Serial Designation

Chapter 5

As we descended the stairs to the living room, we heard literally nothing from downstairs. When we got to the bottom of the stairs, Mom and Carl were still standing exactly where we left them, both staring at each, although Mom looked displeased as Carl was nervously fidgeting so much I thought his fingers would come off.

Me and Veronix exchanged glances and then looked back and forth between them. They didn't break their stare, they didn't even notice we entered.

After what felt like five minutes of us staring at them staring at each other, I said semi-loudly: "So, uh, is this a staring contest, or...?"

Both of them gave a start and looked at Veronix and I in the doorway.

"O-oh! Uh, no," Carl said, glancing nervously at Mom.

Mom looked at Carl, but with less distaste, and then back at us. "Did you find anything out from that chip and how it works?"

"Well..." Me and Veronix exchanged glances. She inhaled and nodded. "We did find out something that might intrigue you two. Let's all sit."

***

"What?!" Mom said.

"Eeyup. That's what it said," Veronix replied.

"It seems to have an actual life of its own," I confirm, "it talks like a normal human, has a dang attitude" —Veronix nods behind me— "and it had emotion. I think it was completely sentient."

"So then it wasn't a glitch in their programming, it was them getting angry and rebelling?" Mom piped up.

"Yes, we do believe so."

"But then, how do I have sentience right now?" Carl asked.

"I'm... not actually sure. Maybe... Sis, did you see where that chip fell out from?"

"Uh, his head," Veronix retorted.

"Oh, gee, that's helpful. Carl, hold still." I got up, went over to Carl, and started examining his head. It was so strange, how warm he felt, how real his skin was. It made me wonder how he was really built.

I folded his right ear forward and let out a small "Ah!" There, behind his ear, was what looked to be a small USB port, with two plugs. One was empty, the other had a green chip plugged into it, very well hidden.

I experimentally pulled it out, and Carl went limp and fell over on the couch.

I gave a start. "Carl? CARL??" I slapped him multiple times. His x eyes had disappeared, and his entire eyes were a dull grey.

"Put the chip back in!" Veronix said. I pull Carl's ear back and plug the chip in, and

immediately his eyes power back on, saying:

YOU DIED

[AGAIN. SORT OF. BASICALLY.]

VIBE: TwT WTF

RESTARTING SYSTEMS

[100%]

LOG: DAY [3RR0R404N0TF0UND]

ERROR

ERROR

ERROR

ERROR

The word "ERROR" kept glitching in Carl's eyes until a dingggggg sounded from him, and he sat up so fast that he almost headbutted me in the nose.

"So wait," Carl said as if he hadn't just basically dropped dead, "Both of my chips give me sentience, follow me on a journey, but one can override the other?"

"U-uh, yes, that... that actually makes sense, holy crap." I put a finger on my chin and think.

"Then your rational programming chip can override your bad chip's programming?" Veronix asked.

"It must be able to..." I say.

"Waiwaiwaiwait," Mom says, "If they can, then why haven't they?"

I look at the doorway to the stairs, thinking about the chip. "Maybe it's rare..."

"And its name is Carl Number 2?" Carl asks.

"Oh, yeah, it didn't get it at first, but it made sense to it, so now, yeah, that's its name," I explain.

"I can't believe that thing was in my head..." he says, "...what if you left it in, would I have its personality?"

"Let's not try," I say. I look back at the doorway. "But... It seems we may have to consult the Oracle again."

Everyone stared at me.

"Carl Number 2!"

Everyone oh'd. "I'll come with!" Carl chimed, "I wanna see what was in my head this whole time."

"Are you sure? You might... you know." I look at Carl's fidgeting hands doubtfully.

Carl noticed and put his hands at his side, straightening up. He was actually much taller than me when he wasn't trying to shrink back from Mom. "I won't get scared, or brainwashed, or whatever. I wanna give that thing a piece of my mind."

"Give it a piece of your mind, or make it give a piece of your mind back to you?" Veronix asked from the couch.

Carl opened his mouth to say something, thought, and then resigned with a "uh, yes, that is correct."

"Thought so. Come on, Carl." I turn to my sister and Mom. "Later, we might not make it back alive!"

Neither of them smiled.

"That- that was a joke."

Both of them mm'd.

I looked back and forth between them. "O-okay, bye," I said, and ascended the stairs.