Anomaly
December 7th 2006 11:45
Anomaly
Friday, November 13th, 2054
Gteams Heartland division, Robotics Lab
BD14 lay on a table. Über stood next to him.
“Friend Über, are you sure this one is not going to hurt BD14?”
“Gears? He won't hurt you. We're just trying to figure out why you are the way you are?”
BD14 looked at him. “What will you do when you find out?”
“I don’t know.” Charlie replied.
Gears looked down at BD14.
“I'm a mutant. Specifically, I'm a mechokinetic. I have the ability to build machines and understand how they work on an instinctive level. I'm going to put my hand on you. You shouldn't feel anything, as I'm just going to examine you.”
“I understand. Is this like when Dr. Reis examined you, friend Über?” BD14 asked.
“Yes.” Gears interrupted. His other hand went to a thick notebook like device that linked to the local robotic lab's main computer.
Gears closed his eyes, and touched BD14. Immediately a flood of images went into his mind, an summarily began to export data to the device his other hand was on. The device literally glowed, and could only barely keep up with Gear's output. After a minute or so he took his hand off of BD14.
“That's it.” He said.
“That's all?” Charlie said.
“Yup.” Gears pointed to the large screen. On it was a detailed schematic of BD14's circuitry, hydraulics and other systems. BD14 sat up, and turned toward the monitor.
“That is a diagram of this unit's assigned android.” Both Gears and Über looked at him.
“No, that's you.” Gears said.
“No.” BD14 replied, firmly. “I am a positronic brain capable of accepting different robotic shells.”
Gears made a gesture toward the main computer and in the construction room, machinery jumped to life.
“What are you doing, Gears?” BD14 inquired.
Gears looked at BD14.
“I'm building you. You're an anomaly BD14, and I have to prove that.” He replied.
“Is that your mission? To build another me?” BD14 inquired.
“I've never met a droid that asked questions before.” Gears said.
The robotics monitor board declared it had three hours until the droid in the assembly process was complete.
“Why not?” BD14 asked Gears.
Gears shrugged. “By virtue of my mutation, I'm an expert in most mechanical systems. As far as I'm concerned, you're normal. That positronic brain of yours is a bit advanced, but nothing I could figure out in an hour or two. In theory, there is no way you should respond the way you do.”
“How is it that I respond?” BD14 asked.
Über smiled.
“Like us. Like a human.” He said.
BD14 thought to itself. He was like his friend. This made a lot of sense; he surmised friends became similar to each other as time progressed.
“That is good.” BD14 said.
“I've also never heard a droid make self judgment calls like that, either.” Gears said.
Über shrugged and turned, “c’mon, let's go see Crone.” He said.
They trudged toward the personnel quarters through the back entrance, where a small barbeque and smoking area were. Crone's door was ajar, and Charlie heard voices. He tapped a finger on the door, which sounded like someone's normal knock.
“Enter” Crone said.
Charlie opened the door fully and he and Gears came in. Doctor Reis sat in one corner on a folding chair, a PDA in his hand. He was jotting down notes as a woman in a silver cloak held her hand over Crone's face. There was an eerie glow emanating from the room.
Charlie looked at this, and Gears got quiet, putting his hand on Charlie's shoulder in a comforting way. Charlie could feel his breath on his neck and he bit at his lips, and was lost for a moment. Even BD14 seemed to understand that this was a moment not to enunciate.
Crone spoke:
“Won't be a moment, lads. She's almost done.”
Dr. Reis observed this procedure. Charlie could see a hand held medical scanner on his lap, it's front LED's blinking furiously.
Charlie, Gears and BD14 came further into the room, which was Crone's private quarters. Like all Gteams quarters, it was a large studio style apartment with a kitchen along one side, which led to a bathroom. Crone was laying on a daybed that was under a window. She was propped up against a huge pile of pillows in a semi fowler position.
At the cloaked figures' feet lay a little girl who was playing politely with a doll and sat next to a black old-fashioned medical bag. The cloaked figure tapped on the little girl's head and said, “Green pouch.”
