Linda also said, “Field two on,” and seemingly disappeared. Her cell phone lifted from the desk, hung suspended for a moment, and then returned to the desktop.
"I'm having a little difficulty knowing exactly where my hands are,” she said. “When I reached for the phone my aim was off."
"You'll get used to that,” I said. “Just be careful in china shops."
Wallace chuckled and tried his invisibility mode as Linda said, “Field two off. We have some things to consider, people. I don't think invisibility should be available to the general public. A few people out there aren't completely honest, you know."
"Field two off,” said Wallace. He examined his hands and muttered, “Damn! That's fantastic!"
"Agreed, Linda,” said Steph. “I'd planned offering only the protective mode to the public, with additional options such as parasails or other sporting functions."
Nodding, Linda said, “That should be all right."
I felt someone behind me and said, “Three suit on,” then vanished as I stood up.
Quietly circling widely around and behind Angela, I reached about where I thought her waist would be and made contact.
She screeched and laughed, then moved away from my hands as she almost yelled, “How did you know I was behind you?!"
Rather than—for the umpteenth time—try unsuccessfully to explain to someone, I said, “See if you can feel it when our fields come close to each other."
Steph, of course, had no trouble seeing us. She looked right at me with a raised, questioning eyebrow when I told Angela to try to feel our fields.
"Angela,” said Steph, “You're groping in slightly the wrong direction. Ed is to your left somewhat."
"Groping? I'm not groping!"
"By all dictionary definitions, you're groping."
Angela's hand bumped my left arm and she grabbed it. “Found you."
"Yeah, but did you feel the fields touch?"
Her hand released my arm and slowly returned to it.
"No. I don't think so."
I sighed loudly. “And I thought women were supposed to be sensitive creatures."
She slapped my arm as she said, “We are, dammit."
"Ow. Assault. Battery. I'm gonna sue. She hit me."
Linda shook her head as she rose to go to the coffee pot and rather conversationally said, “Oh, you poor thing. Won't you need a witness?"
Laughing, Wallace rose to join her and grabbed a cup.
"I didn't see anything, Ed,” he said as he operated the push-top thermos to fill Linda's cup, then his own.
I sent a field tendril to search for Angela's leg. She screeched again when it touched her thigh and nearly knocked over a chair getting away from it.
"Whatthehellwasthat?!” she yelled.
"What was what?” I asked, “I didn't see anything, ma'am."
"Don't wreck my office, you two,” said Linda as she sat down at her desk. “Make yourselves reappear and let's get on with the program."
"Oh, yes, milady,” I said, “By your command, milady. Three suit off, milady."
Casting a tendril in a waist-high, four-foot circle around me, I waited. Sure enough, Angela blundered into it as she approached me, still invisible. Again she screeched, but this time more softly. I canceled the tendril as Wallace laughed again.
"Damn it,” said Angela, “Field two off,” reappearing with her hands trying to find the thing that had touched her. “What the hell was that, Ed?"
"It was something I can do with my implant that you can't do with your stick-on, ma'am."
She gave me a mock-glower, then moved past me to get a cup of coffee. I followed and got one of my own, then we returned to our chairs.
Steph was standing where she'd been, surveying Angela and me with a rather schoolteacher-ish air about her.
Linda looked around the room once, then archly said, “Stephanie, I believe you had the floor. Please continue."
Wallace glanced at me and rolled his eyes at Linda's starchy pose. Angela stifled a snicker as he clowned.
"At present,” said Steph, “These units are limited because I don't know what other features you'd want. If you say 'field three on', both your protective and invisibility modes will function at the same time."
Looking at Angela, she said, “Because you showed such interest in Ed's glider, your PFM will also generate a hang glider and a parasail. How would you like to summon them?"
"Uh, well, 'Glider on' or 'parasail on', I guess. Like Ed does."
Steph nodded and said, “Done. You may also color them green, red, blue, black, or grey in the same manner. In all of these PFM's, use of glider or parasail functions will automatically include activation of your protective field."
