by Gary Starta
“We seem to be handling our situation very well,” Steven Carlisle interrupted. “Actually, I would commend us on an excellent job considering we apprehended the perpetrator of the crime without aid of a police department.”
“Spoken like a true politician,” Jon said to Steven. “Since you are our acting mayor and local hero, I would like to hear your viewpoint as to what we should do with the artificial bodies. We can’t just leave them lying in the basement forever.”
“I think we should wait and hear what Linda has to say,” Steven answered.
“Linda is a good woman; but I remind you that she’s not the official leader of this planet,” Daryl pointed out. “I’m sure she’ll be proposing a very diplomatic solution to our problem. But what I want to hear from her is that we can find a way to get rid of these automatons—or whatever they’re called—before they spook the next group of civilians or our future children.”
“Yes, Steven,” Jon intervened. “As mayor, you can represent our concerns about the androids. We want to be assured our families will be safe. So if Linda starts to propose some humanitarian influenced proposal, you can rebut her.”
“I don’t know if I can represent an opinion that is solely based upon fear,” Steven said to Jon and Daryl. “I like to keep an open mind. We don’t know if these androids were responsible or capable of harming anybody. Any judgment we make at this time would be based upon pure speculation. So I would implore you to wait to hear what Linda has to say before jumping the gun.”
Before Jon or Daryl could respond, Linda’s voice permeated the room via a sound system.
“Ladies and gentlemen of Ceres, we are gathered here to decide the fate of the android scientists. Before I give the meeting over to the floor, I would ask that you allow me to complete my proposal before making remarks. When I am done, each and every one of you will be allowed a turn to speak.”
Linda then proposed her plan for re-activation and a trial of the android known as Mikola Petrovsky. Linda went on to report her findings regarding the engineer’s devious use of holographic technology. She argued that Petrovsky had programmed Joyce Starkman to take the shots at them. She also gave a full account of the Tempest conspiracy. The crowd remained fairly quiet with all this strange and disturbing news until Linda explained how the verdict would be reached. “The fate of the androids will be decided by majority vote—meaning that six out of ten colonist votes will be adequate to carry a decision either way.”
Dougherty fought to continue her proposal despite the groans and protests from the colonists. She then cast a glance at Matt for help.
“As captain of this mission, I order all of you to honor the wishes of my wife,” Matt intervened. “Please remain quiet until she is through. Anybody who does not believe they can follow my orders may forfeit their right to vote at the trial.”
The crowd reluctantly obeyed Matt as each colonist suddenly realized they were no longer living the care free life they enjoyed aboard the ship. The party-type atmosphere of the “rec” room was a thing of the past. The reality of the current situation hit home each and every time a colonist glanced at Marisa Perez who remained uncharacteristically quiet seated next to her husband Mario.
The purple bruises around Marisa’s neck was a cold reminder that this was no simulation.
“I know safety is a paramount concern,” Linda continued in obvious reference to Marisa Perez. “We thank our creator that we are all here today despite the peril we faced less than one week ago. In light of this, I propose that each and every android be confined within a force field until the trial is over.”
At this point, Jon Sanderson did his best to muffle some inaudible comments which were starting to spew from his mouth. Terry Sanderson put a vice grip like hold on her husband’s hand to quiet his ramblings. “We’re sorry, Linda. Please continue,” Terry apologized.
Linda paused a brief moment to regain her composure and continued. “However, we cannot say that we live in a free society until every being has that right. So if the androids are found to be innocent of the crimes, we will no longer be able to keep them confined or subject them to the punishment of an off switch. We will in effect decide the fate of a new species with our trial. No votes will be accepted or counted until the hearings are over. So now you may speak all you want, but a trial will commence with or without your approval.”
Daryl turned angrily towards Steven after a shocked moment of silence had passed. “Do you agree with her proposal? Please tell me you’ll talk her out of this idea to allow a band of mechanical criminals the chance to walk freely among us.”
When Daryl saw that Steven could not produce an immediate response, he grabbed his wife by the arm and led her away from the meeting.
It was now official. An air of dissension had descended upon Reliance Point.
What Are You
Made Of?
Part VI
Chapter 1: Identify Yourself
Linda’s fears had been realized. A division among the colonists had been confirmed at the meeting. It was clear that the White’s and the Sanderson’s did not want any part of giving the androids the benefit of the doubt. As for Marisa and Mario Perez, their stand was unclear due to their lack of verbal participation. On the other hand, Linda believed she could count on Steven and Mia Carlisle and possibly even her husband to recognize the rights of the androids. As it stood right now, a majority vote would probably condemn the automatons to a life of servitude and contempt or perhaps permanent deactivation.
The next few days passed quicker than Linda hoped they would. She was still hoping for a miracle in her defense of the androids. Linda believed technology would prove their innocence. “Androids have no human will or desire to hurt other beings. Only humans are capable of this despicable behavior. Maybe the Sanderson’s and White’s realize there is a darker side to all of us. That’s why their so vehemently opposed to re-activation. They think the androids are capable of mimicking the worst traits of humanity. Nevertheless, I cannot let one evil-hearted man get his way. Petrovsky hoped to divide us with his attacks. I will not let that bastard rest easily in his grave.”
