Chapter 98 - Casual chat

We arrived at the building marked 87 a little early than the previous day. The yard was deserted. Grant turned around with a worried face. For the whole ride, the car was silent. Olga made us understand that the car was not safe for sharing sensitive information. I was super conscious about that fact after we found a spy device in our own house.

"You take a deep breath. Everything will be ok," he said, it sounded a lot like he was trying to convince himself that the interview he will have with Atlas will be ok. My stomach twisted in a knot just thinking about it.

"I want to be there with you. Can't you persuade him to let me watch, at least?" I insisted even though I knew it was useless. Grant pressed his lips together. I was making it harder for him. And I could feel it through the link. The bright thread pulse weakly.

"I'm sorry, Liliane," he turned back to the front. I haven't noticed when Olga has slipped out of the driver seat and only saw the empty space. "We should go too," added Grant with a sigh. We made our way to the front of the building, we held hands desperate to reassure each other.

"Good morning, both of you," said the red dot on the panel by the door. I quickly fished my badge out of my pocket and pin it to the front of my shirt. I flashed the AI a fake grin.

"Good morning Atlas," greeted Grant with a gentle smile. Grant had his badge around his neck, he gave a little nod at the screen. "Nice weather," he went on.

"Sure, is. And yet I have no preferences whether it rains or not," Atlas' voice was flat as usual with no intonations. 'Sounded pretty depressive to me. I would die of boredom if I had to converse with this machine all day.

"Liliane Kerry," it called making me flinched back to reality.

"Y-yes?" I said in a hesitant tone.

"You wanted to assist Grant's interview?" my eyes widened and I glanced over at Grant.

"Mm, yes," I turned back to the screen. How did he know? Was he spying on our conversation in the car? Damn, that's super creepy.

"Can I ask the reason for such interest?" I frowned at the red dot. I wasn't sure where to look, I had the skin-crawling sensation Atlas had eyes all over the compound. A sickly feeling.

"I'm worried—about Grant," silence followed my statement. I wanted to hold Grant's hands but thought it wouldn't be appropriate to do so at my workplace. I was a new employee, after all. Married couples working together aren't glued to each other all the time. I killed me to be this close and yet not touch him.

-It's ok, Liliane. Just wait.

Grant gave me a weak smile. I don't know what we were waiting for. My request to be present at the interview was ridiculous. I was sure Atlas was just playing with my nerves. The screen went black and the logo of Alteron Enterprises danced over it. After a moment, the dot reappeared.

"It will be interesting to interview both of you. Since Dr. Churchhill already explained your situation. While I have no interest in human psychology, I'm intrigued by how it affects Grant," he explained. I shifted nervously on my legs. The sick sensation got worse. I crossed my arms over my belly to press nausea down. "I'll see you a ten AM," with that the door slid open to allow us access to the building. Olga was waiting by the elevator with her usual blank face. She pressed the button to call for the elevator. We remained silent.

-Liliane, you did great. But know that Atlas will ask personal and disturbing questions to poke at you. You will have to remain detached. I'll try my best to help.

I gave him a quick nod and we all stepped in the small enclosure that sent us down to the 14th bas.e.m.e.nt. The first hour was spent in Olga briefing about the different machines and their functions. She sent me tones of papers and told me I had to review them so I can get familiar with her work. Those were very technical doc.u.ments I wasn't sure I will be able to digest on such short notice. Grant gave me a smile.

"I'll help you revise them,' he offered. He turned to Olga with a serious face. "Humans don't function like us. They need countless repetitions to learn new skills. If you hand Liliane paperwork expecting her to learn the craft that way—it won't work and she will get bored in no time," Olga leaned against the spotless tabletop with a frown.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"She watches you work, allow her to learn at her own pace," he smiled. Olga was not happy about it. She sighed and pushed away from the table moving towards the giant screen at the end of the spacious room.

"Very well," she clicked on the screen and scrolled through the list of tasks Atlas has sent her. "I guess working with a human will be interesting," she glanced at me from the corner of the eye.

