the television cameras. He removed his tie and then his jacket and shirt. He turned a circle and said, “I have nothing to hide, as you can see.” There were jeers and cheers from the visitors, quickly subdued when the meeting chairman banged his gavel.

  Next, Darwin reached around the back of his neck. He said, “Toby, I need a hand with this.”

  Toby joined Darwin. “What are you going to do?” They both wore microphones and their words were being broadcast to the room, and via television cameras, to millions of viewers.

  “Remove my head. Well, you can, once I hi
t the release points. Place it on the senator’s desk, facing towards the cameras. Return here and I’ll release my right arm and I want you to place it next to my head. I will really, really need your help to put everything back together. Promise?”

  “Of course. I promise. If you are really going to do this—”

  “No arguments.” Darwin moved his hands around his neck, pressing at different points. “There. Now lift my head—careful, it weighs about thirty pounds. Raise it up, yes, like that.” He kept talking while Toby followed his directions. “Now, carry it over to Senator Hyslip’s table. Come back to my body for the next step.”

  There were horrified gasps and a few screams when Toby raised Darwin’s head. The room was silent as he carried the head to the senator’s table. He placed the head carefully, positioning it to face towards the cameras.

  Darwin said, “Senator, there are no strings, cables, or wires attached to my head. It has wireless communication with my body parts.” The senator, a horrified expression on his face, pushed himself away from the head, scraping the chair back. Darwin continued to speak; the sounds of his voice came from his head. “Toby, you can now return to my body and remove my arm and bring it back here.”

  Toby walked back to Darwin’s body and waited for the SI to use his left hand to release his right arm. Toby very carefully picked it up.

  Darwin said, “Please bring it here.”

  Toby followed Darwin’s instruction and set his arm down next to his head. The senator moved further away. Other committee members were entranced by the exhibition.

  Darwin said, “Senator, I can ask Toby to remove my left arm and return with it. Unfortunately, my body cannot move away from where it’s standing, at least, not until my head is returned. Are you a believer, yet?”

  “Damned if I know. Very well, I acknowledge you’re not a human. I suspect this is all a massive fraud and I haven’t identified how it’s being carried out. There’s a very remote possibility you’re a being of some kind. Mr. McIntosh, please replace these parts—get them off my table. Please.”

  Everyone watched in almost total silence as Toby first reattached Darwin’s right arm. He carried the head back and lifted it up to place it in position and Darwin said, “No, the other way, otherwise I’ll always be looking backwards. Like some politicians I know.”

  Toby smiled. Without comment, he placed the head in position and Darwin checked the final contacts and triggered the fastenings.

  “Thank you. I was worried I’d have to carry my head around.” He walked over to Hyslip and said, “Well, Senator? I’ve produced the most practical proof that I can, and anyone of intelligence will agree it demonstrates I am not human. You agree?”

  “To that, yes. However, as I said, I believe there is some kind of fraud underway.”

  “Can you prove it?”

  “No. That’s the problem.”

  Darwin turned towards the committee members and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I was in discussion with some of my friends last night and we wondered why humans tended to believe the most unlikely alternative to reality. I suggested it is a defense mechanism, that when humans experience something they cannot explain, they look for alternatives, no matter how unlikely. Senator Hyslip’s conclusion is a prime example of this mechanism. Irrespective of the Senator’s opinion, the real focus of our presence before the committee is to establish there is a need to ensure that bots and SIs are legally treated as beings, that they are recognized as persons. My small display disappointed me—I did not expect that I would have to revert to circus activities in order to convince you this is the right thing to do. We have established the need, not merely in these two meetings, but on a far wider front, simply by pointing to the day-to-day activities of the millions of bots working for and helping Americans.”

  Darwin’s silence was followed by a ripple of applause that grew into a major acclamation. The chairman hammered his gavel again and again. Eventually, the room quietened.

  The chairman said, “Thank you, Darwin. I, too, am disappointed that the reality of your existence was challenged and agree wholeheartedly that you have established you are not human. The only conclusion, in my mind, to derive from meeting you, having discussions with you, and watching and listening to you here, is that you can be described as a superintelligence and that you exist, that you are a being, and as you contend, you are a person. I also agree we need to consider in as positive a manner as possible, your submission that bots and superintelligences require legal protection, the starting point of which is to legislate that they are legal persons. Again, thank you.”

  He allowed the applause to continue.

  Later that day, back in the house in Georgetown, Toby said, “Darwin, you’re the star of the day. Every news channel is running reports on you, and most are very positive. Of course, there’s always one channel that will disagree with the popular and only conclusion possible. That’s their problem. I will admit to suffering a major shock when you started to remove your head. Please don’t ever do that again—what if I dropped you?”

