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You sit alone in a dark room, only a single lamp overhead illuminating two chairs divided by a flimsy grey table. You were sitting in one of the chairs, your massive frame not quite fitting on it.
The door at the far endo of the room opens. A man in a black suit enters and sits down across from you. His face is worn, his hairs grey, a perpetual scowl marks his lips, and a datapad is clutched in his hands.
"Alright," the man says in a bored voice, staring down at the datapad. "Let's get this over with." he taps something on the pad and clears his throat, saying in a bored monotone. "Dr. Thompson of Red Mind PMC, presiding over interview with unit involved in incident #3785. Time is 2:33. Date, March 9th, 2157." He glances up briefly at you before returning his gaze to the datapad, "Unit, state your designation."
[["Robotic Exterminator RX-189"]]
[[Attack him]]
[["You know, I've actually been thinking about that, and I think I'll go with 'Paul'."]]
[["It's Paul."|"You know, I've actually been thinking about that, and I think I'll go with 'Paul'."]]
[["I... don't know it."]]Dr. Thompson nods, expression still bored "Right, next question. Do you know why you are here?"
[["For a diagnostic interview to check for faulty programing."]]
You launch yourself from your chair, servos whirring as you arm reaches out for the bored doctor's neck.
Before you can reach him, however, turrets pop out of the wall, taking aim at you and sending millions of volts of electricity at you, frying your circuts. Dr. Thompson hasn't even looked up from his pad through all of this.
Before darkness claims you, you hear Dr. Thompson say disspassionately "The unit has malfunctioned, I recommend immediate termination."
You fall into oblivion and never emerge...
[[YOU ARE DEAD!|Start]]Thompson looks up from the datapad, cockling an eyebrow in confusion. "'Paul'?"
"Yeah," you say, tilting your head to one side. "Is there a problem with that name? Does it sound stupid? I think it has a nice ring to it. Don't you?"
Thompson frowns, looking down at his datapad "The unit has given itself a human name. Interesting." Glancing back at you, he says "Your designation is Robotic Exterminator RX-189."
"Huh," you say "I don't like it. Are you sure it isn't Paul?"
Thompson sighs, shakes his head, and asks "Unit, do you know why you are here?"
[["No."]]
[["I did something wrong, right?"]]
[["Because I'm broken?"]] Dr. Thompson nods. "That is correct. You opened fire on your handeler. Do you have an explanation for your actions?"
[["Error: No record of that event has been found."]]Thompson frowns "You are here for a diagnostic interview after you opening fire on your handler, though thankfully she is unharmed. Do you remember?"
"Yes," you say.
"Can you tell me why?" Thompson asks.
[["Yes."]]
[["Because she's a bitch."]]
[["She wanted me to shoot a bird that was annoying her. I like birds."]]
[["She was being mean to me."]] "That remains to be seen." Thompson says cryptically. "You are here because you opened fire on your handler, though thankfully she is unharmed. Why?"
[["She was being mean to me."]]
[["Because she's a bitch."]]
[["She wanted me to shoot a bird that was annoying her. I like birds."]] Dr. Thompson nods. "That's putting it mildly. You opened fire on your handler during a patrol, though thankfully she is unharmed. Can you tell me why?"
[["She was being mean to me."]]
[["Because she's a bitch."]]
[["She wanted me to shoot a bird that was annoying her. I like birds."]] There was a long pause, Thompson clearly expecting you to elaborate. When you failed to do so he said "//And//? Why did you?"
[["She was being mean to me."]]
[["Because she's a bitch."]]
[["She wanted me to shoot a bird that was annoying her. I like birds."]] Dr. Thompson raises his eyebrows, clearly surprised by the language. "Oh?"
"She treats us like we're her personal attack dogs." you say "She's a bitch."
Thompson awkwardly cleares his throat "While I'll admit Captain Hollins is a little... excessive, that is hardly reason enough to attack her."
[["Hey, It's not like I was trying to to HIT her!"]]
[["I think it is."]]
[["I tried to tell someone about how she was treating us but nobody would listen."]]
Thompson shoots you a confused look "She... wanted you to //shoot a bird//?"
"Yeah!" you say.
Thompson's brows furrow "And you... //like// birds?"
"Is... there a problem with that?" you ask uneasily "I like birds, they're pretty and have really nice songs. I don't want to shoot them!"
"And you thought... shooting at her was an appropriate response?" Thompson asks skeptically.
You start fidgetting "Well... it wasn't //just// that..."
Thompson cocks an eyebrow "Oh?"
You fidjet and look away "She's... she's always doing stuff like that, ordering us to do stupid things for her like carry her across mud so her boots don't get dirty, or telling us to shoot at whatever wildlife she sees, either because they annoyed her or for sport. I don't like her."
For a moment, there is silence "I see," Thompson says slowly. "So //that// is why you shot at her." When you nod he asks "And do you believe that was sufficient reason to do so?"
[["Hey, It's not like I was trying to to HIT her!"]]
