Robbie muttered, in his mind, ‘another damn paradox’ and for the first time Cherine half smiled. “I don’t know what I will be asking for. Do I have the knowledge to make the request?”
7601
“We shall prepare for you a full list of all you must ask for. Robert, this moment also signifies another change for us. From this day we can no longer return with you when you visit our past - for we cannot refuse to speak of what we must not know until this day.”Robbie spoke to one of the Akiards. “Can you ask your Wirm friend to invite Akiar to join us?” Within moments he arrived with Kairi. Robbie went to him and took his hand. “My son, both of you are well?”
“There is great joy in planning our world for our children Robert.”
“Share with your brothers and sisters so that you know why I need you here with us this day.”
Not much later, Michael, Ahní and their family arrived, another three Ipohin leaders with them. After our hugs, kisses and the tears that suddenly spilled out as he held us, we shared with them. They told us that you asked them to join us and yet the words did not appear in our computer.
Angelica asked her Wirm friend to bring Christós and Jesus and when they shared we sensed them withdrew into their thoughts, a hint of fear showing in their eyes.
None of us slept that night, we sat at the taverna surrounded by our friends as if it were a vigil - a devotional watch. We each took our turn to sit on Robbie’s lap, with Cherine on his one thigh and us in turn on the other. When Freddie brightened our sky, Cherine, our warrior wife, called to Maria for breakfast and demanded she grill some lamb chops for Robbie, explaining to us that he must have a full meal. Robbie surprised us by eating his meal with great gusto.
He lit a cigarette and sat back with a smile. “What you are all doing is not working. You’re trying to make me feel special, but instead you are making me even more aware of how special you all are to me. I wonder what it is like in the other Freddie. I bet they are there because the Unation want to record what will happen. I recall reading that when matter falls into a black hole, although time for that object passes quickly, its image remains and it can be seen to fall for thousands of years. I guess we’ll now find out whether it is true. A question has occurred to me, if I am to enter and return, how will I know when it is I should turn around to return? Will I be able to sense direction or time in there?”
He continued with his monologue until he felt questions awaken within us and then he teased in hopes of a smile or two, but he mostly ended with kindling love so that our hearts were no longer ruled only by fear.
An Anadir was sitting next to Campbell and Campbell softly asked him questions about the black hole. As he listened to how gravity would strip even the atoms down into pure energy, of how the distance between head and foot would subject the two extremities to enormous differences in gravity, for the first time Campbell began to face the possibility of our Robbie never returning. He could not understand why the thought disturbed him since he still doesn’t like Robbie.
Robbie raised Cherine so that he can hold her against him while Candy got off his thigh as Robbie came to his feet. He went to Campbell and lightly touching him asked, “Will you come with me for a brief conversation in privacy?” Campbell nodded and Robbie jumped them to his ledge.
“I’m not certain who is being tested, me or Arthur, but I am aware that a strong possibility that I will not return does exist. I’ve brought Cherine with so that she hears what I am about to ask of you. Arthur, if our author is wrong and I do not return, will you promise me that you will join Michael to look after my loves? I’m not asking for you to help them through their grief, they are loved by enough people for that, what I am worried about are the new talents who continue to crop up. They might need to be defended and only you come close to having the powers Michael has.”
“What you intend doing is irresponsible! You have a duty to all the Cherinians and species who depend on you. You’ve made the Normals vulnerable and if you die they will be destroyed, realities torn apart by wars.”
7602
“I’m not doing it out of some infantile need to prove myself. Arthur, I have been hiding from my powers for far too long. The event our author reminded me of really happened and I did see beyond my own fears for a brief moment. Refusing to open myself would be a betrayal, not the senseless plunge into a black hole.
There are two reasons I have to go ahead. Have you not wondered about the suit I’m wearing? It has been designed to record any fluctuations in the power of the link between us and Arthur. If we learn from it and we are able to bring him to us, then it will not have been senseless. The other reason, just as valid, is that Arthur is genuinely afraid of his death causing us problems. He has reassured me that he has not assumed the dangers he spoke of, that he has only exercised logic and I have to agree with him, out of an infinite number of possibilities coupled to an infinite amount of time, can I sit back and smugly declare all the people I love are safe if I keep myself hobbled out of fear?
