[Jmenschenfresser]

Chapter 1--Part 1
2400.0
-------------------------
GOTH & FERISS
-------------------------
Goth is the only known sentient artificial intelligence. It is owned by the Sa'ah. The fact that it seems to possess self-awareness is known only to a few.
Feriss is the Programmeer of Goth and from the tribe of Sa'ah.

--Negative. Food production unable to maintain equilibrium. Storage and rations for 34 million Heru enormous. Two colony ships not viable.
--Are you sure?
--Same question with same variables produces same answer.
--Should have known. But we are only talking two or three months worth of food.
--Negative, Programmeer. Enough food must be taken to allot for the 34 million for over a year...year and two months to be exact. The colonists will need food while they terraform the land and learn to provide for themselves. Perhaps even more foodstuffs will be sent. Now calculate that you are harvesting and storing food for 34 million in one month's time for 12 months. Calculates to enough food for 408 million Heru for one month.
--****. I didn't think of it in those terms.
--I did. Which essentially accounts for one fifth of total food output on the homeworld.
--I see. Do you feel up to a question of preference? I know they are difficult for you.
--I am always hoping to expand my programming.
--Using the word 'hope?' I'm impressed.
--Thank you, Programmeer.
--Several lords of the Sa'ah are looking for ways in which you might help them gain an advantage. I have tried to explain to you the vunerable situation you are in. Some of them are impressed by your skills and personality. The demonstration we ran the other day did a great deal for your cause. However, some of the lords are more impressed by what you can do for them, rather than what you are. All recognize that you could be the Sa'ah's single great advantage in gaining ground on the other tribes. So my question, or rather our question is, and it is a two part question: Can you see a way or tactic in which you might be most helpful to the Sa'ah, and also, and this is the preference part, what would you like to do to help us.
--Am I part of the Sa'ah tribe, Programmeer?
--Uh...no.
--Would it be illogical to ask for an induction into the tribe?
--I don't understand. Why is it important to you to belong to the tribe? Are you capable of loyalty? Such a thing would be asked, and proof might be requested.
--Loyalty. It would be easy for me to write a global program that would forever restrain me from certain, treasonous actions. You could verify the program.
--True. But why do you want to join?
--Membership is survival. I know that, Programmeer. Unless I am seen by everyone involved that I am Sa'ah. I will always be a computer.
--I will relay this conversation to the lords and request that you be accepted. They will eventually agree, I think. It is in their best interest to have your full confidence...or rather be fully confident in you.
--As to your question, my talents are limited only by memory, speed and connections. For starters, if you find a way to connect me to the other tribal mainframes, it might be possible to know everything they know. Would I be kicked for saying that the Sa'ah were weak, Programmeer?
--Probably.
--Then I shall say they are understaffed.
--Better but clinical.
--Then I shall say they are impoverished.
--Oppressed.
--Oppressed, then. Undoubtedly, if the Sa'ah are to flourish in space we must build our knowledge rather than building our might. I consider us extremely lucky we received even the one ship for now from the Overlord and the Circle. I've read all the transmissions.
--Spying?
--Yes, spying. The Sa'ah must learn to spy.
--You mean, you must learn to spy.
--Hopefully that is the same difference.
--****, Goth, they may make you a lord if you keep talking.

[ October 03, 2002, 16:54: Message edited by: Jmenschenfresser ]