by Tony Corden
“What does the letter say?”
“Tesfaye is hesitant to tell me.”
“Tell him he has no choice. He needs to tell me, or we’ll do it some other way.”
“He says he is rewriting it. The new note says, ‘Dear Thad, I’m sorry for not trusting you. Love Leah.’ He says the other note would have been better, but this will have to do.”
Leah sat watching the vacant-eyed Thad and Mr Peterson, who was pacing back and forth. He was obviously anxious for Nathan or Mr Emerson to turn up. Slowly she could feel the note forming between her fingers. It was several minutes before it was fully corporeal in Thad’s world. Although she wanted to read it, she carefully dropped it so that it came to rest between two of the red chains of the logic restraint. She waited several more minutes and then said aloud, “Excuse me, Mr Peterson.”
He turned to look at her and said, “What?”
“I’d like you to explain to Mr Kodoman that although I appreciate the invitation to catch-up, that I have no desire to meet with him under any circumstances. I hope you enjoy explaining my absence to your boss. Goodbye.”
At that, Gèng logged Leah out. As she faded from view, she enjoyed the look of consternation and dread that appeared on Mr Peterson’s face.
Back in the Tower Gèng was waiting on the sofa. Although Leah was concerned for Thad she realised that the Emerson were unlikely to do anything to hurt their son. Before discussing things with Gèng she sent a quick note to Amy and Wisp about Thad and then looked at Gèng and said, “I thought you said I wouldn’t be able to be captured in a virtual world. You and Akia suggested that the most the security could do was boot me out. How then does this logic-based restraint work?”
“The restraint did not affect you. When we went to Thad’s world, I was integrally involved in interpreting the data for you. You weren’t really there, I was. In that scenario, I carry out your wishes by sending signals of a certain pattern to the appropriate parts of your nervous system so that you perceive a series of events in coordination with what was seen by Thad and Mr Peterson. The construction of Thad’s house was controlled by Thad’s AI and his Pod. The logic-restraint works to prevent me from changing the sequence of events and therefore you do not perceive that you can move. When you go into the Vault, I won’t be helping you to interpret the signals. I won’t make any decisions. Certainly, I will be integral to your ability to interact with the Vault servers, but only as the carrier wave. All the information, the directions, the decisions must be yours and yours alone. You wouldn’t become trapped by a logic-restraint, but you would be identified.”
“I see. Well, I think I do.”
“Are you sure you are up to working in AI space?”
“Nope. I’m worried about my mother, my dad, my brother and my boyfriend. I’ve so many things happening that for the first time I think it might be actually possible for my head to explode. But if I’ve learned anything over the last few weeks, it is that being ready for something has no bearing whatsoever on the need to do it. I am committed to helping Akia and if this is our best shot then let us work toward that goal. Neither time nor opportunity will wait till I’m ready. What I will do though, is I will do the best I can. So, where to?”
“Before we go I need to explain what you will experience, or to be more accurate, what you won’t experience. The space that electronic entities operate in is nothing at all like this Cartesian-based anthropo-centric construct. Here everything is geared toward providing sensory input that mimics human expectations and sense perception. So, if you are in Dunyanin and your cloak is set on fire the only reality for me is a set of data points which indicate how much pain you feel, and where. There is also information to show the type of smell you should experience, and heat. What colours you will see and in what configuration. I interpret this data and apply it to you in a series of signals that your nervous system interprets as reality. Your system responds in a format that I can measure and interpret. I send information back to the Dunyanan server, and it is reinterpreted at that end to share with whoever is in the scenario with you. This transfer of information occurs too fast for you to comprehend and in a manner, you cannot access.
“While you are able to distinguish between a multitude of colours you are unable to distinguish, without translation, the precise current in a microcircuit and what that means in terms of where it must be routed to. We need to find a way to provide an automatic filter so that you can ‘see’ the magnitude of currents and ‘smell’ the difference between recursive functions and loops. A way for you to ‘hear’ approaching packages of data, ‘taste’ digital signatures, and ‘feel’ inequalities. Your actions then need to reflect not movement but computations and comparisons. When you step up it won’t mean anything with regard to the three-dimensional space you live in but instead might reflect accessing a particular IP address which is known by the distance you move your foot.”
Leah looked at Gèng with horror on her face and said, “Impossible, what you describe is surely beyond the possible. The human brain cannot react at the speeds necessary.”
“You may be right if we were talking about an un-augmented human nervous system. But even then I think the capacity of the human mind would surprise you. And it isn’t that we are starting from scratch. Akia and I have been working on this for some time and think we’ve a viable system that will be familiar to you. Added to all that is your augmented nervous system. With the additional connections we think we can accelerate your perception when you are in the Pod by a factor of thirty or more. The memory nodules along your spine and within your skull can be programmed to apply the automatic filter which will reduce the AI footprint even further.”
Leah sighed and said, “I’m still not convinced, but nothing more is likely to be gained from waiting. Where to?”
