It was a stark contrast to how androids were viewed when “modern” android technology first began to blossom in the early twenty-first century. Indeed, when advanced robotics, human-like exo-features and artificial intelligence applications were first merged into humanoid androids during that era, many decried the new inventions.
Some raised ethical concerns about the spread of sexbots, the first extensive commercial application of humanoid androids. Others saw the introduction of andros in factories and on farms as yet another robotic blow to the availability of blue-collar jobs. Then came the chorus of those unnerved by the creation of android military and police squads. These were but a few of the prominent android debates that raged into the mid-twenty-first century.
Whether alarmed by the possibility of artificial intelligence run amok, loss of jobs, the impact on human behaviors or other concerns, there had been enough of an outcry then to lead governments around the world to enact restrictions on the development and distribution of andros. And while countries varied in the severity of their laws and regulations, the net effect had been a dramatic slowdown in the proliferation of androids, a slowdown that lasted for decades.
The Genetic Revolution and its aftermath largely wiped away the ethical and practical objections to the widespread use of humanoid androids. The need to survive trumped all other considerations. Restrictions on artificial intelligence remained and ethical guardrails for sexual and social mores were also maintained but, in every other respect, the end of the twenty-first century was like the wild west for humanoid androids.
Initially, andros filled gaps in the medical field. With millions dying from exotic diseases spawned by communicable gutations, there were not enough doctors and nurses to treat the infected. Then, as societies began to break down amid the health crises, an urgent need for security personnel developed, leading to an explosion of andros in police and military outfits across the globe. And with much of the world’s commerce disrupted during the era, governments saw no choice but to begin subsidizing purchases of android workers by businesses to make sure the businesses could continue to feed, shelter and otherwise support their populations.
Eventually, by the turn of the twenty-second century, andros had gained enough of a foothold to make their presence felt in every aspect of human life. And as societies began to stabilize, ethical debates once again surged. Only this time, the pressures exerted by the world’s citizens were aimed at reducing the AI and ethical restrictions governing android functionality and interactions with humans.
Over the next decade, those loosened restrictions led to the development of enhanced AI modules that allowed newly manufactured andros to develop rudimentary sentience and blend more seamlessly into human families and workplaces. These newer models were still “owned” by humans and performed designated tasks on behalf of their owners, but technology refinements had made them increasingly indistinguishable from humans in appearance, deed and thought.
These semi-sentient andros still represent a small minority of the overall android population in 2137, but they are growing in numbers. And despite all the rules and regulations in place to limit their sentience, some of them are beginning to exhibit independent behaviors.
Classes of androids
Much like there were many makes and models of automobiles in the twenty-first century, there were many makes and models of androids in the twenty-second century. Several android models, or classes, were featured in The GODD Chip, including Makoas, Steels, Vipers, Athenas, Apollos and Olympias, but there were many others not mentioned.
Each class of android was designed with certain standard features and some optional features that could be added to or swapped with core features. Also similar to automobiles, android standard and optional features included mechanical, computer and appearance upgrades.
The similarities between autos and andros departed when it came to customization. If you desired to create a clone of yourself, you could do it. Alternatively, if you preferred to replicate the appearance of an idol or a loved one, it was possible so long as you abided by twenty-second-century laws governing likeness trademarks and identity preservation. For the do-it-yourself crowd, you could design your andro from the ground up within the constraints of the andro-class core specs. It was expensive but possible. Most humans, however, chose basic designs offered by the various andro makers or tweaked the features of pre-designed andros in a maker’s catalog. If you grew tired of your andro’s appearance, voice, skill sets or performance, you could even give them a makeover at your local andro chop-shop.
That said, despite the seemingly boundless possible customizations, each andro class tends to have distinct features which typically make it easy to visually distinguish one class versus another, even when other features are customized.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin Patrick Donoghue is the author the Anlon Cully Chronicles archaeology mystery series, the Rorschach Explorer Missions science fiction series and the Unity of Four medical thriller series. He lives in the northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., with his wife and two sons.
For a listing of his books, turn to the next page titled BOOKS BY K. PATRICK DONOGHUE
Ways to stay in touch with the author:
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BOOKS BY K. PATRICK DONOGHUE
The Anlon Cully Chronicles:
Book 1: Shadows of the Stone Benders
Book 2: Race for the Flash Stone
Book 3: Curse of the Painted Lady
Book 4: Priestess of Paracas
The Rorschach Explorer Missions:
Prequel: UMO (novella)
Book 1: Skywave
Book 2: Magwave
The Unity of Four series:
Book 1: The GODD Chip
COPYRIGHT
This book is a work of fiction. All the characters, incidents and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual locations, events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
THE GODD CHIP
Copyright © 2020 Kevin Patrick Donoghue
All rights reserved.
eISBN: 978-1-7352312-3-5
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7352312-4-2
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-7352312-5-9
Published by Leaping Leopard Enterprises, LLC
www.leapingleopard.com
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
First edition: August 2020
Cover art and design by Asha Hossain Design, LLC and K. Patrick Donoghue
Notes
[←1]
For more background on the Genetic Revolution, return to the table of contents and click on the link labeled Appendix A: The Genetic Revolution
[←2]
New Atlantia is one of the six nations that formed as a result of the dissolution of the United States of America in 2101. For more details about the six nations, return to the table of contents and click on the link labeled Appendix B: The Realignment of North America
[←3]
For information about the caste system of the 22nd century, return to the table of contents and click on the link labeled Appendix C: Castes of the 22nd Century
[←4]
For a more expansive description of the GODD chip, return to the table of contents and click on the link to Appendix D: The GODD Chip.
[←5]
For more information about androids that appear in this story, see Appendix E: Androids in the 22nd Century
CONTENTS
DEDICATION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NOTES TO READERS
PROLOGUE: NIGHT OF THE JAKALIS
; CHAPTER 1: BITTER CHOICES
CHAPTER 2: TIP-OFF
CHAPTER 3: HARSH LESSONS
CHAPTER 4: SIZING THE ENEMY
CHAPTER 5: ZERO HOUR
CHAPTER 6: HOOK, LINE & SINKER
CHAPTER 7: HEAVY TOLL
CHAPTER 8: CONSEQUENCES
CHAPTER 9: MOTIVES
CHAPTER 10: PRESSURE COOKER
CHAPTER 11: IN THE CROSSHAIRS
CHAPTER 12: COMFORT THE NEEDY
CHAPTER 13: DECEPTION
CHAPTER 14: REVELATIONS
CHAPTER 15: FOE OR FRIEND
CHAPTER 16: DEFIANCE
CHAPTER 17: GUT WRENCH
CHAPTER 18: THE SQUEEZE
CHAPTER 19: RING OF FIRE
CHAPTER 20: THE WINDING ROAD
CHAPTER 21: SPLASH LANDING
CHAPTER 22: READ BETWEEN THE BINDS
CHAPTER 23: BITE OF THE VIPERS
CHAPTER 24: FREE-FOR-ALL
CHAPTER 25: SNATCH OP
CHAPTER 26: CLEARING SKIES
CHAPTER 27: RECOVERY
EPILOGUE
APPENDIX A: THE GENETIC REVOLUTION
APPENDIX B: THE REALIGNMENT OF NORTH AMERICA
APPENDIX C: CASTES OF THE 22nd CENTURY
APPENDIX D: THE GODD CHIP
APPENDIX E: ANDROIDS IN THE 22ND CENTURY
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BOOKS BY K. PATRICK DONOGHUE
COPYRIGHT
The GODD Chip (The Unity of Four Book 1) Page 35