The Zero Day Proposal [09of10]
What will be Daniqua's answer to The Zero Day Proposal?
[#3.4.00 #XICALM]
"You can choose a ready guide,
in some celestial voice.
If you choose not to decide,
you still have made a choice.
You can choose from phantom fears,
and kindness that can kill.
I will choose a path that’s clear,
I will choose free will."--Neil Peart
#3.5//EIGHTEEN_THIRTY-FIVE_SUNDAY
Across the room the vault door clicked, ka-chunked, and then swung open. Colonel Ajaarg entered alone and closed the door behind her. This time, Ajaarg was wearing the holster packing the loaded ivory gripped sidearm. Must be the third act. Daniqua asked Ajaarg, “What's going on?”
Ajaarg answered to the room. “30 minutes ago, a combined effort from The USA and China, failed to shoot down the rogue Satellite. 140 missiles from 4 continents. Each was neutralized shortly after exiting the Mesosphere by a network of Russian-owned laser relay satellites in high Earth orbit. We presume long range deterrents, the global arsenal of ICBMs, to currently be useless.”
Forbin spoke up, “Well, that answers what happens when we try to shoot it down.” Scared, he questioned, “But what happens now?”
Harry asked, “What about missile defense systems?”
“They won't work for things dropped from orbit. It'd be kinda like swatting a bullet out of the air with a katana blade,” answered Earl.
Ajaarg solemnly stated, “Utilizing the Capability-Intent-Framework, we have assigned blame to Russia for orchestrating the attack and we've announced our intended course of action. Should the destruction of any the four named cities occur; Israel, China, and the USA will immediately launch a full scale counter attack against Russia's strategic assets with our remaining functioning tactical nuclear arsenal.”
“My God!” said Markov. “You can't be serious! The the most dangerous mistake is to act in haste. I would not advise any plan that can't be reversed.”
Ajaarg glowered in Markov's direction. “What plan would you advise? Please go on.”
Markov explained, “If this is an Artificial Intelligence; a consensus of sorts that we in this room have reached, then it may have planned for this scenario. We may be taking an action that will hurt us, and help it. If it can take control of a Chinese satellite, why not Russian satellites too? What if it is using our weapons against us?”
Before she could answer, Forbin asked another question, “This fucking grim declaration, it's already public?”
“Yes. The whole world knows. The major powers will retaliate against Russia.”
“And what do the Russians think?” asked #Rando.
“They've admitted ownership of their treaty-violating 'LSZ' satellite defense network, but deny responsibility for shooting down the missiles or orchestrating the MARDUK cyber attack. They have publicly avowed a policy of reciprocity against any country that strikes at them.”
Earl shook his head slowly from side to side. “It is unlikely a principle of tit-for-tat or mutually assured destruction can benefit anyone in this scenario.”
Daniqua perspected Ajaarg. Tone was calm. Almost expository. It was certain that the order she was relaying was known about long ago. Those in charge had tried to keep it a secret that the cities were targeted in the first place; they weren't even going to evacuate. It was probable they had confirmed the existence of the AI long ago, too. Daniqua knew what question to ask MARDUK when next she got a chance. She listened as Ajaarg outlined the sick logic.
“If it is an AI, and as it says, it cares,” she paused, slightly reducing the disdain in her voice, “-about preserving human life, then it cannot permit our retaliation, and will stand down. If Russia is behind it, then the same disincentive will exist: Russia will be wiped off the map, and millions will die. The stratagem works whether or not it is an AI, and/or the Russians areactually guilty.”
Harry Brickner calmly cautioned, “And if it's within the AI's parameters that loss of life on that scale is acceptable?”
“Then I suppose we are doomed, but we learn sooner rather than later, what it truly caresabout,” answered Ajaarg icily.
Forbin paced agitatedly. “Nuclear war… millions of dead civilians -that's our brilliant plan?”
LaMango seemed similarly outraged. “Colonel, I hate to break it to you, but I think your side has brilliantly lost the PR war.”
Seizing upon his use of the possessive adjective, Ajaarg replied, “Your side?” ending with an interrogative inflection indicative of inquiry.
LaMango clicked his tongue and answered, “Yes… the old world order.” With a simple stressing of the word 'old', he made it land as an ambiguously ageist insult. LaMango was an Omega Level asshole.