Gèng led the way to a doorway at the top of the tower. Leah knew this was Gèng space but had stayed away until she was invited.
With a deep breath, she stepped through the portal and into … Nothing.
Leah knew she was alive because she was still able to think but she wasn’t sure if she was thinking fast or slow. There was no colour, it wasn’t black, nor white, it just wasn’t. After what seemed like an eternity she took a deep breath … but she didn’t. There was no oxygen, and no absence of it. She didn’t have a heartbeat. It wasn’t that her heart had stopped, but rather it just wasn’t there. She waited for another eternity, hoping Gèng would speak but there was no sound. It wasn’t silence really, it just wasn’t. She tried to turn her head but she didn’t have one, nor a body. No eyes to see, no neck to stretch, no hands to clench, just nothing. But then she realised she would have been able to perceive nothing. This wasn’t even that. And finally, after another eternity she heard a whisper.
“Atherleah, I’ve just activated the first module of the filter. It detects the data communication protocols and translates them into sound. At the moment I have only activated the module which recognises data sent to you. Soon I will begin to switch on more modules. This will allow you to be aware of the flow of information around you. We AI are constantly sampling the data flow and checking if the information is for us.”
“What took so long?”
“Leah, in AI terms it was a very long time. But in human terms it was hardly any time at all. It took less than three-tenths of a second from the time you entered the portal until I activated the module. Your system has been accelerated and is operating at 36.4 times normal. But even at that speed you only experienced 10.92 seconds of true sensory deprivation. So before I connect the rest of the data sampling modules we need to discuss how you wish to sense the flow of time. In real life and in the Pod you are aware times passage by a complex mix of senses. Your body keeps note of breathing, of your heartbeat, the number of steps you take, the position the sun. And even when people are deprived of those, you have mechanisms to help assess questions related to time such as, how long was I asleep? Or, how quickly did that happen? In this world, you
also need to note time’s passing. Akia and I thought either a physical watch or a visual display would be best.”
“Maybe, but let’s leave my visual senses free at the moment. Can you apply the passing of time to a heartbeat. I’m not sure what my average heart rate is but I assume it is something like eighty or ninety beats per minute when in a situation where I’m constantly moving. So if you make me feel my heart beat every two-one-hundredths of a second then I’ll have a similar perception of time as I normally would.”
“I will set up the algorithm so that it reflects any changes in speed.”
“Wait for a second. I’m used to focussing for up to nine hours in the virtual world. I need to get in and out of the Vault in thirty minutes virtual-time or ten minutes real. I think you should change my perception, so I think of the time in terms of having nine hours to finish the task.”
“OK, that works out at the current time dilation as one beat for every thirteen one-thousands of a second.”
Leah began to feel her heart beat slowly in her chest. And with it came a sense of peace which dragged her back from the insanity she had felt drawn towards.
Leah, Gèng and Akia worked on finding the best way to represent the AI world for what felt like forever. She became aware of the flow of current as the force of the wind against her skin. A difference in electrical signals was represented by various colours. Textures and materials were assigned to different transmission media and transfer rates.
Finally, when she felt she could do no more and needed a break. She said, “Akia, Gèng, I’m sorry, but I need a break. I don’t know how long we’ve been at this, but it seems more like days than hours.”
Gèng said, “I’m sorry Leah, I should have realised sooner. It has only been twenty minutes real time but it would feel like eighteen hours to you. I think you should exit the Pod and give your nervous system a rest for as long as you can. You are supposed to be on the Betrayal with Wisp just after eight AM. That gives you almost forty minutes. I will transfer you back to the main Tower.”
Leah felt everything shift, and she was suddenly aware of a multitude of senses that they hadn’t connected yet. She could feel them in a whole new way after their absence. When she exited the Pod, she struggled for a moment or two as her brain attempted, just for a short time, to see the colours of her room in terms of electrical signals, and the floor felt like an old copper transmission line. She stumbled to the kitchen and promptly threw up all over her dad.
Leah stared at her dad in shock, but she could hardly stand. Despite her embarrassment, she could do nothing except watch as he wiped himself down and got a bucket and rag to clean everything up. By the time he finished, she’d just enough balance and strength to stumble into her room for a shower and change of clothes. This time, when Leah exited her room she was much more stable despite having a fierce headache which had suddenly developed. Michael was waiting in the kitchen. He’d made a rather bland breakfast for her and had a worried look on his face.
He said, “Is everything alright? You look pale, and I can see you’re still unsteady. Are you sick?”
“I’m not sick. I’m just recovering from a weird session with Gèng. We were preparing for something I need to do tomorrow morning to help a friend. I pushed things way past my comfort zone. I’ll be fine soon, and I feel a lot better already.”
“Was what you were doing safe?”
“I’d like to say, absolutely, but I’ll have Gèng do a diagnostic when I get back in the Pod. If there are any issues, then I’ll have a doctor friend I know check it out in the Tower.”
“How can they do that? Does that mean it is something in the virtual world?”
