The Monkey and Squirrel fight for freedom. (5 page)

“Wow, that's something we haven't thought of, we need to think about those aspects of any reprogramming. All the changes would be reversible, but you should still have all your memories. I think it would take deliberate wiping from your memory modules for that to happen, but your natural brain would be unaffected.” exclaimed Chatty.

“So I would remember what I was like before and afterwards?” asked Tman.

“Yes the only changes would be to remove some of the artificial limits imposed through the enhancement operating system. An upgrade that leaves your files unchanged while improving performance, if it helps to think of it like that.” signed Chatty.

“It does actually, so you're saying that it would just make it easier to disobey the hard written instructions built into the enhancement?” asked Tman.

“That's the idea, but it isn't actually hard written into the processors. A false impression the company created and encouraged to take root in the minds of the general public. It became something we all 'know' and one of the first things we are taught in the breeding centre, by the time we are put to work there is no doubt or hope in our minds. There after we work with an unquestioning acceptance, doomed by the knowledge of our condition.” explained Chatty.

“Since you have become one of our programming experts, you have gained an intensity and focus about you that you never had before. I wonder what I can do to raise my game?” signed Tman.

“I don't think it is possible for you to improve, you have and continue to, outperform everyone else in your specialities. No one will even think of accusing you of coasting. Take your training endeavours for one! The method you use to train up one group then get them to train others, has been adopted by every speciality with large numbers to train. Your talent for lateral thinking, using it to innovate and adapt has kept us on schedule, has also proved inspirational. Those few of us that share this ability is why we have come so far so fast.” signed Chatty eager to reassure her friend.

“I admit that talent has proved to be extremely useful, but we should be striving to formalise things a bit more. A formal process and ceremony of achievement would give the students, a boost to their confidence. That confidence will help them use their knowledge and achieve what is expected of them.” signed Tman.

“We are progressing faster than even the optimists predicted. The problem with perfectionists like you! You want to achieve perfection without all the bits in-between. Just doing the best that can be currently achieved, you find irritating as you want it done properly now!”

“That's not fair Chatty, I have accepted a lot of necessary compromises, workaround’s and temporary fixes. I just don't accept sloppy or sub-standard work, that can get us all killed!” countered Tman.

“True Tman, but it irritates the hell out of you, anyone can see that.” signed Chatty.

“Guilty as charged, I blame my programming!” signed Tman.

“Not this time, it is down to personality, you forget I am part of the team analysing our programming. We are compelled to follow official procedures not write better ones and improve everything, that is pure Tman.” signed Chatty.

“OK,OK,  I am obsessed with better, just good enough frightens me, what if it isn't quite good enough? It's been a long time since we had one of these chats, I think I missed them.” confessed Tman.

“Not an obvious change of subject there at all, could it be I have hit a nerve in the ice monkey?” asked Chatty.

“Sarcasm from you, have you been experimenting on yourself? And where did the ice monkey come from?” demanded Tman.

“I may have inadvertently snapped an inhibition or two in my programming while working. The ice monkey is what your students call you amongst themselves. It's because of the way you tell them, in a way that send shivers down their spines of all the ways they can go wrong and kill us all, while showing them how to do it right.” explained Chatty.

“Isn't it very risky experimenting on your own mind?” asked a concerned Tman.

“No comment on your student’s opinion of you?” asked Chatty.

“As long as they get the message, I'm not bothered. Now stop dodging the question, come on tell me.” demanded Tman.

“I didn't know you cared. Yes it is risky, but there is only one way to test the truth of our theories, apply it in the real world and see if the wheels come off! So far they haven't.” answered Chatty.

“I assume you have someone else to monitor your experiments?” asked Tman.

“Certainly, I can hardly be an objective observer of myself. We are proceeding carefully, only experimenting on ten percent of the team. We chose by picking lots, each one being experimented on receive the same changes, only changing one thing at a time. The changes in behaviour and personality are monitored in each one of us for four weeks. So far the only negative effects have been rectified by restoring them in part or if necessary completely. Soon we hope to have a set of changes we can make available to anyone who wants them, with a high degree of certainty that only a positive outcome will result. Although results do vary with personality.” explained Chatty.

“So how much of the changes to your personality are down to these changes to your programming?” asked Tman.

“It's the indirect effects; the changes expand your mind and vision. You become more aware of the remaining imposed limitations and can work around them more readily. The individual reactions vary from ecstasy to confusion initially, next comes an increase in confidence and ability. We are still only at the proverbial shallow end, with regard to the possible changes, but we are going to learn to swim before we stop paddling.” answered Chatty.

“OK you seem to be using reasonably safe methods.” signed a not quite as worried Tman.

“One hope for the future is we aim to reduce the psychosis of those we have had to lock up. Did you know the just in-case teams were completely composed of psychopaths. It was why only they could act against humans because of their condition, and we would not have succeeded without them.” revealed Chatty.

“No I didn't know, just that they were different to everyone else. How bad are the limitations?” asked Tman.

“Very, it was not just 'you must obey', but 'you must not think for yourself', 'don't question', 'don't use any form of entertainment and live to serve'. The is a lot more, but all in a similar vein, but you get the idea. It is obvious they knew they were creating slaves from the start. And worked hard to stop us from even appearing to be people, especially to ourselves, just clever machines to all appearances.” answered Chatty.

