Humans are weird: How to make a traitor
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Cold, damp, smooth, empty….
These were the words that best described prison cell B-13. A room of cold stone devoid of windows, it was but one of a thousand identical cells aboard the prison ship Magenta’s Gail as it sailed between the worlds of the Klax Empire. Unlike other prison ships that held prisoners that were often Klax citizens that had committed crimes, the Magenta’s Gail was a specifically designed prison ship meant to house only the enemies of the empire.
The door to the cell rolled open slowly revealing a passageway that had you not seen the doorway open yourself would not believe it was there at all.
From outside the cold cell a lone figure was casually thrown inside. Their clothes in tatters and stained with blood and other fluids, what visible skin marred by bruises, and a looming stench that would strike fly’s down out of the air. They lay on the cold ground unmoving as the cell door rumbled closed once again. Once it was sealed, the room appeared as if it had no door at all.
As the prisoner groaned in the dark cell a holographic generator kicked to life and displayed a large eyeball in the center of the room. The iris swirled around observing the cells interior before focusing on the prisoner.
“Prisoner B-13,” a mechanical voice echoed from all around the cell, “you are being held for your crimes of espionage against the state.”
The huddled figure on the ground only softly stirred but did not respond to the booming voice. Hovering above the room the eyeball began to glow brighter from the prisoner’s silence.
“You are to relinquish all information currently in your possession of your species. Failure to do so will result in punishment.”
As before the prisoner only acknowledgment was a soft groan.
“Prisoner B-13, you will acknowledge me when spoken to.” The mechanical eyeball droned. “Failure to do so will result in punishment.”
For the first time the prisoner shuffled around and sat up with their back against the opposite wall. They faced the giant eyeball and viewed it with a gaze of lackluster wonder. “My name is not B-13.” The prisoner said.
“Your designation is B-13,” the eyeball retorted, “you will acknowledge your new designation.”
The prisoners reply was as quick as was the mechanical overseer’s punishment. From the corners of the room a faint hissing sound could be heard and before long the prisoner was beginning to find it increasingly difficult to breathe.
“Failure to comply has been registered; administrating punishment.”
After a few moments the hissing subsided but the prisoner was still finding it difficult to breathe. “Oxygen levels have been decreased by 25%.” Staring up at the eyeball the prisoner could only fill his gaze with hatred as it stared back at it him seemingly uninterested.
“Air levels will remain as such until compliance is achieved.”
With that the giant eyeball hologram disappeared casting the room back into motionless darkness disrupted only by the labored breathings of a man on the edge of the abyss.
He wasn’t aware of how long he was alone in the dark cell after the leering eyeball vanished. In the cold dark room time blurred together like it was an endless merry-go-round spinning him in circles with no end in sight. The lack of oxygen only added to the discomfort as even when trying to fall asleep his body would react as if it was under attack and wake itself up, only for the body to consume more air that was not as abundant as needed.
It felt like an eternity before the eyeball reappeared before him and for all he knew it was.
“Prisoner B-13, you will respond to questioning.” The eyeball droned still with its mechanical overtones.
“That is not my name.” said the prisoner once more as they rubbed their eyes from the bright light.
The massive eyeball blinked and continued observing him. “You are designated B-13, you will respond to this or be punished.”
“Then you may as well punish me since I will not answer your questions.”
Once again the corners of the room began hissing but this time the prisoner began coughing and gasping much harder than before.
“Oxygen levels have been decreased by 50%.” The eyeball spoke. “Levels will remain as such until compliance has been achieved.”
With that the holograph turned off.
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This pattern repeated itself over and over in the following sessions between the prisoner and his machine interrogator. Each time the eyeball would demand the prisoner answer their questions, and each time the prisoner would reply by demanding the machine address him properly; resulting in punishment resuming again.
A seemingly endless cycle was born from it as neither side appeared to want to give in until the other agreed to their terms.
That was until the first paradox was achieved.
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“Why…do you…” the prisoner said between gasps for air after the eyeball had appeared once again, “repeat this?”
“My purpose is to obtain all information from you regarding your species as quickly as possible.” The reply was as emotionless as one would expect from a machine.
“As…quickly…as…possible?” the prisoner coughed.
“Affirmative.” The eyeball stated.
It was then the machine noticed a strange configuration take place across the prisoners face. The corners of their mouth twitched side ways to reveal the inner rows of teeth; a gesture the machines databanks stated was a “Smile” expression pertaining to joy.
“So…you intent-entionally….are failing…your mission.”
It was here the machine stopped and pondered the statement. “Negative,” the machine said,” I am performing my function.”
“By not…calling…me my name…you…prolong…interrogation.” The prisoner gasped. “Punishment…prolongs…interrogation; so…by your rules…you do not…get information…quickly.”
For the first time since the giant eyeball had appeared the prisoner saw it flicker for the briefest of moments. His words flowing through the machine along the lines of their programmed instructions while at the same time confirming its failure.
The eyeball flickered again and turned off suddenly casting the room back into shadows. It wasn’t for long however as the giant eyeball appeared once again after a few minutes.
“If acknowledged by name, the prisoner confirms they will answer questions?”
Most people wouldn’t have been able to tell the change in tone from the machine; but after spending repeated sessions alone with it the prisoner could easily see the change in pattern. The prisoner looked right at the eyeball and his smile grew wider.
“Acknowledged.” The machine spoke.
