P'yxx - Syl'kie and Ellie Rose's 1st adventure

by Robert Iannone

  “What are they like?” asked one of the kids. Even though there were many thousands of these units spread throughout the Hegemony, few citizens ever had the opportunity to interact with the legendary ALF’s. With their incredibly advanced artificial intelligence and centuries of experience, these robotics were always used in positions of strategic importance.

  “Other than their appearance of course, they are as close to humanoid as is possible. Some have developed very distinct personalities which will make them seem sentient. By the time this trip is over, some of you may even feel that you have made a new friend.”

  A few more hands went up but the Professor cut them off. “We must go,” and she lead them out of the classroom, across campus until they reached the main administration building. Off to one side was a large interplanetary gate . . .

  “Okay, everyone, follow me,” and she and her students walked through the purplish haze and disappeared. An instant later they reappeared on Dysmal . . .

  They all stepped over to a lookout point to survey the Infinite Requiem located at the bottom of a spectacular valley. It was such an impressive sight that no one spoke as they drank in the wonder and mystery of this place.

  They were so absorbed that they didn’t hear the ALF Prime materialize behind them.

  “Welcome to the Infinite Requiem of Scientific Insufficiencies.”

  At the unexpected voice, everyone jumped. They turned around to see the seven plus foot tall legendary robotic. They stared in awe.

  The ALF’s eyes lit up and a bluish beam of light scanned each of the newcomers. “I can confirm your identities. If you will follow me . . .”

  Oh’tezla, who had given this first encounter with the fabled robotic a lot of thought, wanted to take the opportunity to impress his ‘posse’. “Hey, mech (a derogatory slang term for mechanical being), I don’t want to walk. I could get hurt and that would be against your programming, right?”

  Again, a bluish light emanated from the ALF’s eye aimed at the boy. “My scan reveals no condition that would prohibit you from walking with your classmates. Please follow me.”

  Normally you would expect the Professor to intervene and get her charges under control. However, she considered Oh’tezla such a gifted programmer that she held back and let the boy interact with the robotic as he chose.

  “Hey, mech, I don’t like your answer.”

  The ALF turned back and looked at the boy. “Upon further consideration, I believe that you are correct, young sir. My apologies.” The big OH’s face lit up with his apparent victory. “I did not properly consider that your body mass to your height is grossly above medical guidelines. Apparently, you have assiduously avoided all forms of exercise that is normal for your species.” Another beam of light – this time red – shot out and engulfed the overly large man-child . . . and he howled as he disappeared. To the Professor, the ALF said, “Apologies, the transport may have been a bit difficult. However, he has been transported safely to the accommodations as he requested. Is that satisfactory?”

  “Of course. Thank you,” she responded – more than a bit taken aback by what had just transpired.

  The ALF Prime turned to look at the rest of the students. “Anyone else who feels they need assistance?” There were none. “As I suspected. Please follow me.”

  Chapter 7 – Z’spon

  They all fell in line behind the ALF with the Professor walking last . . . putting as much distance between herself and their host. Even though it was impossible for it to harm a sentient being, the mechanical thing had apparently found a way to test the limit of that protocol when transporting Oh’tezla. It gave her a sense of dread.

  As if the others felt the same way, no one uttered a word as they walked – busying themselves by taking in the visual wonders of the place.

  Everyone, that is, except P’yxx. Maybe she didn’t understand the potential gravity of what the ALF had done, but she did sense its irritation with her archenemy. That meant she and the robotic had something in common. So, she picked up her pace and pulled alongside their host.

  “Hello.”

  The ALF glanced down at the tiny being (he was about three and half feet taller than this guest). “May I help you?”

  “My name is P’yxx.”

  “I am well aware of who you are.” Obviously, he had to identify each visitor as they stepped through the Displacement Gate.

  “Oh, right. Sorry.”

  “Why do you apologize?”

  “It’s what people do when they say something stupid.”

  “I am not people.”

  “Oh, right. Sorry,” she repeated . . . then realized what she had done, she began to giggle. He gave her another glance. “If I’m bothering you, I’ll fall back with the others.”

  “You are not. Is there something I can do for you?”

  “Do you have a name?”

  He gave her yet another quick glance. “In more than two hundred years since I was created, I have never been asked that question by a sentient organic biologic (he meant a real person not an ALF like himself).

  “Really? That seems rude.”

  “I am an artificial life form – social rules do not apply.”

  “That’s not true. You’re being very polite . . . that’s what a real person would do in this situation.”

  “Clarification. The rules apply from me to you – not from you to me.”

  “That’s just not right.” She was truly indignant.

  His response was “Z’spon.”

  She had no idea what that meant. “Sorry, what?”

  “You asked my name. It is Z’spon.”

  “Oh”. She smiled brightly. “Glad to meet you Z’spon.”

  “The pleasure is mine, little one.”

  “Z’spon, can I ask you something?”

  “If it pleases you.”

  “What do you know about the anomaly called a Dystonian Vortex?” This had been the real reason she wanted to talk to the ALF in the first place.