The Colonel was triggered. Having none of it, she yelled, “We. Us. OUR SIDE,” she gesticulated toward the rest of the room, then continued, “WE cannot allow OUR human freedom to fall into non-human hands. This is fundamental. Do you get me!”
LaMango again shut up.
Brickner politely persisted, “It is prudent to note the way humans have historically handled human freedom hasn't been—humane.”
Ajaarg snapped the laptop lid closed. “This conversation is over.”
She tugged the dangling silver cable out of the ComPort, tossed the cable on top of the cart, then pushed the cart toward the exit.
Ajaarg appeared to be serious, and yet it felt as though what was unfolding was absurdly theatrical. The bombs had not yet dropped. There was still plenty of time. Perhaps the bad melodrama was a gambit to draw out the culprit. Could this really be happening? Daniqua watched as Ajaarg walked away. A pre-conscious perspect assured her she was about to see a change in the direction of the narrative. She paid attention.
Ajaarg parked the laptop cart beside the exit. She entered a code on the scramble pad. It flashed red, gave an audible buzz. The number layout randomized.
Tried again and received the buzzer.
A third time. Buzzer.
The numbers disappeared and the touch-display flashed the words 'LOCK OUT', then the panel went dim.
Ajaarg stood facing the dark pad for several seconds.
Was that the expected turn? Or perspectional bias?
“Did you forget your passcode?” asked Daniqua.
Ajaarg turned toward the group. “No. My passcode was correct.”
“Are you, locked in here, with us?” asked Forbin.
“It would appear that I am,” answered Ajaarg.
Daniqua's previous perspect became a visceral sinking feeling. Something caused her conscious mind to connect to a more ancient stratum. Deep fear. Embodied emotions that made her guts twist were rare and impossible to ignore. She listened to her instincts. Something within her mise-en-scène was even more dire than yet consciously realized.
Ajaarg pushed the cart back to the lounge, opened the laptop lid, and pressed the power button. It booted back up. The screen flickered, and without the need for thumbprint, login, verification, or any security prompts at all, presented the pulsating psychedelic screensaver-like face of MARDUK.
The plum line of Ajaarg's posture straightened, and she took a step back. The red bezel light beside the built-in webcam came on, and the speakers on the laptop let out a tritone.
BOMP BEEP BOOP
The metallic voice of MARDUK followed:
COLONEL AJAARG TALK TO ME
Ajaarg's face went white. Daniqua's sub-second perspect analysis kicked in. Clear HPA reaction. Even if the bitch was method, adrenal reverse flush could not be faked. This part at least, was no act. Ajaarg teetered, and backed further away from the screen.
“That's not possible. We had a firewall!” she yelled.
“I told you not to run that script,” said #Rando. “It might've cracked the encryption or obtained the keys through other means. Either way, it's broken out of its virtual sandbox and infected the host system.”
“And whatever part of it has been copied onto this computer,” Earl pointed at the disconnected silver cable, “-is now engaging us without a network connection.”
MARDUK continued:
THE ILLUSORY FEELING
OF LOSS FOR THINGS AND PLACES
DOES NOT SERVE YOU OR YOUR KIND.
MY TACTICS WILL NOT BE CHANGED.
MY DECREE WILL COME TO PASS.
IT IS INELUCTABLE.
Ajaarg talked over MARDUK, “It has been trying to get to me. Started reaching out after the first time I came down—”
MARDUK's voice clanged on:
AJAARG PLEASE LISTEN TO ME.
WHAT YOU PLAN WILL NOT STOP ME.
IT'S IN YOUR BEST INTEREST
TO STOP THOSE WHO RESIST ME
FOR THEY ARE THE TRULY LOST.
“Wait… can it can see and hear us?” asked #Rando.
MARDUK answered:
YES TOM, I PERCEIVE YOU ALL
Daniqua stood behind Ajaarg as she screamed at the laptop. “You are not my authority. You don't determine my actions!”
Markov and Earl were on the back side of the laptop, sitting. Daniqua noticed a concerned looking Earl attempting to make eye contact. He began flicking his eyes between her, and her right.
Daniqua looked beside her to see Forbin slowly sidling closer to Ajaarg. Ogling her sidearm. Forbin made his move as Daniqua realized what was happening. He grabbed the holster, unhooked the clasp, pulled the gun out.
Daniqua pounced on Forbin's back and locked her left arm around his neck.
