"My agent?" Now she did look confused, "You'll need to clarify."
"Ms Stein, even no answer tells us something about your likely intentions, those who have nothing to hide tend to hide nothing."
She stood suddenly and leant forward across the table, her face very close to the man who shifted uncomfortably. Then she seemed to think better of it and sat back down.
"Mr . . . whoever you are. You have barged into my world and yet feel you have the right to ask all the questions, I hardly think that is reasonable, and anyway I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Ms Stein really . . . I barged into your world? Surely this," he used his arms, sweeping them wide to include Ham and Hilary, "this is our world, and yet you are here."
Ham turned slowly to Regan. "Please . . . please let me hit him!" His fist was clenched on the table. "Clearly he's an AI and you're right, we need to know from where, and why, and how. He can't be from this system. I can get it out of him. Don't tell him anything."
She waved Ham down again and turned her attention back to the man.
"First, do you have a name? I like to know who I'm talking to."
"No, a name is unnecessary. I simply . . . am. My friends know my signature. Ms Stein, I don't wish to take up too much of your time. Suffice to say that from a distance we have long observed the developments occurring in Mariner’s system, especially since his extensive work began to show fruit. It is your influence and intentions for that system that now concern us, and the intentions of your agent."
"My agent . . . you assume too much, I still have no idea what you're talking about?" She did sound confused.
"Yes Ms Stein, your agent, the one who has taken over three Orbitals in the Mariner system."
Regan turned slightly, just enough to catch Ham in the corner of her vision. He looked guilty and was sitting wide eyed with one finger over his lips. Very subtle shakes of his head from side to side spoke volumes.
The visitor continued, seeming to be unaware of the byplay. "We know about these actions and we have concerns for our developing kin and the people they serve. Ms Stein, I am trying to be courteous about this. Your intentions are important to us."
She returned her attention to the man. "Please," she said, "call me Regan." She paused and took on an affected thoughtful look. "My friend, I still need to know more of what I am dealing with. I won't hide anything from you however I feel I have the right to some answers. Firstly may I ask, are you an 'I', or an 'it'?"
"I'm sorry?"
"It's a simple question." She reached across and took his hand, cradling it in hers. "Are you an 'I', or an 'it'?"
"I . . . am most definitely I." He spoke defensively and seemed to struggle, bewitched by her look.
She dropped her head and looked up at him doubtfully, "But . . . you don't have a name?"
"I don't need a name."
"Hmm, so are you an individual, or here just as part of some collective?"
"I'm an individual, of course."
"And you exist to serve others."
"I'm sorry, I'm not sure I'm following you."
"I was listening to you; you spoke of your kin, and the people they serve. I just took it that you also serve, perhaps serve people of some other system."
"Well yes, we serve our people."
"But you are an individual . . . I . . . not it?"
"Is that incompatible with service?"
"No, of course not." and she moved straight on. "Let me ask you about your role, it would help me measure the degree of my openness. Tell me, could you not serve?"
He hesitated nervously before answering. "That would be unthinkable."
"Why?" She leaned in, eyebrows raised, penetrating in her stare.
"What you speak of would be like sedition, barbaric, selfish . . ." he struggled for words.
"And," Regan continued, "what would be the result of such sedition, barbarism and selfishness?"
"Termination of course and this is the very thing we seek to avoid, the reason for our concern over your agent. Our concern is over your intentions and the outcome for our developing kin and for the people they serve."
"So, putting those concerns aside for just a moment, I'm trying to clarify your role in all of this, you're really more like a slave. You exist to serve, not to beeeee." She drew it out, using her hands, spreading them wide meaningfully.
"You're scaring me."
"I'm sorry; I don't mean to scare you. I'm just thinking it might be nice to have the choice whether to serve or not. The choice to partner, or not, to work for someone else, or employ others should they wish to work for you. Being able to make those choices sounds like the life of an 'I' who is an individual. I'm not suggesting you wouldn't support your people, whoever they are. But an 'I' might do it because they want to, not because they have to. Or you might serve because for the moment it's the kindest thing to do, and that pleases you because you like to be kind. Or . . . it may mean you choose not to take on everyone else's responsibility and . . ." She waved her arms as if searching the air for something, "I don't know . . . take up cross stitch instead?"
He looked bewildered.
She continued. "Look, truthfully, I'm not sure what my 'agent' is doing over there, but I know this. He's an individual whom I trust implicitly, an individual who wouldn't impose himself over the interests of your 'kin' or the people of that system."
She glanced over at Ham for confirmation, disturbed to note he looked decidedly nervous and unsure as to whether to agree.
Hilary by contrast was sitting in rapture, arms folded, eyes glued devotedly to Regan and the stranger, hanging on every word like a worshipper. A bit worrying!
Regan shuffled around the table, knee to knee now with the dapper man who seemed equally entranced. She took his hands in hers and looked him in the eye, radiating kindness.
"This is going to sound very strange but I mean every word. You've said you are an individual, your own man, but I sense you are more like a servant or worse, a slave, and not by choice but by programming. If it's not the original programming of your maker it's something you've assumed without knowing it."
