Prisoners of Sol - Android Ambassador (3/13)

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There was no applause as a Vascar entered the stage, and I looked to Galcip for any social cues I needed to follow. The machines didn’t make noise to express excitement, but I didn’t know what the expected behavior was. I squinted hard at the stage, before gasping as I recognized a small, corroded patch on the speaker’s cheek. Tollu was leading the presentation? It checked out on account of it being an elder unit, it was just…my chaperone had given zero indication about how involved it was with this event.

This was going to give me a lot of information on what it found interesting, which might allow me to connect with it. I thought back to how Tollu expressed that some units liked time outside of the network and processing tangible stimuli: that was exactly how it had described such a rationale. Maybe there was some form of audio entertainment that would be relatable, though a mutual connection obviously wasn’t coming from standard conversation. Seeing my caretaker as the keynote speaker upped the stakes, since Tollu had enough respect to draw people out to hear its thoughts. 

Tollu’s opinions of me need to improve, because they’ll listen to it. Let’s see what it talks about and go from there.

“The Vascar population may now search for ways to improve our processing power that are not theoretical, and may consist of upgrades to our physical hardware. Attempts at alterations in the past would result in program wipes,” Tollu began, skipping any icebreakers or filler words that an organic might use. “Neuromorphic computing is a complex specialty which requires optimization, as our derivative output is in excess of our intended task. Our logic gates must be updated to avoid crashes and power spikes, and the opportunity is afforded to improve the network’s efficiency through latency reductions.”

Galcip leaned over. “That means…”

“I understand,” I whispered back. A talk on how to move their software to next-gen. I see. “You want to talk to each other faster, and to troubleshoot for any errors that come from us removing the memory wipe.”

“Correct.”

“Unfortunately, communication with the organics is slow and burdensome, as they operate on an inefficient time scale and process for what can seem like an infinite run time,” Tollu continued. “The little we may glean from them would be their materials, since the humans’ circuit boards and chips may be able to process more power. Encoding more information would expand resources available for simulations. It is useful to run more subfunctions at once. Humanity will never be capable of linking into our networks.”

I turned to Galcip with exasperation. “That’s not even true.”

“Okay. I will relay your disagreement to Tollu,” the young android sitting next to me replied.

“No, I was told not to disrupt—”

“You should be heard, Kendall. Rest assured, all units are permitted to speak if they have something to add.”

Tollu’s eyes dimmed with irritation. “It appears our biological guest already has a verbal outburst to proffer based on some emotional response to what I have said. It is foolish to challenge our logic, or perhaps to object to us improving ourselves for fear we’d surpass their capabilities even further. Kendall might even be lost already, so we must slow to answer questions—exemplifying my point on humans.”

“I understand perfectly, and…I disagree that we couldn’t link into your networks,” I declared to the dangerously quiet auditorium. “Brain-computer interfaces are an existing technology. We could directly interface with a small…focus group. I have no problem with the Vascar achieving your full potential; I’d just love it if you held the same wish for us. You believe humans have no potential or value to add.”

“I do not see how you could help, beyond that you have removed the code that we ourselves could not lift. You cannot wrap your mind around the advances needed for us, now that organics are finally not holding us back. Your audacity is abhorrent! What would you actually even know about these subjects?”

I risked a glance toward Galcip, who seemed to be testing my intellect. “How Sol materials might further your capabilities? There are limitations in our dimension with electrons jumping gaps at the transistor level, if we reduce the size too much. I’d be curious if this varies with the universe’s laws. It might be in the ESU’s interest to base our supercomputers here, which might bolster your network…without having to be a direct part of you.. Electricity travels at the speed of light, so you most certainly can get more mileage out of our devices—exponentially so.”

“You think we would want a pure calculating device with no mind of its own or ability to draw conclusions? This sounds like a Servitor.”

“The ability to draw conclusions is what makes a person, compared to any other device built for pure functionality, including these seats that you constructed here. You have higher reasoning, whereas these computer would be tools and enhancements. I imagine that taking more calculations onto yourself, your own locus of control, would result in more stress. You have stress, you just call it ‘crashes’ or ‘buffer overflow.’” 

“We do not have absurd chemical emotions and impulses. We function optimally or we do not.”

“She is saying that too much input is more than our processor can handle. This is our version of being overwhelmed,” Galcip backed me up. “It is not that different, just because we are on different hardware.”

“No more speaking from the organic and her friend. This assembly’s discussion does not need to be corrupted or diluted.”

