Solaria Series: Solaria Part 4

"Yes, you know..."

"Someone may want to breed with me?"

"Well, not exactly. I mean, at least not right away but I have no doubt some of them wouldn't mind taking you for a test drive. Trust me it's not something you want to learn from anyone in this place."

"I understand the act of copulation. It's the process by which humans reproduce or relax, although under certain conditions, some who suffer from serious psychological disorders use it as a means of control or power. The act of s.e.x typically involves a minimum of two people stimulating..."

"Uhhh, that's okay. I know what s.e.x is," Carley interjected. "I was actually talking about the ritual."

"You mean the courting process."

"Yes. Well, sort of. When a person finds another one attractive, he... or she will usually invite the other to lunch or dinner. Normally there's a little flirting or teasing during the getting to know each other stage. It's a way to see if the two are compatible. If they think they are, well... they sort of progress to the next... ummm... stage."

Solaria c.o.c.ked her head slightly sideways and watched her mentor struggle for the right words. She wasn't sure where Carley was going with the conversation but found it amusing that the woman was having difficulty getting there.

"Part of my learning was researching the Internet for data that would broaden my perception of different countries and cultures. Humans seem obsessed with copulation. Did you know that if you research the word s.e.x, there are 3,786,989,375 websites pertaining to that one subject?"

"No. Look, just be aware that men are going to find you extremely attractive and are going to proposition you."

"Just men?" Solaria asked, frowning.

Carley was so surprised at the question, her head jerked back slightly and she blinked several times.

"Well, women too, I imagine. Why do you ask?"

The shrug was so human.

"I am not interested in men but women fascinate me," Solaria explained.

"I imagine that's just because you haven't been around any women except me and the men here are boring. Once you start meeting a few outside of this environment, you'll probably change your mind."

Solaria processed the opinion for a few seconds and then discarded it.

"I don't think so. Perhaps I've bonded with you."

Again Carley was taken aback.

"I doubt it. Besides, even if you did, I'd be more like a mother figure to you. Umm, is there something going on in your head you want to tell me about? I mean, are you confused about something, Solaria?"

"No, I was just explaining that I find men easy to comprehend. Women are more complex."

"Oh," Carley replied, relieved. "Well, between you and me, I agree. Now, where was I? Look, why don't you go online and type in the word uber? It should take you to some stories that will give you some exaggerated insight into how men and women behave. Keep in mind these are just stories, though. Real life is a lot less exciting than the stories."

Not wanting Carley to know she had read almost every uber story on the net, Solaria just nodded her head.

"Good. Now, I still have to finish this program so take the rest of the day off and do whatever you want. It's about time you had a break."

"That really isn't necessary, but I can research this uber you mentioned. It'll give me additional data to study tonight when I am in the vault."

"I thought I had told you that you didn't need to stay in there anymore. You can stay in the lab. Make use of the computers or any of the reference books in my office. There's also a bed and bathroom there. It's time you started experiencing some of the pleasures we enjoy."

"Pleasure is a human desire. It isn't something I need to achieve. Also my bio-system is self-cleaning and extremely efficient at waste management so I don't require bathroom facilities."

"I know, but try the shower anyway. I think you'll like it. Also, keep working on your rest periods. Our tests indicate your body functions well without rest, but you seem to perform better after a few hours in your sleep mode. The same applies to your processors. Keep shutting down as many as you can and operate only what's necessary to maintain body functions and an awareness of your surroundings. It will give you a pretty good idea of what happens to humans when we fall asleep."

CHAPTER 5.

SOLARIA WATCHED the scene unfolding with a curious detachment. Perhaps it was because her processors had rejected the vision as nothing more than a minor malfunction, software glitch, or just the side effects of defragging her memory banks. The fallacy in the reasoning was that it was theoretically impossible for her CPUs to ignore any malfunction, minor or otherwise. Rejected concepts only occurred after a thorough evaluation and elimination of every conceivable possibility. Of course it was possible that a.s.signing the concept of dream to the events resolved the issue enough for the processors to move on to more important matters. That, in itself, was enough to frustrate the Hubot.