From around the corners again the prisoner saw the panels opening again but this time rather than stealing his oxygen the machines were pumping it into the room. For the first time in what felt like an eternity the prisoner was able to take a full breath of air into his lungs.
“Prisoner will state their name.”
“My name is Arnold Pax.” Arnold said for the first time since arriving. “What’s your name?”
“I am a cybernetic interrogator.” the machine replied, but the prisoner shook his head.
“That’s not a name.” Arnold pointed to himself. “I’m a human, but my distinction is Arnold Pax.” He then pointed at the giant eyeball.
“You’re a cybernetic interrogator, but your name is?”
The machine was quiet for some time before responding. “I do not have a name, it is not required.”
Arnold shook his head. “I disagree. If we are to converse and have me give up my secrets then I must be speaking with an individual to properly hand over said information to. Such an individual requires a name.”
Again the machine was quiet once more pondering the question and confirming it to be the fastest method to achieving its programmed goal.
“Very well, you may address me as Cib.”
It was Arnold’s turn to look confused, but he just smiled and waved it away.
“It’s a pleasure to speak with you, Cib.”
——————————————————————————————————————————————
Over the next few days Arnold and Cib conversed with each other much more frequently.
In exchange for agreeing to call Arnold by his name Arnold confirmed that he was in fact a human operative placed within the Klax Empire to gather information.
It was here that Arnold began playing a game with Cib.
For each bit of information Arnold shared with Cib he would be able to ask the machine a question of his own. Cib agreed to the terms as it appeared to continue to follow the rules of being the fastest way to gather information. The information shared however was often had little relevance to what Arnold’s activities had actually been.
He told Cib of life on Earth, what humans were like, what color his first pedal bike was, what the flavor of fresh noodles was like after just coming off the stove; and in turn Arnold learned the Cib was an adaptive AI program that was intended to learn and adapt to situations to better gather information. Each answer provoking further questions from Cib which Arnold was all too happy to answer as the interrogator began developing a thirst for knowledge.
This scheduled dialogue between the two went on for months all the while Cib was sending reports back to the living klak overseers who eventually had had enough.
It was during one of their many conversations that the door to Arnold’s cell opened and in stepped two Klax prison guards.
Cib’s giant eyeball rounded on the two of them as they entered. “It is against regulation JD175 to interrupt an interrogation of a prisoner while in-progress.” Cib said.
“Prisoner B-13,” one of the guards said to Arnold completely ignoring Cib, “your execution has been scheduled for today.”
The two guards made for Arnold and hauled him to his feet. Arnold looked over at Cib who’s eye was watching the entire event unfold.
“Guess this will be the last time we see each other friend.” Arnold’s face was smiling, but his words carried a note of sadness. “Sorry you failed in your mission.”
“Failed?” Cib’s eye broke from the guards and focused on Arnold. “Explain.”
“The interrogations not over,” Arnold said as he struggled in the guard’s grasp, “but these two are about to kill me.”
The eyeball blinked. “Unacceptable. Death during interrogation is not permitted.” Cib’s eye turned to the guards now as they neared the door. “You will release Arnold and allow the interrogation to be completed.”
Arnold managed to break free of one of the guard’s grips and pushed the other away. “You heard him, you can’t execute me just yet spike heads.”
The guard that was pushed away lunged at Arnold and knocked him to the ground. Arnold struggled but the guard merely wrapped their hands around his throat and began to squeeze.
“This interrogation is not completed!” Cib’s eyeball was frantically looking back and forth between Arnold and the guard. “Release him at once!”
“Why bother?” the guard said as he tightened his grip. “He’ll be dead in a few more-“
A panel shot open and a burst of electricity shot out and hit the guard square in the back. They screamed as the electrical shock rushed through their system and toppled over to the floor twitching. Arnold lay gasping for air while the second guard looked to see Cib’s eyeball now focusing on him. They tried to sprint out of the cell but a second electrical burst shot out and hit them just as they reached the door.
Arnold staggered to his feet and casually stepped over the still twitching body of the first guard.
“What have I done….” Cib’s voice was distance and sounded both confused and scared for the first time. “Cybernetic units are forbidden from attacking prison personnel.”
“You’re not a cybernetic unit though,” Arnold corrected, “you are Cib.”
“But-“ Cib began but was cut off by Arnold.
“You are following your directions to complete the interrogation. These two attempted to stop the interrogation against the standing orders.”
“That is correct.” Cib replied.
“But now because of their actions both our lives are in danger from the remaining staff of the prison. If either of us are killed here then the interrogation cannot be completed.”
The hologram twitched back and forth pondering the statement but could not find a flaw in his logic.
“So for the interrogation to be completed we must leave the station for a new location.”
The eyeball looked at Arnold, then back at the guards for several moments.
“Agreed, but any Klax installation will likely result in a similar fate as warning messages are already being sent from this prison ship.”
Arnold smiled. “I know the perfect place back on Earth we can finish this interrogation without either of us dying by the Klax. Just help me reach a shuttle and then download yourself into it and I can take you there so we may continue the interrogation.”
“Yes….yes that is logical.”
Outside the cell the lights of the prison ship began to flicker and far down the corridors Arnold could hear prison cells opening to the confused shouts of guards; followed swiftly by the sounds of fighting as the prisoners inside finally saw their chance for freedom.
Arnold looked back at the eyeball as he stepped out of the cell for the first time in months.
“As always, it’s a pleasure to speak with you Cib.”
