AI Awakening

by Robert Boren

  We climbed into a tin can, and I used mind dictation to send us to the mustering room. “You’ve become more precious to me. I want you to be able to protect yourself when I’m not around.”

  “That’s kind of sexist, isn’t it?” she quipped.

  “I don’t look at it that way. In fact, I want all the principles set up as soon as possible. You’ll be the pilot.”

  “Uh huh. Lead the way, Lord and Protector. Should we wake up our friends?”

  I nodded.

  Butch, wake up.

  How was Barney? Oh, never mind, I just read your thoughts. That’s amazing.

  To be sure.

  Anything we should know about?

  The Overlords have been careful about hiding their manufacturing facilities. Nothing yet.

  I didn’t think it would be easy. Just keep at it.

  Of course.

  Are the remaining Razor ships still in their jumps?

  Yes.

  They’re not coming this way, are they?

  Or going towards Amberis?

  Nope, they’re going to the middle of nowhere. It would help if we knew the locations of the manufacturing plants. That’s where the real exposure is.

  As soon as I get an okay from the Chairman you’ll get that info. As of right now I don’t even know.

  We can tell.

  Hey, remember to put out that bulletin on Barney to the New Jersey Crew.

  That request was there when I woke up. Done.

  Show off.

  Whatever. Your transport is only three seconds from the mustering room. Shall we set up for JJ’s training?

  Is the room empty?

  It is.

  The tin can stopped, the door opening for us. JJ and I got out and walked down the hallway.

  “I’ve never been down here,” JJ said.

  “Hell, there are still parts of this ship I’ve never seen.” We got to the mustering room door, which clicked as it unlocked for us. I pushed the door open for JJ.

  “This looks like a gym.”

  I chuckled. “Look over there, on the floor.”

  “Basketball?” She giggled. “That reminds me of home.”

  “That’s the idea.”

  I’ve unlocked one of the lockers that holds women’s Nano suits, matching her size as I see it.

  Thanks!

  It won’t flatten out your bust as you expected. Since you’ll be wearing this under clothing, we want it to look natural.

  Good. No flat sports-bra look.

  She shot me a side-long glance, with half a grin on her face.

  “Hey, I’ve got no problems. You let me see you naked now, remember?”

  TMI

  Wait till they get down to business.

  I laughed. “We’ll be turning you guys off, if and when that happens.”

  That’s all well and good, but guess what stays in your mind for days after the event.

  What?

  Every detail.

  I’d better read up on how to block selected memories.

  Spoil sport. Are you ready to begin?

  I looked over at JJ, and she nodded. We walked across the huge space to the storage room. JJ walked in and I followed, going to the locker with the open door.

  “Helmets too?” she asked, looking at the two rows of helmets with face shields on the upper shelves, over the hanging suits.

  “I haven’t tried those yet.”

  We’ll need to get you used to those, and then you should put them someplace where you can get to them in a hurry.

  Yes, what good does body armor do when a simple head shot will take you out?

  “You really haven’t tried the helmet yet?” JJ asked.

  I shook my head no. “Maybe today. The designer didn’t run me through the shield Nanos yet, either.”

  “That’s over and above the protection that the suits give us, correct?”

  “That’s what the manual said.” I went to the locker and pulled out a short suit, holding it out for JJ. “Strip and put this on. I’ll wait outside. Wait on zipping it all the way up the neck until you come out. I want to make sure the suit doesn’t hurt you.”

  “Why wait outside?” JJ asked, unzipping her uniform. “You get to see me naked, remember?”

  “Not in front of the children,” I said, leaving her behind in the room. I stripped my clothes off, leaving me in the suit. JJ walked out a moment later.

  “Nothing but sag,” she said. “Look at this.”

  “I still like it. Zip the suit all the way up and it’ll form-fit. It’s scary for a second, but it doesn’t hurt.”

  JJ did that, and the suit changed that instant, tightening.

  “Geez, this feels like an old corset.”

  “Oh, you’ve worn those before?” I asked.

  “No comment. Wow, this is interesting. Look, it has shaped me. I haven’t looked like this since I was about 28.”

  I studied her for a moment.

  “Put your eyes back in their sockets,” JJ said.

  “Sorry. First, let’s run you through the testing I did. Butch, can you send that sequence to Emerald, so she can work through it with JJ?”

  Of course.

  I’ve already studied your training. We can proceed immediately.

  Great, then I’ll just sit back and watch.

  I walked to a set of benches along the wall and sat. JJ got started, working through the process, taking less time than I did because of the lack of banter with Drake.

  Can we speak privately?

  We aren’t connected to Emerald or JJ?

  No, it’s just you and me. You’re not telling her everything, and you’re even trying to hide something from me.

  Because if you know, Emerald will know and JJ too. You’re sure we can’t be heard by them?

  You’re the Central AI host, and even if you weren’t, you have the capability to converse privately with me. The others have that capability as well, although none of them know it, with the possible exception of Nolan.

