Chapter 1:

Ripples Through the Silence

An Eden from the Ashes


Such an unbearable silence. Everywhere I walk is filled with an overwhelming stiffness. The market is quiet except for the occasional shuffling of coins. The noise of houses is kept sealed behind their solid metal doors. The open air only filled so slightly with the noise of elevators and trains carrying people around the pit we’re all entrapped in. I wish I could say this noise is one of peace, but it is truly one of fear. A silence out of fear of who could be listening, a silence of one desperate just to see tomorrow, a silence of a defeated people.

The human condition has been stripped of any semblance of fulfillment. The extent to one's goals has been limited to what could be considered a primitive agenda. We can no longer strive to succeed, as we must constantly fight to survive.

I sat there inside my concrete box called a ‘home’ counting what money I had to see whether I could afford even a slightly decent meal ticket. I was considered one of the lucky ones. Having a place to sleep let alone a position in the government is considered the dream life in this day and age. Only extremely high ranking officials have any sense of luxury, and even they struggle from time to time.

“21 credits and 78 subcredits”

Using this I would at least be able to get solid food tonight. Even eating rust from the bottom of my walls would be better than the food paste they attempt to serve at the cantine. Sadly for some this is the only food source they will ever have the displeasure of tasting. I was preparing to head to the cantine when suddenly I heard a knock at the door. I stopped dead in my tracks. As I stood there, the echoes of noise slowly faded back into a constant, unbroken silence. Another knock at the door. It seems that this one wasn’t giving up. I grabbed my pistol and slowly made my way towards the door.

The fear of the unknown paralyzes people in the pit. It was certainly not uncommon for people to get robbed on the doorstep of their own homes, and I was not ready to take that chance. As soon as I made it to the door, I slid the latch open just enough so that I could peer through. I caught a glimpse of the man's black suit and tie and suddenly felt at ease. It would be almost impossible for anybody to afford nice clothing like this, let alone anyone attempting to rob me. I pocketed my gun and opened the door to ask why the man had come. As I did this he pulled out a badge from his pocket and introduced himself.

“Joe Hughes, federal department of R&D, you are Steven Cross correct?”

“I’m truly sorry but can you please come back in another hour or so. I really don’t have the funds to skip out on a meal today”.

I closed the door behind me and began to walk around him when he opened his bag and motioned me to look in it. Inside were two high quality meals, a commodity reserved only for the extremely wealthy.

“How did y-”

“You can thank the chief director for these. It seems he holds you in high regard”.

A smirk spread across my face, “Of course. Let's talk more inside, I’d rather not attract any unwanted attention.”

The chief director Martin had always been one to get me into messy jobs. With him it was always high stakes. Negotiating terms of war with a crime syndicate, asking terrorists to disarm a building laced with bombs while inside of it, the list never ends. I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked me to convince a starving mother to give up her food for the night. But nevertheless I went inside and waited to hear what the next job he had for me was. We sat across the small metal table positioned in the center of what was one of two rooms in my house.

“Sorry if the space is a little cramped” I sighed.

“It’s fine, we all live like this anyways. If it wasn’t for you I probably wouldn’t have ever got the chance to enjoy a meal like this in my entire lifetime.”

Joe sat down across from me at the table and placed the meals in front of us. I opened the foil top and steam came pouring out. The meal consisted of two medium sized chicken breasts, a good portion of white rice, a small pile of broccoli as well as a few packets of soy sauce. This was the pinnacle of luxury. We both began eating trying to savor every last crumb of food.

“I think it’s about time I tell you why I’m here,” Joe insisted.

He reached into his bag and pulled out a black file. Written on the file was a message clad in red letters stating ‘Classified information: Authorized ADAM project personnel only’. He placed the file in front of me and began to explain the situation.

“Contained in this file is the information regarding a collaborative government effort codenamed ADAM. The goal of this operation was to create a hyper intelligent AI capable of creating solutions to the Earth's apocalyptic conditions.”

For a project with such a massive impact I was surprised to be kept in the dark along with everyone else.

“Well did it succeed?”

“Not exactly. Although it seems to have created the solutions, it is refusing to release them and has since become unresponsive.”

“How could a computer possibly be withholding data from its operators?”

“We do not know the answer to that question”.

Confusion began to set in. Why would I be useful in a situation like this? Then it finally hit me.

“No, no, no. Listen Joe, I can negotiate with humans because they are capable of changing their minds, right? But a robot? A robot can’t. Out of all the absurd jobs Martin has given me this is the only one that's surely impossible.”

“Please just listen. Contrary to your belief, the engineers studying Adam said that it shows signs of human-like thought. Also the data that this robot contains could spell the difference between a very bright and very dark future.”

“Even if it can form opinions they would be based 100% on factual evidence. It's almost impossible to disprove an argument based purely on the truth.”

Joe started to look visibly frustrated.

“Almost impossible doesn’t mean impossible.”

“If it’s almost impossible with humans, what do you think will happen if I try with a robot.”

“Nobody can know for sure.”

“Well I’m telling you now that it would fail.”

“Is it not at least worth it to try.”

“Why would I try when I know I would fail!”

Little by little the deafening silence crept back into the room. We both sat there staring at each other, not saying a word. The food we were so excited to eat was now cold and mushy to the touch.

“You know, that’s exactly what Adam said. It’s written in the file I gave you.”

That couldn’t be true. I opened the file and turned the pages one by one until I saw it. Printed in black ink right before me were the exact same words that came out of my mouth moments ago. It was scary, the fact that a seemingly emotionless shell could share the same feelings as me. I couldn’t admit I was wrong. I just couldn’t tell myself that.

“Maybe Adam is right” I whispered just loud enough for Joe to hear

“You’re going there now? You’re really going to say humanity doesn't deserve a second chance?”

“Just look outside. Look around. The streets are littered in garbage, everybody is afraid to talk, hell when I answered the door I had to take my gun with me in fear of what was waiting on the other side! I’d love to help but I’m afraid there’s nothing left to save. We’ve all run out of ho-”

“And what about me?”

“What about me and my family Steven? Is there no hope left for us? Is there no hope left for the hundreds of millions of people begging us for a change?”

“I can’t teach a Robot empathy, Joe.”

“How could I expect you to teach a robot empathy if you can’t even show it yourself.”

His words struck deep in my soul. What was I saying? How could I believe something like this? A feeling of shame fell over me. I had fallen into the trap along with everyone else. The world I live in had completely destroyed me. But my perseverance wouldn't let me give up. I couldn't let all the hardships I endured over years culminate in a pathetic failure like this. I won’t let my mind falter. I looked up and stared Joe straight in the eyes.

“I do truly doubt that this task is possible, and I guarantee I will fail. But one thing I’ve learned to never doubt is me. I suppose it can’t hurt to make an attempt, can it?”

Joe looked at me and a small smile began to spread across his face.

“You know, I’m thankful you at least believe in yourself”.

Joe thanked me for my time, picked up his bag, and started to make his way toward the door.

“Regarding the job, meet me at the east lift by 8:00 AM tomorrow. We’ll then make our way to the R&D headquarters. Stay safe out there.”

As he said that he waved goodbye and left. Silence returned to the room as the door came to a close. Everything was still and unchanging, yet somehow the room felt just a little less quiet than before.

Erii
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Momentie
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