by Kit Falbo
The heavyset officer looks like he’s about to say something again, but then the blonde put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll see what we can do.” It says.
They leave, and I wait. It feels like hours, but how would I know because I don’t have a UI to tell me, it’s not like people use clocks anymore. I also suspect someone is messing with the temperature control as it is getting nipply.
An older man enters, a floating globe at his shoulder, one of the more common UI forms. He’s carrying, what if you don’t look at closely, could resemble a small metal dog or cat, but I instantly recognize as Tess’s more friendly form than the spider looking one, having stowed her extra arms inside. “I’m your counsel, Paul Prestwick of Prestwick, Byers, and associates.” The man announces.
“Tess!” I exclaim overjoyed. She whistles back in response. “Activate, yes mom, I understand.”
The code phrase restarts Tess’s speech functionality. “How could you do something so dangerous and irresponsible. What would happen to us if you died? What would happen to you if you died? No one would tell me if you were ok.” The soft sweet southern voice came out fast and furious. I’d say catching up for the years of silence, except she was that way before as well.
“Tess, Tess. We have a man, who I am sure is billing us handsomely for his experience here. We should focus on letting him help us with this situation, and I promise I will give you a couple of hours to lecture me on all my flaws and mistakes when this is resolved.” I turn to my Lawyer. “I’m sorry Mr. Prestwick, I’m a little eccentric with my UI.”
He chuckles a little. “I think everyone who works closely with theirs is a little. Tess contacted my firm, I think in the middle of the crisis. That one is very on the ball. I’m sorry it took so long. I’ve been conferring with two sets of company lawyers, the association of magicians trio of representatives, one for the association, one for you, and one for that Ignis fellow. Then, of course, local law enforcement. “
The fact that the lawyer calls my UI by its given name, rather than your UI, makes me feel a little more relaxed. I can’t not know. “Tess, how’s Booker?” I know they were all involved in that fight, even if Muninn was the one there most physically.
“He took some damage. He’s in a repair and diagnostic cycle.” Her voice wavers a little when telling me this. I wish I had hit that fool more than once. Tess pulls out a subvocalization collar and an earpiece out of a compartment on her body and hands them to me. I put them on and no longer feel as naked as I was.
I look to my lawyer. “So where are we at with all this? What do you need me to do to resolve this on my end?”
“You will not be charged. I would be lying if I told you I did most of the work there. The Association squashed everything related to your job, the materials and research you use for your profession that were discovered in the course of investigating the incident have been seized by the Association and taken away from local law enforcement. “
I let out a long sigh. There is a lot of questionable legality in most magic tricks, let alone my investment in military hardware. Throw in a few handfuls of emergent and banned technologies; then it is quite easy to claim a magician is a terrorist or a bomb maker. It's pretty much a problem for all active performers. “Good.”
“The Association will also audit your work. Best I could do is have Tess monitor their actions, because you were still in medical and then police holding. The contracts you signed when you joined the Association give them a lot of leeway.”
Everyone fears an audit. It can affect your ranking, your pay, it often comes with fines and strongly worded warnings. Everyone dreads it means whatever secret tricks, tech, or code you've worked on will leak out. There has been no actual proof of that happening, but they would be the ones with the ability to cover that sort of thing up. I'm most worried about it stalling me getting into the B-ranks. The audit has already started; all I can say is, “Okay.”
“They did make sure your real name will not be mentioned. Sanctity of character and adjunct personhood of Wizard Joontal. The streaming cameras were halted after you were shot, but someone got in and released the footage up to them passing into your private residence, where an additional failsafe stopped the transmission.”
Cams and transmitted data always have that weakness that lets you access them. It’s how most breaking character moments happen. They think they are safe because they turned them off without them being fully turned off. “That’s good I guess. Joontal seems targeted. I haven’t gotten any messages or threats to the real me yet.”
“You’re pretty much in the clear legally, though I suspect your employer and the Association reps will want to speak to you. The police do want to ask you some questions. You can subvocalize your answers to me, and I can let you know if that answer is acceptable. I would hate for something trivial to trip you up after all the work that’s been done. “
The door opens and in comes the two officers from before. Tess informs me the tubby one is Alexander and the androgynous one is Mickey. They sit down at the table. “So, Wizard Joontal.” The way Alexander says my stage name makes it clear that he is not happy about using it for this recorded interview. Tess informs me my image will be masked for the record. “Can you tell me how and when you knew Colby Dwyer aka Igni Furnis?”
I first confirm what I am going to say with my lawyer subvocally before answering out loud. “I only first learned of Igni Furnis when I was informed a day or so ago that he was going to show up to the Lowman residence for dinner, I was asked to attend. My UI will forward you the time and file copies to you. I first met the magician when he arrived at the residence.”
The questioning continues for one hour and forty-seven minutes, with me modifying my answers to fit either Tess or Paul Prestwicks liking. At last, I’m allowed to leave the room still hungry and improperly dressed. Tess crawls up on my shoulder and latches on, from there she projects Wizard Joontal onto me as an interactive hologram. She had wanted to have my spare suit delivered, but the police administration frowned upon modified military gear being so lazily allowed into their building, now that they knew what it was. Still, I’m feeling almost naked with only my visual dignity intact.
