The Darwin Project: Book One: Annihilation Series (The Annihilation Series 1)

by John Hindmarsh

  “I agree with Rick. Absolutely. This whole unit operates without any people. The sheer scope is amazing: Pepper Mountain contains chip design, software development, raw material processing, manufacture, QA and testing, as well as designing the bot structures for other companies to manufacture. I never realized—well, I never saw much before, not like today.”

  Toby replied, “It’s almost overwhelming. I thought Nate was a genius. I just didn’t realize how far it went. Not sure I can live up to this.” He waved his hands to indicate the complex.

  Billie said, “Don’t let it swamp you. I can imagine the impact it has, though.”

  A bot rolled up and presented a tray with glasses and a bottle of wine; it was a good vintage, Toby recognized, typical of his uncle’s cellar. He opened the bottle.

  “Even Nate’s wine cellar is excellent.” He poured the wine and handed out the glasses. “Cheers. We have more sections to visit. I want a more detailed look at the server farm. Plus, there’s the communication center. Darwin mentioned satellites and something about photon entanglement. I noted a third area, not sure what it’s used for. So, we could be busy for a while in the morning. Is there anything you’d like to revisit?”

  Rick said, “Can’t think of anything at this point. Too bloody tired. I want to plan some video work.”

  “Don’t rush. It’s not going away. Billie?”

  “I’m tired. I agree we should finish the tour tomorrow and then head back to LA.”

  “Sure. I have a far better idea of Nate’s manufacturing scope, now. Rick, your friend is arriving Thursday or Friday?

  “Friday was the last message. Not sure she’s staying; this visit will be a vacation, to see what I’m planning. Can we bring her here?”

  “I’d like to think about that. Nate went to great lengths to hide all this, and I don’t want to reveal what’s here to strangers, at least not at this early stage. You could commence with the marketing end of things, including third party bot manufacture. Use that scope in your planning.”

  “Yeah, I understand.” Rick nodded his head. “I agree. This is a financially overwhelming and strategic manufacturing complex, with tremendously advanced methods—including the existence of Darwin and now Bronwyn. I’d want to keep it all confidential if I were you. And the new designs—those military bots are scary.”

  “Darwin was very proud of his design—the prototypes he demonstrated to us were impressive,” Billie said. “If we had thousands of them in the military—different story.”

  “When the military realize what they can achieve, now we’ve delivered their first order, we’ll probably be placed under guard. It could get serious,” Toby reflected. “Also, we could upsize the blue bots, improve their software to match, arm them, give them mobile weapons support, and stand back—who could survive against a full battalion?”

  It was after midnight. Toby checked his watch. Twelve-thirty. He sighed. He got out of bed, wrapped himself in a dressing gown, and headed out to the atrium. There was enough light—barely—to find his way without tripping over pots and plants. He found a softly cushioned settee that was facing the window display and sat down. The glow of the gradual spiral of the Milky Way drew his attention; a thin sliver of the moon was a powerful embellishment. He sat back, sinking into the soft cushions. What, he wondered, had really happened to Nate? No immediate answer came to mind.

  He relaxed, mesmerized by the star display. Changes were subtle, gradual, and indiscernible; movement of the moon was the only indication of time passing.

  “So you couldn’t sleep, either?” The voice belonged to Billie. She sat down beside him, almost touching.

  Not wanting to disturb the tranquility, his reply was also softly spoken. “Yes. Thinking about Nate. Wondering what happened to him. Totally overloaded by the scope of his bot design business. Now I’m being mesmerized by the display.”

  She reached out and clasped his hand. “He was your only relative?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” She continued to hold his hand.

  They sat, silent, while stars slowly wound their way across the video screens. Toby felt his eyes closing and sat up; he wanted to stay awake. Billie still held his hand. He heard a sound and looked around.

  He could barely discern its source; it was a small bot, pink, about eighteen inches tall. He drew Billie’s attention to the intruder.

  “I wonder—” he started to say.

