“We’ve learned how to create characters in the simulation that can actually evolve. They act in ways that aren’t in their programming.”
“Holy hell,” Darren breathed. “That is different. I didn’t think it was even achievable.”
“It wasn’t,” the Colonel said, faintly proud. “Until now.”
“This simulation must be worth a huge amount of money,” Darren’s mind was fairly reeling with the possibilities. “Not just to the army but to big business. It has massive marketable applications for all sorts of non-military industries.”
“I’m well aware of that,” the Colonel said. “Where to you think we got most of our funding?”
“How many characters are able to act independently?” Sherman broke in.
“Seven of them. All kids.”
“Sorry to have so many questions sir,” Darren spoke up again. “But why?”
“This type of simulation was to be the ultimate test for soldiers.” The Colonel stroked his chin, pondering the best way to drop his bombshell. “Each child’s personality is based on that of a military dictator from the past. Stalin, Hitler, Pol Pot that kind of thing. Even the girls. And their IQ has been upped to genius level.”
“And they can really operate outside their programming parameters?” Darren persisted.
“They can.”
“Can I venture a guess at their purpose?”
“Be my guest.”
“These characters are supposed to learn and grow inside the simulation, aren’t they?”
“They are. The programme runs continuously.”
“If they evolve into adults, they’ll be the ultimate adversaries in combat simulations. Super intelligent, utterly ruthless and totally unpredictable. That’s brilliant!”
“So what’s the problem?” Madrid spoke for the first time. Her voice was hard and husky and her manner straight to the point.
“One of the ‘characters’ is a child called May-Rose.” The Colonel held up a photograph of a pretty Asian girl with long dark hair. She was standing in front of a seafront scene, holding an ice cream.
“I’m not sure what happened really,” he said looking wistfully at the girl. “Don’t know if there was a weird short circuit or a programming anomaly.”
The team were listening intently now, intrigued and disturbed in equal measure. Everyone who had worked with him knew the Colonel was no fool. It wasn’t like him to admit uncertainty.
“Anyhoo. Whatever happened, May-Rose seems to knows she’s a computer programme.”
“Say what!!!?” Nulce exploded.
“Pardon me sir,” Darren said politely. “Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure. She’s turning the simulation into chaos, to the extent that we’re no longer in charge of it. We can’t control the damned thing or alter her programme. Worst of all, we can’t shut the simulation down.”
“She’s overriding systems?” Darren drew in a sharp breath.
“I’m not Jimmy Neutron,” Sherman said. “But this all sounds very sinister.”
“It’s downright terrifying,” Darren said quietly. “If she’s really self-aware, she may be trying to get out.”
“Eh? What’s she… I mean it, gonna do?” Nulce scoffed. “Leap outta the screen and take off down the corridor?”
“The simulation is run by a computer and that computer will be part of a computer system,” Darren said. “Am I right, Sir?”
The Colonel signalled an affirmative.
“Which means she can potentially access those other systems.” Darren shot Nulce a look of scorn. “How do you think computer viruses spread?” He paused to let what he was saying sink in. “Imagine what a virus that could actually think would be capable of? Do you realise what it could do if it got onto the internet?”
Madrid was staring at her commander.
“What have you done, Colonel?” she said coldly.
“We can’t shut the simulation down but the mainframe computer has a built in failsafe,” the officer retorted. “If it looks like any rogue programme is in danger of subverting it, the computer starts a countdown to delete the whole thing.”
“Which is an excellent precaution,” Darren looked alarmed. “In fact, I suggest you shut this one down right now. Just pull the plug on it.”
“Oh, I don’t think the Colonel would want that,” Sherman commented dryly. “A lot of money and research down the drain, eh?”
“It would be an enormous amount.” The Colonel agreed. “Look. All we need is a sample of this character’s programme code to continue our research. Problem is, we can’t get at it from the outside any more.” He permitted himself a wry smile. “That’s why you’re going into the simulation.”
“How do we get a sample that way?” Sherman sounded puzzled.
“May-Rose is a programme,” Darren tried to explain. “But in the simulation she’s operating as a human. So we need a sample of her.”
“What? Like an arm?”
“Blood. Saliva. Anything with genetic material.” Darren shrugged. “That’s all we’d need to build another model of her. Like you could build a clone of someone from a string of their DNA. Back in the real world, it could be translated into computer code again, under much stricter supervision.”
“God, I hate technology,” Sherman muttered.
“Fortunately it will be easier than that,” The Colonel said. “There are ‘samples’ of all the character programmes in the bottom level of the simulation◦– its database if you like. The one you’re looking for is labelled MR12. Your task is to find it and bring it back, overcoming resistance with deadly force.”
Nulce gave a broad smile.
“Near the perimeter fence of the base is an abandoned well. Put the sample in a lead container we’ll provide you with and drop it there. The well is a conduit point to transfer information in and out of the simulation, so I can retrieve the data. That’s your objective. Complete it successfully and I bring you out.”
The Colonel put his hands behind his back. “Any questions?”
“What if we encounter these ‘children’?” Nulce asked. “Do we kill them too?”
“Negative.” The Colonel shook his head. “You’ll need their help to navigate to the bottom level.”
“Need help from a bunch of kids?” Nulce gave a nasty laugh.
“It says here their characters aren’t even combat trained.” Sherman looked at his notes again. “None of them are over fifteen.”
The Colonel slammed a fist down on the table. Darren started, looking quickly up from the folder.
“Do NOT underestimate the flexibility of these programmes,” the officer warned. “They’re all fledgling psychopaths and they’re a hell of a lot smarter than you. They can’t overcome you with violence so they’ll use their brains. And in that department, you are totally outclassed.”
He looked at each member in turn, tapping the table for emphasis.
“You do NOT believe anything these kids say. You get the sample MR12 but you do NOT get anywhere near May Rose herself, unless you can possibly help it. And you never, EVER let May-Rose talk to you. Not for any reason.”
How do you propose we achieve that, Sir,” Nulce asked. “Shoot her on sight?”
“You’ll all have earpieces like the one Sherman is wearing ” The Colonel replied. “As well as using them to communicate, you can turn them to loud static and drown out any external sound.”
“Mine is custom made ,” Sherman said proudly.
“When do we start?” Madrid said.
“In an hour.”
“Not much of a Christmas Eve,” Darren muttered.