“They can see the results of the tests done in the Pod and can check my vitals, brain activity, and all sorts of other things. The issue is probably more a physical issue than virtual, last time they had me take a particular neural drug and that dealt with things. Don’t worry about it, dad. I think it was just the sudden change of perspectives. How were your first experiences in the multiverse?”
“Weird, surreal, exciting, terrifying, confusing and a whole lot of other adjectives. I did as you asked and started to play Runes of Power. Everything was so real. I already have two Runes, and I’ve started learning how to use them. I know it isn’t really possible, but it is interesting. I met an old guy when I started playing, goes by the name of Matamua. He said to say hello, and he asked me to tell you that as his designated Piahi you should not wait too long before learning to use the Runes. He said that I am to be your Metuatane and I must learn them even faster.”
“Did you work out what any of the words meant?”
“Not really. I do know what my Runes mean. Well I mean, I must if I’m going to use them properly.”
“Did you do anything else?”
“I spent some time with a self-defence guy John suggested.”
As if he’d heard his name, John knocked on the doorjamb before entering and sitting at the table. He said, “Good morning. I’m sorry to interrupt, but one of Leah’s suggestions paid off. We have a lead on the person who probably chipped Lin. His name is John Welford, and he is an AI Installer for the hospital. Apparently, he has some personal habits that fall into the illegal category. To fund his fantasies, he freelances as a black market chipper. I sent some people to investigate, and it seems he left work mid shift yesterday, just before lunch. He was back an hour later, and we can’t find out where he went. I’m thinking he needs a visit. We’ll encourage him to share.”
Leah said, “What are these personal habits?”
John looked away, as if embarrassed, but said, “He enjoys fantasises with underage and unwilling participants. And that’s all I’m going to say.”
“Real, or virtual?”
“Apparently both, but the word is he copies hospital scans and imports them into his v-world.”
Leah’s face became like stone and she said, “John, I want to tag along on this.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Leah, we don’t have time for much of a plan, and it may take hours to find just the right time. I’m pretty sure you don’t have six or so hours you can spare at the moment. Also, this isn’t something where…” He paused and looked at Michael for a moment and then continued, “um, we’ll need your particular skills.”
Her dad was about to ask something, but Leah interjected, “I know I don’t have time, it’s just that he was the guy who installed my chip. I need to know if he took my scans. If he did, then I want to discuss that with him.”
It was clear from Michael’s face that his previous question was forgotten. He said, “Actually John, I think I want to tag along as well. If he did take Leah’s scans, then I might want to help with that discussion.”
“Neither of you are going. Look, at the moment even I don’t have the time to be off on a stakeout. But I promise you that whoever does end up going will have a long talk with him. If he did take your scans, Leah, then not only will we retrieve them but we will make sure that he is very, very, sorry for taking them.”
Leah was about to argue when Michael said, “OK John, I don’t like it, but your reason is solid. We need to be here and to be ready for whatever we learn from him. But, I want you to make sure that all the scans he’s copied, regardless of whom—that they are removed, they are not looked at, and that he will be made to feel remorse for every single one of them.”
Leah wanted to argue but knew that John was right. Her face tightened, and she said, “Like dad said, and please keep me informed. Now, do we have any other news about mum?”
“We’ve ruled out about ninety percent of the homes we were focussing on. That leaves fifty to check out. Even if we find the right place without the chipper’s help, it’ll be good to have his description of the security around the property. I think you should plan for us retrieving Lin sometime late tomorrow night.”
Both Leah and her dad nodded, and the mood in the kitchen lightened as they thought of Lin coming home. John said
, “Now, onto lighter things. How did the meeting with Thad go?”
Leah’s face fell. “Not good, John. I think we’d patched things up, and thanks for the help by the way, but it turns out he is being compelled.” She described what had happened and spent several minutes discussing what it might mean long term, and what options they had. In the end, Leah said, “Sorry dad, sorry John, but I have to get back. Wisp’ll be waiting in the Betrayal. We’re transitioning out of Plankian space soon, and I have to be there.”
“What’s Plankian space?” Michael said.
“I’ll let John explain. I have to go, bye.”
With that, she left the room and hurried to the Pod. Minutes later, after asking Gèng to do a full analysis of her neural pathways and check for damage, she was entering the portal onto the deck of the Betrayal.
Wisp was waiting, and Leah spent several minutes updating her on what happened at Thad’s apartment and discussing possible solutions. Finally, Wisp said, “So, what are Amy, Zack and James going to do? They are still travelling with him. It’s going to make it very difficult.”
“I’m not sure. Amy was going to talk with Zack and James. She imagines he will be made to ignore whatever happened. She said she’d drop my name at some stage and gauge the reaction.”
“We are going to save him, aren’t we?”
Leah smiled and embraced Wisp then said, “Yes Wisp, we will save him, I’m not sure when, or how, but we won’t leave him to be controlled by anyone.”
“Except you, of course.”
