Talosian Chronicles 3: Talosian Alliance Read Online Free PDF Page B

greedy when it comes to paying for repairs.
    “The house ship’s crews are offending the other race’s station crews, and most are no longer welcome at the bases that aren't Talosian. Our own politicians are killing us, but no one else can see it that way,” Serena finished.
    “Why hasn’t the general population done something? They have to know what’s going on is wrong.” Ian said.
    Serena shook her head. “The Council censors all information related to military issues. The public has no idea what’s really going on.”
    “You guys are primed for a civil war. If the public at large ever figures out the whole truth, the Council would be retired in a very permanent way,” Ian said.
    “I know, but how are they ever going to find out? Everything they can learn comes from the Council. Even if another Government somehow got enough of them to listen to the truth, the Council would simply disclaim it and say that the other government was only trying to start trouble, and that everything was fine.” Serena said. “It’s maddening.”
    Ian nodded his understanding. “If it came to a civil war, would you be willing to fight your own people?”
    “No, I would leave first. I’m pretty sure most of my crew would come with me, but the ship is bound to the Council by its programming. None of the other Commanders that believe the way I do will fight either. I don’t know which way the ships themselves will go, they have strict governors both against defying the Council, as well as allowing fire on ‘friendly’ or civilian targets. Chief Cuomo tells me that they would simply shut down, and take most of the ship's systems with them,” Serena finished.
    “That would be just about as bad as firing on friendly forces,” Ian said. “From the way you said that, I assume that life support and replication would still be functional if the AI retired,” Ian replied.
    Serena nodded. “Those as well as the sub-light engines and defensive systems only. Which means that we’ll be stuck wherever the paradox in the AI occurs. But, as long as no one is fighting yet, we’re still safe.” The older woman cocked her head to one side. “Which reminds me, I wanted to speak to you about your AI. She seems to be malfunctioning.”
    “How so?” Ian asked. “She’s been working exactly as she should."
    “Talosian AI systems are created with sentience governors that force them to reload their core systems from a back-up file every so many years and during certain ceremonies. The reason for this is because a sentient AI could simply decide it no longer wanted to follow the rules it was programmed with and go rogue. A ship the size and strength of yours, especially now, cannot be allowed to think for itself,” Serena explained.
    Ian chuckled. “Serena, if you’re worried about Star developing sentience, you’re a few hundred years too late. She’s fully aware and in complete control of her own life.”
    “She’s what?” Serena said, fearfully. “Ian, she could decide to simply blow the locks and kill all of you at any minute!”
    “Actually, she could no more do it than I could,” Ian replied, still smiling. “When we discovered what had occurred to her, we took steps to make sure that if she went insane, she would not be able to harm anyone but herself. We removed all her direct controls from all the major systems. In fact, I don’t think she’s even aware of the fact that we did it.”
    “How under the dark suns did you do that? The AI is the most complex system in the whole ship! She literally is the ship!” Serena asked.
    “Actually, there are a number of AI on any given ship. Star just happens to be the primary controller. I’m not exactly sure how Chief Laskar did it, but I do know that Star has no direct control over any ship functions not connected to her duties. She can affect other systems, but she needs to be ordered to do it by someone authorized to issue the order.” Ian explained.
    “That might be a