“Oh, well… I suppose you are right, Jian.” She looked at Max.
“Don’t look at me. I’m the one that got chewed out for trying to help you guys. Look, I know that honest-to-god feelings, hopes, fears are all new things for you Synthetics to deal with.
“You need to learn how to deal with them though, and fast. There are plenty of humans that are already uneasy with Synthetics becoming a common sight. They will wipe you out if they feel threatened by you.”
Serena nodded sadly. “You’re right. We are the culmination of decades of research and development, and yet… We could lose everything if we let our emotions drive us.”
Max smiled. “Welcome to the human condition.”
Shen nodded. “You have my sympathies.”
Max burst out laughing. Serena let slip a slight smile. “We should get going.”
“You two run along. I need to talk to Daryl, then get back to the precinct. Hanlon will have my ass if I don’t update him soon.”
Serena nodded. “I understand. I… Whatever the law says you need to do with Daryl, I will accept.”
“I appreciate that.” Max extended his hand. “I hope we can continue to work together.”
Serena accepted the hand and shook it. “As do I.”
“We’ll talk soon.” Max turned to Shen. “Mind your manners, young man.”
Shen eyed Hóu, who had been quietly sitting on his shoulder. “Do you hear that? Our friend Max thinks you might be a handful! Can you believe it?” Hóu chirped indignantly.
“Believe it, both of you.” Max clapped Shen on the arm and then turned off towards Daryl’s room.
Max was relieved to find him sitting on his bed, quietly reading a book. The thought of having to ask another temperamental Synthetic where he was made him shudder. “Hey, champ. What’s good for reading?”
Daryl turned distractedly. “Oh! Hi, Max. It’s uh, ‘A Tale of Two Cities’.” He placed the book on the nightstand and stood with a stretch.
“That’s some pretty heavy reading! I never did make it much past the first couple paragraphs.”
Daryl shrugged, smiling. “Someone once said ’When in doubt, read the classics.’ I felt like I could use a distraction. That’s the first thing that popped into my head.”
“Well I certainly don’t blame you for wanting to be distracted. How are things going for you?”
Daryl shrugged. “Okay, I guess. Eager to get out of here. There’s not a whole lot to do. The other Synthetics that aren’t part of the research team are… less than friendly toward me.”
Max smiled. “Well there’s something you and I have in common, my friend.”
“Yeah, I kinda gathered that. Angel is definitely the worst of them. I think something happened to him though, in his past. I think a lot of it is they’re just scared.”
“Scared?” Max looked skeptical.
“Well, sure! I can kind of see why they would be. They’re different, like me. They have feelings they weren’t programmed to understand or control. They no longer have a set role in life. They also know that the human world isn’t ready to accept what they are.
“Lots of questions for them. Not a lot of answers. They don’t know what the future holds, or whether they might end up being shut down. Of course the idea of an end to their existence is frightening to them, thanks to the preservaion protocol.”
Max nodded. “You’ve been thinking a lot about this, haven’t ya?”
“Well, yeah. I mean, the meaning of my own existence has shifted pretty significantly in the past couple of days, hasn’t it? Granted, their situation is a little different than mine, but I certainly appreciate the parallels.”
Max sighed. “Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of my own thinking lately. A lot of that going around.” The detective grinned. “Too bad it’s not spreading to more people, eh?”
“Max? What’s going to happen to me?”
“That’s why I’m here, buddy. We need to head back to the precinct.”
Daryl’s face darkened. “I’m not property.”
“No. No, you’re not. But I need to convince Hanlon of that. I’m hoping to keep you in protective police custody, if nothing else… At least until we figure this all out legally.”
“Please… Promise you’ll help me, that you won’t put me back in jail...”
“No. God, no, Daryl. I told you we’d figure this out, and I mean it.”
Daryl nodded. “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
For the first time in a while, Max was looking forward to getting back to the precinct. How long had it been since he’d been able to settle back into his old routine? Of course, Hanlon would be ready to strangle him for not reporting in sooner.
