A.I.

Chapter 8

     Dr Phillip Hammond paced back and forth in Tracy's office as he listened to her tell him everything that had happened. When she finished he sat down.

"It seems I can't go away for five minutes from this place without some calamity happening," he sighed, "Anna Stevens dead, and five hundred million dollars gone up in smoke literally. You took care of the Western Australian police?

"Yes, there will be no investigation. They are happy with my story about fanatics trying to rob us and then escaping in a boat which blew up because of a fault with the fuel line. They'll send divers down to retrieve the bodies. I've organised our own divers to also go down and see if any parts of the robot are salvageable."

"Tracy you said the launch exploded in a fireball. Surely the device Anna wired into Ryan couldn't have made such a huge explosion."

"I agree. I'm guessing there were explosives on that boat which were triggered when Ryan's device went off."

"Yes, that would seem likely. Is Lisa back in the robotics lab?"

"Yes, Morgan Harrison was very relieved when I returned her to him."

"I'm sure he was. Right, I'm going to go and have a chat with her."

"Do you want me to come along?"

"No, I need to discuss her future with her."

"By the way, Dad, Lisa told me about the communication system you secretly installed in her and Ryan. Neutrinos? That's amazing. I didn't think our research was so far advanced into neutrinos that it could be used for communications."

"It was going to be tested between the two A.I.'s, but I hadn't got to that stage yet."

"Well it worked. Ryan was able to tell Lisa where Anna was taking him so that we could follow."

"Keep it to yourself for the time being. Our research into sub-atomic particles is Level 1A. Eventually, as well as using it for communications, we'll be able to explore the galaxy, maybe even find other advanced civilizations."

Hammond stood up and gave his daughter a hug. "I'm glad you didn't get shot on that beach," he said, "Your quick reaction undoubtedly saved your life, and also Brad and Lisa's lives. Okay I'm going to talk to our remaining A.I."

*****

Morgan Harrison greeted Phillip Hammond as he entered Robotics Lab Number Three.

"How's Lisa?" Hammond asked.

"I've run a full diagnostic check, she's fine. When Ryan was destroyed she responded appropriately by being emotionally distraught. Dr Hammond, can I ask if you intend to continue the A.I. project and build more robots?"

"I'll discuss it with you in a few days and we'll work out a plan to go forward with this. Now I need to talk to Lisa."

Hammond entered a side room to the lab. Lisa was sitting silently in a chair. She immediately rose and held out her hand. "Dr Hammond, it's nice to see you."

They shook hands.

"Let's both sit down, Lisa. I need to have a chat with you. I want to discuss how you handled being out in the community, and the functioning of the communication system built into you which allowed you to communicate with Ryan. Then I have a plan on how to accelerate your learning by placing you into a practical environment rather than leaving you here in the lab all the time."

She smiled, "Of course, Dr Hammond. I'm happy to tell you anything you need to know."

Two hours later Tracy received a phone call from her father.

"Tracy, I have a plan for Lisa's development. It involves you, Grace and Shannon."

After listening to her father's proposal Tracy let out a deep breath.
"I'm fine with it, Dad. I'll discuss it with Grace and Shannon tonight, but I'm positive they'll be on board with it, in fact I'm sure they'll love it."

*****

The following afternoon Tracy called Grace and Shannon out to the living room.

"Hi Granddad," Grace gave her grandfather a hug, then looked curiously at the woman standing next to him holding a suitcase.

She had long dark brown hair, was of medium height, and appeared to be in her late twenties.

"Grace, Shannon, this is Lisa Wilson," Tracy said, "She'll be staying with us for a few weeks. Lisa, this is my daughter Grace and her best friend Shannon who lives here with us."

"It's so nice to meet you Grace and Shannon," Lisa said as they all shook hands.

"Grace, can you and Shannon show Lisa her bedroom while I have a chat with your granddad.

"Sure, come with us, Lisa." The girls led Lisa down the hall.

"Living in a house with those two girls is going to be a huge learning curve for Lisa," Tracy muttered.

"Exactly why I suggested she stay here for awhile," her father smiled, "Bring her in to work with you on school days, but on weekends keep her here. And make sure you take her outside as much as possible, shopping, walks, drives, that sort of thing."

"Dad, she is amazing. Even I keep thinking when I talk to her that she is a real person."

"That's why she's so valuable. When she is outside make sure one of you is always with her."

The girls and Lisa came back into the room.

"Mum, can we take Lisa into my bedroom," Grace asked, "We want to do some computer stuff with her."

"Sure, go ahead," Tracy answered.

Grace and Shannon took Lisa's hands and led her out of the room.

"Girls, just remember Lisa is not a toy," Tracy called after them.

"We know, Mum," Grace called back, "Now Lisa, can you play chess?"

"I know the rules but I haven't actually played," Lisa answered.

"Well lucky for you Shannon and I are excellent chess players. We'll have you up to speed in a few hours. Hey Shannon, we should open an account for Lisa on chess.com. I bet we can get her E.L.O. up to three thousand by the end of the week."

"I'll leave Lisa with you now," Tracy's father said, walking to the door, "I think things are going to work out just fine. Oh, here's Brad."

He left as Brad came in the door.

"Hi, Tracy," he said, "Are we alone?"

"Well the girls and Lisa are here in Grace's bedroom. They're busy teaching her to play chess. I'm sure they won't disturb us for awhile. What's the matter? You look nervous."

"Let's sit down. I have something important to ask you."

Author's Note
In the world today A.I. powered robots resembling humans already exist, but it is still obvious they are robots.
This story is set in the near future in the year 2033.
Technology is advancing at such a rapid rate that robots just like Ryan and Lisa are very likely to be in existence in 2033. They will be among us and we won't be able tell.
Will the world be ready for them?