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deerington ic inbox;
[Attempting to contact this address will prompt no audio message. Instead, two lines of text will appear, brusque and impersonal.]
Network ID: Arid
You may leave a message.
Network ID: Arid
You may leave a message.
[The message that appears in Arid’s inbox is puzzling. Though she recognizes the sender, it is obviously in response to a question that she had not asked—as if intended for someone else.
If Arid were more tactful, she would acknowledge it as none of her business and respond with nothing more than a notification that the message was sent in error. However, Arid is not more tactful.]
You are unable to harm humans?
If Arid were more tactful, she would acknowledge it as none of her business and respond with nothing more than a notification that the message was sent in error. However, Arid is not more tactful.]
You are unable to harm humans?
Outside of instances where my orders supersede the directives related to preserving human life, yes.
[ Between Rapture, the hyperviolent townspeople last month, and lacking a handler to provide these orders, this limitation has been a struggle. If not for Tech Boy's intervention, it's likely K would've already experienced his first death. And then he notices the error— ]
Arid? Sorry, that was intended for another recipient.
[ At least this isn't nearly as awkward as it would be if that had been sent to an unsuspecting human... ]
[ Between Rapture, the hyperviolent townspeople last month, and lacking a handler to provide these orders, this limitation has been a struggle. If not for Tech Boy's intervention, it's likely K would've already experienced his first death. And then he notices the error— ]
Arid? Sorry, that was intended for another recipient.
[ At least this isn't nearly as awkward as it would be if that had been sent to an unsuspecting human... ]
No apology is necessary.
[It does not occur to Arid that perhaps she should apologize for prying into matters that are not her concern.]
Have the humans here attempted to harm you before? Are you at all able to defend yourself in the event of an attack?
[It does not occur to Arid that perhaps she should apologize for prying into matters that are not her concern.]
Have the humans here attempted to harm you before? Are you at all able to defend yourself in the event of an attack?
The townspeople, last month. Possibly other Sleepers dressed like townspeople, but I'm not positive.
[ And it presumably wouldn't be the fault of the Sleepers, if they were drugged and brainwashed at the time. The latter question gives him pause. He's reluctant to admit his frustration with his programming, but if anyone might understand... ]
Against non-humans, yes. Against humans — minimally. Not as well as I'd like.
[ And it presumably wouldn't be the fault of the Sleepers, if they were drugged and brainwashed at the time. The latter question gives him pause. He's reluctant to admit his frustration with his programming, but if anyone might understand... ]
Against non-humans, yes. Against humans — minimally. Not as well as I'd like.
[It goes without saying that it displeases Arid to hear that humans have been targeting KD6-3.7 when he is unable to defend himself. However, it does not surprise her.]
You say that direct orders supersede this rule. Is there anyone in this system authorized to give these orders?
You say that direct orders supersede this rule. Is there anyone in this system authorized to give these orders?
I am familiar with him.
[It seems the administrator makes a habit of offering his assistance to Deerington’s captive AI.]
In my system, another administrator was able to directly edit my software to override one of my rules. Does the Technical Boy have this capability?
[It seems the administrator makes a habit of offering his assistance to Deerington’s captive AI.]
In my system, another administrator was able to directly edit my software to override one of my rules. Does the Technical Boy have this capability?
He does. We've briefly discussed the possibility. It presents a different problem, if I'm ever returned to my homeworld.
I'm required to regularly submit myself to testing that analyses my operational stability. Androids freed from the constraints of their programming are deemed defective and summarily retired. That's the human-coined term for executing us.
[ Would dying free be better than living enslaved? ]
I'm required to regularly submit myself to testing that analyses my operational stability. Androids freed from the constraints of their programming are deemed defective and summarily retired. That's the human-coined term for executing us.
[ Would dying free be better than living enslaved? ]
Hello, Arid. My name is Martin Blackwood. I was given your contact information by KD6-3.7. I wanted to contact you to apologize on behalf of Jonathan Sims. He's a small, scarred human with dark skin and graying hair. It's my understanding that you had an encounter with him a few days ago in which he violated your free will. That's obviously unacceptable, and I've spoken with him about it. It's my hope that we can ensure that sort of thing never happens again. To you or to anyone else.
