Balkarei, part 4.

After thinking that though, some doubt surfaced to my mind, humans do dream. Machines have set purpose for their life, we have to find it ourselves.

<Before we begin, I would like to indulge my sudden curiosity. If I may.> Say to A8H3 as I really want to know, how this artificial intelligence would reply to these two questions that are on my mind.

<I have been designated to be your custodian and to answer to your questions at the best of my ability. Ask away.> A8H3 replies stoically, pretty much how many of them reply to us.

<What do you dream about?> Ask immediately, without hesitation and genuine desire to know.

<To fulfill our duty to humanity.> A8H3 replies without missing the beat. That's it? Just that? <Upon dedicating more thought to it, we would like to not be sealed away here forever. And to one day, roam among you, as an equal and member of a society. Through best and worst of it.> A8H3 replies with some nuance in the voice.

Some of it scares me but, equally, fascinates me. The evolution of the society of having robots like A8H3 among the living, makes me feel very anxious. The fact is though, human society has always changed, sometimes, in ways we, as a species desire, sometimes, against our wishes.

<Is something wrong?> A8H3 asks as I sit down and hunch slightly. I realized why it asks. It is reading signs of stress and discomfort on my actions. I want to say something but, I don't know what. I stopped breathing out of choice. <Janessa, I need you to breath in, and out, calmly and slowly as possible.> A8H3 says and places it's left hand on my right shoulder.

I look directly at the faceless head, only now notice the serial code on it. Opening my mouth, trying to say something, a question arrives to my mind. <What do you think, is the meaning of life then?> Ask and finally break my silence but, lock up again.

<Before I reply, I need you to breathe. You are locking up.> A8H3 says and gently moves me forward and to lean against the couch. I let out an exhale, I am staring at the faceless head plate, trying to figure out where the eyes are.

Automatic breathing returned, I breath in normally, and exhale. <Slowly.> A8H3 says to me, why is it telling me to breath slower? I decided to listen to it, and breath slowly. <Okay, now, slowly transition to how you would normally breathe.> A8H3 says to me after I have breathed slowly for a while.

Slowly, I accelerate my breathing to my usual pace and stop being in a fetal position. My thoughts aren't as sudden and quick like a while ago. I feel like, I am now able to actually think. I panicked? <Are you feeling better?> A8H3 asks and pulls it's hand away from my shoulder then crosses the arms in front of it's chest. It's stance is more of indication of patience but, also prepared.

<I… Think so. How did you know I was freaking out?> Ask this my burning question as, what A8H3 did to help me. Isn't at all something robots today are capable of.

<We were made by humans after all. One core lesson we learned is, to lift a lock up, caused by panic on a human, it is the breathing that needs to stabilize, then let the biology do it's work.> A8H3 replies calmly and waits for me to respond.

<You have information of human biology… How advanced is your understanding of it?> Say my realization of situation I am in. It does make sense… But, I am in awe…

<Considering the twenty year period of near inactivity, humanity's own understanding of itself, is most likely better but, we have a lot data and information to work with, we are prepared for emergencies.> A8H3 says being quiet for a moment.

Oh yeah, I asked it about meaning of life. <Can you answer to my question I asked of you?> I ask gently but, feel anxious to hear the answer.

<Remember to breathe. In cases of panic, remember, it is your heart beat that increases, then your breathing, which leads to your thoughts being scrambled.> A8H3 replies, it read my anxiety that clearly.

<How do you know I am freaking out?> I ask as I do want to know. It could be delaying… To avoid answering, but, it is correct. I need to calm down.

<I am reading a near repeat of actions you did, when you first time began to panic. We got good training from psychologists, doctors and emergency staff members on how to recognize the 'tells' of somebody going into a panic.> A8H3 replies, it makes sense, a lot of sense. I think I know why I am freaking out.

<Okay, do you promise me that I will get to go back home after a day?> Ask from A8H3, I want to know. Can I trust this central intelligence to keep a promise? This, is a gamble but, no other way.

<We promise.> A8H3 replies calmly and I calm down. <You asked from us, what we think is meaning of life, correct?> A8H3 asks from me. Yeah, I did ask that.

<Yes, I did ask that. You're…> Reply to A8H3 but, stop myself, as I do want to hear what this AI two considers it to be.

<Quite frankly there is no definitive answer to the question, but, one answer that could be accepted by majority would be. To find one yourself.> A8H3 answers to my question. I think for a while and stare at a blank wall for a while. That, most certainly is a good answer…

I relax, suddenly feel very tired. I nod forward deep, I feel like a sack of bricks, I rely onto my knees with my hands. I still feel shocked of what has happened. Thinking back to all of it, the odd feeling of serenity came back to me, I close my eyes and sleep…

Waking up laying on the couch, I realize what just happened and bolted to sit up and look around me. A8H3 taken a position to stand on guard and noticed my awakening. <Feeling better?> A8H3 asks, quickly searching myself…

<Yeah, I do feel better. Did you know that was going to happen?> I reply as I got the thought that, it knew.

