Mind Mapping, Part 6: Tense

Bin had decided to treat not just Steve and Jane, but also Copper and Spoon to a free meal. They all went to an open air restaurant near the statue of the city’s founder, Tense. Nearby there was also live music being played, and street performers to entertain the persistent crowds in the area. It was primarily tourists, but there were still a large portion of native Drones who frequented the area for the atmosphere and good food.

Everyone had already ordered their meals, and were waiting at a table for their food to be delivered. Copper sat almost uncomfortably close to Steve, who suddenly realized she had not been treated for any of her injuries. “Copper, are you sure you shouldn’t be in a hospital? You look like you are in pretty rough shape.”

Copper looked at her arm, littered with bruises and electrical burns. “What, this? I’ve been in way worse shape before. This is nothing.”

Steve shook his head. He had almost forgotten she had been a slave, and about the abuse she must have suffered in the past. “Still… make sure to take care of yourself. I would feel bad if you didn’t after the crazy siege you led for my sake.”

Copper giggled, and hugged his metal arm tightly. He couldn’t understand what made Copper so attached to him, but he didn’t much care. He enjoyed her company as well, and was increasingly looking forward to working with her. Her personality was almost antithetical to the frequently more focused and down to earth demeanor held by the other Drones. It genuinely lifted his spirits.

Bin tapped on the table impatiently as they waited for their food, and deigned to make conversation to pass the time. “So, Copper, you are going back to your simulation, yes? You weren’t in there very long.”

Copper suddenly looked terrified. “No! I’m not leaving Steve again! He’ll get kidnapped or injured or something!”

Bin laughed. “I can see why you might think that, but I would say odds are he will be fine. One can only suffer so much bad luck in so short of time, in my opinion.”

“I don’t care! I’m not going anywhere without Steve!”

Steve, though he briefly considered that it might be a bad idea to fuel Copper’s emotional dependency, decided on a compromise so she could still get the psychological help she needed. “How about this, Copper. I can join you in the simulation for a little while. Bin, it’s possible to do design work for a gravity skiff within a simulation, right?”

Bin nodded, seeing what Steve was suggesting. “Of course. They will need to preload some specialized physics programs to better match reality, but it’s actually a recommended practice to test anything beyond a minor skiff’s engine in a simulation first. You know, to prevent accidental explosions or mini-black holes.”

Steve nudged Copper. “Hear that? We might even get some work done.”

Copper was thrilled with the prospect. “Really?! That sounds great! We can fly around everywhere together!”

Steve smiled. “Yeah, I suppose so. Though, in simulated environments, I don’t think a skiff is really necessary for flight…”

Jane rolled her eyes. “All right lovebirds, let’s address the burning helephant in the room. Steve, what do we really know about that AI? Is it still… talking to you?”

“No… it stopped after we escaped, and even if I try to ask it questions it doesn’t respond.”

Bin crossed his arms, intrigued. “Yes, I heard about your rogue AI. So that is what causes the glitch with using other AI? That’s interesting, but I’ve never had it invade my thoughts. Granted, I don’t think I’ve been in similar situations to what you’ve faced in recent events.”

Steve scratched the top of his metal head, annoyed at the lack of closure. “It just doesn’t make sense… why me? Why only when I’m in immediate danger? And if it’s so useful in dangerous situations, why wouldn’t everyone have it? Who made it and why?”

Bin leaned back to think out loud. “Well, it’s possible it has limitations we don’t know about. As far as I know, only people who have exceptional critical thinking and problem solving skills have the AI loading issue that you and I have, Steve. But I know plenty of people who are very intelligent who don’t have the issue. What the criminals spouted about using it as a weapon… that might be part of it. It knows it would be misused, so it’s designed to remain as hidden as possible. But the biggest question of all might be simply this… is it completely synthetic, or did its creator use someone as a base?”

Steve considered it for a moment. “I think it almost has to be synthetic… it acts like broken or buggy code at times. A normal person wouldn’t think in the ways that it does, and it was able to hack into simulations and perform actions with very little effort.”

“You say that, but Drone technology is specifically designed to interface easily with the mind. It’s one of the reasons why AI templates based off living beings are superior to completely synthetic ones. Though, I will admit, I can’t imagine many people alive who have the kind of technical knowledge you described this AI as having. Fashioning a makeshift core transmitter that also doubles as a weapon? That’s class seven casting stuff, as well as only possible for someone who specializes in casting technology, beyond merely casting as a practice. That’s a very high level of technical expertise paired with some impressive ingenuity. I wonder if we could find that device again and reverse engineer it...”

Interrupting Bin as he trailed off, a robot showed up at the table with six arms each carrying a plate. It began placing down the different meals before it suddenly seemed to notice Steve. “Oh, hello there young’un! Hyuk! I heard you had a bad day…”

Steve looked over at the strange figure. It had a yellow circular head with an overly happy expression bobbing around atop a spring attached to a polygonal upper body, from which also extended its plethora of cable arms ending in white gloved hands. It’s legs were sturdy with an accordion like protective rubber covering them, to prevent things getting caught in the joints. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

Bin answered for the animatronic. “That’s Springhead. He’s an old android the restaurant uses. He’s just an AI in there, not an actual Drone. He has no core, and thus no soul.”