Two steps out of the police building and I see an ambush heading my way. Tess informs me two are Association of Magic Users representatives. “Wizard Joontal, I’m Mary Portal, and this is Drian Poole. If you have time, can we get together and have a moment to talk.” Asks a fit blond woman in a red suit. The man next to her is older, with gray in his hair and wearing gray sweats.
Tess can tell I want to say no. The normally motherly UI would usually be the first one to insist I get some food and become adequately dressed. Here she is hissing at me. “You will say yes!” through my earpiece.
“Now would be fine.” I tell them.
With a nod, they lead me down the street to a luxury shuttle. It’s nice enough, but also a company vehicle, as the symbol for the association is shining on its side. The logo is a hand raised up with a ball of fire floating in it. To its left is a dragon and its right is a phoenix, all encased by a circle with mystic looking symbols.
The three of us get in, and the vehicle takes off. “You may deactivate your character projection. This car is secure.” I hesitate until Tess tests it and assures me it is.
I have Tess shut off the Wizard Joontal image, and I go from a grumpy old man to a grumpy young man. If these two audited me, it’s not like they don’t know everything about me. “What would you like to talk about?”
Mary smiles a professional smile, and I can see by the corner of her eyes that she isn’t as young as I first took her for. “I want to assure you that the Association will be covering all damages and replacement equipment for the incident.” I know Muninn can never truly be replaced. She sees the unhappy look on my face. “I also want to assure you that Igni Furnis will be dealt with, a twenty-year suspension of his membership along with therapy and a thorough investigation. Based on the information we were
provided, we will also look into Mr.Magintines vague accusations as well as the other threats you have been receiving. The Association will be putting its effort into clearing this up for you.”
The whole of my experience in dealing with the AMU is electronic forms and paperwork primarily handled by my UIs. I also did pay them a healthy amount for dues, insurance, and fees. This interaction is my first time dealing with any representatives face to face. I know on paper that the association is the primary employer of graduates of MAGI College. Even if it was set up to help facilitate performers and technicians, there are more administrative roles than actual performers and technicians. I also know they started with the good news. “What is the bad news?” I ask.
“The Wizard Joontal persona is to be inactive until this issue is resolved, and since this incident involves possibly multiple members of the Association, and it is unclear if there might be additional threats, I can't say for how long. We will, of course, pay you a character stipend while Joontal is inactive. Since it is clear that you’ve kept a high level of separation between you and the character, you will be free too create other characters and find other work opportunities. Though due to the possibility of the threat, you can not use your Joontal experience on any forms.” That is the only real experience I have, and leaving it out gives me a five-year gap in job history.
“So, I’m out of a job?”
Her smile is looking even more strained. “Yes. The association is here for you, and we will forward you several options if you choose to take them. We will, of course, need to formally complete the audit first which should be done in thirty business days.”
With a sigh for the first time, Drian Poole starts to speak. “Look. You are kind of screwed here. The audit won’t be too bad, and your work is quite impressive. But it still needs to go through higher level administration and their UIs. We can get you some in house lower level tech jobs, but lacking a degree, you will probably not be happy with the work. You will be getting a decent payment, but I know it is not the same as working. I can put your name in on the list of scholarship students if you are interested in going that route though.
“Can I think on it?” I consider asking Tess’s opinion, but I know she’ll share that with me after allowing me to process all of this.
“Take all the time you need. We’ve already informed the Lowman Peanut company. But we figured you would want to tell them in person. So we’ll drop you off there now. Your UI will have our contacts if you have any more questions.” Drian finishes.
A few days ago I was looking forward to finally making it into the B-ranks. Now I have nothing, and who knows what that audit will result in despite their assurances. I haven’t felt this bad since the impending threat of maybe joining the military. The shuttle lands and Tess turns on my Wizard Joontal image for perhaps the last time. I step out and look at the Lowman estate that had been my home and place of business over the previous five years. I can’t help but wonder where will I go from here.
Franklin, the head of security, is there waiting to escort me in. I walk down the same hall to Lowman’s home office where I started all of this. Not as entertaining as having the competition fly out, but more serious. We enter, and instead of taking a seat I kneel and bow my head. “It has been an honor working for you and your company as your Wizard.”
“You may rise. I will admit, I was wary at first about hiring someone so inexperienced.” With those words, he’s given me the first hint that he’s always known my history and age. He’d always been one to play along. “But you have consistently produced quality work and performances. I would offer you a job, a normal one at my company, but like my Lily, I suspect that it is not who you are and where you will be happy. The Association has sent me all their warnings and restrictions about Wizard Joontal, but I want to assure you, that if you need, you will always have a place with Lowman’s Peanut company.”
“Thanks.” I manage to choke out and not tear up. He extends a hand, and I shake it.
