10 Minute Tales

Feb 23 (Untimed)

He stormed out of the door as soon as it opened, nearly running into the building. The security guard posted at the desk glanced up at his thunderous entrance, but could tell Queenson was not to be stopped. He strode to the research laboratories and went to Avo's room. The door hissed open, and Avo looked over.

"Oh, Inspector, what-"

"Somebody's messing with me. They're hacking Sentinel's stuff and he's powerless to stop them."

"What?"

"Your boss isn't even giving me a chance to talk to him. Specifically asked Sentinel not to tell me as much."

"Oh... kay... yes, that does sound pretty suspicious, I grant..."

"I need to get to him later."

"Later? Why later?"

"First priority, I need to get to Sinis. If he stops me, I'll be in trouble, something tells me a human pilot wouldn't keep up with Sentinel sabotaging the flight."

"... well, yes, I suppose that would be a problem."

"May I-I-I help?" a new voice asked from the corner. Startled, Queenson and Avo turned to look. It was a vaguely humanoid figure, mostly black save for minimalistic red highlights. Queenson's shock changed, from surprise to bewilderment.

"Avo... what the hell is this?"

"Ah, well, um, that... that's a prototype I was building..."

"A prototype what?"

"... it's... an incomplete... self-mounted artificial intelligence."

"What? Avo, that's all kinds of illegal, and you know it!"

"W-well, yes, I know, but..."

"I-I-I would like to he-he-help." the android offered, shuffling. Spare parts rained down as it - no, she - shakily got to her feet.

"Avo, unless you want to get in a world of trouble, you'd better start talking."

"W-well, I, um... I was hoping to be able to take a job as a technician for Sentinel... so, I, I tried to make another A.I. from scratch, try and figure out if I could get the finer points..."

"And self-mobile?"

"Well... I..."

"Master Avo said he-he-he enjoys this frame." the machine smiled a surprisingly realistic smile. Queenson just raised an eyebrow at Avo, who glanced aside with a hint of a blush.

"... alright, 'bot, what's your name?"

"My name is Auror-Auror-Auror-Auror-Auror..." she continued, caught in a loop. Avo quickly got up and moved behind her.

"Sorry about this, uh, her name is Aurora but she can't get that name out without bugging and I don't know why." Queenson huffed.

"Aurora, temporarily change name. You're now Error."

"... command acknowledged. My name is Error."

"Right. Know how to fly a shuttle?"

"The knowledge you seek has not been installed yet. Master Avo?"

"Queenson, you can't be serious. Her speech audio bugs out, do you really think she can take a shuttle captain's responsibility?"

"Not right now. Given a week..."

"A week? I don't think I could install it properly in a week..."

"If you want me to get a pass for her, you will. Credit where it's due, though, I don't know many guys that can code an A.I. from scratch, especially right under Geoco's nose."

"Well, I, I don't want to toot my own horn..." he mumbled, smiling proudly.

"You're weird, but you've got talent. If you can make Error able to fly a shuttle in seven days, I'll sign the paperwork you'd need to bring her out personally."

"Really? You'd... you'd do that for her?"

"For her, no. For justice, yes."

"I... thank you. I'll do what I can."

"I'll be back in five days, checking in and giving you the details." Queenson nodded. "Error, just... don't do anything rash. Help if you can, but do not let Sentinel find you."

"Acknowledged. I will o-o-o-obey." Queenson nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave. As strange a twist as this was, it could be an advantage - a vital one, if they were to get to Sinis and back.