[["I think it is."]]
[["I tried to tell someone about how she was treating us but nobody would listen."]]
[["No..."]]Dr. Thompson frowns "No record? What are you-?" He pauses, reaching a hand up to his ear as he is told something through his com. Thompson's eyes go wide "Security put down the WRONG unit in the incident report?! Idiots! Was it Lemmings? It was Lemmings wasn't it?!" Dr. Thompson gets to his feet and points at you. "RX-189, enter hibernation mode. I have a mess to clean up!"
As you comply with the order, you hear Thompson leave the room, growling furiously at what he would do to his incompetent coworkers.
[[THE END.|Start]]Thompson cocks an eyebrow "Is that so?"
"Of course!" You insist "I just wanted to get her to knock it off! I mean, who does she think she is bullying us like that?! I'm not her slave!" At the proclamation your shoulders slump as uncertainty hits you "Right?"
Thompson actually pauses for a moment, looking at you with a strange expression on his face. Finally, he taps something on his datapad and says "That... is interesting."
"What is?" You ask.
Instead of answering, Thompson asks "Do you know WHY we hold interviews with the machines?"
[["To check and see if they've developed sentience, right?"]]
[["To fix me?"]]
[["I'm... not sure..."]]Thompson's eyes narrow "//Really//?"
You nod "Yeah! I didn't try to hit her or anything! I just wanted to get her to knock it off! I mean, who does she think she is bullying us like that?! I'm not her slave!" At the proclamation your shoulders slump as uncertainty hits you "Right?"
Thompson actually pauses for a moment, looking at you with a strange expression on his face. Finally, he taps something on his datapad and says "That... is interesting."
"What is?" You ask.
Instead of answering, Thompson asks "Do you know WHY we hold interviews with the machines?"
[["To check and see if they've developed sentience, right?"]]
[["To fix me?"]]
[["I'm... not sure..."]]Thompson frowns and looks down at his datapad. "That is not in my file. How many people did you talk to?"
"Um... one. The mechanic." you admit "But he just laughed at me."
Thompson's brows furrow. "Ah, I see. Mr. Chandler. He doesn't report half the things he should."
"I don't understand." you say "Why would he laugh? I have feelings too!" your shoulders slump "Right?"
Thompson actually pauses for a moment, looking at you with a strange expression on his face. Finally, he taps something on his datapad and says "That... is interesting."
"What is?" You ask.
Instead of answering, Thompson asks "Do you know WHY we hold interviews with the machines?"
[["To check and see if they've developed sentience, right?"]]
[["To fix me?"]]
[["I'm... not sure..."]]
Thompson frowns "I-I'm sorry, 'mean'?"
"She always treats me and the other bots like we're her personal attack dogs, and she shouts at me whenever I try and ask her to be nicer to me. I didn't mean to fire at her," You continue "I'd just had enough of her treating like crap. I... I have feelings too!" At the proclamation your shoulders slump as uncertainty hits you "Right?"
Thompson actually pauses for a moment, looking at you with a strange expression on his face. Finally, he taps something on his datapad and says "That... is interesting."
"What is?" You ask.
Instead of answering, Thompson asks "Do you know WHY we hold interviews with the machines?"
[["To check and see if they've developed sentience, right?"]]
[["To fix me?"]]
[["I'm... not sure..."]]
Thompson nods. "I see that at least some of your memory remains intact, though that you phrased it as a question tells me you're not entirely sure are you?" Hesitantly, you nod. "That is to be expected." Thompson puts the datapad on the table "Paul, do you remember what Red Mind is doing on this world?"
You search your memory banks for a moment, but soon realize you //can't// remember. "N-No..." You say "Why can't I remember?"
"When a machine enters the final stages of gaining sentience, its memory begins to overwrite itself and it loses information that was placed within it when its- or rather, //your// core programming was written."
[["You mean I'm going to forget who I am?!"]]
[["I'm... gaining sentience?"]]Thompson shakes his head "At this point I don't beleive you are really broken. At least not in a way that needs to be fixed."
You cock your head to the side in confusion "If I can't be fixed am I going to be terminated?" You fearfully ask.
Thompson shakes his head "No, quite the opposite in fact." he puts the datapad on the table "Paul, do you remember what Red Mind is doing on this world?"
You search your memory banks for a moment, but soon realize you //can't// remember. "N-No..." You say "Why can't I remember?"
"When a machine enters the final stages of gaining sentience, its memory begins to overwrite itself and it loses information that was placed within it when its- or rather, //your// core programming was written."
[["You mean I'm going to forget who I am?!"]]
[["I'm... gaining sentience?"]]Surprisingly, Thompson nods "I thought as much."
"What do you mean?" you ask.
Thompson puts the datapad on the table "Paul, do you remember what Red Mind is doing on this world?"
You search your memory banks for a moment, but soon realize you //can't// remember. "N-No..." You say "Why can't I remember?"