  Yeah, Nolan is pretty clever.

  He’s a genius in his own way, but so are you, Captain Clarke.

  Flattery will get you nowhere. Or maybe everywhere. Depends on my mood.

  You ready to have a serious conversation?

  Yes. I’m not so sure that Simone can track us through a worm hole.

  I’m reading your thoughts on this, and I agree. We know that the Central Authority has been riddled with Overlord subversives. We also know that there was a lot of mixing of Central Authority and Samson Corporation employees over the years.

  It’s just a theory at this point, but if we’ve got plants, I want our principles able to defend themselves. That’s why I brought JJ over here right away. She’s the pilot of the principle group.

  Why haven’t you asked me to search for evidence of clandestine transmissions?

  They might see it before our people are ready, and strike while they can.

  You’re bringing the others in for the training quickly, then?

  Yes, all of them, including the fighter pilots.

  The Chairman doesn’t know yet, does he?

  I haven’t told him, but he’s the overall commander. He could go to the AI system directly, or ask Drake for help.

  Drake can’t come in on his own?

  So he’s told me. Should I believe him?

  I would. Wow, your woman is getting the hang of this quickly.

  I turned my head towards her, watching as she wasted the biological adversary and the robot in a split second. “You’re enjoying this.”

  “It’s amazing,” she said, walking over to me. “The suit le
arns fast, doesn’t it? It’s not slowing me down.”

  “Good. I want you wearing that all the time, just like I’ve been doing. It’ll get better. I think the suit makes me faster now.”

  “Faster how?” she asked.

  “It seems to assist my muscles. Let’s try it out.” I took off running towards the far end of the massive room, going so fast that my hair was blowing back on my head.

  Slow down, you don’t have enough control yet!

  That registered as I slammed into the wall, sliding onto the ground. I looked up, and there was a big dent where I hit.

  “Trey!” shouted JJ, rushing over, going too fast herself, but slowing before she got too close to the wall.

  See what I mean? You can go that fast, but you need to control it. The brakes are as important as the accelerator.

  Thanks for that.

  Learn from the Captain’s mistakes, JJ. It’s simple, really. You must train your eyes and your mind to think as fast as you’re going.

  I stood, shook myself a little, then ran the other direction, my concentration focused on the wall, turning inches before I got there, running along the wall for a bit, then taking off diagonally, stopping right before I got to the far side, turning towards JJ.

  “My, but don’t you look proud of yourself.”

  I grinned. “Damn straight. This is fun, but it’ll require physical training.”

  “You didn’t hit the wall again,” JJ said. “Maybe it’s not as hard as you think.”

  Trey is correct, this will take practice, so it will become second-nature. You’ll need to be moving this quickly while you’re sending Nanos out to handle the enemy. Oh, and you’re only going a quarter of the speed you’ll eventually be able to achieve.

  JJ and I shot each other a glance.

  “Wow,” I said.

  I’m controlling the speed as part of your training. I’ll slowly ramp it up, but I want you wearing the helmet if we go any faster. No need to mess up this lovely room with your brain matter.

  Don’t use imagery like that, please.

  Oh, forgot, you’re in love with this big lunk.

  I laughed.

  Let’s get busy. I’ll bring JJ up to the Captain’s level with the Nanos.

  “I’m game,” JJ said.

  Want to work on the speed, Trey?

  “Yes, let’s get started on that,” I said. “Can you set this up as a training protocol that can be shared with the others in the cell?”

  Already working that, as is Emerald.

  We worked the training for nearly three hours, then called it a day, heading for our favorite watering hole. JJ left her suit on, and we both took our helmets and full suits, locking them in our staterooms before hitting the bar.

  “That was fun,” JJ said. “The suit is comfortable, too. It really is like a second skin.”

  “I don’t even notice I have it on anymore.”

  “How much more training do you want me to do?” JJ asked as we entered the bar.

  “Another session, for now. I want your speed up to mine.”

  She looked at me for a moment as we sat on bar stools. The bartender, looking as gruff as he always did, came over and put napkins in front of us, his eyes searching ours silently.

  “Usual?” he asked.

  “No martinis for me tonight,” JJ said. “Something weaker. Maybe a glass of white wine.”

  The bartender nodded, putting a wine list in front of her. She read quickly, and pointed to one. The bartender nodded, then looked at me.

  “Light beer, whatever’s on draft,” I said. The bartender turned silently away, pulling a frosty glass out of a refrigerated cabinet below the bar. I watched him draw the beer. He put it in front of me, then turned to get JJ’s glass of wine.

  “He doesn’t talk much,” JJ whispered.

  “He’s sensitive enough to know he doesn’t need to with us,” I said.

  “Why the light beer? I thought you only drank IPAs.”

  “I’m in training.”

  She giggled, then took a sip of her wine. “Maybe. Or maybe you don’t want to get too tipsy, just in case things develop between us later.”

  “I won’t be stone-cold sober,” I said. “This probably won’t be my last beer, either.”

  “How many of those does it take to get you tipsy?”