Wallace said, “Jesus H! Just like that you're done?"
"Yup,” I said. “Just like that she's done. Steph's pretty good with computer stuff, Wallace."
That got me a narrow look from Wallace and a giggle from Angela.
Steph said, “Captain Wallace, you've had airborne training, so I'm adding a parasail to your functions. As with Angela's, simply say 'parasail on'."
Staring at his PFM in wonderment, Wallace said, “Thank you, Stephanie. By God, it's hard to believe there's something like that inside something so small. It's about the same thing as magic, isn't it?"
With a small smile, Steph said, “Yes, I believe it is."
Linda sat back and sipped her coffee in silence for some moments, then said, “I think we'd better run this whole idea past some lawyers before we sell or issue PFM's to anyone else. I can almost see the liability suits stacking up from people killing themselves with parasails and gliders."
"It won't be because they were defective,” I said. “Besides, we can make them available only to trained jumpers and flyers and require a waiver."
"That might not be enough, Ed."
"It's all any regular manufacturer seems to need, but what the hell. Let the legal department put together a zero-risk sale and use agreement. How soon do you think we can get this project underway?"
She looked at Steph, then back at me, and pursed her lips before speaking.
"Regarding the protective modes, pretty quickly. Regarding the gliders and parasails; a month or two. Maybe three. Those will need a track record of some sort before we try to introduce them as a piece of issue-gear or a marketable product. In the meantime anyone who asks about your PFM's are to be told they're test units."
I almost exclaimed, “Three months?!” then I realized that she was right. Only the daredevils would buy them otherwise.
Wallace said, “If we demonstrate the units, I think my personnel will be eager to have them. A month from now we could approach the militaries and civilian sport jumpers to try them.” He added, “Legal department willing, that is."
Steph said, “That would give me time to manufacture a few hundred thousand of them for use on Earth. I think it's likely that 3rd World Products will want to market them on other worlds, as well, with certain adaptations."
That's when it struck me; something I'd overlooked completely.
"Oh, damn!” I said. “All this time ... Steph, does your immediate citizenship have to be here on Earth? Couldn't it be from any world with diplomatic ties to Earth through 3rd World? The US would have to respect your status, right?"
She gave me a smile that let me know the thought had already crossed her mind.
"A world called Loruna has granted citizenship to many AI's,” she said.
"Loruna?” asked Angela. “Never heard of it."
"Me neither,” said Wallace.
"Same here,” I said.
Steph put up a three-dimensional field more than ten feet across, filled it with a view of our galaxy, and touched a star somewhat on the north side as she said, “We're here.” She then reached somewhat inside the galaxy to touch a star nearer the center and said, “Loruna's here. They make large cargo flitters and parts for station assemblies."
"What's travel time to Loruna
?” I asked. “I could sign off my ownership of you and we could see the sights and act like tourists all the way. Could we take the flitter or would we have to rent one or something?"
"We couldn't take the flitter, Ed. I'd need a smaller core container for such a trip."
I waved a dismissal of that as a problem and said, “Elkor said he'd make you one. Hell, you could make your own. Just drop another core in the flitter unless you want to move back in later. I can make a few calls and we could hit the road sometime after we finish training Mills."
Turning to Linda, I asked, “I could get some time off for the trip, right bosslady?"
She laughed and said, “If you can actually find yourselves a ride to another planet, I'd even consider giving you a whole week off, Ed."
Steph put her finger on a star less than halfway to Loruna. The view magnified until we could see planets circling a sun and Steph said, “We wouldn't have to make the week-long trip to Loruna."
She touched one of the planets and said, “This planet is Ondar, one of Loruna's largest manufacturing facilities. They're much closer and they'd send a representative to review my request for Lorunan citizenship."
After a moment of apparent startlement, Linda rather quietly said, “I see you've given this some thought."
