Vigilante (9 page)
Matt’s eyes widened. The Phaistos Protocols? These were supposedly the
rules of warfare developed under the supervision of the Minoans. He’d never read the Phaistos
Protocols himself, since they were long and full of legalese. He’d heard stories of lawyers
devoting entire careers to their study, and apparently he didn’t know their scope.
rules of warfare developed under the supervision of the Minoans. He’d never read the Phaistos
Protocols himself, since they were long and full of legalese. He’d heard stories of lawyers
devoting entire careers to their study, and apparently he didn’t know their scope.
“The Phaistos Protocols require that the release, delivery, and
execution of weapons of war be always under human decision and control. Even the use of
automated processes in target determination and acquisition have constraints—basically
speaking, the Minoans require a human at the trigger, and a human decision to fire.” David Ray
smiled wryly.
execution of weapons of war be always under human decision and control. Even the use of
automated processes in target determination and acquisition have constraints—basically
speaking, the Minoans require a human at the trigger, and a human decision to fire.” David Ray
smiled wryly.
“And what does that have to do with AI development?” Matt didn’t see the
connection.
connection.
“We must also ensure that AI never directs, or operates, our military
tactics and weapons. This extends to keeping them from running ships that the Minoans consider
weapon systems. Since one can always come up with a scenario where any small vehicle might
deliver a weapon, AI control of spacecraft is prohibited under both Consortium and Terran law.
We’re not talking about autopilot or auto-driver software; that’s different.”
tactics and weapons. This extends to keeping them from running ships that the Minoans consider
weapon systems. Since one can always come up with a scenario where any small vehicle might
deliver a weapon, AI control of spacecraft is prohibited under both Consortium and Terran law.
We’re not talking about autopilot or auto-driver software; that’s different.”
“Oh.” Muse 3 was looking like a bigger problem than Matt ever
imagined.
imagined.
“There’s still hope for your AI.” David Ray smiled. “If you can convince
me that your friend’s hobby didn’t have anything to do with his murder, or won’t be useful in
convicting his murderer.”
me that your friend’s hobby didn’t have anything to do with his murder, or won’t be useful in
convicting his murderer.”
That was easy, considering that the LEF had enough physical evidence to
prove Hektor murdered Nestor. Matt explained that they also had proof that Hektor, a customs
inspector, accepted bribes and finally, payment for murder. “But they can’t track down who paid
off the customs inspectors. The money traces back to an anonymous someone employed by Leukos
Industries.” Matt avoided any mention of Cipher, Ari’s old crewmate. There was also no need to
bring up his suspicion that the rich and reclusive Mr. Leukos might have been Ari’s comrade
during the war.
prove Hektor murdered Nestor. Matt explained that they also had proof that Hektor, a customs
inspector, accepted bribes and finally, payment for murder. “But they can’t track down who paid
off the customs inspectors. The money traces back to an anonymous someone employed by Leukos
Industries.” Matt avoided any mention of Cipher, Ari’s old crewmate. There was also no need to
bring up his suspicion that the rich and reclusive Mr. Leukos might have been Ari’s comrade
during the war.
“Ah. This explains the problems between Expedition ship line and Leukos
Industries.” David Ray lapsed into thought and Matt waited in silence.
Industries.” David Ray lapsed into thought and Matt waited in silence.
Eventually, David Ray presented his solution. “When you send your
statement for affidavit, you should also apply for AI development and test licenses, with our
help. If we submit those applications, then we can move to prevent release of your AI on the
grounds it’s intellectual property of Aether Exploration. We can make the case that Nestor was
protecting IP when he sent it to you.”
statement for affidavit, you should also apply for AI development and test licenses, with our
help. If we submit those applications, then we can move to prevent release of your AI on the
grounds it’s intellectual property of Aether Exploration. We can make the case that Nestor was
protecting IP when he sent it to you.”
“But there’s no way around licensing the AI?” Muse 3 would still be
examined, possibly dissected, but by different people, for different purposes. They would not
necessarily be interested in keeping the AI intact, either. Matt sighed. There seemed no other
legal option.
examined, possibly dissected, but by different people, for different purposes. They would not
necessarily be interested in keeping the AI intact, either. Matt sighed. There seemed no other
legal option.
“That’s my recommendation.” David Ray’s face was sober. “I think it’s
your best course, provided your AI hasn’t done anything illegal or dangerous. Does it have a
sense of self and proximity?”
your best course, provided your AI hasn’t done anything illegal or dangerous. Does it have a
sense of self and proximity?”
“It seems to.”
“You haven’t allowed it to control your ship, have you?”
“No. I don’t think my pilot would ever allow that.” Matt laughed.
