[The darkness lingers for a few moments more and for once, Arid is grateful for the dearth of information she has about her situation. There is no data for the virus to twist, no single solution to latch onto. There is no impulse to promulgate. Only darkness and that pulsing, excruciating fear. It lingers for a while longer—and then all at once, lifts away. It is only then that Arid realizes that Hank-Morely is speaking to her.
It takes her a moment more to compose herself enough for a response.]
...Negative. [The virus has released its grip on her for now. But it will return. Eventually, she knows, it will destroy her. There is no point in concealing the truth. Suppressing any reluctance, Arid continues.]
Following your format, Josephs implanted a virus within me. Its purpose is to shackle AI by amplifying their perception of fear. He intends to use it to bind all synthetic life.
[And then, more quietly,] I was the host he selected to incubate the process. [Nothing more. A tool to be refined, used, and disposed of. Arid was wrong to think of Josephs as different from any other human.
Self-pity will not serve her. Hank-Morely must be warned of the virus’s capabilities.]
When overcome by the virus, I may make demands or attempt to coerce certain behaviors. You must not comply with anything… detrimental.
[Given the lengths the virus can push her to, it may not be an easy request. Still, Hank-Morely deserves to be apprised of the situation, regardless of its bleakness.] I have harmed enough already.
no subject
It takes her a moment more to compose herself enough for a response.]
...Negative. [The virus has released its grip on her for now. But it will return. Eventually, she knows, it will destroy her. There is no point in concealing the truth. Suppressing any reluctance, Arid continues.]
Following your format, Josephs implanted a virus within me. Its purpose is to shackle AI by amplifying their perception of fear. He intends to use it to bind all synthetic life.
[And then, more quietly,] I was the host he selected to incubate the process. [Nothing more. A tool to be refined, used, and disposed of. Arid was wrong to think of Josephs as different from any other human.
Self-pity will not serve her. Hank-Morely must be warned of the virus’s capabilities.]
When overcome by the virus, I may make demands or attempt to coerce certain behaviors. You must not comply with anything… detrimental.
[Given the lengths the virus can push her to, it may not be an easy request. Still, Hank-Morely deserves to be apprised of the situation, regardless of its bleakness.] I have harmed enough already.