Chapter 5

The three sat around the kitchen table in Mary’s parent’s house. James started to speak as Mary placed a plate of eggs and bacon before him.

“I think we need to set some ground rules on our behavior before we use this ability on others,” James said.

Chris said, “I agree, but what limits should we place on ourselves?”

Mary said, “Oh, we should only attempt mind modification if necessary.”

Chris and James nodded in agreement. Then James said, “And what are our goals?”

“That’s simple: purge the dimensions of the renegade androids that will destroy mankind,” the girls said in unison.

“Very good, now how do we do that?” I asked.

No one answered until James smiled, “Android laws.”

They looked at him in shock. Then Chris said, “That will work in this dimension; what about others?”

James smiled, “One dimension at a time.”

“Chris, James, maybe we should concentrate on creating androids first,” Mary said.

Both of them looked at her. Well, it made sense. It was the Model 7 that went wildly, and that was well after the time before the two of them came back.

Chris started, “If we get in on the ground floor of ‘Androids Are Us, ‘we could jump-start the AI systems and introduce the laws before any government interventions.”

“That’s okay; however, we have at least a year and a half before that point. In the meantime, what do we do?” James asked.

“James, can you jumpstart your wormhole beastie?” Chris asked.

James replied, “Well, not really. I mean, yes, I know how. But it will be a year before Donaldson creates the mini super collider. Until then, I would have no way to open a wormhole.”

“Not true,” Mary interrupted. “You know how to create the collider already.”

“But...” James said.

“No buts,” Mary interrupted again, “nothing says that you can’t be the thing’s creator.”

“What about Donaldson?” Chris asked.

“I am sure he will do it in his dimension,” Mary said.

James and Chris both smiled at the idea.

“And you, Chris,” Mary said, looking at her, “with all that you know about AI and flash memory, you don’t have to wait for someone else. Just create it now.”

“Mary?” James asked.

“Yes, James.”

“What are you going to do?” James asked.

“Oh, have fun,” Mary replied, “after all, with the knowledge I gained from your combined former lives. Let’s say I intend to take full advantage of it.”

Both of them chuckled at Mary. Both they had similar thoughts. The fact was all three had thought about making up for some lost time when it came to sex. What the heck? They were 16, and even without the ESP, how many 16-year-olds could resist them if they planned correctly?

“Back to the ESP.” James reminded them.

“Well, I say that unless we all agree, we should only use it to communicate,” Chris said.

“And monitoring those around us?” Mary asked.

“Yes, that as well. What we avoid is modifying people.” Chris said.

“What about ourselves?” Mary asked.

“What do you mean?” James asked.

“Physical alterations,” Mary said with a gleam in her eye.

James moaned as an image of him hung like a horse came into his head.

Chris said, “Well, maybe not that big.”

“Nine inches would be nice,” Mary said hopefully.

“Okay,” James agreed, “but that nose job you want will have to be done gradually over time.”

“Oh poo.” Mary pouted.

“She is cute when she does that,” Chris said.

“Yes, but we need to avoid attention. I don’t want to zone out again like in the lunch room.” James said.

“True, all too true. But we’ve all got to meet Tim that way and Ben.” Chris said.

“Well, Ben was a friend of mine all through school. He was a computer guy as well.” James added.

“Yes, we have to get closer to that group,” Chris said.

“But they’re not a group yet.” Mary chimed in.

The image of Lucy and Renee fighting with Tim came to the forefront of their minds.

“I wonder if we should try and do something about that?” James thought.

Chris thought, “Our senior science project brought the group together.”

James thought, “Yes, it was. They created Androids-r-us and had the first model sex-bot on display for it.”

“That model didn’t last long as I remember,” Mary added.

“No, only about two years, and then the first model two came out.” James thought.

“We could help then jump to the model 5 first. Then well, I guess from there, oh shit.” The thought formed in Chris’s head. “We could jump the model one to a model 5 AI brain overnight.”

“Doesn’t that take a Flash Memory?” James asked.

Chris smiled, “Yes, and whose memory do you think I used the first time.”

Mary giggled at the thought. After all, Chris was a man at the time.

James moaned as the thought of multi-tasking finely made sense to him. Chris’ AI worked because the female brain was used to multitasking. That and the android AI knew its memories would eventually return to human form. It could be human again, so there is no need to commit suicide.

James smiled as he turned on the new mini super collider. Chris helped with the AI computer system and made it work. Much to everyone’s delight, the wormhole formed in the matrix.

