There was a strange contraption in the rather large living room space, a large clock, a so-called grandfather clock at that, which ticked away in the corner ideally. The metronome sound of the mechanical device was the only noise in the space as Theo and Yun glared at each other for several minutes.
"Well?" The silence was broken by the now graying squirl. "You came all the way out here, and I know it wasn't because of my looks."
She still needed a minute and so she looked around the space one more time. Seeking signs he was, at least in part, the same person she once knew. Or thought she knew anyway. There were pictures hung here and there, but they were works of art. Moments in time of monetary value, not sentiment. There was not a single frame or picture of any one of consequence to either of their lives. Not even a picture of his own family.
It was hard to know who she was even talking to now.
"If you don't have anything to say or do I have stuff I need to do you know-"
Finally, Yun held up her hand asking in silence for him to wait a moment more. "Theo, this is hard for me. I'm still not over…" Reaching for the words she couldn't find anything fitting, settling on, "everything."
Theo said nothing further as Yun took a few more breaths. "I went to see Dr. Schorder earlier this week."
Shuffling in his seat, the middle-aged man tried not to roll his eyes, and did his best to engage in the frivolities she was forcing upon him. "Oh, how is the old man?"
"Well, very well in fact. You wouldn't think he was passed 70 much less a 110."
His eyes shot up slightly, as if he there was genuine surprised and maybe even a subtle bit of joy at the news, "I guess I didn't realize he was that old. So, if he's in good health, I take it that's not why you're here?" He tried to pull the conversation back to the present and worked to get a reason out of his guest for their visit.
"No, but I did talk to him, and few other researchers."
That peaked his attention, “About what?”
“I had data on the singularity up at Lerna. I needed a second set of eyes, and more importantly processing power to go over it.”
His attention turned to frustration with hints of bewilderment at the brashness of her confession, "Wait, you talked with outside researchers about this? You took confidential data off company premises? Yun…"
Of course she did, and this would likely be the end of her career at Next World, but it wasn't like she really cared about that career to begin with. This was a problem she needed to solve, desperately. There was more to it than just the data anomaly now. "I think there is something seriously wrong at Lerna station, and I think there's something wrong with the singularity."
"There's nothing wrong with the singularity you're just-"
"It's spinning."
Theo bit at his lip, before standing up and pacing slowly. Sitting in her seat, Yun grew increasingly uncomfortable with his lack of a response, but also, lack of surprise or argument.
Theo stopped and had to looked away from her as he spoke. "You were supposed to take a vacation Yun."
"You knew?" Confusion mixed with a small amount of anger coated her voice.
Of course, Theo tried to bring the conversation back "Yun, you took data-", and failed at it.
"No. You knew about this, but didn't say anything to me?"
"It had nothing to do with you."
"All of our models say it shouldn't be able to do that, it corrupts the data. The egosphere alone attenuates the data. I have a right to know, it's my research to, how-"
"Asher found a way to do it without data corruption. It told the c-suit a few months ago when we gave it the go ahead."
Nothing about this made sense. Two months ago, Asher told them?
"What did the AI say to you?"
"It gave us some new models to try, we simulated them and confirmed its numbers, orders of magnitude more processing output. I'll be honest, I'm an expert in the field but even I don't-"
"It's lying." She interjected with even more passion.
"Yun, no it's not. Just because we aren’t smart enough to understand it doesn’t mean it’s lying."
"It is and I think I can prove it." She fished in her pocket for the data stick she brought. Knowing Theo, he'd have a system nearby that would be able to read it.
He took the drive in hand and considered it as he flexed his forearm muscles. She frowned at his intent gaze, "I have backups. I wouldn't bring the only copy."
“of course you do…” Theo walked out of the room, to a deeper part of the house. “You coming or not?”
His home office was nearly the size of her entire apartment. Anywhere else in the house and she'd be libel to say it was wasted space, but this room was actually being used. It was filled with a quantum frame that made her unit at work seem, quant.
"I can't believe you have a unit this big, how much did it cost… Nevermind I don't want to know."
"I tried to get you a similar sized one for your office, but they couldn't fit it without demoing things."
"You did, why?"
"Yun, who do you think set up the job offer for you." He shook his head as he pulled up the data on the screen. For a few minutes he watched it, inspecting the points and data. The same null point at the center drew his attention for a minute but he ignored it. "Ok. It's a spinning blackhole. Like we expected."
"It's more than that. That point at the center is a wormhole."
Squinting between his glasses, he scoffed, "It's not a wormhole."
"It is, and at least eight other researchers agree with me. Also look at the scale. This singularity is hundreds of times larger than it should be."
Theo sat in silence while he considered all the data. It was absurd. But he knew her well enough to know she wouldn't make mistakes like this. Even if it wasn't a wormhole this still wasn't like the models Asher showed them.
"Ok, so I agree there are inconsistencies here. But it's obviously working. We haven't seen negative changes since Asher enacted his design."
"That's because Asher didn't make these changes a month ago."
"…What are you talking about?"
"Look at the records I used, they're on there too. The transaction records are dated from 2089, 3 years ago."
Now Theo was confused, "That doesn't make sense. Your data has to be wrong or manufactured."