Unfortunately, Linda amassed no more ammunition to defend the androids before the trial commenced.
The still unconscious androids had been rounded up and put into a circle in the basement of the municipal building. In a few minutes, Linda would instruct Steven to re-activate them from his location at the radio shack. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a concentration camp.
Daryl White refused to allow the phaser rifle he had found in the meadow to be taken from him. He wanted assurance that all the automatons would awake peacefully. “Especially that crazy one with the red cap,” Daryl demanded angrily. Matt advised Daryl that under no circumstance would he be allowed to take a weapon into the court room. White begrudgingly agreed to hand over the weapon once it was confirmed the Petrovsky android could not break through the electronic barriers of the force field.
The android bearing the frightening resemblance to Mikola Petrovsky was flanked by the Starkman’s, the Ciprelli’s and the Hiroshi’s who formed a circle around him. The android Nadia Petrovsky was placed outside this circle.
Everyone’s nerves were on edge as Linda was minutes away from commanding Steven to commence the re-activation process. Even Ruby the bug fluttered from window to window trying to get a better view of the historical undertaking.
Linda reminded everybody that it was doubtful any of the androids would still be linked to the human engrams. “We don’t even know if these beings will be capable of simple communication—never mind acts of aggression. So please everybody try to position your bodies in a non-threatening manner, we don’t want their first glimpse of us to be one of terror.” Jon Sanderson grimaced in disgust at Linda’s announcement. Mario Perez did not display any negative emotions but it was clear that danger was on his mind as he went to shield his wife with his arms.
Daryl White propped his gun against his shoulder as hi
s wife took a deep breath. Mia Carlisle wished she had Steven’s hand to hold onto as the crucial moment had now arrived.
Linda held her data net device up to the crowd so they could see the screen which provided an image of Steven at the radio shack. “At the count of three, Mayor Carlisle, please press the green re-activation button. One-two-three…”
The deed had been done. Life began to surge through the automatons. Slowly, each android began to open its eyes—with the exception of the boy, James Starkman. He remained motionless on the floor while all the other androids rose to their feet.
In unison, the android voices made a proclamation. “I am here to join your community. My purpose is to make a positive cultural and economic contribution to your society to the best of my abilities. I only seek to be enlightened and have no interest in amassing more wealth or power than is needed to sustain me during the course of my life. Please do not let my human-like appearance scare you. I only strive to mimic the positive qualities of your race.” All the androids then smiled back at their speechless captors.
Chapter 2: To Err is Human
Linda fought to swallow as her mouth had suddenly become dry as a Ceres desert. “Fellow citizens, I am here to welcome you back from your…(she paused for an instant before finishing her sentence) sleep. Unfortunate events have occurred necessitating security measures. We regret imposing these restrictions upon you; however, we plan to remedy the situation with your aid. We ask your cooperation during a hearing which will commence immediately. When we have ascertained there is no further threat to the safety of our community, we will be glad to accept you into our society with open arms.”
The androids all listened attentively to Linda’s address. Daryl began to lower his weapon as he realized the Petrovsky android was not about to try to bolt through the force field. Matt then readjusted the parameters of the force field to allow the androids to leave the basement and begin their ascent up to the second floor of the municipal building where a court room awaited them. Dressed in a robe and seated at a tall table located at the back of the court, a holographic judge acknowledged the procession of androids and colonists filing into the room. Steven had fashioned the holographic judge from his HoloVoyage game. Carlisle maintained that only a holographic judge could be trusted to be fair and impartial during the proceedings. Linda agreed wholeheartedly with Carlisle after observing the human behavior of the past week.
“Please take your seats,” the judge ordered. “We are gathered here to decide the guilt or innocence of an android known as Mikola Petrovsky. Eyewitness accounts as well as evidence will be examined thoroughly by this court before judgment is made. Although the vote of the colonists will ultimately decide this trial’s outcome, I have been empowered to expel anyone who purposely interferes with the android’s right to a fair trial. Do I make myself clear?” the hologram asked.
After the din of a series of inaudible responses had died down, the judge was satisfied that the colonists had consented to his terms.
Linda took a seat at a conference table next to Mikola Petrovsky. “I will act as the defendant’s counsel,” she explained.
A small voice emerged from the back of the courtroom. “I would like to be the prosecutor.” It took a few seconds for everybody to realize the voice belonged to Marisa Perez.
Linda fought her initial response of shock. The counselor had to admit that if anybody had the right to demand justice it was Perez.
“Please be seated at this table,” Linda addressed Marisa politely. Perez was joined by Jon Sanderson at the prosecutor’s table located to the right of the accused. To the judge’s left was a stand with a microphone. The judge called Petrovsky to come to this stand and provide the court with an opening statement regarding his plea. “The accused has been charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder. He is also charged with conspiracy to commit mass murder. How do you plea?”