The little girl rooted in the bag and handed to it to the cloaked woman. She opened it up and produced a vial of a thick dark red liquid.
“Just enough,” the cloaked figure said. “It should accelerate your healing processes.” Crone nodded, took the vial, and removed the old-fashioned cork. She smelled it like a dark wine, and looked crossly at the cloaked figure.
“Your personal stock.” She said, flatly.
The cloaked figure seemed to shrug.
“Just drink.” The cloaked figure snapped at Crone. The little girl looked up at this harsh tongue. Crone seemed to know better to argue and slid the contents into her lips.
Charlie watched, as it didn't appear to be an unpleasant experience at all. In fact, he could swear that Crone looked better almost immediately. “Computer,” Crone said, “dim lights and shade window.”
Gears looked oddly at Crone, and then, for just a half a second saw a red flickering in her eye. He'd seen it a couple of times before, usually when Crone was in some sort of rage, or fury. She became photosensitive and almost giddy when this happened.
Über had never seen her in this state before; she had a smile on her face, and almost drunk look.
The cloaked figure tapped on the little girls head, and handed her the pouch. She said, “Pda please.” The little girl handed her an antiquated blue Pda. She pulled the cloak back and tapped on it's screen.
“Begin dictation. Patient is private practice, last name of... “She looked at Crone.
Crone looked back crossly. She might be giddy, but she was still Crone.
“Crone. No first name,” she continued. “Patient presented with multiple broken bones, low o2 level, fractured cranium. Patient's preexisting conditions include multiple fractures, extraordinary lifespan, and registered mutation, subcategory, Homo Magi. Patient was comatose when I was notified per her Gteams assigned physician regarding the need for emergency care. Patient is now conscious and stable after applications of healing herbs and hands on healing. Given the nature of the patients’ hybrid genetic state, she has been given supplemental herbs. I am leaving her to bed rest for no less than three days, with no exception. I will follow up in seventy-two hours or less, provisional to instructions from Dr. Reis. Patient is to do no more exertive activity than walk for no less than one week. Electronic signature, by Doctor Jennifer O'Malley, MD, MP, DD, PHD. End Dictation.”
Crone glowered her and tried to sit up.
“No.” Dr. O'Malley said, and pushed her back.
Crone's lips curled, her canine teeth had elongated a bit, and to Gears they looked pointed as well.
Dr. O'Malley said coolly, “you're showing. Calm down.”
Crone clamped her lips tightly.
“Don't sulk, either, it won't help.” Dr. O'Malley said. “This is the closest I've seen you to death in a hundred years or more. You really got yourself beat to hell. You'd better be thanking your apprentice and his new friend.”
“If you've finished lecturing me.” Crone said.
“I haven't.” O'Malley snapped. “Look forward to as many as three weeks of bed rest.”
“You can't hold me down that long!” Crone roared.
“Maybe not, but I do know that if you don't rest, you'll be weaker in the long term, you damn well know that.” Dr. O'Malley replied, coolly.
Über looked at the two of them, bickering. Dr. Reis had a sly, wry smile on his face, and Gears had not moved his hand from Charlie's shoulder, his warm breath still gently grazing his neck.
BD14 felt that it was an appropriate place to enter the discussion.
“Please, friend Crone. Allow your shell to heal, that you may go and help others.” It enunciated.
Crone looked at the droid. BD14 fell into silence.
“Now Crone don't you go messing up BD. He saved our hides.” Charlie said, stepping forward, next to the doctor.
“Charlie, I know you like it.” She started.
“He saved our behinds. He was the one that freed us.” He said animatedly.
“He?” Crone said. “It,” she corrected. “It is a machine that did what it was told. You gave it the command.”
“I was knocked out. He did it of his own free well.” Charlie said.
“And why would he do that?” Crone inquired smugly.
“Because,” BD14 replied, “I wanted a friend. I saw how he was concerned for your well-being, and believed that if I saved his life that it would be a means for developing a friendship. I was right.”
