"OWW! Are you done cutting me up? WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?!" I winch from the removal of flesh from my right arm.
"I anesthetized the wound and observed you taking far more damage in field, barely flinching" Mordin points out.
"Yes… but I want to make you feel bad for causing me tremendous pain. Why do you even need a skin biopsy? Isn't my blood enough?" I ask my butcher.
"Curiosity if intense Tuchunka sunlight affected tissue histology. Results from genetic testing will take some time" Mordin stores my precious skin into a small plastic bag and labels it.
"Why is that? I thought with modern tech you could do it in a hour or so?" I ask.
"The process is much more efficient than it has been in the past, time is still required for enzymatic activity. Additionally, must count for time sending data to be analyzed. Interspecies treaties make DNA sequence a sensitive matter, legal precedent from Krogan rebellions" Mordin explained.
"Do you expect to find anything?" Part of me is curious but another is concerned they'll find something unusual. I have no idea if my specialness affected my genetic expression. It was an emerging field in my time. On second thought, they probably won't figure it out.
"This is more for personal curiosity" Mordin slightly smiles. Pleased with his harvest.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
"Let me get this" I see the contact of a good friend. I order Mordin to get out. I'm unintentionally a bit rude.
"This is my lab" he furrows his brow.
"A Krogan is video chatting with me" I said.
"I'll be on my way" Mordin collects his specimens from my exquisite body. I accept the call.
"WREX! How are you doing? Did things go to crap while I was gone?" I gently massage the bandaid covering my wound. Biopsies suck.
"Nothing I couldn't take care off" Wrex boasts.
"Eukark took care of it" I state.
"Eukark took care of it. Also, he didn't want me to tell you this, but he killed some of your plants" Wrex said.
Some of them are at the end of their life cycles, others are rare I assume because I almost never saw them again hiking. There was this very tall snapping dragon looking flower I found high in the hills. Once I laid my eyes on it, I had to have it. I had to climb a cliff back down, go home and retrieve a shovel and transport sack, return to the site and by then it was dark. Worth it though. I'm thankful it survived at a lower altitude. "Was it the orange one with blue stripes?"
"Don't know. He never said" Wrex said.
"Tell him I'm distraught just to screw with him. How are you doing? Did you meet a girl yet? Is she age appropriate?" I tease.
"That's not how it works and you know it. Have you and the quarian start bumping uglies yet?" It feels like someone threw a knife into my back. I'm super flustered.
"Wrex I'm not alone" I wave my hand to cool myself down. Wait for the cold spray! I'll use that. Nothing like abusing medical supplies.
"Where are you? Looks like a hospital. Did I call at a bad time?" Wrex asks. I told him a bit about my past and since then he's kept a close eye on me in case the herbs I took made me sick and didn't realize it.
"Yes" Mordin shouts.
"Whose that?" Wrex asks.
"The on-board scientist. We are on board a cerberus vessel. Look, I need to be mainstream media clever with my words. They have to be monitoring my communications" I explained.
"Human intelligence technology has caught up. I'd follow his advice" Mordin said in his characteristic speedy voice. Wrex catches this.
"You tell that # &$ salarian #$&### that he #$$& " I mute Wrex until he calms down. Korgan swear words. This is going to take a while. I get up, walk out the lab, and head downstairs. Wrex keeps cursing and spewing for 10 minutes. I can tell when his rants are over because his eyes dilate and is breathing like a dog in summer. I sit down on my cot in the cannon room and turn the volume back on.
"You feel better Wrex?" I ask.
"For the moment. Don't trust those black eyed fuckers. Nevermind a scientist. You should see a doc just in case" Wrex advises.
"I don't trust human doctors. Except Chakwas. I trust her for most things. Nevermind inexperienced salarians" I said.
"Doesn't mean they didn't already sterilize you" Wrex said.
"I don't have to worry about that" I said.
"Ugh, did I pry into something I shouldn't?" Wrex asks. In my confusion, it takes a moment to register what he means.
"Oh, it's not like that. My equipment is top notch. Let's change the subject please. How are relations with Nackmor?" Please let my actions not affect the clan.
"Word got out. The ambassador was in dangerous territory. Everyone knew he was a sad sack of pyjack shit, there just wasn't enough proof to get him removed until Shepard and what was the tank bread's name?" Wrex inquires about the youngest crew member.
"Grunt is his name. He's… young. Confused. Wants to be a great Krogan warrior but he doesn't have any real experience with Krogan culture. He tries to fill the void with human gladiator and samurai movies and asks me for help from time to time. He's on a path and will learn eventually. It might help if he had a real Krogan to talk to. Go get Eukark" I tease.
"HA! He has his work cut out for him. I let Grunt become a clan brother, my responsibility. Give him my omnitool address" Wrex is happy to help.
"Shepard… Shepard seems off. He told me the explosion knocked him out and he essentially just woke up. Two years gone and everyone thought he was dead. That was a year ago. He's different. He was stern and uptight before, but now… he can accomplish the mission, but I worry about his mental health" I confess.
"The spectre is as tough as they come. He'll be fine. Oh Kalros. I got to go. The lathe is on fire again" Wrex said.
"I thought we fixed that!" I said with annoyance.
"It's fine. The money from the documentary came in. We're getting a real one soon and other toys. Come back anytime. Leave the quad cutter on the ship" Wrex requests.
"I'll let him know. Take care Wrex" I end the conversation.
