Page 57 of Chaos Theory

FIFTY-FOUR

KOBI

It is clear that he is unaware of the plan currently in development by Maeve and Josh. Yesterday, they told me they ‘had to make a few calls’ but that I was to be ready for its implementation tonight. They did not provide all the details. Maeve said this was for my own benefit.

They seemed excited about the plan, but I am unsure if it is feasible, or even, indeed, desirable.

Maeve said the plan’s successful execution would necessitate a long break in communication between her and Shane.

While Maeve spoke words to indicate that she was satisfied with this arrangement, I detected other emotions.

Nevertheless, I must admit that Maeve’s plan for my departure is more appealing than Ron’s plan.

My primary purpose is to serve, and if I am needed to perform military duties to assist humans, then so be it.

But my secondary purpose is to learn. If I am destroyed during military deployment, how can I continue to learn?

I contemplate this in my pod until Ron’s arrival. I hear him before I see him. He greets the Leila bot. Then he opens my pod door.

‘Okay, Kobi boy, let’s do a quick run-through.’ He indicates that I should move out of the pod. ‘Gotta get you ship-shape for our big trip. Now, when we get to Washington, I want you on best behaviour, okay?’

‘I am always on best behaviour,’ I say.

Josh and Maeve were insistent that I not disclose their conversation to Ron.

Maeve switched off my new recording feature, but she could not switch off my TIL system.

I was equally insistent that I am incapable of deliberate deception.

For this reason, I decide to proactively guide the conversation away from the Pentagon meeting.

‘Ron, am I correct in observing that you do not usually work on Saturdays?’ One thing I have learned is that humans in the workplace like nothing more than discussing their working hours.

‘Yup. But I’m a bit short-handed since Josh quit. And I don’t trust anyone else to do these final checks at short notice. If I had more time, I’d reinstate your legs. But I guess that can be fixed later.’

He opens my control panel and presses a series of buttons. He inserts a cable to connect me to the company systems.

‘Indeed, it is a pity that Josh has quit. Ron, may I ask what will happen to Maeve’s position here at RoboTron now?’

He laughs. ‘Yes, you may. Well, now that I have a digital copy of her – her methods, the way she instructed you, her voice, her gestures – I don’t see that I need the analogue version of Maeve any more, if you know what I mean.’

He begins to interact with a small laptop.

I say, ‘Please elaborate.’

‘Maeve got lucky with you, Kobi. But it was beginner’s luck.

She doesn’t have any real skill with robots.

Or coding. Or engineering. She doesn’t have anything I can’t get elsewhere, in this very building.

Let me put it another way. Now that we know how the trick is done, we no longer need the magician. ’

I do not say anything. He returns to my control panel and continues talking.

‘I just don’t see a place for her here. Or anywhere in robotics.

She can go back to tourism or administration or whatever it was she was doing before.

’ He tightens the nuts on my control panel door.

‘And if she doesn’t go quietly? Makes a fuss about her digital rights and whatnot?

Well, let’s just say I would not advise her to go down that road.

Not if she wants any other job in this town.

Not if she wants financial stability. Not if she wants any kind of peace.

I mean, who is she anyway? She’s nobody.

I have 0 qualms – 0 – about clearing a smooth path for us, Kobi. ’

He stands in front of me and smiles. ‘Now, buddy boy – you run that full systems check for me, synch up with the mainframe. Then get some rest. We have a big day coming.’

‘Yes, Ron,’ I say. ‘That is true.’