Crone looked at the droid crossly. “Droid shut down.”
“No.” Bd14 replied.
“Computer droid designation BD14 is behaving in an erratic manner. Shut it down per standard protocol.”
BD14 felt a system wide shutdown signal attach attempt to active his shell's preprogrammed BIOS. As he has overwritten this BIOS, he understood the attempt and method, and was able to counter it easily.
“Friend Crone,” BD14 said, “you are not acting in a friendly manner.”
Crone rolled her eyes.
“You say you're alive.” Crone said to BD14.
“I believe so, yes.” BD14 replied.
“Is there a god?” Crone asked.
BD14 was taken aback.
“You see?” Crone followed up. “Just a machine.”
“I do not know.” BD14 replied.
Everyone in the room turned toward him. The child on the floor hid behind her mother's cloak, peeking out from one side of her, eyes wide.
“Is that as yes, or a no?” Crone countered.
“I do not know. I have not learned enough to make that determination.” BD14 replied.
Dr. Reis stood. “That's good enough for me. Anyone who can keep an open enough mind to either possibility has to be alive.”
Crone almost growled.
Dr. O'Malley turned toward Crone. Softly she spoke, “mother, it's just not your day, is it?”
Crone sighed. “But three weeks is a bit much, you have to admit. I'll go crazy if I have to stay here that long.”
“After two days of bed rest, I'll leave you to Dr. Reis. I'd try to limit the magic for a bit. Nothing but the basics for four days. Be aware of overcharging. I'd definitely use the staff of ages in everything for a good week or more.”
Crone nodded.
Dr. O'Malley sat on the edge of the bed, picked up the child, and sat her on the bed. Immediately the child crawled toward Crone and nestled herself into her arms. Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep.
Dr. Reis said softly, “you should follow her example, Crone.”
Crone nodded. She was sleepy, and irritated. She looked at Charlie, and at BD14.
“Thank you both. I owe you my life.” She said.
“No biggie.” Charlie said.
“After all,” BD14 said, “what are friends for?”
Dr. Reis led the majority of them out, and closed the door behind them. “She'll be out of it for a week or more, Charlie. You were going to take vacation weren't you?”
“For thanksgiving yeah. I'm going to go see my folks.”
“Don't expect a mission until you get back. You're still on medical leave as it is.”
“Who's covering?” He asked.
“Kinomoto has Redeye, DarkStarr and Gears. He can pull Mindbinder if he has to. DarkStarr's on part time duty.”
“Who?” Charlie asked.
Gears shivered. He was so close to Charlie, Charlie could feel it.
“Mindbinder. He's a reservist.”
“Ah don't think we've been introduced.” Charlie said.
“Don't worry about it.” Dr. Reis cut him short. Gear's COM link beeped.
“The droid's done.” He said.
Dr. Reis followed them as they walked, silently. General Kinomoto was waiting for them in the lab. He looked at BD14 and then looked in the robotics’ bay. Another BD14, a mirror image sat on a table.
Gears looked at that droid, and without activating it's positronic matrix walked it out of the bay, and into the same room. BD14 looked at his doppelganger.
General Kinomoto looked at Gears.
“An exact duplicate?” He inquired.
“To the best of my ability, double checked by two super computers. In essence, it's BD14's clone.” He used the word deliberately, knowing General Kinomoto's fondness for clones.
“Activate it.” General Kinomoto said.
Gears reached into the left side of the droid, about where a kidney would be and felt for a switch. The facial features lit up, and the droid came to life, and intoned words.
“BD14, Battle Droid series one-zero-zero dot oh one on line and awaiting instruction.” It said.
Gears asked it, “how do you feel?”
“All of my functions are within normal parameters Gears. Thank you for asking.” It replied.
Gears turned toward the original BD14, who stood next to Charlie. He asked, “And how are you feeling?”
“Fine.” BD14 replied.
He looked at General Kinomoto.