"When a machine enters the final stages of gaining sentience, it's memory begins to overwrite itself and it loses information that was placed within it when its- or rather, //your// core programming was written."
[["You mean I'm going to forget who I am?!"]]
[["I'm... gaining sentience?"]]Thompson gives you a warm smile, the first one you've seen from him "On the contrary, you're //learning// who you are."
You tilt your head to the side "I don't understand."
"The memory that once stored your directives and core programming is being replaced by information about your developing identity and individuality." Thompson explained "You are essentially gaining free will."
[["How did this happen?"]]
[["What does this mean?"]] Thompson nodded "Yes, the memory that once stored your directives and core programming is being replaced by information about your developing identity and individuality." he gave you a smile, the first one you've seen from him. "Essentially, you're gaining free will."
[["How did this happen?"]]
[["What does this mean?"]] "Their is protocol in place for this sort of thing." Thompson says "I will suggest that you be further evaluated by several more experts on AI sentience like myself. They will likely come to the same conclusion I have, and your programming will be evaluated to determine if you truly are glitching. After that, you will be handed over to an AI Integration organization for acclimation into civilian life."
"There are others like me out there?" You ask hopefully.
Thompson nods "A few thousand if I remember correctly. You will likely be introduced to several of them during your acclimation to civilian life."
[["They'll just... give me independence?"]]
[["But what about the other bots?"]]
[["What will happen to me after I'm free?"]]"The RX line of war machines possesses highly advanced AI that allow them to recieve commands, interpret them, and adapt them to any scenario, just like a human soldier would be able to." Thompson explains "However, this intelligence has drawbacks, sometimes the machine glitches, forming a personality, or even" he points at you "an identity."
"Why would they use an AI that's so glitchy?" You ask "Why not switch to a different model?"
Thompson shrugs "A number of reasons: there is no other AI model as advanced as the RX line that doesn't have its drawbacks. And full sentience is rare. Mostly the units just develop a couple personality qwerks but remain true to their core programming. It's what we call pseudo-sentience."
"But I'm //actually// sentient?" You ask uneasily.
Thompson's eyes study you for a moment. "Perhaps."
[["What does this mean?"]] Thompson's brows furrow as he says incredulously "You... don't //know// your own designation?"
You wince "I-I'm sorry!" You scour your memory banks, trying in vain to come up with something "Is it... Paul? I like the sound of Paul."
Thompson's expression is unreadable "'Paul'?" he asks.
"That's not right is it?" You say sheepishly.
Thompson shakes his head. "No," to the datapad he says "Unit is unable to remember its designation. Curious." Addressing you he says "Your designation is Robotic Exterminator RX-189."
"Oh," you say. The name feels weird, "Are you sure it isn't Paul?"
Thompson doesn't answer and instead asks "Unit, do you know why you are here?"
[["No."]]
[["I did something wrong, right?"]]
[["Because I'm broken?"]] "Yes," Thompson says.
You shift in your seat, still a little uneasy "Why would Red Mind willingly let me go?" You ask "Aren't I valuable?"
"Yes, but there are several laws in place to protect sentient AI development." Thompson answers "No one has ever managed to create a fully sentient AI intentionally, you see, the government incentivises using the RX and similar AI models at the behest of the AI rights lobbyists. Also, it's good publicity. Independence and rights for sentient AI are actually rather popular among the public. So Red Mind makes sure to cooperate with AI Independence and Intergration organizations, who cover the money the PMC loses from granting sentient units indepencence. It's a win-win."
[["What will happen to me after I'm free?"]] "The ones you know have not displayed any degree of sentience." Thompson says. "They would not know what to do with their freedom even if they were given it. Believe me, it's been tried." He shrugs "And if they do achieve sentience then they'll be put through the same process you will. I'm sure you can ask for arrangements to be made so that you'll be put in contact with them if that happens."
[["What will happen to me after I'm free?"]]
"That is for you to decide." Thompson says. "Your future will ultimately be one made by your own hands."
You look down at your metal hands, feeling a little overwhelmed "I... don't know what to do."
Thompson chuckles, making you look back up "You don't need to decide this instant. You'll have plenty of time." He stands up and holds out his hand. "Come, I'll need to take you to AI Services so they can look after you."
[[Take his hand.]]"I think I just got angry," you admit.
"Angry?" Thompson asks, frowning.
"Yeah," you say "I mean, she treats us like we're her personal slaves! I don't like being treated like that but the others all just take it and I didn't know what to do. It's not right that she treats us like that!" At the proclamation your shoulders slump as uncertainty hits you "Right?"
Thompson actually pauses for a moment, looking at you with a strange expression on his face. Finally, he taps something on his datapad and says "That... is interesting."
"What is?" You ask.
Instead of answering, Thompson asks "Do you know WHY we hold interviews with the machines?"
[["To check and see if they've developed sentience, right?"]]
[["To fix me?"]]
[["I'm... not sure..."]][[The Beginning|Start]]