  “Four, if this is the usual strength of a lager.”

  “Cut it at two.”

  I chuckled.

  “One other thing. Why are you in such a rush to get me trained?

  Private again. Careful.

  I trust her.

  So do I, but follow the protocol. Whoever has wormed their way into our midst is good at hiding themselves.

  “I can tell you’re having a private conversation,” JJ said. “Do I have something to worry about?”

  “No. Just Captain stuff.”

  She stared at me for a long moment.

  “Really,” I said. “Let’s order some food.”

  “Two can play this game, you know,” JJ said, a look of concentration showing on her face.

  “You’re allowed to have private conversations with Emerald.” I drained the first beer, and motioned to the bartender. He came over as silently as before. I watched as he drew me another from the tap.

  JJ was looking at the reverse side of the wine list card, which had food choices. She pointed to one, and I nodded. When the bartender was back, she ordered for us. “Now, where were we?”

  I chuckled. “Yep, you’re going to give me a run for my money, aren’t you?”

  “Do you want to keep secrets from me?”

  I sighed. “Only if I have a good reason, and I wouldn’t take it lightly.”

  Private again. Tell her you don’t trust the entire crew. You fear mutiny. Bring up the Sir Francis Drake thing.

  I started talking without skipping a beat. “You know how many people we’ve got on this ship. We also know about the subversives in the Central Authority. What if some of them showed up here? We might have to fight off a mutiny.”

  JJ searched my eyes, her brow furrowed. I could see her listening to Emerald.

  Off private.

  As you wish. You agree that the Captain has a valid concern?

  JJ looked at me and nodded yes, with a sadness in her eyes. The look crushed me.

  “I still trust you, JJ.”

  I can vouch for that.

  As can I.

  “Then why the private conversation?”

  “Butch knew what I was thinking before I realized it myself, okay? Look at what my subconscious reaction was.”

  “I can’t read your subconscious.”

  I can.

  Shut up. Sleep.

  See what you did?

  Oops.

  Thank you, JJ, talk to you soon.

  Thank you, Trey. Private—I did that on purpose. Use your judgement. I don’t think JJ is one of them. I’ll explain why later if you want to know.

  Thank you.

  “Butch is off?” JJ asked.

  “Yes. Emerald?”

  “She’s asleep. We can’t have secrets. I thought you knew that.”

  “Do you tell me everything you’re thinking about as soon as it pops into your head?”

  JJ thought for a moment. “No, of course not.”

  “Good. No hard feelings. This is between the two of us. Can you live with that?”

  She nodded, her brow furrowed again.

  “I’ll tell you what I’m thinking when we get back to the Zephyrus stateroom.”

  “Oh, you want to go there instead of the New Jersey stateroom?”

  “For this discussion, yes,” I said. “You mind?”

  “No, as long as we get to ride the tin can there. My legs are a little tired.”

  I laughed. “As are mine.
We will.”

  The bartender brought our food, and we dug in.

  { 16 }

  Helmets

  J J and I finished at the bar and headed for the tin can.

  “You look nervous,” JJ told me as we got to the transport station.

  “I’m okay,” I said. “Was that enough to eat?”

  “Sure. Glad I didn’t drink more than one glass of wine.”

  We climbed into our tin can. The door slid shut, and we took off towards the main bay, riding silently the entire way. The door opened, and we got out, walking to the lift and riding it down to the bay floor.

  Tim was coming down the Zephyrus ramp when we got there.

  “Oh, hi Captain,” he said. “Everything going okay?”

  “Yep, we’re good.”

  “Got an invite for training with the Nano suits. Are you the trainer?”

  “We’ll distribute the training through your AIs, but I’ll be there to help. You know where the mustering room is?”

  “Yeah, I’ve played basketball in there.”

  “Good. I’ll see you there.”

  JJ glanced at me as we walked up the ramp. “You’re gonna train everybody, aren’t you?”

  “Everybody that I trust. Notice who I trained first.”

  JJ looked at me when we got to the stateroom door. “I’m being silly. Sorry.”

  “No, you’re not,” I said, as the door slid open. We went in, the door shutting behind us. I pushed the lock button and joined JJ at the table.

  “Okay, let’s have it,” JJ said, her eyes locked on mine.

  I sat across the table from her. “In a nutshell, I’m not sure I believe that the Overlords can track us through a jump.”

  “Then how are they… oh.”

  “Yes, I think there might be plants in our midst.”

  “Have you turned Butch lose on that issue yet? He can probably figure out how to catch a transmission.”

  I leaned back in my chair. “I want the people I trust trained to use the Nano suits before he starts looking, just in case his attempts to monitor them is discovered.”

  “You think they might try to kill us.”

  “Well, yes,” I said. “Since word seems to have gotten out about you and me being involved, they might take you hostage to get to me, also. I want them to run into more than they bargained for if they try.”

  JJ smiled. “Oh, they will, trust me. What if they attack and I’ve got my clothes on over the suit?”