06-17-2014, 04:35 AM
The Origins of QAI
Chapter One: Proteus
Chapter One: Proteus
Battleship James, Virginia System. 819 A.S.
Rear Admiral Matthews entered the meeting room. He hadn't been told much about this meeting. Something secret, likely LSF involvement. Probably had to do with the Rheinland conflicts. Maybe some new plan to get around the blockade, like New Hampshire was. He was surprised, however, to see Fleet Admiral Hale sitting on the other end of the table. Matthews expected others, maybe some Admirals, some middle command officers, but it appeared it would only be him and Hale.
"Have a seat, Admiral. I'd like to talk about some...options."
Matthews nodded, taking a seat opposite Hale.
"As you know, we've been suffering some losses of late, particularly in large-scale engagements with Rheinland capital vessels. You're the senior Capital Ship Warfare adviser, and thus I deem it necessary to confer with you to discuss a solution."
Hale shuffled some papers on his desk, before producing a dossier. The front of it was labeled with large amounts of Top Secret stamps, LSF and Navy warnings, and at the very bottom, a Navy R&D insignia. He handed the dossier to Matthews.
"You may have heard of the mysterious vessel we destroyed in Kansas. It was very maneuverable, rather large, but clearly designed to act as a scout or fighter. When it was brought into the labs, we discovered something very interesting."
Matthews thumbed through the papers and pictures within the dossier. His expression shifted from confusion to curiosity as Hale continued.
"The vessel was not Nomad in design, as we had first thought. In fact, it was seemingly piloted by some kind of sentient computer. The design was mostly silicon, although other components were present. That dossier right there details the full composition, as well as something else."
Matthews flipped to the final section of the dossier. As he read, a puzzled look formed on his face, before morphing into a smile. He looked up at the Fleet Admiral.
"You want to create one to fight the Rheinlanders."
"That's what we intend. Preliminary reports show that we should be able to create some kind of limiting device that restricts problems we've faced with earlier attempts at creating artificial intelligence, such as the machine becoming self-aware. But, moving off that, consider the possibilities: an artificial intelligence with the mental capability of a thousand men, and the knowledge of the Liberty National Library, actively working to discover every tactical and strategic weakness in the Rheinlanders' equipment and strategem, as well as every possible move and outcome that we could make at any point in time. It's too strong of an advantage to give up."
"I see. But why confer with me, sir? You're in command - it is your decision whether we pursue this or not."
"I've made my decision. That is not why I called you here. I called you here because I am informing you of your movement to the LNS San Antonio. It is a Dreadnought, and an experimental test bed for the Navy Research Division. You are to oversee the installation of the AI unit once it is completed, and then perform a six-month shakedown run on the front lines of the Rheinland conflict. Once the AI is installed, I expect bi-weekly reports on your ship and the AI's status."
Matthews' expression changed from happiness to surprise, and his face took on a serious tone. He nodded, and began to stand, saluting as he did so. The Fleet Admiral returned his salute, and as Matthews began to turn around and walk out, he gave one final message.
"Make me proud, Matthews. This thing might just win us the war."
"Yes, sir."
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