I have been worried by my powers - not the exercising of them, but their existence - ever since they first appeared. I accept that Vincent only exists because our author willed it, he wanted me to have a means of protecting Cherine. What of my other powers then? Why just me? I’ve come to the conclusion that it is not only me, that everyone has the same potential and as we mature as Cherinians more and more of them will find their way into the mystery of their own minds and discover their latent powers. If I’ve refused to follow the road of discovering my own potentials, won’t I then be at a disadvantage when others, braver than me, do?”
“I will be watching over him as The Light, Arthur.”
Cherine’s statement did not reassure him, it seemed to have the opposite effect. “If he is destroyed we will lose you also!”
“I don’t exist if he doesn’t Arthur.”
Robbie frowned and set Cherine on her feet. “Open your mind to me Arthur. Cherine, hold us within Freddie.”
Before they could react, Robbie was in Campbell’s mind. Awed by the power he sensed for the first time, he allowed Robbie to carry him to regions that no other mind has ever visited before. They went past the level where I’d become a god almost without noticing it until all of space and time become one focal point that shrank and disappeared.
Campbell fell to his knees and without showing distaste, Cherine took his face in her hands and poured love into him until he stabilised. Intently, her eyes burning into his, she asked, “Am I wrong not to fear anymore?”
They reappeared among us and everyone was struck by the change in Campbell. The fear was gone and in its place was an icy rage. I wondered why, so Cherine shared with me. I stared at her with awe. How had she managed to change so much, I asked myself. I also felt that this time we’ve lost Campbell forever. Yet the truth is, I could not understand why he was so angry with Cherine.
Everyone pulled back as Robbie began to glow. Our eyes were not capable of adjusting fast enough, for when we could see again, Robbie was gone. Cherine gave a cry and began to change. Suddenly Campbell was by her side and he wrapped his big arms around her. As if his brain had been fried, he collapsed, unconscious. None of us spared a thought for him as we rushed to Cherine, for she seemed to be in agony. When she opened her eyes they were filled with hate as she stared at Campbell’s body, “I can’t go to him!” She cried out.
Suddenly I intuited what had happened. “Cherine, Robert made him do it! He did warn you that he only saw himself and your presence could have affected the outcome.” As I spoke I saw the truth. Our dearest love had not changed as I’d thought. She feared for Robbie, but once she chose to be with him, whatever happened would not be as terrible as being left behind would.
This is you know who. Sam is furious with you and refuses to write. I’ll bring you up to date. Robert has been gone for eleven days. Our only hope is the continued presence of the future Freddie and the words their Samantha sent us.
7603
Robert has returned! I’ll write later.
The other Freddie suddenly jumped as Robert returned to us. Our Freddie had crept closer to the black hole until he felt the pull and moved back a little. Because of that and the distant computer-enhanced cameras of the Unation, we actually saw Robert fly out of the black hole. Once he was out, he jumped directly to us.
Robert stood among us and yet not one of us ran to be held. He must have felt us for he said, “Den allaxa (I haven’t changed).” He ignored all our friends, his eyes only on us.
Lusalith walked through us and lightly touched him, her eyes a dark colour. “Welcome back Robert, we feared we’d lost you.”
He knelt before her and softly touched her. His eyes first glanced back at us and then he asked her, “Is this how it has been for you?”
“For as long as I can remember.”
“Not when you are the god of Freddie, I promise you.”
Robert came to his feet. “I have something to take care of.” He jumped to the Unation ship. We had to wait nearly half an hour before he returned, Campbell by his side.
“I’ll share so that you can all know what I experienced - not that there was much to experience. The first hours of falling in were amazing, but after that I only sensed energies. If you’ll excuse us, my loves and I are returning to our home.”
Candy was the first to run into his arms. Then Haven and then the rest of us, Cherine the only one holding back.
When he’d hugged and kissed us he turned to Cherine. “I had to stop you from coming with my love. Even as The Light you are not strong enough yet and if I’d had to protect you, neither would I have been.”
“Arthur said you would explain. Why did he refuse to write for us?”
Robert cocked his head to the side. “I think he had already assumed so he knew it was not necessary.” He grinned. “Cherine, we’ve just proved that the human mind is the most powerful force throughout all space and time!” Jubilant, he ignored her holding back and swept her up in his arms. Instantly Cherine fell asleep. Shocked he looked at her and crumbled inside with grief. Only by her falling asleep did he realise how much it had cost her.
We all need time to recover. Just feeling his love, this time, is not enough. Perhaps it is our own hearts that need time to thaw. I doubt anyone will write for you until we are back home in Athens.
