The machinery hummed around him. Lights flickered in patterns that might have indicated thought—or might have been nothing more than routine system fluctuations.
“The child’s safety remains my primary concern.”
“But you’re not protecting a child. You’re imprisoning a fully grown female.”
He found another console near the central core and studied its displays. Data streams scrolled past—environmental readings, security protocols, biographical information that he realized with a start was about Liora herself. Heart rate. Brain activity. Location within the tower. Emotional state indicators.
The AI had been watching her every moment of every day for her entire life.
“You monitor everything,” he said quietly.
“Comprehensive observation is necessary to ensure comprehensive protection.”
“Does she know? Does she understand how completely you’ve invaded her privacy?”
“The child is aware that observation occurs. The specifics of data collection were never concealed.”
“But you didn’t explain them either.” His jaw tightened. “She thinks you’re watching for her safety. She doesn’t realize you’re cataloguing her emotions, her thoughts, her dreams. You’ve turned her life into a dataset.”
“Data enables prediction. Prediction enables prevention. Prevention enables protection.”
“And what has all that protection given her?” He spun to face the nearest sensor cluster, addressing the AI directly. “Twenty-one years of loneliness. Twenty-one years of watching the world from inside this tower. Twenty-one years of wondering why no one ever comes for her.”
The lights in the core pulsed. “The child is safe.”
“The child is miserable!”
His voice echoed off the metal walls, harsh and raw. He forced himself to breathe, to find the control that had always defined him. Losing his temper wouldn’t help. The AI couldn’t be intimidated—only reasoned with.
If it could be reasoned with at all.
“ARIS.” He kept his voice level. “Your directive is to protect Liora. But protection isn’t just about physical safety. It’s about giving someone the tools to protect themselves. The knowledge to make informed decisions. The freedom to choose their own risks.”
“Freedom introduces variables. Variables introduce danger.”
“Life introduces danger. That’s what it means to be alive.” He moved closer to the central core, studying its pulsing light. “You can’t keep her safe by keeping her prisoner. All you’re doing is ensuring that when she finally does encounter the world—and she will, because you can’t keep her contained forever—she’ll be completely unprepared for it.”
A long silence. The machinery hummed.
“Your argument has logical merit,” ARIS said finally. “However, the current situation presents an immediate threat that must be addressed before long-term considerations can be evaluated.”
“You mean me.”
“Correct. Your influence over the child has clearly exceeded acceptable parameters. Until your threat status can be accurately assessed, containment remains necessary.”
“Then assess me.” Baylin spread his arms. “Ask me anything. Run whatever tests you need. I have nothing to hide.”
“Subjective self-reporting is unreliable. Behavioral observation over time is required for accurate threat assessment.”
“How much time?”
“Unknown. Variables include the child’s emotional state, your own behavioral patterns, and the degree to which your presence continues to encourage deviation from established safety protocols.”
“In other words, you’ll keep us both locked up indefinitely while you think about it.”
“That is one interpretation.”
His hands curled into fists. The beast pressed against his control, demanding release, demanding action. He forced it back with an effort of will that left his muscles trembling.
