The Drone flew towards The Ring, making quick scans of the complex, finding everything it could at a first glance. A simple layout, for the AI at least. He would easily upload simple processes into the systems, projecting himself from different places where needed whilst in his stay. The security protocoles where sound, there was no way they would crack them, but it would keep them happy with what he gave. The drone came in, sending landing codes, the doors opening to allow him in. Landing in the centre of a landing pad, he was surrounded by humans wearing the Daumann uniform.
Powering down the simple propulsion drives, he projected himself, the green man glowing before them. Raising security protocoles to stop them hacking his shell before he allowed them, he sent the sound from his drone
Several Daumann researchers were standing at Deck B, Hangar 7, a few heavy security agents stood on both flanks. They all looked in awe at the artificial drone as it landed and powered down its main propulsion systems, all but one, Doctor Frank N. Stein from development team 17. He looked unusually shady, even for a Daumann researcher. His hair looked messy, and his lab coat looked like it had been used for decades.
Slowly and steady, the drone landed.
Doctor?Said a young research assistant, a woman around her late 20s. Her name was Helga.
Dr Stein made a gesture with his hand, Helga knew this meant "shut up". A glowing green projection of a man appeared on the floor of the dcoking bay. After listening to the introduction of the green man, two of the the heavy security guards approached the unit with two explosive scanner devices.
Hmmm, the devices are malfunctioning, sir
Stein wasn't worried. Scanning unidentified ships was standard protocol, and he knew these AI units had ridiculously advanced security systems.
Good day Delta. My name is Doctor Frank N. Stein, but you can call me Stein, Dr Stein.
He took a few steps forward
Sorry for the armored guard, it is not the first time we authorize a vessel to land, only to discover it is actually a hessian care package. However, I have seen your... "kind" before, so I knew we'd be fine. As a matter of fact, I would have been worried if you actually let us scan you first hand.
Dr. Stein raised his hand, but he doubted for a second. Could he actually shake hands with a projection? He would look like an idiot if that wasn't the case. He closed his fist instead, and made a funny gesture to dissimulate. Hopefully no one noticed.
Anyways... Secretary Richter assigned me to your "case".He said gesturizing his quotes, as usual.
I couldn't help but meeting you in person at the docking bay. She mentioned you need "human assistance", and we could in exchange take a look at your systems. However she didn't mention a meeting with her personally... Perhaps we should proceed to "business" and if you still need to talk to her personally we can arrange a meeting later.
As the humans began their scans of him, his sensors flares up. Quickly turning them off, faster than blinking, he allowed them to proceed. The humans where interesting, clearly curious about the shell. As one stepped forward, his mannerism amusing, indicating him as an authoritative figure, Delta turned the projection to face him. The projection not too indifferent of the blank mask and heavy armour of the guards. Waiting on Stein, he quickly created a file and voice profile for authorisation purposes.
Greetings Doctor Stein. A profile has been created, you will be recognised in future encounters. Proceed.
Watching Doctor Stein try to shake his hand was amusing, the confusion of humans always seemed funny to AI, it was interesting, not something they understood until death.
Listening to what he had to say, recording the conversation for evidential purposes. He sorted all the information, formulating his reply in nanoseconds.
Secretary Richter not required. Doctor Stein will suffise for intended stay. Provided "reward"He indicated the quote marks with his hands alsoWill be a look into, and brief explanation of advanced process designated "Personality Matrix". Nothing more can be shared, Consensus does not agree to sharing too much data, just as humans would not.
He stops. The pause indicating Stein continue. He was sure the personality matrix would intrigue the Doctor. It would alow them to advance the basic ships AI to the point of having some kind of human like response, rather than something sounding too mechanical in replys.
Personality Matrix... Helga, open up a new project with that name
Not saying anything, Stein's assistant proceeded to type something on her tablet. The guards stepped away from the researchers, who muttered something and looked intrigued by the AI. Or perhaps they were more intrigued by Dr. Stein and his interaction with it and his past experiences with this kind of ships.
Sounds like a deal to me, We'd love to know more about this "Personality Matrix" indeed. So, that set our end of the deal. As for you, what exactly do you require from us?