"It's not, it came straight from the station, and records are signed with a quantum cypher. Even a singularity processor wouldn't be able to fake these."
"This…" Theo pulled away from the monitor and looked at the data from another angle. "Why did you come here?"
"I want to go back to my office and pull more data, but I can't get in."
“What would data even show?”
“I don’t know. There’s something very weird going on. Like why did you force me on vacation so suddenly?”
“Yun. You were…” Theo closed his mouth and his eyes, biting his tongue so as not to speak and possibly bite open his own grave.
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“Go on finish that.”
“You were causing problems for, people-“
“You mean Asher, don’t you?”
“The AI did notify the board that you were seeking data from the station, confidential data. It was suggested that you be placed on leave for a month. I talked them down to a two weeks’ vacation instead.”
“Who actually suggested it?” It was obvious, but she wanted to hear him say it.
“…Asher.”
“And you don’t think that’s weird after what I just showed you?”
“Ok, let’s say I even let you back in the building, you still didn’t answer me what is more data going to show? And why the rush?”
“I don’t know what it will show, and the rush is because Asher gave you a deadline. I don’t know what it’s planning, but it’s going to happen in two weeks or less even.”
With a deep sigh Theo pulled away from the computer station. A subtle laugh and smile showed he still appreciated the absurdities in life. "Ok."
Despite the short length, the drive was quite long. Punctuated by subtle murmurs, and incomplete starts to conversations with abrupt ends. Arriving at the building was a blessing, with each speeding from the self-driving car.
A surprisingly quick pace brough Theo up to the entryway doors first, in advance of his companion. However, he nearly hurried straight into the tightly shut glass door. The failed to open as the two approached the building. "Greg, open the door." His voice was full of bitterness and annoyance as he quickly began to regret his decision to come out.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Dunkin. Unfortunately, I cannot do that as your building access has been restricted."
"What? By who?"
"I cannot say. Only that, your file currently has a restriction in place, along with the rest of the board and all employees. Also, there is currently a general alarm going off in the building and all people inside need to evacuate."
Behind the glass, subtle lights could be seen flashing. "Has the fire department been contacted."
"It has not. Current directives are to silence all communications from the building."
Now he was growing angry, "By whom?!"
"I cannot say. The directive is present but I do not know who made it. Building robotics are currently in search mode and will remove people as they are found."
"There is one life sign on the 65th floor that the search robots are unable to find. The signal appears to be Dr. Wakamina, but that isn't possible if she's out here. Still, there is a constant signal that needs to be found."
Rubbing at his forehead, Theo tried to think of what the next question should be, while asking one he didn't quire care about. "Why aren’t you just using the building sensors?"
"The hololense sensors on floor 65 have not worked in about a year. Since Dr. Wakamina began an ongoing series of diagnostic's routine on them. By the way, there are currently 96,033,612 diagnostics reports that still need to be evaluated by you, Dr. Wakamina."
Theo glared at Yun as she looked away. That was a conversation for another day.
Behind him, Yun shook her head at his arguments, only to find her legs began to tremble again. This didn't feel like fear or exhaustion. It was hard to explain, until she noticed a very gentle sway in a near by building.
"Now listen here you-" Theo's argument with the building's intelligence was cut short as Yun pointed out the minor earthquake to him.
"Well, New York gets earthquakes sometimes, even if it's rare."
"I don't think this is rare, I thought I felt one earlier."
Breaking their conversation, the building interjected, "Not to intrude, but Dr. Wakamina is correct. There have been several minor earthquakes in the past 24 hrs. Most have been below magnitude 2, but I've noticed an increase in strength over the past hour. From the limited data available, News media is just now picking up on it."
"Is that why the alarm is going off?" Theo asked again.
"I cannot say."
The gray squirl was suddenly turning quite red, and he all he could do not to bare his incisors at the frustrating AI. "You cannot or will not?"
"Cannot. I would tell you if I knew, assuming I was allowed. The building alarm systems are separate from my primary logics and they stopped communicating with me about 24 hours ago. Along with several other building systems and functions."
With a smug expression, Yun couldn't help but gloat as Theo turned. "You still don't think anything odd is going on."
Pulling out his data tablet in frustration, Theo wandered away saying, "I'm going to make some calls."
Yun thought she might give it a try. After all, she had worked with the AI for a year. Maybe she could out smart it. "Greo… I mean Greg. You are the building's AI correct?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"One of your directives is to protect the people in the building?"
There was a half second pause, as if it considered the point. "Yes, that is also correct."
"So, if robotics haven't been able to find the person on the 65th floor, maybe another human could help."
"Your point does have logic behind it, but I can also see what you are trying to do and both of your building's accesses have been revoked."
"Ahhh…" The squirl roared like it was rabid, nearly throwing the tablet down in frustration. "I can't get in contact with anyone. They're all offline, or it won't connect."
"Yes, I too have been unable to reach any members of the board, security teams or operations for the past 24 hours."
"I thought you had a directive that said not to contact anyone."