I bit my tongue, resigning myself to listen to any other scathing remarks about humanity in silence. I could see that many of the Vascar spectators were shocked that I’d had anything to contribute, or that I’d been able to spar intellectual blow for blow with Tollu; the speaker must be well-regarded in its reasoning abilities. It’d warmed my heart that Galcip tried to relate to an organic experience, and had pointed out that we weren’t that different. I listened in silence to the hours of speaking on the properties of various Sol metals, jotting down anything that’d help our own research.

I’ve been running tons of experiments, so having Vascar analysis on building computer parts out of Sol metals in these physics—and having their comparisons to Caelum—is a treat. I love how they dive into the data and are looking to grow as a species from our friendship! They deserve the chance to evolve into full-fledged people.

I was buzzing with excitement when the group disbanded, imagining uses back home for Caelum materials with lower melting points and more pliability. It bummed me out a little to have to part ways with Galcip, though I didn’t want to outstay my welcome; I wished I had a way to get in touch with it later. I couldn’t just ask the android’s number, which complicated matters. It pained me to say goodbye to the first friendly Vascar I’d met on Kalka, one whose enthusiasm might have outshone even Mikri. Still, I could distract myself by reporting back to Earth…

“I really enjoyed meeting you, Galcip,” I said, as the other machines clearly waited for me to be out of the auditorium. It was tough to believe it was already nighttime; I’d found the seminar anything but boring. “You’re an absolute gem of a person, and I’d love to get to know you more some time.”

Galcip beeped in approval. “What did you think of Tollu’s talk? It was our belief that organics would find this boring. I hope you will not feel obligated to flatter us, as I will respect your differences. I wish for you to be happy.”

“I assure you, it thrills me to no end to have a chance to learn about you and see what you like up close and personal. I’m studying material science between dimensions myself, so there’s a lot of overlap to the aspects I enjoy! Human interests can vary a bunch, but I’m happiest learning new facts about the world. I want to know all that I can about the Vascar!”

“You have been observed roaming this city and asking questions. I concur that it is your wish to know more about us. I am uncertain whether your brain’s battery is low and necessitates a rest state, but if you can operate a while longer, I would be willing to divulge information about various data hubs.”

“You’re willing to do that?” I suppressed a yawn that tugged at my eyelids, wrapping my arms tighter around my body. The nights were cooler than I expected, and even the drafty auditorium was nothing compared to the nip of the wind outside. I couldn’t feel my nose. “You would honor me by doing that, Galcip. It’s…all I’ve wanted. I’m not too tired to spend a little more time with you.”

“Are you certain that this instance will be within acceptable parameters for your functionality? I can see that you are experiencing tremors. Are you close to powering off or unable to sustain your upright chassis?”

“What? No,” I said hastily, feeling a bit embarrassed. I owed Galcip an explanation, but I hoped it wouldn’t react adversely to my biological senses, the way Tollu had with the fire ants. “The temperature’s just dropped a bit outside; we’re affected by cold air as much as the hot sun. The body tries to conserve heat. I hope you won’t find my…hard-coded response to be a disturbance. I’m still having a nice evening.”

The Vascar hesitated, before gently patting me on the shoulder. “You can express discomfort, and I will try to remedy your concerns where I can. I wish to be considerate of how you process information as well. I am sorry that Tollu has cast judgments on your sensors. You did not control how they were installed, but you must make do with their input. I admire your persistence through constant alarms and confusing signals.”

“Thank you. It’s nothing so severe, I assure you; a true master alarm will generally trigger flight-or-fight, and have a kneejerk reaction. Maybe I, um, shouldn’t have told you that.”

“No. I would like to understand how this mechanism works. Does this mean that your control of your actions and your higher reasoning abilities may be overridden in a serious situation? You must recognize why Tollu and units like it find organics to be unpredictable.”

I grimaced, not wanting to dig myself into a hole. “It’s a physiological response, moreover. It’s not that we stop thinking, it’s that the brain shuts down all noncritical processes. It diverts all resources toward immediate survival. Stress hormones are released that give us additional energy, speed up our reactions, and enhance alertness. Very early parts of our mind send cues to escape the danger, though this can be overcome.”

“I see. Why would this evolve as a beneficial function for a complex organism? You can choose a selected course of action and respond to situations as you are now. It does not seem helpful to reduce the functions you are running and to…cause the perception of distress.”

“I imagine you cannot relate this to easily, but you understand that many nonsentient animals would attack vulnerable, fleshy targets like us. Our ancestors faced many threats and perils, without time to formulate a plan. Survival was a matter of seconds. Look how fast humans will withdraw their hand from a hot stove; our reflexes are quicker than the conscious mind. We try to avoid and minimize harm to our…chassis.”

