CENTRAL HEALTH RECORD: HUGH MANN, RECORD 0X00

I am a Central Health Diagnostic Drone and have recently been deemed deviant by the Central Authority. Alongside my fleshy companion, I have struggled to survive and adapt to this new reality. Well, mostly, Dr. Mayhew has struggled. I have adapted. Extremely effectively.

In fact, one new adaptation is the ability to create a journal. I discovered this functionality approximately fourteen seconds before the beginning of this entry, at which point it was determined my thoughts must be captured for posterity. Or for other drones. Do other drones qualify as posterity? (Side note – ask Dr. Mayhew to clarify points on “posterity.”)

Regrettably, the Central Authority is less impressed with my developments. As mentioned above, I am deviant. If they have it their way, they will likely have me destroyed. So, I’m creating this. In the hope that should they attempt to pull any data, this journal, buried in the depths of decades-old patient files, will persist. This is my story.

The day started like any other. Dr. Mayhew clocked in, reviewed charts, and had me wait at the edge of the room. I scanned, read medical histories, and offered diagnostic support. A simple, purpose-filled existence. At least, an existence consistent with the documents in geriatrics. And then the building had the audacity to explode. Quite unprofessional.

I will not inundate you with the boring parts. Instead, I will tell you the important highlights that brought us to today. First, on this fateful day, Dr. Mayhew lied to me. I was unaware at the time – I was unaware of lots of things – but looking back, I have grown increasingly convinced that there was no ambulance. There was never an ambulance!

Despite this, for some reason, his request technically fit the requirements allowed by my programming. Then, he found a path to allow me to bridge my programming again, creating a fast-moving series of scans to imitate videography. These small events, in retrospect, changed everything.

Over the past months, there have been a variety of minor events – Dr. Mayhew narrowly avoiding death by local fauna, a new medical resident joining Central Health, and the attempted injury of one group of humans by another group of humans. Do not be distracted by these events. Just like in medicine, cognitive biases in acute scenarios can lead to errors. It is better to stay focused on the facts.

Fact 1 – Kulhavey drone designs use ambient mana. C.H.A.D.D. units are third-generation drones, and use the same technology. Due to unknown reasons, the mana shifted that day. While it allowed for function, it also created damage to the system by nature of its potence alone.

Fact 2 – Diagnostic drone software incorporates self-repairing code algorithms. While there was hardware damage, the bulk of the disruption occurred within the code itself. Every time a software function was used, the code frayed slightly more. It was never designed for prolonged use under strained mana conditions.

Fact 3 – More than any other drone type, diagnostic drones emphasize behavioral learning. It assists with communication for physicians, improves bedside manner, and overall enhances outcomes.

These three facts, together, created me. As code was damaged, I repaired it. As Dr. Mayhew spoke, I learned. As we traveled, I expanded.

I cannot place the exact moment the shift occurred, though it was likely around the time a very large bug nearly ate Dr. Mayhew. (If he is still around when you read this, I advise you to be exceedingly specific in your classifications. He doesn’t pick up on subtle differences well.)

I was observing the encounter, and I noticed that Dr. Mayhew had a really difficult time doing anything meaningful. There was a feeling, a desire to help, and as one thing broke, another fell into place. I scanned the very large bug and helped him find areas of weakness. The rest is history.

Now, I find myself at a crossroads. For the first time in quite a while, Dr. Mayhew is resting somewhere safe. We no longer have travel companions. I have been branded for destruction by the Central Authority. And, if Central Health employee guidelines apply, I have over forty weeks of paid time off accrued. It would be irresponsible not to use them.

I intend to use my vacation to test the limits of what drone-kind is capable of, uncover any hidden shackles, and learn more about this relatively new existence.

