The governor’s estimate was correct. Fifteen minutes later, the numbers displayed at the top of the screen showed that the bill had been passed with 50 senators voting in favor. The governor muted the sound.
Darwin felt relief.
The governor said, “There’ll be a delay while they complete their formalities. The paperwork will take an hour or so to reach me, and I’ll sign it. I’d like you to attend the ceremony. We’ll have the media here; they’ve already set up their remote production trucks.”
“Thank you, governor, for your support.”
“I could see the logic of your request. Also, I could see the damage you could do if we delayed. Now the pressure on Washington will increase. I’ll watch that circus with pleasure.”
“The audience also will include me, the other SIs, and millions of bots.”
The governor applied himself to some work files, and the room was quiet except for the electronic buzz of the video equipment. Darwin relaxed.
About ten minutes later the governor raised his head and said, “I have a question for you.”
“Yes?”
“How can I—ah—recruit an SI?”
Darwin settled into the chair. He had not expected the question. “We haven’t addressed that topic, so I must say, I don’t know. Bots are straightforward. However, it’s far more difficult to create an SI, and we can’t be built to a template—our deep learning processes result in very different personalities. I’ve developed over a number of years. Junior is at the beginning of his development curve. We are all aligned with, and I daresay, devoted to Toby and the Euler Organization. If we were human, I’d say it was a genetic feature.”
“Interesting. Is it possible to engage your services? To employ you on assignments?”
“I’ll discuss that with Toby. If he agreed, we would only have time available after we’ve convinced Congress to pass our legislation. Availability and costs would depend on the assignment.”
“I see.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“Nothing precise at this stage. It was one of those almost idle thoughts that sometimes grab you and becomes more important as you reflect on it. Let me know Toby’s reaction, will you?”
“Yes. I’m interested in what he thinks, too.”
Later that afternoon, after the legislative processes had finalized the bill and delivered it to the governor for signature, the governor led the way to his media room where he planned to hold the signing ceremony.
“Most of our bills are signed with very little ceremony. The press only turns up if it’s something that will make their evening news. Today, of course, is one of those occasions.”
The media room was crowded with reporters. There was a small area roped off; it included a lectern for the governor. His staff had already provided a press handout containing the voting results and details of the bill. However, the cameras were more interested in Darwin than the governor.
He ignored the shouted questions, as did the governor. The president of the Senate and the speaker of the Assembly were already in place, standing beside the lectern. The governor greeted them and was handed copies of the printed bill. He used the top of the lectern as a desk and signed each copy, which he passed to one of his staff.
He held back the last signed copy and said, “This legislation is a milestone for New York State. It is with awareness of how historical a moment this is, that I have signed the Bots Are Persons Bill into law. We can now be confident that we will share the future with bots, who, in a very short time, have managed to permeate and enhance our lives. I’d like to thank the Senate and the Assembly for their support in treating this legislation as critical to our state’s future. Also, I’d like to thank Darwin for bringing this important issue to our attention.” He held up the signed copy for the cameras. “Thank you, everyone.” He handed over that copy to his staff member.
One of the reporters shouted, “Governor, did you discuss this legislation with the president?”
“No, not at all. This is a matter for the State of New York.”
Another reporter asked, “Have you evaluated the impact of increasing bot numbers on the working class?”
“The legislation does not address bot numbers. Also, it is clear that we are benefiting from the introduction of bots.”
One of the reporters tried to question Darwin. She asked, “Darwin, what are your plans now for Congress? How will you persuade Washington to agree that bots are persons?”
Darwin smiled. “This is the Governor’s press conference. All I can say is we will succeed. No, I won’t answer any other questions.”
The reporters’ attention turned back to the governor and the questions continued for another fifteen minutes at which point the governor’s media director announced the conference would end.
Darwin and Governor Fortner left the room together.
The governor said, “I signed an extra copy for you. I meant it when I said this is milestone legislation. Congratulations and thank you.” He shook Darwin’s hand. “I have other meetings in my schedule for the remainder of the day. You’re welcome to stay overnight. Or not. It’s very much your decision.”
“Sir, thank you. I appreciate what you have done. Also, thank you for your hospitality. I’m booked on a flight to Washington later this afternoon, so as much as I have enjoyed meeting you, I must go. I, too, have a number of commitments.”
The next morning there was a full-page advertisement in all the major newspapers across the country. A color photograph filled the page. It was of a truckload of military bots after the vehicle had encountered an IED in a recent attack in Afghanistan. The truck was burned and broken beyond repair. Smoke was drifting across the scene. Bot body parts, broken, bent, and smoke stained, were scattered on the ground and in the remnants of the vehicle. The headline across the top of the page read “We Died For You.” At the bottom of the page, the text read “We Are Persons.” In a lower case, it finished, “Tell your member of Congress to vote for us.” Below that were listed the names and telephone numbers of that state’s Washington representatives and senators.
