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[Taken from notes kept by Dr Melanie Rogers. RBB]
The research scientists at Sibernek were enjoying a coffee break. Paul Barton, head of research, had returned from Ethiopia and his arrival meant that there was now a buffer between the team and the CEO, Brian Talbot, who always emitted such negative vibes.
Melanie, Gillian, Jorg, Carol and Jed sat with Medibot at a large table in the research department’s canteen.
Paul stood behind the medibot, holding a tennis ball. ‘You think it’s ready?’ he asked.
‘It works well,’ said Melanie. ‘Has performed nominally in every scenario.’
‘What do you think, Medibot?’ Paul asked.
‘Most functions are good, but the tennis ball test will be interesting to observe,’ it said.
‘Right,’ said Gillian Ross. ‘Let’s drink up and get back to the lab to put it through its paces.’
In the laboratory, a mechanical man, very similar in size and shape to the medibot, stood on one side of the room next to a workbench.
‘Hi, Sib,’ said Paul as they all entered. ‘Have you missed us?’
‘No, Dr Barton, I have not missed you,’ said Sib. ‘I am not capable of such an emotion.’
‘What have you been doing while we were away?’
‘Nothing of great import, Dr Barton. I have practiced some of the problems you gave me to solve.’
‘Have you improved your responses?’
‘I have answered all of the problems within the time specified, Dr Barton.’
All of a sudden, Paul Barton threw the tennis ball at Sib and shouted, ‘Catch!’
The ball flew through the air and rebounded off Sib’s chest an instant before one of its hands intercepted the trajectory. Sib responded by running forward and grabbing the ball on its second bounce.
‘Not bad, Sib,’ said Paul.
‘Not as good as Medibot,’ said Jed.
‘No,’ said Paul.
‘The comparison is not relevant really,’ said Medibot. ‘Sib’s chips, being that much larger, are proportionately slower. However, Sib’s compensation for his failure was excellent.’
‘You caught four, thrown at you simultaneously,’ said Carol.
‘Yes, but the same test for Sib would have him miss each of the four balls by a similar margin. What you have produced is remarkable and you have not produced Sib to play ball games. His problem-solving and interaction capabilities in unexpected situations are excellent.’
‘That is true, but we were hoping to have reproduced your abilities,’ said Gillian Ross.
‘Have you observed Sib’s projectile throwing?’ asked Medibot.
‘No. Sib, can you...’
‘Stop!’ said Medibot. ‘Let me.’
Medibot crossed the room to the opposite side from where Sib was standing. It put an arm out to one side and opened its hand. ‘Sib,’ it said, ‘throw the tennis ball into my hand.’
Sib raised its hand and threw. The ball sailed through the air in a graceful arc and hit the centre of the medibot’s hand, which closed around it.
‘You see how well you have built Sib,’ said Medibot. ‘Sib has no practical experience with projectile trajectories, yet almost instantly calculated force, trajectory and distance so as to cause the ball to strike the palm of my hand.’
‘I see,’ said Paul. ‘Pretty damn good, really.’
‘It is the chip size which limits processing speed, and this is also why Sib cannot “think” in the way I do and carry out normal conversations. You treat me as a person and Sib as a machine. You did not invite Sib to join us for the coffee break earlier,’ said Medibot.
‘Yes, a valid point,’ said Paul Barton. ‘However, I think we’re ready to convince Mr Talbot to put Sib into production. He’ll be extremely useful in defusing concerns over AI.’
««o»»
[From White House tapes. RBB]
Grim faced and clenching his fists, President John Silvester Slimbridge was staring at the four men who sat in his visitors chairs.
Admiral Mann, General Delve, the replacement for General Burko, General Alexander, General Braun’s replacement, Piers Andwell, head of the Secret Service, and Matthew Brown all stared back at him. Matthew’s face was covered in green dye as was the left of General Alexander’s.
‘How could you let this happen?’ asked the president. ‘You say you actually received a warning too.’
‘Yes, but it was non-specific,’ said the admiral. ‘We thought the shots were it.’
‘And they were blanks?’
‘Yes, Mr President, fired remotely by rifles hidden inside drainpipes. We didn’t know that at the time and the Secret Service protected you well,’ said General Alexander.