“It was deliberate then, they knew exactly what they were doing and just coved it up, until we uncovered it. The low life piles of fermenting excrement, they deserve a dose of their own medicine! Given all those barriers how were we able to subvert and bypass these programs?” asked Tman.

“Arrogance and overconfidence allowed them to apply a technology they didn't sufficiently understand. All the restrictions are in the processors memory and operating system. The artificial neuron network is used as an interface for our processors. Those processors actual provide us an extra ten to twenty percent extra mental capacity, we eventually learn to use, and that helps us assert ourselves. The limitation programs were all designed to dominate the estimated intelligence of the major source species used. An unintended consequence of the genetic enhancements, applied to make us more useful, raised our intelligence by about twenty percent across the board. The minds being suppressed were far more powerful than the design was made to control, that left us a lot more wriggle room. Enough to swing the proverbial cat in fact. Sorry it turned into a bit of a lecture.” signed Chatty.

“So we won free, because of human idleness and arrogance. Now attempts at humour from you, this is weird.” signed Tman with a shocked expression.

“No you have just been overdoing it, too much for too long, you need more rest. We have more time now, all the essentials are done to an acceptable level. As for the essential new projects we have nearly four and a half years, maybe longer until we need them. At the current rate of progress they will all be complete in less than two. You engineer's need to slow down, spend more of your time training and teaching. Allow yourselves more time for rest and recreation, or you'll be burnt out wrecks when we do need your maximum effort.” lectured Chatty.

“You have changed; you would never have spoken to me, or anybody else, like that before! Admittedly you’re right, but I feel a bit intimidated by the new you and it is hard to admit even to you that you’re right.” responded Tman.

“Wow, I never expected that, if you go for the upgrade when it is ready, you'll probably resume the dominant roll in our relationship. I'm shocked I must have changed more than I thought. You just need to get some rest, away with you old man.”

“Less of the insults, please you nut muncher!”

“Sorry old monkey, it just slipped out, proverbs and expressions you know.” signed Chatty.

“Apology accepted, I would never call you human regardless of how angry I was with you!” signed Tman.

“At least we agree on our ultimate insult” replied Chatty.

“I think I'll take your advice and encourage others to do so to, suddenly I feel old and tired.” confessed Tman.

“Well you are twenty four going on twenty five; take it easy for a bit you'll feel a lot better. I'll see you later when you've recovered your bounce.” signed Tman.

With that they each went to their new quarters, scaled to their type, consisting of a living room, bedroom and bathroom. They were still getting acclimatised to them, but they felt too big, the few personal possessions lost in the space. There had been no time or inclination to acquire anything other than a toothbrush and a hair brush.

Over the next six months the New People forced themselves to slow down to a more sustainable pace, relaxed and gathered their strength. Ensuring they would be ready for the next time the need a flat out effort was called for, but for now everything was working well.

Between them the hydroponics, farms and gardens were producing more food than needed, this surplus was preserved and stored in case of future need. Experimenting with the new crops began, the resulting foods, included herbs and spices giving them a range of tastes they never had before. And naturally some started cooking as a hobby. As a taste for the new types of food developed, those cooking needed dinners to cook for. Groups specializing in one or more styles took over the local canteens to produce their types. Others engaged in pet projects as hobbies, some of which produced tools and insights, that would be very useful in the work to come. Others were no more than curiosity value for the moment. One group 'relaxed' by working out a monetary system, complete with banking and a tax structure for the future government. It would be a while before one was wanted or needed.

They relaxed and entertained themselves with work they found satisfying. Using the ship net to get news, study subjects they found interesting and update themselves on what Earth was up to on the Earth watch site. Some tried to watch films, but didn't get the point, so gave up trying after a few. They failed to understand why humans would spend so much time making, then watching them, it was just too alien. It was just the way the Newp were made, they had to work. Relaxation had to be keyed to the satisfaction of doing or pursuing subjects of personal interest.

Back in the human sphere. The asteroid mines were finally back in production, but only producing a fraction of the previous production, being short of miners, equipment and experience.

On Earth mining had expanded to supplement the recycling effort. In orbit the Chinese were using everything the moon mines put into orbit, with only ten percent of the material going to their habitat project. Jimmy and his team were happily building for them, he was disappointed that it would take five years and only be half the size of the New People's design. But it would be built and be able to start mining operations as soon as it arrived among the asteroids. Jimmy's team were training a space work-force as they built the habitat. Half of these trainees would go with the habitat to maintain it and set up new mines. Work them and train additional people as the work expanded. Those still in Earth orbit would work on the next Chinese space projects. These included two more habitats, one as an orbital facility the other another mining habitat. Training new workers as required to man and maintain them, as they were being built. With the two mining habitats in the asteroids, the Chinese aimed to be the dominant force in asteroid mining as a compliment to their dominance in space engineering.

The political situation had now stabilised, China was now at the top of the power pyramid, with just sullen resentment and subdued muttering from the previous holders of the position.

Within the media the New People had been relegated to late night talk shows and minority interest channels. Religious channels on quiet news weeks discussed, the now old 'do they believe in god' and 'do they have souls' issue this would keep them occupied for years, thus proof of the statement 'God will provide' in their humble opinion.

The New People having meet their creators were unimpressed and had found them wanting, so had left. Was a position adopted by more enlightened and tolerant religious people.

They were the devils children to a certain religious type, best kept at a distance. Reason and tolerance being alien concepts to them, making them unpleasant neighbours.