On a well-settled Mars, the five major city Council regimes
struggle to meld into a stable, working government. Embracing an official
Unified Faith In Humanity, the Councils are teetering on the verge of pogrom
directed against Christians, Molesters, Jews, Rapists, Buddhists, Murderers,
Muslims, Thieves, Hindu, Embezzlers and Artificial Humans – anyone who threatens
the official Faith and the consolidating power of the Councils. It makes good
sense, right – get rid of religion and Human divisiveness on a societal level
will disappear? An instrument of such a pogrom might just be a Roman
holiday...To see the rest of the chapters, go to SCIENCE FICTION: Martian Holiday on
the right and scroll to the bottom for the first story. If you’d like to read it
from beginning to end (100,000+ words as of now), drop me a line and I’ll send
you the unedited version.
“What’s
the fundamental difference between an Artificial Intelligence and an Artificial
Human?” said Paolo Marcillon. He watched the Martian
landscape drift past as the AI piloted them northwest to Bradbury, Capitol of
Mars.
“One is mobile, the other is…” replied the marsbug,
a balloon-tired, multipurpose vehicle that could be configured to carry
individuals or cargo, alone or in tandem with as many as a dozen others – some AI,
or all artificial tools.
Paolo said, “You’re mobile, are you not an
Artificial Human?”
“Of course not, it’s obvious.”
Paolo snorted. “You’re moving and you’re artificial.
Fundamentally, there is no difference between you and an Artificial Human.”
“Fundamentally?”
“Ignore the exterior – the ‘skin’, so to speak.”
“That is an unfair comparison.”
“How so?”
“Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Humans are
not different races.”
“How so?”
Instead of answering, the ‘bug said, “Your pursuers
are almost here.”
“Do they appear to be armed?”
“Not that I can see, but they are at the limit of this
vehicle’s magnification abilities.”
“You can’t use satellites?”
“Yes, I can.” The AI remained silent.
“Why wouldn’t you do it, then?”
“We have no idea of the capabilities of the vehicle
following us, nor of the occupants. If they are hostile, then they may be in
communication with either Burroughs or Bradbury’s authorities. Bradbury may
then send out forces to capture you.”
“Why would anyone want to capture me?”
“You said it yourself,” the ‘bug’s AI played his
own voice back, saying, ‘“I’ve made lots of enemies.’ I replied, ‘What did you
do to make all those enemies?’ You then told me that you ‘…had incorrect
beliefs and associate with others who have incorrect beliefs.’ I wanted to know
how that can make you unpopular.”
Paolo smiled, “I think I’ll keep you.”
The ‘bug said, “How is it that you seem unconcerned
with our pursuit?” It paused. “You must know the agents?”
“I don’t.”
“Then your concern is illogical.”
Paolo inclined his head. “I agree, I believe that the
people who cross my path will be the ones who he wants…”
“…whom He wants to cross your path.”
Paolo looked at the AI’s speak, startled. “That was
a remarkably sexist completion.”
“I merely complete the sentence with the pronoun
most likely to be acceptable to the Christians of your outlawed and absurd
belief system.”
They waited as the mars buggy came to a complete
halt not far from them. The four passengers got off and stood alongside the
vehicle while one walked toward them. It vanished from their view. There was a
knock at the airlock door. Paolo said, “You may let them in.”
“These individuals may be your enemies whose sole
purpose is to murder you.”
Paolo grinned, “Why MB, I didn’t know you cared!”
“MB is a diminutive of my official designation of
marsbug. I do not like it.” It paused, adding, “Nor do I care.”
Paolo shrugged, “Then I’ll call you Bradbury registry
Mars Surface Transportation Vehicle 1202195405111957.”
There was a longer pause, “You may call me
Fifty-seven. Shall I let the individual in?”
“Please activate the airlock.”
“You wish is my command.” Fifty-seven began the
airlock cycle.
No comments:
Post a Comment