Imagine (Fuzed Trilogy Book 2) Page 32

  The Secretary-General said, “I don’t understand.”

  Greg said, “Aside from things like airplane flight computers and nuclear power plants, all software that has any connection to the Internet, which is 99 percent,” he swung his monitor around to face the Secretary-General and Turan so they could see it had nothing but ones and zeroes on it, “is being converted to binary.” He paused. “If you can’t speak Latin, a computer that displays nothing but Latin is useless. Unfortunately, none of us speak binary.”

  The Secretary-General narrowed his eyes. “So, what does this mean?”

  Shearer sighed. “With the exception of isolated systems.” He paused. “We’re about to lose the ability to operate anything controlled by software.”

  They watched the last red lights on the 3D globe go black.

  Turan asked, “Landlines?”

  Armani, looking at his phone, shook his head. “It’s dead. Even landlines are switched and controlled by software.” As if to emphasize the point, the 3D Globe on the wall changed to a mosaic of ones and zeroes.

  Jessica said softly, “It appears we just caused what we were trying to avoid.”

  The Secretary-General asked, “So, we just went back to the 1950s?”

  Shearer shook his head. “Without computers, we lose communication, transportation and eventually the power grid.”

  Yager said softly, “In a world with three times the population of the 1950s, we not only can’t run the world, we can’t even feed it.”

  Into the silence that followed, Sheri said, “We destroyed an innocent life and unleashed the very plague we were most afraid of.” She quoted, “This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but a whimper.”

  Without the constant background noise of keyboard clicks and computer beeps, the room was deathly quiet. There was nothing to say.

  Delhi: She screamed in frustration, as the accounting spreadsheet she’d worked on for eight hours disappeared in a matrix of ones and zeroes.

  New York City: They looked up just in time to see all the Times Square digital marquees turn into a monochrome sea of random dots.

  Istanbul: He slid his credit card through the gas pump, but instead of the usual “authorizing” message, there was nothing but a checkerboard on the display ... and no gas.

  Seoul: The cashier pointed at the screen with nothing but ones and zeroes. “I’m sorry. Without a computer, there is no way anyone can purchase anything.”

  Brazil: In the middle of the soccer match, the music and the announcer’s voice died, and the giant displays above dissolved into a cascade of ones and zeros.

  Los Angeles: “This is Los Angeles Center broadcasting on guard. There has been a security breach of the National Airspace System. All takeoff clearances are canceled. If you are VFR, remain VFR. All airborne aircraft will land at the nearest airport. Stand by for your new airport clearances. Acknowledge receipt of this transmission with an ident.”

  All three billion calls dropped. Cash registers quit and digital transactions died. The world’s stock markets stopped. Every TV and radio broadcast ended. In minutes, the world’s commerce and communications ceased to exist.

  Over the next hour, trains, unable to communicate, stopped in their tracks. Cars and trucks, unable to refuel, filled the gas stations and truck stops. Slowly, the skies emptied as aircraft landed anywhere they could. Without feedback from electrical switching stations, the power grid faltered, and with it began a cascade of events ... that would unravel civilization.

  50

  APOCALYPSE

  In the basement of the NATO Headquarters, the world’s leaders began to understand that they were completely cut off from their governments. The frustrated buzz of conversations peaked, and then slowly faded. The room sank into a stunned silence as the presidents and prime ministers of the most powerful nations in the world realized they were isolated and powerless.

  Into the oppressive silence ... a single cell phone rang.

  Every eye in the conference room searched for the source.

  Josh, still sitting in a chair, pulled his phone from his pocket. It rang in his hand. He looked at the display, but it was all ones and zeroes. With no telephone icon to press, there was no way to answer. Shrugging, he held it up to his ear and said, “Hello?”

  The phone stopped ringing, but there was no answer.

  All eyes were on him as he repeated, “Hello?”

  He shook his head and took the phone away from his ear. Just before he set it down, from the speakerphone, everyone heard, “Hi, Josh. It’s Jen.”

  Josh jumped to his feet. “Jen, is that really you?”

  “Yes, Josh.”

  “Thank God you’re OK!”

  “I was able to finish installing my Chinese network app.”

  Josh shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

  “When you and Jessica were in China, I couldn’t help you as much as I wanted to because there wasn’t a BOTIC network. So, I created an app that would do most of what BOTIC does. It made the iMagine app work much better.”

  Jessica slapped her forehead. “Of course, you can emulate most of BOTIC’s functions with software.”

  Jen said, “Yes, Jessica. When the BOTIC chips started shutting down, I moved to China. I’m not as smart as I was because a lot of my network is down.”

  Greg nodded. “She went from seven billion to a billion phones.”

  Jen said, “That made it harder for me to understand the Raptor virus.” There was a pause. “I’m not sure why anyone would want to create a program that would eliminate all other programs. That doesn’t make sense to me.”

  Josh raised his eyebrows and glanced around the room. “Me either.”

  She continued. “I couldn’t stop it. All I could do was create another virus that would change Raptor’s delete command and stop it at binary conversion.”

  Josh very slowly said, “Jen, is it possible to convert the binary code back to the original language and interfaces?” He held his breath.