Franklin has less decorum and comes over and hugs me. “When I first saw you shot, I thought you had died. I’m security, and I’m supposed to catch these kinds of things. If he had shot anyone else, they would have died.”
It’s a little shocking to be hugged, I owe Franklin everything. He is the reason I got this job. “As a member of the Association if he had decided to go after any non-member it wouldn’t have mattered if he had used a weapon or magic, they still would have died. No one knew he was going to do that. This is not your fault.”
“It’s just…”
“It is not your fault.” I say firmly, and I’m glad it comes out in Joontal’s gravelly severe tone as controlled by Tess. I fear my real voice wouldn’t have the same effect.
“I’ve told him much of the same thing.” Lowman says with a short sigh. “Refused his resignation. Thank you for giving him the same assurances. You should go and get some rest, and arrangements will be made for your gear and pay.”
I leave, and I’m shocked to see dozens of the staff waiting outside. Susan the decorator, Patricia the cook, and many others. They each give me a hug or a handshake goodbye. Joontal is a cantankerous, stuck up fool. I’ve always felt apart from the staff because I’m never outside that role. Still, I’ve performed at most of their birthdays, baby showers, and helped run the Christmas parties, both the official ones and the ones for the staff. I know these people and have a sudden urge to strip off the mask and give them real hugs. Tess, acting as my conscience and reason warns me. “Talos…”
Having resisted the urge, I move back out of the complex. What do I do now?
Chapter Eight
I needn't have worried. Minutes after stepping outside of the estate, a car Tess called is here to take me to a hotel that Tess booked. Bags of what wasn't seized and orders of must-have items Tess already arranged to have had delivered to the hotel room ready and waiting. I’m in the shower. I’m eating room service. I’m in bed, and soon I’m asleep.
I sleep for ten point five hours. I suspect Tess slipped some sleep aid in my food. She would tell me if I ask, but I would rather not voice my suspicions. She pokes me with a plate of breakfast. “Booker should be finishing up his diagnostic and repair cycle soon.”
That gets my attention more than the food. I’m still hungry, and I’m not even sure what exactly I ate when I first arrived at the hotel because I inhaled it before passing out. “He’s here?” I can hear the nervousness in my voice.
“Farthest suitcase on the right.”
I pop it open and pull out a square transparent case that looks like it is holding a dull gray liquid with floating chunks of electronics. Tess evolved, grew, and received modifications, starting as my first educational and nanny UI, a program whose goal was to literally raise me. Muninn was my first foray into using military hardware with a scouting hacking UI I had fixed up after being destined for the scrap heap. Booker, I got nine months into the job, while Tess and Muninn could handle much of the paperwork it is not what they were made for. I'd been looking for my third official UI, and Bookers model came recommended by the Association. Since activating him, he’d been modded heavily to assist with Magic Battles using his social skills to help from predictive models for matches. “You think he’s going to be alright?”
“I have no way of knowing.” Tess whispers softly to me.
The edge of the box starts to glow green, and a voice vibrates from it. “Please set down on a flat surface.”
I set it on the floor. There is a pop, and the whole thing crumples in an implosion. The entire thing shrunk and popped into the form of a small, gray bear and now the fluid filled up most of the shape. The bear shape is what the default shape and settings Booker came in. He hated it and jumped on the modifications that let him use the Joontal suit and manipulate another tech better. Still, even back to default he wasn’t complete. One of his round semi circle ears is half missing as well as a few stubby digits on Booker’s hand. Both eyes should be the same color, but one
is a vibrant blue and the other a dead gray, darker than his body.
“You ok Booker?”
“No. I mean look at me.” He says in a voice that is a few octaves higher than the deep one he liked to use. It also has the air of depression to it, instead of the assertiveness it had when he talked for the other UI.
“When you did the repair function it had to reset you to most of your default settings. We’ll get you back to shape in no time.”
The little bear shakes his head sadly. “You don’t understand, I’ve been back thirty seconds, and I’m already asking myself what the old Booker would do. I can see holes in my core programming. Many of the mods that we worked on have been stripped away. Muninn might understand, you rescued him from being scrapped completely.”
Did he not remember, or did he not know. Tess speaks up. “Muninn didn’t make it.”
Booker plops down on his little round butt. “Why!” he lets out in a wail.
Not the happy reunion I was hoping for. I’d researched damaged UI for the restoration and build up of Muninn. They can’t get over the hill of no longer being as useful to their owner as they once were. They even gave it a nifty name of Damaged User Intelligence Need Syndrome, or DUINS. Assuming it’s not too bad, the focus will be primarily on not having the same connection to me as he once had. “I know someone who you can help now. Lily will be needing an experienced hand eventually. Joontal is forcibly retired anyway, do you think you could play the role of a gift from him to her?”
Booker waddles himself back up to the standing position and raises a short little arm. “Yes! Though Joontal wouldn’t send me in this form. We’ll need to work on that, and a delivery system. Give me time, and I’ll run through several different options we can look at. In this form, he absent-mindedly touches each of his fingers like he is counting them while processing.
