Starlight is for Always

Chapter 18: "Putting It All Together"

As predicted, dozens of journalists from the press, both locally and internationally, lined the front of the building of MicroApple.

Behind the podium, Pilar and Jagger stood nervously holding hands as their parents and friends which included Rio, Jerrica, Aja, Craig, Stormer, Rapture, and Roxy showed support and waited for a cue to make an announcement.

Near the wings, Dee, Peter, Pia, Sherry, and Sam observed the media spectacle as Cynthia and Flo stayed behind to watch it from their television sets. Their P. R. person cued Rio.

The corporate business owner walked over to the microphone and addressed his audience.

"Thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen, and members of the press for coming. For those that don't me, my name is Rio Pacheco and I am co-founder, CEO and owner of MicroApple Corporations. In the past few days, you've all been introduced to the knowledge of an advanced form computerized technology called holographic imaging. Let me say that this invention is nothing new and has been introduced over the years by researchers and scientists but at a lower level of experimentation. Sadly, none of this has ever come successfully to fruition so the possibility of making four dimensional images has yet to become a thing of reality."

"That all changed with Miss Jerrica Benton's father, Emmett Benton. This late man you could say was the Godfather of Hologram research. He created a successful computer system called Synergy which stands for the ultimate audio-visual entertainment synthesizer. Through his research he created this..."

A flash of light converged on the stage as Synergy floated in the air. The transparent being waved to the audience as a collective gasp filled the audience and cameras aired the footage and snapshots were taken.

Rio smiled and continued.

"This is Synergy. The original artificial intelligence, super-computer created by the late Emmett Benton and who can create hundreds of holograms per second. With MicroApple's assistance, we've upgraded her systems and made her even more highly advanced due to our breakthroughs in technology! We've now referred to Synergy's capabilities and programming as M. A. G. I. C. which stands for MicroApple Generated Imaging Computer and to which you now been exposed to within last few days."

A reporter raised up her hand. Rio addressed her.

"How do you know this Synergy isn't a threat?" The journalist asked.

Rio began to speak, but the magenta skinned computer instead spoke up.

She smiled as made her speech.

"I comprehend your concern. To better understand the nature of the logistical analysis of my workings and intentions, let it be known that any innovation or invention can be used as weapon. Your blender. As ridiculous as it sounds, can you picture some homicidal fiend trying to maim someone with a household appliance?"

"The microwave? Some less than intelligence lifeform might try to cook up a household pet or even an innocent child, and do not let me contribute to the ridiculousness of the population who find watching people harm themselves by engaging in ridiculous banter like on any of those mundane Real Housewives reality shows. The point is I'm no threat to you any more than your vacuum cleaner, television set, electronic pads, and cellphones."

Another journalist stood up. "I find that hard to believe! I've seen movies like Terminator and the Matrix. It seems machines are planning to take over the planet!"