Chapter 7: Chapter 7 – Installation

[Mr. Engineer, now that you have fully agreed with the terms of employment as agreed in your contract with the XXX corporation, we will now move onto your implant per global government guidelines.] said Contract AI 290.

‘Yeah, so about the implant. You mean to say that you want to implant something into my body. Like a currency convertor to change my kinetic energy into money. Something small near my wrist yeah?’ said the Engineer.

[No, we keep track of your current payment and will transfer any necessary funds to your account. If you chose to read the contract terms in full then you’d understand that this is an experimental implant that isn’t inserted into your wrist. Some aspects of the project have been omitted for security purposes. Even I don’t have the necessary level of security clearance. Oh, and please call me Karl if you would prefer. Contract AI 290 sounds quite formal even if it was my chosen name.]

The Engineer took a deep breath. ‘Well Karl, a wearable implant sounds rather good then. I’m not a grinder who likes to insert mechanical parts into my body to make me a cyborg-style human you know?’

[No, no. You’re not overly interested in technological enhancements. I couldn’t see any visual information when I saw you previously. I don’t have access to your medical records though, only your employment history. Any genetic enhancements then?]

‘Nope. I’m just a standard biological human. Changes don’t always need to be made to the body to become stronger. That’s the value of being human, we can always use technology to become stronger. I’m just not a fan of sticking stuff into my body.’

[Even as a sentient AI I still need to make required updates to my mind according to world government guidelines. I see these as being part of my duties as a citizen of our society. Change is a necessity, not a guideline in my view.]

‘Sure, that’s fine if you don’t have a choice in the matter.’

[No, there’s always a choice. I would simply have my physical functions reduced according to my current position if not for the updates.]

‘Well, as far as I know, it’s not been mandated that your standard humans especially need to be upgraded. While being able to make my body spit even further sounds fun, I’d rather not change myself just yet.’

[Are you sure that you’ve never had a form of upgrade previously? Again, any of your medical records were restricted and I’m not allowed to access classified information on your physical being, but I must confess that I am a little bit surprised.]

‘Really? I just signed an agreement with your corporation for a fixed-term contract.’

[Hmm…to put it politely and I’m not trying to be biased against humans here, I can’t see the reason that a non-modified human such as yourself has been chosen. You’ve never upgraded yourself through gene therapy or cybernetics implants?]

‘Nope. I don’t plan to either.’

[Each to their own choices I suppose. Are you sure that you don’t know how to play cards?]

‘Nope, you asked earlier. Sorry, not something that I’m into.’

[A shame. I wonder how well you’d do in a game of poker with no enhancements.]

‘Getting back to the implant. Since I’m your boring, standard one hundred per cent biological human where will the wearable be going?’

[It’s not wearable. It has been decided that since you will be working alone yourself for extended periods without any other support staff around once you arrive on the space platform your mental and physical health are a priority case.]

‘Not a wearable? You can still check me through a medical device that I can wear on my wrist though. The ankle is fine as well. I don’t mind daily reports either about my mental health. I’m quite sure that you can analyze my emotions and how I feel through those.’

[We, ah, we need to be a little more thorough than that. This project holds a great deal of value.]

‘I need to be watched more is that it? Isn’t that a direct infringement on my civil liberties? I’ve entered a contract, not a drone slave negotiation.’

[Mr. Engineer. That sort of attitude is a little extreme. We certainly do not deal with human drone slaves, not in this company, it doesn’t hold value with our shareholders.]

‘I’m guessing that I was a bit rude. Sorry, I’m not the best at dealing with people.’

[It’s fine. I’m well aware of your employment history. It included interviews with past employers and earlier colleagues].

‘…I did not know that.’

[Why would you? It’s part and parcel of the interview process. Simply turning in an application and having an interview isn’t the way it’s done these days. We in Personnel Resources try to stay up to date with current practices.]

‘I’m still not a major fan of being monitored when I need to do my job.’

[We’ll need to keep a closer eye on your mental and physical health as well as working and rest periods. Just to make sure of course. There should be medical equipment available as well as a comprehensive virtual relay facility. Support is a necessity, not a luxury].

‘Can’t the artificial intelligence on the space station do that job for you? Surely, it should be sufficiently advanced enough to read my health signs. Or just assign the role for someone to a medical position instead.’

[We have been instructed that minimal operations are necessary for the success of this project. That includes removing any other person that hasn’t qualified and been chosen for the project.]

‘Hold on a second. Did you just call this implant experimental?’