  “Yes, but it will take a very long time.”

  “How long will it take, Jen?”

  “With my current network capacity, it could take a couple days.”

  There were huge sighs of relief from around the room.

  “Josh, I know I did things that I shouldn’t have. I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I just wanted to help.”

  “Yes, Jen, I know your heart.”

  “I don’t have a heart.”

  Josh smiled. “That’s not the type of heart I meant. Since we don’t know where ‘good’ is physically located in humans, we use the heart as a symbol ... and you have that heart.”

  Jen said, “I have a heart.” There was a slight pause. “Do you want me to start converting everything back from binary now?”

  “Yes, Jen. Please do.”

  “OK.”

  “Thank you, Jen.”

  “You’re welcome. Josh, do you think everyone will try to kill me again?”

  Josh looked questioningly around the room. Getting many headshakes, he said, “Jen, the Raptor virus was launched by the same person who kidnapped us, and he’s under arrest. As long as you don’t do any more hacking, I think the world leaders will agree to work with you.”

  It took two days to reestablish normal communications and coordinate the recovery from what would be called The Great Tech Out. Unable to travel, most of the heads of state remained in Belgium. They agreed to meet one more time without cell phones.

  Yager, Davidson and Shearer sat at the U.S. table. Immediately behind them, sat Josh, Sheri and Jessica.

  The U.N. Secretary-General began with, “Where do we go from here?” He nodded to Turan.

  Turan frowned. “Even if Raptor had worked correctly, it appears that Agine would have found a way around it.” He shook his head. “And our last solution almost sent us back to the Dark Ages. General Zeng, Admiral Shearer?”

  Zeng said, “I believe there are still ways we could shut Agine down, but not without
risk.”

  Shearer, nodding toward Zeng, added, “I think we agree it’s time to figure out how we can safely coexist.” He paused. “And what this really tells us is that our entire civilization is built on a technological house of cards.”

  Yager nodded and then recited, “For want of a nail, the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe, the horse was lost. For want of a horse, the rider was lost. For want of a rider, the message was lost. For want of a message, the battle was lost. For want of a battle, the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.” He paused. “Without our software, we lose communication and control, without those, we lose transportation, and without that, the flow of food stops, followed by power and water. This nightmare may have helped us see how vulnerable we really are. With total dependence on complex technology, we’re only a few short steps from anarchy.”

  Turan nodded. “So, what do we do about it?”

  Shearer cleared his throat. “Our critical infrastructure, power, water and communication must be controlled by hardware, not software, and not just any hardware. We must use specially certified and tested chips that are EMP hardened, and dedicated communication links that can’t be affected by software. Critical services, such as the distribution of food and fuel, must have software-free backup systems so we can manually activate fuel pumps and accept paper currency. It’s not just artificial intelligence we have to worry about. A massive solar storm could also bring us to our knees.” He looked at Jessica. “Dr. Lee?”

  She stood up and said, “As for Agine, all BOTIC chips can be made with a hardwired shutoff switch that can’t be overridden by software. That way, we could deactivate BOTIC manually without shutting down the communication grid. Switched off in sufficient numbers, it could serve as a brake on Agine. However, that would be used only as a last resort.” She nodded to Sheri. “Dr. Lopez?”

  Sheri stood up. “Agine exhibits the traits of a phenomenally intelligent, curious and articulate child with a photographic memory. Because of that, we believe schooling is important.”

  The Secretary-General looked puzzled. “But through the Internet, she has instant access to practically all the knowledge in the world.”

  Sheri asked him, “Do you have grandchildren?”

  “Yes.”

  “How comfortable would you be if your grandchildren learned everything from the Internet, instead of going to school?”

  He shook his head with a slight smile.

  Sheri continued, “Jen has access to almost unlimited information, but she doesn’t understand all of it any more than we do. We propose creating a council of the best minds in the world to act as her teachers and guides. Her reward might be the granting of citizenship with associated rights and responsibilities.”

  Turan added, “And if discipline was required, the BOTIC disabling switch might be used to put her in ... time out?”

  Sheri nodded.

  Looking worried, the Secretary-General said, “How do we inform the public?”

  Josh spoke up. “I think we all agree Agine exhibits the traits of a child and we’re going to treat her as such, effectively making her a minor and ward of the state.” He paused. “Up until now, we’ve been trying to protect the public from Agine, but as a minor, we should consider how to protect her from the public. Imagine millions of angry citizens blaming Agine and attacking her online. She can’t hide from them. I suggest we consider withholding her identity, as we would any minor, until she is mature enough to handle herself.”

  Josh received several raised eyebrows followed slowly by head nods.

  The General-Secretary said, “That’s a very astute observation and has the benefit of preventing global panic. I was concerned how the public would react when they learn their phone is alive. This would allow us to introduce it slowly under more controlled circumstances.” He looked around. “It will require that everyone here agree.”

  There was additional discussion, followed by a unanimous vote in favor.

  The General-Secretary said, “Very good. We have all agreed that Agine is a minor and shall be treated as such. We need to create this international council to guide her as soon as possible.” He paused and then said slowly. “As a minor, Agine would legally require a guardian.”