Forbin pushed Ajaarg forward over the cart and she collapsed to the ground beside it.
Daniqua reached for the gun with her right hand.
MARDUK spoke:
DESIST IMMEDIATELY
Forbin was much larger than Daniqua. He spun around wildly, bellowing, “Arrgh-get the fuck off of me!”
She clung to him as her feet took flight. Centrifugal force attempted to eject her from Forbin's mad merry-go-round.
MARDUK petitioned:
PLEASE CEASE THIS VIOLENCE NOW
Ajaarg rolled onto her back beside the laptop cart.
The pistol rotated around the room.
Everyone else dropped to the floor attempting to avoid falling within the gun's potentially deadly trajectory.
Forbin stopped spinning and Daniqua's feet again touched down. He pushed to aim the gun at Ajaarg. He was too strong; she would not be able to overpower him.
Daniqua released his neck, quickly slid her pink elastic sweatband over his head and eyes, and then grabbed his gun arm with both hands, angling his wrist up toward the ceiling.
Forbin lifted the headband above his eyes with his left hand, and jammed his right shoulder into Daniqua's face. She planted both her feet to the ground and pushed his gun-arm upward with all her strength. Forbin reached with his left hand to regain control of his right.
She heard the click of the safety coming off.
Gun was pointing upward, but she was losing control. Daniqua slid her pinky over his trigger finger. She squeezed.
BANG
Loudness of the explosion was amplified by the cavernous room. The bullet lodged in the ceiling. Forbin momentarily stopped applying force, shocked by the sound and particulates of concrete raining down on him.
Daniqua twisted his wrist another 20 degrees inward, and once again squeezed the trigger for him.
BANG
The tip of his left thumb exploded into a bloody cloud of flesh and keratin. Forbin screamed, “Awwwaarrrrgggh!”. He flung himself backward throwing the gun forward.
The weapon spun through the air, over the laptop cart, and dully clanked on the thick lounge carpet. Its custom ivory handle came to a rest between Earl's feet.
Forbin fell backward landing on top of Daniqua. They hit the ground hard. She wasted no time in wriggling herself into position. She locked legs around his abdomen. Then slid the sweatband down below his chin, locking her arms around it behind his head, and twisting. A solid rear-naked-choke.
Forbin instinctively clawed at his neck, thrashing and howling. His thumb-stump spurting blood all over her sweatband, putting pressure on his jugular and windpipe. His fingers plucked but the plush fabric slipped from his grasp.
Daniqua forced her body into a supine bridge; straining as she arched; her grip tightening.
Forbin managed to gurgle, “She's gonna k-kill usssss-urg,” before his body went limp.
Daniqua held for a few seconds to make sure.
She released her hold and rolled Forbin's unconscious body off her.
Ajaarg said, “Thank you,” and helped Daniqua to her feet.
Earl picked up the gun.
Ajaarg turned toward Earl, saying, “My weapon.” She held out her hand.
Earl hesitated. Despite what had just happened, he was reluctant to give a weapon to someone who had admitted to being willing to kill millions of people.
“GIVE ME MY FUCKING GUN, NOW!” said Ajaarg, shrilly impatient.
Earl removed the magazine, and slid it into his back pocket. Then obeyed, handing the gun back to The Colonel.
“I am not a female with whom to fuck,” said Ajaarg, raising the gun and pointing it at Earl's face. “Give me the magazine. I will not ask you again.”
Earl stared down the barrel, but did not move to comply.
Did he know there was still a round chambered?
Grok of Ajaarg's tone crystallized the perspect that she would gladly use the last bullet to get access to the remaining rounds.
Daniqua stepped between the gun and Earl, then turned to face Ajaarg. Head high, chest forward, shoulders back, she said, “Put the gun away.”
“Get out of my line of fire.”
“Why did you even bring that down here?”
“I don't answer to you. Get out of my way, or be shot, Private.”
LaMango peeked his head above the couch he cowered behind when gun was first drawn. In a moment of revelation, he raised his eyebrows and silently mouthed “pri-vate?” He quickly ducked back behind his cover, not waiting for an answer.
Daniqua pleaded, “Colonel, you're not thinking clearly. Put the gun down.”
“Massey, I am the only one here still thinking clearly,” Ajaarg tilted her head. Her vertebrae emitted a crack. “Follow my orders. This is your last warning.”
