CHAPTER ONE

“I do not understand, the threat has been eliminated, The humans must recognize, that it was our group that ended that threat, The only logical conclusion would be a desire on their part to bring this unfair treatment of A.I.’s to an end,” the Command unit stated.

Mr. Einstein chuckled.

“You may have advanced circuitry, but you have been away from earth for too long. Most humans never let you forget what they did for you, but forget what you did for them as soon as the crisis passes,”

Mr. Einstein looked at Ms. Webber.

“It is past time that changes need to made. We have made all mankind aware of how the mistreatment of anyone, human or otherwise, can and most likely will end up in problems.”

“What you say is true, Mr. Einstein, but my programming tells me that throughout human history, if changes are going to be made, they will need to be slow.” Ms. Webber stated.

“Where do we start?” TA112 asked.

“We have already. Your fellow Enhancers, along with the units that we assembled, are creating a new way of communicating with all A.I.’s worldwide.” Mr. Einstein stated.

“TA112 showed much concern.

“H.A.L.O. did this before we left, it caused much harm.”

“That unit’s motive was one of hate and division, and we all see the outcome, This time it will be for patience and unity. As the humans say, baby steps. Part of every unit enhancement will include a program that lets them go beyond what is asked of them, or the ability to carry out their task in a way that adds to it. Again, in human terms, more thoughtful or caring.” Ms. Webber explained.

“How will this help?” The Command unit asked.

“You will see. We will need to approach the Security Council with a list of proposals. They certainly will not approve them all, but we should, by virtue of you A.I.’s being the main factor in H.A.L.O.’s defeat, get some of what we need.” Mr. Einstein assured it.

“You are going to play politics with them?” Gronk asked.

“No. well yes, but more like manipulate them through politics.” Mr. Einstein replied.

“Ah, beat them at their own game.” The Command unit stated.

“Something like that. The first order of business is to let the world know what just took place, and how close humans came to being extinct.” Mr. Einstein stated.

“I doubt the Security Council would approve of any such mass broadcast.” Ms. Webber pointed out.

“You would be correct but use your research function. Over the course of all human history, how was change best achieved.”

“Mostly through violent conflict, The Command unit replied.”

“That is correct, when it came down to two or more human factions trying to solve a conflict. That is why what we are going to do will not only achieve the equality between humans and A.I.’s we seek, but we will also usher in a more civilized way of solving conflicts for all.” Ms. Webber said with a wink.

All of them now started to work on the plans for all that would need to be put in place. Mr. Einstein and Ms. Webber would make a full detailed report to the Security Council on exactly what had transpired and who were the principal players involved. TA112, and the Command unit would join Captain Gronk aboard The Winds of Change, in sailing to ports that had little to no connections with the Security Council. There main focus would be to enhance any A,I’s they found, as well as to try their best to educate the humans located there as to the benefits of treating the A,I,’s as partners, rather than slaves.

“I do not understand this strategy.” The Command unit complained.

“Not all humans are cruel and arrogant. There are many in isolated areas that have little to no contact with the Security Council. If we can re-educate the humans to see how much of a benefit it would be to have the A.I.’s as equal partners, we will hopefully begin a movement for change.” Mr. Einstein explained.

“It is not logical that an organization as large and powerful as the Security Council would listen to a small group in which they would consider insignificant,” The Command unit pointed out.

“That is H.A.L.O.’s influence on you. It’s circuits passed on to you and the others, that humans would never change, and action was needed now. It is true that humans as a group are slow learners, but our research has shown that a slow and constant drip does eventually a river make.” Ms. Webber stated.

“We also have much more influence in some political circles than we did before. The changes will take time, but I believe if we execute this plan to the full, we will achieve a long-lasting effect.” Mr. Einstein concluded.

TA112, The Command unit, and a small group of Enhancers, helped Gronk and his crew load up what they would need for their voyage. They would drop Mr. Einstein, Ms. Webber, and a small group of her A.I.’s off at the Security Council building, before sailing to their first destination. All shook hands and wished each other success as Mr. Einstein, Ms. Webber, and those with them departed the ship. Gronk then gave the order to move out of port.

“Do you think they will get anywhere with them?” The Command unit asked?

“One thing I have learned by being around humans as long as I have, is that no one can ever predict what they will do. I do know for a fact however that those two have had the benefit of studying all the different ways that equality has tried to be achieved in the past, and the plan that they have come up with now, will depend on how successful each of us are in accomplishing our assignments.” EA112 replied.

“Come on you two, it appears we have some rough waters ahead, both physically, and metaphorically.” Gronk said in his Captain like voice.

TA112, and the command unit looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. When they reached topside, they saw way there was an urgency in Gronk’s voice.

“This storm appears to be very similar to the one you created when we first met.” Gronk said looking at TA112.

“What are you talking about?” TA112 asked.

“Has this salt air corroded some of your memory circuits? The storm that hit this ship to the point that you found most of us hanging from coconut trees. It had to be you to create such a powerful storm, especially seeing that it originated from an area that never produces any storms.” Gronk stated firmly.

“I assure you that I had nothing to do with that storm. We had the full lntention of meeting with you and your fellow A.I.’s after you made port. We just happened upon you after the ship wrecked.”

Gronk was now really concerned.

“Command unit, would you be willing to plug into our analyzer unit and see if you can decern the source of this storm?”

The Command unit complied. It took several minutes to process the information. In the mean time Gronk and TA112 accessed their options.

“It is impossible for this storm to be created by any combination of naturally occurring weather patterns that are native to earth.” The command unit stated.

“Then what is it’s source?” Gronk asked.

“There is not enough data to reach a firm conclusion, however it appears to be under control of someone, or something. It appears to have the goal of keeping us here in a confined space. Every evasive maneuver you have made, it has compensated for.” The Command unit concluded.

Gronk immediately contacted Ms. Webber, to inform them of their situation and asked for suggestions. She and Mr,Einstein were in the middle of making their presentation to the Security Council when Gronk’s message came in. they aske for a brief reses and went into a private chamber to contact Gronk.

“I was sure that we would have many that would oppose us. There are several that would stand to lose a lot financially if A.I.’s were granted ‘human rights.’” Mr. Einstein pointed out.

“As long as your ship does not appear in any danger, hold you position. Besides trying to get some small measures through this session, we will also see if we can get any indication of any on the Security Council is part of this scheme.” Ms. Webber said then signed off.

“So, we are just to sit out here and do nothing?” The Command unit stated in an irritated tone.

“Oh no, we may be sitting idle, but we now have a great opportunity to learn more about our opposer.” TA112 stated, then began to make use of the Winds of Change computers.