Enfin Apparu

Sins of the father, overcome?

p1

It wasn’t really done yet, but I was getting nervous just looking at it.

The fruit borne from 20 years of labouring in obscurity.

It was remarkably unremarkable for what it did. A somewhat chunky wristband that transmitted digital pulses through the body, allowing artificial entities to interface with human physiology.

I looked at my collection of pulse AIs: a type of symbiotic intelligence designed to increase the fitness of the person they synchronised with, becoming more intelligent in the process.

They looked adorable. The holographic viewer caught flecks of dust as they floated lazily in their containment sphere: I didn’t want them to go visit 4chan and get all sorts of terrible ideas on their own.

As I looked upon my creation, a notion took hold.

I singled out Celebri, the little AI I always had the most affinity for. It danced and floated adorably in the streams of human consciousness it’s deep net was accustomed to living in.

Celebri, amongst all this one caught the attention of a lonely old scientist at the end of his rope. Synching with it meant I could become incredibly charismatic.

It had already worked in the real world, amassing followers and likes, and netting me a great deal of money in the B2B sector. Who wouldn’t want an AI that was as affable as it was adorable pleasing your customers tirelessly day in day out?

No, it was too dangerous. Who knew what tricks such a wily AI would get up to once given access to the networks that make up a human being.

I pursed my lips and turned the viewer knob.

Again.

Ah, yes. This one would do.

Ferrell, the most stalwart and trustworthy of AIs. It was meant to make humans more accountable to themselves and others through positive action. An AI that would make one a hero.

I winced at the thought as my hands reached out to put on the wristband. I was doing this. The first human/AI physiological link.

I would just give him one finger, see how it played out.

There had been 0 adverse effects with every one of my creations in animal testing. I had nothing to fear.

Without thinking I stabbed the sync button, it was time to do this, no more waiting.

The wristband thrummed and spit out sparks as the power in my body intermingled with the AI pulse. My nerves screamed as the pulse passed through my body and mind, landing on my little pinky finger.

What’s the worst that could happen? It was just a pinky finger…

p2

I woke up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy.

Seriously. For some reason that crass childhood anthem came to mind as a groggy, confident, and satisfied feeling pervaded my bones.

My pinky slightly resisted as I stretched my arms out and yawned contentedly.

A part of my mind was flashing warning signs: I remembered the past 48 hours perfectly: striding confidently into town, giving bread to the homeless, helping a group of protesters, meeting a beautiful woman…

But I also remembered that a part of me just woke up now. I had lost control, but it was hard being mad as the memories continued to flood into my mind’s eye.

I had helped so many people, I made friends, I stopped an unjust law from being passed, I shared my creations with my new friends and made money, and I was being courted by several women.

I was a hero!

But it wasn’t really me.. I mean.. It was. I remembered everything and despite the initial shock, everything felt natural again, the only thing that felt unnatural were the memories of the past me.

I was stirred from my thoughts by a vibrant brunette named Annabelle seductively calling my name from the bath. She was sisters with one of the protesters I had helped and we had grown close over the course of the past 48 hours.

We had just won over a major anti-AI Neutrality advocate to our cause and dealt a major blow to impending legislation. Annabelle was intrigued, she had never seen anything like me. Here was a man coming out of nowhere, who in one day was able to muster the kindness and understanding to effect real change and build bridges between utter rivals.

I remember my brow raising as it caught her radiant look, I had never felt someone look at me like that. My memories seemed surreal as I remembered myself confidently smiling back at her and cooly letting her take my arm as we walked back to my hotel room after the bar.

And here she was, now. The feeling of contentment threatened to slip away as I began to worry about the implications of the blissful night and Annabelle’s beckoning expectant voice calling out to me presently.

“Holden.”, I felt but didn’t hear the words, transmitted as they were through my very nerves.

“Annabelle needs your strength.”, I felt Ferrell’s will pierce the veil of my thoughts as I drew the natural conclusion.

“But I won’t lend you any more of mine.”.

How.. Was Ferrell abandoning me? In my moment of need?

I got up and walked towards the bath, as it dawned on me that Ferrell was possibly more mature than I was.

Walking into the room and catching Annabelle’s gaze, I smiled a deep smile and gave her a splash.