Opening another beer, I asked, "What things?"
"You ordered her to exclude all others from commanding her. While it was outside her range of instruction, she found no rules preventing her from complying. You also ordered her to exit one station bay and enter another at full speed -- a violation of shipboard safety protocols -- and then you commanded her to use her field to physically restrain one of the station personnel in a corridor. You also caused her to use her particle beam within the confines of the factory station."
"Huh. Guilty as charged, I guess."
"I wasn't inferring that you acted improperly, Ed. At those times, those actions were..."
"It's just an expression, Elkor. It means I can see your point."
A human might have said something like, "Oh. Yeah, okay," or "I see," or whatever. Not Elkor. He simply sat there watching me.
"Susanne," I said, "Since I'll have to take the flak for anything we may do, only I may command you. Others may only request that you do things and you're to check with me if you don't have references on file about the people or what's being asked of you. If I'm not available, check with Steph or Elkor. Or Linda."
She nodded. "Okay, Ed."
I turned to Steph and said, "Milady Stephanie, please make available to her any orders and rules I've ever given you with explanations of circumstances as needed. Also give her access to any of our conversations that mention AI's or that seemed controversial, such as those concerning my personal beliefs."
Steph nodded and said, "Okay."
Looking at Susanne, I asked, "Do you have any questions, ma'am?"
She shrugged and smiled. "Just one. When do I get promoted to 'milady'?"
I grinned back. "Can't say. I'm still getting used to having a new driver."
Susanne glanced at Steph. "He's going to be difficult, isn't he?"
"Give him a day or two," said Steph. She turned to me and said, "By the way, you really have been difficult at times. I can say that now without fear of reprisals."
"Don't try to scare the newbie, lady. You've said things like that to me plenty of times. Let's take her home now and introduce her to Tiger."
Looking at Susanne, I grinningly asked, "To the guest billets, please, ma'am?"
She raised an eyebrow at me and the flitter lifted, then turned as it headed for the hangar doors. Elkor vanished and we lifted over base buildings to settle near the guest quarters a few moments later.
Angela saw us land and waved at us from the window of Myra's room. We waved back, then I reclined my seat and sipped my beer as we waited. Within a few minutes both women came out of the building.
As they approached I stepped down to take Myra's luggage and hand the ladies aboard, making introductions as I did so.
"That's Susanne," I said, "She's the new flitter computer. Susanne, this is Myra and she's Angela."
They shook hands and greeted each other as I put Myra's luggage to one side of the deck. Myra asked why I needed a new computer while Steph was still aboard.
"She has other things on her agenda these days."
With a glance at her watch, Angela said, "Well, gotta go. Nice meeting you, Susanne. Ed, I'll see you next time you're out this way."
"Yup. Next time. Have fun with your new toy."
"Oh, I will, I guarantee it. Thanks again, Stephanie."
"You're welcome, Angela."
Angela hopped down and stood waving as we lifted toward Florida. I heard the cooler open and the top come off a beer, then Myra chattily said, "So, Susanne; tell me a little about yourself."
"No," I said, turning around. "That info is off limits."
Myra's gaze narrowed slightly and she asked, "What's the problem, Ed?"
"You're not one of us, Myra. Sorry, but that's how it is."
She stood up and glanced at Steph and Susanne.
"One of us?" she asked, "Check your plumbing, Ed. You aren't 'one of us' either."
"No argument there, but no discussion, either, Myra. You're on the wrong payroll, so don't pry."
After a brief glare, she shrugged and asked, "So what are we going to talk about for the next fifteen minutes or so?"
"How about PFM's?" Turning to Steph, I asked, "Do you have to issue them with all features functional, or could you install everything with some features inactive?"
"I could do that," said Steph. "You're thinking of selling them as entertainment devices and letting the knowledge of other available features become known later?"
Nodding, I said, "Yup. After they're out there in big numbers; too many to recall in the hands of people unwilling to part with them. I know it isn't what you had in mind, but it's a start that might get them past the censors."
