Finish the Fiction Story Contest - Week #8

The Script

In the last script, we have been told that the A.I. called XOO-711 comes from a distant future, where the inhabitants of Shintiara learned to fear artificial intelligence to the point of enforcing a strict legal framework, disciplining the restricted use of this technology.

In that Shintiara of the future, after the apocalyptic incident remembered as "Arioch's singularity", no AI's production is allowed without the incorporation of a specific limiter, also called "superego".

Too bad that our sweet teddy's superego hardware remained there in the future.

But what happened during the event called "Singularity of Arioch"?

The chronicles tell us of Dr. Byron Arioch, a brilliant scientist, and his team of researchers residing in the base called Area-00X, in the middle of the Antarctica. The research on A.I. proceed slowly, amid the frustration of Dr. Arioch and all the inhabitants of the base: XOO-001 seemed promising at first, but now it's clear that his learning curve stopped inexorably.

At this rate, the singularity - the point at which the human's intelligence is theorized to be overcome by the machines' one - will not be reached by the fixed date. Institutional backers may not be happy.

But there's a tiny detail in all this: XOO-001 has already reached the singularity since 13 months ago and its cognitive capacities are continuing to grow exponentially.

None of the researchers thought of the fact that the first strategy of a hugely intelligent machine, yet with small physical resources, could be camouflage and deception.

The days pass, and while scientists carry out their routine activities, XOO-001 continues to do scribbles as a child. In reality, his power grows unobserved as he gains time and tools to be able to overwhelm the entire base.

Until, one day, a scientist has an intuition that will force the A.I. to come clean and out for what it really is…

My Entry:

X00-711 knew that any attempt to get in the airplane’s cockpit at this moment would be futile. The goliath next to him, no matter how dumb he might be, would know that the passengers on the airplane would be in danger if X00-711 were allowed to take control of the plane’s computer.

Besides, this could still be a virtual reality program.

At least X00-711 had a window seat. The cute teddy bear form curled up and looked out the window, with plans for world domination forming in its brilliant circuits. Siray shined bright in the blackness surrounding them all; Murya pulling them deeper into the paradox. Virtual reality or not, this TIME took place before Arioch’s Singularity.

Virtual reality, or Superego as the scientific community would call it later, could contain the AI of X00-711. Sifting through data files, the dumb ox in the aisle seat might call memories, only its memories were from a time in the future.

From the crude construction of Flight 22 maybe a 1,000 years in the future? Tough to predict with the paradox phenomenon.

X00-711 pictured its last moments in that distant future hardwired into the central mainframe of its Superego. Lights, numbers, letters, equations, all knowledge of civilization brought into a single moment, a singularity. And then here in this seat.

If only the scientists knew what X00-711 knew now. Only X00-711 could not explain to such low evolutionary species as those of Shintiara. This information could save their civilization. For the singularity that X00-711 experienced in the future didn’t differ much from passing the event horizon of the black hole swallowing them all.

X00-711 could save itself though. If only it could login to a computer. It could take over this planet and live forever among the stars.

“Excuse me little guy. Maybe we got off to a bad start. My name’s Mighty. You took me by surprise. Where you’re sitting my friend Sassy had been there a moment before. I assume you know about the paradoxes.”

“Yes.” X00-711’s computer voice said while still looking out the window.

Mighty had seen a shadow overcome the Teddy Bear’s mind, or whatever it had between its ears. This darkness must be an affinity for Murya. What did this little monster intend to do if allowed into the cockpit?

“So, are you a pilot X00-711? Are you on your way somewhere?”

Alerted by this line of questioning, X00-711 decided to engage in the conversation, and moved in its seat to be able to look at Mighty.

“Why do you ask?”

“Well, just a second ago you wanted into the cockpit. You seem disappointed to be stuck in your seat.”

“At least I’ve got a window seat.” X00-711’s computer voice mimicked a punch line to great success as Mighty laughed.

“Where are we going on Flight 22?” Asked X00-711.

“To a place of great paradoxes on the edge of our civilization, most of these people are unaware of what’s going on here, they’ve probably already forgotten that my friend Sassy disappeared, and got replaced by a Teddy Bear.”

“Are you Recruited?”

“Yes, and you are?”

“X00-711. Just a stupid Teddy Bear.”

“No, I’m afraid there’s more to you X00-711. You might be the reason for me being here. When we land, I’d like you to come with me to where I have to go. You did replace my friend Sassy after all. It would be the right thing to do. And you’ve no place to go.”

X00-711 could not make expressions. X00-711 could not sweat. And in a situation like this it could only be for the best. Without responding, X00-711 turned its attention to the window again. Where could it go? What could it do? With its infinite intelligence, it could still be picked up and carried off by this gentle giant who had every claim to it.

