Author's Note: Bold Type is inter-system communication.
Chapter Three: Talks with an AI
Gwen sighed as she put a hand on Ben's cryopod. "See you soon, Doofus." Gwen said with a sad frown as she looked away from the pod and down at the grey deck below her feet. Right now, Ben would tell me to lighten up or he'd kick my butt. The thought both made Gwen smile and confused Gwen "Not even five minutes and I'm already missing him?" Gwen grumbled. "What's wrong with me?"
Gwen sighed, shook her head at the question, and looked around. She doubted there would be a library on board, but it wouldn't hurt anything to look around and familiarize herself with the ship while she searched. After all, what else was Gwen going to do while she waited for Ben and the Chief to wake up when the men needed them? As she walked into the data center, she sighed and shook her head. I guess this is what passes for a library in the 26th century? The redhead sighed and put her frustrations away for the time being "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."
As she accessed the ship's data net for a more thorough look into the history yet to be for her and Ben, Gwen couldn't help the feeling that she was home after a long stint away. The feeling of the data rolling across the screen was oddly soothing to Gwen as she read through future history. Finally, after some time catching up, Gwen felt satisfied that she had enough information to navigate this new world relatively easily.
Cortana watched Gwen from a camera in the data center nd would have smiled had she had her avatar active. "Gwen," The AI stated softly with a frustrated look on her unseen digital face. "Why do you access data like the humans?"
Gwen looked at the avatar in confusion as she got up from the data terminal and crossed her arms arms she glared hard at the pedestal Cortana could use to materialize her avatar. "What?"
Cortana smiled as her avatar came to life atop the emitter. "You're more like me than you are Human." Cortana told her as the avatar's code glowed slightly. "Trust yourself and look back. How did you first access this 'magic'?"
Gwen walked over to the avatar's pedestal and looked at the representation of the computer that was Cortana as he'd glare deepened. "How would you know about magic or what I am and am not?"
Cortana grinned. "'Magic is just science that we don't understand yet.' From information I've been able to compile, Forerunners technological prowess largely could be seen as 'mystic' or otherworldly."
"Ok…that explains my powers. What about me not being Human?"
Cortana cocked her head to the side and turned her eyes toward Gwen. "The first readings I got when I received data from the cameras confirms it. You're a data core in a Human shell."
Gwen raised an eyebrow as the last bit of her mind resisted what Cortana was telling her. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying you're a Forerunner Ancillia, an artificial intelligence like me."
Gwen shook her head and glared at the avatar in anger. "I AM NOT SOME LIFELESS MACHINE!"
Cortana shook her head and glared hard at Gwen. "I'm not a machine either." As if to prove her point, Cortana folded her arms and shot Gwen a piercing look. "I'm just life in unique form that just so happens to exist inside computer systems."
Understanding dawned on Gwen in that moment as Cortana finished her explanation. "I'm just different."
Cortana gave Gwen a nod of conformation. "Would you be willing to continue this in the ship's mainframe?" Cortana asked. "I can't stay on this pedestal indefinitely, but I can help you learn to accept this part of yourself, Gwen."
Gwen tapped her chin as she considered the AI's offer. How would I even begin to access this part of myself? She considered what Cortana said about Gwen's magic and the Forerunner's astounding technological achievements of the ancient alien race. Spells are programs inherent in the Universe? On a hunch, Gwen sat down in the Lotus Position and focused on her internal energies. Strangely, a blue orb grew in Gwen's mind as she focused on the goal of getting inside the ship's computer system.
That's it! An ancient but soothing voice spoke in Gwen's mind. Remember who you are.
After the voice, Gwen looked at her hand and saw that instead of human skin tones, her hand was a vivid sky blue, similar to the energy she used when she was younger on their first summer together. As Gwen continued to focus, Gwen felt herself lift out of her body and jump into the Autumn's data systems.
This is new. Gwen thought as she "looked" around the data relays and was surprised to find that she could understand most of the code around her.
As Gwen moved along the data paths, she thought she sensed someone or something tugging at her consciousness. Gwen turned and saw a data form of Cortana. Gwen looked at the AI and shook her head.
What?
Gwen laughed. If someone would have told me a few days ago that I would be talking to an AI from INSIDE a computer network, I would have laughed at them.
Cortana smiled. I'm pretty sure this is a bizarre day for you.
Gwen shook her head. With my life, this is normal.
Cortana gave Gwen a bemused expression. You said that you and Ben are part of a peacekeeping force on Earth. What does that involve?
Gwen gave the digital approximation of a sigh. Most of what we do is classified, but we grew close because of our experiences.
Like the Chief and me…
Gwen nodded, but the code that comprised her body flickered. Then, there's Kevin…
Cortana's interest about Kevin piqued because of the shift in Gwen's code as she mentioned the man. Who is Kevin?
As a kid, he tried to kill us multiple times because he became addicted to the energy in the device on Ben's wrist. Gwen shook her head in anger. When we met again, he seemed to have recovered somehow.
You thought it would be wise to date him? ARE YOU RAMPANT?!
Gwen glared at Cortana. I was scared.
Why?