Petrovsky ambled up to the stand with a limp which was most likely suffered during his electrocution. “I have been advised by my counsel to plead not guilty to all charges,” Petrovsky stated blandly.
“Did we not see you gun down a boy out there in the meadow?” Daryl charged with fury.
“Order in the court. Any other outbursts will result in expulsion,” the judge replied.
“Does the accused want to make any other statements on his behalf?”
Petrovsky turned to the judge and bent his head down down to speak into the microphone. “I can only tell the court that my memories reveal I was not in control of my body at the time of the crimes. I also do not believe I was in total control of my mind when a gun was fired at the Starkman boy nor when my hands were wrapped around the neck of Marisa Perez. The same is true concerning the death threats I made to the colonists. I do not deny that my body committed these regrettable acts. I do submit that an outside force controlled my mind and body.” Jon Sanderson then obtained permission to question the accused.
“Mr. Petrovsky, you speak of an outside force exerting an unwanted influence over you. I am fascinated by this notion. Can you tell me where this force now resides?”
“I cannot, Mr. Sanderson. I do believe it has left the confines of my body.”
“Oh, isn’t that convenient. So this force can exert its influence over you anytime it wants. It can just get up and leave when it’s being tried for murder, for example,” Sanderson stated with a mock tone.
Linda then interrupted. “Judge, if the prosecution has no further questions at this time, I would like to address my client.”
Sanderson feigned surprise at her intervention. He then extended his hand welcoming her to the floor.
“I would like to ask the accused if he believes this outside force was a demon or devil.”
Mikola’s face wrinkled with confusion. The judge then ordered him to answer the question.
“I do not know what constitutes a demon or devil. I do believe the force did exist in our physical world if that’s what you are getting at.”
“That is exactly what I am getting at,” Linda said to the court. “The artificial brain of the defendant was linked with the human engrams of Mikola Petrovsky when the crimes were committed. This is a fact. I can produce the audio recording of Dr. Adrian McElroy confirming this if necessary. The outside force Mr. Petrovsky alludes to is not a paranormal element or mystical spirit. It has a quite tangible form. It was the sick mind of a demented engineer. An engineer who was human and quite real. We are not talking in riddles Mr. Sanderson. We are simply referring to the poisoning of an artificial brain with human engrams.”
“Well can you provide us with assurance that these engrams have departed the body of the accused?” Sanderson charged.
“We are prepared to go into great detail to exhibit a piece of evidence which clearly shows how the human brain of Mikola Petrovsky influenced not only the artificial body he inhabited—but other androids as well.”
Linda then asked Matt to take the stand. The uncomfortable look on his face told the prosecution as well as the holographic judge that his findings were more theoretical than factual.
After a twenty minute presentation, Matt concluded that the human being known as Mikola Petrovsky crafted a device to undermine the android beings who had replaced him not just once in his lifetime—but twice.
“Mr. Petrovsky lost his job to robots at the World Aeronautics Association. He then was faced with the prospect of losing his life. In order for some small part of him to remain alive, he had to agree to become linked with technology he despised. So you can see he clearly had a motive to use this holographic transmitter—which was disguised as a model—against the androids,” Matt concluded.
“That is a great argument for motive, Mr. Dougherty,” the judge commented. Linda broke into a smile which reflected a combination of pride in her husband and a victory for her defense.
However, the victory was short lived when the judge proceeded to ask Matt if he could provide documentation of the messages se
nt via the holo model.
“I cannot do that at this time, your honor,” Matt responded dejectedly.
Dr. Sanderson broke into a small smile. He turned to share his elation with Marisa; however, she was lost in pensive thought.
Just then a voice came from the direction of where the androids were seated.
“Can I participate in this hearing?” Peter Ciprelli asked.
“What is on your mind, Mr. Ciprelli?” the judge allowed.
“I have some disturbing memories. I can recall falling from this building’s rooftop before we were deactivated. I believe I was also influenced by an outside force. However, I do not think the force resided in my human engrams. I think this holo model has something to do with it. Peter Ciprelli was a skilled holographic technician. While I shared his engrams, I also became proficient in his field of expertise. I propose that you allow me to examine Mr. Dougherty’s findings. I may be able to tell you what those messages are. I personally would like to know what caused me to jump off a rooftop.” “This sounds intriguing,” the judge responded.
“This is preposterous,” Sanderson interrupted.
“This is a great idea,” Mayor Carlisle commented while joining the proceedings. “I had to secure the radio shack. I apologize for my tardiness, your honor.”
“You’re quite excused mayor based upon the circumstances. I concur with Mr. Carlisle on this one. If this technology can be diagnosed by an expert we may all become “enlightened” as the androids so eloquently proclaim,” the judge concluded.
“How do we know this android won’t use this technology to lower our force fields and corrupt the deactivation system? We may be unwittingly empowering a team of psychotic robots to overthrow us with this crazy proposal,” Sanderson argued.
“I don’t agree. I will allow the defense team a period of 24 hours to work on this endeavor.”