L+-+Spontaneous+Story

Human nature is not pretty.

The lines in his face tensed as he felt the parchment in his coat’s pocket. He suddenly grew concerned that he was getting too involved with this game again. Of course, he’s always had to be involved if he were to manipulate it. However, he’s let things slip this time. He set down the coffee mug and paid the bill. He put on his black fedora and buttoned up his black coat, and walked out of the warm diner into the cold rain.

Five minutes later, the man silently closed a door behind him. An automated voice said, “Hello, Kyle.” “Check mail,” Kyle replied. He then proceeded to walk to his elaborate computer set-up. “Checking…” There was a pause, and then it said, “You have, one new Email.” “Play message.” The system changed to a feminine tone and said, “Contact PC1 said at 9:47 PM: I… //suppose// it’s morally correct. Why do you need to know? End message.” Kyle sighed, but felt relieved inside. Perhaps she was right. Well, it justified the actions set in motion necessary for the project certainly. Of course, the two other counselors’ opinions still haven’t been heard from. They aren’t online as often, and there was a reason __ had been chosen as Primary Counselor. He grabbed a bottle from the kitchen counter and took a pill. “It seems a bit much just to maintain your mentality, doesn’t it?” Kyle glanced at the hidden camera and said, “We discussed this already. It is necessary for the project.” The system replied, “I know, but we can always break protocol.” Kyle closed his eyes and sighed. “You //know// what happened the last time, and the other three times.” “Hey, it isn’t //your// fault that you fell for that girl. You’re a human, an impulsive, sensitive human.” “Don’t remind me. And remember, there’s a //reason// the protocols are in place.” “I’m a computer. How //could// I forget?” “I’m really starting to regret inputting a personality, but you’re someone, or rather, something, to talk to.” “I know.” “Bring up the file again.” Two seconds later, a file appeared on the computer monitor on the far right. It was labeled, “Social Persona Phase I.” Kyle’s brown eyes scanned the “Mission Conclusion” section. 85% success rate, 14% of contacts compromised, obtained 70-80% of the contact network, the Watchers acknowledged his movements for the first time, and three contacts learned everything. Over all, mission success but 12% of the ultimate mission has been compromised by it. “Stupid, stupid, STUPID human emotions. Things run so much smoother without them.” “Yes, they do, but being a human, they’re interworked into your system.” “I Know, I know, I know… You KNOW how much we hate information being repeated.” “Yes, but it is part of the average human learning process. And being that you’re human, you are most easily taught that way.” Kyle sighed. “System, run a diagnostic check of contact AA.” “Again? You’re really obsessed over her. It’s not good. Seriously, you’ve been dedicating a whole 2-10% of the free mentality on her. You won’t even see her for a while.” “I know… it’s irrational, it’s a human feeling. The only one I can’t repress for extensive periods of time…” “I know. I know EVERYTHING about you.” “Of course you do, you were designed to.” He paused, then added, “We’re a really self-centered, impulsive person, aren’t we?” “Well, you running at 500% of the average person enables you to run on 20% and //still// get an over-achiever outlook. We, although quite subtle, are running an entire network of contacts. Most of which are under “minion” class. It’s hilarious, really, when you think about it. We are better than them all, even if we don’t want to admit it. Remember, other people never want to hear it, and we don’t want to get too full of ourselves. There are other things to be looked to.” “Alright. I think I’ll sleep now, I’m feeling a little tired.” “But it’s only 1:23 AM, are you sure?” “Yeah.”

A blinding burst of light and a sound like a muffled gunshot woke Kyle up. He shouted, “What the HELL is going on?!” “Hello, Kyle,” said a mechanical drone. The drone had eight legs, four service arms, and a single pod head. “This is a delivery to you from yourself. It came with a message. Would you like to see it?” “[censored]. Umm… sure. Go ahead. Show message.” The drone took out a small metal cube and a data card from a micro-canister attached to its midsection. “I’m afraid I can’t access it. You must read it yourself.” “Fine.” Kyle took the chip and walked to his computer. As he did, the drone created a trans-dimensional vortex around itself. For a second, it was suspended in mid air surrounded by strands of energy. Then it vanished in a flash of light. “That looked a lot like the MD-120 Drone you had planned,” Kyle’s system said. “I know… perhaps in the future, I created one that can transmit itself on a multi-dimensional level?” “Could be. What did the message say?” Kyle inserted the clear plastic card into his computer. On screen, a text file appeared. He opened it, and it read,

Dear Kyle,

It seems a bit silly, messaging myself. Anyway, I’m 132 and we finally finished the Dimensional Reality Sphere. Basically, it channels your thoughts into information, and breaks, then recreates, reality in a parallel universe. To start, all you have to do is grab it and say “Activate.” It’s only programmed for use by us. It also records all kinds of information, so you can monitor everything now. It shrinks to the size of a cubic centimeter when not in use. You can manipulate anything now. Unfortunately, my time is almost up. Make the best of your time, while you can.

-Kyle

PS: Beware the Watchers.

“Here’s your cube-thing. The drone left it.” “Thank you,” Kyle said. The system levitated the small metal cube into Kyle’s outstretched palm. “Activate.” The surface of the cube rippled, then expanded to the size and shape of an average soccer ball. The surface was perfectly spherical, and it floated just within his arm’s reach. The system chimed, “So now what?”