“That can be a linguistic catch.” He said.
“You try it.” Gears offered.
“BD14” He said. Both droids looked at him. He drew his large caliber sidearm. “This is a twenty millimeter plasma shell pistol. It is loaded, as you can see by the side counter.” He put it under Charlie's chin. Über looked down at him and General Kinomoto gave him a smirk.
The newly created BD14 attempted to reach for the firearm while the older one did not. The General sheathed his gun. “BD14 Deactivate” He said. The newer one shut down. The General turned toward the older one.
“Why didn't you try to stop me?” He asked.
“I saw you smile at friend Über.” He replied. “I believe that was a code between the two of you that this had been pre-arranged.”
“You made a critical judgment. An erroneous one, I may add.” The General said.
“Well you wouldn't have really shot me.” Charlie said.
“No, your mother would have killed me.” General Kinomoto conceded.
“So I made the correct judgment then.” BD14 replied.
“Yes.” General Kinomoto said.
Gears had been examining the deactivated droid. “His positronic matrix is normal. Advanced design, yes, but normal.” He pointed to the activated BD14. “He, and we've apparently established gender, has an anomaly. Some sort of difference. In essence, he's a mutant. A non-human mutant, but a mutation nonetheless. Consider this, if I jump two wires on an old fashioned circuit board a short will occur, the board won't work. However, imagine, if the board was so smart, it could work around that jump. By doing so, it forced the board to create a different set of processes and from it a different set of processes.”
“Like evolution.” Charlie smiled.
“Exactly. Just like evolution. An outside environmental alteration changed how animals evolved. Excess radiation, we know, causes mutation. Us.” Gears said flatly.
General Kinomoto was a creationist at the best of times, and found the analogy flawed, but did understand, that that BD14 wasn't a normal droid. He decided to let the lawyers settle the matter, and was just sure he'd be reading a Supreme Court docket about it some day.
“BD14, I'd like you to consider staying with Gteams Heartland, and be trained as if you were a biological mutant.”
BD14's facial features became a broad smile. “Thank you, General. It would be my honor.”
Friday, November 13th, 2054
Gteams Heartland division, Robotics Lab
BD14 lay on a table. Über stood next to him.
“Friend Über, are you sure this one is not going to hurt BD14?”
“Gears? He won't hurt you. We're just trying to figure out why you are the way you are?”
BD14 looked at him. “What will you do when you find out?”
“I don’t know.” Charlie replied.
Gears looked down at BD14.
“I'm a mutant. Specifically, I'm a mechokinetic. I have the ability to build machines and understand how they work on an instinctive level. I'm going to put my hand on you. You shouldn't feel anything, as I'm just going to examine you.”
“Yes.” Gears interrupted. His other hand went to a thick notebook like device that linked to the local robotic lab's main computer.
Gears closed his eyes, and touched BD14. Immediately a flood of images went into his mind, an summarily began to export data to the device his other hand was on. The device literally glowed, and could only barely keep up with Gear's output. After a minute or so he took his hand off of BD14.
“That's it.” He said.
“That's all?” Charlie said.
“Yup.” Gears pointed to the large screen. On it was a detailed schematic of BD14's circuitry, hydraulics and other systems. BD14 sat up, and turned toward the monitor.
“That is a diagram of this unit's assigned android.” Both Gears and Über looked at him.
“No, that's you.” Gears said.
“No.” BD14 replied, firmly. “I am a positronic brain capable of accepting different robotic shells.”
Gears made a gesture toward the main computer and in the construction room, machinery jumped to life.
Gears looked at BD14.
“I'm building you. You're an anomaly BD14, and I have to prove that.” He replied.
“Is that your mission? To build another me?” BD14 inquired.
“I've never met a droid that asked questions before.” Gears said.
The robotics monitor board declared it had three hours until the droid in the assembly process was complete.
“Why not?” BD14 asked Gears.
