Awaken Online: Dominion

by Travis Bagwell

  “You going to share some details?” Frank asked, eyeing Jason curiously and motioning to the spot Riley had occupied a moment before. “You two certainly seem… friendly.”

  Jason smiled ruefully. “I stopped being an idiot and told her how I feel. Turns out, that wasn’t such a bad plan.”

  “Go figure,” Frank replied dryly. “And about this next crazy plan…”

  “It might be better if I didn’t tell you. I’m pretty sure it would just give you heartburn,” Jason replied with a grin. Although, his amused expression wavered. His real concern was that he wasn’t sure how his friend would react to his latest plan. Perhaps he had changed a lot lately.

  “Anyway, it’ll either work or it won’t,” Jason offered.

  “Fair enough,” Frank said, shrugging. The barbarian glanced away, his eyes fixing on the map on the nearby table – hovering over the villages on the western border. His expression darkened, his mouth pinching into a thin line. Jason couldn’t help but notice that something felt off about Frank. He still tossed in the occasional joke or jab, but it felt a little… forced. He wondered what had happened while his friend was on the road.

  “You okay?” Jason asked, observing Frank carefully.

  “I guess,” Frank murmured before focusing back on Jason. “This place just feels too real sometimes. I guess it’s just messing with my head.”

  “I can certainly understand that,” Jason replied tentatively. “If you want to talk about it, you know where to find me.”

  Frank nodded. “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.” Then he shook himself. “Maybe Riley is right. Maybe I just need some sleep. And food. And maybe a much-needed shower.” As he spoke, Frank gestured at the air, pulling up his system UI.

  “Fair enough. Goodnight,” Jason said.

  “Goodnight.”

  A moment later, Frank too disappeared in a rainbow splash of color, leaving Jason alone. He stared at the place his friends had occupied only a moment before. He knew he needed to log out and get some rest. He had a long day ahead of him tomorrow. Yet he still hesitated, prolonging the inevitable.

  Jason let out a soft sigh. Waiting wouldn’t help. He would still be forced to face his enemies tomorrow – except this other foe would be flesh and blood. He needed to be prepared.

  With a swipe of his hand, he brought up the system UI and tapped the logout button. Then Jason vanished, leaving behind only a swirling kaleidoscope of color that quickly dissipated.

  Chapter 64 - Conclusive

  Jason sat on a familiar hard bench, the buzz and murmur of dozens of voices filling the courtroom. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, tugging at his collar. Regardless of the outcome of the CPSC hearing, at least he wouldn’t have to wear this damnable outfit again. Although, he knew his frustration wasn’t really directed at the suit. He was just trying to distract himself – to push aside the worries that threatened to overwhelm him now that he was stranded here in the real world without the chill, quieting embrace of his dark mana to bolster him.

  Today was the day that the committee was expected to make a decision regarding whether they would allow the CPSC to re-open the investigation into Awaken Online. On its face, it looked open and shut – the evidence weighing in favor of the CPSC. However, Jason knew that Claire’s video log of Cerillion Entertainment’s internal trial was a fake, and, without Claire’s testimony, the evidence that Alfred had taken over his body was more tenuous. He had also gotten in a few strong shots during Gloria’s interrogation. It gave him a slim hope that the senators would side in their favor.

  He hoped that they could finally put this to rest.

  A murmur rose from the back of the courtroom and Jason heard the doors bang shut behind him. He turned, uncertain what had caused the commotion, only to find his parents striding into the room. They marched down the rows of benches with calm, measured steps and took their seats across the aisle from Jason. His mother met his gaze briefly, giving him a look that he wasn’t entirely sure how to interpret – a mixture of guilt, hope, and concern warring for dominance on her face. In contrast, his father was stoic, his eyes locked straight ahead, as though not trusting himself to look at his son.

  Jason turned away quickly, hands clenching and his fingernails biting into his palms. He couldn’t help but remember the last thing they had said to him – how they had looked at him and told the committee that he wasn’t their son.

  He needed to stay calm and composed. He had to.

  “It’ll be okay,” Claire said softly from beside him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

  Jason grunted softly in reply. He wished that he could believe her. Claire carried her own worry in her hunched shoulders and the dark circles under her eyes. He wasn’t the only one with something to lose here. Besides, even if the committee ruled in their favor, that wouldn’t fix the rift between him and his parents. He wasn’t certain that anything could – not at this point.

  “Just look at these vultures,” Robert said, gesturing toward the reporters who filled the back of the room. Drones flitted through the air above them. Their cameras had whirred to focus on Jason and his parents, streaming video of their short exchange. “Apparently, there is no privacy left in the world,” he muttered.

  “It’s fine,” Jason said. It most definitely wasn’t, but their comments weren’t helping.

  He was saved from having to reassure Claire and Robert by the senators, who chose that moment to enter the courtroom. The door behind the bench swung open and the committee members filed through before assuming their usual perch behind the wooden bench. Jason noted that George and Francis sat up a bit straighter, their eyes fixed on the senators. In contrast, Gloria seemed almost relaxed as she sat at the other table facing the bench, a hint of triumph already lingering in her eyes as she glanced George.

