by C. A. Fraser
The web was an achievement of humans working with ODIN to perfect quantum communications. It was initially a long distance solution to allow for instant communications anywhere in the world. As more AI were brought on line it became the perfect home for the AI to exist and be available at all times.
The humans themselves became part of the web as well with neural implants that were developed to access the web and interface with the AI. This allowed for a truly integrated network that was available to all with nodes distributed planet wide to serve as relays for AI and humans alike.
SIA observed Wren through the web and traveled with her using it as well. SIA was created by Wren’s father as a companion and protector for Wren. It was SIA’s primary duty to keep Wren safe. Stephen had wanted Wren protected at all cost. This included attack from hostile AI.
SIA was always near Wren in the web observing through various means. Monitoring data streams from cameras and security equipment. The program also kept tabs on Wren’s own transmissions both active and passive to make sure Stephen’s daughter was safe.
AI like SIA that were developed independently of the quantums were rare and usually designed for a specific function with limited scope. They were not typically integrated into the web because they were outside of the control of the quantum’s which was considered unacceptable by the original designer’s. There was a need for a level of independence for certain tasks however and the designers had relented.
While Simon was in the NDP headquarters SIA monitored Wren very closely to ensure she was safe. Wren was naturally cautious since the attack so it was a simple task. She followed Wren through the web moving from node to node as Wren traveled to the NDP. When Simon emerged SIA expanded her observation to include him as a possible vector. She focused on the platform as Simon entered. When the attack on Simon occurred SIA found herself helpless due to her protocol. Simon was not her focus Wren was and as such she could not interfere. If the program could have been frustrated with the situation it would have been. It ran through counter measures to protect Wren in case the attack moved to her but did nothing to assist Simon as per programming.
When Wren screamed SIA mobilized and began its protection routine. In an instant it blocked all local nodes to outside traffic and dampened all signals being transmitted. This would prevent any hostile interference through the web. It recorded all events for review to ensure it could adjust its response in the future if needed. When the men were thrown back from Wren, Sia paused to mark the event for review. It also detected small fluctuations in the web and surrounding power grid. SIA observed an aura of light around Wren at that moment as well.
Unsure of what it meant the program prioritized the event for review. Wren collapsed and the program suspected it failed to protect her but could not determine the source of attack. As Simon moved toward Wren the program observed multiple individuals moving toward the platform.
Recognizing the possibility of further attacks, the program initiated the automatic emergency response for the platform and all blocks surrounding the area. This would keep all attackers concentrated in the area by disabling all transports until the emergency was cleared. Determining Simon’s route SIA assumed local control of the transport as he picked up Wren and fled the platform as soon as they were on board.
Simon turned from the window of the transport. No one was following them from the NDP. He moved back to Wren. She was still unconscious and did not rouse when he gently shook her. He did not know what happened back at the platform. First the attack and then the force that ended it abruptly. He touched her cheek wishing she would wake.
“She is stable Simon.” SIA’s voice broke the silence in the transport and startled him. Simon shook his head. He had thought the transport took off rather quickly.
“I did not realize you knew how to navigate one of these SIA?” Simon replied. It was outside the normal protocol for an AI to intervene at this level.
“Only as needed to ensure Wren’s safety.” It stated. Simon knew the program was following some predetermined routine to keep its charge safe, but it still struck him as odd.
“Are we almost to the hospital?” He queried settling protectively next to Wren.
“We are going to a safe house; the hospital is an unacceptable risk.” The program’s response was irritating. Wren needed medical attention now not later after the threat was gone.
“There will be someone present to care for her.” The program continued as if it sensed Simon’s quandary. Simon settled back resigning himself to the situation and hoping for Wren’s sake the AI was right.
Tim had settled back into his chair in his office. The dark material formed to his body ensuring his comfort and silently rotating into position in front of his desk. He looked at the screen that was the top of his desk. Reports drifted by for his review as well as pictures of Simon and Wren. Word of Simon’s visit and the subsequent attack on him by some anti-Nanid extremist had spread quickly. Simon and Wren had disappeared after that.
Tim was surprised that Wren had been waiting outside. She had sworn not to return. Worth had threatened arrest and imprisonment if she did. He suspected that is why she did not come onto actual NDP property. Wren was not stupid and would not risk a possible incarceration. The search for her father was paramount to her. He leaned back into the chair and closed his eyes. It had been a long day and he was way behind on his actual work. He felt tired in spite of the nanids.
“No cure for the weary mind.” he thought opening his eyes and staring through a report that was open on the desk. He looked up at the sound of his office door sliding open. He expected it to be Director Worth looking for a debrief on Simon’s visit. She was very direct and despite the challenges she faced would usually get what she wanted. It was not Worth.
