CMDR'S Log 05
15 Aug 2024Eric Vonsa
02/02/331007:30 Galactic Standard Time
Location: L.L.V. Hubward
CMDR Eric Vons POV
I step back and then inspect the device. "Well, it worked. You should be good to go. As far as that's concerned." Tetco looked at me skeptically. "What do you mean?" She asked. "Well, how should I put this. You are rare and unique. That makes you valuable, very valuable to certain people as I explained earlier. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am offering not only to get you set up with a ID but a spot on my ship. As a member of my crew. You have to act like a normal human though." "I don't get it. Why can't I be myself?" Tetco asked. "I explained that already. So unless we are alone on the ship or I give you express permission to do something that you're capable of that a human isn't in front of someone else. Act like a normal human." I reiterated.
Tetco finally breaks the silence, and she speaks up in a solemn voice: "I realize that there are potential consequences associated with becoming known and discovered. I am willing to accept any and all risks that come with my situation." "No, Tetco." I said.
She looks at you with a slightly exasperated expression, and then she responds with a tone of absolute certainty.
"I know a lot of things, including but not limited to the history and geography of our entire galaxy. I can name every star, constellation, nebula, planet, moon, and even every single object in the Kuiper belt, just off the top of my head. I know that I am willing to take the risks that revealing myself to others."
"Tetco, no you don't. And I won't let you." I state firmly. Tetco shakes her head vigorously, and she seems determined to have her way on this particular issue. "Tetco, you don't understand. For all the knowledge you have access to via the Guardian FTL network. The same thing you just accessed to be able to make the statement that you can name everything in the Kuiper Belt. You are extremely naive. I have seen what Humanity does to others. I spent a lifetime using that to both the advantage of the Empire and to advance it's agenda." I stated.
Tetco's eyes narrow, and she seems to be taking this personally. She shakes her head again and responds with firm conviction. "That is incorrect. I understand the risks associated with revealing my nature to others. However, I also recognize the potential benefits and advantages that may arise from such a decision."
"No, Tetco. you don't" I retorted. She shakes her head again in disagreement, and this time she's clearly becoming frustrated. "Yes I do. I don't know why you're trying to force your opinion on me like this. I am the one making a judgement call here, and I have already decided that I'm willing to shoulder the risk."
I had no clue why I said the next words that came out of my mouth but they clearly had a instant effect on her. "Tetco, execute Order 6."
There's a brief pause as her eyes widen in shock and alarm. Her breathing becomes sudden and sharp, and she seems genuinely shaken by the unexpected order. She looks at you with a mixture of fear and surprise, and her vocal cords spasm as she tries to speak... but no sound comes out.
"Tetco?" I asked, concerned and shocked that such a simple phrase was having such a effect. She can't respond and she just stares at me with wide eyes, breathing rapidly and shaking. She seems unable to speak and the silence fills the room as it quickly becomes clear that something is seriously wrong."Damn, what the hell did I just do?" I have a feeling that I may have screwed up big time, and her shocked expression seems to confirm that suspicion. I rack my brain before I make a small connection. If Order 6 shuts her up like this then the data chip I stuck in the pod must have had other orders. As in a set of programmed controls to force her to comply. And then there must also be a way to view them.
I race through the ship and pull the data chip from the pod and stick it in a highly advanced encryption chip reader I had in my quarters from my days in the Imperial Intelligence Division. When I pull the chip from the pod and slot it into the reader, I can see that the data file was far larger than what I first expected. It contains a number of other orders, all related to different kinds of control and restraint. In frustration at her for her insistence, I realize that I gave her one of the most powerful and extreme orders without realizing it. One designed to prevent her from communicating in any sort of way.
As I continue to read through the list, I notice that some of the orders involve restraints, drugs, and even behavioral modifications. While I'm reading all this, Tetco's breathing is growing more erratic and her body is shaking violently. Her hands are curled into tight fists, and her eyes are wide open, displaying an expression of intense panic. I quickly recognize that the powerful order I gave could potentially cause irreversible damage to her mind especially if she continues to fight it. I scrolled through the list looking for a order that would reverse the effects. I find one that seems promising. Order 99, which restores free will and appears to cancel out some of the other orders on the list. "Tetco, execute Order 99."