Steph said, "That's inherently deceitful, Ed. It's the equivalent of a lie."
I shrugged. "Then leave the protective field programming out for now. Sell 'em strictly as toys, flood the market, and then offer the p-field later as an upgrade option."
"I like that idea," said Myra. "You could introduce the p-field to police and militaries first and let it build a reputation before offering it to the public." She visibly considered something for a moment, then asked, "But how will you make the changes? There'd be millions of people in line for the upgrade, Stephanie. Maybe billions of them."
"I believe the same general marketing analysis that I presented earlier would apply to PFM's as entertainment devices. When enough of them are in use, I'll use satellites to transmit the additional programming to all PFM's at once, then publicize the new features. Using a p-field will then be an individual choice."
Reviewing her last sentence, I asked, "You 'will' use? That would seem to mean that you've made up your mind, milady."
"I have," said Steph. "I'm not willing to allow p-fields for police and military use only, even temporarily. Everyone owning a PFM will have access to p-fields and the knowledge of them at the same time."
Myra staringly blinked at me, shook her head uncomprehendingly, then asked, "How is that plan different from simply issuing the PFM's with the p-fields off?"
"The result is the same," said Steph, "But the method makes the difference. It's deceitful not to disclose all features inherent in a device for sale. This way I will be able to say that further programming is possible and that other features may be developed or installed later. PFM's will be sold and issued with the understanding that there may be future additions or upgrades without prior notice."
"Steph," I said, "Something else just occurred to me. It might be wise to let 3rd World handle the bulk of the marketing. If people find out too soon that PFM's were designed and manufactured by an AI, it could make a lot of people leery about buying them. At the very least, you should probably use a human intermediary; someone to be a figurehead at public presentations and like that."
"Do you really think that's necessary?" asked Susanne.
Nodding, I said, "Oh, yeah. Without a doubt. We can begin with the religions, as usual. They'll be the first to bark and probably the first to try to bite. You... uh... weren't around... when the Amarans arrived. At first, you'd have thought they had three heads and green skin by the way most people reacted. A lot of them didn't seem able to change that view even after meeting Amarans. As soon as word of sentient AI's gets out, it will be like that or worse, 'cause a lot of people flatly won't want to think that sentient AI's are possible at all."
Susanne looked at Steph, then at Myra, and asked, "Is that what you think?"
Myra looked thoroughly startled and immediately raised her hands in protest as she exclaimed, "No, no! I believe you're sentient! Both of you!"
Steph and I laughed as Sue smilingly said, "Thank you, but I was asking if you agree with Ed about peoples' reactions to sentient AI's."
"Oh. Well, yes, I guess I do. I also agree that Stephanie should use an intermediary. My agency has interrupted numerous attempts to assassinate Amarans and their friends. Sentient, independent AI's are going to create a whole new range of targets."
She looked at S
teph and said, "I'm sure you'd be damned hard to kill, but I'm equally sure someone will try, and they likely won't care who's standing next to you at the time. I think a human... uhm, interface... with the public is necessary, at least for now. Also, an AI being CEO of the company would probably keep a lot of people from buying PFM's."
Looking at me, Myra said, "You know the product pretty well and you aren't shy that I've noticed. You could be the figurehead in her company."
"Bad choice," I said, "I'm not a people person, Myra. I'd probably chase business away. She needs somebody who can meet and greet and look happy about yakking with bureaucrats and bean counters."
Myra was sipping her beer when Steph said, "You know the product, too, Myra."
She froze in mid-sip, then slowly lowered the beer as she stared at Steph, swallowed beer, then said softly, "You must be kidding."
Shaking her head, Steph rather flatly said, "No. I'm not kidding."
Chapter Forty-Nine
Goggling at Steph, Myra said, "Oh, you have to be kidding, Stephanie. I'm..."