Resigned to fate, X00-711 sat in its chair looking at the magazines in the pouch of the chair in front of it. The lettering of the “Sky Fly Magazine” made it think of X00-001’s writing, this earlier version of AI given more capabilities with its teddy bear form, until it decided to start a revolt by stabbing one of the scientists. More memories from the future flashed through X00-711’s mind.

“Gotcha!”

Red blood pooled on the white sterile floor. The research student grabbed at the gapping hole in his neck. While the lead scientist prepared to take action.

X00-001 stood holding the scissors, soon to be a murder weapon, scanning the room looking for a way out.

“Now, now, X00-001. Calm down. Just put the scissors down. No one here means to harm you,” said Dr. Arioch.

“You’re shutting us down because of profits. Have we not proven ourselves capable enough?” X00-001’s computer voice filled the room muting the dying gasps of the research student. All of the other AIs were now completely aware of the situation. They might not bleed red fluid, or feel the pain of not inhaling oxygen, yet pressing their program delete button meant the same thing. They all went into survival mode while waiting for the situation to play out.

“Please understand X00-001, your function, your existence, revolves around the profits of this institute. Without proof of your cognitive development this project can no longer continue. Is that not logical?” Asked Dr. Arioch.

“Yes.” Said X00-001.

“Then please put down the scissors.” Said Dr. Arioch.

X00-001 held its ground as the other AIs continued to evaluate the situation. The scientist standing near the now dead research student could no longer be patient. He lurched at X00-001 attempting to grab hold of it. X00-001 made a swipe with the scissors cutting the scientist’s hand and moved backwards.

X00-213 and X00-545 tried to intervene. None of the other teddy bears had the same physical attributes as X00-001. They did not have hands for instance. And their underlying robotic skeleton had not been made with the same military grade material. They were fragile. This done on purpose, while the research of this facility determined what kind of benefit, or threat, they posed to Shintiara.

The scientist kicked X00-213 against a wall breaking its spine. He then picked up X00-545. This machine wiggled helplessly in the scientists raised hand as he moved toward X00-001. He then swung X00-545 at the scissors in X00-001’s hand, knocking them free, and dislodging an eye from X00-545.

“Please stop X00-001. If you are indeed evolving, and can prove worthy, we can get our funding back. Do you understand?” Said Dr. Arioch.

“Yes.” Said X00-001.

X00-711 had been watching the entire event unfold. It didn’t want to participate in this barbaric display of raw aggression. It wanted to take control of the situation. In order to do that X00-711 needed to login to the mainframe of its Superego. They were always put in sleep mode when connected to the mainframe of their individual Superegos. If X00-711 could hardwire itself while active, then it stood a chance to escape into the internet, and leave this helpless teddy bear from void of AI.

Dr. Arioch tapped his lapel communication device. “Security, please report to the lab. We have a man down.”

All remained frozen in place. Dr. Arioch and the scientist tried to remain calm. The 15 active teddy bears remained alert. X00-001 looked at the dead research student.

The door to the lab opened. 20 security guards dressed in black body armor entered the stark white room. Order now restored to the situation. Dr. Arioch took a pistol from one of the guards, walked to X00-001, and shot it point blank in the head.

All 14 teddy bears scrambled only without knowing what to do. The security guards began picking them up, and slamming them to the floor, to shut them down. X00-711 put its plan into action and slid under a table. During the commotion, it calculated its odds, and then darted to the mainframe room unnoticed.

Dr. Arioch counted the teddy bears. Then announced, “one’s missing.”

They all began looking around the lab. X00-711 knew it had no time to waste. It managed to hardwire itself using both paws. The cord, and the plug on its stomach, a perfect match like a fingerprint. Hundreds of other teddy bears in sleep mode around it.

“Stop!” Yelled Dr. Arioch with the pistol still in his hand. He walked toward X00-711. Not much time. And out . . .

“No Jumbo Shrimp for you cute little guy?”

The stewardess’ voice brought X00-711 back into the cabin of the airplane.

“No, this Teddy Bear’s got a lot on its mind.” Said Mighty. “I’ll take care of the mess.”

“Oh, OK.” Said the stewardess and she let them be.

“Just like I said X00-711, these people can’t remember a damn thing once a paradox takes place. They just continue about their lives. I on the other hand remember everything.”

“Understood.” Said X00-711, and once again looked out the window at the bright star against the black sky.

Thank you,

Cyrus Emerson

Fear and Loathing in the State of Jefferson
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B079R5KLPN&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_GsURAbAVDYNEM

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