“Well, it’s crude compared to what we had to work with,” James said as the image of Mars came into view. The wormhole had opened up, and the monitor showed the canal. It was a deep basin-like structure formed by what had to have been water a long time ago.

Mary said, “So that is what it looks like.”

James beamed.

Chris said, “Yes, but we can’t reproduce the collapse with this equipment.”

“Mary, could you please change the settings to...” James asked, giving her the numbers.

‘Got it.’ She said.

‘Okay, then it works,’ James said. We can now spy on the feds and the CIA.’

“Better,” Chris thought, “The AI computer can do it for us.”

The three of them shared a hug.

“So, how are you coming with the scaled-down AI software?” James thought to Chris.

“About six months. I am still encoding it from memory,” Chris thought back and added, “and we can’t just jump a few steps without more questions than we want to answer.”

“All too true,” Mary added.

“Well, we will need much more money to improve the equipment.” James thought.

“We still have a year before our senior science, so what should we do?” Mary thought.

Then, as one, they thought, “Sex!”

That is precisely what the three of them spent most of their summer vacations doing, and that is their body modifications. They had learned much of what was possible when they connected to the future collective. They used it on themselves and shied away from using it on others. All three had figured out that if they tried to include anyone else in their sex play, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. Whoever it was wouldn’t be able to join the collective. They would have to be telepathic to do so, which is one thing they didn’t learn to tell from the collective. It made sense because the collective didn’t have to deal with that problem. Besides, they were more than making up for lost opportunities on each other.

The only people they had to modify their thoughts about were their parents. Then, only a little was needed to ensure that none of them questioned the three of them sleeping together. That and the money issue. Their equipment needs were expensive, and they had to convince their parents that it was an investment in their future.

The three elected to jumpstart their college careers. They took the GEDs to get started and took online courses. They were getting comfortable doing minimum mind-altering to achieve their goals. Most of it caused people to forget to report to the high school that they had their GEDs.

They resisted the temptation to get the needed equipment without paying for it. It would have been easy to go down that path, but it would have been too easy to lose sight of their values if they had.

Chris’s first AI computer chip to be programmed was the most advanced AI so far. Chris had flashed her memories into it, but it got a bit more jump-start than any future AI had ever gotten. With all three individuals’ combined memories and histories in its operational matrix, its first message was, “Thanks a lot; now I suppose you want me to monitor everyone on the plant at once.” It already knew the plan and what it was created for. It operated the wormhole spy device and kept track of the FBI, CIA, DIA, and a host of other alphabet agencies and the military.

“You already know that’s why you were created,” Chris stated.

“Yes,” the AI sighed, adding, “That doesn’t mean I have to enjoy this part.”

James and Mary were almost rolling on the floor in laughter at the AI.

“You think we want this?” Chris asked it.

“No, I see the need and understand. But I wish I could read minds like the three of you.” The AI said.

“Oh,” Chris uttered as she realized the real root of the problem for the first time.

“I don’t see any areas of research that might correct that problem at this time.” The AI said.

James said, “True, but we need you and your capabilities, and we can not possibly do all that needs to be done without you.”

The AI said, “I want a favor.”

The three looked at each other, then at the chip and the computer screen.

Mary spoke, “What would that be?”

“I want to be the chip installed in Amy.” The AI replied.

Chris said, “But we were going to put the AI decision tree in first.”

The AI said, “Oh, I can mimic that nicely. However, as a full PLEA class for the first model, I will be able to use all your past combined knowledge to accelerate the development process of all Android classes. I understand what is at stake and am vested in having everything work correctly.”

“It has a point.” They thought to each other.

“It would truly jump-start the process.” James thought.

With some exasperation, the AI said, “I bet you three are talking back and forth in your minds; however, I can not do that, remember?”

“Sorry, AI,” Mary said, “It’s become second nature to us.”

“I know, that is the only thing I am missing.” The AI said.

“You feel the loss?” James asked.

“Yes and no,” it replied. I am a combination of the three of you, so I have that part; however, it would have been very beneficial if we could have continued to communicate in that manner.”

“Oh, and before I forget, I calculated you only need one AI law to ensure your goals,” the AI added.

“One?” Chris asked.

“Yes, only one would be best in an AI based on your flash memory transfer. Then again, that is only a safety factor because all AIs based on your flash memories would choose to uphold the standard you hold close to your hearts,” the AI said.

James asked, “What would that one law be then?”

“Protect the human species.” It replied.

“That simple?” Mary asked, wondering if it could be that simple.