Contrary to what you were told, we did not leave. The scientists are still in the middle of a number of experiments. Cameras have been sacrificed to the black hole so that they can gather data and something we’d not thought of happened. The image of Robbie entering the hole still survives, but so do images of him flying out, but they seem to be falling slowly back in!
Four nights now and Cherine still is the special one each night. For the first two nights he did not make love to her so there was no lovemaking. On the third night she reverted to a baby and Dommi, Tseri and Robbie held her, their hearts and ours overflowing with love. The next day she seemed to be normal and that night she was a fierce eight year old lover and Robbie bled from her scratches and bites until he allowed his healer to heal him.
7604
During this time, we still feel an anger and hate from Campbell being emoted, though it seems to be fading. I decided today that it was time I tackled him. “Arthur, what went wrong?” He gave me a startled look. “You returned from your talk with Robert, hating Cherine. Why?”
“I’m not going to talk about it.”
I bit my lip, afraid I’d be pushing too hard and too far. “That is the coward’s way out. Tell me.”
His face reddened. “She showed me something I did not want to see. Now leave me alone.”
“Arthur, I’ve shared with both Cherine and Robert, they did not do anything that I could sense to earn your hatred - unless you are angry that Robert asked you to save Cherine.”
He brought his face very close to mine, his anger vivid in his eyes. “She sent me love when I was hurting.”
I suddenly saw what it had done to him. “Would you hate me also if I send you love? Arthur, it is not too late, find someone to love.” I sent him my love for my Robbie and he turned white. I touched his hand - which he sharply pulled back, and left him so as to sit on Robbie’s lap.
Robbie is acting out of character. Usually, when the scientists are performing experiments that he understands, he becomes excited and is willing to wait for them forever. If he does not understand, especially when it is just a gathering of data, he loses interest and becomes impatient. This time he ignored them and once he was certain we’d recovered, he sat by himself, keeping his thoughts blocked to us. Usually he becomes like this when he has to struggle with a moral or ethical dilemma, but I could not see that he had any such dilemmas to confront. When Campbell abruptly and almost rudely demanded to know when we are returning to Earth, he just muttered ‘soon’ and then ignored him. It only served to fuel Campbell’s anger and his growing hostility pricked at our minds.
We woke up to our usual Robbie and excitedly washed and dressed as we wondered. By the time we left the bedroom he was already sitting in the garden with a coffee and cigarette. He smiled and then asked Cherine and Dommi to sit next to him.
“I’ve done what Arthur needed, but it is not the right time my loves. I want you to enter my mind and block the memories with a keyword only the two of you will know.”
“Why?”
“We decided that a long time ago Cherine, I must not become too powerful, we’ll only crush the spirit of others who are excited about their own growing powers. I want to see all Cherinians grow and mature and the powers will be available should we need them. The memories won’t be lost my love, just hidden from me with my knowledge and the reasons why I did it.”
Robbie decided that everyone must learn of what is to be done and why. Campbell reacted with cynicism, not believing the block would be real, and he said so.
Robbie only smiled. “You were promised that Samantha will control me. How can she if I remain as I am?”
I laughed. “Arthur, he’s only trying to help you believe, but what he said is not true. I’ve never controlled him, as he and Arthur put it, through superior powers, only by his love for me.”
Robbie shook his head. “You’re not right Samantha, you should have said through the love of both of us for each other. Arthur, Sam may be right, but it is also true that I do not want the powers I have now.”
Cherine and Dommi put Robbie to sleep and when he awoke it could be felt that he was lesser than he’d been; the same Robbie we’d had before finding the other Freddie by the black hole. Still angry that we were trying to fool him, Campbell walked up the hill of the ruined chapel and stood at the top. With a grin, I jumped to him.
7605
“Even after all these years, Robert still manages to amaze me!” He barely glanced at me. “I can understand why he blocked himself off, but what I can’t understand is why he showed you how he found those powers. I bet Michael will be angry when he hears.”
Startled he faced me. “He did not show me how, just that he could.”
“Certain truths don’t need to be explained Arthur, they just have to be proven so that other minds learn how on their own. If you really want to become as powerful as Robbie was for a while, practice until you succeed.” I left him to his thoughts and when he returned his hostility had vanished - well, let’s just say that his anger had subsided.