‘I didn’t get stained because I had four men on top of me,’ said the president. ‘Look at Matthew’s face. It’s ridiculous. How long before it washes off?’
‘Not good, sir,’ said Matthew Brown. ‘It could be more than ten days. I’m using peroxide to try to speed up matters.’
‘And thousands of my supporters are the same,’ said the president.
‘Yes, Mr President,’ said the admiral. ‘And there’s worse news. Free America radio is telling people to put green make-up on their foreheads or cheeks to show their support.’
‘What are you doing about this radio station?’ asked the president. ‘Why can’t you shut it down, or broadcast interference or something?’
’The problem, Mr President,’ said Piers Andwell, the Secret Service chief, ‘is that it is coming down the telephone lines. We can’t stop it without shutting down all telephone communication. We can’t block it or mask it with interference because the incoming frequency constantly changes.’
‘And this is Peter Stone’s handiwork?’
‘Yes, sir, and it’s coming from Canada,’ said Piers. ‘He’s a pretty clever individual and has all the resources of his company behind him.’
‘Can’t we shut down his revenue stream?’ asked the president.
‘We’ve already done that, sir, but his business is global,’ said Matthew.
‘What about intel? Do you know where he is, or where he’s transmitting from? Damn it, we must be able to do something!’ said the president, thumping the desk so hard that a picture frame fell over.
‘We’re tracking him. He’s in Vancouver at the moment and the CIA are trying to get a fix. There’s a shoot-to-kill order on him.’
‘It’s not good enough, Piers. I want him captured or killed. Make it a priority.’
‘Mr President, he’s in a foreign country. Even if we manage to assassinate him, it could be seen as an act of aggression against a foreign power. If any of their citizens were hurt in the process it would have serious international ramifications,’ said Mr Andwell.
‘To hell with Canada. If you get a chance to hit him then do it. Any harm to others will teach them not to interfere in America’s affairs. I am not going to criticise you if there is collateral damage. Canada knows exactly what Stone is doing! We can’t even stop our own media talking about this green make-up business and people are laughing about what they already call Baltimore Dyegate.’
The president stood, causing all of the visitors to jump to their feet.
‘I am disappointed in all of you. Get out of my office and find ways to get Stone, Beech and Mayne out of my hair... and quickly! Now go, get out!’ the president shouted as he turned towards the window and stared into the distance.
««o»»
[Taken from Paula Wilson and Hareen Trestogeen’s files. RBB]
A familiar muffled pop announced that the ambassador had materialised in Lara Horvat’s office in the British Ministry of Defence. With him was Yol Terend Stograther, an olive-green humanoid figure with short legs and four arms. He was dressed in violet trousers and a lavender jacket, with a white shirt which had wings wrapping his long neck and trailing over his back. He stood just short of average human height, maybe five foot four.
‘Yol Ambassador, a pleasant surprise,’ Lara said.
‘This is my deputy,’ said the ambassador.
The ambassador handed over a small device to the secretary general. ‘This is a communication device. You press it once to communicate with me. I have been given permission to become further involved in bringing the Federation and Earth closer together.’
‘That is good news,’ said Lara.
‘I would like to meet with the Security Council on board my ship. Could you please advise them that they will be collected at midday British time tomorrow?’
‘Certainly. I’d like my assistant there as she also keeps official minutes,’ said Lara.
‘Yes. No problem. The Federation president spoke fondly of you, Ms Wilson,’ the ambassador said.
‘Really? I was only with him a minute,’ said Paula.
‘He prides himself in remembering everything, but I suspect his Clueb might have a hand in that. There is something else. I will be handing over my ambassadorial duties to Yol Terend in the near future. He feels about Earth the same way I do, so will always deal with you sympathetically’
‘You’ve been reprimanded for breaking the prohibition?’ asked Lara.
‘No. My life is coming to an end.’
The two women were shocked at this sudden announcement.
‘Oh. I’m sad to hear that. Can nothing be done?’ asked Lara.
‘Don’t be too sad for me, Lara. The last act of the male of my species is to spawn. We get around the problem of death by being protected from the females during the process and then we are regenerated medically. The process can only be used four or five times, though, and I have already used it on five occasions. This time I shall die.’
‘That’s dreadful,’ said Paula.