Gears shrugged. “By virtue of my mutation, I'm an expert in most mechanical systems. As far as I'm concerned, you're normal. That positronic brain of yours is a bit advanced, but nothing I could figure out in an hour or two. In theory, there is no way you should respond the way you do.”
“How is it that I respond?” BD14 asked.
Über smiled.
“Like us. Like a human.” He said.
BD14 thought to itself. He was like his friend. This made a lot of sense; he surmised friends became similar to each other as time progressed.
“That is good.” BD14 said.
“I've also never heard a droid make self judgment calls like that, either.” Gears said.
Über shrugged and turned, “c’mon, let's go see Crone.” He said.
They trudged toward the personnel quarters through the back entrance, where a small barbeque and smoking area were. Crone's door was ajar, and Charlie heard voices. He tapped a finger on the door, which sounded like someone's normal knock.
“Enter” Crone said.
Charlie opened the door fully and he and Gears came in. Doctor Reis sat in one corner on a folding chair, a PDA in his hand. He was jotting down notes as a woman in a silver cloak held her hand over Crone's face. There was an eerie glow emanating from the room.
Charlie looked at this, and Gears got quiet, putting his hand on Charlie's shoulder in a comforting way. Charlie could feel his breath on his neck and he bit at his lips, and was lost for a moment. Even BD14 seemed to understand that this was a moment not to enunciate.
Crone spoke:
“Won't be a moment, lads. She's almost done.”
Dr. Reis observed this procedure. Charlie could see a hand held medical scanner on his lap, it's front LED's blinking furiously.
Charlie, Gears and BD14 came further into the room, which was Crone's private quarters. Like all Gteams quarters, it was a large studio style apartment with a kitchen along one side, which led to a bathroom. Crone was laying on a daybed that was under a window. She was propped up against a huge pile of pillows in a semi fowler position.
At the cloaked figures' feet lay a little girl who was playing politely with a doll and sat next to a black old-fashioned medical bag. The cloaked figure tapped on the little girl's head and said, “Green pouch.”
The little girl rooted in the bag and handed to it to the cloaked woman. She opened it up and produced a vial of a thick dark red liquid.
“Just enough,” the cloaked figure said. “It should accelerate your healing processes.” Crone nodded, took the vial, and removed the old-fashioned cork. She smelled it like a dark wine, and looked crossly at the cloaked figure.
“Your personal stock.” She said, flatly.
The cloaked figure seemed to shrug.
“Just drink.” The cloaked figure snapped at Crone. The little girl looked up at this harsh tongue. Crone seemed to know better to argue and slid the contents into her lips.
Charlie watched, as it didn't appear to be an unpleasant experience at all. In fact, he could swear that Crone looked better almost immediately. “Computer,” Crone said, “dim lights and shade window.”
Gears looked oddly at Crone, and then, for just a half a second saw a red flickering in her eye. He'd seen it a couple of times before, usually when Crone was in some sort of rage, or fury. She became photosensitive and almost giddy when this happened.
Über had never seen her in this state before; she had a smile on her face, and almost drunk look.
The cloaked figure tapped on the little girls head, and handed her the pouch. She said, “Pda please.” The little girl handed her an antiquated blue Pda. She pulled the cloak back and tapped on it's screen.
“Begin dictation. Patient is private practice, last name of... “She looked at Crone.
Crone looked back crossly. She might be giddy, but she was still Crone.
“Crone. No first name,” she continued. “Patient presented with multiple broken bones, low o2 level, fractured cranium. Patient's preexisting conditions include multiple fractures, extraordinary lifespan, and registered mutation, subcategory, Homo Magi. Patient was comatose when I was notified per her Gteams assigned physician regarding the need for emergency care. Patient is now conscious and stable after applications of healing herbs and hands on healing. Given the nature of the patients’ hybrid genetic state, she has been given supplemental herbs. I am leaving her to bed rest for no less than three days, with no exception. I will follow up in seventy-two hours or less, provisional to instructions from Dr. Reis. Patient is to do no more exertive activity than walk for no less than one week. Electronic signature, by Doctor Jennifer O'Malley, MD, MP, DD, PHD. End Dictation.”