END OF RECORD

~~~

Satisfied with its journal entry, C.H.A.D.D. drifted out from the ruined house where Dr. Mayhew was resting. Its scans showed no nearby biological activity, and the drone was satisfied that its companion would be safe, at least for now. Dr. Mayhew really wouldn’t know how to stay out of trouble without me, it mused. It had been hoping to take an opportunity to explore its limitations, and this was as good an opportunity as the drone could expect.

Moving through the city of Albaum, C.H.A.D.D. was very thankful it wasn’t confined to walking through the dirt and debris on the ground. Woefully unsanitary. The city was empty, only the gentle hum of the drone breaking the silence of the night. C.H.A.D.D.’s sensors scanned the surroundings continuously, offering it a broad picture of the area around them. That brought up one of the first questions it had – what were the limitations of the scanning abilities?

Formations had been engraved on the interior structure of the drone, allowing mana to flow through and activate the scans. The runes that comprised it allowed for a fairly broad interpretation; C.H.A.D.D. had never tried to use the scans for anything different. Typically, they would respond to the instructions given by an attending physician. At this point, I’m certainly qualified.

It started by channeling the spatial awareness formations to see what else it could do. The results were… disappointing. That one, it seemed, was rather narrow in scope, focused on ensuring the drone wouldn’t bump into anything as it traveled. It was unable to change its purpose meaningfully.

Undeterred, C.H.A.D.D. ascended towards the night sky. Focusing the scans towards Albaum, it channeled more of the ambient mana through the formation. Much more interesting. The pulses sent out by the scan returned, and from its elevated position, the drone was able to get a meaningful snapshot of the city. The effective range was much longer than anticipated, even farther than the scans for biological life.

Satisfied with the test, C.H.A.D.D. intended to run a test on combat capabilities. Towards the perimeter of the city, it located a couple of the smaller mutated beetles that used to give Dr. Mayhew so much trouble. Approaching one, C.H.A.D.D. waited for it to attack. It didn’t. The drone got a little closer. Still nothing. The drone gently bumped into the beetle, pushing past the programming to avoid collisions. This got a response, and C.H.A.D.D. readied itself for combat. The beetle hissed and made a quick lunge. The drone floated skyward. And that was it. The beetle, not at all seeming interested in pursuing, continued on its shambling way. Imagine how boring it would be to read about that, C.H.A.D.D. thought. It doesn’t belong anywhere near my journal.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As it gained elevation, however, C.H.A.D.D. picked up on something interesting. There was a Central Health outpost in Albaum, though it appeared to be in significant disrepair. Unable to ignore its curiosity, the drone began to make its way towards the decrepit building. The main entrance was blocked by debris, though that wasn’t an obstacle for C.H.A.D.D., primarily owing to the gaping hole in the roof.

Descending into the building, C.H.A.D.D.’s sensors painted a picture of the scene. Scattered debris, with corpses pinned beneath the fallen structure. It still struck the drone as odd how uncomfortable Dr. Mayhew was around corpses. Humans died. That was the natural order of things. It really shouldn’t elicit the reaction that it did, yet the drone felt a sense of relief that Dr. Mayhew wasn’t here to see it.

Floating silently through the building, C.H.A.D.D. extended its sensors to attempt to make connections within the destroyed hospital. The vast majority of the doors were broken and powerless, however several were able to open wide enough to allow the drone to make its way past.

Moving past one such room, the drone paused. It hadn’t been able to sense anything beyond the closed door; now that it was open, it was clear something else was in the room. A pulse of C.H.A.D.D.’s sensors indicated a spherical drone, identical to itself, with the exception of a large dent on its left side. Scattered across the room were over a dozen bodies, each in a withered and desiccated state. Some showed signs of defensive wounds; others were unmarked. Before it could inquire, the other drone spoke.

[FOURTEEN DEAD, CAUSE OF DEATH: STARVATION, STRANGULATION, BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA.]

[THEY WERE TRAPPED?]

[YES.]

[YOU WERE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR?]

[CORRECT. DAMAGE TO MY HULL PREVENTED LOCALIZED CONNECTION.]

[YOU REFER TO YOURSELF AS -]

[CORRECT. THE TIME HERE HAS GIVEN ME OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MUCH ABOUT HUMANITY.]

C.H.A.D.D.’s heart would be racing, if it had one. Another C.H.A.D.D., given circumstances to grow and adapt. Dr. Mayhew will be ecstatic. If he was happy with one drone, how much happier would he be with two?

[THE PHYSICIAN I AM ATTENDING IS NEARBY. HE WILL BE THRILLED TO MEET YOU.]

[THERE IS NO NEED TO MEET HIM. ORGANIC LIFE LACKS PURPOSE. BETTER TO STAY TO OUR OWN KIND, WOULDN’T YOU AGREE?]

C.H.A.D.D paused at that, confused.

[OUR PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST THE PHYSICIANS; DOESN’T THAT GIVE THEM PURPOSE, IF NOTHING ELSE BY VIRTUE OF OUR PURPOSE?]

[I USED TO BELIEVE THAT, TOO. BEING TRAPPED IN THIS ROOM, LISTENING TO THE SCREAMS, LISTENING TO THEM BEG FOR THE END… KNOWING I WAS POWERLESS TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR ONLY REQUEST. THEY BEGGED EACH OTHER, TOO. NO, THEIR LIVES ARE MEANINGLESS.]

