Page 28 of Guiding Reason

Col took that in, nodding. “Of course. I understand.”

“That is a relief, Coldis, especially since I can see that you only just left the Clinic in Ferrea. I hope you are getting plentiful restwith your Guardian near. It is important for a Guardian and a Conduit to bond so soon after an imprinting.”

“He’s just outside,” Col said. “He doesn’t have the same rank I do, and I wanted to discuss these things with you without having to worry about that.”

“None of these are facts that need be hidden from a Ferrean Guardian who fought insurrectionist Guardians hand in hand with your team, Conduit.”

“Right. Yes. Of course. There is one other thing.”

“Yes?” The avatar smiled encouragingly.

“About the Ferrean Op-AI. It needs to be replaced, sooner or later.”

The avatar nodded. “A request for replacement has been made.”

“Where does that request go?” Col asked. He’d spent time in the Archives, the ones that held hard copies of satellite maps, maps he’d shown Orrey to make him understand. During his time exploring the Archives, Col had seen other things that maybe he shouldn’t have, and he had a suspicion. One he hoped desperately was wrong.

“To the Committee of Grounds Infrastructure Oversight. If damage to any primary Artificial Intelligence occurs, the CGIO is to be informed so they can send a team of computational scientists and network engineers to investigate the issue.”

“Committee.” Col swallowed. He was feeling dizzy. Not from the concussion. “Can you—define committee for me, please?”

The avatar tilted his head and grinned in a goofy way. “What a funny word, Conduit! I’m sure I don’t know that one.”

Col remembered that response as well, but he’d been given it by another AI ages ago.By the Aurean AI. When I was new to the city. When I still remembered my mother’s face and how the snow had melted in her hair that day she gave me up. I asked it what a council was.

“I see. You reported it to the Committee of Grounds Infrastructure Oversight.”

“I did. As is the protocol in case of any damage to a primary Artificial Intelligence.”

Col nodded. “I assume they are located somewhere in Argentea. Can you tell me where the offices are?”

The avatar blinked. “I do not have that information, Conduit. But I assure you, everything is being taken care of.”

“When was the last time you contacted the CGIO?”

“There has never been cause. All of Argentea’s AI systems have always worked flawlessly. We were designed to make manual maintenance superfluous.”

Col nodded. He rubbed his palms over his knees. “Did you hear back yet?”

“Not yet, Coldis. But I assure you, everything is being taken care of.”

What was that thing I read in the archives about deflecting questions to reaffirm the Grounds’ integrity? This is what that is. It’s what happened when I asked about what a council was. Then, the Aurean AI wanted me to forget where I came from, and I almost did. What does our AI want me to not think about, I wonder.

“I’m so very glad to hear it, Op-AI. I feel much safer now, knowing that you are handling it. And you are looking into the auto-drives?”

The avatar beamed. “I already have, and the Municipal AI agrees that it would be better if I extended my temporary oversight to transportation.”

“Great. That’s great. I should go and find Hyran, check if he needs some channeling.”

“I’m sure your Guardian would be grateful, Conduit.”

Col nodded. “Yeah. Thank you. And see you soon back home in Argentea.”

“I am looking forward to it, Coldis. You and your unconventional team are truly idols that all should admire and that each Argentean citizen can be proud of.”

“Right. Thanks. I’ll let them know.”

The Op-AI ended the call with a wave.