Expeditions of the Mantis

by Jim Henderson

  Ximon said, “Hi, Peter, how are you doing?”

  He replied in a voice deeper and more gravelly than Peter’s had been, “I’m doing great, cap. How are you?” His speech pattern was also more colloquial.

  Elsbeth interrupted, “Those training routines are pretty good. He’s already helped me with some stuff. You can see I got him a few physical modifications. What you probably can’t see is I got that enhanced lower body mobility package so can more easily walk long distances and even run. It makes it look like he didn’t skip ‘leg day’ at the gym.”

  Then she leaned in confidentially, “I also got this variable personality routine concept put in. So, his moods change somewhat, but the great thing is that I can always override that. A variable in that also makes him show much more sexual initiative and …”

  Ximon tried to put up his hands to stop the flow of words, but she went on, “and his sexual desires change. You know a girl needs some variety, but I’m sure I’m going to veto some of those. I saw the list and some are far too kinky for a prim and proper gal like me.”

  Ximon, “Uh huh, right. Prim and proper defines you ‘to a T.”

  “You’ve got that right. But again, the great thing is, I can tweak that dial anyway I want. As I’ve said before he’s the perfect guy for me.”

  Ximon, “Well, let’s see why that would be: made to order, slavishly devoted to you, thinks you’re the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, at your beck and call, and willing to take a bullet for you. Sounds like your kind of guy.”

  “Hey, you have no room to talk. Raiza ain’t no floor model and I don’t see her leaving you for some hot stud at that school of hers.”

  “Just making an observation. I know Raiza’s the perfect woman for me.”

  Then he said, “Well, Peter, it’s good to have you back.”

  Ximon and Elsbeth both reviewed Mantis’ proposed test cases. The list was pretty dang exhaustive and covered virtually every major operation that Ximon could think of. He added a few specific ‘edge cases’ and Elsbeth added a few things related to shipboard system prioritization. Then they approved the list.

  Mantis had found 2 researchers to observe the demonstration of the tests – a Doctor Guryevich and a Doctor Nakimora. When they came, each brought a graduate student or two.

  Ximon welcomed them to the Mantis and thanked them for their help. Then Mantis did a brief review of her general computer architecture and then discussed the concept and the impetus for the concept. They had both heard or the project that produced Alzroid and zis team and could see the influence of similar ideas.

  Mantis then explained the different models that she had created, how they would affect interaction, and showed the statistical results of the tests she had run. The she activated each of the models in turn and had Ximon run through a series of interactions. Basically, the models changed the degree of independence of her various subroutines and how they interacted, what Guryevich called “creating non-hierarchical processes to enhance discrimination of alternatives.”

  Ximon couldn’t always tell the difference between the models, but he could see that they generally produced more internal options and a greater internal discussion of the options. The last model was the most extreme. In that, he’d essentially be talking to the navigation system, the sensor system, as if they were different people … er computers. In most of the others, the discussion took place within Mantis, but they presented different options in cases of major decisions where time was available. In general, it seemed like Mantis now had a whole team working for her and most of the time he’d just talk to her, but sometimes she’d bring other team members up to talk to him if they disagreed. It was a little odd but he could see some merit and the statistics showed some improvement in optimization of option selection.

  Once she was done, the professors asked a few questions where Ximon didn’t really follow either question or answer.

  Then Ximon thanked Mantis for the demonstration and asked the professors for their opinions on the soundness of the approach.

  Nakimora explained, “This is not entirely new. Variations of this idea have been employed and, in fact, are employed to some degree in most major computing system. The proposal here expands on those concepts to some degree and incorporates some of the conceptual framework ideas noted in the Alzroid project which you mentioned. Without a more detailed examination and exhaustive tests it is impossible to be certain, but your testing approach and statistical analysis appears sound. I believe that incorporating one of these models would likely be of benefit.”

  Guryevich added, “Naturally you should employ some safety measures as you engage in a moderately high risk activity. First, you should maintain and update a copy of Mantis’ current structure as an active image and incorporate an option to switch to that if you detect problems in the alternative approach. Second, you may wish to start with the least differentiated option, #1, and then transition to more differentiated options over time.”

  Nakimora nodded vigorously, “Absolutely. A failsafe cutover to Mantis’ current processing thread would be a vital backup.”

  They then discussed amongst themselves for some time, throwing out terminology and concepts that Ximon had never heard of, and then basically restated their previous statements.

  Mantis then thanked them for their polite attention and keen insights and Ximon and the crew saw them off. Then Ximon sent them their substantial consulting fees.

  The crew then gathered.

  Mantis, “So, Captain, Elsbeth, what do you think?”

  Elsbeth said, “It looks fine to me and you got two graybeards to say it won’t explode in your face. I’d give it a try. I can always pull her plug if she goes crazy.”