The springy head bounced up and down as the mechanical contraption responded. “Yep! That’sa me! Ol’ friendly neighorhood Springhead! Serving you with a smile! But tell me, why the long faces? Isn’t all your troubles over? Beat the bad guy, saved the day? Hyuk!”

Steve answered dismissively, not expecting the robot to respond intelligently to his comments now that he knew it was some kid-friendly mascot. “Oh, we were just wondering where an AI we’ve got sneaking around in our heads came from. It had to originate from somewhere, but it won’t answer any direct questions about its origins or purpose.”

The lights behind the robot’s eyes flickered for a moment before it’s entire demeanor changed. It’s voice was no longer cartoonish and jovial, but flat and serious instead. “Well, that does sound like a puzzle. If I had to guess, you might never be able to get down to the truth of it all. Life is full of unsolvable mysteries that you never see through to the end, but isn’t that part of the beauty of life itself? Not knowing everything? The struggle to learn the secrets behind the surface level of reality is one of the most rewarding tasks someone can take upon themselves.”

Steve turned completely around and looked hard at the android. “Excuse… me?”

Springhead continued. “An AI with such strange behavior must have a purpose. He probably said as much, didn’t he? He was - and is – waiting. For something big, no doubt, but what? What is he waiting for? It’s possible even he doesn’t know. A trigger that activates when the time is right, just like he currently only responds when someone who has him dormant in their subconscious already is in danger, but not before nor after…”

Everyone was paying very close attention to the unassuming robot now. Bin stood up. “Springhead? Do you… know something? About the AI?”

Springhead let out a solemn laugh. “I know many things… I have to. I’m older than some of you might think, or at least my software is. Body has been switched out many times… Too many times to count. I don’t think about that much, though. I live to serve.”

Steve was getting a creepy vibe the way the robot spoke, with it looming immediately behind his seat. But his curiosity on what it knew was far stronger. “Do you know what the AI is? Or rather, who the AI is?”

“I should. It and I are one and the same. A failsafe. A guardian. A silent force of nature when necessary, and it has indeed been necessary on occasion. Attempts to hack and control all Drones, rob them of their will… I’ve stopped them. They can’t fathom my true power, but maybe I’ve said too much. Just consider this, if you really wish to know what I cannot say. Who would be capable of doing everything I’ve done? Fighting wars, creating technologies, even ensuring some over zealous individuals don’t embellish the history I observed myself? Who might that make me? If you can’t figure that out, I’m not telling you. And if you can, I ask you don’t spread it around. It’s not information that should be handled lightly. I would hate to be forced to… silence someone.”

Spoon’s eyebrows rose. “Did the android just… threaten us?”

Jane stood up. “Enough with the games! Tell us who you are, and who made you!”

The eyes flickered as the android flipped back to its original voice. “Hyuk! Sorry bout that, I think my voice processors had a hiccup! Enjoy your food, and remember! Springhead is always around if you need a helping hand!”

Springhead strolled away, head bobbing as he delivered more food to their respective tables. The table was silent for a moment, no one being particularly interested in their food now. Copper finally broke the silence. “What the rift? Was that… blurry man?”

Bin nodded. “It seems so… but what did it all that mean? Is he suggesting we should be able to guess? I’m no historian, I don’t know who it could possibly be.”

Steve stood up slowly, looking at the statue in the center of the square. The founder of Tempora, a man wearing a lab coat and credited as the creator of all Drones. It all made perfect sense now. “Bin… who is that a statue of again?”

“That’s Tense, the most revered figure among Drones. He founded the city… fought off an ancient… evil… wait. Oh my god…”

Steve sat back down, stunned. “Do we know anything else about him?”

Bin continued, a bit overwhelmed himself. “Well, the accounts say he was an electro caster without equal. He had quite a few enemies, but even they had great respect for his skill. He practically invented the first forms of… AI.”

Steve sat in silence. Had they just been speaking with Tense himself?

Spoon spoke up. “Tense was an ancient Gatekeeper, too, you know. Again, that’s just the story. He was definitely class seven, but comparing him to modern day class sevens feels inadequate. He was considered the single most powerful caster in his time.”

Steve turned to Spoon. “Really? Do you know anything else?”

“Not really. You must understand, this was centuries ago. I wouldn’t even know he existed at all if he hadn’t been such a legendary historical figure, with all his accomplishments.”

Copper was already eating, speaking with mouth full. “Mmph… You guys should just give it a rest for now. Your food will get cold.”

Eventually, the rest shook out of their amazement and began eating as well. Despite the world shattering revelations, they still needed to live their lives. Maybe they would learn one day what Tense was waiting for. But for now, they had their own plans. Tense had his. And for now, that was enough.

THE END

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