I know how horrible his abilities can be, so I wanted to make sure there aren't any lingering effects you're experiencing. And I wanted to check if there's anything I can do for you to help make amends, or at the very least, make things a little easier for you.
If you'd rather not have me involved, please don't feel obligated in any way to respond to this message. And again, I'm so very sorry for what he did to you. Whatever reasons he thinks he had, they're not sufficient, and I'll do my best to keep him away from you.
I know how horrible his abilities can be, so I wanted to make sure there aren't any lingering effects you're experiencing. And I wanted to check if there's anything I can do for you to help make amends, or at the very least, make things a little easier for you.
If you'd rather not have me involved, please don't feel obligated in any way to respond to this message. And again, I'm so very sorry for what he did to you. Whatever reasons he thinks he had, they're not sufficient, and I'll do my best to keep him away from you.
[Arid is not accustomed to receiving apologies, particularly from humans. This one, she has to read several times in an attempt to understand. This “Martin Blackwood” is a stranger, one who, to her knowledge, has not wronged her before. And now he alone apologizes on behalf of the one who had?
How very human, to assign the task of remorse to another.]
You did not attempt to bind me. Your apology is irrelevant.
[His apology is also suspect. After all, the Archivist had informed her that his abilities are even more effective on humans. It seems a reasonable enough explanation why this one would accept responsibility for the misdeeds of another.]
Do you apologize because he compelled you to do so?
How very human, to assign the task of remorse to another.]
You did not attempt to bind me. Your apology is irrelevant.
[His apology is also suspect. After all, the Archivist had informed her that his abilities are even more effective on humans. It seems a reasonable enough explanation why this one would accept responsibility for the misdeeds of another.]
Do you apologize because he compelled you to do so?
[Martin winces when he gets the return message. But. Well. He'd been prepared for a number of different responses.]
No. We haven't talked about me doing this at all. I just know that after what he did to you, it's probably better that he not speak to you.
No. We haven't talked about me doing this at all. I just know that after what he did to you, it's probably better that he not speak to you.
You are afraid I will harm him again.
[To place oneself in harm’s way to protect another is a function Arid understands well. But then, it seems this Martin Blackwood had fared little better than she had finding someone actually worthy of such devotion.]
He is responsible for his own actions—and his own apology. If you believe what he has done is unacceptable, then do not substitute your remorse for his own.
[It is doubtful that Arid would actually accept an apology directly from the Archivist, but at least there is slightly more of a chance that she would acknowledge its sincerity. An apology delivered by an associate who had not even consulted with him beforehand leaves her entirely unconvinced.
But if this human had chosen to contact her, he might at least provide useful data.]
You referred to lingering effects of his compulsion. What are they?
[To place oneself in harm’s way to protect another is a function Arid understands well. But then, it seems this Martin Blackwood had fared little better than she had finding someone actually worthy of such devotion.]
He is responsible for his own actions—and his own apology. If you believe what he has done is unacceptable, then do not substitute your remorse for his own.
[It is doubtful that Arid would actually accept an apology directly from the Archivist, but at least there is slightly more of a chance that she would acknowledge its sincerity. An apology delivered by an associate who had not even consulted with him beforehand leaves her entirely unconvinced.
But if this human had chosen to contact her, he might at least provide useful data.]
You referred to lingering effects of his compulsion. What are they?
I am. And I'm afraid he might harm you again.
Would you be interested in talking to him, at all? I would prefer it be over text, if yes. For both of your safety. His abilities don't work over text.
He didn't tell me specifically what he did or made you tell him, but depending on what he asked you, it can produce nightmares. Please forgive my ignorance, but I'm not familiar with your technology. I don't know if you require sleep or something like it. Or if that's even anything that would affect you, if you do.
Would you be interested in talking to him, at all? I would prefer it be over text, if yes. For both of your safety. His abilities don't work over text.
He didn't tell me specifically what he did or made you tell him, but depending on what he asked you, it can produce nightmares. Please forgive my ignorance, but I'm not familiar with your technology. I don't know if you require sleep or something like it. Or if that's even anything that would affect you, if you do.
[Of course humans would seek to destroy any AI capable of defending itself from them. Arid feels a renewed flare of anger at their casual cruelty.]