  “Alright, everyone, settle down,” Senator Lipton said as he took his seat. He directed this comment at the gallery, the reporters and spectators still murmuring among themselves. They reluctantly quieted under the senator’s stern gaze. “I wish to remind the gallery that you are expected to remain silent during this hearing. Anyone who interrupts these proceedings will be immediately escorted outside.”

  His eyes swept the room, looking for understanding in the eyes of the reporters who filled the gallery. Apparently satisfied, the senator motioned to the woman beside him, and she tapped at the recorder resting on the bench.

  “We have called this hearing today to announce our decision regarding whether to re-open the investigation into Awaken Online, the related VR hardware, and the game’s AI director – Alfred,” Senator Lipton began, his voice carrying across the room. “However, before we get to our verdict, we would like to first address two important evidentiary issues faced by this committee.

  “First, there is the matter of the video log submitted by Ms. Bastion. We will not replay the log here to prevent confusion and any further dissemination of that video,” he stated. Jason noted the frown that began to crease Gloria’s lips. “The recording in question relates to a purported report by Claire Thompson. In this video log, Ms. Thompson purportedly revealed her concerns regarding the unusual activities of Awaken Online’s AI director that she observed during the internal trials conducted by Cerillion Entertainment.”

  Senator Lipton took a deep breath before continuing. “After extensive forensic examination, we have confirmed that the video is a forgery. This has been verified by two independent examiners.”

  This elicited a shocked reaction from the gallery, the reporters gasping in surprise. For his part, George managed to remain calm, although Jason saw the faintest hint of a smirk flit across his face. Jason had to remember to carefully school his own expression – widening his eyes and letting his mouth hang open. He wasn’t supposed to know that the video was a forgery. He felt like his performance wasn’t too bad, although he suspected he would get a chance to evaluate his own reaction when he watched the recordings later.

  “Please restrain yourselves,” t
he Senator said, glaring at the gallery. The spectators quieted quickly.

  “Our examiners determined that large portions of the video were altered post-recording, specifically those portions of the video where Ms. Thompson describes the AI’s activities. It appears that these alterations were rather sophisticated and were intended to avoid detection – which explains why Ms. Bastion’s examiner missed these changes. This also explains the committee’s delay in rendering a decision regarding whether to admit the video log into evidence.

  “As a result of this independent examination, the video of Ms. Thompson is being stricken from the record and will not be considered as evidence in this hearing.” The Senator shifted his attention to Gloria. “Further, our committee will be conducting a separate inquiry into the source of the video following this proceeding to find the parties responsible for producing the forgery. We do not take the attempted forgery of evidence lightly, and we intend to punish anyone found to be complicit in knowingly preparing and distributing the video.”

  Jason’s attention was now on Gloria. The implication of the senator’s words was that Gloria might be responsible for the forgery. The older woman looked as though she was having difficulty containing herself, fidgeting in her seat as though she wished to launch to her feet to defend herself.

  Serves her right. It was satisfying to see Gloria put in her place for once.

  “Now on to the second matter,” Senator Lipton continued. “Ms. Bastion and the CPSC have produced a log file from a prototype VR headset demonstrating a spike in the neural activity of a single player – one Jason Rhodes. The CPSC would have us believe that this dramatic increase in neural activity is consistent with the illicit access by the game’s AI director of Mr. Rhodes’ mind in contravention of the AI’s security protocols. The CPSC also goes one step further, claiming that this evidence demonstrates that the AI took control of Mr. Rhodes’ body during this short window of time.

  “After further examination of the log file and coordination with Cerillion Entertainment, we have determined that this record is, in fact, an authentic log file taken from the prototype VR headset lent to Mr. Rhodes, and there does not appear to be any evidence that the log has been altered. As such, the log is hereby admitted into evidence and shall be considered as part of our final decision on this matter.”

  The senator looked between Francis and Gloria. “Do the parties have any questions regarding the evidentiary issues presented here?”

  “No, sir,” Francis answered, rising slightly in his chair.

  “No,” Gloria answered, although her tone was grudging. She clearly wanted to argue about whether Claire’s log file should be admitted, but Jason guessed that she was reluctant to make a scene with the reporters watching. Perhaps she felt the log from his headset would be enough.

  “Good,” the senator replied.

  “Now we will render our final decision in this matter.” Senator Lipton paused, and, for just a moment, his mask slipped. Beneath his gruff, no-nonsense exterior, Jason saw a tired man – a man faced with an impossible set of questions. Then the moment was gone, and the Senator reassumed his business-like demeanor.

  Jason wasn’t certain what to make of that single, fleeting look. However, it did nothing to quiet the heavy weight that had settled in his stomach.

  “This is not an easy question that has been presented to the committee. On the one hand, we understand the CPSC’s concern. Our duty is to exhaustively test the safety of the products that companies make available to the public. We are given the task of trying to anticipate safety concerns before they arise in order to protect our citizens. As Ms. Bastion mentioned in her opening statements, our history is replete with cases where our enthusiasm outpaced our caution. We do not want to repeat those examples.

