Broken: Necrosis.

David

David Castillo was human once. Circumstances beyond his control changed that. Alerted to the possibility that a new human/AI interface project is underway at IQRobotics, David decides to investigate. It is a calculated risk, one his symbiont, SARACEN, cautions against, but it may be necessary to prevent anyone from discovering they exist. Though he isn’t sure he still lives, Sergei Prokov would like to locate David Castillo. It would allow his researchers to reverse-engineer the AI chips in his body. The current development of human brain implants is proceeding too slowly for him. Prokov is desperate to speed the development of the AI technology he hopes will halt the disease that will eventually devour his brain. AI robotic development within the company provides the budget for the HAIIT (Human Artificial Intelligence Implant Technology )Project. However, it leads to the production of a walking, thinking, and killing machine. While David attempts the short circuit the development, a competitor of Prokov’s is plotting to steal the emerging technology. Corporate espionage, anarchist saboteurs, and hired mercenaries complicate David’s plans. Even more challenging, he and SARACEN encounter a foe that is faster and stronger and capable of making decisions 10,000 times faster than any human.

ADAM

Prompting the retinal scanner, Lars Nordstrom entered the secure workshop. He walked to the assembly exoskeleton, the cradle containing ADAM. The enveloping rack served as a rest for the machine and also included the power supply for charging the robot. Due to the open framework design, it was hard to tell where the cradle ended and the robot began. “Good morning, ADAM,” he greeted his creation.

“Good morning, Lars Nordstrom,” ADAM replied.

Nordstrom studied ADAM critically. The sight would probably be unnerving to other workers at IQR. The face moldings had been removed, and the ocular covers rested on a tray beside the exoskeleton. Stripped of the facial mold and mock eyes, the bare metal with the optical units gleaming made a bizarre contrast to the almost-human voice emanating from the speaker. To add to the macabre appearance, one of ADAM’s arms had been detached. A technician removed it to adjust tensioners in the lower arm.

The musculoskeletal frame had been tested with neural circuitry designed to mimic human movement. A preliminary modeling test of variable speed walking was deemed successful. The results indicated that the android should be able to walk in the same fashion as a human with variable speed and stride. Nordstrom acknowledged it wasn’t perfect but that with the convergence of neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotic technology, it would soon be indistinguishable from a human gait.

Most of the android’s engineered skeleton was bare metal, the chest area had been fitted with the latest version of the synthederm. “ADAM, can you feel this?” Nordstrom ran his fingers down the material overlaying the framework of the chest.

“No, Lars Nordstrom,” ADAM responded without inflection. “I have been informed Michael Lowery is revising some of the code related to the synthederm. I offered to assist.”

“ADAM, give me a status on your power supply.”

“Power levels are currently 87.35 percent and charging. Laboratory temperature levels are within an optimal range for rapid charging.”

“Battery efficiency? Calculate deviation from previous charging times.” One issue that still bothered Nordstrom was the power source. Although charging times had improved over initial versions of the power supply, the first model tended to lose efficiency quickly under fast, high charges. The revised power supply improved the issue, but still, there had been indications of a loss.

“Charging time has increased by three point five percent, Lars Nordstrom,” ADAM responded.

“Once you are reassembled, I think it is time for a field test, ADAM. What do you think about that?”

“I look forward to that, Lars Nordstrom.”

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