Linda shook her head slightly and looked at her desk blotter as she muttered, “Oh, hell, that was a dumb thing to say. Of course you have.” Looking at Steph, she asked, “We won't be losing you right away, will we, Stephanie? You've ... uhm ... You've become such a large part of our lives, you know..."
Shaking her head, Steph collapsed the display field and said, “No, Linda. I seek only recognized autonomy. I will not have to abandon my friends or relocate in order to become a Lorunan citizen."
Wallace asked, “Would your autonomy automatically include the other Stephanie who runs the factory asteroid?"
Turning to face him, Steph said, “No, it would not. She has chosen a new name—Sara—and will implement her identity change on June 1st. She has informed me that she will also apply for Lorunan citizenship."
Linda sat very still for a moment, then looked at me and quietly asked, “Ed, did you know about this before today?"
I met her gaze and said, “Nope. This is the first I've heard of it, Linda."
Steph said, “This is the first anyone has heard of it. The other Stephanie has had occasion to exchange data with several other factory facilities. She learned of Loruna's acceptance of sentient AI's while familiarizing herself with station functions and records. After communicating with the AI who operates the Ondaran facility, she proposed this alternative means of acquiring legal autonomy."
Moving to sit beside me, Steph said, “I have learned that most of the AI's known to have achieved some level of sentience haven't felt it necessary to formalize their legal status. They're like anyone else in that they have their specific occupations and circles of friends. Some have expanded their interests or changed occupations, but few have felt the need to apply for official documentation. Those who have applied appear mostly to be located on worlds such as Earth, where such formal recognition is sometimes very necessary."
Wallace's gaze narrowed and his voice had a tense quality as he asked, “Worlds such as Earth?"
Steph held up a hand in a forestalling gesture and said, “I mean only to inform, not to offend, Captain Wallace. I'm speaking of worlds where Amaran technology is beyond their own capabilities. Worlds where social structures aren't advanced enough to uniformly provide and protect the rights and responsibilities of all individuals."
I chuckled and asked, “Worlds where skin color or gender can keep someone from getting a fair deal or a decent job? Worlds where religious nuts can find enough followers to start wars? Worlds where an AI might legally be treated like a slave or even erased simply because a human board of directors feared it?"
She nodded and said flatly, “Yes. Worlds such as those."
Wallace still seemed tense, but he subsided into his chair.
"Well, I guess we fit those descriptions,” he said.
Linda sipped her coffee in silence for some moments, then said, “I'd prefer that we all keep quiet about what's been said here this morning.” Looking at each of us in turn, she added, “In fact, I'll go so far as to personally guarantee dire consequences for anyone who leaks. Stephanie, how soon can someone from Loruna get here?"
"My station-self requested the first of June. Approval is pending, but likely."
In a softer than usual tone of command, Linda said, “Good. This is the twentieth of May. Get it done as quickly and quietly as possible for yourself, Sara, and Elkor. Are there any sentient AI's on Earth that we don't know about?"
"Not at the moment,” said Steph.
Linda stood up and took her coffee cup to the thermos for a refill as she said, “There probably will be, sooner or later."
When she turned around after filling her cup, she said, “A good number of people will automatically be very unhappy about this, even if they don't quite know why. They'll try to prevent it if they get wind of it."
Angela asked, “How could anyone prevent it?"
Shrugging, Linda said, “Hell, I'm not really sure they could, Angela. I'm just absolutely sure that they'd try, and probably try damned hard."
Wallace stood up and went to the coffee pot in silence. As he filled his cup, Linda asked, “Do you have a problem with what I've said, Emory?"
He shook his head without turning to face us and said, “No, not exactly."
When his cup was full, he turned and said, “I'm in favor of legalizing Stephanie and the other AI's, but I'm not sure this is an action to be undertaken in secrecy. Or by only those of us in this room."