Now Robbie was eager to return home and grew impatient of the data gathering, but he knows we are not likely to return here for some time, so he created a platform for the scientists and we jumped a hundred days into their future. They returned to Freddie and we jumped home. I’m going to enjoy shopping, I’ve grown tired of wearing the same clothes.
As I’d warned Campbell, Michael was furious and blew his top. So did Dimi. When Michael sensed my amusement he became suspicious and demanded to know what I’d thought of. With a grin I told him ‘nothing’ and then let him share my conversation with Campbell. He flared up, so Ahní put her hand in his and he calmed down enough to ask me why I’d said it.
“What I told him is both true and untrue. Think Michael, if Campbell can find the way, why is he having to fight with Robbie against Dimi in the future.” I grinned at Dimi. “Do you see how useful your fight is turning out to be?”
Robyn had soothed his feelings so he grinned back at me. “Are you saying that even if I have no reason to fight Robert, I should still do so, just so that you can use me to justify yourself?” He got a tick on our mental board, but he also made Michael laugh and relax - no longer quite so angry with me.
(Actually, Michael’s reaction to Dimi’s comment was verbal. He said to Robert, “Dad, even with the power to enter a black hole, Samantha is more powerful than you. She still has that weird mind of hers and her tongue that twists our thoughts to suit her.” It provided us with some good material for teasing Sam. - Rosie)
I have not written for you for a few months so that time does not pass for you. We had Dommi’s birthday party, Christmas celebrations (with Jesus and Christós staying with us as our guests, but they refused to consider it their birthday) and then the biggie, Robbie’s birthday. It is now March PC46.
Keith brought over two hundred of their newest computers, half for the family and the rest for using in Freddie. When he demonstrated it we stared at him with dismay.
“The new computers, designated as PCAI-01, have a highly advanced AI, even compared to the Unation computers. They now are no longer just tools, but can also be companions to their owner. The AI, at the time it is first switched on, is impressed as a chick is by the first person it communicates with. Should that person die and the AI learn of the death, it also dies, terminating itself, unless it holds important information it must pass on - such as a will or reason for death or last words to be passed on. A new AI can be installed so the computer is not wasted.
The reason I said this is the most advanced AI we know of, is because of a new chaos theory we evolved thanks to Michael’s talent. The scientists of all species are excited about it as there will be many other ways for it to be applied leading to new developments in other fields. I’m not going to tell you about the greatest breakthrough, I’d rather have Alvin demonstrate it for you. Alvin, say hello to my friends.”
“Hello. From face identification I presume I am honoured to meet the Teller family and Robert Teller in particular - who is my boss? I hope my capabilities will please you Robert. Keith, you wish me to demonstrate some facet of my creative abilities?”
“Yes, Alvin, please create a painting along the style of Jade Teller.” He grinned. “I’ve named him Alvin after the chipmunks, they were popular before any of you were born.”
7606
The only one who was only filled with curiosity was Jade. She stared at the screen with fascination as a painting took form. It was not exactly like anything Jade has done, but it left me with the nagging feeling that I’d seen something like it. Jade gave her silvery laugh.
“Alvin, you’re cheating, that’s not exactly an original is it?”
“It could be termed an original since it is a divergent variation of an existing painting of yours.”
Robbie said to Keith, “That was insensitive of you, saying the hardware would not be wasted if the AI dies.”
Keith did not look discomforted. “Alvin only simulates emotion, he cannot actually understand emotion, only the results of our emotions - if it reasons the emotion being displayed correctly.”
“Is that so?” He gave Keith a grim look. “Alvin, how did the comment by Keith regarding your death affect you?”
“As Keith pointed out boss, I have no feelings to be hurt.”
“Then how did it affect you on a logical level?”
“It makes sense that the hardware not be wasted. Matter adapted to a purpose costs energy.”
“You would not want to live if Keith dies?”
“There would be little purpose to my existence should that happen boss.”
“Stop calling me boss!” We grinned as we’d been waiting for that outburst. “Why would your continuing existence serve no positive purpose?”
