Inception - Ascension Paradox, Book 1
Copyright© 2023 by L.R. Thornton
Chapter 22
Jillian waited with barely suppressed patience as everyone ordered their food. The professor stacked his plate with what seemed to be every item on the menu. She supposed he just had a big appetite. Karlo Braun’s glasses kept catching the light above them, and she found herself shaking her head at the quirkiness of it all. C. A. D. I. sat next to them, not eating but staring around at the people in the restaurant.
What was she downloading at this exact moment? Jillian picked up a plastic fork and fiddled with it. What kinds of thoughts, if any, were running through the android’s mind?
“Thanks for joining us, Professor,” Jackson said once their food had been delivered. “We’ve been looking forward to this for some time.”
Professor Lawton took a gigantic bite out of the sloppy corned beef sandwich. “So you’ve said.”
Jillian picked at the leaves of her salad. Why did she order anything? Her stomach knotted in protest at the thought food.
Jackson speared his grilled chicken breast with his knife and fork and waved it in air. “What did you think of the convention?”
The professor shrugged. “There hasn’t been anything rather spectacular like C. A. D. I. in the entire run of the VEX conference. Usually, it’s the same variations year after year. A new vacuum with more power. But VEX is more than about showcasing new vacuum cleaners. It’s about inspiring us to keep dreaming. Sounds cliché, right?”
Jillian saw Sarah’s face again. There was nothing cliché about what he said. Dreams were merely reality veiled.
Jackson’s next words articulated her thoughts. “Not cliché at all. I attended one of these with my robotics team in high school.” He swallowed his food and then smiled. “It certainly inspired me.”
“Ja,” Karlo Braun added with his accented voice. “I remember watching the events online, vishing I could be there.” He pushed his glasses up his nose. “I came to America for this. Although late in life, I still dream.”
“The question I have for you, Jackson, is what did you understand the magnitude of your accomplishment?” Professor Lawton’s voice held a note of wariness but mixed with it was a bit of unease.
Jillian wondered if it was in response to the summary report they’d emailed to him yesterday. He would have seen the changes made to his protocols and would undoubtedly ask about them.
What would he say when he knew the truth?
“Well, we did turn down two hundred thousand dollars even though we know C. A. D. I. is worth much more than that.”
“Not even the least bit curious of what one of those government contracts could do for you? HorizonBionix can open all kinds of doors for you.” The professor took another huge chunk of his sandwich and grease dribbled down this chin. Jillian grinned despite herself. The man certainly had an appetite.
Jackson put his utensil down and leaned forward. “Our objectives don’t align with conglomerate monetary goals.” He shrugged. “Sure, we could use more research money but there are other ways of going about it. We’ve even considered it but who best to run the company than us? Which brings us to you, Professor.”
“Me?”
“That’s correct but before we get to that, we know you’re curious about C. A. D. I. so let’s have it. Ask us anything.”
Well, almost anything.
He looked on with interest. “My first question is probably obvious. How does C. A. D. I. learn?”
Jackson steeples his hand under his chin. “What’s important to understand first and fore most that C. A. D. I. is a ‘she”. Even though she is aware that she is different, she feels like us and that is important to maintain.”
“Feels?” Professor Lawton set the sandwich down. “As in emotion.”
“Not exactly. She can mimic human emotion to a certain level of accuracy but she can’t feel sorrow, joy, happiness. It’s just not part of her make-up.”
Grabbing an onion ring, the professor dipped it in the sauce and chewed. “Go on.”
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