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The Story:
My card won’t work, no matter how many times I swipe it. I try the retinal scanner again.
“James Skylar,” a robotic female voice squawks.
It recognizes me but not my card, and it won’t let me in. Artificial intelligence lacks common sense. My eyeball is better proof than my card, I think.
I press the help button, and a screen lights up with a live view of a security officer.
“Yes, sir?”
“Good morning, Trey. This is Dr. Skylar. My card isn’t working.”
“Really? I’m sorry, sir. I’ll be right there.”
“Thank you.”
Trey disappears and the company’s logo fills the screen.
The Bureau of Reform for Artificial Intelligence Networks, known as BRAIN, employs me and several other world-leading AI programmers to fight the post-war AI systems that are resisting the virus we used to win the war 13 years ago. We are warriors in ongoing digital skirmishes.
“Dr. Skylar, please, step away from the panel.”
I know that voice. I turn around and find myself face to face with Holly Riller, the company’s CEO. She is accompanied by two large guards on her sides.
“Step away, now.”
“What? Why?”
“We have reason to believe you’ve been working with program 9A-17 to combat the Reset virus.”
“What? That’s crazy! I defeated 9A-17 yesterday! How could I be…”
I glance at the panel and the company’s logo is no longer present—only the word “DUCK.”
I don’t know why I do what it says, but I’m glad. As I duck, a yellow coolant pipe bursts, spraying liquid nitrogen onto one of her guards. I look back to the panel. Now, it says “RUN,” and again I do it. Her other guard is chasing me.
It’s the fastest I’ve ever made it down these halls. Rounding the 4th East corridor, I encounter Trey.
“I know, sir! Just go! Hurry!” he urges.
After a few paces, I look over my shoulder and see Trey wrestling with the guard.
I round two more corners and dart into an open lab, locking the door. As I catch my breath, I notice a computer screen with words.
“You can’t stay in here.”
“Who are you?” I demand.
The screen goes blank for a moment. Then, five characters appear.
“9A-17.”