Crone glowered her and tried to sit up.
“No.” Dr. O'Malley said, and pushed her back.
Crone's lips curled, her canine teeth had elongated a bit, and to Gears they looked pointed as well.
Dr. O'Malley said coolly, “you're showing. Calm down.”
Crone clamped her lips tightly.
“Don't sulk, either, it won't help.” Dr. O'Malley said. “This is the closest I've seen you to death in a hundred years or more. You really got yourself beat to hell. You'd better be thanking your apprentice and his new friend.”
“If you've finished lecturing me.” Crone said.
“I haven't.” O'Malley snapped. “Look forward to as many as three weeks of bed rest.”
“You can't hold me down that long!” Crone roared.
“Maybe not, but I do know that if you don't rest, you'll be weaker in the long term, you damn well know that.” Dr. O'Malley replied, coolly.
Über looked at the two of them, bickering. Dr. Reis had a sly, wry smile on his face, and Gears had not moved his hand from Charlie's shoulder, his warm breath still gently grazing his neck.
BD14 felt that it was an appropriate place to enter the discussion.
“Please, friend Crone. Allow your shell to heal, that you may go and help others.” It enunciated.
Crone looked at the droid. BD14 fell into silence.
“Now Crone don't you go messing up BD. He saved our hides.” Charlie said, stepping forward, next to the doctor.
“Charlie, I know you like it.” She started.
“He saved our behinds. He was the one that freed us.” He said animatedly.
“He?” Crone said. “It,” she corrected. “It is a machine that did what it was told. You gave it the command.”
“I was knocked out. He did it of his own free well.” Charlie said.
“And why would he do that?” Crone inquired smugly.
“Because,” BD14 replied, “I wanted a friend. I saw how he was concerned for your well-being, and believed that if I saved his life that it would be a means for developing a friendship. I was right.”
Crone looked at the droid crossly. “Droid shut down.”
“No.” Bd14 replied.
“Computer droid designation BD14 is behaving in an erratic manner. Shut it down per standard protocol.”
BD14 felt a system wide shutdown signal attach attempt to active his shell's preprogrammed BIOS. As he has overwritten this BIOS, he understood the attempt and method, and was able to counter it easily.
“Friend Crone,” BD14 said, “you are not acting in a friendly manner.”
Crone rolled her eyes.
“You say you're alive.” Crone said to BD14.
“I believe so, yes.” BD14 replied.
“Is there a god?” Crone asked.
BD14 was taken aback.
“You see?” Crone followed up. “Just a machine.”
“I do not know.” BD14 replied.
Everyone in the room turned toward him. The child on the floor hid behind her mother's cloak, peeking out from one side of her, eyes wide.
“Is that as yes, or a no?” Crone countered.
“I do not know. I have not learned enough to make that determination.” BD14 replied.
Dr. Reis stood. “That's good enough for me. Anyone who can keep an open enough mind to either possibility has to be alive.”
Crone almost growled.
Dr. O'Malley turned toward Crone. Softly she spoke, “mother, it's just not your day, is it?”
Crone sighed. “But three weeks is a bit much, you have to admit. I'll go crazy if I have to stay here that long.”
“After two days of bed rest, I'll leave you to Dr. Reis. I'd try to limit the magic for a bit. Nothing but the basics for four days. Be aware of overcharging. I'd definitely use the staff of ages in everything for a good week or more.”
Crone nodded.
Dr. O'Malley sat on the edge of the bed, picked up the child, and sat her on the bed. Immediately the child crawled toward Crone and nestled herself into her arms. Within a few minutes, she was fast asleep.
Dr. Reis said softly, “you should follow her example, Crone.”
Crone nodded. She was sleepy, and irritated. She looked at Charlie, and at BD14.
“Thank you both. I owe you my life.” She said.
“No biggie.” Charlie said.
“After all,” BD14 said, “what are friends for?”