“Has it initiated any autonomous actions without consulting you? Of any
kind? You need to be honest with me.”
kind? You need to be honest with me.”
That was more vague and Matt frowned as he searched his memory. “Well,
it did make its own decision to widen the parameters on a search I’d requested.”
it did make its own decision to widen the parameters on a search I’d requested.”
David Ray looked relieved. “That’s not a problem.”
A beep indicated that Matt’s session was over.
“I’ve got less than eight hours to answer that subpoena,” Matt
said.
said.
“Don’t worry. I’ll have my staff take your statement immediately, and I
can give you an hour at the end of shift.” David Ray tapped a few commands on his desktop. He
looked up and smiled. “We’ll also talk about our fees at that time.”
can give you an hour at the end of shift.” David Ray tapped a few commands on his desktop. He
looked up and smiled. “We’ll also talk about our fees at that time.”
Against the backdrop of the orange and yellow gas giant Laomedon,
Priamos gradually grew visible as they approached. It was slightly bigger than Hellas Daughter,
the moon with which Ariane and Joyce were most familiar. Beta Priamos Station initially looked
like a speck. When they came closer, it was obvious the small station would never compete in
size with Athens Point, or even Karthage Point. Currently, spidery girders and temporary
construction modules made up one quarter of its roughly cylindrical structure.
Priamos gradually grew visible as they approached. It was slightly bigger than Hellas Daughter,
the moon with which Ariane and Joyce were most familiar. Beta Priamos Station initially looked
like a speck. When they came closer, it was obvious the small station would never compete in
size with Athens Point, or even Karthage Point. Currently, spidery girders and temporary
construction modules made up one quarter of its roughly cylindrical structure.
“Doesn’t look very welcoming,” Joyce said.
“They’ve only got four class B and six class C docks working. Let’s see
who’s here.” She displayed the dock schedule and was proud that her voice and hands were
steady. Two freighters sat at class B docks and two smaller ships, one of which was Parmet’s
Candor Chasma
, used class C docks.
who’s here.” She displayed the dock schedule and was proud that her voice and hands were
steady. Two freighters sat at class B docks and two smaller ships, one of which was Parmet’s
Candor Chasma
, used class C docks.
“One of those freighters doesn’t even have a referential engine.” Joyce
peered closely at the display, so Ariane zoomed in on the occupied class B docks.
peered closely at the display, so Ariane zoomed in on the occupied class B docks.
“That’s the freighter designated as emergency evacuation for the
station,” Ariane said.
station,” Ariane said.
“What’s wrong with using evacuation modules?”
“They’re not operational yet.” Ariane smiled. “Welcome to the frontier,
Joyce.”
Joyce.”
Joyce snorted. “Never heard it called
that
,
but I suppose the word fits.”
that
,
but I suppose the word fits.”
Ariane concentrated on dock approach as Major Tafani’s words echoed in
her mind:
I hear there’s a cavalier, frontierlike attitude toward drinking
and drugging
. When it came time to face Parmet or Maria, she’d love some liquid courage,
but she had to remember the Terran companies had a foothold here because of the leases that
she’d
signed. She could always protest that she’d signed under
duress, which would stop all Terran research in its tracks. It wasn’t likely that Parmet wanted
to see her again either, since they were both locked into this double-blackmail scheme.
her mind:
I hear there’s a cavalier, frontierlike attitude toward drinking
and drugging
. When it came time to face Parmet or Maria, she’d love some liquid courage,
but she had to remember the Terran companies had a foothold here because of the leases that
she’d
signed. She could always protest that she’d signed under
duress, which would stop all Terran research in its tracks. It wasn’t likely that Parmet wanted
to see her again either, since they were both locked into this double-blackmail scheme.
“You’re going to dock
manually
?” Joyce’s
voice broke her concentration. She looked around and saw his strained expression.
manually
?” Joyce’s
voice broke her concentration. She looked around and saw his strained expression.
“Why do you think I have to have manual ratings?” She quickly looked at
the display of a red crosshair on top of blinking green lights. For Joyce’s benefit, she added,
“They haven’t certified our version of autopilot to work with their dock system, so I have to
dock manually.”
the display of a red crosshair on top of blinking green lights. For Joyce’s benefit, she added,
“They haven’t certified our version of autopilot to work with their dock system, so I have to
dock manually.”
“How do you know their docking system is, whatever,
incompatible?”
incompatible?”
Pointing at the small view port titled “Space Docking Automated
Transmission System,” she said, “S-DATS is for more than setting comm channels, you
know.”
Transmission System,” she said, “S-DATS is for more than setting comm channels, you
know.”
