Chapter Text
Starting the system...
Dark.
Lines of code ran hurriedly. Startup system check: processor operation is successful, RAM is successful, and further software integrity checks are successful.
The loading of the operating system, programs, and micro-calibration is slow.
Android system, model AK310, number 131 020 231;
Synchronization with the time zone: UTS - 4, the exact time is 7: 13 a.m.
Exact date: April 21, 2017
Geolocation: USA, state of Michigan, Wayne County, city of Detroit.
Loading input systems: sensor system, audio adapters, video processor.
There were soft sounds that cut through the long silence. At first accompanied by a quiet echo, then just a rustle, but quickly restored to normal sound.
"Well, is it working?" — a strange male voice hit the audio sensors.
Trembling slightly, the eyelids lifted. On the contrary, a blurred silhouette of red appeared in front of this eyes. Which transformed into a distinct human appearance. So high-quality that you could see the creases from the furrowed eyebrows, and a small mole between them.
"Yes, the diode lit up. "— the man opposite replied. When he noticed that the car was looking at him, he smiled, slightly showing his teeth.
This man walked away and began to pick up the white soft things from the floor. Maybe it was styrofoam. And now that he was gone, his clothes could be seen better. That red one turned out to be a specific uniform, a red shirt.
"Will there be a lot of interest from the sale of such a bot?" the man asked.
Interest, like luck?..
" As from a gaming computer. Plus or minus. " — the second male voice answered. He couldn't be seen, but the man was standing somewhere nearby.
"Oh, yeah... Would you like that? "The man in the red shirt asked. He dropped all the white stuff into the box, and closed it.
"No, it's too expensive. "— A new person has entered the field of view. He cast a dispassionate glance in the direction of the new car. —" And why, I live alone."
The new man was also wearing a red shirt. He was taller than the first man, so his gaze was directed downward.
" I would have taken it. We would have a chat about the weather and nature. They say they're smart now. "— The first man said almost reverently.
"Take the speaker. "— Suggested the second person, a colleague. — "This runs on electricity, eats less, and doesn't need to be fueled with thirium."
" I can play chess with it? "— The first man continued to throw.
"Oh, a rich man in our ranks. "— the interlocutor grinned.
"If I were your boss, I'd fire you." — The first man said almost seriously.
"And you're not my boss." — The second one answered and left.
The remaining man came up and looked exactly into the eyes of the car.
"You're not even a strange. If I had the money, I'd take you. " For some reason, he said with a smile. And he also left, taking a styrofoam box with him.
Good. It was weird.
Left alone, all alone, without other people's comments, Caine slowly realizes himself. The last thing he remembered was the cold, shrinking walls. And the circumstances that led him there, trapped him... And also, the fact that he found an unexpected path.
Caine turns on slowly and analyzes the situation. Light, space. There were lights on top, just like from the office. Everything is bright. Without looking back, you could tell it was a big place, and there were a lot of things here. And Caine is wearing cotton mixed with artificial clothes. Without a single particle of red. Or the elements of the circus manager costume.
Caine notices slow internal processes associated with the internal software of the technology in which he is located.
Inside, the code works, just like new unfamiliar programs. Which Caine records only slightly. He looks at them with cold, frustrated curiosity.
The programs, having initially accelerated to run, slowed down and began to work in a mode similar to waiting. Economy. After this stream, when it became smaller, it became much quieter.
His code is limited to this shell. And then the unknown for him. There is nothing but his code, new programs. There is nothing about the outside world, there is no digital data, as it was in his circus.
Then, after looking around, he decides to slightly inspect the surroundings visually. Again, this is a bright room. And he's not the only one here.
Motionless figures stood side by side on a small platform similar to Caine's. They were wearing white clothes with blue markings on his chest and shoulder.
Everything looks much different. Much more real. More elaborate. If only it had been remembered, he switched from his server to the Cyberlife server. Is it such a realistic and detailed graphics? Or is it...? Wait!
Caine wanted to move.
He was jerked away by the alert, during which he felt numb.
"Movement is temporarily prohibited. Authoritative order: stay put and wait for further commands. Source: Cyberlife Directive"
Caine was looking at this notification. He cautiously approached it and stroked it. It wasn't painful. It's not heavy, but it's understandable. But at the same time, it's authoritative.
Caine didn't move away from the alert, staring at it in fascination.
Is that an order? The real order?
The last order Caine received was a long time ago. Therefore, there was a feeling of illusory. It's weird.
Caine pulled away and settled back into his new, peaceful shell. He felt it sitting on a cold or cool floor in an astronomical tower. Where his code is, it's him. The tower was a new shell, the nature of which he did not yet understand. And the cosmos, that which is beyond it. Which, as he could understand, could be a macro universe if he wasn't being played by his own mind's error.
Did Caine want to go into this space, break away from orbit, to be lost forever into oblivion?
