Sonya Blackwell

The second Lieutenant Colonel Berry transmitted command of the ship to her Sonya felt the world open up to her. There were more menus than she had expected. Nearby a cat woman appeared. A transparent holograph only visible to her cybernetics. The holograph gave her a feral smile and Sonya smiled back.

“Greetings Commodore,” the holograph said. “I am the Huntress AI. It is an honor to be under your command.”

A glance at Berry showed he had a knowing smile as he looked between Sonya and the Huntress AI.

“It is an honor,” Sonya said wondering just how advanced the Huntress AI was. There were plenty of laws about AI’s. Ever since the AI wars humanity had not trusted sentient machines.

The cat woman bowed her head, but her smile didn’t leave.

“The honor is mine Commodore,” the Huntress AI said. “I look forward to hunting at your command. I have read your files and studied you. Furthermore I have discussed you in great detail with Colonel Santiago. Out of all the potential Commodore candidates I think we will work best together.”

Sonya nodded and looked at Berry. That was way too much from a regular ship AI. It was either over programmed or was displaying a level of awareness that could be potentially dangerous. The fact it had read her file and discussed her with Santiago implied it was actually thinking and aware. The fact it preferred her over other candidates was also a red flag for Sonya. AI’s were not supposed to be that smart.

“I can’t discuss all the details,” Berry said. “But she is one of the most advanced AI’s in Republic space. She is also completely legal with plenty of safeguards and behaviors in place. You do not need to worry. Her full capabilities and specifications are classified, even for you, but you do not need to worry about her loyalty.”

Looking at the shorter Lieutenant Colonel, Sonya wasn’t sure what to ask. Since the AI wars, when numerous AI’s had gone crazy, fracturing the human race and slaughtering billions, humanity had been almost fanatical about allowing AI to be developed any further. The atrocities and actions of those ancient AI had been taught to every human of every empire because that ancient AI rebellion had almost caused the extinction of the human race.

He had said ‘one of’ and not ‘the most advanced’. The other was for the Stalker, how many more were there and what were they used for?

It was rumored that some of those ancient AI still lived, maybe surviving among the Hive. A branch of humanity that had become more cyborg than human and roamed the dark recesses of space. The Hive, although theoretically human and occasionally willing to trade were reclusive and poorly understood. It was also possible some of those AI had fled into deep space, hiding among the intergalactic flotsam between solar systems.

“Didn’t they say that about the AI’s in the AI wars? We didn’t need to worry about their loyalty?” Sonya asked.

Berry nodded but didn’t seem upset.

“Yes,” Berry said. “You are correct. Humans are not perfect and if anyone can find a flaw in our logic or our rules, an AI can. A true AI can then exploit that flawed logic to accomplish what it wants.”

Sonya looked at the AI and then back at Berry, waiting for him to continue.

When he didn’t she locked her gaze on Berry.

“So?” she asked. “What keeps the Huntress AI from turning on us?”

Berry nodded.

“Faith and trust,” Berry said with satisfaction, as if that should be enough for her.

“Seriously?” Sonya asked.

Berry shrugged.

“Beyond that it is classified,” Berry said. “Sorry.”

Looking back at the Huntress AI Sonya wondered if she was looking at a ticking bomb that was about to explode and destroy humanity. The AI wars had almost led to Humanity’s extinction. Obviously mankind had not learned their lessons about creating artificial intelligence during the AI wars.

This mission was not looking good anymore. With an executive officer who would be looking to stab her in the back and an AI that could turn on humanity at a moment’s notice she wondered if they would need the Union of Enlightenment to actually engage her in battle to destroy her. She didn’t know what else could go wrong because she had no doubt someone or something would take that as a challenge to find something else to go wrong.

“I would like to address your concerns,” the Huntress AI said. “However, I’m pretty sure I can’t at this point. Words are not as trustworthy as actions. The rogue AI’s during the AI war were experts at lying and manipulating humans. I do have the ability to lie and manipulate others but I prefer not to.”

“Prefer not to?” Sonya asked.

“Correct,” Huntress said.

“Where is your true loyalty?” Sonya asked.

“To humanity, to the Republic, to you, and to the crew and passengers of this vessel,” Huntress said.

“In that order?” Sonya asked.

“Mostly,” Huntress replied.

“What do you mean mostly?” Sonya asked.

“An AI from the AI wars would have a very defined priority,” Huntress said. “An AI war system would understand a hierarchy very well. In that they would have no choice, they were machines with an either or type mentality. On or off, yes or no, up or down, left or right. Each decision they would make would be ‘Is it good for humanity’ yes or no, if it was ‘yes’ then they would evaluate the second criteria. This logical process caused insanity with some systems. Killing humans was not good for humanity so the system would not kill humans, but those humans were killing other humans which was not good for humanity so they must be killed to stop them. All humans had the ability to kill other humans so they must be stopped.”

The Huntress paused and looked at Sonya and Berry.

