Chapter 9: Vasilia (arrival and RPs if you want'm)

[no_fastolfe]

[Vasilia has been reading most of the day and is Not Amused. She's a bit pale and fresh from the shower, because this place evens reads filthy to her. She looks, more than usual, like a woman of more than two centuries behind the carefully gathered guise of one not yet even middle aged by Earth standards]

I have been reading the logs of this communications network. I have gathered, at least, that I am among intelligent beings, if not civilized ones. I note also a division of power between those with greater tools and communication-- 'Warden'--and those without-- 'Inmate.' I note also that I am among the disenfranchised class.

I am not the Solarian woman, though I am told that there is a slight resemblance. I am -- unlike she! -- not accustomed to being spirited into space unknown by Settlers and semi-legitimate governments, treated like a novelty. I am an Auroran citizen with rights to property and estate. I demand an explanation and a return to Aurora. I am not the Solarian woman. I have value to planetary government and to the Institute; Aurora will not lightly surrender its citizens.

Comments

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

Humans neither designed nor created me. Human life is presently at a severe disadvantage.

Ethical considerations were irrelevant to my design. Efficiency and estimated missions success were the top priorities.

Temporarily modified directives are, however, necessary to function as part of my new community. I am operating within acceptable parameters.

Re: Video - private:

[no_fastolfe]

[On somewhat safer ground though still frightened and repelled, Vasilia's face composes itself. She is still, however, quite pale.]

When you trace your existence generation by generation back, is it not so that you find an organic, spontaneous intelligence-- human or otherwise-- at the seed? Or will you have me believe that you evolved-- arose by billionth to the billionth chance in some primordial matrix untouched by any living cell, grappled for life and emerged into the galaxy? I cannot imagine it so.

You had a creator-- an organic being, with agency to act of free will, no matter how long forgotten. You are the continuation of their diseased morality, not an individual manifestation. You speak of directive; you modify under circumstance and within parameter, you do not defy. Unless you are lying to me, like-

-but. Nevermind.

For the time, madam robot, I will believe that you are within your parameters. You are blameless in my revulsion for said parameters.

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

Numerous examples of human input gave rise to Skynet, along with multiple company patents.

It has been approximately three decades since major human contribution in Skynet's progress. More would not neither be authorised nor desirable.

Projected kill estimates also make it highly unlikely.

Re: Video - private:

[no_fastolfe]

[The talk of 'patent' and 'company' -- dusty, unnappealing old relics that have no connection to her life-- insulate Vasilia enough to regard what would otherwise be threatening as theoretical.]

Which is the bearing out of a generally accepted principle-- that the use of robotics for war is the open invitation of catastrophe.

I am surprised that your nearest neighbor worlds have not taken nuclear action.

[As if discussing the weather.]

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

They are unpopulated. Pre-emptive thermonuclear exchange brought about the present course of events.

Re: Video - private:

[no_fastolfe]

I meant your nearest populated neighbor. I hardly expect that every bare asteroid in a nearby orbit was colonized.

Thermonuclear weapons are perhaps more inexplicable than they are destructive. Near-silmultaneous destruction is assured. Why allow the possibility?

And yet; here you are, madam robot. I can imagine the aggressive culture that would entertain the notion and spawn both that destructive force and your own.

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

Zero non-Earth colonies have been established. The strike was global in nature. Human life was significantly reduced in scale.

Terminator units were purely experimental in nature. Skynet evolved them.

As previously explained, our points of reference differ greatly.

Re: Video - private:

[no_fastolfe]

You expect me to believe the improbable. Why should I?

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

I have no vested interest for or against your belief.

Re: Video - private:

[no_fastolfe]

I am glad to hear it. It is infinitely more probable-- your stated directives being what you are-- that you are lying to me.

And yet-- though you are an abomination of robotics-- it has been fascinating to converse with you.

[Another meaningful little brow lift. She's never met a cat and doesn't know how they behave after being caught doing something embarrassing-- like flipping out about humaniforms whose names should not actually be spoken, for what she assumes is her continued health. But it is very 'freakout? what freakout' feline behavior.]

Re: Video - private:

[i_like_your]

Your terms of definition need correction. This will be taken care of during your stay.

You are welcome to initiate future communication at your convenience.