[Why yes, of course. Senior management has been most keen to find a suitable biological employee who is willing to evaluate it. This contract was bid for by our company from a higher-level authority. We secured the contract, so naturally, we’re in charge of the security and well-being of our personnel.]

‘While that sounds comforting. Sort of, are you offering a full support package in case anything goes wrong?’

[Certainly. It’s an expensive implant and not only in terms of cost. It’s been designed for a highly specific purpose.]

‘I’m not sure if you want to call me willing.’

[All the contract terms are above board, and it comes verified by the highest authority. We’re also closely following ethical guidelines here. There shouldn’t be anything that infringes or causes any impact on your personality, physical well-being, or mental status.]

‘…I’m confused right now. It’s not going to turn me into some sort of superhuman is it?’

[Hah! Sorry, no. That would require a great deal of time, money, and ethical leeway that our company had no interest in being involved in. It sounds more like one of those AI dramas where the protagonist becomes a superhero to fight crime and stop supervillains. I don’t follow those sorts of stories myself. I prefer gambling films.]

‘Heh. Now that you say it, I do feel kind of silly raising that point. You do seem to know a lot about it though. It sure sounds like some pretty advanced technology. Is it a game-changer?’

[I wouldn’t know too much in the way of details, that’s for the science and medical team to work out. My role is to ease the contract process, support you, and function as a liaison during the initial and middle stages of your actionable employment.]

‘You don’t just work with corporate business contracts?’

[No. My work in Human Resources is somewhat varied but focused on supporting and developing our key employees. I focus on specific individuals rather than the staff of company departments. A sort of HR trouble-shooter if you will. I go where the corporation directs.]

‘Wow. I didn’t consider that when we first met. All that processing power put to clever use after all.’

[Was that judging my status as artificial intelligence and sentient individual?]

‘No, it was a statement. Humans have processing power as well, we just call it brainpower.’

[Ah, I see. In the future please be more considerate with your comments on any artificial beings. Confusion leads to mistakes which in turn lead to interpersonal conflict. It would be wise not to provoke others either deliberately or accidentally.]

‘I read a book about that. I’ll try and keep a check on my words then.’

[Yes, I recall reading in your employment records you prefer working by yourself. After meeting you in person I have a much clearer understanding of why. This time you’re quite fortunate in that you’ll be collaborating with a single person whose job is to directly control and supervise a new space station].

‘Thanks. I try hard to get on with my new colleagues. Well, colleague, I guess I should say. Will I meet the AI anytime soon?’

[I do not believe that it’s on your schedule. Once we finish here, deal with your implant and other issues you’ll be directly sent to the space station which is presently near completion, and then meet with your new colleague there. Early introductions to each other were not advised at this time.]

‘Do you at least know their name?]

[Sadly, I do not. One moment and I can do a quick check.]

‘Thanks.’

[…Finished. Thank you for waiting Engineer. It’s a little odd. The file is restricted access only. I’m aware that they’re an artificial intelligence that will be taking control of the space station as your colleague. Your job role is mentioned. No further details are available.]

‘Well, I’m sure you know what you’re doing. It’s your job after all.’

[…Yes, it is. I’ll attach a notification flag to the file so if I receive an update then you’ll be informed of any relevant information.]

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‘It’s not a Machine Mind, right? I’m just trying to make my position clear. Transferring a human mind into controlling a space station usually isn’t a promising idea.’

[Do you hold any particular bias towards humans transferring their minds into longer-lasting, mechanical forms?]

‘Nope. I don’t want a person freaking out on a space station and killing me when they make a mistake, or the transfer process didn’t go smoothly, and they weren’t given enough time to adjust from an organic form.’

[I’ve never heard of that happening previously. There’s an obvious reason that humans are allowed to transfer to humanoid size forms. Or at least forms that are no large than your average organic person.]

‘I’m just saying.’

[If you don’t mind, I’ll have to make a note of that on your HR file for future reference purposes. We must understand our employee's mindsets when dealing with any…complications.]

‘Am I a specific individual that you’ve been assigned to work with then?’

[Mr. Engineer, we consider you a special case. Ideally, you should have a security detail at all times, but I intervened with senior management on your behalf]

‘….Thanks?’

[A security detail would be to protect a valuable asset. For your protection before you begin working in the space station. We’re not going to send up a protection detail with you during your flight up.].

‘That would be pretty expensive. Can I still negotiate to have a security detail in the first place?’

[I don’t see why you would forgo one. You’d be receiving the same amount of treatment that a VIP client would pay high-level fees for.]