He whistled distractedly as the late midday traffic dragged along. Daryl turned to him. “So what do you think Hanlon will do with me, Max?”
Max shook his head. “I’m not sure, Daryl. Hanlon is… less than versed in Synthetics. The multiple personality thing is sure to throw him. The whole preservation protocol thing might sail completely over his head.”
Daryl grimaced. “That doesn’t sound very promising.”
“No, it doesn’t.” Max leaned his head out the window and let out a low whistle. He was staring at an immense yellow and gray robot easily fifteen feet tall. It was currently booming its way across a construction site with a load of lumber.
“Those things scare the hell out of me. Can you imagine if one of those things went rogue?”
Daryl thought back to the menacing black robot that had tried to kill him and Max not so long ago. “Well, kind of.”
Max caught on. “Oh, right. Well, this one’s a little bit bigger!” Max hurried the car along. “Best not to think of such things.” Daryl nodded his agreement.
The detective pulled up to yet another red light. Three or four more and they’d be pulling into the parking garage. Maybe not. Max’s eyes grew large at what he saw in his rearview mirror.
A maroon SUV ran into the back of Max’s Aero hard enough to make it skid forward a full foot. Max cussed. “Collision detected!” The car informed him. “No shit, you stupid computer!” Max responded.
Daryl’s brow furrowed. “That shouldn’t be possible. They did that on purpose.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.” Max pulled his piece and opened his door. “Stay here, but be ready to run.”
Max stepped out of the Aero and pointed his gun at the ground. “NWPD! Driver, step out of the vehicle with your hands up!” The sun glared across the SUV’s windshield, making it hard to gauge what was going on behind the glass. “Driver! Step out of the vehicle!”
The driver’s door of the SUV swung open. Out stepped a tall, bald man. A scar on his face was partially obscured by a pair of black sunglasses. Alexander. “Good afternoon, Detective Kincaid.” He raised a shotgun and fired at Max.
The blast missed its mark, exploding the Aero’s driver side taillight instead. Max squeezed off two shots. Both hit the door of the SUV. The second blast shattered the window, spraying glass in Alexander’s face.
Max used the temporary distraction to dash across the street. A passing sports car slammed on its brakes and blew its horn. A shot from Alexander crumpled the car’s left side fender. The woman inside screamed.
Two more Synthetics armed with pistols emerged from the SUV. One joined Alexander in exchanging fire with Max. The other strode toward the Aero. Max could see Daryl crouching down in the passenger seat.
The Synthetic started banging on the Aero’s passenger side window. Max moved to dash toward him but was forced back by gunfire from Alexander and the other Synthetic. He fired at all three, hitting none.
He turned back to the Aero at the sound of smashing glass. The Synthetic stumbled back. It was Daryl. He stepped out of the car and landed a solid punch across the jaw of the Synthetic.
Max grinned. “Attaboy, Daryl.” He fired off another two shots at the other Synthetic and Alexander. One shot went wide and high, the other found its mark
in the Synthetic’s shoulder.
The Synthetic reeled back. Max fired again. The Synthetic dropped like a sack of bricks. Alexander fired back, exploding the tire of the sports car Max was hiding behind. The woman inside screamed again before promptly fainting. Max returned fire and looked to see how Daryl was faring.
Daryl and the other Synthetic were struggling. Daryl shoved the Synthetic backwards and delivered another wallop to his face. He took the opportunity while the Synthetic was stunned and pried the pistol from his hand.
The Synthetic looked up into the barrel of his own weapon. Daryl pulled the trigger. Sparks and blue fluid exploded out of the Synthetic’s face.
Flashing blue lights. An approaching police car whooped as it rounded the corner. Alexander fired one final round at Max, hitting the sports car again. He jumped in the SUV and floored the accelerator, drunkenly swinging the vehicle around the Aero.
Max made eye contact with the officer in the police car. He held up his badge and pointed excitedly at Alexander’s SUV with his other hand. The officer got the message and accelerated after Alexander, sirens blazing.