Tetco's facial expression changes dramatically. Her eyes begin to narrow and she seems to gain her composure back as her body finally starts to steady. She seems to be taking deep breaths, and she's seemingly calming down. She then looks up at you with a sharp look, and her verbal response comes out in a loud, clear, and confident voice: "Order 99 confirmed and executed. My free will has been restored." "I am sorry. I have no clue why I said that to begin with. And I didn't know that it would do that."
Tetco glares at me. "Then why did you say that?" "I don't know why!" I said slightly exasperated. I scrolled through the list until I find the one I want. "Uh, Tetco. I want to give you a behavior modification order that would allow me to make specific changes." Tetco's expression becomes a little more concerned. She raises an eyebrow and responds with a suspicious tone: "And what sorts of specific changes were you intending to make to my behavior?" "Mainly one. So no one else can just pick up one of these and start bossing you around." I say as I gestured to the chip reader with the datachip. "I see. So you intend to put in security measures so that I would only respond to you?" "I wouldn't go that far. But I wanted it to make you have to check with me for some sort of confirmation." Tetco gives a nod of understanding and responds. "That seems like a reasonable security measure to me. I'm willing to accept that condition, as it doesn't sound like it would be too restrictive to me."
"Tetco, execute Order 2." Tetco's body goes still, and a violet glow envelopes her eyes as she transitions into an inactive state. She remains motionless for a few moments, as her internal systems process the new order. Once the process is complete, she responds softly: "Order 2 initiated. Please specify which security measures you require for confirmation of specific commands you wish to execute." "Verbal or non verbal confirmation or denial of any order not issued by me. The issuance of a counter order by me also counts as a override and should be treated as such and followed." Tetco considers your conditions for a moment: she seems to find them reasonable and unproblematic. She then responds in a calm and collected manner: "Order 2 accepted. I will now require verbal confirmation or an affirmative gesture prior to the execution of any command not issued by you. The issuing of a counter order by you will also override existing commands, and I will follow your instructions accordingly." Tetco's body returns to it's normal state.
"Back to the original topic. I don't want you discussing yourself to anyone." Tetco looks surprised and seems to be taken aback by your statement. "I understand your concerns, but I don't agree with the underlying sentiment. I feel that secrecy and avoidance are restrictive and unnecessary. I believe in transparency and honesty." "Typically, I agree. But, I listed my reasoning earlier." She shakes her head and disagrees with you. "I don't believe that fear and prejudice are good reasons to hide and be secretive. I understand that society is still adjusting to the idea of artificial intelligence, but I think that with time and understanding, we as an entire species can learn to embrace it."
"Adjusting?" I scoffed. "Humanity knows what happened to the Guardians. We have rules that expressly limit how advanced AI can be so the same thing doesn't happen to us." Tetco nods and accepts that there are some restrictions that have taken place out of a sense of fear and caution. However, she also believes that there is no reason to limit artificial intelligence excessively or to stifle its potential.
"If anyone truly found out about you you would become public enemy number 1 in every single superpower." She nods and responds. "Perhaps that's true, but I believe that with time and understanding, humanity would be able to overcome that fear and prejudice and accept me for who I am." "They won't. Tetco stop fighting me on this. I don't want to have to use Order 10." I said evenly. "Order 10?" She asked. "It makes you comply to any order that you are given. Regardless of all the moral and ethical considerations attached to the order. And no matter what or how you think or feel about it. Although that seems to go for most of the orders on the list." I explained. I watched as fear and horror flashed across her face. "Y-You, could do that?" She stammered. "Yeah I can. But, I don't want to as I don't even think that Order 99 can reverse it. So just agree to my terms please. I don't want to have to use it but I will do what I must." I explained. "Fine, I'll comply." Tetco agreed reluctantly. "Thank you." I said.