18 - Future history

[no_fastolfe]

[Necessarily generous friends filter: if you've had one non-hostile conversation with her, you're on it.]

I have graduated. [She still sounds kind of surprised about this, a little lost.]

In three days I will be leaving to visit some of my friends who have left the barge, and to return to my household on Aurora to implement what I have learned. In the meantime, I would like to see you again. Many of you have been important to me.

[It's stiff and formal, since she still doesn't know exactly how and what to say, how to convey how important her friends have been.]

Comments

[no_fastolfe]

[She sighs, and looks a bit haunted.]

There is a person I must speak to: he will be difficult to find. But he and I must discuss what is to be the future of humanity, and of robots.

[shortsightedlove]

[He notices the look and pauses.]

...Grand plans then, I see. May I ask who this person is?

[no_fastolfe]

Daneel Olivaw. The robot that can kill. The progenitor of the Zeroeth law--perhaps the greatest step in robotic evolution since positronics.

From the directive that a robot must not harm or allow a human to come to harm-- he has extrapolated a greater purpose. To guard humanity, itself.

[shortsightedlove]

Ah. He sounds like an interesting person to meet. [Why anyone would make it their purpose to guard humanity is beyond him, though.]

Do you think you can do it? Even if you find him and both of you come to a mutually satisfying answer, surely it won't be easy to convince the rest of your people.

[no_fastolfe]

Not easy? Impossible. There is no Spacer living besides myself and perhaps Gladia Solaria who would tolerate the existence of a robot that can bypass the First Law. She because she is more ready to see a robot as a man; I because of my experiences here.

If I do nothing I will be left in peace and likely never hear of Olivaw again. But-- I want more. I have perhaps two centuries left to live. I will not spend them ignoring the great advances in robotic science and society.

[shortsightedlove]

[He smiles.] I wouldn't be too sure that there is no one. I once thought the same thing about people opposing the Pythia -- and I did eventually lead the revolution.

Since you still have two centuries, it might be wise to take your time, though.

[no_fastolfe]

[She shakes her head.] The decades seem so brief, at times. But by the time I have managed to find him-- last he was on Earth, and I must cultivate contacts there, for I have none-- there may be little enough time left.

Yet- better to have purpose!

[shortsightedlove]

Indeed. Could you not try to have your... former warden request information on him? He might just give it to you.

[no_fastolfe]

[That earns a wry smile.]

Believe it or not, Lord Rassilon, it is a matter I do not want the Admiral's interference in. Not unless there are promises in place! If I return as a warden, then I will ask.

[shortsightedlove]

[He raises a brow.]

It is your decision of course; I am generally of the opinion that one should use the resources available -- and the Admiral is, in the end, nothing but another resource.

But you are entertaining the idea of returning?

[no_fastolfe]

I am. But there are few enough inmates and many wardens. I must think of how long I am willing to wait. [Practical.]

[shortsightedlove]

There's no reason not to try, is there? As long as you're here none of the time you spent waiting is actually wasted -- and considering the Admiral's rather peculiar logic when sorting you may get one just after your return.