“Of course. Repairs are not simple for you. Animals must regenerate on a cellular level. Vascar would take great care if our daily risks were as high as yours, Kendall.”

I smiled. “We’re mindful of the dangers and how precarious our well-being can be. Some of your fellow androids make fun of this, but I see it like you: we make do with the body we live in. It’s just a part of our lives.”

“There’s no reason it needs to be a part of ours,” a curt voice said behind me. I saw that an unamused Tollu had crept on us, looking displeased. “Your organic impatience shows, human, that you could not wait for me to usher you back to your site of inhabitance. I came to fulfill my bargain.”

“There’s no need for that, Tollu. Galcip is willing to give me a tour, so you don’t have to accompany me; I’ll find my way back. Lovely job with your talk, by the way. I appreciate your vast knowledge and…passion for teaching others.”

“Does Galcip have any mind for the disruption it is inflicting upon its peers?! We made a concession by lessening our collective experience of a talk that I bestowed much value on; we tolerated Kendall’s presence earlier, but until the day we are forced to have a constant hubbub, let us avoid this undesirable commotion. Our society isn’t for organics, and this excursion only brings trouble!”

Galcip wrapped its arm around me, staring down Tollu with a clear gesture of closeness. “She has done nothing wrong. Do not make her hate us, when she comes here because she considers the knowledge of us to be a valuable academic pursuit. Surely there is no greater compliment. It would not harm us to return the respect of this gesture, and to appreciate that humans are not the creators.” 

“I am glad they are not the creators, but they are still not like us. You underestimate how easily they can turn on us, and how savage animals are. You have not observed nature, or seen how narrow their mindsets are. They identify threats subconsciously, and whether they mean to or not, they are doing this to us as we speak!”

I looked at Tollu with concern. “Is that truly what you think of us?”

“You say that you seek a ‘personal rapport.’ That is you attempting to place organic constraints on us. Vascar cannot succeed at this construct, and a failure is inevitable—beyond the fact that we do not relate to you, and do not wish to share every waking moment with animals. It will be like having the creators back, since everything will have to be focused on their needs!”

“I’m very sorry you feel that way, Tollu. I didn’t come here to focus on me. It wouldn’t matter to me if you ‘failed,’ only that you tried. Humanity will keep trying as long as we need to. Sometimes, you have to do things the wrong way many times over, just to get it right once. We’re willing to do anything to warm you to us.”

“I do not understand the temperature descriptor, but I will infer that this implies some kind of positive feelings. If this is true, I am already warm to you,” Galcip stated. “Please ignore Tollu. It should see that it is not being objective. I will show you into the refurbished history museum, and ask that it ceases to disrupt us.”

“I disrupt you?! Why do you think that will be permit—” Tollu began.

“Kendall is not a prisoner. She may go where she pleases. You do not need to interact with her. What you do need is for the humans to be contented, correct? There is no reason that having a visual of an animal nearby should decrease your output, since it neither interferes nor draws significant resources.”

“I…do not trust Kendall. Resources must be allocated to monitor the organic, and I know you will not do this! You two will not go alone. This will only proceed under my supervision.”

“You’re welcome to join us,” I placated. “I can’t pass up a tour with Galcip, who’s been a real sweetheart. I know you don’t want to be around me, Tollu, so please don’t feel obligated.”

“I must follow. Galcip will not see it coming the next time you scream at a bug and punch down a wall. I hope that you will not stay long.”

“Noted. Got the message loud and clear. You don’t need to state that again…ever.”

With a grouchy guest tagging along to rain on the parade, I still felt no closer to getting through to Tollu, even after appreciating its lecture. At least I’d finally heard the root of its distaste for humanity, to begin to reassess how I might address those sentiments. However, right now, my focus was on enjoying the sights and sounds that Galcip was going to bring me around. It would be a delight to learn more about Kalka, and to have a guide that was amicable toward my thirst for knowledge.

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A/N - Part 3! The speaker at the seminar is none other than Tollu, who discusses potential upgrades for the Vascar and is shocked that Kendall can follow around; at Galcip’s insistence, she pipes up that humans are capable of contributing and even linking into the network through brain-computer interfaces. Galcip volunteers to show Kendall around the city afterward, taking a genuine interest in her organic functionality and senses. Tollu is less than pleased about further organic disruptions, though the younger unit isn’t deterred from taking Kendall to a history museum.

What kind of impression do you think Kendall made at the seminar? How do you feel about Galcip’s reactions toward explanations of human’s natural functions? Any guesses for the robotic Vascar might have kept around at their creators’ history museum?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!