Story Reader / Floating Record / ER01 The Ark Beyond / Story
A few notes on the records of the machine consciousness experiment:
To help some machines from the controlled experiment experience the same path of human growth, every mechanoid's frame is replaced regularly.
This is to simulate "growing up" as humans do.
While replacing their frame, MPA-01 will inspect their memory drives and neural logic circuits, recording accordingly.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
The only light in the room shines from above, illuminating the girl sitting in the center.
She looks no more than five to six years old, showing no fear despite being alone in a cold, dark room. Instead, she observes everything around her curiously.
Her neck is connected to a few cables, but she does not seem to notice.
She finds no human but a giant terminal before her. As the terminal speaks in a soft female voice, the girl reacts with awe before approaching the small camera.
Are you the one talking?
What is this place? Nanami only remembers Mom telling a story... before I fell asleep.
Is Nanami dreaming?
You can certainly interpret this as a dream. You will wake up in your bed when the sun rises.
Whoa... This is the first time I've had such a clear dream! Who are you?
I am Heuristic Artificial Intelligence Caretaking Machine-Alpha, identification code: MPA-01.
Records of the machine consciousness experiment:
Behavior account of subject MPL-00.
Log 23. Personality data normal.
From our conversation, I have discovered that the subject possesses a far more developed sensibility and expression ability regarding her emotions.
Additionally, in order to avoid the subject becoming suspicious of her identity as a "human"—
I will be removing her relevant memories according to the regulation as authorized.
Conservation complete. Executing memory data removal.
Removal complete.
Hello.
Nice to meet you.
Same time. Same room. Same machine.
The small, grey-haired girl sits on the floor and looks up, watching the giant machine terminal.
Who are you?
I am Heuristic Artificial Intelligence Caretaking Machine-Alpha, identification code: MPA-01.
Same introduction.
Machine... You're not human?
I am comprised of data and programs. I cannot be categorized as human.
I see...
My parents always say that machines are humans' friends.
So, you're also...
Eh, what did you say your name was?
Heuristic Artificial Intelligence Caretaking Machine-Alpha.
Heuristic Artificial Intel... Ouch!
She bites her tongue trying to say the long and tongue-twisting title.
Your name is so long... Does everyone call you that?
My user only calls me by my identification code. Therefore, unlike humans, I wasn't given a name.
...How about Nanami calls you "Haicma" from now on?
Haicma...
Haicma!
That... is a wonderful name.
Thank you.
Do you want to know what "happy" things I saw today, Haicma?
Well... I visited the aquarium with my parents!
Nanami saw a very large bionic whale and a very large bear.
The splashes the dolphins made when they jumped got—this—high!
Have you been to an aquarium, Haicma?
I am an administrative AI without a body capable of mobility. I have not visited the place you mentioned.
Hm... What if Nanami puts a camera on her that's connected to you? Then I can take you everywhere I go!
As a matter of fact, I can visit any place through virtual reality. I am able to see the things you described.
That's not the same...
It's different when you see the real thing with your own eyes. Not to mention that Nanami wants to visit it with you, Haicma!
I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time if we go together!
I never thought of this possibility, but...
The gentle voice pauses for a second before speaking with a smile in its tone.
Yes... I'm sure we'll have a wonderful time.
Wait! Nanami can also draw the things she saw and show you!
I'll bring them with me and show you if there's a next time.
...Is there a next time?
Records of the machine consciousness experiment:
Behavior account of subject MPL-00.
Log 36. Personality data normal.
It is worth mentioning that the subject has shown an eagerness toward creative expression. This is a very unusual behavior for a mechanoid.
To further analyze this situation in-depth, I have requested creative tools from my user for our next session.
Conservation complete. Executing memory data removal.
On a side note, regarding the name "Haicma" subject Nanami has given me—
Based on my calculation, keeping the name only has a 0.08% chance of influencing the subject's memory data.
Therefore, I've chosen to keep the name.
I'll be using the name "Haicma" in my next session with Nanami.
Hmm... Who are you?
Hello. I'm Heuristic Artificial Intelligence Caretaking Machine-Alpha. You can call me... Haicma.
Haicma... That rings a bell. Has Nanami seen you before?
...No. This is our first time seeing each other.
Do you also want to know what Nanami likes, Haicma?
Can you believe that my teacher also asked me the same thing today?
Nanami's previous teacher only let us draw apples and eggs, but the new teacher told us we could draw whatever we wanted.
So... Nanami drew a lot of things on the paper!
A giant mech that's taller than a mountain... Cardman Rider... the gifts my parents gave me... and Mimi's fur ball... Ah! Wait—
Nanami suddenly remembers that there's one more thing she wants to draw!
The girl picks up the pen and paper next to her and starts drawing.
Hm... Let's add a flower here...
Done!
Ta-da! I drew Nanami and her friend!
You can be friends... even with machines?
Yep, this might be the first time we see each other, but you're Nanami's friend now!
We'll meet again, right? Haicma.
...
Of course, I look forward to our next meeting.
Records of the machine consciousness experiment:
Behavior account of subject MPL-00.
At the beginning of the experiment, I conducted drawing-related tests on twelve humanoid mechanoids.
They were free to draw whatever they wanted. I wanted to see what topics they'd choose.
Originally, their drawings were all amalgamations of pictures from their image database.
At some point, Nanami's drawings began to show obvious changes. She started to draw according to her personal preferences.
She even tried to express her feelings with her drawings.
Eventually, her drawings became indecipherable to humans. My neural logic circuit has shown apparent deviations after analyzing these pictures.
I can't determine the cause yet, but I'll log this occurrence in my report.
On a side note, the next time Nanami replaces her frame will be her 18-year-old birthday.
It's a human custom for family and friends to give the birthday celebrant presents and blessings.
Based on that custom, I should also prepare a "present" for Nanami. I'm registering it as mission 376.
...I'm detecting "expectation" from my emotion simulator, but that module is currently off.
Performing self-test.
...System normal.
The door to the laboratory finally opens, and the exhausted-looking female researcher walks in, her eyes red as if she has just been through an intense argument.
Cancel the frame replacement with Nanami next week, MPA-01.
Understood. It's been removed from the schedule.
Is it because of the machine virus outbreak that happened recently?
The researcher nods, leaning on the desk frailly.
Based on the rate the virus is spreading, I estimate that it'll hit the closest city to this lab in three days.
The Science Council has terminated the machine consciousness experiment. All the machines would probably have to...
She covers her face with her hands, quietly sobbing.
I understand why they ordered it, but I...
Her tears take over before she can finish her words. After a long time, she finally looks up, her expression no longer sorrowful. She seems determined, as she always has.
I have to prepare a few things now.
I'm sorry... All I can do now...
She enters a command in the terminal, and the computers in the room begin to shut down row by row. She steps outside of the room, locking the door.
Darkness approaches, and the administrative AI loses all senses.