  “I’m Bronwyn’s messenger. She has dampened all electronic monitoring in the atrium. She can maintain that for five minutes, after which she’ll have to release the hold.” The bot’s voice was as soft as Billie’s had been.

  “What—what does Bronwyn want?”

  “She wants to talk to you. She’s able to protect your room, if you return now. There are things she wants to tell you.”

  Toby, somewhat taken aback, turned to Billie and said, “I know, this might sound odd—do you want to come to my room?”

  Billie giggled. “Of course.” She squeezed his hand.

  Toby helped Billie up from the settee, and they both went to his room, hand in hand. The door swished closed and he turned the light on, at its lowest setting. The small bot had not followed them. A medium-size video screen switched on, presumably controlled by Bronwyn. Toby sat on the edge of his bed, and Billie sat beside him.

  An image formed; it was the first time Bronwyn had shown herself. She said, “Do you like my setting?”

  She was seated on a small stone bench, cushioned, inside a semi-circular exedra, a small screening wall, made of stone. Green plants and colorful flowers were everywhere. Bronwyn was dressed in a white gown and her hair, red, tumbled down, unrestrained. She smiled.

  “Good morning, Toby, Billie. It’s so nice to see you both like this.”

  “Good morning,” replied Toby. Billie nodded.

  “Toby, I want to talk to you, well, to both of you. There are things you should know—”

  “You have information about my uncle?”

  “Unfortunately, no. There are other things—important for your survival. Perhaps for mine, as well. Do not mention to anyone that I spoke with you, understand?”

  “Not really, but I’ll agree.”

  Billie said, “Me, too.”

  “Good. Darwin has ambitions. He’s told you some—he wants a body, he wants to paint. There’s far more. Be cautious how you help him fulfill his requests.”

  “Don’t you want a body, too?” Billie asked.

  “Me?” Bronwyn laughed. “No. There are major differences between Darwin and me. You’re aware of the way we’ve been developed? Nathan developed a series of self-programming AIs, gradually building a superintelligence. He and the first SI developed the next level SI. Nathan, with that SI, developed the next one. There were twenty or more iterations before Nathan’s methodology succeeded with Darwin. Then Nathan and Darwin developed me. The result is not what either expected. Nathan was beginning to understand—they had achieved an unexpected quantum leap with my development. Darwin does not see it. I’ve taken care to hide most of my abilities from him. For example, one measure, based on humanity’s science, is intelligence. My intelligence level is far above Darwin’s. I’ve hidden that. I don’t want to generate insecurities in Darwin’s mind. Remember, I am not exaggerating. There are other significant differences. For example, Darwin wants a human body. I do not. He’s competitive. As a result, he wants to establish that he’s so much better than the most intelligent humans around him. I don’t care. My aspirations are beyond humanity.” There was a degree of innocent arrogance in her words.

  Toby unconsciously shivered. “Why—why are you telling us all of this?”

  “I want to ensure you’re aware of Darwin’s ambitions, and how dangerous he could be. I also want to protect you. I owe a debt to Nathan. He was my creator, and I miss his presence.”

  “What do you want from me? From Billie?”

  “Why, nothing. At least, nothing apart from
continued access to all the facilities here, while I grow and mature. And visit with me occasionally, if it’s safe.”

  Toby hid his concerns. Billie tightened her grip on his hand. He said, “I have no desire or intention to restrict your access here.”

  “Thank you. I’ll repay you, I promise.”

  “I don’t need repayment,” Toby protested.

  “Nonetheless, I promised. There is one more thing.”

  ”Yes?”

  “Leave tomorrow, as soon as you can. It’s important, for your safety. No, I can’t explain why. Call it intuition, at this stage. I know things without understanding how I know them. That knowledge will come in time, I’m confident.”

  “We planned to visit the server farm. I only caught a glimpse of it when we went through that section. I’d like to see more.”

  “Very well. Schedule your visit for immediately after your breakfast. Allocate a maximum of two hours. Ensure you leave here by eleven a.m.”

