-14-
In the weeks that followed, Grey recuperated in the sterile environment of the medical ward, his vital signs linked to a monitoring system. Unaccustomed to constant attention, he quickly grew irritated by the pestering medical units that never left him alone and he came to resent the incessant questioning of the Medical Computer.
Soon a monitor was placed next to his bed so the Library Computer could continue his lessons. The Medical Computer took advantage of his enforced stay to seal his teeth, measure his eyesight for correction, and take samples of nearly everything. By the time Grey was released, his body was once again in good working order.
But Grey no longer felt the same. The incident in the safety deposit area left him frightened. His manner became subdued, and when conversing with the higher function levels, he rarely elaborated beyond the required response. But more than just his approach to the computers changed. Having seen how the various systems worked together, each with their own function, Grey started to realize how truly different he was from the machines. Where do I fit in? he wondered. What is my function?
Then one terrible day his worse fears were confirmed. Grey gained access to a biology report that indicated he would not, as he had always hoped, grow up to be a computer. He was a human- and forever would be! It was the greatest disappointment of his life.
Despite protests from the Life Support Computer, Grey insisted on resuming residence in the Governor's Quarters. In the months that followed, he initiated a systematic exploration of the community level, going through each section to learn about life in the colony, such as it was. Soon he was assigned maintenance duties in addition to his study programs, and before long Grey became a common sight in various sections checking equipment, making adjustments, and conversing with the minor systems.
Grey enjoyed his new duties, and experienced a reluctant acceptance from the machines, but the answers he yearned for remained out of reach. And he couldn't help feeling afraid whenever he passed a security station. The presence of the black signature patterns haunted him everywhere.
Finally, on a quiet afternoon, Grey discovered a clue to the answers he sought. He had just returned to the Governor's Quarters following an extra difficult duty tour and paused for a few minutes rest. Normally he would have cleaned up and gone to the newly reopened cafeteria for food, but being tired and a little discouraged, he languished in one of the big overstuffed chairs instead. As he had on several occasions, Grey looked at the ventilation shaft in the corner and wondered what the strange opening was for. It wasn't like anything in the service areas. Finally curiosity got the better of him and he bounced up to the hearth.
The tall funnel was dark and sooty. A small grid work extended across the floor into a natural gas hookup similar to the one in the hotel kitchen. Accidentally, Grey discovered a dial underneath the mantle and turned the knob in the indicated direction. Much to his astonishment, tiny flames burst forth in the burner.
He turned the dial more until, at the farthest setting, the flames became so intense they filled the entire burner. The fire was so fierce at full power that Grey turned the dial down halfway before stepping back to watch. It was truly amazing. And completely useless. He couldn't think of a single reason why anyone would risk a fire in their quarters.
He sat down to stare at the swirling blue and yellow flames, and though he didn't understand why the fire seemed so interesting, he did enjoy it. Gradually he started to relax and his eyes wandered around the room until coming to rest on a gold plate set above the mantle. The plate featured a picture of the moon and an engraving along the rim that read, "To Doctor Thomas McKinsey, Governor of the Moon, January 14, 2035."
How odd, Grey thought. He went to the desk in the corner and activated the monitor.
"Library Computer, response mode. Why is the McKinsey system called a governor?"
The Library Computer responded with a brief biography that included a listing of McKinsey's achievements.
"Founder of the Tranquility Lunar Colony, 2025," Library said. "Designer of the Stanford Series Integrated Computer System, 2027. Discoverer of the Crystal Caves . . . "
"Computer, stop!" Grey interrupted. "Please explain last statement. What do you mean by referring to McKinsey as your designer?"
"Doctor Thomas McKinsey conceived the design for the Stanford Series IC System, of which this unit is an integral part," Library boasted. "He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2038 for advanced concepts in off-planet environmental engineering."
"McKinsey was a human?" Grey asked incredulously.
"Affirmative," Library assured him.
"And he created computers?"
"He designed the Stanford IC Series," Library corrected. "We are specifically designed to assist moon base personnel in carrying out the prime functions of this project."
"Personnel? Human personnel?" Grey asked.
"Affirmative. Our purpose is to enhance human potential," Library replied.
"I thought humans were designed to enhance computer potential."
"Negative. That is not the primary function."
This could change everything, Grey thought, realizing he had stumbled upon vital information.
"Why is the title governor applied to McKinsey?" he asked.
"The title granted him rights and powers over this project," Library answered.
"Rights and powers? Of what type?"
