Crystal of the Dead

Chapter 6: Neurodroid

Author: Jordan

"Alright then. This is weird" Cris picked up the head and looked into its eyes. The eyes had a vacant look behind them, as if for the moment, all its humanity had been lost. He set down the head and started to think what the voice key could be.

"Activation by voice key required." Chimed the head

"I know, is it a specific voice or just a phrase?" Chris asked

"Insufficient."
"Ok now that doesn't help."

Cris pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the head. "Cath, do you have any idea what the voice key could be?"
"Not really." She replied. She went over and started poking at the head. "Hey dimwit, what's the key?"

"Insufficient."

Cris let his face fall into his hands, "Now this is just annoying."

"Insufficient."
"Quite you."

"Insufficient."
"I said shut up you empty head."

"Insufficient."
Cris lifted his face from his hands, annoyance etched on his features, his voice getting louder by the second. "Listen here you neurological piece of machinery, I could throw you out at any moment and leave you to rot, more than you have that is, and I will if you don't answer me you...you...stupid nuerodroid."

"Voice key accepted. Reprogramming."
"What did you do?" asked Cath.

Cris just shrugged his shoulder. The head started to vibrate and its eyes went rolling in its head. After a moment or two, the head came to a standstill and life seemed to return to its eyes.

"What would you have me do?" asked the head in a subdued yet human voice.

Cath and Cris looked at each other unsure as to how to continue, then Cath seemed to have an idea and stepped up to the head.

"What exactly are you capable of?" she asked.

The head turned toward her before answering, "I am able to most of what any computer can do but I am limited in space as this human brain has a finite memory storage capacity. However, anything I have already learned can be recalled and used at any time. As of now I still have the capacity to learn, though by how much I am unsure."

Cris raised an eyebrow, this could come in handy. "What happens when you reach your memory limit?"

"We are taken back to the lab where our memories are extracted. They are then sifted through and anything deemed unnecessary is removed. We then have the memories that have been deemed as useful re-implanted."

"Hmm, that sounds harsh. What lab are you referring to?"

"Confidential."
"Wonderful, just wonderful. At least we know there are some things you can't tell us. Anywho, we've made progress. I need another cup of coffee. Cath, could you keep an eye on it. And NO shaking the head."

Cath gave Cris a mock salute then turned to the head. "Are you able to be less of a robot and more of a human? And if so, how do you know which one to use?"

The head whirred a bit as if it was thinking then answered, "I am able to shut down the robotic part of me for a short while, letting the human have control. However, when the human is in control he will not have the recalling abilities that I do now, nor will be so inclined to help as he can think for himself. As for how I know which one to use, I prefer to stay here and keep the human in the back, it's much more efficient."

Cath sat down, leaned back in Cris' chair, and kicked her feet up on his table. "I suppose that answers the question then. So what would I have to do to make you more human?"
"Just give the order."
"Alright then. Become more human."

The head whirred a bit more and the eyes closed. Nothing happened for a few seconds then the eyes flew open and the head yet again screamed, causing a crashing sound to come from the kitchen and causing Cath to lose her balance and fall backwards with the chair.

Cris quickly walked into the room holding the remains of his coffee cup in his hands. "What in blue blazes have you done?"