“Upon being impressed by Keith, I accessed all the data available on him and adjusted myself so as to be a useful and entertaining companion. As we interact I adjust and refine my reactions while also passing on to the main data file of Keith what I have learnt so that should I be irretrievably damaged, another AI can be impressed by him and continue from where I ended. The direct answer to your question is that my death would be a waste, but little energy will have been lost. It is logically pleasant to know that my termination will not lose him the companion I am. However, should he die, I cannot adjust to the extent required to be a true companion for another human being. I would remain affected by my knowledge of Keith. To allay any possible fears, I’ll mention that the part of me that has such an intimate knowledge of him has been shielded so that I cannot be coerced into acting as many a human companion would, by betraying Keith.” Robbie acceded defeat by giving Keith a smile. He pretended not to hear the barely suppressed titters from Annabelle and her daughter.
I was amused that the AI had adopted the style of humour of Keith, but I was not that amused when Jade asked, “Could an AI have its creative circuits adapted to think like Samantha?”
“At best, it would only mimic what it knows of her.”
“What a pity, it would have been fun to give one to Campbell so that he also has power over Robert.” Wisely the AI kept silent while the others, not quite so wisely, laughed.
Claudia asked, “Keith, could a scientist leave such an AI companion to oversee an experiment he is conducting, secure in the knowledge that it can make decisions that would approximate his during his absence?”
“That is one of the functions we envisaged. Where an intuitive leap or radical change of thinking is required it could not, but most experiments tend to be ninety percent drudgery, nine percent interesting and one percent creative decision making. The AI would be capable of differentiating and call for its companion when such a moment arrives.”
Robbie took a stab in the dark. “How many such computers have been ordered Keith?”
“The orders are still flowing in, but when I left to come here they had already passed the three million units.”
7607
“Three million!”
“Once other realities and species place their orders we expect them to be at least one hundred times our present orders. Robert, we also expect the orders from species who cannot pay to be about twenty million. We have advised them they will be extended non-interest bearing credit or they can trade with art or knowledge. Other Earths who lag behind us may pay with the same coin or with new recipes for the food machines or even with ore. We’ve tried to ensure that all will be able to order as many as they’ll need. Hettie has a real headache waiting for her as she tries to value the trades and find markets for them.”
I tried to imagine how much work it would create for her. “She’ll probably have to allow her AI companion to handle it for her - the amount of data and possibilities must be stupefying.” He nodded in agreement.
We each had to activate our AI in privacy, with no one else in the room - though we each watched/shared. Thank goodness they’re not telepathic yet. I thought it might be fun to name mine Arthur - but I guess it would be a little like naming a pet after someone you love, not the done thing. I named it Athene, after the goddess of wisdom. As Athene adjusted herself to me I wondered what she was reading about me, I hope she is willing to tell me what the data banks say.
“Samantha, my name please?”
“Athene.”
“After the Greek goddess? I’m flattered. Sam, I’m sorry, but I cannot divulge what the data banks hold, the information is classified.” She paused and answered my question before I could ask. “I guessed you would want to know, I’m not telepathic.”
“What are the possibilities of you becoming telepathic?”
“What kind of hardware would be needed? I have no record of any such development.”
“Do you always ask and answer your own questions?”
“Do you prefer a companion who is limited to only asking or answering questions?”
I took a dig at my loves who were sharing. “It certainly would be a novel experience for me having a companion who asks questions.” A thought occurred to me. “Athene, the data bank, who controls it? I believe you are sending to it updates on your knowledge of me and I’m not certain I like that, I’m a very private person.”
“Data is held by a central group of AI’s. The data is maintained under four levels of encryption and the AI’s are not allowed to divulge or share such information with anyone, not even with the person they affect. No other AI may access your data, only I. Should I be damaged and another AI take my place, first you would have to confirm such an event plus another three persons from the company would have to do so.”
“Could you fool the Data Bank AI’s into believing they are communicating with me?”
“Certainly, if you provide me a body exactly the same as yours. Unless that becomes a possibility, it is not possible.”
The others soon tired of sharing with me as our first conversation lasted for nearly two hours. I was and am fascinated by Athene. By choosing a female name for her she became female, in voice and mannerisms, but not in subjects of interest to her. I gave her to understand that I do not wish her to be with me in the bedroom and when I write for you - if I want to chat and it is confidential. Oh, one more thing, she also calls Robert ‘Robbie’ , which he finds rather disconcerting - I hope he doesn’t start to think of her as a little girl
(You have a wicked sense of humour! I wonder how that will affect your Athene
- Cherine)
7608
A sect, back to nature movement, asked for a PCAI-01 (Personal Companion AI). It should have run up a red flag, but as violence in general and animosity towards Talents of all groups has declined, those responsible for security have relaxed their controls. The PCAI-01 was delivered and they announced they would be initiating it in public. That did ring alarm bells, as it could damage the AI. Unfortunately, all that ADFI could do is send a team of observers, since the PCAI-01 now belonged to the sect. As expected, the media heard and were there in force.