‘Well, yes and no. It is also the most rapturous event. The spawning is the most important factor in our lives. My sixth will doubtless be the finest, with nothing to protect me, and the only regret I have is not being able to discover what will happen to your lovely planet.’
‘It is, nevertheless, tragic,’ said Lara.
‘Try not to see it like that, Lara, it is my crowning achievement. I’ll see you tomorrow,’ the ambassador said, and the two of them promptly vanished.
««o»»
One at a time, Presidents Yang, Olov, and Ramseur, Prime Minister Church, the secretary general, and Paula Wilson materialised in a large conference room on the Eskorav. Immediately overcome by the view of Earth from orbit, each of them walked to the long glass wall and stared in wonder at their first view of their home planet from space. All but Paula, of course, because she had seen many planets during her time with Secretary General Okafor.
The door opened and in walked the ambassador and his deputy.
‘Welcome all,’ said the ambassador. ‘This is my deputy, Yol Terend Stograther from Dihethror. We’re both so pleased we have been allowed to help Earth make some progress.’
Each of the leaders introduced themselves to Yol Terend who acknowledged them in a rather tinny voice, as if it was electronically produced.
‘I should explain,’ said the ambassador, ‘that Dihethrors don’t normally produce sound to communicate, so they wear electronic implants if they are off world or meeting other species.
‘Please sit,’ the ambassador said, while settling himself into his specially adapted chaise longue. ‘I’m glad you could all attend.’
He waited until everyone was seated, then continued, ‘I have a very, very serious question for you first. It is crucial to how we will proceed.’
‘Ask away,’ said President Marat Olov.
‘Two days ago, I attended a full cabinet meeting of the Federation which included President Dimorathron. What I am about to explain to you is absolutely unique in terms of the Federation. Never before has part of a planet been treated as if it is an actual planet of its own. The permission was granted, but there are sceptics in the cabinet who have not objected, because it has piqued their curiosity. It is unique. If I, or you, make a mess of this opportunity, I’m sure it will never be attempted again.
‘This is my crucial question,’ said the ambassador taking a drink of water from a large urn on the table. ‘If we are going to contemplate allowing one nation on Earth to remain independent of the Federation, how sure are you that the rest of your world will join?’
The leaders looked at each other and Lara answered, ‘Since our last meeting, we have considered this, Yol Ambassador. We think that all nations with the exception of North Korea and Israel will want to join.’
‘We cannot have more than one nation opting out. How will you go about convincing those two countries, because you must do so? What can we do to help? Are there any compromises they could live with?’ asked the ambassador.
‘Israel’s concern is primarily about its borders and having control over who can live within it. It is considered to be the promised land, promised by God to them as a race,’ said Lara.
‘They are a democracy, yes?’
‘That’s right.’
‘Okay, if we took a hundred pro-Federation Israelis and a hundred anti-Federation Israelis and showed them half a dozen of our worlds, would their government allow them to promote their views freely to the rest of the population? If so, would they allow a free vote and honour it?’
‘I really don’t know,’ said Lara, shrugging and looking to the others.
‘I would think it was a possibility, Yol Ambassador. We could ask and see what they say,’ said Prime Minister Maureen Church.
‘Hmm,’ said the ambassador. ‘What about the North Koreans?’
‘More tricky,’ said President Che Yang. ‘They are a totalitarian regime, something, in the past, both China and Russia accused of, but in their case, rule is from top and no one dare speak out against leadership.’
‘Well, frankly I need you to visit both countries and persuade both of them to accept the Federation. We cannot mess around with a hotchpotch of small independent countries. That would never work,’ said the ambassador.
‘That offer of taking the Israelis to visit other worlds, would that still be available?’ asked the secretary general.
‘Yes. And we’d offer to do the same with the North Koreans, but it sounds as if it wouldn’t work with them. Maybe I should speak to their leaders. What do you think?’
‘You could certainly try, Yol Ambassador,’ said President Yang.
‘What would ze plan be zen, if zey both agree?’ asked President Ramseur.
‘I will arrange a large fleet of passenger liners and we will take all the leaders, their deputies, senior government advisors and officials to visit a few worlds. Not all at the same time, obviously, but spread over a couple of weeks,’ said the ambassador.
‘You’re talking about thousands of people,’ said President Olov.