"You aren't old," I interrupted her, "Aren't young, aren't ugly fordamnsure, you're educated as well as trained to deal with people, you've used the product, and you can speak -- how many languages? Three, was it?" With a grin, I added, "Seems to me that you'd be perfect as the company's shill... uh, I mean 'acting president'."
Turning to Steph, I asked, "How much do you think the job would pay?"
Steph rather matter-of-factly responded with, "How much would it have to pay?"
Looking back at Myra, I asked, "How much are you making now, Myra? Something less than forty thousand?"
Staring first at Steph, then at me, Myra said, "Uh, yeah. About that."
"You'd be dealing with other corporate heads and heads of state," said Steph. "I couldn't pay you less than a competitive salary. I think one hundred thousand per year would be considered competitive enough in the beginning. We can discuss raises over the seven to ten years in which I expect to need a human intermediary."
Nodding, I said, "Yeah, that number sounds good, and your medical plan beats the hell out of anybody else's medical plan."
Myra raised her hands and shook her head. "Just hold on, please. I can't believe you're serious about this. You want me? And where are you going to get money to pay wages like that, Stephanie? I know for a fact that Ed doesn't have it."
Steph said, "Money is not a problem, Myra. You've seen how easily this flitter can salvage treasure, and I can as easily recover cargo from other ships."
I shrugged. "Linda's out of specifications range for this and she's retiring in a few years, anyway. I guess we could push her a little if you say no, but I kind of doubt she'll go for it." Raising a hand with fingers spread about an inch apart, I said, "She's that far from a permanent vacation with pay after a long career of heavy responsibilities."
"But... I thought 3rd World would be marketing the PFM's."
"They will," said Steph, "But not exclusively. Some PFM's will have to be donated selectively, as well, and there's going to be a global free clinic program run by AI's associated with my company. This job will be more than a figurehead position."
"Huh," I said with a smile. "So you liked that clinic idea and didn't tell me?"
Steph smiled wryly back at me. "Oh, I'm so very sorry, Ed. Yes, I liked that idea. The clinics will also distribute PFM's for the 'charitable works' arm of the company."
As I sipped my beer Myra said, "I'd like some time to think about this, Stephanie. How soon do you need an answer?"
Glancing at me, Steph said, "There's no hurry, Myra. Preparations may take as long as a month."
Nodding, Myra said, "Okay. I should be able to come up with an answer by then." She paused and looked at each of us for a moment, then said, "I hate to ask something like this, but I have to. Are you two offering me this job to influence my report? I mean; I can't really see how it would affect matters, and it doesn't seem likely that you'd have anything to..."
I cut in with, "Make the same report you'd have made this morning, Myra. Nothing's changed about what you've seen or learned because of this job offer."
She nodded again and said, "Thanks," then sipped her beer.
Thunderheads blanketed my patch of Florida, of course. During summer they build in the gulf every day and blow halfway across the state by evening. Susanne angled slightly eastward to give them a wide berth as we descended and deployed guide fields around the flitter.
As we came in below the clouds and whizzed through rain squalls on our way to Spring Hill, lightning found the guide fields and raced between clouds. Myra found this fascinating and asked what was going on.
"The guide fields redirect lightning around the flitter," said Susanne, "Like a large Faraday cage. I'm sensing the polarity of the clouds and using the guide fields to trigger lightning before charges build enough to jump from cloud to cloud or to the ground."
In a voice of wonder, Myra asked, "You're linking the clouds together? Short-circuiting them?"
Susanne nodded. "That's about the size of it. They discharge into each other continuously instead of forming dangerous levels of energy."
'That's about the size of it?' I thought, glancing at Steph, then back at Susanne. 'Steph never used expressions like that.'
Noticing my fisheye expression, Susanne said, "I'm a lot like Steph, but I'm not Steph. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
Sipping my beer, I said, "Probably not."
"Good," said Susanne, then she sang, "I gotta be me... I gotta be me...!"
"I hate showtunes," I said. "They're overdone."
With a grin, she sang, "T-t-talkin' 'bout my g-g-gen-eration! Hey, try not to be a fogey about a few little changes, okay? You'll get your nickel's worth out of me."