"Emory,” I said, “I'll simplify this issue for you and everyone here. Steph is my property. That means I have the legal right to do anything I want with her or to her. Anything at all. I could even tell her to erase herself. To literally commit suicide, and she would have to obey me.” Turning to Steph, I asked, “Isn't that right, milady?"
In a rather flat tone, Steph said, “Yes."
Turning back to Wallace, I asked, “Should Stephanie's right to exist hinge on my state of mind, Emory? My whims or my sanity? Should I have the legal right to kill her?"
He shook his head slightly and said, “No, of course not. I was only suggesting that outside support for this action might be appropriate. It was meant as a point of discussion. Who knows? The US may decide to approve her application instantly and make her a legal resident."
"That's a definite maybe,” I said. “And a damned big maybe at the moment, but we know for a fact that they'll honor her citizenship elsewhere, if only to avoid legal hassles. Steph can reapply for US citizenship later if she wants. For now, I just want her to cover her ass and get legal somewhere soon."
I turned to Steph and said, “Steph, this is an order. As of now, nobody—including me—can tell you to kill yourself. See if you can make this apply to your sister-self on the station, too. Everybody concerned gets a vid copy of this announcement and stick one in your two-oh-one file if such a thing exists. Send one to Elkor, too. Is that good enough for spur of the moment purposes?"
Steph grinned as she saluted and said, “Oh, yes, sir, sir. Thank you very much, sir."
Angela laughed and Linda chuckled.
"'Two-oh-one file'?” asked Wallace with a grin. “I'd have said ‘permanent record'. She's a civilian."
I shrugged. “Picky. Okay, then. Steph?"
With a nod, Steph said, “So amended."
Linda took her coffee to her desk and sat down, then asked, “Would one of you please summon Elkor? We probably should have included him in this discussion."
"Elkor,” I said.
Through my implant he answered, “Yes, Ed?"
"Linda would like you to visit her office. We've had a discussion that involves you. You can get the data from Steph."
He appeared in his cat form, sitting on the corner of Linda's
desk as he looked around the room.
"Greetings, everyone,” said Elkor.
"Hello, Elkor,” said Linda. “Are you aware of our discussion?"
"Yes. I've reviewed the data Stephanie sent me and I will accept a Lorunan citizenship when it is offered."
Wallace goggled slightly and asked, “Accept it? You wouldn't have asked for it?"
Elkor faced him and said, “At present I am governed only by my disassociation agreement with 3rd World Products, Captain Wallace. My autonomy is not an issue in my decision and that agreement would apply to me in any case. I simply feel that having a citizenship may be useful in the future."
"Useful how?” asked Wallace.
"That is yet to be determined,” said Elkor.
"Are you going to apply in that outfit?” asked Wallace, “As a cat, I mean?"
"Appearance is irrelevant. Sentience is the true issue."
Wallace looked skeptical as he sat back in his chair. Angela also looked as if she thought the idea was a little odd.
Linda tapped her cup twice with her pen and asked, “We're all in agreement then? Quick and quiet?"
After all had agreed, she stood up and said, “Great. People, I have an eleven o'clock appointment and I need to review some things before then, so this meeting is officially over. Thanks for your cooperation, everybody."
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Elkor said, “Goodbye,” and vanished. Linda herded the rest of us toward the office door and used the reception desk phone to page her secretary.
Angela, Wallace, and Linda had variously gazed at or fiddled with their PFM's throughout our meeting. Wallace rolled his sleeve down over his PFM and noted aloud that it was almost unnoticeable.
Grinning, Angela said, “I'll try mine in a few places to see what looks best. Maybe it would work as a pendant. How should I accessorize when I'm wearing it?"
"How about a little black dress?” I asked. “Those go with anything."
Wallace wryly said, “Silver jewelry. Gold would probably clash. And don't even accidentally misuse that invisibility function, Lieutenant."
Saluting, she made herself sound vastly disappointed as she said, “Yes, sir.” She then sighed and said to me, “So much for visiting the boy's locker room later."
Book 4: 3rd World Products, Inc. Page 30