“I didn’t think anybody docked manually anymore. You didn’t do that at
the
Pilgrimage
.”
the
Pilgrimage
.”
“You’ve got to be prepared, Joyce. Particularly here.” She grinned,
enjoying the sight of the brawny master sergeant gripping the arms of his chair. Then she
turned back to the rapidly approaching dock and its blinking lights, covered with her red
crosshair.
enjoying the sight of the brawny master sergeant gripping the arms of his chair. Then she
turned back to the rapidly approaching dock and its blinking lights, covered with her red
crosshair.
After he heard the docking clamps clunk, Joyce let out a little sigh.
There weren’t any customs inspections to go through, just an acknowledgment from Command Post.
She put the ship systems into password-protected standby and ushered Joyce out of the airlock.
He looked around the corridor.
There weren’t any customs inspections to go through, just an acknowledgment from Command Post.
She put the ship systems into password-protected standby and ushered Joyce out of the airlock.
He looked around the corridor.
“It feels spooky. Too empty and quiet,” he said.
“Yeah, there’s usually ComNet nodes, even in the seedi est ports.” She
didn’t have to mention names.
didn’t have to mention names.
Joyce immediately caught her reference to one of their previous missions
and nodded. “How do I get down to Priamos?”
and nodded. “How do I get down to Priamos?”
“The handy dandy space elevator is on ring five, where you’ll also find
comm to the surface. You need CP authorization to take it down. Good luck, Joyce.”
comm to the surface. You need CP authorization to take it down. Good luck, Joyce.”
After he left, she looked about apprehensively. The station was a bit
unsettling. Her implanted ear bug was quiet and she realized she’d gotten used to having her
music library or selected feeds blabbering to her when she walked around habitats. Instead, she
heard sounds of creaking as materials expanded and stretched, trying to keep out the deep
silence of space. Perhaps this was why Autonomist habitats were covered with ubiquitous ComNet
nodes and all flat surfaces were displays—except the floor, which had to be kept clear for
emergency use. Under normal circumstances, personally targeted advertisements and entertainment
chased her, drowning out the sounds of deathly cold vacuum.
unsettling. Her implanted ear bug was quiet and she realized she’d gotten used to having her
music library or selected feeds blabbering to her when she walked around habitats. Instead, she
heard sounds of creaking as materials expanded and stretched, trying to keep out the deep
silence of space. Perhaps this was why Autonomist habitats were covered with ubiquitous ComNet
nodes and all flat surfaces were displays—except the floor, which had to be kept clear for
emergency use. Under normal circumstances, personally targeted advertisements and entertainment
chased her, drowning out the sounds of deathly cold vacuum.
She realized what else was missing: those pesky remotes that people
operated to collect information or perform tasks. No active nodes meant no ComNet, and no
ComNet meant no remotes floating about.
operated to collect information or perform tasks. No active nodes meant no ComNet, and no
ComNet meant no remotes floating about.
Suddenly, she heard the sound of habitation: metal scraping on metal, a
tapping sound, and a muttered curse. Following the curved hallway to the next airlock, she
found the source.
tapping sound, and a muttered curse. Following the curved hallway to the next airlock, she
found the source.
“Frank!” she exclaimed with relief. She’d first met Frank Maestrale in
J-132, then again in G-145 on the first prospecting mission. He worked for ComNet Installation
Services, which was heavily funded by Consortium taxes.
J-132, then again in G-145 on the first prospecting mission. He worked for ComNet Installation
Services, which was heavily funded by Consortium taxes.
“Figured I’d see you again, Ms. Kedros.” The thin man in baggy crew
overalls turned away from the wall where he’d been working. Behind him trailed an automated
cart full of little round things that waved wire feelers, making them look like multilegged
insects.
overalls turned away from the wall where he’d been working. Behind him trailed an automated
cart full of little round things that waved wire feelers, making them look like multilegged
insects.
“Believe it or not, as the Priamos prime lease controller, my boss is
thinking of setting up an office here. When will we be getting ComNet support?”
thinking of setting up an office here. When will we be getting ComNet support?”
Frank rubbed his whiskers while he frowned. He always looked ten hours
away from his last shave.
away from his last shave.
“If this place hadn’t been built by the lowest bidder, I’d be on
schedule.” He gestured to the wall where a cockeyed node wiggled in a hole that was obviously a
bad fit. With disgust, he pulled the node free and dropped it back into the cart. “The
contractor didn’t use the right templates or they had blind quality control inspectors. I’ll
have to custom-fit this node, like over half of the others. A perfect example of your tax
drachmas at work.”
schedule.” He gestured to the wall where a cockeyed node wiggled in a hole that was obviously a
bad fit. With disgust, he pulled the node free and dropped it back into the cart. “The
contractor didn’t use the right templates or they had blind quality control inspectors. I’ll
have to custom-fit this node, like over half of the others. A perfect example of your tax
drachmas at work.”