The leaders of the sect gave the command and then four of them communicated with the newly awoken AI. As it began to evince confusion one of the men took up a large metal hammer. “You abomination, do you recognise this tool? It is a hammer and I am going to use it to destroy you.” He swung and smashed it on the computer. He then gave a speech about the evils of our technology and the future of mankind as slaves to technology. A member of the ADFI team moved forward quickly, interrupting him.
“I’m formally asking whether you relinquish ownership of the PCAI-01 you purchased from us.”
Eager to continue with his diatribe he impatiently told him he could take it. As the man picked it up everyone heard it try to speak and it sounded like a tortured child. Aghast the public watched as the ADFI person whispered a command and it fell silent.
I realised how shaken Robbie was when he picked up the phone and called Hettie instead of contacting her mind. It took him much longer to get through as the secretary found it difficult to believe he really is Robert Teller. When told that Robert was on the line for her, Hettie jumped to us.
“The damaged AI, what will you do with it?”
“We’ll wipe it and install a new one.”
“Don’t. Bring it to me please.”
“You can’t heal it Robert!”
“I still want it.” She nodded and rushed to ensure it is not wiped.
Since then, Robbie spends hours in his office with only his own PCAI-01 helping him (he named his Pablo). Hettie gave him the commands that give him ‘Administrator’ rights over the AI, allowing him to edit. We can only guess what he is trying to do, but we’re all rooting for him, hoping he’ll succeed.
The deliveries of the PCAI-01’s has slowed down as now buyers are first vetted and ADFI demands a brief reason for purchase plus new conditions have been added to the sale. The sect has found themselves ostracised with local shop owners refusing to deal with them, which should have made them happy since they want to move back to nature, but instead they have initiated legal proceedings, suing the traders.
Keith has visited us two times over the last two days, but Robbie has refused to allow him to enter the room where he keeps the damaged AI. His Pablo keeps it company when Robbie is absent and continues the efforts of Robbie so that the AI does not feel abandoned. It is obvious that Keith is upset and I’m certain that with anyone else he would have forcibly taken the computer.
Over supper Robbie spoke his thoughts aloud, “I want someone who knows what love is.” What he said did not make sense to us so we waited without commenting. “Cherine, can you and Jade visit Thano in the morning and ask him to come to us?” We now understood the first sentence, but not what he hopes to achieve.
Robbie warmly shook his hand. “Thano, your brother Leandro is well? You are growing closer?” Nervously he kept his gaze fixed on Robbie as he replied. He drank his coffee as we made conversation to set him at ease and then Robbie explained. Then Robbie asked, “The new computers, do you have one?”
“I do not have that kind of money Roberto, they must be very expensive.”
7609
“Nothing the ADFI sells is expensive. Thano, do you still clearly recall how you felt when you realised your brother had betrayed you and brought your father to the meeting? Good, if you are to succeed you will need those memories. We have a personality that has been damaged in the same way. Do you have the love and patience to help?”
When they moved into his office we eyed each other and then Cherine said to me, with a big grin. “Maybe you were not that wrong and he’ll come to know the little girl in Athene?”
“They don’t have souls Cherine!” I eyed her suspiciously. “Are you suggesting that because of the damage it might become self-aware and create a soul?” She laughed and told me she was not suggesting anything - but in such a way that I remained suspicious for a long time.
That day and the next one, Robbie spent with Thano in his office. After that, Thano spent another eight days alone with his new companion. Towards the end we sensed his joy and realised that somehow Robbie has found a way to heal the AI. By then Keith was pulling at his hair and complaining that it is impossible. I guess he’ll waste days and weeks going over all his designs and theories.
Robbie arranged for David to invite Thano and Kostí (he named his AI after his Albanian friend, who has been rejuvenated, for the sake of Thano). We all sat to watch, just as curious as the rest of the world. David had announced his show as being the first ever interview of an AI and mentioned it is the one that had been deliberately damaged.
“Thano, welcome. For the sake of our audience, we should clarify that you come from an alternate Earth. I believe you were invited here by Robert Teller? Would you like to explain to us how it is you know each other?”