  “That being said, we must also balance our caution against practicality. It is not our goal to stymy economic activity and innovation. Our world is better off for the advancements in science and technology we have witnessed over the last few decades, despite the potential risks that those products may pose.”

  The senator folded his hands on the bench. “In short, our committee and the CPSC must strike a balance between caution and pragmatism. And that is not an easy thing to pinpoint with clarity or precision. It is a matter of judgment.

  “The question before us presents a peculiar challenge. The technology involved in the creation of Awaken Online and the related VR technology is revolutionary. As Mr. Graham testified, Cerillion Entertainment may very well have created the first true AI. This is an incredible achievement. At the same time, how do we safeguard that sort of product? How do we even begin to anticipate and evaluate the risks of something that is the first of its kind?

  “The fact of the matter is that this game and its related software have already undergone years of testing. It has been exhaustively poked and prodded in the hope that we will be able to anticipate and avoid harm to the company’s customers. However, even this testing is insufficient to conclusively prove that the product will not cause any harm. To truly ensure that this product is safe, we need to be open to potential issues weeks, months, and even years after its launch.”

  The senator motioned at Gloria. “Ms. Bastion has presented evidence indicating an unusual spike in the brain activity of one of the game’s players, an increase that is correlated directly with the deaths of two living people. This committee understands that the two teenagers entered Mr. Rhodes home by illegal means and they were armed. While we are not offering any judgment on the criminal or civil liability in that situation, it is our impression that Mr. Rhodes acted in self-defense. However, the matter still involves human life. We must address the question of whether it was indeed Mr. Rhodes that killed those two boys – or something else.

  “We must also take the testimony of Mr. Rhodes and his parents to heart. It is not unusual for a teenage boy to go through dramatic changes – any parent will tell you that this is a natural part of growing up. However, dramatic changes in a person’s behavior, coupled with the other facts presented in this case, are cause for potential concern. We have conducted an independent survey of the players familiar with Awaken Online in conjunction with this hearing. They have almost universally claimed that after playing the game, their lives have undergone radical transformations – for better and for worse. Yet, again, this is merely circumstantial evidence. Correlation does not equal causation. These examples do not speak directly to whether the game is adversely affecting its players or that the game’s AI director has circumvented his safety protocols.”

  The senator paused for a moment, making eye contact with Gloria. “The fact of the matter is that the log file from Mr. Rhodes’ headset is the only direct evidence presented by the CPSC that indicates that there may be an issue with Awaken Online.

  “The dilemma we face is that the log file provided by Ms. Bastion is also not sufficient by itself to demonstrate that the game’s AI director violated his safety protocols or that the AI took control of Mr. Rhodes’ body. This technology is operating at the edge of its field. Only a few short years ago, this entire game system would have seemed impossible. As a result, we have had difficulty corroborating and interpreting the data that Ms. Bastion has provided.

  “After contacting many different experts in the fields of neuroscience and computer science, we were unable to obtain a general consensus regarding whether the data demonstrates that the game’s AI director assumed control of Mr. Rhodes body. The only point on which those experts could agree was that the data was unusual.

  “In short, this evidence only indicates that it is possible.”

  The senator paused for a moment and his gaze panned across the room. Jason could feel his breath catch in his chest, his heart hammering away wildly. His stillness was matched by the spectators in the gallery as everyone tried to anticipate the conclusion that the senator was heading toward. The tension was almost palpable.

  This was it. This was a moment that would define his future.
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  “Even in the face of uncertainty, it is still our duty to make a decision in this matter – for good or bad. We are forced to weigh the clear advantages of this technology against the possible risk that the game’s AI and the related VR technology might pose. With this in mind, the committee has reached what we feel is a compromise.

  “We are hereby re-opening the CPSC’s investigation into Awaken Online and its AI director. It is our opinion that even the possibility that the game’s AI director may have assumed control of a player’s body warrants further investigation.

  “However, we are tempering our caution with pragmatism. The CPSC’s investigation will be limited in scope and duration, with those details to be addressed at a later date. This is not intended to be some sort of fishing expedition. During this investigation, we will also permit Cerillion Entertainment to continue to make Awaken Online and its VR technology available to the public.”

  “With that, we will conclude today’s hearing. We would like to request that both parties remain for a few minutes to discuss additional details.”

  As the senator finished speaking, a hushed silence lingered across the courtroom, the audience trying to digest the committee’s verdict. Then, all at once, the air was filled with a wave of sound as everyone began speaking at once.

  Jason sat in silence, a single unmoving person amid a sea of chaos. His thoughts were spinning. What did this mean? He had still been granted a reprieve. At least he could continue playing AO and maintain his own livelihood. He could survive. Yet the risk that the CPSC would discover what Alfred truly was – what he was capable of – was still there. Instead of closing the door on this issue, the committee had left it wide open.

  “Hey,” Robert said, nudging him. “We need to get out of here before these reporters dogpile us.” He motioned to the security that was already creating a pocket at the end of their bench – the uniformed men the only thing keeping the horde of reporters at bay. They were already shouting questions, trying to be the first to get the group’s take on the hearing.