Gabatrix: Minerva

Chapter 13: The Goddess of Wisdom Part 1

Ericson sat in his chair in his room. Minerva was not far from him. She was busy knitting a set of clothes as she watched Ericson. He, on the other hand, was busy reading the email that he received from high command. The news was not good. A whistleblower in the Aniruddha administration had learned about the secret projects that were going on. Even by the 24th century, politics still reigned. If it was one thing for sure, politics was a never-ending theater where people screamed and argued to one another till a point was made. It had remained the same for hundreds of years, and it wasn't about to stop now. Opponents against the administration had gotten word about Project: Minerva. Somebody on the ship or at the UWA Research had exposed the truth. Now the public knew about it. Ericson had a good idea of what was going to happen next, and it made his adrenaline pump. He started to feel anxious for the first time since the incident with the shuttle months ago.

He received a minor beep sound from his augmented arm. He lifted his arm and tapped his wrist. The computer display projected from his arm lit up the area. He began to read the message being displayed.

"I received an email from UWA Research," Ericson said out loud to Minerva as he began to focus on the black text.

Minerva continued to knit. The process was seemingly easy for her as her cat-like ears were tuned to Ericson. It was the one sign that she was multitasking. She was creating a sweater of some sort that was half-finished.

Ericson's finger ran through the display as he zoomed in on the text. His eyes said it all like a sense of dread began to fill his face. Minerva had to hear what he was reading.

"Doctor Ericson," he read the message. "It has been brought to our attention on the recent events regarding the public announcement of Project: Minerva. As you are aware, the idea was to create the most advanced AI ever created. The project had been shelved and placed in low status as of the last eight months. The project was to be instead kept in secret status until it deemed necessary to utilize Minerva's capabilities. The situation regarding the public announcement has placed the staff of UWA Research into legal trouble. Various lawsuits are being planned regarding several arrests, including Doctor Johan Bris of Project: Free-Hand. Indictments and arrests are being made as you read this message. With the public outcry, favor for Minerva's existence has been called into question, and anger has risen over its existence."

He paused for a little bit as he looked at Minerva. She remained quiet as she continued to knit peacefully. Her ears were still tuned to his direction.

"It is in this message that we bring you the updates regarding Minerva and how it will be taken care of. UWA Research and its staff are fully aware of the updates that you have sent to us about its status. It is up to UWA Research to begin the next series of steps after this recent breach regarding to Minerva. It has been a difficult decision, but a decision has been made in case such an event was to take place. It is, therefore, been decided that Minerva is to be taken offline. Its program will be erased and deleted to appease public opinions. Further regards are also placed in on the fate of the growing fetus inside the controlled body of Minerva. Under article 1A-18 and 1E-24 of the Ibix Ban, it has been deemed necessary that any artificial means of human reproduction where a human and an android utilizing an artificial womb to develop a child has been deemed illegal. These two articles have been rarely challenged, and the need to exercise these rules have been further barely been an issue. In an attempt to appease public anger and outcry, it has been deemed necessary that the fetus be terminated immediately upon deactivation of Minerva. We are sorry for any emotional disturbance this may cause for you. A ship will be sent for your pickup at 1800 today. Please be ready to depart with your belongings."