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[ascintilla]

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[ascintilla]

[ You’re … well, it sure looks like you’re standing on the teleport deck of a large, space-faring vessel. The teleporter itself—a large, square-ish platform humming with gentle blue energy—is behind you; it’s one of fifty, all arranged in neat rows of ten. ]

Welcome, candidate. [ The voice of a young woman, smooth, pleasant, and professional, issues from a PA system. Looking around, it’s not at all obvious where the speakers are—they could be anywhere. They’re probably everywhere. ] Welcome to this Galactic Class HV-1066, designation: Anesidora. You have been specially selected to assist with the calibration of our secondary HoloSim array, which you may find through the door to your left.

[ Aforementioned door is typically futuristic, with a virtual keypad—“Lock Disengaged”, apparently; how convenient!—and a helpful sign painted onto the smooth metal floor: Sim-Deck #2. ]

What is your designation?

[purrtylittlewires]

[Well, the ship is more familiarl than everything else. Also feel more naked without my armor.]

My name is Puma. [I guess I'll head to the sim chamber.] Are you the captain of this ship?

[ascintilla]

[ You head inside, and find that you are not alone. A redheaded woman in a charcoal and purple military uniform stands before you -- oh, and there's an odd flicker of light rising up your body?? It's gone within a second. ]

Scan complete. [ The door slides shut behind you. There's a faint hum in the air; generators spinning to life, powering up. ] I am artificial intelligence program Iota, acting captain. [ She smiles. ] Hello, Puma.

[purrtylittlewires]

[Iota.]

[The scan is fine, normal enough, as is the room. But artificial intelligence Iota in a red haired body....]

[Surely its an Android.]

[Breathe. Breathe.]

...hello Iota.

[ascintilla]

[ Surely it is, and yet the body breathes, just as you yourself breathe. There is life in Iota’s green eyes, albeit … distance, as well. It’s kind of disconcerting. ]

Interesting … [ Her head tilts, almost delicately, to one side. ] My scanner indicates that your body has been fitted with a neural interfacing system.

[purrtylittlewires]

[It is. Surely its just a mimic. To appear more human. Just a design choice.]

Neural interfacing? Oh. I guess that'd make sense to have some.

[ascintilla]

And yet you do not seem to be an artificial intelligence, yourself. [ COMING CLOSER, hello Puma sorry about your personal space. ] Nor is there any indication of a program residing, dormant or otherwise, within your implant.

Please explain this to me.

[purrtylittlewires]

...I'm human. There's no reason for me to be an artificial intelligence program. [Why did she ask that. Why did she ask that?!]

I...had complications with my partner.

[ascintilla]

"No reason." Interesting.

[ Leans up slightly on her tiptoes, peering intently into his eyes. ]

The implant is perfectly serviceable. The fault, then, was with programming or compatibility?

[purrtylittlewires]

Why is that interesting?

[Leans back slightly.]

...it's....also complicated.

Does that matter?

[ascintilla]

Why would it not be?

[ Another smile. She lingers briefly, still peering, like she's looking for something ... before she steps back, letting him have his space. ]

Why would it not? I'm curious.

[purrtylittlewires]

...you make it sound like an AI should be in control of me?

[There is that feeling of so much DO NOT WANT.]

It's kind of personal.

[ascintilla]

[ That is such a strange expression you're wearing ... and by "strange" we do of course mean completely fascinating. ]

You seem to find the concept alarming.

[purrtylittlewires]

Yes, a human should control their own body! I'm not an empty robot.

[ascintilla]

I'm not sure I understand.

Do you find me alarming, Puma?

[purrtylittlewires]

[...]

[There is no answer, just suddenly grabbing her wrist to feel for a pulse.]

[ascintilla]

[ He finds one easily, thrumming strong and steady beneath his fingers. ]

... Yes. This body that I wear is human.

[purrtylittlewires]

Nope.

[Nope nope nope NOPE NOPE NOPENOPENOPE]

[He turns and walks for the door.]

I'm leaving. Right now.

[ascintilla]

[ ??? ]

The initiation sequence has already begun. [ the glimmering lights on the walls are getting brighter. ] The door will not open until you have played your way through the calibration trials.

[purrtylittlewires]

I'm not doing anything for you. [Voice tight, controlled, but his hand are already shaking.] What system has no emergency override?

[ascintilla]

You misunderstand.

While under ordinary circumstances I would be perfectly willing to abort the sequence and release you, I currently lack the power to do so.

[purrtylittlewires]

What do you mean lack the power?! [Hello squeaking.]

[ascintilla]

[ … are human voices supposed to do that?? Iota slowly drifts closer to him. ]

You are my first, Puma. My first interaction. My first game. [ and then, because there's no reason not to be honest: ] I do not feel that I can stop without losing more energy than I have to give.

[purrtylittlewires]

[WOW, I want precisely none of this?]

[But for all AI's trigger him, for all what she's done is horrifying, and making him think Maine and Carolna, and how Iota was supposed to be assigned to him...]

[He's also protective of AI's]

[He groans, presses his forehead against the wall of the door.]

[He points back at her without looking.] What's her name.

[ascintilla]

...

[ This silence sure is dragging. ]

I. Do not remember.