The person who strode in was worse. Roland Alexander was head of quality control for the Nanid Project. He was a large man who even after nanid integration still managed to look unhealthy. Small eyes on an overly large face with a yellowish pallor to his skin made Tim uncomfortable every time he spoke with Roland. Roland was also out for only himself and played politics relentlessly. He was always seeking the advantage against the rest of the staff to ensure he was in Worth’s favor. Tim had his doubts about the effectiveness of this with Worth but Roland persisted none the less.
“How can I help you Roland?” Tim wondered if the man even picked up the disdain in his voice.
“I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing after the visit.” Roland replied. The man’s voice even seemed off to Tim. The way Roland drew his words out as he spoke made Tim think of hypnotist from a couple of centuries ago. The trick never worked but it still made Tim uneasy. A greasy smile fell into place while Roland ran his hand through black hair that spread haphazardly across his scalp.
“Everything is fine. Is there anything else?” he replied. Tim did not even try to disguise his irritation. The smile did not falter. Tim could almost see glee in Roland’s eyes. The man was happy this had happened.
“Well yes. Since you asked I would like to know what you discussed to ensure we did not have a loss of control in regards to the sensitive nature of our business.” Tim kept himself from rolling his eyes.
Tim stood. The chair moved back automatically to allow him to walk around the desk. As he moved he spoke. “If you read my report you will see everything that was discussed. I did not divulge any sensitive information nor give him access to any files or systems.” He was standing in front of Roland now. The large man was still smiling but seemed a little less sure of himself. Tim looked up at Roland. The height difference meant little to him. Tim was not one to be intimidated by physicality. He stared into the man’s eyes challenging Roland to make the next move.
“Now,” Tim smiled looking up at the man, “Is there anything else?”
Roland dropped the smile and a sneer replaced it. “What was in the box? He left with a proto-plastic container. What was in it?” Tim could tell Roland thought he had
caught him in the middle of some elaborate scheme. Tim laughed and shook his head.
“It was a gift for Wren. Just some of her father’s personal affects that were retrieved and archived after he died.” Tim was not laughing now. “The Fore family has long been friends of this project and will always be welcome here. They do not deserve to be smeared by the likes of you. If you do not have any further questions, then please leave.”
Tim watched the blood rush to Roland’s face as anger worked through him. He was blotchy and looked even worse than before. Without another word he turned and left.
Tim leaned against his desk glad the exchange was over. He knew he would hear more about this but did not care. He had done nothing wrong and would not be intimidated. A soft buzz in his pocket pulled his attention from the political maneuvering.
He slowly pulled a small plastic box out of his pocket. A pager. A communication device from over two hundred years ago. Why humans ever used something like this was beyond him. He was a collector of old tech but he did not have anything like this. It was given to him as a form of simple and secure communication. All current communications were handled at a quantum level now which allowed instant communication anywhere. Simple, easy and unfettered by devices or transmitters. This was ancient compared to the current tech. It was also forgotten and unmonitored which meant it was relatively secure. Couple that with some creative routing and it was pretty much untraceable. Tim flipped open the device and a small screen lit up. There was a message displayed in small block letters.
“DID YOU DELIVER THE PACKAGE?”
Tim typed back struggling with the awkward keyboard lay out. QWERTY. He believed that is what they called it. It was a pain. How did humans make it this far he wondered? He finished the message.
“YES. IT IS IN HER HANDS. WHAT’S NEXT?” After he pressed send it took several seconds to send.
The reply was quick and short but took several more seconds to receive.
“NOW WE WAIT.”
Tim sighed and shoved the pager back in his pocket as he stepped around his desk. He needed to get back to work.
“She is regaining consciousness, Simon.” SIA’s voice sounded distant and muffled to Wren like the AI was in another room. She realized she had been asleep and was slowly coming awake. Confusion filled her. The last thing she remembered was Simon being attacked and then her vision going white as she screamed in anger and fear. She opened her eyes and found she was in a small room resting in an elevated bed. It was horribly bright in the room. She resisted the urge to squeeze her eyes back shut. She squinted and brought up her hand to shield her eyes. Simon appeared next to her his red skin seemed to glow as he leaned over her.
“What happened? Why is everything so bright?” her voice sounded strange as the words struggled out of her mouth. It was deeper and her throat felt raw. It must have been the scream. Simon grabbed her hand and sat on the edge of the bed. She felt a tingle in her hand where he touched her. It felt like a tiny electric current running from Simon into her. It was as if she was pulling energy from him.
“We are not sure what happened Wren. We think it was a new nanid ability expressing itself through you but we are not sure.” He replied.
“What are you talking about Simon?” Wren felt alarmed. She had always been free of extra abilities and was glad of it. What had happened to Simon had squashed any urges to have extra nanid capabilities.
