There was a slight pause as everyone considered the death that came to those around the ship, and what they might have done in that situation. TOM spoke into the quiet, “Their leader was not an experienced engineer, and it took him some time to cobble together the crude Etheric generator that is found in the caves today. Eventually, he started exploring his surroundings, and the team had already developed a neural destabilization weapon that could render most species unconscious or incapacitated. It would also cause some considerable pain.”
“Using this device, he collected samples for study. Two of his early collections were werewolves. Being somewhat more experienced at modifying existing technology, and having early examples that the group had already modified to their purposes, he was quickly able to adapt these nanites into the persistent and aggressive form found in Boris, Gyada, and others of that line. From his notes, it seemed to be his hope that the bearers of these nanites would eventually become the dominant subspecies on the planet. He also had plans to adapt non-mammalian forms somehow into the change, although this never occurred. Apparently his group had never considered giving sentients a non-sentient form to change into until he encountered it on Earth. It causes me to wonder how widespread the transformation ability has been imposed on other species. It is possible that Earth was a testing ground for the concept.”
“The remaining Kurtherian had resigned himself to building up Earth’s technology base. He wanted to ensure a loyal base of ‘followers’ to work from. That was his goal when he captured Gyada and found her particularly suited to his new nanites. He underestimated the maternal instinct and drive that she possessed, however, which led to his downfall,”
“There are unfortunately at least two significant holes in the data that has been provided. There is no record of an experimental computer in the initial ship’s listing, nor is there a history or time period during which one may have been created. This is concerning to me. Given the over completeness of all other records I have come to a disturbing conclusion.”
“Only a very select few know Kurtherian organic computers are Kurtherian brain matter. They are often gifted to society by Kurtherians who no longer wish to live. All data contained is therefore purged. It’s considered a great crime to allow the personality of someone who wished to be no longer a part of the world to continue to be trapped inside a computer like that. So all possible measures are taken to prevent it. There is some evidence that when there was a personality to be stuck in a computer after formerly having a body, it would go insane rather quickly.”
“The fact that this information is completely missing from the records has led me to the conclusion that there is a Kurtherian personality in the computer. It’s not an AI, EI or KI. It’s a pre-existing personality running the quantum computer. That makes it anathema.”
Gyada was quickly parsing this information as TOM spoke “NO! Over my dead body will you suggest we harm her! She was wise, kind and patient with me while I was trapped in that cave, you ghost! After all, why is it we never see you? Could I come to the conclusion that you are a similar being? I’ve never seen your physical form.”
There was an uncomfortable silence for just a moment before Bethany Anne spoke, “Great, ok, apparently we need to discuss this in a smaller group. Thank you all for listening in. “Bethany Anne said as she restricted the conference link solely to the six people critical to the situation.
Bethany Anne went quiet for a moment as she held this conversation mentally.
TOM, Why didn’t you at least warn me that you are going to bring this up? I could have told you it would be a bad idea.
Bethany Anne, the situations with me being inside you and this computer are not similar. I still have a physical form. I simply happen to be sharing it with you. Although incredibly difficult, I can be extracted into another physical body. If I’m right, this personality is stuck in a box after having lived in a body. Completely different situation. I also admitted at the time that what I did was wrong and it was an accident. There was mild reproach in his tone as he spoke
That’s just semantics TOM. One of the greatest strengths of the group we’ve created is our tolerance for differences. What you said could start breaking that down. I needed to stomp on that immediately.
Bethany Anne, if that is what it is, then it IS an anathema! It can’t be allowed to continue for the sake of itself.
Your predeterminations are showing TOM.
There was muted but charged question from ADAM. <<Is this how you see me TOM? As some form of abomination because I’m in a ‘box’, not a body?>>
No ADAM. Of course not. You were never in a body in the first place. He was almost dismissive of ADAM’s concern.
TOM, is this simply a societal belief, or is there any evidence to back it up?
There was a telling silence from Tom when she asked this question. He was clearly considering his answer carefully. It simply wasn’t done in my lifetime. The records clearly stated that bad things happened when it was attempted.
Do you know when that was? Also, consider they may have found a different method to achieve the same effect. One without those consequences.
TOM was silent again, considering. The stories had been so bad that it was ingrained as a terrible idea within his people. He’d reacted with that knowledge. Reluctantly he answered No, we are taught fairly consistently that it is always bad. I hadn’t considered alternative techniques with different outcomes. I should have. The Entarians do it occasionally.
Gyada was fuming silently with Boris raising a hand to her every time she went to speak into the silence. Janna whispered in her ear “Bethany Anne won’t put up with that sort of intolerant-sounding behavior. Let her talk it out with TOM.”
Finally, Bethany Anne spoke up “TOM and I been discussing his Gott Verdammt surprise revelation. Apparently, it is based on some bad experiences the Kurtherians had in their past. It seems to have become something of a taboo subject and action. As we have no idea exactly how her personality was kept intact inside the computer, we’ll take it one step at a time. We need to find out why she selectively redacted that information.”
“It makes it certain that she is a true intelligence of one form or another, though, “ADAM said over the link thoughtfully. “To selectively redact information like that is something that an EI would not consider. It may be the sheer volume of data she supplied was a countermeasure to hide the redaction too. If we didn’t have EIs to assist, it would have taken even me a week to fully sort out the data. Especially with everything else I’m doing.”
Gyada said, unequivocally, “She’s not bad. She wouldn’t intentionally cause harm unless ordered to. The only reason she caused me pain when I was in there was that she desperately felt a need for context. “Boris glanced at her.
Evidently, she had been hiding some things, but it was more out of concern for what might happen to a friend than anything else. That was something he could respect.