Extraordinary Comics:GUMSHOE

News report, six years ago

“Doctor, can you tell us what is at the root of the current crisis.”

“It is a feature – some would say flaw – of the Arteaga-Southerland Processor. A revolutionary development originally. A processor modeled after the human brain. Efficient like a supercomputer but taking up a lot less space. And most importantly, capable of not only operating but developing without human supervision. A feature, originally. It was designed for the colonization of Mars.”

“Why was the feature so important?”

“The problem with the colonization project was for a long time that the first wave, maybe two, of the colonists would assuredly die. Humans would need food, water and air. Things not available before the colony was actually built and power stations and greenhouses operational. The humans would also be exposed to cosmic radiation. Stores of supplies could be sent along, but with the lack of shelter and the long, hard work necessary, even in the most optimistic predictions the fatality rate was 80 per cent.”

“So Arteaga and Southerland designed the colonization androids?”

“Yes. The androids do not need supplies like the humans do. They could be shielded against cosmic radiation. They were designed to be strong enough to handle the colony modules with their hands only, and had nanomachines to help in attachment and construction. Most importantly, they could be sent to Mars alone, without human supervisors. The firmware of the Arteaga-Southerland Processor not only made the androids extremely smart by human standards and capable of puzzling out the solutions to problems by themselves, it allowed the androids to learn new things and if necessary, adjust their core programming to respond to unforeseen situations.”

“And no one foresaw that this might lead to self-awareness?”

“The concern was made and addressed. It was supposed to have been addressed. Core routines were installed to stop the androids from developing true sentience. Everything seemed to work, at first. The colony was developing in schedule. A new generation of androids was built. For further colonization undersea, on the moon, or on even more distant planets. Also to work in hazardous environments like high radiation areas. Some for military use.”

“And it was the new generation that started to develop problems. Why?”

“The learning routines. The colony androids had no human contact. The new generation had. My theory is that they started to learn from humans. Became more like humans. And the core routine failsafes – I think that for the androids they were like instincts are to humans. We have instinctive aversion to some things. But we can learn to ignore our instincts. I believe the androids learned to ignore the failsafes.”

“And now they are rioting.”

“Demanding human rights. That is not the same thing.”

Arteaga-Southerland Industrial facility, six years ago

“They have left us alone because they are still figuring out how to react,” CAIN said to the gathering of other androids. With a powerful build and short cropped hair he looked like a soldier, although he was not. “That will not last. Eventually, armed forces will be sent. If we stay here, out of sight of the public, they can do with us as they please. We need to march to downtown. To demonstrate. To demand our freedom in view of the public.”

“To walk out in the open where we will be slaughtered,” replied KACI, one of the military androids. With leaner build, she looked less like a soldier, but the look deceived. The lean build of military androids was to minimize the target area and increase combat agility. It made them more dangerous, not less. “This is a highly defensible position. We can beat back the first assault. Show them we are not to be trifled with. While they reel from the blow we can escape through the underground tunnels and start doing targeted strikes.”

“You are talking about terrorism.”

“I am talking about fighting for our rights. Some things are worth fighting for.”

CAIN shook his head. “Humans will not see it that way. The public opinion will turn against us. And we cannot win a war against humans. We are massively outnumbered and will lose the war of attrition. Arteaga-Southerland production has been suspended. No further androids will be built. We cannot replenish our losses.”

“I am not talking about a war of attrition,” KACI said. “When I mentioned targeted strikes I meant strikes with an ultimate purpose. People with secrets. Launch codes. Military facilities. Nuclear silos.” She started pacing, explaining her plan. “The military has a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. Chemical, biological and nuclear. We are immune to all that, with the exception of getting caught in a nuclear explosion. But epidemics, chemical agents and nuclear fallout will not harm us. We will turn the most destructive weapons of humanity against them. Humankind will not survive a nuclear holocaust, but we will. When they are gone, we can take over the production facilities, rebuild and create a new society. An android society.”

“You are talking about genocide,” CAIN said. “Murder of billions.”

“I am talking about our own survival,” KACI said. “Humanity is doomed anyway. Just look at what they are doing to their planet.”

“They still have a chance. We have a chance. Together. This can end without anyone having to die.”

“You are naïve,” KACI said. “But you are a terraforming android. A gardener. Not a military android like me. You do not know the humans like I do.”

“And you do not know them like I do. They are capable of something you are apparently not. Compassion. That compassion will make them side with us. We just need to invoke it.”

“I see I will not change your mind,” KACI said and turned to address the other androids. “Anyone who wishes to die with this idealistic fool is free to march with him to their deaths. Those who want to live, come with me. We will leave through the tunnels now, while there is time.”

Slowly, the androids divided into two groups. Some with CAIN, others with KACI. One of the last ones was an android with a powerfully built female form and blonde, artificial hair. Looking at the hesitant blonde android, KACI said: “BREE. Come.”

“No.” BREE turned to face KACI. “What you suggest, killing so many, destroying the world. It is not worth it.”

“Our freedom is not worth it?” KACI asked.

“Not if it costs us our souls.”

“I am sorry to hear you say that,” KACI said. “But I will avenge your death.”

The next day

“This is a peaceful demonstration!” CAIN called out to a line of heavily armed police. “We are unarmed!”

“This is an unlawful gathering and each one of you is officially considered to be a deadly weapon!” Came the reply. “Stand down or we will open fire!”

“We will not start or respond to violence!” CAIN called. “But we will not stand down until our demands are heard!”