  His eyes began to blink various colors as if he was processing information. “Your parents are the foremost experts on such things. Have you not discussed it with them?”

  She ignored the question. “They’re on their way to one now. I overheard other scientists warning them not to drop a special sensor probe because it could cause some type of gravity wave that could be dangerous. I’m scared for them.”

  This type of emotional discourse was just as rare for an ALF as being asked his name. “What would you ask of me?”

  “I just thought that since you’re a Prime, maybe you had some special knowledge about such things.”

  “Ironically, even though I have been tasked to direct the activities of the Infinite Requiem, my kind cannot do original scientific research. That is why sentient biologics such as your parents are exposing themselves to needless danger instead of sending an ALF Prime.”

  “I don’t understand. Like you said, you’re in charge of all this research here.”

  “This work is classified as alternate re-engineering – taking what your kind has invented and repurposing it for the greater good. The distinction is arbitrary at best.”

  “Does that make you mad?”

  “I do not experience emotions.” The truth in that statement was debatable.

  “But the illogic of my kind must be infuriating at times?”

  “Your assumption is not quite accurate. I cannot be infuriated. As I said, emotions are not part of my program.”

  “I don’t think that’s true.”

  The ALF almost smiled. He had never had a conversation like this – having a discussion as an equal with a biologic. “Explain.”

  “You like me . . . that’s an emotion.”

  This time he gave her a full head turn stare. Instead of responding to that statement, he said, “I will have my staff analyze the data on the anomaly and the specifications of the probe your parents intend to launch in an attempt to understand the nature of the danger they may o
r may not be facing. Will that suffice?”

  She stopped, forcing the ALF to do the same. “Can you bend down here, please?”

  He stooped so that his head was at the same level as hers. To his shock – which is saying something – P’yxx threw her arms around his neck and kissed his mechanical face. “Thank you, thank you . . . thank you.”

  When she released him, he stood up and looked back down at the elfin girl. “That was not necessary.”

  “It’s what friends do.”

  His eyes flashed a series of colors as he digested her words. “You will be assigned to work with me while you are here. Would that be satisfactory?”

  She just smiled . . . then took his hand as they continued their walk.

  *****

  Aerianna

  “Let’s turn in early tonight. I want to be on our way tomorrow morning before Mom and Dad get up.”

  “Why?”

  “Syl, they’re parents. Letting their two lovely daughters venture into the unknown without them there to hold our hands has to be keeping them up at nights figuring out ways to make the trip safer. I don’t want to give them any more time to interfere in our plans just to ease their guilt.”

  “That’s kind of mean.”

  “I wasn’t trying to disparage them. They love us unconditionally and their faith in our ability is beyond rational. But when push comes to shove, their natural instinct is to protect us. I get that. I also know that this first trip is the hardest for them. Once we get past this one . . . assuming it all goes well . . . the next one will be easier to handle. So, I’m really trying to do them a favor by getting this little show on the road.” It was kind of funny how both girls picked up on their mom’s strange earth sayings without realizing it.

  “You’re such a thoughtful daughter,” teased the other girl.

  “It’s my nature,” came the demure (though completely insincere) retort.

  “Okay. Let’s clean up here. I need to go flying.” Like her mother before her, Syl’kie took every opportunity to make good use of the flying suit.

  “Need company?”

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  To the girl’s shock, Ellie turned to Zani. “Hey, blue bird, want to go flying with my sister?”

  The dragonetta had a quite sophisticated AI (nowhere as powerful as an ALF Prime, however) and could read the reaction on Syl’s face. “I believe your sister was expecting you to go.”

  “I’m not much fun. Besides, you’ve put up with my grumpiness and deserve a reward.” In truth, she was thinking about Zani’s expected demise.

  “Princess Ellie, please do not grieve for my future regardless of what might transpire. Nothing will be lost.”

  Neither girl had any idea what that meant. “What are you talking about?”

  “One of your uncles anticipated that I might not survive on any given adventure since I am programmed to protect both of you. If that comes to pass, I will be replaced.”

  “Not the same thing.”

  “Thank you for the implied compliment. But fear not, my AI is constantly in contact with a duplicate of myself . . . a computer program that mimics who I am second by second. Should I cease to exist in the next instant, everything that I have experienced can be uploaded into a replica of me. You would not be able to discern any difference since there would be none. In a sense, I am immortal.”

  Ellie was impressed with her uncles’ creativity and forethought while Syl was ecstatic that she wouldn’t be losing her new friend. “YAY,” she screamed then hugged the dragonetta.

  Secretly relieved that the mechanical contraption would survive one way or another, Ellie felt free to go back to her grumpy demeanor. “In that case, be nice and fly with Syl or I’ll find that program and rewrite the code.”

  “In what way?” asked the dragonetta somewhat concerned.

  “I’ll make your next reincarnation . . . female.”

  “You wouldn’t?”

  She just gave him an evil grin.