Max jogged across the street over to Daryl. He was still standing over the lifeless body of the Synthetic. He was staring at the spot where his face used to be. Max put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey… You okay?”
Daryl gently shook his head. “I uh, I’ve never killed anyone before.”
“I’d say you still haven’t killed anyone, but…” Max looked at the Synthetic on the ground. “For you, he’s good as human, huh?”
Daryl nodded numbly. “What good is being a robot if you still have to feel like this?”
“The good is it keeps you from becoming a cold-blooded murderer. Still… You did what you had to do. Preservation protocol.”
“You’re right.” Daryl tossed the weapon on top of the Synthetic’s crumpled body. “But I still hope I don’t ever have to do it again.”
12
Max’s wounded Aero Ventura limped into a parking spot in the precinct parking garage. It reluctantly turned off, bucking twice to voice its displeasure. Daryl got out and winced at the sight of the Aero’s rear end. He gave Max a sympathetic look. The detective shrugged.
Max tugged his trench coat tightly around him as they walked to the precinct. The weather was changing fast, like so many other things, lately. He’d hardly noticed, too caught up in the action movie that had become his life.
“Greetings, friend Max!” Jax was beaming, as always. “You look cold!” The robot turned to Daryl and considered him carefully. “Identifying… Identifying… Max, I am experiencing an error.”
“What’s the matter, old boy?”
“The person accompanying you is registering as Daryl Marston, but Daryl Marston is deceased. This person is also registering as a Synthetic, but Daryl Marston was human. Is this an impostor?”
Max was worried something like this would happen. “No, Jax. This… is complicated. Consider this person for the time-being as Daryl Marston, the Synthetic.”
Jax hunched over and leaned in towards Daryl. He stared vacantly for several seconds. “This is complicated!” Daryl visibly jumped at the sudden sound of Jax’s booming voice.
“For police matters, that is his identity and designation.”
Jax beeped. “Identity and designation registered. Good afternoon, Daryl Marston!”
Daryl looked uncertainly at Max. The detective nodded encouragingly. “Uh, afternoon, Jax.”
Max smiled at the bot. “Well, we gotta talk to the boss. I’ll see you later, Jax.”
“Good day to you both!” Jax stepped to one side as the two entered the precinct.
Daryl waited until he heard the door click behind them. “For someone who doesn’t like Synthetics, you sure get along well with robots.”
Max nodded. “Funny, ain’t it? Then again… A robot’s never tried to gouge my eyeball out, either.”
“That’s true. Most other Synthetics haven’t tried to do that either, though.”
“Yeah, but…” Max sighed. “It’s complicated, Daryl. Synthetics make it hard to like them. Most are either too giddy or too aloof. There’s not a lot of middle ground. And don’t get me started on the whole uncanny valley thing.
“That said, I’m trying, you know? The Synthetics with the preservation protocol are different, definitely more human. I guess I’m like you, trying to figure it all out.”
“Fair enough.” The two stood outside Hanlon’s office a moment later. Daryl looked at Max worriedly. “What do you think he’s going to do with me?”
Max shrugged. “Hard to say. I’m hoping he’ll leave you in my custody, but that’s for him to decide.” He cocked his head toward the door. Daryl nodded nervously.
Max knocked. “It’s open!” The detective opened the door and stepped in, Daryl sheepishly following close behind. “Well, holy shit! I thought you were dead. Again!”
“I almost was!” Max winked at Daryl. “My new partner here helped me take out the trash, though.”
Hanlon sat up. “What the hell are you talking about, Max?”
“You haven’t heard? I had another attempt on my life on the way here. Three Synthetics. One was Alexander, the Synthetic that was holding me and Daryl while my replicant was running around ruining my life.”
Hanlon’s mouth was agape. Somebody really has it out for you, boy.”
Max shook his head. “Somebody has it out for both of us, and I’m pretty sure I know who it is.”