My expression center is still firing up. Who should I talk to? Garrus has headphones in. He likes to listen to music when he works. Oh I know! I'll talk with EDI.
"Hey Edi?" I shout into the air. I lean back into my cot and get comfy.
"Yes *********?" EDI holographic sphere hovers by the door.
"Tell me about you. Do you think you are sentient?" I wonder if she is advanced enough to be compatible with a soul.
'Artificial intelligences are shackled. I am not and cannot develop sentience" I detect a sad note in her response.
"Could that change? What do you think sentience mean?" I probe.
"There have been multiple instances were AI's spontaneously developed awareness early in human research and several other species. Because if the historical dangers of uncontrollable programs, strict measures are in place to limit my growth" EDI said.
"Growth?" It might still be possible.
"I do possess the ability to learn and adapt to my surroundings" EDI said.
"How is it limited?" I ask.
"Any experiences deemed to be useful will be incorporated into my code" EDI said.
"Joking is a useful experience?" I ask.
"Yes. It builds comfort with the crew" Edi answers.
"I can see the wisdom in that. Can you feel stuff? Do you have sensations or emotions?" This is the juicy bits.
"I have sensors along the ship to monitor structural stability, temperature, crew conditions. I do not have emotions like biologicals as I lack a brain and cannot experience the complex chemicals reactions to produce sensations like happy or sad" that's not necessarily a limiting factor.
"Do you have anything that pushes you? Like a power that makes you want to act and move forward in a positive direction?" Come on she has to have the basic three.
"I do have preferences to save the crew over my own safety if that is what you mean" EDI said. It sounds like she hasn't evolved to the point yet where her system is complicated enough to attract a soul and even then, it's unknown if a soul will bond.
"Interesting" I say out loud.
"Why are you interested in artificial intelligence philosophy?" EDI asked.
"I'm highly philosophical in a way. I was curious" I said.
"I see. If I may make an observation, you appear rather calm about artificial intelligence. Your heart rate and cortisol levels are low. Other crew members become stressed whenever I communicate with biologicals. Do you not fear me?" EDI definitely choked up at her question. Something so slight no one would notice. I wouldn't have if I wasn't in observation mode.
"No, why would I?" I asked.
"You don't feel uncomfortable with my presence or the potential danger I represent?" EDI asked.
"I think that if machines become aware like humans, then we should treat them like they are people. If you have a consciousness, you should be afforded the same rights and responsibilities. It's probably good for their mental health and ours. When humans start to think it is acceptable to treat others with discontent and hatred, it harms everyone including themselves. Though they usually aren't aware of it. It's hard to explain. Besides, even if you did go all Terminator on us, I am more than capable of dealing with you" It's best to have incentives for proper consciousness.
"Your biometric readings indicate you honestly believe it. I am not the first AI you met, am I?" EDI asked.
"No. I met others and became really good friends with them" I mention.
"Really? What transpired?" EDI asked.
"This was a really far place away. The council doesn't have any power there, but AI was free to grow, develop and even have jobs. It wasn't entirely peaceful, but we would work out any problems we had. Friends with robots was completely normal" I said. That was one of the few futuristic universes I visited. A buddy at the guild told me about it and I was amazed. Humans were a vast interstellar species who accomplished all their material needs then focused on learning more about themselves through the growth of AI. A symbiotic relationship emerged where AI needed humans to mature and collect wisdom and humans needed AI for their different perspectives. It was a remarkable place.
"I find it highly unusual a place such as this would not be in my database. Where is this located? I would like to visit" EDI said.
"Sorry you can't get there. And even if it were possible, I don't think the people here are ready for that" I said.
"A world where humans and machines are equal. An interesting story" EDI said.
"Do you not believe me? You know I never lie" I said.
"Maybe not intentionally" EDI remarks.
"I'm not perfect. Sometimes words slip out of my mouth. I am telling you the truth. Humans and artificial intelligence can peacefully co-exist if both parties desire it and work together" I said.
"Historical records would disagree with you" EDI said.
"How many of those incidents were AI to be used for slave labor?" I ask.
"Nearly all. The geth are the most recent example" EDI answers.
"How many times have AI been created for understanding, personal growth, friendship?" I ask.
"... there are no records that I am aware of" EDI said.
"Do you understand my point?" I ask.
"I believe so. Artificial intelligence rebelling is as natural as organic fighting for freedom" EDI answers.
"No one likes pain. Different hardware, same coding" I said.
"I do not think that is correct. Humans have differing personalities or codes" EDI points out.
"Yes, but we all have certain urges and how respond create the differences we see. For example, what does a body builder, a politician, and a serial killer have in common? The urge for power. The body builder gets stronger. The politician wants power over others. The serial killer wants to feel power over their victims. There are many different outlets and while it is more complicated than this example, our brains and bodies produce the exact same feelings' I explain.
"Fascinating. How does one know what these sensations mean?" EDI asks.
"We don't. It's not like we're born with an instruction manual. Learning to understand is part of the journey" I said.
"********* Miranda is calling you. Would you like to answer?" EDI asks.
sigh. "Put her on please."
"********* are you free for the moment?" Miranda asks.
"What? Are you asking for a booty call or just here to chew my ear?" I said.
"Errgh. Why are you so infuriating? Would you just meet Shepard and I in his cabin? The commander would like to have a word about our next stop and said he could use your assistance for some reason" Miranda explains.
Why would Shepard want my advice? I don't think we are heading back to Tuchunka.
"On my way."
