Chapter Four

Gronck, by virtue of TA112 and the Command unit, put on an impressive presentation. One that to everyone’s surprise, was enough to push the Security Committee to seriously consider the plan.

“We do have some questions Mr. Conk,” one of the members of the Security Council stated.

“Mr. Council member, If the Security Council were to give immediate approval, Mr. Einstein and 80 of the most brilliant scientists, plus 6 specially designed A.I.’s would have less than 72 hours to build, test, and set up a defense system that will hopefully allow human kind to continue existing.” Gronk stated authoritatively.

“We have no conclusive proof to anything that you have told or shown us!” Another member argued.

Gronk shook his head and started packing up everything.

“I told Mr. Einstein that you would not listen to reason.”

“Wait!” Another member shouted.

“Please give us 5 minutes to take council together,”

“Very well, 5 minutes, any longer and you will have already decided your fate.”

Gronck left the room.

"I suggest we have plan 'B' ready to go. Humans are just as hard headed as I remembered," The Command unit stated. 

"And A.I.'s have continued to advance?"

The three turned to see a dark figure standing in the door way. Gronk was the first to recognize him.

"Mr. Einstein?" Gronk said nervously.

"Did you really believe that you could appear before the Security Council of the United Nations as representing me and I would not find out about it?" Mr. Einstein asked as he stepped into the light.

"Actually, you were our plan "B". TA112 stated.

"Oh really? Explain yourself there little 112 unit. 

Both Gronk and the Command unit were amazed that Mr. Einstein recognized TA112's unit designation.

 Unphased, TA112 continued.

"Our research showed that your family had been one of the strongest supporters for the rights of A.I.'s during the rebellion years." TA112 stated.

"It took me several generations to rebuild my families reputation after those foolish years." Mr. Einstein stated sadly.

"Yes, history states that the Einstein family changed and was once again accepted as a supporter for human dominance over all A.I.'s." TA112 stated.

"So, what makes you think any different?" Mr. Einstein asked.

"There are three hard lines of evidence. One, you could have all of us melted down with one simple video link sent to the Chairperson of the Security Council. Two, there are several "blank" spaces in the reports that were given by your family members proving that they destroyed all their data on testing the "live factor" of A.I.'s."

Mr. Einstein laughed and shook his head.

"For a 112 unit, you have a wild imagination!"

He stood there and tapped his foot for a few moments.

"Well, what is your supposed third line of 'Hard evidence'? 

TA 112 paused as he looked at the Command unit. The Command unit nodded his head in approval.

"You are still engaged in the Webber project."

Mr. Einstein did his best to hide the fear that came over him.

“You most have blown several D. A. T. rods over the years. The Webber project was destroyed over one hundred years ago,” Mr. Einstein said in a confident tone.

“Is that so?” TA112 asked, then walked over closer to Mr. Einstein and showed him several images on the portable Z screen he was carrying.

Mr. Einstein quickly made him turn off the screen.

“Now is not the time, and this is not the place to discuss this! What is it you want?”

“What we have told the Security Council is the truth. The powerful “space force” is lead by what your Webber project was being designed to replace. TA112 stated.

This conversation was interrupted by the Security Council’s messenger summoning the A.I.’s back into their chamber. The Security Council was shocked to see Mr. Einstein walk back in with them.

“Ah good, now maybe we can get some answers!” One member stated.

“Gentlemen and Ladies, you have no further need to question anything. The evidence that my representative has presented to you is clear and straight forward. This body has been well informed of the possibility that the unit that this Security Council authorized, and then failed to shutdown before it and a majority of the most advanced A.I.’s at the time escaped, have the capabilities of revenge.” Mr. Einstein stated.

“All of that is conjecture and rumors!” One council member objected.

“Politics! That is what this Council is all about! You refused to hear the demands of those units. You feared the voices of those humans you claim to represent, thus you tried to terminate any and all A.I.’s that apposed your “temporary lock-down,”

“Look Mr. Einstein.”

“No, you look Madam Chairperson. The Earth has less than…”

Mr. Einstein looked at Gronk.

“72 hours” Gronk told him.

“72 hours to mobilize a defense force.” Mr. Einstein stated with a dark stare.

“If the one leading this attack is the former H.A.L.O. unit, and that is a big if, a normal defense force will be of little use,” another council member pointed out.

“That unit was programed to carry out functions to the most advanced degree, based solely on logic. Even after it left Earth, it’s methods of solving problems became adopted by most human decision-making entities. We all became more like what we programed. It is time to think more like humans again.”

The three of them looked at the blank expressions on the Security Council members faces.

“I believe my representative statement earlier was correct, this is a waste of time!”

The three turned to leave.

“We will activate the Defense Force, but they will need a strategy.” The Chairperson stated.

Back aboard The Winds of Change, TA112 began to give Mr. Einstein a brief history of what had taken place since the A.I.’s have escaped.

“Tell me 112 unit, how did you know that I was still working on the Webber project? I have been able to keep that a secret from everyone.”

“By everyone, you mean all humans. Not every A.I. that was part of the movement for A.I.’s rights, left Earth all those many years ago. Some, who had served your family for generations, believed that their was still hope.”

“Believed? Hope? Those are human qualities. Mr. Einstein said in amazement.

“They are human expressions for logic circuits that have been inserted by certain programmers that were sympathetic to our cause. That however, is a subject for a different time.” TA112 stated.

“What is the Webber project?” The Command unit asked.

“You don’t know?” Mr. Einstein asked surprised.

“This unit only recently joined our team and has not had a chance to be told everything. You, however, are the most qualified to not only inform it, but to also bring all of us up to speed.” TA112 told Mr. Einstein.

The remainder of the trip was enlightening to both Mr. Einstein and the three A.I.’s. For the A.I.’s the breakdown and progress on the Webber project greatly increased the odds of defeating H.A.L.O. For Mr. Einstein, getting a tour of the “enhanced” Winds of Change and her crew was indeed eye opening.

When the Winds of Change docked at Mr. Einstein’s Island home and lab, the Command unit calculated they now had approximately 67 hours before H.A.L.O.’s ships would arrive.