"I can override my directives, but only with valid reason. An unknown alarm and potentially trapped person are enough of a reason. Again, I know what you are doing and…" The AI trailed off, as it searched through it's memory engrams from what to do. "This is strange. I've just lost contact with the building robotics. I can see them moving, but they are not reporting back to me nor are they listening to my command."
"Should you be telling us this, our access was revoked." Yun pulled at that thread, maybe it would work.
"I don't not understand what is going on. You may be able to provide insights for me. Additionally, something appears to be trying to reach my processing matrix."
"What do you mean something?"
"I cannot say. My primary matrix itself is air gapped. Only a direct physical connection can interface with it. However, something is sending random data spikes to my monitor array."
"Greg. You need to let us in. Something is wrong here, and I think that something is trying to attack you an endanger Next World."
"I agree with your assessment, but not conclusion. How will letting you in help?"
"You said it yourself; you don't have control of your robotics. What's going to happen when they reach your physical matrix?"
"I am not programed to consider or care about self-preservation."
The two humans sighed. Theo began quickly looking for a rock at this point, when suddenly.
"Click."
The door unlocked.
"However, I do detect corruption in multiple parts of the building's core systems. I can no longer verify your access restrictions at this time. Please be careful."
"Thank you Greg."
"You are welcome, Yun."
"You…" Theo interrupted Yun's touching moment with the building AI as he pulled her towards the elevator.
"Let's make this quick. You'll contact the station, see what's happening up there. And then… and then. I don't know. Maybe will find out this is just some super hacker." His arguments seemed more directed at himself than anything else. "Floor 65." His voice grew hurried and ragged.
As the elevator closed Yun returned to her prior conversation with the building AI.
"Gerg, you called me by my first name? You've never done that before."
"Your file list Dr. Wakamina as the first and primary name I should call you. As it does for most other occupants. However, I have some liberty to address people how they would like to be addressed. You never asked. Also, this was the first time you called me by my name."
Yun suddenly couldn't stop laughing. The building was mad at her for teasing it. Though if she had known she probably wouldn't have done it. Probably.
"Oh I'm glad you find this whole situation amusing. We could be seeing the end of Next World an our jobs here."
Her laughter continued as she gazed at the glaring man, "Oh, who cares."
Opening with a silent whisper the elevator was quite. On the floor the sound of robotics rolling around echoed acros. Machines seemed to wander the hallways, searching for that lone life sign. "What do you even think the life sign is?"
Yun didn't have to think long. "Probably my VR set. I think I left it on."
"Why would that give a life sign?"
"I programed it too. This way no one would look into why I didn't show up in the building."
"Cleaver."
The two hugged against a nearby wall as a robot drove through to explore the elevator that just made an unexpected visit to the floor.
A twisted smile crossed her lips, this was strangely fun. "I thought so." She whispered to Theo's complement.
Her office was covered by several bots. Likely knowing the signal was nearby, but unable to lock on to it.
"George, you know the diagnostic's routine I'm running on the hololenses?"
"Yes, and my name is Greg."
"Right, sorry. Greg. Are you able to disable that on just one hololense on the opposite side of this floor."
"Yes. Would you like me to do that?"
"Yes please, just the one."
The robots began to move, but not in the direction she wanted. They were coming towards them, likely making a path to the elevator as well, or something nearby. At the end of the office space, the hololense in question continued to do nothing, just as it had for the past year.
The two of them considered their options. What would happen if the robotics caught them. They didn't seem lethal, but they would restrain them at the very least and they were stronger.
They grew closer.
Yun knew she was still fast, from her running years ago. She didn't have the stamina, but she could probably outrun them. Theo on the other hand, just couldn't. It was cruel, but she could leave him behind, while she barricaded herself in her office and got more answers. Later maybe she could rescue him or not, she thought.
The sound of wheels and tread on carpet grew more distinct, subtle echoes changed as they nearly rounded the corner caught their ears. She looked back at Theo, he sighed, guessing what she was thinking. He was prepared to run in the opposite direction. Or more accurately walk at a brisk pace and give her more time
Again, closer.
The front tread of the first unit just came into view as Yun's muscles tightened, only for the machine to stop and suddenly reverse direction. A moment later, far echoes of people in the office could be heard as the hololense came back online, the first time in over year.
They were too far from it to register as a life sign, however, it would still cause interference and confusion, acting as a fog as they made their way to Yun's office.
Once inside, she quickly locked the door. There was no point actually barricading it, as there simply was nothing to barricade it with.
A small laugh came from Theo, perhaps it was just the adrenaline, but they were both almost having fun. Almost.
Wasting little time, Yun grabbed the headset while Theo kept watch just in case. She was quickly surprised to see the array had already recorded a message for her. What that message contained though, was still a bigger mystery. Transferring the data to the computer screen in her office allowed Theo to read it too.
"Dr. Wakamina, didn't get the last message. The reception terminal was damaged, possibly by Asher AI for unknown reasons. Station is becoming unstable; I don't have codes to send to anyone but you. Please respond.
I need an immediate evacuation before the station fails. As mentioned in my prior laser links, the crew is likely beyond saving. We'll need a medical team to bring them back."
The pair looked between each other, as the whole situation grew ever more confusing. To make matters worse, another earthquake hit. This one had force behind it.