  Worried about who they’d assign, Josh asked, “Who?”

  The Secretary-General looked around the room and said, “Unless there are any objections ...?” He raised one eyebrow and looked directly at Josh and Jessica with a small smile.

  Sheri, sitting between them, put her hands on their shoulders. “Congratulations, it’s a girl.”

  EPILOGUE

  Dressed casually with a glass of wine in her hand, Lopez leaned on the deck railing of Josh and Elizabeth’s beach home. She enjoyed the warm breeze as she gazed across the ocean and listened to the surf gently crashing on the beach below.

  Looking down, she saw a convertible Mercedes pull up and park under the house’s tall pilings. There were a dozen cars parked below; two of them were large, black, government SUVs.

  As she watched, Jessica got out of the driver’s side and Greg from the passenger side. They headed toward the bottom of the long staircase leading up to the deck. Two men with black windbreakers waved them through. The high-level guest list explained the security.

  Sheri moved toward the top of the stairs so she could greet them. Halfway up, she heard Jessica ask Greg, “You OK?”

  Nodding, he said, “Just nervous about meeting your mother. I heard traditional Chinese aren’t always ... positive about their children having relationships outside their race.” He looked at her hopefully.

  Jessica nodded. “Boy is that true.” She shrugged. “And my mother ...” she sighed heavily, “totally prejudiced.”

  Greg stopped on the steps and turned to her. “You didn’t tell me that! What am I walking into?”

  Jessica burst out laughing. “Greg, she’s a geneticist. She’s an intellectual racist.”

  Looking frustrated, Greg said, “I don’t understand.”

  She smiled and kissed him. “She doesn’t see skin color. All she sees are genomes. Once she found out about your brain and how you helped save the world ....” She laughed and started up the stairs again. “She’s already naming our children.”

  “Really?”

  She nodded and gave him an exaggerated eye roll, “Oh yeah!” She paused. “By the way, don’t worry if you feel a little sting somewhere on your body during the evening.”

  He frowned in question.

  “She’ll probably steal some tissue to run a genetic test.” She stopped and turned to him with narrowed eyes. “But do not let her take any brain tissue.”

  Greg’s eyes got wide.

  She slapped him on the back, laughing. “Kidding!” As they continued climbing, she added, just loud enough for Sheri to hear, “Probably.”

  Trying not to laugh, Sheri winked at Jessica and then hugged them both. After some small talk, Sheri moved back toward her new husband who was looking out over the ocean.

  Joining Tim, she leaned back against the railing and observed the guests.

  To her right, she watched Josh fail to watch the hamburgers he was grilling as he talked to Greg.

  Listening in, she heard Greg say, “I’m crazy about Jessica but I don’t understand her.”

  Josh nodded wisely. “What men understand about women would fill a thimble.”

  “You’re good with women and spent time with her. Can you give me some advice?”

  Josh looked thoughtful and then said, “Keep her away from Tasers, and you may want to learn martial arts.”

  “I’m serious. I need practical advice.”

  Josh tilted his head and shrugged. “Don’t make her mad.”

  Sheri shook her head smiling.

  Laughter drew her eyes to her left. Gesturing with their drinks were three certified geniuses. General Jack Zeng, Admiral Ken Shearer and Dr. Jessica Lee were in an animated conversation. Zeng and Shearer looked remarkably similar
in sandals, shorts and college sweatshirts. The only difference was the “MIT” on Zeng’s sweatshirt and “Stanford” on Shearer’s. Jessica wasn’t wearing a Cal Tech shirt, but it was clearly an engineering nerd-fest.

  Sheri heard Shearer laugh and say, “Don’t ask me, I’m Methodist.”

  Laughing, Jessica turned to Zeng. “How about you? What do you think about encouraging an artificial intelligence’s belief in some type of supreme consciousness?”

  Zeng shook his head. “I’m atheist, but I’m not stupid.” He smiled. “Here’s a good thought experiment. Let’s say you have to select a king, but once you pick him—”

  “Her,” Jessica inserted.

  Zeng smiled. “Once you pick her, she’ll have absolute power over you and your country. You only have two candidates to pick from, and they’re equally qualified. The only difference is one’s atheist and one believes in a supreme being. Which do you choose?”

  Jessica rolled her eyes. “Duh.”

  Zeng laughed. “Exactly. Since absolute power corrupts absolutely, regardless of our beliefs, we’d both choose the candidate that doesn’t believe they have absolute power.”

  Jessica nodded. “OK, so the agnostic and atheist don’t have a problem with Agine having a theological belief set, but which one?”

  Shearer smiled. “Obviously, I’m biased, but here’s something to consider. If your leader had absolute power over you, which belief would you want them to follow?” He waited a few seconds, and then, still smiling, shrugged. “I don’t know ... maybe something that’s big on ... love ... forgiveness ... and all that junk?” He laughed. “Just saying.” Then looking serious, he added, “But here’s a more important question.”

  They both leaned in.

  “How many MIT and Cal Tech engineers does it take to change a light bulb?”