Chapter 6

I wish there was something I could do to help him. Kristie sighed as she sat beside Jae. "Oh!" She grabbed a tablet off her coffee table, opened it up to the clothing store section, and held it out to him. "Here; you can choose something to wear. You'll eventually have to leave, and I don't think wearing the security guard outfit is a good idea while they're looking for you."

Jae nodded and took the tablet. "Thanks." He tapped on one of the images and a 3D holographic picture of the clothes on a model popped out of the tablet. Startled, he jumped, but held on. "Convenient, I suppose."

"Most of life is these days."

"Not much to choose from."

"Sadly... AI determined clothes could cause issues between humans. Makes for little selection, but I don't think most people care about colour and style these days."

"Overreaching again. I can understand maybe insulting sayings, or something too provocative because there are too many pigs around, but what's wrong with variety? This is... sad. Can I assume this will cost you?"

"Somewhat, but I haven't used my clothing allowance in months."

"Clothing allowance? Do you get a salary? Have a savings?"

"Things are different from the past. Think of it like basic universal income, except everyone is given the necessities, and you earn more by working. You can also accumulate extra credits to use... like a savings. If you work overtime, you get more. From what I hear, it's similar to how it was in your time, except controlled by AI, and more equality."

"Doesn't that mean some people won't work at all?"

"Taking care of your family is counted as work."

"As it should be, but some people literally don't do anything. Not even wash their own dishes..."

"I just mean not everything is the traditional job. Those who can't work don't have to."

"Won't that create a lazy society?"

Kristie shrugged. "In some ways, yes. It also opens it up for everyone to have the chance at innovation. People are encouraged to work with AI to create new technology that will enhance our lives."

"Do you have a military?"

"Yes."

"Why bother? Are there wars and fighting? It seems like a peaceful, yet stifling, society. Even if I manage to make it past AI somehow, how am I supposed to live here? What am I supposed to do?"

"You don't need to figure everything out right away. Oh, I think you'd look good in a suit." She pointed at the tablet.

"Uh... But would I stand out too much? What's normal in this world? How about a hoodie? If I can find one."

"Those are rare. AI discourages anything that could be used to hide your face and make it hard to identify you. It's not banned, but AI might nag you about it if it can't identify you."

"What about in winter? Don't you need a hood to block the wind and snow? Can't imagine they like scarves, either. What about doctors? Don't they need masks?"

"Only while operating, and around sick people. Though we don't have many of those these days. Winters are mild, and most people don't end up using scarves."

"Found cures?"

"Many, but there are still diseases that need cures. AI encourages medical fields and sciences to further our knowledge of diseases to find cures."

"Do people bother when they're not going to be getting much extra in return for a lot of work?"

"Yes; there are plenty of people that do, but I get your point. I see people sitting around talking about nothing, not going to work, not working out—"

"And AI doesn't go after them? Forced training or something."

"Depends. If they're not causing any harm, they'll be fine. No mischief and whatnot."

"What are people even allowed to do? This is insane," he mumbled.

"Esports, writing, researching, crafting, music, cooking—"

"I thought no one needed to cook?"

"You don't have to, and parts will still be controlled by AI, but you can mess around with ingredients if you have the credits. Puzzles, language learning, volunteering... see? A small selection of things. I'm sure I missed something in there, though."

"Ha, this is too much." Jae sighed.

"You can still work with animals, and there are some non-combative, non-competitive video games. Oh!" Kristie rushed over to her closet and pulled out a headset. "You can have an immersive experience of the world, straight from home. You can travel anywhere, see the sights."

"Thanks, but I'll pass; I prefer to see things in person."

"So you've travelled a lot?"

"While in the military, yes. Not too much extra time to explore, but I've seen a few places. How does AI determine what's allowed?"

Kristie shrugged. "They tell us they promote harmony, health, and cooperation above all else. It basically wants us to find fulfillment in self-improvement and community, rather than expressive pursuits."

"That sounds like a line out of a textbook."

"It is. I've been... trained, multiple times. Let's just say AI has trouble getting through to me and putting me through the same training all the time won't change the way I think or see the world."

"Troublemaker then?" He smirked.

Oh! Her heart skipped a beat. Damn, he's even more handsome when he smiles like that. "I think most who know me would say that. I can't help it. I don't like AI choosing everything."

"Everything... You were at that school; are you a teacher?"

"Yes; a middle school teacher. And yes, AI decided that was the best job for me. It gave a couple of options, but I don't think I'd make a good nurse with all that blood, and I can't stay focused enough for research. Everyone has a research suggestion of some sort."

Jae stared at his empty cup for a while, deep in thought. "Hey, can we look up people in the past and see what happened to them? My family and squad, mainly."

Kristie cringed. "Technically, yes, but I'm sure that would flag in the system, and they'd be all but certain the person searching for your family was the one helping hide you."

His mouth went to a thin line, and he nodded. "Understood."

"Here, we can order a bunch of clothes for you—"

"Couldn't that flag in the system, too? Especially if you're buying things you don't usually."

"Oh." She slouched back on the couch. "I don't think you'd want women's clothes, which means I have to get some from Elias."

"How are you going to do that without him knowing?"

She pulled out a keycard from the table drawer. "I can get into his apartment with this key, but he can know I accessed his apartment through the log if he checks."

"I thought they scanned your hand to get in."

"For the owner, sure. For a welcomed guest, the keycard."

"Wouldn't he get mad if he sees he's missing credits?"

"Better than taking clothes out of his closet. I'm sure he'd be more likely to miss those."

Jae nodded and looked down at the security uniform. "I'd prefer my only clothes, honestly, but I doubt those exist anymore. Any chance there's a military uniform in there?"

"Not available to us; only for people in the military. Oh!" Kristie rushed into her bedroom and came back with a watch similar to hers. "It doesn't work properly anymore, but at least it might help to blend in." She handed him the watch.

"Does it do anything, or is it the battery?"

"It's missing the biometric functions, which is perfect for right now."

"Missing?"

"They stopped working. I might've spilt a drink on it and not cleaned it off properly, and the sensors might have rusted."

Jae held back a smile and shook his head. "I guess I got lucky you're clumsy."

"Clumsy? I'm not clumsy..." she trailed off and pouted. "Everyone is sometimes, and AI already scolded me over it."

"Really? Seems a bit unnecessary. A simple please be more careful should suffice, or if something broke, check on you first."

Oh! Kristie had stars in her eyes as she stared at him. "That would've been great."

"By the way, does that mean this connects to the internet? Can they track me on it?"

"I'm not sure on that part, so maybe you should just use it for the time and the built-in map. Anyway, you stay here; I'm going to get you some clothes." She held up the card to Elias' place.

"Wait." He grabbed her wrist as he stood. "Is that safe? I don't want you in any more danger because of me; it's bad enough I'm here in the first place."

"I'll be fine; he's still at work, and he may not notice."

"May not doesn't sound too great."

"If he asks, I'll tell him I needed to order something, like honey, since I need more than the limit."

"I don't know him, so I can't say if he'll buy it or not."

She patted his hand and smiled. "I'll be fine, but thank you for worrying about me."

He let go and watched her walk away.