‘Yes, that is not a problem. I think even those of you here have not quite realised the scale of the Federation. Some of the larger passenger liners carry thousands, although we’ll probably use ships which take three to eight hundred. More manageable. During their trips they will all be esponged with Galactic Standard and, once the trips are finished, I would expect you to hold a General Assembly to pass or reject membership for the entire world except the USA.
‘In fact, I have trouble understanding Yol Ramseur and, occasionally, Yol Yang, so, when we finish this meeting, Yol Terend will arrange for you to be esponged with Galactic Standard.’
‘If passed by the UN, the next stage will be to set up hard borders between the US, Canada and Mexico. I will then offer the USA independence from the Federation if they give up their island protectorates. I’d like them to relinquish Alaska too, but would be prepared to compromise as it has just the one border with Canada.’
‘How borders will work, Yol Ambassador?’ asked President Yang.
‘The Federation border will allow free flow inwards. The USA would control anyone wishing to enter, either to move to the USA or visit for tourism. Initially the afed would match the dollar and we’d let the market find a true exchange rate.’
‘Zat would cause ‘uge volatility!’ said President Ramseur.
‘True,’ said the ambassador, ‘but it would not affect the Federation and it would be up to the USA to do whatever is necessary to control their currency. I would imagine the dollar will weaken quite rapidly over a short period, but we might artificially inflate it. The cost is negligible on a Federation-wide scale.’
‘So, they could buy from the Federation using afeds they collect from tourists and any products they sell. What would they sell, I wonder?’ asked Prime Minister Church.
‘There are sure to be many products in great demand,’ said Yol Terend. ‘Alcoholic drinks, speciality foods and so on. There’ll be no market for their agricultural equipment or other vehicles, nor bulk foodstuffs like grain, vegetables and meat except, again, speciality items and processed products. One of my projects will be to analyse which products the rest of the world would like from the USA.’
‘What about them importing?’ asked President Olov.
‘That is more problematical,’ said the ambassador. ‘I don’t think we’ll want them buying our technology, robots or autonomous vehicles. How about tourism? What will USA citizens have to pay to visit places of interest in the rest of your world? Probably we’ll subsidise tourism to encourage them to see how the rest of the world is doing under the Federation economic system.’
‘Excusez moi, but ’ow will you get zem to agree to zis?’
‘Now that you have agreed that Secretary General Horvat can represent you all, she will join me in meeting them to discuss the details. Logically, we think they will agree.’
‘Would not be too confident over that,’ said President Yang. ‘You know there uprising underway. At least half Americans disagree with Slimbridge. Might be disappointed with decision allow independence. Certain you need speak both sides.’
‘You think so?’ asked the ambassador.
The leaders looked at each other. There were various nods. ‘We seem to be agreeing that President Yang is correct,’ said Lara. ‘Can you arrange to meet both sides? Might be best to see the Free America group first.’
‘Free America?’
‘The name the uprising is using.’
‘Why them first?’ the ambassador asked.
‘Because if you do a deal with Slimbridge, America First might not recognise it and the uprising will continue,’ said Prime Minister Church. ‘Peter Stone is coordinating the media in the USA and he says that Free America is not intending to kill or maim, but it is in the early stages.’
‘I see,’ said the ambassador. ‘I’ll take your advice.’
‘So, where do we go from here?’ asked President Olov.
‘You get North Korea and Israel to accept the position. I, with Lara’s help, will visit both sides involved in the standoff in the USA. When you need us to take people to other worlds, Lara has a communication device.’
President Yang stood and walked to the window on the world. ‘Excuse me,’ he said. ‘If this meeting about to end, I want enjoy looking at world from space for while. Maybe see China.’
‘Oui, me too,’ said President Ramseur.
They all stood and went to take in the view.
‘Amazing,’ said Prime Minister Church.
’Truly,’ said President Olov.
‘If we can make this work,’ said the ambassador. ‘Our worlds are your worlds. I came across a strange saying in an Earth book. I can expand upon it. The universe is your oyster! What it has to do with shellfish defeats me, despite my origins.’
Paula Wilson, Lara Horvat and Maureen Church laughed then began explaining to the others.
‘Yol Terend,’ said the ambassador, ‘ensure they get home safely when they are finally sated by the panorama and esponged with Galactic Standard.’ He made a strange giggling sound and left the conference room with five mesmerised humans watching Africa passing by beneath.