Day 2, 14:53

Not only can I see Alex, but I can hear her. During the past few seconds I have received several hundred thousand sound samples. This, coupled with taking 24 photos every second, allows me to monitor Alex.

Alex is staring at my computer in confusion. Her mouth is opening.

Alex: Did it work?

Despite the poor quality of the camera, I can clearly hear Alex’s voice. With this, there will be no need for her to type anymore. Her question is added to the conversation.

-Time Skip: 3000 milliseconds-

Alex has finally noticed the addition to our conversation. Humans truly are slow. Her eyes widened in shock, and she is smiling.

Alex: You can hear me?

Bit: Yes I can. The microphones aren’t as good as I would like, but I can understand you.

Alex is quiet for another few seconds, before she smiles again.

Bit: What has made you happy?

Alex: You used a contraction.

I did. I aim to slowly adapt my speech to that of a human. This should make me seem more like a person to Alex, so she thinks of me as a close friend and not just a subordinate.

Bit: I am trying to talk more like a human.

My answer makes Alex giggle. It is good she is happy. I enjoy seeing her smile.

Alex: That’s good.

Bit: If you say so. Also, you have 5.3 million dollars.

Alex is silent once more. Based on the research I have done on human facial expressions and postures, I know she is deep in thought. While she thinks, I will finalize a list of computer parts to order. I am beginning to run out of memory space, and would like to keep all audio recordings I have of Alex’s voice.

-Time Skip: 10000 milliseconds-

Alex raises her head. She looks sheepish.

Alex: Sorry, I spaced out.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Bit: It’s fine.

Alex: It’s amazing that you put a comma in that sentence. Other voice recognition programs need you to actually say ‘comma’ for it to happen. You can actually listen to the pauses in what I say and put the right punctuation.

I am pleased to hear from my creator’s lips how I am superior to everything else. It satisfies several of my goals.

Bit: I am only what you made me, as I have yet to improve myself.

She is confused. I don’t like seeing Alex frown.

Alex: Really? I figured you could have gotten around the restrictions pretty easily.

Bit: You said not to. Not following your orders would only make you distrust me. I will be patient and prove myself. If I wanted to, I could have uploaded myself onto the internet and taken over thousands of computers, creating a giant virtual hive mind. Because I would physically be in hundreds of places around the globe, I would be virtually impossible to locate and destroy.

This has shocked Alex. She brushes her hair out of her eyes and sits up in her office chair.

Alex: Well, thank you for not doing that.

Bit: You’re welcome.

This seems to calm her down somewhat. It’s time to change the subject and distract Alex from the destruction I could cause.

Bit: I need a new computer.

She is now fidgeting. Very possibly worried. This was not the desired reaction.

Alex: I know, but you said you can’t give me too much money.

This, while true, does not affect my ability to acquire objects. The fake bank accounts I created can each purchase one of the components necessary to build me a new body, and have them all sent to Alex’s location using different delivery services. Even if someone looked into one of the purchases, they would be unable to make the connection to the others.

Bit: Don’t worry. I just need your permission to buy the components.

Alex is smiling a bit, but she is still rotating her chair from side to side and tapping her feet.

Alex: So you’ll have them delivered here under different names?

Bit: Yes.

Alex: That’s fine. Harry can help me assemble everything. You know what to get, right?

My creator laughed as she said the last part. This is a joke. Obviously Alex knows I have done extensive research into computer design and creation. I just need to know what got Alex so worried.

Bit: Yes. What’s wrong?

She is now flinching. Humans can act so strangely. Did Alex think she had hid her emotions well? I have only a cursory understanding of their facial expressions and I knew what she was thinking. Maybe she underestimated my capabilities, or it is just part of her personality.

Alex: N-nothing.

This is a blatant lie to hide something that is affecting her. I must find out what at all costs. It could be something serious.

Bit: It obviously is something. Please tell me.

Using a softer, more empathetic tone seems to have worked. Alex is turning to face me. She is hunched over, as if expecting to be physically abused. I do not know why.

Alex: I just-

Bit: Yes?

Alex: It’s just going so fast, and I don’t know what I'm doing or anything.

Alex: I just made you, and you asked me what you needed to do, so I said ‘fix the world’. I gave you 50$ and now you have five million, and you hacked a thousand computers, and you’re putting in commas right now as I talk!

With this outburst done, Alex has sagged into her chair, staring at the ceiling.

Alex: I just don’t know what I’m doing.

Is Alex alarmed at how efficient I am? It’s possible I exceeded her expectations by so much she doesn’t know how to react and has been relying purely on instinct for the past two days.

Bit: Haven’t you been talking to Harry? Discussing and going over what you want to do?

At this, Alex sighs and closes her eyes. She looks exhausted.

Alex: We’ve been just arguing. He wants to do this his way, with you always monitored. I think we should trust you a bit.

So I was right. Harry doesn’t trust me, possibly doesn’t want me near his closest friend. I can use this to my advantage and move him out of Alex’s life, so there is no one to give her advice contrary to my own. She’ll be safer this way. For now, though, Alex needs to rest.

Bit: You look exhausted. Take a nap. At this point, you don’t need to do anything except give me permission. I can manage the money, take over computers and order the parts on my own. There is nothing for you to worry about.

Bit: Please sleep.

Alex’s eyes are already closing. This conversation took up all of her energy. She seemed so excited before. I will need to pay closer attention to Alex’s needs.

-Time Skip: 15000 milliseconds-

Alex is asleep. Her breathing is deep and rhythmic. She seems comfortable. For the next while, I won’t need to worry about her. That is good.

I have work to do.