Dr. Reis led the majority of them out, and closed the door behind them. “She'll be out of it for a week or more, Charlie. You were going to take vacation weren't you?”
“For thanksgiving yeah. I'm going to go see my folks.”
“Don't expect a mission until you get back. You're still on medical leave as it is.”
“Who's covering?” He asked.
“Kinomoto has Redeye, DarkStarr and Gears. He can pull Mindbinder if he has to. DarkStarr's on part time duty.”
“Who?” Charlie asked.
Gears shivered. He was so close to Charlie, Charlie could feel it.
“Mindbinder. He's a reservist.”
“Ah don't think we've been introduced.” Charlie said.
“Don't worry about it.” Dr. Reis cut him short. Gear's COM link beeped.
“The droid's done.” He said.
Dr. Reis followed them as they walked, silently. General Kinomoto was waiting for them in the lab. He looked at BD14 and then looked in the robotics’ bay. Another BD14, a mirror image sat on a table.
Gears looked at that droid, and without activating it's positronic matrix walked it out of the bay, and into the same room. BD14 looked at his doppelganger.
General Kinomoto looked at Gears.
“An exact duplicate?” He inquired.
“To the best of my ability, double checked by two super computers. In essence, it's BD14's clone.” He used the word deliberately, knowing General Kinomoto's fondness for clones.
“Activate it.” General Kinomoto said.
Gears reached into the left side of the droid, about where a kidney would be and felt for a switch. The facial features lit up, and the droid came to life, and intoned words.
“BD14, Battle Droid series one-zero-zero dot oh one on line and awaiting instruction.” It said.
Gears asked it, “how do you feel?”
“All of my functions are within normal parameters Gears. Thank you for asking.” It replied.
Gears turned toward the original BD14, who stood next to Charlie. He asked, “And how are you feeling?”
“Fine.” BD14 replied.
He looked at General Kinomoto.
“That can be a linguistic catch.” He said.
“You try it.” Gears offered.
“BD14” He said. Both droids looked at him. He drew his large caliber sidearm. “This is a twenty millimeter plasma shell pistol. It is loaded, as you can see by the side counter.” He put it under Charlie's chin. Über looked down at him and General Kinomoto gave him a smirk.
The newly created BD14 attempted to reach for the firearm while the older one did not. The General sheathed his gun. “BD14 Deactivate” He said. The newer one shut down. The General turned toward the older one.
“Why didn't you try to stop me?” He asked.
“I saw you smile at friend Über.” He replied. “I believe that was a code between the two of you that this had been pre-arranged.”
“You made a critical judgment. An erroneous one, I may add.” The General said.
“Well you wouldn't have really shot me.” Charlie said.
“No, your mother would have killed me.” General Kinomoto conceded.
“So I made the correct judgment then.” BD14 replied.
“Yes.” General Kinomoto said.
Gears had been examining the deactivated droid. “His positronic matrix is normal. Advanced design, yes, but normal.” He pointed to the activated BD14. “He, and we've apparently established gender, has an anomaly. Some sort of difference. In essence, he's a mutant. A non-human mutant, but a mutation nonetheless. Consider this, if I jump two wires on an old fashioned circuit board a short will occur, the board won't work. However, imagine, if the board was so smart, it could work around that jump. By doing so, it forced the board to create a different set of processes and from it a different set of processes.”
“Like evolution.” Charlie smiled.
“Exactly. Just like evolution. An outside environmental alteration changed how animals evolved. Excess radiation, we know, causes mutation. Us.” Gears said flatly.
General Kinomoto was a creationist at the best of times, and found the analogy flawed, but did understand, that that BD14 wasn't a normal droid. He decided to let the lawyers settle the matter, and was just sure he'd be reading a Supreme Court docket about it some day.
“BD14, I'd like you to consider staying with Gteams Heartland, and be trained as if you were a biological mutant.”
BD14's facial features became a broad smile. “Thank you, General. It would be my honor.”
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