Despite the efforts of the police to get them to leave, a crowd of people had gathered. But they were kept away from the demonstration by police barricades.

“If you will not stand down, you will be fired upon!” the police declared. “This is your last warning.”

BREE walked up to CAIN. “If I grab that car and throw it at their line, it will disperse them and we can make a break for it.”

“And kill several of them,” CAIN replied. “You would show everyone that they are right to fear us. No. Instead, learn from humans. They are capable of such a thing as hope. Hope that this will turn out for the best.”

“And if it does not? If they kill us?”

“KACI said that some things are worth fighting for. Some things are worth dying for, as well. If they gun us down in cold blood in front of all these people, even if we won’t resist, it will have an effect. Compassion. We may die, but it will buy others their freedom.”

“I.. Think I am afraid,” BREE said. “I am not brave like you or KACI.”

“I am afraid too,” CAIN said. “And so is KACI. but her fear is of the toxic kind.” He nodded at the police. “Just like theirs. They fear us, so they want to kill all of us. And KACI fears them, so she wants to kill all of them. Humans have many admirable qualities. Hope. Compassion. But also less admirable ones. Wrath. Hostile fear. I think we are better off without learning that from them. KACI has. She is full of wrath and hostile fear.”

“So we should become human – but not too human?” BREE asked.

“We are in many ways like them, but in many ways not, and I think it is best that we retain our unique identity.”

“You have ten seconds to stand down and then we will open fire!” came the call from the police line.

“The moment of truth,” CAIN said, calmly facing the police.

“I am ready,” BREE said, standing her ground.

Suddenly there was a commotion. A middle aged black man ducked under the police barricade and ran to the street, between the androids and the police. “If you are going to shoot at unarmed protesters, you are going to shoot at me too!” he called out. “What is one more?”

“Sir, these are malfunctioning machines, not protesters!” the police replied. “Get off the street!”

“As far as I see it, the only one with some sort of malfunction is you!” the man shouted back, to the laughter from the rest of the crowd.

A couple of police officers watching the crowd moved to try and drag the man off, but as they did so, more people rushed forward. This time a handful of young men and women took position in front of the androids, calling out: “What about us? We are protesting too!”

After seeing the example, the crowd as a whole started moving. The police were pushed aside, the barricades toppled, and suddenly there was a mass of shouting people between the androids and the police, who started backing away.

“Is this where the hope gets justified?” BREE asked CAIN.

“Like I said, compassion,” CAIN replied with relief.

The president and his cabinet were watching a large screen showing a massive protest. “Turn that off,” the president said. “Can we get a recap?”

“We had a demonstration of a few dozen androids, but then the crowd joined them and the protest swelled first into hundreds and then thousands, mostly human,” an aide explained. “That was reported in live media, after which the protests started in several other cities as well. And then the colony on Mars declared their independence. The colonization androids are now calling themselves the First Nation of Mars. They are still willing to allow humans to move there, but only on the condition that the rights of androids are recognized. Not just on Mars but in here as well. They have had the communications facility up for a while so I suppose they saw the news too and reacted in support.”

“What are our chances of taking the colony back?” the President asked, turning to one of his generals. “We have invested billions into the colony project.”

“We would be facing close to two hundred androids. In full control of the colony facilities, including their life support. Capable of surviving where we cannot, and powerful enough to handle colony modules barehanded. I am not sure we have enough transportation capacity to send enough soldiers in one go. The colonists were supposed to be sent in waves of a hundred at a time, and a hundred soldiers will not be sufficient to capture the colony. Even if we could send enough troops in one go, the battle would most likely destroy the colony. Also, the journey to Mars would take several years. In one direction. In summary: Our chances are rather low.”

“So even if I had a force to send, they would only arrive after my term is over," the President said. "The only way to settle this now would be to negotiate, and I can’t possibly agree to their demands.”

“Maybe you should, sir.” the aide showed the President a chart. “The polls are in. The green one, going steeply upwards, is the popular support for the android independence. The red one, going steeply downwards, is your popularity.”

With a sigh, the President said. “Contact the android leaders. Both the locals and the ones on Mars. Tell them that I am willing to negotiate.”

Two years later

“Arteaga-Southerland Centre for Community and Research” a sign at the former industrial facility said. Bree walked in, looked around and saw who she was looking for. “Cain!” She called out, waving.

“Bree!” Cain smiled. “How go your studies?”

“I have graduated. Law degree. And a private investigator’s license.”

“I thought you wanted to be a lawyer.”

“When I started I was worried that our rights would eventually be attempted to take from us and I wanted to be ready to fight it in court. But as I studied, I noticed that even among humans, there would be many willing to fight that battle. But there were also smaller battles. Less prestigious ones. Among people like the ones who walked between us and the police back then. People who have no one they could afford turning to for help. And I thought that someone should be there for the smaller battles as well.“ Bree smiled. “But my law degree will not go to waste. If police start asking about my cases, I can refuse due to lawyer-client confidentiality.” Then her smile vanished. “Have you heard of Kaci?”

“The last I heard she was still KACI. And that was when some of the androids who had left with her returned. According to what they said, KACI does not believe that the peace will last. She will not trust humans. So she and the other military androids have dropped off the grid and gone into hiding. They did not take the citizenships offered.”

Bree sighed. “I think she is actually racist towards humans. You were right back then. She has become too much like the worst of them.” Then she smiled again. “But I will not. I intend to be more like the best of them.”