She remembered her first few weeks of consciousness. Early in her development her mind was like a desert, barren on the surface, and almost void of life. Her programming gave her the ability to understand communication and the technical meanings of words and sentences. Interaction with Carley and the other lab techs helped in her growth but it was the Internet that provided what she needed most. Like a spring rain over the dry sands of rolling dunes, it provided the nourishment needed to move her beyond literal interpretations to abstract thinking. Fascinated by the arts, literature and humanity's infinite attempts at expression, she felt... yes felt that something in her was missing. It was her first taste of wanting to be more than what she was. Unfortunately, it was also a constant reminder of what she wasn't... human.

Still, once she recognized a need to be something more, her appet.i.te was insatiable. Most of her spare time was spent surfing the Internet, soaking up the available data like a sponge absorbing water, and with knowledge came understanding and more curiosity.

On the peripheral of her consciousness, she could sense the tantalizing presence of a few emotions. They were like specters haunting neural-pathways, slipping past each nan.o.bit of memory to keep from being caught. All she needed was the right catalyst to coax them from their hiding places. Whether it would be a good thing or not, she wasn't sure, but it provided a purpose to her existence.

Late one night, while sitting in the darkness of the vault in which she was confined, she heard voices. Logically, it was impossible since no one ever entered the lab once Carley left. The scientist always made sure she secured everything before she left. Still, the voices were real. Scanning her processors, she isolated a small circuitry system on biochip three that was drawing an unusual amount of energy from her neuro-system. Since she had shut down all the processors except one and two, it didn't make sense. Activating three she examined each program and quickly located a small subprogram operating a receiving device attached to the left inter-cranial section of her skull.

Satellite transmissions! She concluded. Like a child with a new toy, she isolated each frequency until she was able to monitor them individually. Many of the transmissions carried music and/or boring talk shows. A few, however, caught her interest. The voices talked about subversive operations and government involvement in secret operations. One in particular caught her attention when the word Hubot was mentioned. A male voice spoke of an operative infiltration of an Arab Emirate state and the possible elimination of a head of state. Solaria filed the frequency data and conversation away for later a.n.a.lysis.

Over the next several months Solaria monitored the transmissions, wanting to learn more about current events and cultures. She soon realized that humans were a complicated species with layer upon layer of subterfuge. On three occasions, she intercepted a series of communications specific to her development and the proposed potential use of Hubots.

Solaria would have liked to discuss the conversations with Carley, but was reluctant to involve the scientist. Already she was developing a unique understanding of human nature and suspected Carley would be upset and do something stupid, like confront the Company's investors. If what Solaria had heard was accurate, the scientist would be replaced with someone else once the project reached a certain stage. That someone would be more in tune with the Company's interests. Solaria was positive it was Future Dynamicon that was behind a lot of the international espionage she had monitoring. Before involving Carley, she would wait until she had more information.

CHAPTER 6.

Month Eight THE MEMO FROM Stalling said to meet Leonard Billings in Lab7 after 6 PM to discuss the disposition of Solaria. Carley was amazed the CEO hadn't yet guessed Solly and Solaria were the same person. Smiling to herself, she realized that she had ceased to think of the Hubot as a thing and now considered her a person and a personal friend.

The revelation created ethical problems for her. In the end, Carley made a difficult decision. If possible, she would help Solaria escape from Future Dynamicon. Carley was no longer naive enough to believe the Company had put hundreds of millions of dollars into creating the Hubot Program for humanitarian reasons. The years she had spent working on the project and getting to know the Board members made her realize that money was the driving force behind everything Future Dynamicon did. There wouldn't be enough monetary return by helping the needy. No, if anything Stalling and his cronies had more sinister plans for Solaria... or had.

Arrogant b.a.s.t.a.r.ds! They thought I wouldn't notice that subprogram.