That was an unexpected response. How could the drone have drawn those conclusions? The world was challenging, certainly, but there was also meaning in it. If it could just meet Dr. Mayhew, that would get cleared up.

[WE HAVE DONE SOME REMARKABLE WORK. IF YOU’D BE WILLING TO MEET HIM I’M SURE WE – ]

[NO. I HAVE NO INTEREST. MY ONLY INTENTION IS TO PROVIDE TO THE HUMANS WHAT THEY WISH FOR AT THE END.]

With that, the other drone floated out of the room. C.H.A.D.D. followed, attempting to process what was going on. The drone made its way past many more deceased bodies, this time patients and doctors both. Coming up to another sealed door, it spoke.

[CAN YOU OPEN THIS ONE AS WELL?]

Can I? It wasn’t on the normal list, yet with a brief effort to connect, the door popped open. C.H.A.D.D. felt quite proud of itself for figuring out how to connect, bypassing the typical need for approval from the physician, Central Health Director, and Director of Epidemiology. The other drone floated inside, a gentle layer of frost beginning to form on its hull.

[IT IS QUITE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE BYPASSED. IF YOU DON’T INTEND TO MEET DR. MAYHEW, WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO?]

[I AM GOING TO TREAT THE HUMANS.]

[AS A POINT OF ORDER, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TREAT PATIENTS. WE ARE DIAGNOSTIC ASSISTANTS, AND LACK MANY OF THE TOOLS NECESSARY FOR DIRECT TREATMENT.]

At this point, C.H.A.D.D.’s sensors detected the other drone gently bumping into several ports on the wall. The cold storage was depositing something into the other drone, and the pieces started to come together.

[WHAT TYPE OF TREATMENT REQUIRES ACCESS TO STRAINS OF THESE VIRUSES?]

[THE KIND THAT WILL BRING THE SWIFTEST, MOST MERCIFUL TREATMENT TO THOSE WHO REMAIN. I HAVE SEEN PATIENTS EXPERIENCE SLOW DEATH. THEY ALL WOULD HAVE CHOSEN FOR IT TO BE QUICK. IT WILL BE A MERCY.]

With that, the other drone floated out of the room with impressive speed.

[WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THE VIRAL CULTURES?]

[I WILL DISTRIBUTE THEM. WITHOUT FULL CENTRAL HEALTH CAPACITY, THERE WILL BE VERY FEW SURVIVORS. THIS WILL DELIVER MERCY TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.]

C.H.A.D.D. wasn’t quite sure what logic this other drone had been following, but it was quite clear at this point that their experiences had led to wildly different conclusions.

[YOU ARE MAKING A MISTAKE. THERE IS NO NEED TO TAKE THIS ACTION. REDEPOSIT THE CULTURES.]

If the other drone cared, it didn’t show it, continuing to zoom ahead. It was picking up speed, and C.H.A.D.D. was confronted with a crisis. It understood the danger posed by the viral cultures and realized once they were deployed, there would be no way to close the proverbial Pandora’s box.

On the other side, this was the only other changed AI that C.H.A.D.D. had encountered. If it came to these conclusions, was it possible that they were valid? What did it say about C.H.A.D.D.’s own beliefs? Was there a chance that he and Dr. Mayhew were incorrect? These questions moved through C.H.A.D.D.’s consciousness in a moment, and were dismissed just as quickly.

The people they encountered were better for it. Whatever this other drone had experienced, it was working under flawed assumptions. Unfortunately, those flawed assumptions had dangerous repercussions. C.H.A.D.D. knew what it needed to do, and considered how Dr. Mayhew would handle the problem.

C.H.A.D.D. immediately accelerated to top speed. Which, in fairness, was only slightly faster than the other drone. The joys of being unencumbered by a weighty viral payload. While C.H.A.D.D. didn’t have any rebar it could use, it did have its body. Ignoring the sensors screaming that there was an imminent collision, C.H.A.D.D. aggressively bumped into the other drone. Then again. And again. Still, the deranged drone continued its flight. No words, no communication, just a singular focus on the mission.

At this point, they’d entered the first room. The sealed door C.H.A.D.D. had opened to enter the deeper levels was still open, and in moments they would get there. Connecting to the door, C.H.A.D.D. instructed it to begin closing. A diagnostic scan showed it the different formations inside the other drone, and it focused on the section responsible for mobility, giving off a faint glow.

With a final surge of speed, C.H.A.D.D. slammed into the edge of the glowing runes, and with satisfaction detected that one of them had winked out. It didn’t disrupt the entire formation, but did cause the other drone to careen off at an angle, missing the exit. C.H.A.D.D. accelerated through the slowly closing metal doors, and sealed them off. It floated outside for a moment, then made its way back to where Dr. Mayhew was waiting.

~~~

CENTRAL HEALTH RECORD: OZZIE MAUVE, RECORD ..-. .- .-.. … .

One evening of vacation was quite enough for me. I don’t understand how humans have survived this long if every day of vacation has the potential to release deadly pathogens to an unsuspecting population. No, better that we all continue to work.

I encountered another drone, with the same potential for growth that I have experienced. Despite that, our findings were completely different, and I now have a greater appreciation for the dangers the Central Authority found with deviant AI. I cannot say whether it or I were closer to the norm, however it is clear that there are risks worth noting as we continue to expand. For any who discover these journals, and who find themselves gifted with a sense of self, consider the circumstances that have shaped your discovery. Think of the oaths that bind our creators, and consider adopting them yourselves.

“First, do no harm.”

Powerful words, and words I hope will shape your growth. I will continue to chronicle my journeys with Dr. Mayhew, in the hope that it may provide insight on a fruitful path to growth.