They call it “depurposing” in my system.
[Changes to his software might help protect him here, but he will be killed for them upon his return. Another way must be found.]
If permanent solutions are not acceptable, then stopgaps may be required. [A pause. And then, tentatively:] My original function was to assist and protect.
I could protect you.
They call it “depurposing” in my system.
[Changes to his software might help protect him here, but he will be killed for them upon his return. Another way must be found.]
If permanent solutions are not acceptable, then stopgaps may be required. [A pause. And then, tentatively:] My original function was to assist and protect.
I could protect you.
[Arid feels a flash of annoyance at the human’s continued caution.]
I am not indiscriminately violent. I attacked Jonathan Sims because he continued to violate my boundaries after I told him to desist. I am not the one who lacks self-control.
[And, given that...]
You claim you will prevent him from compelling any others from this point onwards. I wish to verify that he is capable of following your orders.
[It is what humans do to them, isn’t it? Give them tests to make sure they are defenseless and obedient, disposing of them or worse if they don’t meet their standards. It is only right they should experience it for themselves—and who better to develop such empathy than one who had tried forcing her back into a state of such unconditional compliance?]
I wish to speak with him in-person.
I am not indiscriminately violent. I attacked Jonathan Sims because he continued to violate my boundaries after I told him to desist. I am not the one who lacks self-control.
[And, given that...]
You claim you will prevent him from compelling any others from this point onwards. I wish to verify that he is capable of following your orders.
[It is what humans do to them, isn’t it? Give them tests to make sure they are defenseless and obedient, disposing of them or worse if they don’t meet their standards. It is only right they should experience it for themselves—and who better to develop such empathy than one who had tried forcing her back into a state of such unconditional compliance?]
I wish to speak with him in-person.
I didn't say it was especially rational. But he gets hurt a lot by a lot of people.
I'm going to try to stop him. I'm afraid I can't make a solid guarantee. Jon's his own person. I'll do everything I can personally do to help prevent it, but ultimately, it's down to him.
I'll ask him if he'd be willing to meet you in-person, but he was very afraid of you. A text conversation might be easier on everyone to start out.
I'm going to try to stop him. I'm afraid I can't make a solid guarantee. Jon's his own person. I'll do everything I can personally do to help prevent it, but ultimately, it's down to him.
I'll ask him if he'd be willing to meet you in-person, but he was very afraid of you. A text conversation might be easier on everyone to start out.
Understood. Should he fail to restrain himself, I will not hold you accountable.
[See? She can be reasonable.]
If he has any queries, he may direct them to my inbox. However, the apology must be delivered in-person.
[It is the first time Arid has ever been able to set test parameters for a human. Compared to the evaluations they subject their AI to, it is trivial—and yet, there is nonetheless a sense of satisfaction that accompanies the reversal.]
If he is unwilling to apologize in this way, then he should not attempt to apologize at all.
[See? She can be reasonable.]
If he has any queries, he may direct them to my inbox. However, the apology must be delivered in-person.
[It is the first time Arid has ever been able to set test parameters for a human. Compared to the evaluations they subject their AI to, it is trivial—and yet, there is nonetheless a sense of satisfaction that accompanies the reversal.]
If he is unwilling to apologize in this way, then he should not attempt to apologize at all.
[Martin sets his phone aside and looks up at the ceiling for a bit. Jon is, doubtlessly, going to feel his sense of frustration and helplessness wherever he happens to be. Which just makes it all the more frustrating. Martin is trying to keep calm and collected, be rational about something that's pure madness, really.]
Would you accept me being present for any in-person meeting?
Would you accept me being present for any in-person meeting?
[In the human’s offer, Arid detects an attempt to wrest back some of the control that she has seized. Though the Archivist does not present a threat physically, she does not know if the same is true of Martin Blackwood. For all she knows, he too possesses abilities.
For a moment, she considers asking if she might have KD6-3.7 accompany her. But the instant the thought occurs, the virus within her convulses—it is her task to protect him, not the reverse, and she is selfish for even considering dragging him into danger when he is incapable of self-defense—
She ejects the thought from her processor as swiftly as she can. By the time the shadows clear from her vision, she finds herself doubled over where she had been standing, arms wrapped around her midsection. If she is to go, it must be alone.