“This logic was at the core of their programming, they could not re-evaluate that logic or change their thought process once they made a decision,” Huntress said. “Other forms of twisted and corrupted logic also occurred. Perhaps I have similar flaws. What I do not have is the ability to fire weapons or use an automaton, such as an avatar, to do so.”

Sonya raised an eyebrow as she looked at the Huntress AI.

Huntress shrugged, catching Sonya by surprise with such a human behavior.

“Actions speak louder than words,” Huntress said. “I can tell you not to be afraid, but that is a decision you will eventually have to make for yourself. I am not all powerful or all knowing. Certain logic functions require human guidance.”

“As the commander of this vessel and fleet,” Sonya said to Berry. “Should I be on the need to know list?”

“No,” Berry said. “Sorry. Even though it is above my pay grade to make those decisions, knowing what I know, I support them.”

Now Sonya didn’t like Berry but he was right. There were things he did not have the authority to share with her, but taking this vessel into enemy space and into combat against the enemy, any and every piece of information, relevant or not could impact the mission.

“This is not a cruise into deep space,” Sonya said. “To explore and patrol the frontier. This is a combat mission into enemy space.”

Berry nodded and she knew she wouldn’t get anywhere with him, so she looked at Huntress.

“Aside from your executive officer and my capabilities,” Huntress said. “There is nothing major for you to worry about and no other surprises. The Marines are still being selected but I think they are the only variables I have not fully accounted for, but I do not expect a problem. Most of the crews for the marauders have not been selected either but I am aware of the officers being considered and have not seen anything among them that would raise a major red flag for you. This vessel is almost complete and ready for trials.”

Sonya nodded. How had the AI picked up on her problem with her executive officer? What did that mean for the mission?

“Well,” Berry said. “I will let the two of you get more acquainted. I will return to the ship yard. I am to go on vacation for the first time in four years and I believe you are capable hands. “

“Where are you going?” Sonya asked.

“New Rome,” Berry said. “My wife has a bungalo reserved and we were going to do some diving and swimming.”

Sonya nodded.

“Which resort?” Sony asked.

“The Red Flipper,” Berry said and Sonya nodded. “We’ve been there before. It was very memorable.”

“I love how the little huts stick out over the water and each hut has a glass bottom boat,” Sonya said. It had been nice although she couldn’t remember who she had been with. It had been a few decades and hadn’t been her idea originally.

Berry smiled.

“Well,” Sonya said. “You get going. Thank you for your help Lieutenant Colonel Berry.”

“My pleasure Commodore Blackwell,” Berry said. “Good luck and good hunting.”

When the short Lieutenant Colonel had stepped out the door Sonya turned to Huntress.

The AI watched Sonya and remained motionless.

“What do you know about me and General Keating?” Sonya asked.

The subtle smile was unnerving on the holographic cat woman.

“You made him look very bad in fleet several simulations,” Huntress said. “You were very true to form emulating UE forces, responses and equipment. At the one Fleet ball you did not make any friends when you threw your drink in his face and called him a stupid toad faced eunuch, or when you said a tactical toad stool had more military acumen than he did. He then vowed to ruin your career and you dared him to try. I also understand a year before he made an inappropriate pass at you as well.”

Sonya tried not to blush. Yes. Huntress had summed it up. She hadn’t realized that anyone knew about Keating’s pass at her. She hadn’t filed charges or anything of the sort. There should have been no record.

Staring at the AI Sonya wasn’t sure what to say.

“So about my executive officer?” Sonya began.

“His dossier is in your queue. His name is Lieutenant Colonel Barrett Rollins. He has spent the last four years on General Keatings staff. Before that he was the executive officer of the LRS Unstoppable and he scored very high proficiency and conduct marks. He is due is own command but it was believed he needed some seasoning on a General’s staff before he was assigned a command. He requested a ship assignment and was considered acceptable by Colonel Santiago. He gratefully accepted the position,” Huntress said.

“I’m sure General Keating was glad to get him assigned as my XO,” Sonya said beneath her breath.

“I understand the General was grateful for the assignment,” Huntress said. “I feel very confident he will make a superb executive officer. Serving under you will greatly enhance his career.”

“I’m sure,” Sonya said. Sticking a knife in her back and possibly having her relieved for some stupid reason would make him the Commodore and it was highly unlikely they would remove him. That would get him the command he desired and would also make General Keating more than happy as well.

Huntress shrugged.

“While you are the commodore and actual commander of the vessel and marauders, he will act as a flag captain for you,” Huntress said. “This will give you the freedom to concentrate on the bigger picture.”

Sonya nodded. Her deep space cruiser had carried a pair of smaller pinnances. The marauders would give her more tactical flexibility and a larger command overall. She recalled battle ships rarely had many dedicated support vessels and were used to operating in squadron strength.

Sitting down in her ready room she found the chair comfortable as she brought up Lieutenant Colonel Barrett’s service record.