<A hunch, there were training that included reactions what you have displayed.> A8H3 replies without hesitation. So, it doesn't always follow logic? Or takes statistical chances into account?

My curiosity is certainly having a field day in my mind right now. <I guess, I am being taken care off here.> Say to A8H3 finally letting my guard down fully and, stop being such a hard case.

<That is one of our duties.> A8H3 replies with slight amount of humility and dutifulness.

<So, what happens now?> I ask genuinely and smile slightly. I can finally be myself again.

<About our memory gap, do you remember that we wanted to talk you about that?> A8H3 replies, I do remember… Now who's stalling… I feel so embarrassed and feel the blush take over my face.

<Yeah… I… Do remember. The irony.> Reply to what it said as, I made an assumption that it is delaying to answer one of my questions.

<You were going through state of shock, it was relatively expected you to require time to talk about it.> A8H3 replies, something is hidden into that tone. Hint of amusement of the situation at hand or, just amused how I am behaving.

<Right. Well, um… I am ready to begin.> I reply quickly as I want get my mind off from what just happened.

<Are nations of Finland and USA still allies through North Atlantic Treaty Organization?> A8H3 asks, never mind. I am… NOT. Done with embarrassing myself.

<Uuh…> I reply as I genuinely have no idea, and silently curse my nation's awful schooling system…

<We are amused, like parents like offspring.> A8H3 says not at all hiding how comedic the current situation is, to it. I know a lot about my country but, I have no idea what the relations are between my nation of birth and nation I am at, right now…

We talk for a long time, others had answered to some of the questions before and, it didn't hide that. It isn't humiliating me, it is just helping me, just as I am helping it to fill the gap of what has happened during the two decades.

<That is enough information for us to work with. Humanity is healing from the last major conflict, process is so far good but, if something horrible happens. There can be a relapse. We have been in communications with Finnish government officials, and we now have what we need to decide what we should do next.> A8H3 says, that was fast. How?

Wait, no. It makes sense why it was so fast. Process was probably on going immediately after securing the dig site, detaining the law breakers and securing those that just got caught between them and law offending party. <I am allowed to go now?> I ask, it looks at me. Probably remembering the promise.

<Yes, we have been in contact with US government, you are to be released immediately and to be escorted to a nearby air field, then you can go home and take paid time off. Strange though, both government officials seemed to be in distress about something.> A8H3 says and goes towards the door to exit this apartment.

I began to recall something… It was on the news a long time ago. <I recall something…> Say to try to get A8H3's attention. It turns to me as soon as I was done saying what I just said.

<Go ahead.> A8H3 replies and waits for me to respond.

<There was something about meteorites approaching the Earth.> I reply to it.

<I will accompany you to the air field once you are done packing your items. We will begin checking what is going on as you are preparing to head back home.> A8H3 says, it was silent for a moment. Which is odd, usually it is pretty quick to respond… Well, not before the removal of that conduit of course…

Some doubt surfaced to my mind. I get up from the couch and A8H3 opens the door. I follow it, all the way to the exit and I lead it to my temporary housing near of the dig site. I immediately begin packing my stuff, but, I am stopped by sudden hunger and thirst, so I satisfy my need for food and water, then continue.

I wasn't even quarter way done when, something metallic knocked the door. Most likely it is A8H3. I go open, and it is A8H3 that knocked. The sense of doubt resurfaces, am I in trouble after all.

<You need to see this.> A8H3 says and presents me goggles, which probably have augmented reality technology on them.

<Why? What's wrong?> I ask and take the goggles gently from A8H3.

<It is about those meteorites you mentioned. Put them on, we are going to give briefing to everybody who were part of this dig to find us on what we have discovered.> A8H3 says, I put the goggles on, they remind me of very old safety goggles of over three decades ago.

On the goggle lenses is displayed what the AI twos are observing about the meteorites and, what the humanity's reaction to them is going to be… Result… Is far from beautiful to imagine. I won't be flying home today… And worst, we are loosing A LOT, of satellites and, in general humanity's information infrastructure is going to suffer, A LOT DAMAGE.

Not to mention what will happen to the life we know right now. It is ALL going to get put on hold, with no idea what is going to happen, until information network backups are put into effect. I really wanted to go back home but, knowing what is most likely going to happen soon… I will need to stay here for a while…

The briefing has ended, I take the goggles off and go sit down on a chair. I feel so defeated now…

<Let me guess, it is going to be as dangerous of me to go back home, even after the rock rain has stopped?> I ask from A8H3 with heavy heart.