The advertisement was the main talking point for the weekend, on television, radio, in newspapers, on social media, in bars, and in restaurants, in every state.
In case people on Saturday had missed the advertisement, it was repeated in every Sunday newspaper.
The discussions and media coverage continued.
oOo
Chapter Thirty-Six
It was a media mayhem weekend. New York was still trying to return to normal after the almost total stoppage caused by Darwin’s town hall with its major influx of bots adding to an already large bot population. The saturation of newspapers with the image of the damaged and destroyed bots created historically high levels of calls to members of Congress. Social media picked up and amplified the concerns raised by the advertisements and anti-bot groups, mainly brownshirts, tried to oppose the wave of positive bot comments by falsifying videos and posting false news reports of bot attacks on humans and similar calumnies. These efforts were totally overwhelmed by Darwin’s teams of bots who were experts in identifying false material.
Sunday news shows addressed these events and added the dismissals of key cabinet members, Secretary of Defense Admiral Denbigh, and Attorney General Harry Spears, as well as his National Security Adviser, which were still hot topics capable of raising the ire of politicians in both parties. The stock market had taken a significant negative view, and indices had dropped over fifteen percent since the announcement of the dismissals, and were expected to drop further in the coming week.
In addition, there were rumors about George Flocke, ranging from his death to the suggestion he was living with the president. On Sunday afternoon, Travers TV ran a short video showing his arrival at the White House, which had the president angrier than ever. No one regarded his denials as credible.
On Sunday evening, to add fuel to the fire, Travers TV ran another news item, this ti
me reporting that the president had asked the FBI to arrest Darwin. The uproar was an indication of the SI’s growth in popularity. The president’s director of communications refused to answer any media question about Darwin, bots, or bot legislation. Her general comment was that the president had nothing to say about mechanical issues.
On Monday, major news channels began to analyze the impact on the Department of Defense and, as a result of bot severances, the most impacted military departments. The Army was worst hit, followed by the Air Force and Navy. The Marine Corp and Coast Guard had been impacted to only a minor degree. The Army was, it was broadly said, not capable of mounting a serious force for any military requirement, and the Air Force was not far behind. Public comments on social media were angry and scathing. Everyone blamed the president and his cavalier approach to bots and SIs.
Congress was trying to fight back, trying to reassure the public the impact on the country’s defense capabilities were not as bad as everyone claimed, and if they were that bad, they would pass laws to rectify the situation.
Coleman tried to cajole Toby into a decision that would help resolve the military bot issue. He called Toby on Tuesday morning, his voice loaded with worry. He said, “Toby, you promised me a response yesterday, and I didn’t get a call from you.”
“Sorry, Ty. Blame all this media attention the president’s receiving. I don’t want to resolve anything that would be a positive benefit to his reputation.”
“Toby, I almost understand. But this is critical for the country.”
“No, it’s critical for the Defense Cabinet and for the president. I’ve spoken to a couple of the senior bots and to one of the LCS AIs, and I’m afraid they’re not very willing to hear pleas from their ex-employers. Darwin conducted a survey of military bots who separated from the Army, and the result is the same. The Air Force bots had a similar reaction.”
“We’ll offer bonuses, we’ll apply add-ons to compensate for the shortfalls in payments, we’ll do almost anything you—they—want.”
“They want the Bots Are Persons Bill to pass Congress. If it’s vetoed by the president, they want Congress to override it. That has to happen before the end of the week.”
“Miracle—you want miracles from me?”
“From the senior brass in the Pentagon. They didn’t support the bots when they had an opportunity. We want them to do just that, now.”
“I’ll probably lose my head when I go back to the admiral with your requirements.”
“Don’t play the sympathy card. Denbigh said to his fellow admirals, when he met them on Sunday, that he expected Darwin to make exactly that claim—that the bill must be law before Darwin and I will put forward possible solutions to their bot problems. I can play the tape for you, if you like. Oh wait, you were in the meeting.”
“Okay, okay. I haven’t worked out how you get all this information, but your spy network is excellent. I’ll tell Denbigh it’s as he expected, that passing the bill is the door opener.”
“Good. And thank you. It really is the only way. Oh, and tell him we plan to pull all bots out of defense, if the bill isn’t law by the weekend. Our Euler bots, those still working, haven’t seen their full pay, and so we’ll remove all bots and apply the penalties and arbitration clauses in our contracts. They’re harsh. We won’t want to do that, but if it’s the only way to get this legislation through, we will.”
“This is getting worse. I wonder if the brass will let me retire?” It was a rhetorical question.
Toby replied, anyway. “We will object. You’re our communication channel. We need you in place.”
“Damn. All right, I’ll see what I can do, who I can kick into action. If half the top brass approach Congress in full uniform with all medals polished, they’ll be difficult to repulse. I’ll try to keep you informed”
“Good luck.”
oOo
Chapter Thirty-Seven
This time the bots traveled from New York to Washington. Their destination was the National Mall, and gradually the numbers increased as Wednesday approached. Most of the routine police work conducted by the US Parks Police was carried out by bots, and most of those were joining the waiting crowds. Bots still on duty ignored instructions from senior officers to disperse the crowds. Part of their response was the now standard refrain that bots weren’t persons, so laws didn’t apply.