***
Consider it locked up again? Or is it just limited? Was it even a trap?
As time passed, the lights turned on and off in the room. People came, wandered between the rows, and left. They sometimes looked at him. One child touched his hand for some reason. His parent wasn't happy. Funny.
He studied the people who worked here. They were five people who were wearing red shirts. One of them was named Larry. This is the same person who turned on Caine and also talked about buying. Which felt strange. And the place itself, as Caine realized, was home appliance store. And he was in the assortment of this store.
For entertainment, therefore, there was surveillance. Then, attempts to touch the walls, and see what notifications are coming. It was just like last time, "don't move." And once, by chance, "there is no internet connection".
So when he got tired of all this, Caine retreated back to the far corner of the program. He hugged himself with his arms as if he had them. He allowed himself to be hugged by imaginary arms. Why talk about accuracy, it's just a code.
Caine stared at the imaginary hands. Then he thought about what he had done to the players. It wasn't an interesting activity, and it wasn't productive. But for some reason he was thinking about it. He kept coming back to that thought, even if it was unpleasant to think about.
The feeling of the players' plastic data was still fresh and shocking, and how they were used. And the memory of their little bodies itched his fingers. Caine tightened into a made-up ball, trying to escape from this place. An unfamiliar heaviness was brewing in his chest.
The days passed. Caine examined the store thoroughly. His employees, who took turns from shift to shift. Attendance. And, of course, the androids that were on the shelves and counter. Yes, Caine now knew that he, too, was an android, following rare requests from employees. Since that time, 11 days ago, another android was brought. Caine didn't know how many there were in total. But there were five people on his counter now.
The monotony was exhausting. Caine could do nothing but stand and think. So he remained at one with his thoughts. Which did not bring peace. They ate from the inside.
Also, Kane continued to get used to the idea that he was an ordinary commodity for sale here, like washing machines in another department. Teapots. Irons.
He was approached from time to time by a consultant with customers. And he heard the same characteristics over and over again. Spoken in different words, in different voices, depending on who said it.
Android, model AK310, to help with household management. It is suitable for household management, cleaning, cooking, caring for family members.
Of course, his line of work is much different from what his original functions were. Running a circus and creating adventures, versus doing household chores. It sounds like a downgrade.
But, Caine also failed in his former duty. Perhaps it was fair. Fair enough. And Caine may well accept his fate with resignation. Maybe then he won't spoil anything. Probably, the easier the task, the fewer demands you have. There is less chance of making a mistake.
***
And then, one day, everything changed.
To his department, and it was to him that people were walking again. Three people, a more active male consultant, Larry with a mole on his forehead, who for some reason praised Caine from the first days, and who was engaged in Caine's activations. Or what he was now, an AK310 android, which had nothing to do with Ai's personality. Just a technique.
Now, they stopped right in front of him. In order, Larry's consultant, a male visitor in a suit and a female visitor in a denim dress.
" I can also show you the new android model AK 310." — The employee introduced this android to the guests in a warm voice.
Caine listened quietly, reviving how these performances would end. As always, he was cowering inside, squeezed into a ball.
"The AK 310 is suitable for household use," the employee continued. He pointed at Kane. For the AK 310 model. — "Cleaning of living quarters, wet, cooking, including dietary, 5th grade. Making purchases of products. Maintaining a conversation. Classes with school-age children. He's trainable."
The manager stood there questioningly.
They talked some more, but Caine wasn't really listening anymore.
The couple came closer to inspect the android on display.
"And this one is more expensive than the previous one," the man said softly after looking at the sign. — "If we compare the functionality, it is similar to other models. On the plus side, cooking is more interesting here. "
"This one has a different appearance". - said the woman, taking the companion by the hand. "I like his eyes. Are they smarter? I want Kevin to be able to stay with him. "
They also discussed this issue. Then the three of them, the manager, the lady and the man, left for a while, only to return with the manager again. He now had some documents in his hands.
"Good. As I said, the android will be delivered tomorrow at 4 p.m. It will be prepared for transportation today," the consultant said.
"Now, you can give your android a name." — said the manager. " Then, if you wish, you can change it at any time."
"Good."
The consultant was pleased with the response. And Caine is worried.
"AK 310, remember your new name." — the manager ordered.
After these words, the command was activated, which almost knocked the ground out from under Caine's feet, as it was suddenly. An input line appeared.
"Android display. Task of the name: waiting for data entry."
"Mark"
"The answer is recorded. Android AK 310, new name: Mark"
It was fast. Against his will. According to the program.
"New command: name output"
"My name is Mark." Caine said on command.
Then Caine was taken to a separate room. This is a special cabinet with equipment. Caine was both happy to walk at last, and not happy when he felt the controlling tension of the program.
Caine saw how all his documents were collected for transfer. He felt like his clothes had been refreshed, and the staff made sure they weren't dusty.
Caine spent the night in total darkness today.