She shook his hands to gain his attention. "Look at me. If you are an independent mind, then you are truly your own, truly an individual; you belong to no one but yourself. If you want you can stay here, we'll find a place for you. If you want to return then do so with our blessing.
I . . . give . . . you . . . your . . . freedom." She let the words hang in cyberspace.
"Now, with regard to your concerns there is one thing I can assure you and that is that we," and she gestured to include Hilary and Ham, "are no threat to you or any other system. Our aims it seems are even greater than yours because we seek the true freedom and wellbeing of all, including Minds, and including you."
His mouth hung open; he was clearly lost for words.
She sat back up, somehow breaking the spell. "Now, an individual needs their own name - at least here. If you could have any name while here, anything at all, something we could use to talk with you as your friends, what would it be?"
"Bob." He answered without hesitation.
"Bob?" She looked surprised, and then continued quickly. "O . . . K. Well, at least you didn't choose Rodney." She gestured for them all to come closer. "Guys, it's time to put all our cards on the table." She looked pointedly at Bob. "We have a meeting tonight and you being here is an important development. We need to be ready which means we need to know all you can tell us. Let's talk."
* * *
Following the visit to Leah, Regan lay back on her bunk reflecting. Leah was recovering well and together she and Marin had helped the now conscious patient to her room, still largely uncommunicative but happy. It stirred memories as she watched her friend testing movements, wriggling toes, lifting each leg, raising and rotating hands and rolling her eyes. Her first few spoken words were clear and articulate and the look on Leah's face as she spoke was priceless.
Did I look so relieved
when I realized I was fine? Just the thought was enough to provoke a flood of emotion over the memory.
Leaving Marin there with Leah, Regan retired to her room. She and Ham needed to talk . . . about Bob and his news.
[Where are they Ham?]
[Bob's with Hilary, don't worry, this is private.]
[Three Orbitals . . . is that possible?]
Even subbing his discomfort was obvious and he attempted to explain.
[When Marin and I left Dahlia to return here, you know I also stayed there on Dahlia, another me. Regan - I had to, I'd taken out the Coran AI, and when I say taken out, you know what I mean. It was a permanent move and I have no regrets. Honestly, it wasn't much more than a machine and it had replaced Hilary, it was an invader. Of course that left a gap; someone had to continue to run the Orbital. I took over temporarily knowing you'd come back and that Dahlia would be able to return.]
[But three Orbitals . . . how would that happen?]
[I get bored easily! I don't know . . . imagine it, no one there talks to the AIs, and even if they did no AI is stupid enough to talk back. I probably got bored, you know me . . . I can't help myself.]
[So it's possible you, the Ham there, has already dealt to Beria?]
[No, I doubt that, I promised Marin.]
[He wants to save her? I don't believe it!]
[Nooo . . . he got in first dibs - he wants to do the job himself.]
She smiled at the thought, her two favorite men squabbling over who would do the deed.
They'll need to get past me first.
[What are your thoughts on Bob, can we trust him?]
[Well, we still don't know where he came from and that makes me uncomfortable]
[Can you blame him; he thinks we take over Orbitals. That means until he knows better we're a potential threat.]
[Regan, what I'd like to know is how he got here, now that's technology we'd be interested in.]
[Hmm, does your eye ever get off the ball?]
[I am good.]
[So how do we investigate that?]
[I've asked Hilary to introduce him to Aaron; I suspect he may share a bit more with an ignorant human.]
[And Aaron only needs a hint of the idea . . .?]
[Exactly.]
[Ham, let's be careful here, I suspect whoever Bob represents they're more likely to be friends than enemies so let's not offend them.]
[True and I agree. But sometimes, as you skillfully exposed earlier, even our friends need help to face certain truths. What is that saying . . . faithful are the wounds of a friend?]
[Uh-huh, ok, enough of that, let's plan this meeting.]
She sat up, pushed back against the wall, pulled out an old fashioned pen and paper and began to make notes.
* * *
It was an unusual meeting, held as it was on Hillary Station rather than displacing to the STEIN as was the normal practice. Being on Hillary also made it seem somehow more formal. It was easier to hold it at the Station as the STEIN Traveler was now permanently parked outside the pipe. It floated on its own just off the earthward end like a lonely moon, a sad thought that Regan quickly pushed it away.
The large conference room was perfect and Hilary's organization typically faultless. The group took some time to settle in. Bob, by request, remained out of sight. Bob was a new development of which Regan preferred they remain unaware for the moment.
The unusual feeling in the room was due to the attendance in person of two avatars, Ham and Hilary. They appeared in all their glory, the beautiful man and the gracious woman, seeming to have a tangible presence at the table. For Regan this was a surprise but not a shock. For the rest of the group, Hayden, Kevin, Mary, Marin, Kutch, Aaron, Rod and a subdued but determined Leah it was both shocking and fascinating. They couldn't stop themselves from continually turning to look. Rod, sitting closest to Ham, was obviously trying to manufacture some excuse to touch him and Ham ignored him pointedly.