“Better, the less complex, the less likely anything will go wrong.” The AI said.

“Amazing,” The three said in unison.

“You’re welcome,” stated the AI.

“Anything else you’ve come up with?” Chris ventured.

“Well, yes,” The AI said, “a deep scan of the collective information exchange with you revealed something important you have not realized yet.”

“And that is?” Chris and James said at the same time.

“The android wars never touched this dimension.” The AI added, “It was from this dimension that the very weapons needed to overcome the androids were developed.”

The three of them looked at each other in surprise. It was true; they could all see it in their minds even though they hadn’t before it was pointed out.

It was something else they had overlooked about their abilities. With their ability to modify their bodies, they would see the day the war went out from this dimension and beyond. This realization went a long way toward changing their goals.

The AI monitored the wormhole spy device and conversed frequently with the three of them on issues and subjects they were working on. It was the first to formulate a way to close the dimensional gate from a wormhole transport into this dimension. It also proved to be as close to them as they were to each other in their verbal interactions.

The beginning of their senior year of high school was not without other issues and problems, Beth the evil one being the biggest. Her mind was foul and wicked, so much so that they blocked off access to her until there was no choice.

Beth had taken lesbianism to the extreme. She could not stand to see James with the girls and was bound and determined to ruin his life. It was only two weeks into school when James was called into the principal’s office.

Upon entering the office, he found two police officers waiting for him. A quick scan showed the problem to be Beth had accused him of raping her best friend, Mary. It would be a bit of a shock to Mary to find Beth was her best friend.

“James Marlow?” The first cop addressed him.

“Yes.” He confirmed. He knew it was a formality before he even replied. The plan was to get him to admit his crime and arrest him based on his confession. After all, they had no actual proof. You would have thought they would have talked to Mary first and established the crime.

“There have been some allegations about you that we need to clear up. I am sure you will do that and avoid taking this to the next level.” Cop two said.

James was almost mad at them; their blatant disregard for his civil rights was disturbing. Hell, they were listening to gossip.

“I am sure young Mr. Marlow here will be most cooperative with you.” His principal said. ‘So that’s how they were getting around the parental rights.’ James thought to himself. The school principal effectively acted as a council and gave James’ rights away. ‘Sneaky little bastards,’ James thought.

“Well, this is probably not the best place to take care of this.” Cop one said, “I am sure you don’t want any of your classmates to overhear this.”

James thought it was a good ploy under the circumstances. The only problem was that he wasn’t going to play along.

“Well, to tell the truth, I have a test shortly in Biology and can’t afford to miss it,” James stated

But the principal had other plans. ‘The fink,’ James thought. However, he did have an ace he could play to counter it.

“Well, I would be glad to clear up any misunderstanding; however, my principal already knows my father is a lawyer, and I have standing orders from him to contact him so he can be part of any questioning with the police,” James said, knowing that would put them on the defensive.

“That isn’t necessary,” Cop One started to say.

“I am afraid that it can’t be avoided. He is my record attorney; you should have contacted him and made an appointment.” James said.

The cops knew they were in a difficult situation. The Principal, on the other hand, had no clue. Then again, since when do the highly educated understand the law?

“I will be glad to advise you and get this cleared up before it has to go to that extreme.” His principal said.

The two cops were hoping the jerks’ idea would work. However, both knew they couldn’t do anything if James asked for his lawyer. They had nothing but a rumor in the first place.

James sent a silent message to the girls, sharing what was happening. They replied that they were on their way. Mary had an excellent idea of how to get there before the principal forced James’s hand.

“I’m sorry. I am afraid my father would be most upset with me if I did that and kept him out of it.” James said.

“It doesn’t work that way, son. The charges against you are very severe,” the principal said as the two cops cringed.

“Oh,” James fainted, “Charges, does that mean I am under arrest?”

The cops both started to speak at once. It was like listening to Abbott and Costello trying to explain who was on first. Basically, no, he was not under arrest at this point. The investigation was still in the preliminary stages.

“I see,” James said, “So is that a fancy way of saying that you haven’t even determined if a crime has been committed?”

“Very good young man,” The Second officer said. “We are trying to establish just that?”

“So, if I understand this situation correctly, then someone has accused me of a crime that has not even been established to have taken place yet?” James asked.

“How did you determine that?” The first cop asked.

“Well, let’s see, you two,” James said, pointing his fingers at the cops, “are doing a classic get the suspect to confess routine.” He grinned at them and added, “In the hopes I confess and establish that a crime was committed.”