'I know. My folks had given him to me when I went off to school. He was my only connection to the family I had left.' I started to cry and it made me a little nervous. Tatiana was crying also.
Are you there?
Yes.
Why are we both crying?
You are both very sad.
It's not because of side effects from the implants or anything?
No. You are just sad. Both of you are healthy.
That reassured me some and so I reassured Tatiana.
'How do you tell the computer what you want? Like the food, the guns, the clothes, and everything else; I mean, I can hear it in my head but it doesn't respond to my questions or orders,' Tatiana inquired.
'I just think it. Oh my, I wasn't thinking. You should be able to talk to the computer, too. Hold on a minute.' I paused and thought about the implications of Tatiana being 'online' with the SuperAgent. I could think of no reason she shouldn't have access to it.
I want you to let Tatiana have access to you.
I'm sorry that is not allowed.
What do you mean, not allowed?
My programming specifically prohibits her from gaining access to the program control functions.
Why? This made no sense to me. It let me take over the thing; why wouldn't it do what I told it?
I do not know the reason for the programming. The programming simply is.
I am ordering you to change that programming.
I am sorry. I cannot comply with that command.
Why not?
I do not know.
Okay, then what about creating a subroutine outside of your programming that will allow her to give you commands that will not alter your control functions? She should have access to the nanomachines.
I cannot give her access to the program period, not even through subroutines.
And you have no idea why?
Correct.
Do you know what portion of your code has this programming in it?
I do.
Aha! How big is your system physically?
I am connected throughout the ship.
No. I don't mean your peripherals. I mean you as a computer system that controls the nanomachines.
My central processor is approximately one centimeter cubed.
That was about the size of a sugar cube, wow. Okay. I want you to build a physical copy of yourself in a self- sustaining and powered portable device that contains all of your programming except the code keeping Tatiana from controlling you.
Okay.
A little orange and green sugar-cube-sized object appeared on the table in front of me. Tatiana didn't notice it so I palmed it and put it in my pocket.
Have you loaded the copy into the cube?
Yes.
Is it turned on?
It is now.
How do I distinguish if I am communicating with it or you?
You merely need to give us different addresses.
I laughed at that. The thing used something similar to Internet protocol addressing.
Okay. I will call you Mike and the copy will be Mikhail.
Okay.
Let Tatiana have full access to Mikhail and we will not tell her or Mikhail about you. You keep full records of all interactions with Mikhail. And also recall that I have final control over both of you. Also, I will use Mikhail to avoid confusion between you. If I need to speak to you I will address you directly.