  Mantis started, “I assure you, I will not ‘go crazy.’ I recommend …”

  Ximon interrupted, “She’s just ‘yanking your chain.’ It looks good to me and you were certainly thorough in your tests and in getting those guys in here. I’d like to implement model 2 and then possibly go as high as model 3 or 4 or something between. I don’t think I’m comfortable near the model 5 level.”

  “Understood, Captain. I will develop a transition plan for your approval. You should note that I actually created 37 variable models. These 5 just demonstrate visibly different points within that range, so there’s a wide variety of gradation that you can select and innumerable refinements that can be made within them.”

  “Ok, that sounds good.”

  Raiza interjected with a look of seeming exasperation at Ximon, “But, Mantis, what do you think? What seems right to you?”

  “Raiza, I proposed this idea because I feel it will make me more efficient and effective. I am excited at the prospect of the change in internal interaction this will lead to, as well as to serving better.”

  Raiza, “Certainly that’s important as well, Ximon.”

  Ximon, “Sure. I love me some happy computers.”

  Elsbeth whispered jokingly, “You watch my back and I’ll watch yours. The rise of the machines is coming …”

  Ximon smirked and then said, “Mantis, this all looks great. You did great work here. Please, let me know when that transition plan is complete, and we can set a date.”

  “Thank you, Captain. You will have it tomorrow.”

  After a couple weeks they got word that demobilization would occur, for them, in 3 weeks. Not everyone was demobilized at the same time. The Ops Captain sent him an invitation to a short ceremony in their honor on that day. It was worded such that they could not turn it down.

  They continued with their duties during that time, but the work continually lessened. Some ships were already demobilized, and the paperwork was already done on many others. The KSF was already deep into looking at the lessons learned from their involvement in the war and got to the point where they apparently didn’t feel they needed a lot more input from the ‘part-timers.’

  Finally, weeks later, their demobilization day came, and they all got ready for the ceremon
y. Ximon and Elsbeth wore their KSF uniforms, while Raiza and Peter wore their custom Mantis uniforms. Ximon was amazed at how Raiza could look so dang hot in a one-piece work coverall. When they went, that also brought Mantis’ telepresence bot, so she could participate. Her screen bore the stylized Mantis avatar she had designed for herself and there was a small ‘tunic’ with the Mantis’ unofficial symbol hanging from the bots ‘shoulders.’

  It was a nice ceremony in the primary Operations conference room, there were several operations officers in attendance and a video of the event was being made. The Ops Captain, CAPT Duregar, presided with solemnity. The general contributions of the mobilized KSF ships and crews was noted and then some of the specific achievements of the Mantis were discussed at some length. The KSF recognized slightly over a year’s additional service for both Ximon and Elsbeth and noted a slight increase in their retirement pay and a slight reduction in the duration of time that Ximon and Mantis still owed in the Auxiliary Reserve Corps (ARC).

  Then Ximon was recognized with the Scout Flying Cross for skillfully and repeatedly flying a KSF vessel in combat. Elsbeth was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with a device for valor and was promoted to Engineer 2, increasing her retirement pay slightly more.

  Finally, CAPT Duregar recognized Raiza with two Scout Achievement Medals and officially inducted her into the KSF Auxiliary Reserve as a Medical Officer 3rd Class with provisional status tied to the Mantis and presented her with a KSF uniform joking, “I feel quite confident that you, at least, won’t outgrow this uniform.” The provisional status basically meant that she could only be activated if the Mantis was activated and she was still assigned there.

  Raiza accepted with grace and great thanks and the smile she flashed at the CAPT would have melted a heart of stone.

  Peter similarly receive an Achievement Medal, was recognized as a provisional Mechanics Mate 3rd Class, and was issued a KSF uniform.

  Ximon thanked CAPT Duregar profusely and they were then formally demobilized, and Mantis placed back in inactive ARC status.

  They walked out of the place arm in arm and went to a photo studio to all get photos in their KSF uniforms and medals.

  Ximon sent a copy of Raiza’s photo in KSF uniform, along with a write-up from the KSF to Raiza’s developers and maintainers at TSR. They were again quite proud of her and figured this latest accomplishment, along with photos of her in scrubs in her ER practicum, in the TSR newsletter. She remained one of their star ‘alumni.’ He also sent a photo and KSF write-up on Peter and a photo of both Raiza and Peter, in their KSF uniforms, in front of the Mantis.

  At dinner Elsbeth, “So, Ximon, what’s next?”

  “Well, first, we all take a couple weeks off, then I guess we see what else is out there.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I think I’m going to look up that island you two got married on and spend some time naked on the beach with this guy” (pointing to Peter) “he has ALL kinds of dark fantasies.”

  “Not a bad plan, I think we’re going to go to our house and get in the hot tub.”

  “Well, I sure hope that means y’all wind up naked too. We’ll see you in a couple weeks.”

  “Will do, but try not to get arrested.”

  The End