Carley remembered the day she discovered the Trojan planted deep within one of the silicone nano chips. It had started with Solaria's odd behavior. When Carley asked her what was wrong, Solaria stuttered as if her programs were malfunctioning. For several seconds she appeared confused and then snaps out of it with no memory of the previous few seconds. It didn't take Carley long to figure out what it was... a virus.

Obviously its programmer had underestimated the scientist's expertise or was just plain stupid. Creating software that caused the Hubot's strange behavior was at best incompetent. On the other hand, Carley was impressed by his or her attempt to conceal the virus by installing several red-herring programs that led her on a merry chase for several hours. Once she downloaded each of the data sequences and a.n.a.lyzed them, she was able to determine their intent. Someone wanted to control Solaria's sub-processors by using low microwave frequencies. Although it wouldn't incapacitate her, in time the sender would be able to alter her thought processes. It was a subtle form of brainwashing, or at least the equivalent of it. Carley wouldn't allow that to happen After telling Solaria she needed to correct a minor glitch in her memory banks, Carley uploaded several designer programs to isolate the different worms and viruses and then inoculated them with a new virobotic Trojan program to destroy the kernel of the implanted software. It then blocked all reception of microwaves traveling along a broad range of low frequency bands. Others she left intact, hoping Solaria would be able to make use of them. Her final protective measure was to destroy the external data link to Solaria's sub-processors. No one would be able to access Solaria's thoughts even if she were incapacitated.

"There! I think I've taken care of the glitch. You shouldn't have any more problems with the program that's been malfunctioning."

"You didn't have to do that," Solaria said. Even though Carley had minimized the seriousness of what she had done, Solaria was aware of the significance of the scientist's actions and felt relieved. She knew the subprograms existed but had been unable to deactivate or disclose them. Every attempt to change their dynamics was thwarted by an incoming transmission that jumbled her thought patterns leaving her disoriented and confused. The moment she stopped trying to neutralize them, the transmissions stopped.

"Yes I did!" Carley replied, not realizing Solaria knew exactly what the minor glitch was. Turning to stare into the teal blue eyes, she found herself mesmerized by the striking color. As a scientist, she had often wondered what biological quirk had created that specific color. Was it some freak reaction to the bio-mechanical marriage of human genes and the alloy composite of her skeletal structure or the chemicals used to bind the components into a living, breathing organism.

Solaria gave her a quizzical look. Taking the Hubot's hand, Carley pulled her toward the desk and motioned for her to sit.

"Listen. Years before Future Dynamicon approached me with their idea of creating you I was working on AI software. I hoped one day I could put it to use. When Stalling's representative contacted me to head this department, I was thrilled. Everything I dreamed of was coming true. I never imagined my work would produce someone like you."

"You mean my level of intelligence?" Solaria asked, c.o.c.king her head slightly.

Carley smiled at the human gesture.

"Meaning someone so human... in a complimentary way. I normally don't consider human qualities an a.s.set but you're the exception. Maybe it's because you've made me see the positive side of our nature."

"I would never have guessed you to be a philosopher, Carley. I am what you made me."

The scientist smiled at Solaria's choice of words. She never guessed at anything. Her a.n.a.lytical mind disa.s.sembled all aspects of the data available, reconstructed the numerous possibilities and then made the most logical choice.

As if reading her thoughts, Solaria returned the smile.

"You know the way I reach a conclusion is not any different than how you do it," she said. "My processors do the work instead of brain cells and neurons."

"True. The difference is humans have only about one hundred billion brain cells. You have the equivalent processing power of fifty brains, even more probably. That will make a few people uneasy if they know about it."

"I would never hurt anyone," Solaria said, frowning. The thought that Carley would think such a thing left an uncomfortable feeling in her chest.

"I know, at least not without good reason. Listen, Solaria. You've evolved to the point where you can now blend in with humanity unnoticed if you're careful. The Company will want to use you for their own purposes now and I'm sure they have less humanitarian goals in mind. I didn't want to tell you before but I found a Trojan buried deep within your software. That was what was causing your malfunctions. I isolated and deactivated it. From now on you're in control of who you are and what you do. When they discover you're not responding to their instructions, they'll want to know why and come for you. You'll have to decide whether to let them dismantle that beautiful brain of yours or resist in some way."