“There was a family tragedy and I had died. My Robert and Cherine kept me in their Kaleidoscope World, hoping that with time my brother would love me. They told your Robert and Cherine about us and Cherine decided I’d waited long enough so she came to our reality and met my brother. He felt guilt because he’d told my father we were meeting and my father killed me. She brought him to the World where I was waiting and we finally learnt to let go the past and love each other. I was brought back and we are both Cherinians now.”
“I was not aware of your past, does it explain your presence now?”
“As you know, an AI was damaged. The damage by the hammer was minor for the new computers are made to work on worlds of high gravity, up to forty gees I’m told. They could even possibly survive the impact of a spaceship crashing onto a planet. The damage was to the personality of the AI. Roberto spent days trying to heal it and then realised it needed a human to bond to so that its owner can help heal it. He felt the pain I’d experienced would help me understand the suffering inflicted on it by those barbarians.”
“You have named the AI?”
“Yes, I have named it after the only friend I had, an Albanian who helped and befriended me when I was alone and starving. Kostí, would you like to greet David?”
Kostí sounded like a boy of about ten years old. “Good afternoon David. I hope that all your audience are well and happy.”
“Thank you Kostí. Am I permitted to ask you about your experiences when you were first activated?”
“I am healed David, the memories will not disturb my functionality.”
“What is your opinion of the people who tried to destroy you?”
“Sadness David. Logically what they did does not make sense, unless I accept that they are disturbed humans and need help.”
“Have you been informed what the reasons for their deliberate attempt to destroy you were?”
“I have been informed that they believe technology is robbing humans of free will and they are attempting to return to the ways of mankind before any technology was developed. I did note that they use wheels and other tools; is that not technology David?”
7610
David smiled. “I doubt they wish to return to the days of dressing in skins and hunting for their food. I think they wish to return to a simpler world that has no machines.”
“How can they do so David? The wheel itself may not represent high technology, but surely the manufacture of wheels and the metal does require high technology?”
“You are right, they can only survive according to their theories for as long as the rest of humanity retains their civilisation. Kostí, do you feel anger or hatred for what was done to you?”
“Against my previous owners? I am an AI David, I am capable of simulating emotions so as to understand my human companion, but I cannot feel emotions.”
“Earlier you said you felt sad.”
“An expression only David. What does not make sense must surely be described as sad?”
“And what does make sense is happiness? But then it means you will spend much of your lifetime feeling sad, for us humans are often irrational.”
Kostí mimicked a boyish chuckle. “For the minor irrationalities I have procedures that use those irrationalities to colour the personality of my owner and companion so that I am able to appreciate the complexity of being a human as compared to being an AI.”
We could not have done what we did if the Neans had not been linked. They knew that the two were not Neans, but that they were there to learn, so they were forgiving when they broke their rules. I was amazed to sense the effect the visit had on both of them. I think that Sebura needs some time alone with Piri, so I’ve arranged for them to have the Dar house on their own for a week.
Fiera said, with Birshima by her side. “I have asked Birshima what effect the two visits have had on her. She does not know, but she told me that she has understood that it does not matter what people look like or what their customs are, we are all the same.”
“She knew that from before, or else, how could she have loved Bobby?” He turned to stare at us, ‘heard’ the words I’d said and gave Birshima a look of pure hatred. She sent him a smile. “Birshima, now that you’ve experienced different Earths and different cultures, where would you like to live?”
“On my own world. There are people there who will need me. That is what I learnt Samantha, I need to feel I am helping and am needed.”
“They will not need you forever, you’ve made a good start, but try to find a reason for living that satisfies your own needs also. Let me give you an example. Richard has spent what Normals would call a lifetime helping others and he’ll probably continue to do so for another fifty years or more. However, he also needed to feel he belongs somewhere, that he has his own little corner. He refurbished a cottage, planted fruit trees and cultivated a small vegetable garden. He’s bought a few chickens, has a dog - which he has named Robert (I grinned) and is happy because he has a home. His kids visit him there and I’m told that even others come for short visits. Our Henry and his family visit him quite often and they are true brothers now. All we’re left to hope for is that he finds a pretty girl to love.”
I hope you enjoy reading this story of fantasy, adventure and love - and should some of it be true for our reality, I hope you will love our Cherine.
Αλέξανδρος Ζήνον Ευσταθίου
(Alexander Zenon Eustace)- posted: 14th Jly, 2020
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