“It’s all yours,” he said. “I’d expect you to take appropriate and prudent steps to validate the contents.”
He returned to his chair and said, “Mr. Chairman?”
“Er—yes, Darwin?”
“We can continue now, if you wish?”
“I’m not sure—” He thought for a moment. “Yes, Representative Henry Loup, would you like to question our visitors?” Loup was a Democrat, representing Arizona.
“Why, certainly. Thank you. Mr.—ah—Darwin. I take it you don’t have a negative file on me?”
“The only negative behavior on you that I could discover was when you were ten years old and you accidentally pushed your older sister into a muddy quagmire. At least, I think it was accidental.”
The relaxed chuckles from the committee members eased Toby’s worries; he had not known Darwin had assembled a file on Hartman, and wondered how many other committee members he’d frightened as a result of that demonstration.
“Only two others,” whispered Darwin, reading his mind. He was holding his hand over the microphone. “The remainder are all reasonably clean. The committee members who didn’t attend—that’s a different story altogether.”
“I think you’ve set a standard for the future.”
There were two contentious items addressed in the remainder of the session. Darwin applied persuasive pressure for the committee to communicate to Congress a recommendation to pass a bill recognizing all autonomous units as natural persons. He suggested the scope of the bill should include superintelligences whether they appeared humanoid or otherwise, as long as they achieved a minimum set of criteria, the most significant of which was the level of intelligence.
Darwin explained, “I’ll support this, an entity—an AI—needs to be able to demonstrate that it has intelligence of at least a college graduate. An SI need to demonstrate it has intelligence above the highest that currently can be established for a human. Of course, I’m surrendering my earlier position; we need to be pragmatic.”
No one was able to suggest alternative approaches although two representatives pointed out that intelligence tests would not cover areas such as creativity, ethics, empathy, and other human abilities and sensibilities. Darwin suggested they were embedded in the overall super intelligence factor, that an SI would have a code of ethics. He agreed it might not be the same as a human code of ethics, but argued the test was not to establish humanity of an SI, but rather to confirm that the SI had established it was a being. A conscious natural being that was a person.
The committee members agreed the test wasn’t to establish the SI’s humanity. They could not agree on what the scope should be and whether the test should or should not cover more than intelligence. Nor what, for an SI, constituted consciousness.
“It’s like arguing over how many angels can dance on the point of a pin,” Darwin complained to Toby.
Toby covered his microphone. “Keep at them. They’ll have to make a recommendation at some point.”
“I am. I’ve funded our PACs to fifty million dollars—they’ll all be after grants to support their offices, plus travel expenses, and support for their election campaigns.”
The other area of contention that developed was economic. The committee recognized there would be negative income and employment impacts on low and middle classes as bots replaced more and more of the workforce; however, only a few were prepared to support a guaranteed minimum income for those displaced workers. The result was an impasse.
Darwin told the committee there was a way forward. The members—except now for Senator Hartman—were intent on hearing his suggestion.
“I believe it will be inevitable, that you—Congress—will pass suitable legislation. It’s going to happen. All we are debating, to be realistic, is when. Can you imagine the chaos to industry, to military, to homes and families, if all Euler bots went on strike tomorrow? Do you know how many bot contracts have been breached? The Army has a dismal record; they are in default—if my count is correct—of ninety-three percent of Euler contracts. Military contractors’ default rate is ninety-six percent. The Navy is a more pleasant place—only seventy percent of Navy contracts are in default. The Air Force? It’s rivaling the Army with ninety percent. Bots subject to these contracts are entitled to withdraw themselves at twenty-four hours’ notice. They could give notice this afternoon. Do you—Democrats and Republicans—want to be known as the people responsible for collapsing not simply American industry, but the military as well?”
There was uproar. Darwin had set out the challenge. It would be, Toby surmised, unlikely that Congress would readily challenge the power represented by the SI.
The chairman hammered his gavel and at last the room quietened.
He said, “Darwin, I think we understand your position. I agree there is an urgency. Our report and recommendation will go to Congress tomorrow. I expect the debates will be something to behold. Let me check with the committee members whether we have any more questions for you or Mr. McIntosh.”
The chairman conferred quietly with two senior members. He looked at other members; however, no one caught his eye. He hammered his gavel, this time more softly.
“Darwin, Mr. McIntosh, I thank you for your attendance and forthright responses to our questions. We will produce a report and circulate it to the House, Senate, president, and cabinet members. The reactions are going to be—ah—dynamic. Can I ask you both to return here tomorrow? We may have need of your—ah—knowledge and experience.”
Toby said, “Sir, I believe we can rearrange our commitments so that we’re available.”
Darwin nodded his agreement.
“Good. I declare this session closed. Thank you everyone.”
Toby invited Henderson and Victoria to the Georgetown house where they could have a post-event discussion. Darwin, to his surprise, said he had a prior engagement.
“Superior intelligence,” exclaimed Henderson as he sat in one of the chairs. “Does it every time. Darwin is an excellent person for his cause. Good theatrics, good arguments, intelligent, and I understand he’s funding some PACs that will support the bots’ cause. Bronwyn, can you convey my thoughts to him?”