"The governor has executive authority over this facility. Executive powers include right to enact legislation, issue decrees, and direct defensive systems."
"Am I not also a governor?" Grey inquired.
"You are the Lunar Republic's only governor, having gained title by appointment upon the death of Doctor Thomas McKinsey, 24 December, 2050."
"Can I order the Security Computer to be dismantled?" Grey asked a bit too eagerly.
The Library Computer hesitated, wondering if classified information should be discussed without authorization. A summons was issued followed by a brief exchange confined to the communications link. Green signature patterns stabilized in the background of the flux.
"Negative," Library answered, brown signature patterns fluttering unhappily.
"Why is that?" Grey asked.
"You are not of age to exercise executive authority. The Security Computer is subject only to the Defense Computer, as are all systems on this base."
Grey wasn't pleased with the answer. If computers were designed to assist humans, it didn't seem right that he should be afraid of them. He paced back and forth deeply in thought. Do other humans live in fear of computers?
"Library, where did the humans go that computers were designed to assist?" he asked.
"With the exception of six custodians, the moon's population was evacuated at the beginning of the current global struggle prior to 28 July, 2049. The brave patriots who remained behind to defend Tranquility included your mother, the geologist Crystal Waters, and your father, Colonel Jaime Vandebrown of the 104th Airborne Division."
"Where did the custodians go?" Grey asked.
"They are still here," Library replied.
"What do you mean?"
"The six custodians of Tranquility are still here."
"Where?" he asked in shock.
"In the medical center morgue," Library replied softly.
"They ceased to function?"
"Affirmative."
Grey had seen death on the entertainment vids many times. He knew that sometimes, when humans were badly damaged or malfunctioned, they ceased to operate. He also knew that sometimes damage was caused deliberately.
"Were the humans killed by Security?" he asked with a gulp.
"Most died as a result of poisoning initiated by another human," Library said, hedging the response carefully.
Grey sighed with relief. He feared the Security Computer enough already without believing the system capable of mass murder.
The fire in the hearth burned low as the setting slowly returned to the off position. He turned the flames back up, mulling over what had been said. Certainly there must be more. Something significant. Had he come so far only to be frustrated once again?
On the desk near the monitor, he noticed some objects he'd previously considered unimportant. One was a photo of a gray haired man and a red haired woman with two young females. The picture was inscribed, "To Uncle Tom and Aunt Laureen, With Love from your goddaughters, Valerie & Kris." The older male wore a long lab white coat. There were trees and colorful flora in the background. Grey studied the image of the man carefully and realized it must be Thomas McKinsey. And he was just a human, like the Library Computer said. The face appeared friendly, despite a few hard lines around the jaw, and the blue eyes twinkled as if they knew something no one else did.
"Do you have vid records of McKinsey?" Grey requested.
"Affirmative. Please stand by," Library said.
Grey sat down while the program was readied. Though the desktop terminal wasn't as sophisticated as those in the monitor room, the screen did display an unusual series of secondary signature patterns. Before he had a chance to analyze them, the playback mode activated.
"McKinsey announces Lunar Republic," the footnotes at the bottom read.
The gray haired man appeared on the screen and Grey recognized his study in the background. McKinsey was sitting behind the wooden desk dressed in a weighted lab coat, his expression grim.
"Citizens of the Earth, I know there are those who will call our revolution madness, but I assure you, our actions are not only justified, but vitally necessary. I have said many times that the problems between our peoples cannot be solved with another war. We face far more important challenges than our economic differences.
"As Governor of the Moon, I formally declare lunar space off limits to all unauthorized shuttles. Though we do not seek bloodshed, we cannot allow our resources to fall into irresponsible hands. It's our duty to resist tyranny with our life's blood, and so we shall."
The gray haired man paused to give the camera a determined look. Grey was impressed with his dignified bearing.
"We resort to force of arms in accordance with our heritage and by our rights as free citizens. If necessary, we will remain in isolation for the duration of this conflict. The path ahead will not be easy, but as long as we are true to our ideals, God's Grace will see us through. Fear not, my friends, the future belongs to those with faith."
The program ended.
"Library, what is tyranny?" Grey asked very quietly.
"The arbitrary and unjust use of absolute power," the Life Support Computer suddenly interjected, overriding the more academic response the Library Computer might have given. Grey took a deep breath and stood up with his shoulders squared.
"I, too, will oppose tyranny," he said.
– End Chapter Fourteen –
