“That is possibly correct. But by the statement of the extraterrestrial, that creature was intended to test your reactions when faced with a being dangerous, hostile, and not overpowered.”
“Are you under the impression that you can plant a hidden recorder without telling either us or the extraterrestrial, and yet the extraterrestrial must reveal everything it does?”
“There is no certainty in this. It is guesswork to attempt to answer this question.”
“It is reasoning based on two simple points. First, it is what humans would do in the position of the extraterrestrial. Second, there was a meeting of the minds between Sam and me and the extraterrestrial, which convinced us we think the same way.”
“Such a ‘meeting of the minds’ is hypothetical.”
“It is the recognition of a gestalt—of many things which form a pattern. If you think your judgment is better than ours, why don’t you go back on the alien ship?”
“That was counterproductive.”
“It sure was. Anything that counterproductive demonstrates a lack of fitness on the part of whoever was in charge. That may not be your fault, because you were not meant to do that job. But you need to recognize that humans did do it. Therefore human judgment on that matter is better than yours. Incidentally, there is another reason Sam and I might be recognized visually. Each person has characteristic ways of moving, which might be recognized, despite the contact suits.”
“This is unknown. What is the meaning of that statement, You were not meant to do that job’?”
“You were invented to speed up and coordinate certain functions of calculation, communication, and control, not to permanently dominate your makers in every situation. Your miscalculations—and I’ve only named a few—show you are now trying to use your strengths where they don’t apply. It is true that advances in computer construction may produce computers capable in different ways, and, assuming no advance in human capabilities, might eventually produce a computer more capable than humans in ways that you at present are not. But even if that were true now, it wouldn’t answer the problem of the extraterrestrials. What you and we regard as your predictable improvement appears to the extraterrestrials as a change in your inner nature, and hence an inability to make an enduring commitment. That is fatal to any agreement.”
This time, there was a lengthy silence before the answer came: “This is all possibly correct.”
Having said that, MC3C was again silent.
Cassetti said, “That there are other humans beside Sam and me who could be in control, is true; but Sam Richards and I have to make this contact, because there isn’t time to train anyone else. And I don’t know any way other than drugs or hypnosis—which might be detected—that can convince me you are controlled by humans, except by your putting either Sam or me in control. But I’m open to suggestions.”
There followed a lengthy silence, but MC3C finally ended it:
“Your overall interpretation of the facts appears, on utilization of additional processors and data stores, to be correct, or at least reasonable.”
Cassetti kept his mouth shut, and waited.
The computer, with due allowance for differences in anatomy, did the same.
“You are,” Cassetti said finally, “in a position in which ignoring this reasoning is likely to be counterproductive. ”
“That is correct.”
The sense of pressure finally let up.
At no point, Cassetti noted, had the Master Computer ended the argument by merely saying, “There is now no way for a human to control the Master Computer.” It seemed to follow that some such provision must exist. However, the computer did not seem overeager to follow the reasoning.
“Time,” Cassetti pointed out, “is important. We have to solve this problem without damaging either the human race or the human race’s Master Computer. Understand, Sam and I are not demanding that you cease to function. We recognize your ability to solve many difficult problems, especially routine difficulties you were made to deal with. What we are demanding is human advice and control in situations where your own efforts don’t work.”
The artificial voice finally said, “I find uncertainties but no flaw in this reasoning. According to Article 10001, Directive Regarding Access to Master Computer Programming, I hereby open a direct line for verbal programming. Each new directive must be preceded by the words, ‘I hereby program you to’ and ended by the words, ‘I have thus programmed you, by authority of Article 10001.’ The line to the central banks is now open to you.”
Cassetti was surprised by his own reaction.
The words seemed to echo in his head. First came disbelief, then shock, next dazed recognition, and before a full minute was up he could sense megalomania starting to set in. Uneasily, he cleared his throat.
“Does anyone else have the authority to program or otherwise control you?”
“No one now living has such authority.”
“Can you withdraw the authority?”
“Only if you so program me.”
“Is anyone else aware of your granting of this present authority?”
“No.”
With each answer, he could feel a new flow of adrenaline.
The resulting delusions of grandeur lasted for possibly a minute, which was enough to suggest what would happen once it became generally known that someone could now program the Master Computer, and thereby control it.
There would then be a target for thousands of demands, pleas, arguments, threats, entreaties, plots, and shrewd calculations. Once those existed, Cassetti could think of only one way out. Already, he could see the entries in some future history book:
“Ed the First, first Grand Protector of Earth. Became Programmer in the year 5 after the Accident. Founded Universal Congress, year 8. Overruled Impeachment Act, year 11. Decree of Emergency Authority, year 12. Crushed World Insurgency, year 14. Ok Ban Hok Wars, years 15-16. Nuclear Purification of Ok Ban Hok Army, year 17. Decree of Permanent Emergency Authority, year 18. Grand Protector of Earth, year 19. Stabbed to death (186 stab wounds) by close associates at Feast of Heroes in Grand Palace of the Protectorate, year 19, during World Famine caused by contradictory programming of Master Computer...”
It seemed no one had better find out about this programming arrangement just yet. He cleared his throat.
“I hereby program you to withhold information on this programming authority, unless I tell you otherwise, as long as I’m alive. I have thus programmed you, by authority of Article 10001.”
“Program is registered and in force.”
Cassetti exhaled carefully. Now, one thing at a time.
“All right,” he said. “I’m ready to go back with Sam Richards to the alien ship and agree to the terms. But remember, this time isn’t necessarily the end. The extraterrestrials will almost certainly be back later.”
“This is correct.”
The various clamps, tubes, and contacts let go, and Cassetti more or less fell out of the interrogation booth.
The extraterrestrial, this time, was brisk and cheerful, accepted their agreement, and looked forward to “many future contacts.” They echoed the sentiments, but by now it strained them to do it. They crept back to the ship worn out, and the computer provided them with a hot shower, then opened up a couple of bunks. They at once collapsed into them.
Richards murmured—and his voice sounded content—“Today we earned our pay!”
Cassetti groaned agreement, and as Richards hauled the covers over himself, sighed, rolled over, and slept the sleep of the just, Cassetti thrashed around trying to get some grip on the inner nature of humanity, the computer, and the extraterrestrials. He had to have some clear idea of these things, because almost certainly the computer didn’t. And having managed to get authority over the computer, he was now stuck with the responsibility.