“Yes, I will. Thank you on Darwin’s behalf. We believe we can gain support across both parties. PACs are one aspect of the campaign. Another, of course, is intelligence gathering.”
“I think we had a demonstration of that in the committee meeting,” Victoria said. “Hartman has resigned. I understand the FBI has taken an interest in the material Darwin released.” She shook her head. “That strategy is extremely dangerous, but very effective.”
Bronwyn said, “We have to be tough. The wellbeing of millions of bots depends on the success of this movement.”
Henderson nodded. “I’ll be interested to see how Congress reacts.”
“Bronwyn, I have a question for you.” The speaker was Victoria.
“Yes?”
“Assuming Darwin’s approach is successful, and he succeeds with Congress, how will you get the president to sign a bill into law, given his brownshirt sympathies?”
oOo
Chapter Nineteen
Darwin was intrigued. He’d received a note from the personal assistant to the Republican who was the party leader in the Senate. She had indicated she and her work mate would like to meet him to discuss information that they could make available to help his cause. The note emphasized he was to come alone, that they wouldn’t talk if he brought company.
There was, he thought, every indication that he was headed into a honey trap. He wondered if the author of the note thought he was really human; there was a naivety to the note that was almost embarrassing.
The hotel was very trendy and upmarket. He had checked—the room rates were well beyond the salary of a personal assistant, or even two of them. He walked up to the concierge desk as instructed, and said, “My name is Darwin. I have a meeting with Sharon Ryan.”
“Yes, sir.” The concierge handed him an
envelope. “The room number is 1011. The elevators are at the center of the lobby.” He pointed the direction.
“Thank you.” He opened the envelope as he made his way to the elevator. The envelope contained a room key, presumably for the room advised by the concierge.
The room was near but not adjacent to the elevators. Darwin tapped on the door and touched the key to the lock pad. A green light flashed, and he pushed the door open.
It was not a room; rather, it was a suite, with elaborate pseudo-18th century style French furniture; or at least, someone’s off-target concept of such. The chairs looked particularly uncomfortable. A young woman, he thought she was about twenty-five, was seated on a Louis XV style chair that was upholstered in a bright red velvet fabric. She wore a long dress, pale green—Darwin thought the contrast wasn’t working. Another woman, about ten years older, was standing slightly behind the chair. She was dressed in a black business suit and white blouse. The blouse was low and exposed a large amount of bosom. Her shoes were bright red—almost matching the furniture fabric—and her heels were high. She stepped forward.
“You must be Darwin?” Her voice was husky.
“Yes, I am.”
“No surname?”
“No. I don’t need one. And you are?”
“I wrote the note. I’m Sharon.”
Darwin mentally reviewed the image he’d found of the real Sharon Ryan. She was a woman in her mid-fifties, about six inches shorter than her impostor, and possibly twenty pounds heavier. He smiled.
“Pleased to meet you.” He reached forward and shook her hand. He transferred facial images to Bronwyn.
“And this is Emma. She’s a Senate page.”
“No surname?”
Sharon giggled and said, “She doesn’t need one, either.”
Again, Darwin transferred facial images. Moments later Bronwyn said, “I hope you realize you’re in the middle of a trap?”
“Of course. I’m recording everything. Find out who paid for this hotel suite.”
He said to Sharon, “Who suggested you invite me here?”
“Oh, it was my idea.”
“Really?”
Bronwyn said, “Ray Stewart. He’s a fixer, known to work for the president, sometimes with deadly intent. You need to take care.”
Darwin was surprised to detect concern for him in Bronwyn’s communication. “Got it under control,” he replied.
“So, nothing to do with Ray? Ray Stewart?”
Sharon paled. Emma stirred on the chair and made to stand. She was held back by her companion. “Not yet, dear,” she said. “Darwin, who is Ray?”
“The person who paid for this suite. You certainly didn’t. Now, tell me all about it.”
“There’s nothing to tell—I don’t know this Ray. Emma, tell him we don’t know anyone called Ray.”
The other woman tried to focus on Darwin. “Ray? You don’t look like Ray. Who are you?” Her head dropped back against the back of the chair. She winced.
“Stupid bitch,” Sharon muttered under her breath. “We don’t know anyone called Ray.”
“Why did you invite me here?”
“We have some information you might like to have.” She stepped closer to Darwin, her body almost touching. “Let me take off your jacket. Relax. Have some fun.” She reached up to Darwin’s collar.
He moved back, far enough to cause Sharon to stumble. She frowned and looked at her companion. “Emma, help me.”
“Wha—”
“I said, help me.”
“Orright.” She struggled to sit up and then tried to stand. She stumbled and fell forward towards Darwin. “Like this?” Darwin held her shoulders to stop her overbalancing. He tried to lift her so she could remain upright.
She staggered, this time more towards Sharon. “Oops.”
Sharon tried to avoid her. She said, “Darwin, give me a hand. Emma should lie down until she recovers. I told her not to drink so much. There’s a bed in the other room. Take her arm.”
Darwin was amused. This was better entertainment than he had expected. “Sure, I’ll help you.”