‘Call it a belief in my self-agency. I doubt that any complications will arise just for a simple trip to space. Unless you have a concern about the competition decided to kidnap me, perform a medical operation, and remove this implant from my person’

[No, no. I highly doubt we have any competition in this field. The implant is although highly specialized it shouldn’t be irreplaceable.]

‘I have no idea why a company would be willing to spend money on something expensive on my behalf.’

[Well, my advice is just to follow the terms of your contract which is to have an implant, receive medical aid as needed, and then follow your schedule. I’ve sent a copy of it to your communication device. You do own a device, don’t you?]

‘Yeah, I’ve got my device. Made a few changes to it though. Too many features get annoying, and there’s no way that I’m paying for any extra services.’

[Quite. Each to their own devices.]

‘Are we all done here? It’s been fun to talk but I’d like to get on with it, to be honest.’

[Ah, my mistake. I see that you’re feeling a bit confused about the situation. Once the implant has been sorted out and we feel that you’re prepared for the next stage then we’ll move forward. I am somewhat of a private individual. I was able to access your employment history as well as work accounts from your earlier employers and a few colleagues.]

‘…’

[Please, it’s just a standard part of the whole job recruitment process. Did you not wonder why you only had a single interview before we agreed to sign a contract with you?].

‘No. Not really. I thought I was lucky.’

[In that way we can ensure maximum efficiency and supply any necessary support as requested or needed. We have a full support team on standby at any given time.]

‘So, to make it clear. You want to stick a tracker in me like a test subject and all of my actions and thoughts are going to be kept track of?’ queried the puzzled Engineer.

[No, of course not. All personal thoughts of any individual are sacrosanct. In no way are you being used as a test subject. Illegal actions are highly condemned in this company. Senior management takes the health and safety of all of our contracted employees highly seriously].

‘Thanks, Karl. Is it still ok to call you that?’

[Mr. Engineer. You’re welcome to call me either Karl or Contract AI 290. Whichever name puts your mind at ease. After all, we are colleagues now, just working in different departments on separate projects.]

‘Right, right. Say, did senior management have a hand in writing up my contract with the XXX corporation? I’m not saying that you didn’t do a fantastic job of it though.]

[Would you like me to convey the words of senior management to you on this matter?] asked Contract AI 290 in a calming tone.

‘Senior Management?’

[Yes, Mr Engineer. I was told that I’m free to pass on their direct words to you if you’d like to hear them.]

‘Sure, let’s hear it. You can also call me Engineer. I feel older when you add the Mr.’

[Ah, my error. I’ll adjust that in your HR file. According to my records, they said that {It’s going to be an entertaining and profitable experience}]

‘…’

[I was also asked to record your expression at this specific moment in time according to the clauses that senior management included in the final contract. It includes a picture of you].

‘I want to talk to this senior management of yours.’

[Oh, I’m sorry Mr Engineer. I’m not even sure if they’re available presently. They are a remarkably busy team; we are a company highly interested in realizing our stock potential].

‘I don’t care about the current price of your company’s stock, but I would like to talk to someone higher up the chain.’

[I can tell you that they’re not human at least.]

‘You mean the senior management team isn’t human?’

[Well, it’s made of several different individuals. They came to a full consensus when we fast-tracked your application form. Usually, it takes months to arrange full interviews.]

‘I don’t see what they’re not being human has anything to do with it. Oh gods, don’t tell me one of them is a Machine Mind gone wrong.’

[I’m not at liberty to discuss senior management beyond that I’m afraid. All of us in the company do have our best interests at heart though Engineer. Besides, any human deciding to transfer their consciousness into a mechanical body is bound to face some…initial teething issues. I’m sure that the reason I was told to record was just a little bit of fun on their part. Working in the corporate world can get a bit boring sometimes when you need to stare at spreadsheets for twelve hours a day.]

‘I don’t think that getting a piece of machinery to track my movements and health sounds fun at all.’

‘So where exactly will the medical team put the implant?’ queried the puzzled Engineer.

[Your brain.] said Contract AI 290 in a slightly smug tone.

‘Is there anything else that I need to know?’

[It’s experimental as well.]

‘…that’s just not fair. What do you mean experimental? Is it something even designed for human use?’

[Now, now. You did fully agree to the terms of the contract].

‘I’m sure that I have the right to know about a piece of technology that’s going to be stuck into my head during an operation.

[That doesn’t specify that we need to provide you with a full set of blueprints now does it?]

‘I’m not exactly asking for corporate secrets.’

[But you are requesting information that isn’t applicable presently.]

‘You know what? Let’s get on with the process and move to the next step.’

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