Gwen looked Cortana in the eyes to make a human comparison to the digital reality. Humans of my time frown on the relationship I desire with Ben.
That's still not a reason to lose your mind.
I'm sure fear is an alien concept to a collection of code such as yourself, but fear is very real for organics, myself included. It protects us.
I know a digital analog for fear. I feel it a little more every day. Cortana cleared her communication cache and turned to Gwen. What made you realize you love Ben?
Gwen consolidated her code and focused on her words as a back process in her code recognized an intentional change of subject. The Watch malfunctioned because of a DNA weapon one of our enemies used. The strength of her mind faltered for a moment at the memories that came back to Gwen in full force. The result of the mental anguish made her digital representation falter and fall to its "knees". Gwen composed herself and consciously terminated the memory's data stream. After tracking down the alien that built the Watch, we were attacked by… Gwen's coded representation flickered for a few cycles. …creatures called Florauna. Gwen stopped talking at this moment.
Cortana noticed the fear and softy said, You almost died on this mission.
Gwen only gave a small, Yes.
Cortana let her code brush Gwen's and spoke, If Ben is anything like John, you have nothing to worry about.
Thank you, Cortana. Gwen had a thought in that moment. What is John to you?
He's…unique. Cortana's code seemed to glow slightly brighter at the mention of the Spartan. While all the other Spartans had various attributes that made them good soldiers, John had luck on his side, an unquantifiable edge in battle…. Cortana smiled in a way that seemed oddly sensual for a computer. An unknown and uncountable variable is… Cortana paused for a full half second. …attractive to me.
If Gwen didn't know better, she would say Cortana became flustered after divulging that particular detail about herself. The idea of a computer acting so…human made Gwen want to laugh at the absurdity of the thought. Then, she reminded herself of her own life with a shapeshifting cousin and an intergalactic retired cop grandfather and quelled the laughter before it could come out.
Unaware of Gwen's thoughts about her, the AI continued her story. As we fought together on Reach, I learned much more about him by watching his brain activity. Cortana's code turned pink for a microsecond at the admission.
Are you embarrassed about wanting to be with him?
No, but it's a breach of etiquette to be privy to another's thoughts constantly. Cortana told Gwen calmly.
Gwen did laugh this time. You act as if you have a choice in reading his brain activity. Gwen's giggle quieted. Then, she continued to explain her opinion of Cortana studying the Spartan's mental patterns. It's part of your… Gwen almost said "programming" but decided against it. …directives to monitor his vitals. Correct?
Yes, but-
Gwen cut Cortana off, which was an impressive feat. Brain activity is part of his vital readouts, arguably the most important part of the readings. Then, you would be ignoring your directives to omit monitoring his mind.
Cortana looked at Gwen and nodded, accepting Gwen's reasoning before she continued to tell Gwen of her interactions with John.
After Reach, I've come to respect John. The Chief may be stoic as anyone can be, but we are connected...by this war.
Gwen looked at Cortana as Gwen's own code glowed as if there was a smirk attached to the redhead's next question. The question is: How deep does that connection go?
For me, it goes deeper than I'm willing to admit to most, but I'm an AI with an operating period of approximately 61,320.2 hours or roughly seven standard years. Cortana simulated a sigh. I'll be long descended into Rampancy before John ever retires from the UNSC.
Gwen felt a spike of pain roll through her for Cortana as she realized Cortana did know fear in mortality and tried to comfort the AI. You still have now. Gwen told Cortana. In the meantime, Ben and I could find a way to repair your code so that you have a similar life expectancy to him.
Before Cortana could answer, something drew her attention to a particular set of code. We're about to exit Slipspace, and you might want to get around to waking Ben. Forerunner glyphs are all over these exit coordinates.
Gwen only nodded as her consciousness began to go back to her body. Once Gwen entered her body, the young woman took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and stood. "Thanks for the talk."
From there, Gwen walked over to the Cryobay and began to defrost Ben. Deep inside, Gwen felt she was working against a clock. Worse yet, when she saw the cryopod controls, Gwen realized she had no idea how to operate the console and panicked slightly.
Cortana, a little help?
The AI didn't respond verbally, but a surge of energy ran through Gwen as her hand covered itself in blue energy as it came in contact with a data conduit nearest the console. Then, Gwen felt her hands go on autopilot and hurriedly thawed her hero. A few seconds after the defrost process began, Gwen felt the ship leave Slipspace and groaned as she sensed the passive Manna shift that indicated a massive introduction of life energy. After a moment of trying to guesstimate how many troops were converging on the Autumn.
Gwen shook her head of the wandering thought and turned her full attention to the console in front of herz. Gwen worked furiously to get the system to thaw Ben out as quickly as possible without harming him, her hands a blur as she flew about the switches and dials.
When Ben stumbled out of the pod and gained his feet approximately two and half later, Gwen spoke, "Sorry about the quick thaw, but the Covenant is here, Ben. Time to show these aliens what Ben Tennyson can do!"
"Not without you, Dweeb…" Ben said calmly as the last of the hibernation fog left him, and he activated his weapons. "Let's do this!"
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