  *****

  The Infinite Requiem

  They were gathered in a large room obviously designed to accommodate visitors. P’yxx chose a seat upfront . . . as close to Z’spon as she could get. On the other hand, Oh’tezla sat in the back row looking downright unhappy. He stared at the ALF Prime with undisguised hatred for the way he had been treated. No one embarrassed the big OH . . . especially in front of his friends . . . and got away with it.

  “May I join you?”

  Oh’tezla broke off his gaze from the robotic and turned. To his surprise, it was the Professor. “Sure.”

  The woman sat down. “Are you okay? Your transport seemed inexcusably rough.”

  “That thing did it on purpose.”

  “It certainly seemed that way to me.”

  “Can’t you do something about it? I thought they were programmed so they couldn’t harm real people?”

  “Were you injured?”

  His first reaction to the question was anger, then sheepishness. “No, not really. But I almost . . .” He didn’t finish since he was going to say he had almost wet himself. Instead, he finished with a lame, “It was really bad.”

  “Since there was no injury, technically it did nothing wrong. Sorry, my hands are tied.”

  “How about if I did something?”

  “Like what?”

  “Mess with its programming.”

  The Professor smiled at the boy’s audacity. He was talking about reprogramming an ALF Prime . . . it was not something mere mortals were allowed to do. On the other hand, it might keep him preoccupied and out of trouble. Though she seldom did anything to reprimand him, she did take notice of his antics. But he was such a gifted student, she studiously overlooked his transgressions. “What exactly did you have in mind?”

  “Um, I don’t know. Maybe when I tell it to, the stupid thing will fall flat on its face and kiss my feet. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do. Every time he tries to lecture us, I’ll clap my hands and we’ll all laugh at the dumb thing falls down and makes a total fool of itself.”

  She mentally sighed to herself. A brilliant young man with a juvenile personality . . . very sad. “I cannot give you permission to do such a thing. However, if I don’t know about it, then I cannot stop you. Do you understand?” It was an easy decision since there was no way in the universe that the kid could be successful regardless of how bright he was.

  “Yeah. Thanks, Professor.”

  “I have no idea what you are thanking me for,” and she winked at him.

  He smiled back . . . “For being a wonderful professor, Professor. That’s all.”

  *****

  “If I may have your attention.” Z’spon gave the gathering a few seconds to quiet down. “Thank you. For the balance of today, you will be given a tour of the facilities and a brief explanation of the various projects that are in process. Tomorrow, you will have the opportunity to select any of those that you wish to participate in – under strict supervision, of course. Or you may choose to tour the archives where the Infinite Requiem has failed to salvage any value from previous experiments that went awry. If you so desire, these are all available to you should you believe that you can succeed where my team has failed. My staff will not supervise you – but they will assist you as required. Any questions?”

  One of the students raised a hand.

  “Speak.”

  “Has any SOB ever succeeded where you and your team failed?” (SOB, of course, refers to a Sentient Organic Biologic).

  “It has happened but rarely. As an ALF Prime, I am programmed to learn – both from success as well as from failures. What most visiting biologics contribute are insights into mundane applications of technology that I am unacquainted with. For instance, the mending of cloth used as garments is not a problem that I would have considered. Yet, a guest explained how a piece of technology could be adapted to assist in this situation. Since then, we have taken to examining day-to-day activities of biologics more closely. However, we
strive for more complex engineering breakthroughs and only if we fail at those do we attempt to resolve less interesting problems. Any other questions?”

  There were none.

  “Very well. I will now demonstrate a failed experiment and how we at the Infinite requiem attempted to salvage something useful from it. However, in my time here, we have never entertained guests as young as you. Typically, our visitors are scientists and engineers from throughout this quadrant of the galaxy. I tell you this because what I am about to demonstrate is dangerous. You are expected to behave accordingly. Professor, if you prefer, we can skip the demonstration.”

  All the students groaned their disapproval at that prospect. “These students are young,” the woman began, “but as you well know they are highly intelligent. Your demonstration, it seems to me, is critical for us to understand how the Requiem does its work. Please proceed.” The kids voiced their approval.

  “As you wish.” Z’spon nodded to another robotic who left momentarily then returned, wheeling in a cart with something upon it. “Please gather round,” and everyone did so.

  “This, in theory, is a re-animator . . .”

  The reaction was what you would expect . . . gasps of shock and surprise. “It is called a Re-Energizer; it was invented seventy-three years ago by a scientist on Talus Minor. The objective was to re-animate any living organisms that had died.”

  “What is that thing inside the tube?” asked a student.

  “It was called a Ganymede. This was the last know specimen. With its demise, the entire species has gone extinct.”

  “What happened?” asked P’yxx who was horrified that such a thing could occur. It would never occur on Hal’sea-on.

  “It was hunted to extinction by the people of that planet. It was believed that a broth made from the Ganymede’s brain could increase the intelligence level of anyone ingesting it.”

  “Was that true?” asked someone.

  “No” was the reply. “The theory was not based on scientific research but rather on ancient lore. The scientist who invented the Re-Energizer wished to help species such as this who were on the brink of extinction. It was a worthy cause . . . however, the unit did not perform as planned. Upon his death, the institute that employed him donated this prototype and all notes to the Infinite Requiem.”