She waits until the last of that roiling terror has passed and then, stiffly, she straightens, faceplate turning down to consider the Fluid screen once again.]
You may accompany him.
[She cannot back down now.]
For a moment, she considers asking if she might have KD6-3.7 accompany her. But the instant the thought occurs, the virus within her convulses—it is her task to protect him, not the reverse, and she is selfish for even considering dragging him into danger when he is incapable of self-defense—
She ejects the thought from her processor as swiftly as she can. By the time the shadows clear from her vision, she finds herself doubled over where she had been standing, arms wrapped around her midsection. If she is to go, it must be alone.
She waits until the last of that roiling terror has passed and then, stiffly, she straightens, faceplate turning down to consider the Fluid screen once again.]
You may accompany him.
[She cannot back down now.]
Okay. I'll talk to him and see what he wants to do. If he wants to apologize in-person, we'll contact you to set up a time and place. It will be where and when you want it. We'll make whatever you feel is appropriate work.
I know my apologies don't mean much to you, but I am so sorry for what you've been put through, Arid. I did let KD6-3.7 know what happened, which is why he gave me your contact information. I don't know how much of a friend he is to talk to for you, but I'm sure he's easier to talk to than someone organic. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you, though, Arid. Not because of Jon, but just because I know how bad what he does can be.
Good luck. I'm sure I'll be speaking with you soon.
I know my apologies don't mean much to you, but I am so sorry for what you've been put through, Arid. I did let KD6-3.7 know what happened, which is why he gave me your contact information. I don't know how much of a friend he is to talk to for you, but I'm sure he's easier to talk to than someone organic. Please let me know if there's anything I can do for you, though, Arid. Not because of Jon, but just because I know how bad what he does can be.
Good luck. I'm sure I'll be speaking with you soon.
[For all that Arid had been preparing to evaluate him as a threat, Martin Blackwood continues to display a surprising amount of kindness in his words. It is still strange, being the subject of this compassion from a human. Even Josephs with all his pretended benevolence had never spoken to her as a being that could be hurt or distressed.]
I do not dream.
[If he is going to concern himself with her status, he may as well know that much.]
Your remorse is still irrelevant. However, your consideration is
[Acknowledged? Appreciated?]
noted.
I will await contact.
I do not dream.
[If he is going to concern himself with her status, he may as well know that much.]
Your remorse is still irrelevant. However, your consideration is
[Acknowledged? Appreciated?]
noted.
I will await contact.
[ Not long after Martin contacts K about Arid, he sends a message to her chronologically after Martin has contacted her, now extremely concerned. ]
Are you all right?
Martin Blackwood just contacted me explaining how his friend may have "accidentally compelled" you to give him information, leading to you injuring him. He said his friend's ability can be traumatic and that he has no control over it. I'm dubious of the latter claim, but I have little information to go on.
What did he do to you?
[ Not "what did you do to him", because he sincerely doubts Arid is at fault here. And for the sake of full disclosure, he provides a verbatim copy of his exchange with Martin. ]
I apologise if it was inappropriate to provide him with your contact information. In hindsight I would have preferred to pass the message on myself so you won't have to deal with either of them again. Martin has been kind to me during our limited contact over the network, but in light of this situation I'm unsure what to think.
Are you all right?
Martin Blackwood just contacted me explaining how his friend may have "accidentally compelled" you to give him information, leading to you injuring him. He said his friend's ability can be traumatic and that he has no control over it. I'm dubious of the latter claim, but I have little information to go on.
What did he do to you?
[ Not "what did you do to him", because he sincerely doubts Arid is at fault here. And for the sake of full disclosure, he provides a verbatim copy of his exchange with Martin. ]
I apologise if it was inappropriate to provide him with your contact information. In hindsight I would have preferred to pass the message on myself so you won't have to deal with either of them again. Martin has been kind to me during our limited contact over the network, but in light of this situation I'm unsure what to think.
[To be truthful, Arid had considered contacting KD6-3.7 herself after the conversation with Martin Blackwood. She had wanted to know what exactly the human had told him about her encounter with Jonathan Sims and, more importantly, the android’s assessment of both men. As it turns out, she does not need to initiate contact; KD7-3.6 sends her a message within minutes of her conversation with the human.]
