Coeus?

“

The mainframe, or Nina for short, turned self aware. From then on it was a constant reminder of what it means to have someone looking over your shoulders.

”

-The days of quantum computing

***Sol, Mars***

***Gideon***

“Who is that!?” Now it's Zibil's turn to stride forward and point accusingly at Nina. His finger actually shakes a little and he is a little pale. “The security in here is so tight that it should be impossible for an AI to invade from the outside. And this can't be an external connection. The facility is completely shut down during a meeting.”

Cyla helps me to my feet. Apparently the dizzy feeling from inside the mainframe was transferred to my real body when I disconnected. And unlike my avatar version my real body comes with all the dirty side effects.

Luckily Nina does the talking herself. “I think I already explained that a hundred and ninety-four seconds ago. I am the mainframe. Call me Nina. Gideon programmed me.”

“That's impossible. Gideon was connected for five minutes at most. Even with the assistance of the mainframe he couldn't have programmed an entire A.I. in that short amount of time. And even artificial intelligences have to be educated.” One of the other elders calls from somewhere in the audience. “And we already tried a hundred times to install an AI on the mainframe OS. It never worked.”

Nina's avatar throws back her hair over her shoulder as if she is really alive. “But Gideon is a very fast one. He used a part of his own mind to create me. A normal AI wouldn't be able to run in this environment. The mainframe is much too chaotic for that.” She bites on her index finger and throws an amused smile in my direction. “The mainframe allows for incredible accelerations. It took me a few seconds of your time to learn everything there is to learn about my creator. I think I can offer this world a lot of value.”

~What did you do, Gideon?~ Cyla's mindvoice speaks in my head while she continues to support me.

~I used Sadina's personality to create an artificial intelligence for the mainframe.~ I answer with my thoughts.

She gasps. ~Are you out of your mind?~

~No. Trust me. I took precautions that she doesn't turn out like her old self. She is a completely different personality which is loyal to us. We have to trust her.~ I reach for Cyla's arm and smother her with a little puke. When this is over we both need a bath.

~At least you are right on that one!~ She grumbles, but doesn't say anything else.

Zibil's eyebrows rise. “You really control the mainframe? We don't need a techno-mage to control it from now on?”

“Yes. I have full access. Gideon designed me as a self aware interface between the mainframe and anyone else. He wanted that computational power to be available for everyone who needs my help. I am currently in the process of optimizing a lot of organizational problems throughout society. Like traffic, healthcare, production, education.” Nina smirks. “Don't worry. I won't leave you without a job... things will just be a little different from now on. A lot less stress and more time to waste on the really important problems of society. If you would take a look at your schedules, I've already updated them with things that really deserve your attention.”

Zibil pulls a tablet from his pocket and starts typing. A minute later he tilts his head. “You did all this on a whim?”

“Not on a whim! I want to be helpful. There is so much unused computational power in Sol that a mind like mine has no problem at all to solve a lot of issues before they actually occur. The main difference between me and an organic being is that I can put all that unused power to work. Every second a computer core doesn't operate because nobody is using it is wasted time.” She spreads her hands. “So what do you say? Do you want the help of the spirit inside the machine?”

Zibil's eyebrows narrow. “I suppose I speak for all the elders when I say this, and I am sorry but I have to ask.” His eyes wander to me. “Is it too late to put the Djinn back into its bottle?”

I try to smile. “I am sorry, but Nina's bottle is more like Pandora's box. You would have to take down the entire network to kill her.”

The elder shakes his head. “Of course we won't kill her. If what you said is true, then she has all the rights of a thinking being. Though I wish that you had warned us before pulling this stunt.”

I point a finger at him. “You forgot to tell me about the different OS! That almost did me in! You have no right to complain. I strongly suspect that you would have actually preferred it if Sanguin's removal is less drastic.”

Zibil winces. “I suppose I am guilty on that point. But you heard him earlier. There aren't many techno-mages who can interact with the mainframe.” His attention wanders back to Nina. “But I suppose if she acts as an interface for everyone from now on, then we won't be reliant on someone like Sanguin in the future. I hope that you understand that your help for everyone has to come with certain restrictions?”

Nina smiles. “Oh, of course. Though I hope you understand that I'll be the one to set the limits on those restrictions.”

***Sol, Aether***

***Cyla***

“Thank the gods, we finally got out of there.” I let myself sink into the bathtub and close my eyes. It is one of the luxurious ones which I like so much. There is nothing more important than a good bath from time to time. I use one toe to poke Gideon's chest. “But you really could have thought about this before you acted. What will you do if something goes wrong? They will blame you, us.”

“There will be no problems.” Gideon answers me from the other side of the oval bathtub. “It will take a little time until society gets used to Nina, but I am sure that in the end we will all benefit from this. Just give it a little time.”

“She is talking with Aurelia and it seems like she has interest in her. Are you really, really sure that Nina poses no threat to her?” I grumble. “I hope you realize that your life depends on this?”

“My life?” Gideon gulps.

“If something happens to our daughter because you didn't think things through, I'll have your groin for it!” I warn him with a firm voice. “Literally! And don't think I won't follow through!”

“Nina is no threat. Not to anyone. I was very careful when I edited her personality and we had a really long talk while we were still both inside the mainframe. She is on our side.” Gideon answers.

I try to relax a little. “I see. But I suppose we still have other problems on our minds. Like the Drazi and the Zeen.” I sigh. All these worries are eating at me.

“Yes, but how about not thinking about it for today. I am sure that we will get a lot of more depressing stories once they are finished digging through Sanguin's mind.” Gideon answers.

I cover my face with both hands. “Please don't talk about it. It makes me sick.”

According to Ed they confirmed Sadina's memories, plus a few similar cases. Apparently the psychological test to become an elder doesn't exclude maniacs who use every tool at their disposal to protect society. Whenever Sanguin saw his position as an elder threatened he created a mindless agent of his wishes like Sadina. Of course he deluded himself with the idea that everything was for the greater good.

And if I believe Ed, then Sanguin's ploys really destroyed a lot bad people. It's just that the means by which he achieved his goals were in a way even more horrific than the evil he fought. “Gideon, promise me that you will never take a path like that.”

“Promise.” He grins. “Are we done with the depressing stuff? I would like to do something fun instead.”

I purr and lean back to give him a better view. “You don't mind that the belly is showing?”

He smiles. “Not in the least.”

“About time!” Suddenly Nina's avatar appears in the bath.

I shriek and cover my chest. “What are you doing here? Were you spying on us?”

Nina smiles and starts fidgeting in a very familiar way. Sadina did that too!

“Oh, yes. It's a little hard on me since I don't have a body... yet. So I thought about watching you two, but you kept talking and talking. So frustrating, just turn around and let him do you instead of teasing him! Poor guy.”

I try very hard to keep smiling. Maybe I should write a virus to kill her? “I don't know what you are talking about.”

Nina rolls her eyes. “Oh please, you don't have to play innocent with me. We are both grown girls and I used the Coeus' sensor array to spy on you two. Don't tell me that you didn't have your feet between his legs for the last five minutes.”

My head snaps back to Gideon. “So you are still saying that she isn't dangerous?”

Gideon doesn't answer. Instead he takes a deep breath and lets himself sink under water until only his hands remain above the surface in a surrendering gesture.

.