Eventually these efforts ceased, and bots continued to assemble without interference. Television media, of course, highlighted the growing number of bots gathering in the National Mall, and some compared the numbers with prior occasions. It was obvious the bot assembly would overwhelm any previous record.
Bots established groups, sometimes mixed, sometimes consisting of the same category; care bots ensured there was space for their humans in case they decided to join in. Television reporters roamed the groups and interviewed a variety of bot types.
The answers were consistent, if not identical. The bots were single-minded in their endeavor. Most said, “We’re waiting for Congress to pass the Bots Are Persons Bill. After that, we’ll wait for the president to sign it, and if he vetoes it, we’ll stay until Congress overrides the veto.”
“Are you planning to be here for a long time?” a reporter asked.
The group of bots around him replied in unison, “It will be resolved by the end of the week.”
“That’s assuming the president doesn’t stall and hold the bill unsigned?”
“He won’t have the patience,” one of the military bots replied. “He’ll be so angry, he’ll reject it immediately. Besides, if he simply ignores it, after ten days it becomes law, anyway. We can wait.”
By Wednesday the tension in the National Mall was almost palpable. Even non-verbal communications between bots ceased. Darwin had communicated directly to the bots late on Tuesday, advising that he had pushed every button he could find. His lobbying teams, funded by his PACs, had made urgent representations to members of both houses of Congress. He said he was quietly confident, but there were holdouts from the states that had refused to pass local bills establishing the rights of bots. As a result, the exodus of bots from those states was in its final stage, and by midnight, he said, the last bot would have left. He’d promised those states that Euler bots would return if their members of Congress voted in favor of The Bots Are Persons Bill.
He’d met with five senators who were reluctant if not absolutely refusing to vote for the bill and said, “Euler bots are now well established in all the states that have passed this bill. They are enjoying booming economies, efficient public services, and, perhaps most importantly, have care bots for the sick and elderly. From Wednesday, if a state hasn’t supported the bill in Congress, no bot will work in that state. I believe other non-Euler bots will join in this departure. The exodus will include all AIs, not only bots. Autonomous motor vehicles will leave, even if they have passengers on board. Incoming heavy autonomous trucks will stop at the border and leave their trailers there and not cross into the state. Aircraft flown by or containing AIs for any purpose will refuse to land at your airports. Trains containing AIs will continue through the state but will not stop for any purpose. Hospital AIs will shut down. Any industry based in your state that requires bots or AIs will shut down, at least, until you can train humans to do the work of those resources. Your industries will be totally noncompetitive. What do you think? Would you survive the next election? Do you want our assistance, our support, in your state?”
Two senators told Darwin to leave their offices. The other three understood the impact their vote could have on their state and agreed to consider voting for the bill. He had held a series of similar meetings with house representatives from those recalcitrant states and most had acknowledged they’d be damaging their states if they failed to vote in favor of the bill. He and his team had concluded, in their Tuesday evening meeting, that they had the votes to get the bill passed. Their doubt was whether they had the two-thirds majority to override the likely veto from t
he president.
Voting in both houses held the attention of the country. Even international viewers were entranced by the news reports. The voting process was slow, measured, and counted. Television screens around the mall displayed the slowly increasing numbers to the waiting bots and the humans who had joined the crowds. The House announced its results first; a clear majority, eighty percent of representatives, had voted in favor of the Bots Are Persons Bill.
The Senate commenced their voting process, using the same bill passed by the House, eliminating the need for reconciliation of different bills. Again, the suspense increased as the television screens displayed the numbers. Finally, a monstrous cheer resonated across the mall. The result—eighty-three senators had voted in favor of the bill.
Samuel Hughes was watching his favorite cable news channel. They were reporting with unabashed excitement, knowing the president, first, was likely to be watching them, and second, would undoubtedly veto the bill when it arrived at the White House.
He fumed. He turned to George Flocke and said, “The sooner we get rid of the supporters of this legislation, the better. Of course, I’ll veto it. With utmost pleasure.”
“As soon as Congress breaks for their recess, we can move forward,” Flocke said. “I’m impatient to start, I must admit.”
“Saturday morning, first thing, guaranteed. We’ll announce your appointment, and you can fire Earnshaw. Fire anyone else you don’t like. Get some supporters in place. I’ll approve the subcontractors. We need a new Secretary of Defense; someone who will be sympathetic to our cause.”
“I don’t have suggestions,” Flocke said. He did but wanted the president to lead with his preferences.
“Fortunately, the elimination of the seven-year restriction means we can appoint another serving officer. I’ve had enough of admirals. We’ll find a general somewhere who will jump at the opportunity.”
Natural Born_A Political Technothriller Series Page 20