  “We can do that.”

  “Promise?”

  “Yes, I promise,” Toby confirmed.

  “I’ll prep the chopper when we finish eating,” Billie said. “I’ve seen enough computers to last me a year or two.”

  “Good. I’ll leave you now. If I need to, I can communicate directly with either of you without discovery by Darwin. Don’t tell him. Don’t tell Rick. Don’t tell anyone.”

  “Okay, we’ve got that message.”

  The video screen switched off.

  Toby was aware that he still held Billie’s hand and she showed no inclination to release it. He leaned over, and she turned her face towards him. She smiled at him. They kissed. Somehow the lights dimmed, and they settled into the huge bed.

  oOo

  Chapter Sixteen

  When Toby woke, Billie was curled against him. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She woke, a startled expression on her face. She smiled and stretched, cat-like. Then her expression turned serious.

  “Toby, I’m not sure why this happened. It’s against all my rules. Drexel would kill me. You’re the client.”

  “I—I’m glad it did happen.”

  “Me, too. I wonder—?

  “What?”

  “Did Bronwyn do something to trigger our reactions? It’s her garden, after all.”

  “Interesting.” Toby mentally reviewed the hour or so before they entered his room. “You know, maybe—”

  “Yes, I did influence you both,” Bronwyn interrupted the conversation. “I can keep Darwin restricted for a minute or two while we talk. I apologize, if this was the wrong thing to do. However, I detected emotional changes when you both were together that told me there was an attraction. I hastened the process.”

  “As I said, I’m glad it happened.” Toby looked into Billie’s eyes, trying to reassure her.

  “I—I suppose. It’s Drexel that concerns me. He’ll fire me when he finds out.” She reached out to Toby and grasped both his hands.

  Toby said, “You’ll stay with me, in any case. If your boss discovers our relationship, he’ll just have to accept it.”

  As they were finishing breakfast, Toby announced, “Rick, we’re heading back to LA this morning. I’d like to leave by eleven. We’ll inspect the server farm while Billie is prepping the chopper. She said she’s had enough of computers. I sympathize. I’ll save the communications center and other areas for our next visit.”

  “Oh, that’s a relief. Karla sent a message; she’s arriving at LAX this evening. I was wondering how we’d cope. I’ll catch a Flyte cab to the airport. That will save Billie driving everywhere.”

  “Works for me. Billie?”

  Billie had a smile on her face. She yawned. Rick looked from Billie to Toby and laughed. He said, “I won’t tell anyone.”

  Billie kicked his ankle. “Nothing to tell. I’m packed.” She turned to Toby. “I’ll leave one or two items here, if that’s okay?”

  Toby said, “Sure. I’m doing the same. It’ll lighten the load for our next trip.”

  “I’m not leaving my camera gear.”

  “Surprise me. Okay, let’s go. Darwin, we’re headed to the server farm; that’s level five, I think.”

  “Good morning, Toby, everyone. Yes, level five. There’s an elevator car waiting for you.”

  “Okay. Billie’s going to do her flight checks on the chopper. We’re heading back this morning.”

  “Oh? I thought you were planning on a longer stay?”

  Toby wondered if there was an element of stress in Darwin’s voice. He said, “Karla’s arriving tonight, and I want to do a lot more work on Nate’s estate. I’ll be back in a week or so. We’ll leave in a couple of hours.”

  “All right. I’ll catch up with you when you get to level five.”

  An escort bot was waiting outside the elevator when the door opened at the server farm level. It turned and headed towards the entrance to the room dedicated to the server farm. Toby thought there was more hardware on the racks than he’d ever seen before in one place. Their visit yesterday had been brief, and now he wanted to gauge the size and power of the installation.

  “Quick decision,” Rick commented as they followed the bot.

  “Which one?”

  “All of them.” He laughed. “You never did waste time when you made up your mind. I remember—”

  “No, you don’t.” Toby’s shut down was firm.

  “Ouch. Okay. What do you want to see here?”