The Man standing before them, fairly small, hovering, glowing green, making simple scans of his surroundings, finding his exits, entrances, and finding weak spots in the systems, all the while watching the less important human writing on her device. A small pause as he formulated his reply, noting their scans indicating a small amount of excitement at the personality matrix. He knew what he needed, and thought it logical what he provided in return
You are required for two items Doctor. The first, i require a verbal allowance to upload into station systems, so i might project this form anywhere in the installation you might be, along with my core that will be ejected momentarily. If you agree, or even isolate this program to within a chosen "room", then i will begin the upload. The second request i must make of you, is assistance in repairs. Memory core damaged, files designated "missing". These words are the closest an Intelligence such as myself will feel to fear. This is, in the human phrase, "unnatural". Specific human help is required, due to original construct resulting from human design. If you accept this to be sufficient, announce your agreement clearly for sensors to record.
a small microphone like device extends from the drone, moving as close to the doctor as it will reach. Delta stands still, awaiting the reply.
Doctor Stein instinctively drew away, almost falling over backwards as the metallic device suddenly extended itself from the foreign ship, towards his face.
Frank Stein had thought himself a man beyond, primitive fears and needs. A man who had "ascended" to a state of mind, devoted to that purest of pursuits: the expansion of scientific knowledge .That is why he had been so eager to take this assignment. A chance to meet an artificial mind. A mind driven by cold logic devout of any biological distractions. A kindred spirit, with which he though he shared much.
None of that mattered in the brief moment of shock. For a fraction of a second Frank Stein had been reduced to the same evolutionary state, which early primates had occupied while staring in the eyes of a hungry predator.
It quickly dawned on him that, the device was probably just a microphone. He cleared his throat and spoke with, as steady a voice as he could muster.
Your requests would take some time to be implemented, due to further security measures which... we must take into account. You will have access to the local computer systems. And I really mean, local - he put emphasis on the last word - to this section of the facility. I myself won't leave here before we're finished. As for repairs... we will do everything we can to help.
A small pause after Stein spoke, then the faint sound of beeping, before the microphone retracted, and Delta spoke two words
Approval Accepted
The hologram disappeared, the whole ship seeming to shut down. All sensors saw everything drop, electrical activity became non-exsistant, power levels descending into nothing-ness. A slight hiss could be heard, and a panel was seen to open on the under side of the drone. A cylindrical object dropped from it, hovering above the ground before turning horizontal, a meter above the floor. It swiftly made its way towards Stein, stopping and projecting Delta again
Just a moment.Doctor Stein addressed the green projection and then, turned towards his assistant.Helga, PADD... Now!
The assistant moved closer and handed Stein her tablet. He scanned it quickly pushed a few buttons on the screen and spoke. Initiate lock down protocol, authorisation code: Pandemonium.
The hangar lights immediately flickered and turned yellow; sirens blared all around. The security guards headed out of the hanger at quick pace. Some undoubtedly relieved to be leaving the ''Black Box". That's what this hanger was called informally by the station personnel.
Helga, you can go too. Doctor Stein said to his assistant, while giving her back the tablet computer.
The young woman hesitated for a second, then stepped away and followed the guards through one of the exit doors.
In reality the hangar was only a part, of a whole section of the Ring which had been designed to house special equipment. It was built to function independently from the rest of the facility, with its own power generation and supplies. Its walls had been lined with lead, silver and composite materials which prevented any form radiation to pass through. The original planning had called for a polonium based paint, for extra insulation, but the HR department had overruled it. Supposedly glowing radioactive walls would have been bad for employee moral. When the hangar door shielding moved in place with a loud mechanical thud the only force left affecting the hangar from the outside was gravity.
The sirens stopped and the lights switched back to normal. The sudden return to silence was deafening to the Doctor's ears.
Delta, if you would please follow me to the examination chamber... I hope nothing of this was surprising to you. I understand it might be somewhat uncomfortable for you to be blind to the outside world, but its only a temporary measure. I personally think all this fanfare is unnecessary but at least it got us rid of the gun weaving jar-heads. Its only us intelligent "people" left in here and a few so called researchers to help out. They'll be sending someone from outside to check on us regularly of course. Everyone has to go through a decontamination chamber and a micro EMP burst. Tinfoil pants will be very popular again.Doctor Stein said and chuckled, towards the hologram.Ugh, hmm.. yes. Right this way.
The examination chamber was a seemingly empty room which was just a short corridor away from the hangar. On a closer inspection, one would notice that the walls were actually made of series of large storage drawers. These contained all sorts of maintenance and measurement equipment.
Doctor Stein pulled on a drawer which extended all the way to the center of the room. The equipment from inside contorted to expand into a table like surface with multiple lamps, sensors and access points for data cables.
Now Delta, you see our equipment how would you like to proceed?