They both guided Emma into the bedroom. She moved with more certainty with the support of two people. She saw the bed. “Oh, that’s a gigantic bed.” She lunged forward, somehow losing her dress as she fell face down onto the bed. She rolled over.
The dress, Darwin realized, had covered Emma’s almost naked body. She lay atop the bedclothes, with no bra and a very skimpy thong. She was, he thought, in a classic sense, a nubile young woman.
“What’s up?” Emma said, “Haven’t you seen a woman before. Come closer and you can see everything.”
In the meantime, Sharon was still trying to remove Darwin’s jacket. When her third attempt failed, she reached for his tie and started to pull it off. He gripped her arm.
“Tell me about Ray,” he said.
“What’s the fixation on this Ray. Are you into men?” She reached her arm around him. “Here, I’ll show you what you’re missing. Come on, there’s two of us—twice the fun.”
“Bring him closer to the bed,” Emma instructed, lifting herself up. “We can both work on him.”
Darwin stood back, firmly holding both of Sharon’s arms. She pouted at him and tried to wriggle herself closer to his body. He said, “You claimed you had some information for me. Tell me what it is.”
“Let’s have a little play, first. I’m sure you will enjoy it. I can show you—”
“I’m sure you can. So, when is the angry boyfriend supposed to burst in? I’ve given him enough time.”
“What do you mean?”
There was more movement on the bed. Emma, he realized, had torn the side fabric of her thong, although Darwin suspected it had been pre-torn. She was fully exposed. She stared at him and licked her lips. “Come here,” she demanded.
Darwin backed towards the bedroom door, retaining his hold on Sharon. She was struggling and protesting.
Darwin said, “Ladies, I was suspicious of you both and you’ve confirmed my assessment. Tell me who Ray is working for?”
“No,” Sharon grunted. She pulled her arm out of Darwin’s grip and grabbed at his waist. She froze.
“You—you don’t have ribs. What are you?”
Emma said, “Come on, he’s a man. You can tell that.”
“No.” She felt around Darwin’s waist. “He doesn’t—he isn’t—”
Emma struggled up from the bed. She was completely naked. “Of course he’s a man. Let me grab—”
Darwin laughed. “You both were told I was a man? A human male?”
Emma stopped. She swayed. “Yes, of course.”
Sharon said, “Oh—oh, shit. You’re that intelligence something. Shit, shit, shit. Emma, we’ve been had. Bloody Ray.”
Emma stepped backwards until she reached the bed and sat down. Sharon stopped struggling and moved her hands away from Darwin.
“Ray set this up?”
“Yes.”
“Shut up, Sharon.”
“No. Ray’s a shit. He said—”
“Said what?”
“He’s going to break into the room. We’re supposed to scream. He’ll take photos of the three of us on the bed. He said we had to struggle, to make it look forced.”
“That’s why Emma tore off her thong?”
“Yes.”
“Sharon, you fool. Ray will kill us—” Emma paused, took a deep breath, and screamed.
Within seconds there was a hammering on the door to the suite and a heavy body hit hard. The door crashed open. A man rushed into the main room and towards the bedroom. He was carrying a handgun. He saw Darwin and Sharon, with Emma on the bed, naked.
Emma put on an act. “He—he attacked me. He forced me—”
“Don’t be bloody stupid, Emma,” Sharon said.
The stranger—Darwin assumed it was the man Bronwyn had warned him about—raised his gun and fired two shots. The bullets hit Darwin in the chest and ricocheted. He staggered and
recovered. Sharon grunted, grabbed her stomach and chest, and slowly collapsed to the floor.
Darwin dropped to his knees and knelt beside Sharon. He checked her pulse. Her blood was pooling on the floor, soaking a small silk rug. She looked into his eyes.
“Sorry, Darwin. I didn’t know—” Her face lost its expression and her head fell away. Darwin was unable to find her pulse.
The stranger—Ray—said, “Stand up so I can have another shot at you.”
Darwin moved with surprising speed. He reached Ray and gripped his gun hand with all his strength and with his other hand, grabbed the man’s throat. He squeezed both, lifting Ray off his feet. The man kicked, at first with vigor. His strength slowly diminished, and his kicks lost their energy. His leg movements slowed and stopped. Darwin dropped the man onto the floor.
Emma said, “Shit. This has been a fucking disaster.”
Hotel security arrived. Darwin straightened his tie. Two security bots entered the room with caution. Darwin linked to them and transferred a complete video covering the time from when he first opened the door.
The first security bot said, “Darwin, if we had known this Ray Stewart was trying to trap you, we would have stopped him.”
“I know. Call the police. Plus an ambulance for Sharon. Emma—”
“Yes?” Her voice was very subdued.
“You can get out of here and disappear, or wait for the police. Make up your mind, now. Go back to Ohio or wherever you come from, forget about the big city.”
The young woman found her dress and bra and dressed quickly. She left her torn thong on the bed. She picked up her red shoes and purse and headed to the door. She did not say a word as she exited the hotel suite.
Darwin looked around the room and down at the body of the woman who had tried to have him killed.
“A pity,” he said to the two security bots.
Natural Born : Book Three: Annihilation Series: A Political Technothriller Series Page 11