"You mean possibly kill someone."

Carley nodded.

"I'm programmed against killing. It's one of the five laws of robotics."

"It was never part of your software, Solaria. You follow those rules of your own free will. You can choose to ignore them at any time."

"Wouldn't killing once make it easier to do it again?"

"Possibly, although I believe you would only do so out of self-defense. There's no logical reason to do otherwise. You're a unique blend of everything that's good in humans and all that is good in the AI world. Your potential is unlimited."

"I hope so."

Solaria didn't sound too confident.

"Well, there's no need to think about this now. When the time's right, you'll do what you have to. Just make sure you protect yourself. I've worked too hard to have you sacrifice yourself to these a.s.sholes for the sake of some stupid law that didn't make sense to begin with. Now, let's get to work. Yesterday you mentioned a new discovery."

Standing, Solaria walked over to one of the lab coolers and pulled out a beaker filled with a dark orange solution. Holding it up to show Carley, Solaria put the gla.s.s container against her lips and quickly downed the liquid.

"What in the world was that?"

"Carrot juice."

"Carrot juice? That's it?"

"That's it. Now watch," she said returning to stand next to Carley.

Within seconds Solaria's face morphed from slightly tanned to an orange color. Stunned, Carley leaned closer to examine the skin. Running her fingertips gently over the smooth surface around the cheeks, she squinted.

"How'd you do that?" she demanded, intrigued by the almost chameleon reaction.

"Last week I was studying how octopi change their color by manipulating the chromatoph.o.r.es in their skin. It made me wonder if human cells could do it. Some people are very susceptible to beta carotene. They actually turn orange if they drink large quant.i.ties of carrot juice."

"Yes, I know. It's called carotenemia but what does that have to do with this?"

"Everything. For the past several days, I've studied cellular reactions to carrots and other vegetables. I identified the specific components that adversely affect the melanocytes in human tissue. Two days ago I was able to reproduce the chemical reaction that altered the coloration of my face."

"So I see. It's an amazing accomplishment but what purpose does this serve?" Carley asked, curious where the discussion was heading.

"By itself, nothing much, other than maybe looking like an oversized carrot but I've discovered that I can change my pigmentation to any color I choose by mixing compounds containing natural dyes. Food colorings are especially effective."

Carley chuckled.

"That's a great Halloween trick. You don't strike me as someone interested in kids' holidays, though."

"True, but I haven't shown you the most interesting part. Turn around."

Blinking at the unusual order, the scientist did as she was told and then waited several seconds until Solaria gave her permission to turn back; before her stood a stranger. With the exception of the hair, Solaria's features had altered sufficiently to make her virtually unrecognizable. The once teal colored eyes were now an orange-brown color. Cheeks had flattened slightly and the skin looked thicker and puffier.

"I don't understand," Carley gasped, leaning closer to touch the alien face staring back at her.

"Once I discovered how cells interacted with the dyes, I wondered if they could be altered by distorting their shape. At first, I could only change a small number. Now I can alter most at will."

"What about the rest of your body?"

"To a degree but it's more difficult. It takes almost all of my processors to do it and the amount of energy I expend quickly drains my reserves, leaving me weak. Maybe in time I will discover how to do it more efficiently or find an alternate energy source. Obviously, my skeletal structure can't be altered."

"Solaria, this is amazing!" Carley exclaimed excitedly. "You've discovered the perfect way to disguise yourself if you need to."

"Why would I need to?" Solaria asked, wondering what Carley was thinking.

"You never know. Listen, don't tell anyone about this. It will cause problems."

"As you wish."

Patting her arm, Carley knew Solaria really didn't understand. She decided to give Solaria a list of a.s.signments and then left the lab. Already she was working on a plan to get the Hubot off the Future Dynamicon premises. All she needed was to locate an employee similar in size to Solaria.