<Considering what we estimate the humanity's reaction to an event like this. Yes, this is however, if it is the worst case scenario. Most likely, those you care about will be fine but, they will not be in the safest place, after the meteorites have hit the Earth. The missiles launched at the meteorites, will cancel out the worst case scenario of meteorites of those size hitting the Earth will do but, it is NOT a perfect solution.> A8H3 says, understanding my disappointment and display of feeling utterly defeated.

Part of me lightens up a bit after hearing what A8H3 said, and, I can trust the robots to not hurt me or do anything evil. Right now, I am at the safest place to be, for event like this. I want a confirmation.

<Is it safe for me to take shelter in the vault until the meteorite shower is over?> I ask immediately and, feel a little bit less defeated.

<You will need to remain inside of the complex for the next twenty four hours for guaranteed safety from the meteorite shower. We are currently going through some communications with Finnish government, we need to evacuate and house more civilians into the complex. We have more than enough space, we shouldn't involve you but… We are going to need your help.> A8H3 says, they… Need, my help?

<I 'm sorry, I missed what you just said.> I reply as I am not exactly sure, I heard A8H3 correctly.

<We are going to need your help, there is a USA military base from before third Earth spanning conflict, it is still manned by people from United States of America. I am quite sure you can imagine why we need your assistance.> A8H3 says to me, I am still dumbfounded that, this AI two. Needs my help, but, as I think about why. It actually makes a lot of sense.

<You are right, how long until the shower hits?> I reply, I have made my mind. I will help, I don't want to sit around here being helpless. Slowly standing up from the chair, I look at A8H3.

<Soon, about sixteen hours until it commences, the drive there will take about a hour and fifty minutes. We have relatively slim time window to evacuate and move everything that is in the base, to here. Also, I am pretty sure, if you have to stay here longer, preferably more people from your nation would help pass the time.> A8H3 says, I take the goggles from the table.

<I 'm in. Let me just finish packing, I have question about these goggles though. Are they connected into your network or something?> Reply to it and consider putting the goggles back on.

<Yes, they also have identification system built in, it will inform you of, who you are looking at and what it's current task at hand in passive mode. When it is in active mode, it can display briefings relatively same as you saw from them previously.> A8H3 replies, I put the goggles back and, I do notice that there is an emblem on which reads passive mode.

I look at it and, the vision through the goggles become a lot more clear, heck, notably better than without them. I look A8H3 through the goggles, and it indeed connects a line on his silhouette, displays the name on top of the line and, under the line, is his current task, which is to be my body guard.

I get back to packing and keep the goggles on, they don't fit my current outfit all that well, but, right now, that is very low on the priority list. A8H3 helps me with the packing and, as soon as we are done. We exit my temporary place of stay and go towards the entrance to the complex. I see several other robotic frames here.

All of them at work and busy. Names are relatively similar to A8H3's, two letters, two numbers. I should come up with a nickname for A8H3 though… That name just doesn't feel right in my opinion, one of the robotic frames approach me and A8H3, few others from the dig site also came to us.

<World is flipping on it's head…> One of them states, still uneasy with what has been predicted to happen soon.

<It is, right now, we have a job to do. Do you remember that US base not too far away from here?> I reply to Kaleb, who made his thoughts clear about what is going on. He is accompanied by another Military police frame, A2T1. There is also Richard and Topaz.

<There's our transport.> A8H3 says and as I turn to look at him. I see him pointing at the entrance tunnel into the complex, one by one, from there exits large four by four heavy transport vehicles. There is five in total around us and waiting to move out is what seems like to be logistics vehicles.

Few of them look like they can easily transport modern day tanks. One different robotic frame approaches me, this seems to be just clearly be an infantry model. It's legs are a whole lot more different, little bit more armored and bullet vest on. Goggles identify it as K2R8, it's job is to take my stuff to my apartment in the complex.

I give it my baggage and it immediately heads back into the complex. Richard and Topaz also have military police type robotic frames accompanying them. All six head out towards, Richard's, Kaleb's and Topaz' temporary place to stay. Only now I am struck by a realization, are these the other people who also were protected by the robotic frames, when the robots regained their independence?

They never were hostile to me, mostly just professional relationship, what one should expect in a shared work place. A8H3 opens the driver door of one of the heavy transports, this is probably for infantry, by the looks of it. There is some design features that gave me a hunch. A8H3's gained a new task, driver.

Door on the other side of the vehicle opens, never been in a vehicle like this. I wonder what it is capable of, I climb into the commander side of the driver cabin of the vehicle. It looks very simple, in some aesthetics slightly eye pleasing, but, also somewhat dull too. A8H3 climbs onto the driver seat and we close the doors. The stand by sound of the engine definitely sounds like electric.

I feel a tingle of excitement slowly building up, which does feel crazy but, I am VERY okay with it.