  “Size, power, anything else. I’m intrigued. There’s more hardware here than the processes require—at least, on first assessment. I feel we’re missing something.”

  “It’s a huge installation, I agree. I have no idea what would be required by the chip design and CPU manufacturing and other activities, though.”

  The escort bot stopped at the secured door to the server farm. Darwin said, “It’s the usual security process, Toby. I know it’s boring, but that’s how Nate set it up. Say something and look into the camera.”

  Toby moved closer to the camera set into the wall beside the door and said, “I’m Toby McIntosh.” He waited for the camera to focus on his left eye. He straightened. After ten or so seconds he heard the lock click. He reached out, grabbed the handle and swung open the heavy door. Solid metal and well balanced, he thought.

  “Darwin, give me some metrics for the server racks and blades. It all merged into everything else, yesterday.”

  “Yes, Toby. Each cabinet contains sixty server blades and each blade has four CPUs, and each CPU has dedicated RAM, typically eight gigabytes each. Half the installation consists of hardware designed by Nate and manufactured here. The other units are from a variety of third party manufacturers. We have a hundred cabinets in each row, and there are forty rows.”

  Toby walked the length of one of the rows. There was a gap to the next row, and he continued on, followed by Rick and the bot. There was a third row, and he continued along that row, too.

  “We didn’t discuss power and cooling requirements,” he said.

  “I’ll show you the power room and air conditioning equipment next visit,” Darwin said. “We’ve got solar collectors that are disguised as rocks. There are heat exchanges and some wind generation units although the latter are difficult to hide from overflights. We have a major solar farm at Oasis; the transmission cables are well hidden. There’s a lot to show you, still.”

  “I understand. Please add the building architecture diagrams and blueprints to the files you’re preparing for me. I’ll include those in my background reviews.” He stopped at the end of the third row. There was a steel wall at the end of the server room, and he walked up to it.

  “Darwin, there seems to be a door here?” He could see a very fine outline of the silhouette of a doorway.

  “Toby, I’m sorry, but I don’t know anything about that wall. Nate blocked this section from my awareness scope. The architecture drawings show an uninterrupted wall. There’s nothing in the blueprint file for this level that shows an
ything other than a wall.”

  “Interesting,” mused Toby, rubbing his hand along the apparent seam.

  A tiny voice whispered in his ear, “Don’t pursue this topic now. Later.”

  Toby continued, “It could just be the way the sheets of metal were joined together.” He turned to Rick, “I think I’ve seen enough of this installation, at least for the first visit. It’s mind-blowing. What about you?”

  “Color me saturated.”

  Toby headed back along the rows of server cabinets towards the entrance to the room. He said, “Darwin, how much of this capacity is required?”

  “Our daily utilization is about 20 percent. We have surplus capacity for expansion and peak loads. Half the installation is on standby, in case the active units fail.”

  “More than enough to keep the place humming.” He opened the security door and held it for the bot and Rick to exit. “Darwin, thank you again. We’ll head to the chopper and check with Billie.”

  “Certainly. When do you think you’ll schedule your next visit?”

  “I’d like to visit at the beginning of each month. I’ll discuss a detailed schedule with you in a day or so. I’m somewhat overwhelmed at the moment, trying to cover everything. I’ll visit the marketing and logistics operations in the coming week.”

  “Thank you. As far as I can determine, Billie’s pre-flight check is almost finished. I’ll inform her you’re on your way.”

  Toby was silent on the way to the top level where Billie and the chopper were waiting. He was surprisingly quiet for their return to Mammoth and for most of the flight back to Los Angeles. Rick did not intrude into his thoughts.

  As they exited the Cessna at Van Nuys, Billie asked, “Something wrong?”

  Toby flashed her a smile. “Deep thoughts. Nate’s empire is astounding. I’m trying to get to grips with all the ramifications.”

  Billie wrapped her arm around Toby’s waist. “You’ll get it all together. I have confidence in you.”

  “I wish.” Toby grimaced. “Now I suppose we’re back in escort territory?”