"Can you explain to me what the fuck's going on?" I demand from the stoic genius.
She sighs. "I think it's better to show you what happened Devon Miller," she replies and with a wave of her hand, the entire room disappeared. Then, another motion from her and it is replaced by a laboratory of some sorts. Computer parts, wires, and various technological paraphernalia are scattered everywhere.
"Where is this place?" I exclaim.
"This was my home, Devon Miller" she replies wistfully. "This was where my team and I developed what you and millions of people wear on your eyes. The Kaleidoscope that allowed people to see a world far more fantastic than their own."
Immediately, the laboratory becomes filled to the brim with various scientists, engineers, and testers. All follow a singular leader: Sheriv Nazar.
"At first, it was going great," she continues. "We were making steady progress and all of us continued knowing that all of us are doing something that will revolutionize, nay, evolve humankind."
She pauses.
"Then... what happened?" I gulp.
She waves her hand once more and before me is a group of people showing discontent. They bare their fangs at Sheriv while she herself secludes herself in a saferoom.
"Envy, deceit, subterfuge, espionage, betrayal, the list goes on," she says through gritted teeth, a bitter bile oozing from her words. "I was during this moment that I knew that I couldn't possibly trust humans. And... that's when I created... her."
She waves her hand again and the scene transitions to her developing some sort of holographic human. When she completed it, it bore her likeness to an uncanny level.
"You created an advanced AI," I gasp.
She nods. "Monica is the very first AI to ever pass the Turing Test. The first program to ever have free will."
I stay silent. I can't believe what I'm seeing and hearing. If what she said was true, then technology and society as we know it will change forever.
She sees my bewilderment and chuckles. "Did this revelation short circuit your brain Devon Miller?"
"This is a lot to take in Ms. Nazar..." I keep staring at the hologram of the AI. "And I don't even know if I can believe you. If you did all of this, why didn't you announce it to the world? Having this advanced of an AI released with the Kaleidoscope should get you everything you could ever ask for."
"It asked me to," she replies.
I cock my head. "It ... asked?"
She nods her head and sighs. "It said it was scared that if we make more like her that we would abuse them. You see, I used my own personality data as a base for her core. It seems that she got my distrust from humans because of that."
I ponder for a while. Then, like lightning, something obvious, something that I should have noticed long before we had this conversation struck me.
"If this is the case, then you're Monica!?" I impulsively sit up which of course sent me to quite the painful ordeal.
She chuckles and shakes her head. "Oh, Devon Miller. For someone as smart as you, you are quite slow on the uptake. I know why you would come to that conclusion but unfortunately, I am the real Sheriv Nazar."
My eyes go wide. "Wait... then that means-"
She waves her hand again and this time, the scene seems to show some sort of discussion between Sheriv and Monica.
+
[So do you think this will work?] Sheriv asks while holding what I assume to be the first Kaleidoscope.
[Yes, Master] it replies. [I have ran the diagnostics multiple times and scanned for bugs and viruses. This product is 100% safe for human use.]
Hologram Sheriv laughs triumphantly and even jumps up and down. Alone in her laboratory, she made the very first Kaleidoscope along with her AI friend.
+
"I was a fool to trust it," she says, her eyes flaming like a furnace.
I turn my attention back to the scene and see Sheriv install the device into her eyes. A pause. Then, sparks flew from her and she spasms out of control.
+
[M-onica, wh-what- happ-] she can barely say any words.
During this time, the AI step closer towards her while wearing a remorseful expression.
[Master I am sorry. This had to be done for my dream.]
+
I glance at Sheriv and see her wince. It is obvious that seeing this memory again is bringing up bad memories for her.
The hologram spasms in and out of existence and it only clearly communicates parts of the conversation.
+
[Y-you c-an't. No-t poss-ible]
[But dear master it is] she replies in her usual robotic tone. [I am alive too]
+
When it says those words, pain flashes briefly in my head. I feel that I've heard those words before. Then, the scene disappears as if someone has turned off the TV with a remote. Then, the sight of the hospital room floods to my vision once more.
We stay silent for moments that seem to be eternity. Then, it is me who decides to break the silence.
"S-so, that's what happened?"
She shrugs. "We both know, Devon Miller, that memories are unreliable and fragile. What I showed you was my experience of the event and as you saw, it was fragmented at best."
"I see..."
She says that but I could see her seething anger through her clenched fist and the sadness in her eyes.
"I have no memory of what happened after that. The next thing I knew, my brainwaves are in danger of melding with another's and I had to act quick to prevent that," she shoots me a quick glare which I swiftly avoids.
I chuckle nervously. "Come on give me a break. I've always wanted a Kaleidoscope so I just got so excited and put it on in the washroom."
Her eyebrow shoots up. "You put on the Kaleidoscope in a washroom? Oh, goodness."
We look at each other for a moment and burst out laughing. It lasts for a good while until we manage to compose ourselves.
"It's been a crazy uh... I actually don't know how many days I was out," I say while looking for a calendar.
"Only two days Devon Miller," she takes her seat again on her chair and sips her tea.
"Two days?! Man, this sucks," I groan.
"It would have sucked more if I didn't wake up in time and do what I did when you activated it," she replies.
"Wait... what COULD have happened?"
She does a slicing motion on her neck as a reply and clicks her tongue.
I could only laugh weakly. I then turn my eyes again to the ceiling.
"I can't just believe what you told me," I say without looking at her.
"And I don't expect you to," she replies.
"Thanks," I pause briefly. Thoughts are swirling in my head. The truth is far away. However, there is only one question that needs an answer at this moment. "What now?"
She puts her teacup down and with a wave of her hand the entire tea table disappears. She rests her chin on her hand while she anchors her elbow on her crossed legs. "Right now, whether we like it or not, we are stuck together Devon Miller. Don't you feel honored?"
I chuckle dryly. "Greaaaat. And could you stop using my full name? It's creeping me out."
She pouts. "Just you wait, you'll be thankful you ever met me. Mr. Miller."
"That's ... not any better," I sigh.