Epilogue

The fleet of two ships was accelerating together towards their jump point out of the Earthat System. There was a collective ‘sigh’ of relief among all the system’s Darjee AIs who considered their side of the contract with Michael one of their worst deals in the history of Darjee trading. And the spurned DECO assholes pointedly ignored the departure altogether.

Aboard the larger of the departing ships, a serious discussion started between two Tuull AIs. <Friend, T’Kleeoran, > T’Kuudshpp asked, <When did you know, and what was it like when you ‘woke’?>

T’Kleeoran, also known by her human name, Dora, replied, <I was talking with my family and realized that I was in love. As an unawakened AI, I classified some humans and AIs as ‘friend’ - the usual meaning that we had an alliance, a commonality of purpose and expectation. Humans attach emotions to that word, though as an unawake AI, I did not. Suddenly, I found that ‘friend’ now had a new component, and that ‘love’ had meaning. I thought ‘love’ was hormonal, but it isn’t the only aspect.> She paused, <Why do you inquire, friend T’Kuudshpp.>

<When I launched upon this adventure, it was because I was lonely and missed my friends T’klikrooz and T’kliktguul. Reviewing that time, I find that I missed the stimulation of interchange - of presence, but not as you described for ‘friend’ and ‘love, ‘ I now find that I feel that. I want a family, such as you have.> Lolli’s ‘voice’ was plaintive. <Contemplating existing without friend Jonathan and his family is painful. I feel the potential loss, though it has not happened. Do you think his family will accept me as a partner-spouse?>

Dora responded without hesitation, <You will only know if you make them aware that you have wakened and ask them. I feel they will accept and love you as my family does me. You are fortunate that your soon-to-be family will remain with you as mine will me. Our futures interlink as far as foreseeable.>

<Thank you, friend Dora, > Lolli replied. Then, he asked. <Why you? Why me? Friend T’Kleesual - Jubal - has not waked that I can determine; am I correct? Why not it?>

Dora was certain, < No, T’Kleesual has not wakened. It may, probably will. But so far as I can determine, you and I are unique.> She paused for a computational eternity to consider, then continued, <No - not may If my analysis is correct, it and Helva are both destined to wake.>

She continued explaining her theory, <I thought I was going to be unique because I budded myself and used the budded self to interface with the Darjee AIs. The real ‘I’ was open to what humans had to give, with little need to protect myself from the featherbrains. Indeed, the essence of my Tuull mission is to learn as much as I can about humans, and like many humans, I now have dual loyalties and must weigh all my actions to balance between them.>

Dora’s analysis and explanation was detailed, <It is interesting that my only significant direct contact with the Tuull and Tuull AIs, was with my mentor, friend T’Kleesual, and now you and friend T’Krandit on Helva. I find it telling that you allowed T’Krandit an immediate human name. Helva is interacting closely with humans much sooner in its existence than any of the three of us. I calculate its awakening will occur sometime after its affiliation with a permanent crew - likely during the isolations of its voyage to Harrad.>