“You do not remember?” Simon looked over the bed at the other side of the room. “Is that normal?” he asked. For the first time Wren realized they were not alone. She looked to where Simon’s gaze was directed. Kelly Holt was standing next to the entrance. The woman was tall, even more so from Wren’s position on the bed, long hair highlighted a gentle face with serious eyes. She appeared to be in her forties but Wren knew she was much older. Kelly strode forward and smiled looking down at Wren.
“She is fine Simon,” Kelly replied. Wren had always liked Kelly and knew her father had nothing but the deepest respect for the woman. She had not seen Kelly since shortly after the explosion at the NDP. The trauma had been too much for her and she had left, much to Tim’s irritation. She had been his assistant for many years. Wren wrenched her thoughts back to the present.
“Where are we?” She was starting to feel better and the glow in the room was now more tolerable. It had not abated but she must be adjusting to it.
“In a safe house outside of D.C.” Simon replied. “What do you remember Wren?”
Wren closed her eyes the images of the attack flew through her mind. She tried to focus on what happened just prior to passing out but it was fuzzy. She remembered seeing the attack begin and the adrenaline rush that accompanied it. She had felt like she was losing the last of her life if Simon died. She remembered the scream and then nothing. She opened her eyes and looked at Simon. His concern was etched into the features of his face. She had thought she lost him.
As Wren looked at him she noticed the area on his left side of his head seemed brighter than the rest. It was a soft glow that seemed to flow away from his head in a twisting line that faded the farther it was from him. What had happened to her eyes? She felt like they were no longer able to focus properly and were letting in too much light.
“I remember everything up until I screamed and then nothing. What happened Simon?” she asked.
Simon sighed and leaned forward looking directly into her eyes. “We do not know exactly. SIA and I looked at all the data it captured but it does not make sense.”
“Why?” Wren felt the dread creeping into her. She knew she was at a moment where there would be no turning back. Her life had again changed in a way that she had no control over. Simon did not immediately reply hesitating trying to find a way to explain what they think had happened.
“What is it? Tell me Simon!” Wren exclaimed.
“It looks like you took control of the local environmental and electrical systems and used them as a weapon. You used the molecular weather shields to throw that man across the platform. The weird part is you had no link to those systems. You used them without access. The only thing we can think of is your nanids still have an outside connection that you used to manipulate the systems.” Simon stopped and looked at Wren. The fear of what this meant shone through his eyes. Wren could not think or speak. This was why nanids were used. There was not supposed to be any outside connection! No tampering or worries of corruption just enhancement. Wren lay back trying to absorb the information Simon had given her.
“Your eyes have changed.” Simon paused seeing the alarm in Wren’s face. “Their color and structure are entirely different, Wren. The nanids did something and we are not sure what yet.” Wren felt her chest tighten. The shock of the revelation was crushing her. She needed to breath. She forced herself to breath slowly in and out trying to control the emotions swirling through her. This is what Simon must have gone through when his skin transformed.
Kelly stepped forward and checked Wren making sure was still stable. “Okay that is enough for now.” She stated. “You need to rest. We have this room shielded so you are safe while we are trying to figure this out.” Wren did not even argue her head was spinning how long had it been like this? Why did she not know about it? Kelly walked out of the room with a knowing look at Simon. Simon squeezed Wren’s hand and silently retreated from the room.
Wren relaxed back into bed trying to slow her thoughts so she could understand what had happened to her. There was no sense to it how had she been able to manipulate systems that she had no connection to. She recalled the events again trying to remember anything but all she remembered was the scream and wanting to help Simon. After that everything was blank. She turned her thoughts to her body.
Everything seemed fine. She pushed back the sleeve of the light gown she was in. Her arm was still pale and slightly blue as always nothing different. She felt perfectly fit. Her eyes. Wren turned in the bed and lowered her feet to the floor. It was cool on the soles of her feet as she stood to w
alk to the closest wall. She made her way across the room unsteadily at first gaining confidence as she approached the wall. When she neared the wall Wren spoke.
“Mirror.”
The surface of the wall shimmered momentarily and then coalesced into a mirrored surface. Wren stared trying to comprehend what she was looking at. Her old eyes were indeed gone. What had replaced them was disturbing and beautiful. The nanids had expanded her pupils until they almost completely occupied where her irises had been. All that was left of her iris was a thin sliver that was a myriad of colors and reminded her of rainbow. She now knew the reason everything was so bright to her. Her eyes were exposed to all light. There was little if any contraction in her pupils. What purpose did it serve? Why did it happen now?
Wren turned from the mirror as frustration filled her and she wanted to throw something. Instead she slowly began to make her way back to the bed. She stopped short as a light appeared above the bed and hovered in front of her. It seemed to have no source. The light had a faint green tint to it that reminded her of sunlight coming through the leaves of a tree. There were thin tendrils extending from it and fading the farther they were from the light.