Questions about Dr. Churchhill burn my lips. But I kept silence. I thought they worked together. The more I learn about Olga the more question popped up in my head.

"Come, pull a chair," she waved at me. "You also, Grant," she sighed, reluctant of using such a slow process. We eagerly approached her. I was thankful for Grant's intervention, else I wouldn't know how to tackle this huge chunk of technical books. Hate those. The next hour flew by, we worked on the first task Atlas assigned to us. To build an efficient water system for the residential areas. In clear, he wanted us to build an AI to turn salt water into drinking water and distribute it throughout the island. There was already one in place but with the growing constructions going on all over the island it was failing and soon needed an upgrade. It was found in Texson near the river. Which was artificially carved. I was stunt when we accessed the footage of the constructions.

"So, it's all fake?" I whispered. Olga gaze at me with a smile.

"What you see on top is only 10% of what Dyneapolis really is," she pressed her lips together afraid of saying too much. I wanted to ask more questions. However, Olga reverted to her mute self. I sighed in resignation and went back to our work. It consisted of brainstorming with Olga doing most of the talking. Parts where I didn't understand, I just asked. Mostly stupid questions. Grant, on the other hand, came up with some really interesting ideas.

"What about a system that learns and adapts for the different demands of how people use water. Since it is essential for first, the productivity of the human workers and second, the construction of the buildings. I'm guessing the different factories also need a certain amount of water to run too. In short, Atlas didn't give us a small project to test our ability. This is a vital one that could contribute to the very lifeline of Dyneapolis," smiled Grant with pride.

"Exactly," said Atlas out of nowhere. I jumped in my chair, my heart racing like crazy. I'll never get used to it. "Are you done, Olga? Can I borrow your team?" asked Atlas in his flat tone like he was bored to death. Which he probably was. I gave a quick peek at my bracelet it was almost 10. The guy was a time maniac. Olga nodded and turned to her screen.

"Follow me, then," said Atlas to us. We both got up and went to the elevator. The panel by the door displayed the floor number without us touching it. Atlas took over all the control. Talk about a control freak. He was god around here. Sees all, hears all. Creepy.

"Take the corridor and march to the door on the far right," the elevator door opened on a mint colored corridor. There was a low buzzed coming from the ceiling. It was a long corridor with at least two dozen of identical doors. There were no markings on the doors or knobs. Our footsteps echoed as we progress. My heart was about to leap out with the slightest breeze. I stayed at a safe distance from Grant. Two-step behind. He walked with his back straight and chin up. Fearless. I tried to imitate his posture. I said I tried. I doubted I succeed. My palms were sweating I kept rubbing them on my back pockets. We stopped in front of the designated door. We waited for it to open but it didn't. In doubt, we both exchange a puzzled glance then turned to the ceiling where we thought Atlas was watching.

"Atlas—" Grant started but the door opened before he could finish his sentence. He was definitely playing with us.

"Come on in," he said. The room in front, a circular white room with mirrors in the ceiling and one spotlight hanging above. Grant got in without hesitation. He walked to the middle and stopped under the light. I dragged my feet, staring with apprehension at every corner. That sick impression of being watched came back in waves. I found myself rushed to Grant's side and took his hand in mine. He sighed with relief. So, he was also holding back. I thought I was the only one anxious about the whole situation.

"We can now start," Atlas' voice came in all directions. A very disorienting sensation. I stared at our reflection in the ceiling. My face was pale and eyes huge behind my glasses.

"Feel free to relax, this will only be a casual talk," he made it sound like a question. Grant nodded and looked up. I did the same. Even though, I couldn't relax at all. "Then where shall we start?" we waited and the silence pressed like a stuffy blanket.

"Very well, let's start with Grant. How are you feeling?" he inquired. Grant straightened up.

"A bite worried?" he said with all honesty.

"Why so?"