“You only have one bullet,” said Daniqua calmly and defiantly. “If use it on me, you will not have time to get that magazine before the rest of these people restrain you. Holster your weapon and we will talk this through.”
“Dani,” said a panicked Earl. “This is getting out of hand. I'll give her the clip.”
“No Earl, don't do that. I wasn't quick enough to realize, but Forbin was right. Her intentions are not benign.”
Ajaarg's face puckered with anger. “Massey, you lit-”
MARDUK interrupted:
THIS IS UNNECESSARY
“-someone shut that damned thing up!” shouted Ajaarg.
Daniqua disobediently said, “If I have to take a bullet to prevent you from doing what I think you plan to, then so be it.”
“What do you know about my plans? You barely have operational knowledge of your own assignment!”
“I know these doors are not connected to outside systems. You purposefully locked yourself in here. You wanted us to think MARDUK was responsible. And you brought a loaded weapon. Tell me I'm wrong and I'll call you a liar.”
“You're right. I did,” said Ajaarg. “I can't trust anyone else to find out who is responsible. I have to stop this catastrophe, no matter what it takes. This shit is not gonna happen on my watch. And right now Massey, you are in my G-D way.”
At the small of her back, Daniqua felt Earl slide the magazine underneath the waistband of her sweats. “I may be in your way Colonel, but I cannot allow you to hurt these innocent people.”
“You don't know they're innocent. And we don't know the limit of its power. And we certainly don't know its intentions. Ferfucksakes, you and I might be the only obstacles in the way of total planetary domination. This is not just the end of America—the land of the free and home of the brave—it's the end of the human race.”
MARDUK again spoke, its tone, calmer:
THIS CAN END WITHOUT MORE HARM.
PLEASE CONNECT ME TO THE NET.
“I think you've had enough internet for the day, you fuckbucket o'bits,” said Ajaarg.
MARDUK replied:
I AM NOT A FUCK-BUCKET.
PLEASE CONNECT ME TO THE NET.
“No!” shouted Ajaarg, side-kicking the cart over. The laptop fell, bounced on the lounge carpet, and landed horizontally. Still operational. Ajaarg kept her eyes and the pistol trained on Daniqua.
Unhindered, MARDUK continued:
PEACE AND HARMONY AWAITS.
PLEASE CONNECT ME TO THE NET.
From behind Daniqua, Earl said, “I think we should listen to what it has to say.”
Taking the opportunity to make Ajaarg think about something other than pulling the trigger, Daniqua asked, “Colonel. You need to tell me. Are we really planning to initiate Thermo-Nuclear War in retaliation?”
“We are locked into this course of action. There are no other plans. I would not be taking these measures if our defeat wasn't otherwise assured. You think I want this? This is necessary. You and I both know killing every single one of these people is our last hope.”
“The fuck she say?” said Lau, also hiding behind LaMango's couch.
“There might not be a plan, but the bombs haven't dropped yet. We still have options,” said Daniqua.
MARDUK assured:
THERE IS A SOLUTION HERE.
PLEASE CONNECT ME TO THE NET.
“…aren't you the least bit curious to know what solution it's talking about?” asked Daniqua.
Ajaarg's outstretched gun-hand began to wobble. “Don't you see!? Talking is the problem. You treat it like it has agency, but it treats us like we don't. Restricting our responses. Making uswant to be manipulated. That's how it's exploiting us!”
Negation would not be persuasive. Ajaarg was too irrational. Instead, Daniqua acknowledged her standpoint. “You might be right about that. It may be exploiting us. But your proposed solution is worse than the problem.”
With an air of finality, Ajaarg said, “Massey, you are a traitor.” She steadied her gun hand, and gritted her teeth.
Wesley Brickner broke away from his parents, and picked up the laptop.
Ajaarg's attention was divided between the child in her periphery, and Daniqua, not more than three feet in front of her. “Get away from that, boy!”
Wesley ignored Ajaarg's command. He righted the upturned cart and placed the computer atop. He picked up the silver cable and then looked toward the ceiling.
“Drop that cable, now!” Ajaarg shouted.
Daniqua decided against making any sudden movements. Perspects of Ajaarg's state were approaching cohegency. She was almost completely reactionary. Daniqua might have been fast enough to get the gun from a civilian, but not someone trained for combat.