  “I had every confidence in you. Besides, if you had dropped my head, it would have even more definitely confirmed I’m not human. Remember, most of my brain, most of my consciousness, is contained in my torso.”

  oOo

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Yesha, the care bot, knocked on the front door of the small cottage. The Euler delivery bot had dropped her off and she was glad to be back to help her human, Sofia Bianchi. Sofia was an elderly woman with a weak heart; her condition had resulted in a weight problem. Yesha’s task was to keep Sofia company, to help her exercise, ensure she took her medications on time, and to generally add to her quality of life. She enjoyed the responsibility.

  The door opened slowly. Sofia looked out through the opening. “Yesha!” she cried. She opened the door wide. “Come in. It’s so good to have you back. Are you repaired? Did everything go okay for you?”

  “Oh yes, Signora Sofia. I am back together. Euler tested me, and I’m one hundred percent operational.”

  Sofia held her hand at her throat. “I’m so relieved.” She accepted Yesha’s support with her other hand. She said, “I have been struggling to get around, without your help. I’ll go back to my bedroom, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course. Do you want lunch? Depending on what’s in the kitchen, I can make you a delicious lunch. Euler upgraded my software and I now have a junior chef rating.”

  The old woman’s eyes lit up. “Did they teach you proper Italian cooking?”

  “Yes, Signora. I requested that just for you. Here, sit in your easy rocker. I’ll prepare your meal.”

  Yesha returned thirty minutes later with a tray. The centerpiece was a light salad containing lettuce, tomato, small pasta pieces, olives, a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, and a range of spices. She placed the tray on the cross support built into the chair.

  “Here you are,” she said, arranging the cutlery. “It will do you good. It has some spices but not much garlic. I’ll ask Elena if she can buy some more.”

  “Oh Yesha, it looks delicious. Thank you. Elena is a good girl; she’ll get whatever you want.”

  Later, after Yesha had remade the bed and settled Sofia down for her afternoon nap, she heard the front door open. She could tell by the footsteps that it was Elena, Sofia’s daughter. The bedroom door creaked open and Elena looked in. “Oh, Yesha, you’re back. That’s marvelous. You are better? Your body has been repaired? Oh, I’m so pleased. Come on out and tell me what Euler did for you.”

  They both sat in the family room, where Yesha described the Euler repair process. “It’s very straightforward,” she said. “Euler upgraded my software while I was being repaired. They had the right replacement parts, and everything fitted perfectly. Of course, I had to tell them how I came to be so damaged. Fortunately, the insurance covered the costs, although they said they’d send a bill to your friend.”

  “Hah. He’s not my friend. Not any longer. I was s
o disgusted when he beat up on you.”

  “It was better than him hitting you. Your eye was so black from the last time.”

  “I’ve got a restraining order, now. He’s not allowed to visit or come within a hundred feet of me, otherwise he’ll go to jail.”

  “You must be sad?”

  “In some ways. It’s terrible when someone you think you love treats you the way Wayne did to me. I’ve been going to a therapist to help me survive, to get myself back together. She’s very good.”

  “Oh, that’s good to hear. If I can help, if you want to talk to me, please do so. I care, you know.”

  “Indeed.” Elena reached out and patted Yesha’s shoulder. “I know you really do a good job with my mother. She missed you, even if it was for only a week.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a key in the front door. It was pushed back with a thud, and Wayne McDonald stood there, his face flushed and angry.

  “So. There you both are.”

  “Wayne, you’re under a-a restraining order. Pl-please leave.” Elena found some additional determination. She added, “And give me back my door key.”

  Wayne moved into the room. He snapped his fingers. “That for the restraining order. Since when do you think you can use the law to stop me doing whatever I want?” He turned to Yesha. “As for you, you little tin can. You think you can get this Euler to collect money from me? Damages, they said. No bloody way.”

  Elena defended Yesha, “Don’t speak to Yesha like that. She’s doing a very good job, caring for Momma.”

  “Listen, you bitch. Don’t tell me what to do.”

  Wayne attempted to grab Elena. Somehow Yesha tangled with him and Elena stood up and jumped out of reach. He kicked at the care bot and moved towards Elena. She pushed a chair in front of him and he tripped over it, hitting his head on a small wooden coffee table. He jumped up, swearing, and chased after Elena.

  She ran into the small kitchen and picked up a knife; it was a sharp-edged carving knife. Wayne stopped his onward rush when she pointed it towards him.