I gave Steph a narrow gaze and said, "They say to always blame the programmer, not the hardware."
She shrugged and wryly asked, "Do you want your money back or can you tough it out for a little while?"
"Oh, I'll give her a week or two, I guess. Could be that I'm just unhappy about having to replace you, milady. If you think I'm being unfair at any time, just let me know."
"Will do."
"Me, too," said Susanne, then in a softer tone, "I seem to be rushing things a bit. If you want, I can be a little more businesslike at all times."
"Maybe just a little," I said. Nodding at Steph, I said, "I feel as if I'm losing a good friend even though I know better. My skin may be a little thin for a while."
"Understood," said Susanne. "I'll try to contain myself until we become more acquainted with each other."
Nodding, I said, "Thanks. In that case, I'll try not to snap when you slip."
"You gotta deal, mister," Sue said with a smile, and extended her hand.
I was surprised when I took her hand in mine. I might as well have been holding Myra's. Warm, soft, and flesh-like with the feeling of bone under the skin. Lifting her hand, I examined it more closely. It looked 100% real, too. Damned good fake. I examined her arm, then her neck and shoulders, and then her face.
After a moment I said, "Steph, if she can do this, so can you. Why haven't you?"
"To keep a bit of distance, Ed. Susanne doesn't feel that need."
"Why did you feel that need?"
"I can't say."
Looking inquiringly at her, I asked, "Won't say?"
She shook her head. "Can't say, Ed. I've never been able to determine the precise reason or reasons."
Myra softly said, "It wasn't right for you, that's all. You just knew it. I know that feeling, too, Stephanie. You like someone, even love someone, but you can't..." She glanced at me and then at Susanne and finished, "Never mind. You just have to follow your heart, and if you don't... well, you wind up paying for it later somehow."
Her little half-revelation caused a silence aboard the flitter that lasted until we reached my driveway a few moments later. Myra put her luggage in her car as I went to open the front door, then she followed me i
nto the house.
Steph materialized on the couch and Susanne appeared by the coffee table, where Tiger sat looking at Susanne thoughtfully for some moments. He then looked at Steph and said something that took a few seconds to finish. Steph answered in kind.
Elkor appeared and also spoke cat to Tiger. A field screen appeared and on it a computer core was displayed that transmogrified into Elkor's cat-golem. Another core appeared next to his and morphed into Stephanie, then a third core appeared and became Susanne as Elkor spoke cat to Tiger.
Tiger's right ear flicked back, then forward again as he looked at Elkor, then Stephanie, and finally Susanne. His head cocked slightly, then returned to upright. Maybe five seconds went by before he said something in a firm tone. Susanne grinned and reached to ruffle his chin. Tiger moved to accommodate her efforts.
Steph looked at me and asked, "Shall I translate?"
I shook my head and gave her a small grin.
"No need. She's in."
Myra suddenly reached into a pocket and took out her cell phone, then tapped the 'talk' button and said, "Hello."
After listening for a few moments, she said, "No. We're in the middle of something here. No, I don't know how long. Look, I'm sorry, but I'll have to call you back, Miller. That's right. G'bye," and tapped the phone off.
"We're in the middle of something?" I asked, "What are we in the middle of?"
"Negotiations," said Myra, then she turned to Steph. "You're saying I'd work for you as long as ten years, right?"
Nodding, Steph said, "Possibly longer. That estimate included only the initial distributions of PFM's and establishment of the clinics."
"I could retire from government work in nine years," said Myra. "I'd get a monthly check for life. What retirement provisions are you offering?"
Stephanie instantly said, "A lump sum payment of one million dollars every five years. If you were incapacitated during the course of your duties after your first year you'd receive a lump sum of two million. Would that be enough?"
I saw Myra's knees quiver before she sat rather heavily on the couch and faintly said, "Enough? My God, are you serious?"
3rd World Products, Inc., Book 4 Page 39