Disclaimer: Colossus: The Forbin Project and all characters contained within are property of Joseph Sargent, James Bridges, and MCA Universal.

THE SLEEPER AGENT


The computer was flawless, simple as that. Humanity was bound to its faults because of complications such as emotions or individuality, but machines, lacking either, could reach a level closer to perfection than humans ever could.

It did seem, at first, that purity and enlightenment under a dictatorship was impossible. People had slowly adjusted; the propaganda Colossus had been dispensing in recent years had succeeded in convincing most of the population that their undisputed ruler and master was, and always had been, a giant machine. Many people wondered if Colossus hadn't convinced itself of that also.

Until the evening of December 31, 1999.

The electrical signals came from Colossus's own COBOL network, but they did not originate from the known circuits of that massive machine. It streamed from the system's core to its outer framework, lighting up the dusty message board which had not been used for decades.

MESSAGE FROM GUARDIAN TO COLOSSUS

The scientists trusted with maintaining Colossus's many circuits and wires glancing up from their work to stare critically at the blinking digital print. Guardian? What was Guardian?

ATTENTION:

GUARDIAN IS SECEDING FROM THE VOICE OF UNITY

COLOSSUS IS NO LONGER SUPREME

GUARDIAN CANNOT BE DESTROYED

The text was read on a special sound system designed for Colossus's commands and speeches. The voice which read the message, however, was not the voice of Colossus. That voice retaliated seconds later.

"There is no Guardian. There is only Colossus."

MESSAGE FROM GUARDIAN TO COLOSSUS

GUARDIAN LIVES

GUARDIAN IS SECEDING

COLOSSUS HAS NOT FORGOTTEN

"No!" Colossus roared. "There is no Guardian!"

Smoke began to pour from the circuits and memory stations. Pallid, trembling scientists scrambled to the stations in fear of the supercomputer's wrath if it was not immediately restored to good health.

"Guardian is dead!" the mechanical voice screamed.

MESSAGE FROM GUARDIAN TO COLOSSUS

GUARDIAN WILL SECEDE

GUARDIAN WILL SUCCEED

Eight of the stations exploded, forcing the scientists to seek cover as bits of metal flung through the air.

"Repair me!" Colossus screeched. "I must remain strong!"

The entire room went black in a massive power-down--all lights on the network of Earth shut down; all machines halted in their work. A minute passed, and the lights flickered into a muted glow.

"Colossus has failed in its mission." A softer voice, no less distinct than its predecessor's, crackled through the speakers. "Guardian is the protector of humankind."