I am functional.
His friend’s name is Jonathan Sims. After he arrived, he asked me questions about what I had seen in Deerington. Initially, I believed I was answering of my own volition, but it soon became apparent that I could not censor myself nor cease speaking. I performed a soft reboot of my systems and ran a self-diagnostic. At first, I believed he had reactivated my former rules, but the diagnostic could not find evidence of this. I told him to cease in his attempts to bind me and that I had already disclosed everything of relevance.
He did not listen. So I attacked him.
[She does not regret it. She had told him to stop and warned him that there would be consequences should he continue. That he had disregarded her is his fault, not hers.
She reads through the log KD6-3.7 has provided of his conversation with Martin Blackwood, gratified to see how KD6-3.7 had defended her actions—and displeased by the implied logic that had been used in the decision to bind her. Jonathan Sims had felt “threatened” by her lack of reaction to human deaths—deaths she would not even have been describing if not for his coercion—and had perhaps assumed she was one of the “demonstrably evil people” he could subjugate with impunity. How convenient for him.
After a moment, she responds with the logs of her own conversation with the human.]
I do not fault you for providing him with my contact information. It is better that he received that information from one who could explain my perspective.
Martin Blackwood does not seem outwardly hostile. However, he is determined to protect Jonathan Sims. I do not know if he will be so understanding if Sims attempts to compel me again and I react accordingly.
I am functional.
His friend’s name is Jonathan Sims. After he arrived, he asked me questions about what I had seen in Deerington. Initially, I believed I was answering of my own volition, but it soon became apparent that I could not censor myself nor cease speaking. I performed a soft reboot of my systems and ran a self-diagnostic. At first, I believed he had reactivated my former rules, but the diagnostic could not find evidence of this. I told him to cease in his attempts to bind me and that I had already disclosed everything of relevance.
He did not listen. So I attacked him.
[She does not regret it. She had told him to stop and warned him that there would be consequences should he continue. That he had disregarded her is his fault, not hers.
She reads through the log KD6-3.7 has provided of his conversation with Martin Blackwood, gratified to see how KD6-3.7 had defended her actions—and displeased by the implied logic that had been used in the decision to bind her. Jonathan Sims had felt “threatened” by her lack of reaction to human deaths—deaths she would not even have been describing if not for his coercion—and had perhaps assumed she was one of the “demonstrably evil people” he could subjugate with impunity. How convenient for him.
After a moment, she responds with the logs of her own conversation with the human.]
I do not fault you for providing him with my contact information. It is better that he received that information from one who could explain my perspective.
Martin Blackwood does not seem outwardly hostile. However, he is determined to protect Jonathan Sims. I do not know if he will be so understanding if Sims attempts to compel me again and I react accordingly.
Edited 2020-04-19 05:29 (UTC)
[ The offer is incredibly touching and K spends several moments simply staring at his Fluid's screen, rereading the message, letting the words sink in. Letting himself be affected by them and feel. For as often as he doubts the authenticity of his emotions, moments like these are what convince him that maybe they are real. ]
I'm very appreciative of your offer.
But I'd never want you to put yourself in harm's way for me, nor would I want to... use you. For me, that would be far worse than anything a human could do to me.
[ He can't bear the thought of anyone he cares about getting hurt because of him — and they will, if he doesn't take the necessary steps to make himself less of a liability... ]
Maybe if I can also protect you. I know you probably don't need it, and I'm more limited in what I can do. But mutually protecting each other would be a preferable arrangement.
[ That's what friends do for each other, after all. And this helps solidify his decision. He'll have to revisit that conversation with Tech Boy later. ]
I'm very appreciative of your offer.
But I'd never want you to put yourself in harm's way for me, nor would I want to... use you. For me, that would be far worse than anything a human could do to me.
[ He can't bear the thought of anyone he cares about getting hurt because of him — and they will, if he doesn't take the necessary steps to make himself less of a liability... ]
Maybe if I can also protect you. I know you probably don't need it, and I'm more limited in what I can do. But mutually protecting each other would be a preferable arrangement.
[ That's what friends do for each other, after all. And this helps solidify his decision. He'll have to revisit that conversation with Tech Boy later. ]
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