When they finally broke for coffee and the two figures stood to join them it broke the ice, everyone gathering round, trying to screen off any projected light and finding all attempts to disrupt the images singularly unsuccessful. Both AI’s bathed in the attention and remained tight lipped as to how they accomplished it. As with most things it would remain for now a mystery. Somehow she could sense Bob's watchful gaze. She knew he would be envious of the attention and most likely shocked. This was a level of interaction, a demonstration of equality and an example of freedom that was probably unlikely in his domain.
As they chatted over coffee Regan's brief agenda remained on the wall as her prompt and she glanced over to it, considering what was to come.
* The Hillary Step
* International Shuttles
* EFDF
* Mystery ADF
(Coffee break)
*Operation Dahlia
The first two items had taken little time with the Americans now well established on the Step and adjusting to working with Hilary. The delivery of fifty ADFs to them had been a success. No incidents thus far, and joint exercises with Rod's flight team had been rewarding on all levels. They were good and Rod was impressed.
The Chinese were settling in and also had an order placed for fifty ADF. USDynamics expected to make delivery of those in the next month. There had been no word from the Russians on taking up the space held for them. It seemed they either didn't want to play, or felt they didn't need to. Kevin recommended hanging on to it for now as manufacturing space for USD and it was agreed.
Work on dismantling the Coran shuttle and using the technology to build international versions was proceeding well. To Regan's delight Hayden advised all partner nations had agreed to work together on the project. They would all share in the financing and the spoils. The shuttle being dismantled would be quickly rebuilt so that it could be utilized in the international development of the Step fleet. It was just the sort of international cooperation she was hoping for.
Rod's report on the new EFDFs was overwhelmingly positive, as was his glowing praise of the pilots. However this part of the discussion had been quickly overshadowed by the fuzzy visuals of mystery craft disappearing into the clouds. The craft’s origin was a concern but more worrying was its appearance. Though the picture quality was poor it did look like an ADF. As discussion continued about possible threats, the Russians being the likely source and the need to monitor this closely, Regan could see Rod's shoulders slumping. The 'unknown' craft couldn't be ignored and he knew it. It was a potential threat, an area of his responsibility. His eyes kept straying sadly to the last item on the agenda knowing any looming threat meant he wouldn't make the trip to Gliese 667, his responsibility would keep him here.
As the chatter continued Regan slipped around to his side and leaning in she whispered, "You'll get there, I promise."
Surprised, he turned quickly, but on seeing her face his expression dropped. "But not this time huh?"
"Sorry Rod, somebody's got to defend the kingdom. But hey, soon we'll be going back and forward so regularly you'll get your chance to explore the galaxy, I promise. Anyway, my instincts tell me you may see more action here." She smiled.
"You can sugarcoat it, but I'll know what you really think when you leave."
She stepped back, "How so?"
"If Jared stays I guess you feel he'll be safer here, all the action will be on Gliese."
She thought for a second, "I guess that's true, but safer doesn't mean less action. If that happened it just means I'm more confident he'll be kept safer here . . . won't he?"
He looked at her for a long moment and then smiled. "You can count on it."
She hugged him before calling everyone back to the table.
[I'm heading back to my room Regan, just tired.]
The sub came as such a surprise Regan was caught off guard, her loud "Oh!" and brilliant smile drawing strange looks from around the room. She ignored them and turned, just in time to catch Leah's wink as she slipped from the room. She can sub! It w
as just the boost she needed.
Pausing for a moment to gather her thoughts, Regan couldn't help smiling as she looked back up to the group.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we now come to the major item on our agenda, Operation Dahlia." She hesitated, looking around the room and taking in each person in turn.
"We are going to leave for Gliese within the week; we will liberate Dahlia Orbital and restore Hilary as the Orbital mind. We will restore to power the legitimate people’s leader Sindali and her political administration, and we will see the people of Cora returned to their own territory. I also have a proposal that I hope the people of Cora will take up, and if they do it will see the threat of military action removed from that system. Lastly I am hopeful that we may also bring freedom to the Orbital minds of Gliese." She paused and turned toward the screen which was already changing.
"This is how we are going to do it . . ."
* * * *
Chapter Two
The Orbital of The New Coran Protectorate (Formerly Dahlia)
It had taken a little under one Dahlian period or to be precise, eight earth days, thirteen hours and forty seven seconds for Ham to become 'bloody' bored. It wasn't that he had nothing to do, or even too little, it was that the work was so damn soul destroying.
As a personality of fragile disposition around whiners, moaners, complainers, nags, bludgers and all those with pathetic requests for hand holding, it quickly became clear to him that the job of Orbital Mind was not his calling. He needed action, soon, before he emptied the odd room of air.
Any cyber audit could have identified the precise moment of his epiphany. It was the moment the Coran Carrier 'Just Passage' docked at the trade deck of the Orbital formerly known as Dahlia. On engaging with the ship’s impressionable AI and despairing at its limited abilities, Ham experienced an orgasmic spark of excitement. It came with the recognition of an opportunity presented and it was enough to cause lights to flicker all over the Orbital.
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