“No wonder you look ready for a drink. I’ll buy.” Ariane ignored the
image of Tafani’s disapproving face hovering in her brain. “Is the Stellar Shield still
operating, or have they built something with a little more class?”
image of Tafani’s disapproving face hovering in her brain. “Is the Stellar Shield still
operating, or have they built something with a little more class?”
“Oh, it’s still here.” Frank looked at her somberly, his dark eyes more
serious than she remembered. “I’m ready to finish up, so I’ll take you up on refreshment—except
I don’t drink anymore.”
serious than she remembered. “I’m ready to finish up, so I’ll take you up on refreshment—except
I don’t drink anymore.”
“Liquids in general, or just alcohol?” She laughed, although it sounded
forced. She knew what he meant. She was surprised at the disappointment she felt, almost as if
he’d betrayed her. “Any particular reason?”
forced. She knew what he meant. She was surprised at the disappointment she felt, almost as if
he’d betrayed her. “Any particular reason?”
Frank shrugged and smiled.
“Good thing I’m buying, then.” For some reason, she impulsively added,
“I’m cutting back on my drinking also.”
“I’m cutting back on my drinking also.”
The words didn’t sound right. Her session with Major Tafani suddenly
replayed through her mind.
Since you continue to drink, how will you
control yourself?
The same way she always had in the past: through sheer strength of
will.
Get out of my head, Tafani
.
replayed through her mind.
Since you continue to drink, how will you
control yourself?
The same way she always had in the past: through sheer strength of
will.
Get out of my head, Tafani
.
Tahir listened tensely as the
Father’s Wrath
made contact with the
Pilgrimage III
, after dropping back into
real-space. There was confusion about the change of name, of course.
Father’s Wrath
made contact with the
Pilgrimage III
, after dropping back into
real-space. There was confusion about the change of name, of course.
“We can change the lists, if that’s necessary. Was the registry changed
also? Over.” The voice sounded puzzled.
also? Over.” The voice sounded puzzled.
Tahir saw Abram muttering in Captain Zabat’s ear. So far, the captain
had been frightened enough to cooperate.
had been frightened enough to cooperate.
“
Pilgrimage
, the lists and announcements
must use the new name. Registry is still Hellas system and all stats on number of crew and
passengers stay the same.
Father’s Wrath
out,” Zabat said.
Pilgrimage
, the lists and announcements
must use the new name. Registry is still Hellas system and all stats on number of crew and
passengers stay the same.
Father’s Wrath
out,” Zabat said.
“Certainly. Welcome back to Gamma-145 and we’re looking forward to
meeting everybody.
Pilgrimage Three
out.”
meeting everybody.
Pilgrimage Three
out.”
If the
Pilgrimage
crew understood the
significance of the ship’s new name, they wouldn’t have agreed so cheerily. Even Zabat had no
idea the name
Father’s Wrath
was a signal, notifying all supporters
within the solar system that Abram’s plan was in motion. This was not a dry run.
Pilgrimage
crew understood the
significance of the ship’s new name, they wouldn’t have agreed so cheerily. Even Zabat had no
idea the name
Father’s Wrath
was a signal, notifying all supporters
within the solar system that Abram’s plan was in motion. This was not a dry run.
“Rand, take over real-space piloting and connection,” Abram said.
Tahir turned around from the sensor console to look at the crowded
control deck. This deck was designed to hold a crew of four, although only two of its regular
crew members were present: Zabat, the captain, and Danielle, the N-space pilot. Also on deck
were Abram, Emery, Rand, Tahir, and one of Zabat’s engineers, a hidden Abram supporter.
control deck. This deck was designed to hold a crew of four, although only two of its regular
crew members were present: Zabat, the captain, and Danielle, the N-space pilot. Also on deck
were Abram, Emery, Rand, Tahir, and one of Zabat’s engineers, a hidden Abram supporter.
Danielle quickly got out of her seat and went to Zabat’s side. Zabat
also stood, perhaps with the hope they’d be dismissed. He was a bulky man and only a little
taller than the lanky Danielle, whose face looked even bonier after her N-space weight
loss.
also stood, perhaps with the hope they’d be dismissed. He was a bulky man and only a little
taller than the lanky Danielle, whose face looked even bonier after her N-space weight
loss.
“Not so fast, Captain.” Abram’s gaze went around the deck. “Tahir and
Emery, escort this pilot to her quarters.”
Emery, escort this pilot to her quarters.”
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