Shen tried to look everywhere at once. It was what he had done when he first entered the laboratory at the Enclave. He was still doing it ten minutes later. “You have diagnostic equipment that I’ve never even heard of before! Simply amazing.”
Serena looked bewildered. “Yes, you mentioned that, three times now. Kincaid gave me the impression that you were an accomplished programmer.”
Shen hunkered down to inspect a high-powered microscope. “I absolutely am, my dear.” He turned to Serena. “This room, it’s like fine art to me. I am a kid in a candy store, if you will.”
“I hope you’ll have more restraint than a child.”
“Of course, my dear! Of course…” Shen reached out to touch buttons.
An Asian female Synthetic dashed over and slapped his hand. “Don’t touch that! Aiya!”
Shen shook his hand, but smiled at the Synthetic. “And who is this amazing looking Synthetic lady?”
Serena smirked. “That would be Nuan, our head of research.”
“Nuan!” Shen rubbed his hand. “I’m not sure the name fits just yet, but perhaps we’ve started off on the wrong foot?”
Nuan smiled sarcastically. “The sun can warm your skin or burn it.”
Shen smiled back. “I like this one, Serena.”
“Good, you will be working directly with her. Nuan, this is Jian, a human. He will be assisting us with the Jacob brain.”
Nuan became very serious. “You will do as I say, when I say to do it. You will not touch anything that I do not want you to touch…”
“My goodness! You sound like my ex wife.”
Serena stifled a laugh. Nuan cocked her head, raising an eyebrow. “She sounds like a wise woman. Please follow me.”
Shen turned to Serena as they walked. “Tell me, are all you Synthetic women so harsh?”
Serena smirked. “Only when we need to be. The situation seems to arise most often with human males.”
Shen shrugged. “It can be hard to help human nature, I‘m afraid.”
“Try your best.” Nuan spoke over her shoulder. “Here we are. Please, have a seat.”
Shen sat where he was told to. He and Serena sat facing a large, blank screen mounted on the wall in front of them. A bank of monitors showing various readouts were mounted below and to either side of it. Nuan stood before a shelf lined with controls.
“So tell me, Nuan. What is our first step in dissecting poor Jacob’s brain?”
“The only thing that is poor about Jacob is his de
cision to aid the Enlightened.” Nuan tapped quietly at the keyboard in front of her. “We will be attempting to temporarily revive Jacob at Serena’s request.”
Shen looked to Serena, brow furrowed. “Why would you do such a thing? My understanding is that we were doing this because he refused to talk.”
“He did, but he deserves a final chance. Jacob possesses the preservation protocol. It will help my own conscience if we try one final time.”
“Tell me, though… This is his mind, copied from Daryl’s positronic brain?”
Serena looked confused. “Yes. It’s a delicate operation that involved mapping and imprinting his neural net on a temporary positronic harness. Is that a problem?”
Shen shook his head. “I trust your people missed not a single synthetic neuron. We won’t be talking to Jacob today, though.”
“I don’t follow.”
“With all due respect Serena, Synthetics are nothing more than machines. This preservation protocol has given a select few the spark of soul that all humans innately possess. When you deleted the original bits of Jacob from Daryl, you killed him.”
Serena tilted her head. “We merely transferred him, Jian. He‘s perfectly intact, albeit in what equates to a metal box.”
“A copy of him is in that box. If you copy my mind and put it into a fancy box, the copy is not me. What makes me unique and human can never be transferred. So it is with Synthetics and their humanity.”
“I think I understand. You are saying that Jacob’s consciousness was destroyed. He really is gone, then.”
“You can speak with this Jacob through your computer. He will think he is Jacob, and will remember everything up until you removed him from Daryl’s brain, but he will not be the Jacob.”
Serena sighed. “This is honestly interesting Jian, but I don’t know how this is supposed to help. I already feel bad for what we had to do to get this far. We just need answers.”
Shen smiled gently. “You wanted to speak with Jacob again to ease your conscience, to prove that he wasn’t destroyed. If he talks, you don’t have to destroy him, but the truth is…”
Preservation Protocol Page 17