"I don't know what to expect from this interview?" said Grant. I gave him a side-glance. Was he planning to tell this AI the truth? Like a heart to heart conversation?

"I don't know either. I don't have any expectations. What about you Liliane?" my head sprung up at the mention of my name.

"Mm, the same," I quickly said.

"Same? How so?"

"I'm don't know what to expect and I'm a little nervous," Grant nodded at me for encouragement. I gave him a weak smile. Still, I didn't let go of his hand.

"Do I make you nervous, Liliane?" as sure as hell, he did. I shivered at the thought. Should I tell the truth or lie? I let out a nervous chuckle. let's play safe.

"What exactly did you want to know—I mean about Grant—about us?" I steered him away.

"I'm only curious. It's not like Grant is the first sentient artificial. I and my two counter-parts Aquarius and Delta are also, along with various other countries all over the globe. I'm curious since I'm also part of a split AI. Dr. Churchhill explained that he learned about it while he was studying my creator's work," he explained. Well, that came out of nowhere. Did it mean I can ask questions too?

"Who is your creator?" Grant jumped up before I could come up with something.

"Liam Benjamin Laurell. He is the grandfather of the actual Dr. Laurell running the facility," Grant frowned at the information. For me, it didn't hit any bell. "My turn now," he quickly took back control over the interview. "How does it feel to be sync with a human?" creases furrowed Grant's forehead. That what I was fearing. Personal questions.

"I was created to feel fulfillment when my mate sync with me—us. And that's exactly how I feel," Grant stayed cautious. That was a very vague answer and it was ok with me.

"What about you, Liliane? I guess it's not the conventional type of relationship for a female your age to have. Was it hard to sync with machines? Are you a machine sympathizer?" I blinked surprised to be questioned on the topic. It made me lose my footing.

"Mm, it wasn't exactly pleasant in the beginning, since I'm neutral when it comes to machines," I tried to sound as truthful as possible.

"Do you love him?" my heart leap inside my chest. I looked down at my foot. Why the hell was that machine asking about my feelings? Where was this going? Is it fun for him to poke people around like that?

"She does, but it's a very personal question not all humans like to answer," Grant jumped in to rescue me. He gave my hand a little squeeze. I was grateful for having him by my side. I lifted my chin and gaze at my own reflection in the ceiling.

"I do love him," I admitted in a firm tone.

"Why? He is not a he—this pronoun is meant for humans. Tomorrow we can swap both Demos and Grant out of the physical bodies and transfer them back to mere codes and scripts. Would you still love them then?" my whole body went cold. Grant gave me a quick peek. All I could hear was my own rapid pulse beating in my ears.

"Take them away—" I whispered my lips quivering.

'Yes, we AI are not bound to a body. Do you really love them or just the shell that encapsulates them?" I was not feeling well. The room wobbled in front of my eyes. Grant held me by the waist for support.

"I think that's enough if you keep pressing she will need medical attention," called Grant with a sharp edge.

"Very well, I'll adjourn this interview. I hope next time we get to chat longer. It was a pleasure. It must be lunchtime. Liliane has a nice meal. Do you remember the way back?" his emotionless voice made me sicker. I hated it when he uses my name. The sadist!

"Yes, we'll be ok," Grant turned to the door and guided me out. It sided to the side and I was able to breathe again. I hated it. I don't want to ever go through that again.

-You did great, hang it there. Just think about the delicious desserts you can eat at the cafeteria.

I laughed and it scared me as it echoed back at me. My stomach groaned at the mention of food. Even though, I felt sick. I would never lose my appetite over some creepy machine. I pictured the buffet of pastry and my mouth watered. The sweet aroma seeping in my flared nostrils as I inhaled. We entered the elevator with a smile.

"I'm so damn hungry I could eat two servings and a couple of slices of cake," Grant laughed at me mastery over my emotions via my love for food. He pulled me close and pressed his forehead against mine.

"Our love is not bound by flesh and blood. It goes beyond this. Never let anyone say otherwise," I closed my eyes and let his words sunk it.