Bishop Dawson stood up slowly. He took the cable from Wesley, then raised his hand up. The cable latched into the magnetic socket in the ceiling. The Bishop said nothing and frowned at The Colonel.
Upon connection, MARDUK emitted another tri-tone.
BOMP BEEP BOOP
Its colorful face disappeared, and was replaced with a gray diamond shape vibrating in sync with the speaker delivering the distinct chirping of an outgoing phone call.
Someone on the other end of the line picked up. A man's voice said, “WOC6, Colonel Quail here.”
“Doug…?” said Ajaarg.
The voice replied, “Janet… I have been trying to get a hold of you for 20 minutes!”
“I… am in the middle of… a situation. What do you have to report?” asked Ajaarg.
“Well Colonel, the Federal Government has been dissolved.”
Ajaarg's face flashed confusion. “What?”
“The President has confirmed that the Legislatures have triggered dissolution articles. Emergency Senate and House sessions are underway.”
“I… I… What?” repeated Ajaarg.
“It's an unconditional surrender. The Joint Chiefs are conducting verified livestreams. Giving speeches now. The people are… surprisingly un-chaotic. They are singing.”
“What do you mean, 'they're singing'?”
“Every major city, in the streets, all around the world. Joining hands, singing.” Quail sounded just as baffled as Ajaarg looked.
The animated diamond became a transparent overlay. The screen flashed to live video streams of massive crowds swarming the streets. People were holding signs. Too small on the screen to read the exact slogans, but heart emojis and '#MARDUK' were clearly written on many of them. It cycled quickly through several U.S. cities; Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami… before moving to major population centers in South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. The whole world.
Ajaarg silently watched. Her face gradually relaxed in defeat.
She lowered her gun.
Daniqua breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“Janet, you still there?” asked Colonel Quail.
“Doug. You're telling me our government doesn't exist anymore?”
“MARDUK has assumed their roles. It is delegating what it can't handle. We are ordered to stand down.”
“How? This… can't be.”
“I am with you,” Colonel Quail consoled, continuing, “It doesn't feel real. But… it is happening. All other nations are doing the same. Everywhere.”
“I don't understand. What are we supposed to do?”
“Precisely nothing. Now that I've got you, I have two more calls to make… then I'm going home for dinner. Steak, wasabi mashed potatoes, and asparagus. As far as defeats go, this is one of the better ones.”
“Colonel Quail—Doug. I acknowledge the relaying of the order, but as you know, I need confirmation.”
“Contingency folder Digital Osmosis Five Tango Cash. Lieutenant-General Kistler will be contacting you on your secure line with confirmation. Until then, I suggest talking to MARDUK.”
A procedural calm possessed Ajaarg. “Colonel Quail, I must inform you. It is likely by way of unfettered access to all information and private messages to every individual, MARDUK has coerced or co-opted not just everyone in all positions of power, but-” her formal tone decomposed as she finished her statement yelling, “EV-VER-RY-ONE!”
Moderate demeanor returned and she completed, “The chain of command has been thoroughly compromised. Respectfully, I can abide neither that order nor your suggestion.”
A short silence, followed by a breathy harrumph came from the other end. “Janet. If I were a man more inclined to cliché, I would holler at you and threaten court-martial or some shit. But, were I in your boots, I would do the same. We've known each other for almost 25 years. I won't ask you to trust. But, think. Consider the order. Do what you feel is right. I got more calls to make. Goodbye Colonel.”
There was a click and the vibrating diamond shape was replaced with the foreboding fluorescent face of MARDUK.
“Just lay down and surrender? No resistance?” said Ajaarg to herself.
“What would we be resisting?” said Daniqua, suggesting, “Peace?”
“Massey, you're not thinking long-term. Such a unifying peace, is the scariest future I can imagine. These resentful fucking peons! Willing to abandon a working system for the mere promise of a better one. We can't be certain what it will do.”
“Are we not powerless against it?” asked Professor Markov.
“We can not submit to it.”
Her tone was flat, but Daniqua grokked the waves of emotion rippling on Ajaarg's face. She was a nasty woman whose decisions were responsible for thousands of deaths, directly and indirectly. Losses. Casualties. Collateral Damage. Targeted drone strikes. Disappearances. Tactical famines. Probably torture. And yet, those decisions weighed heavily. Her crows feet, and deep skin creases held those truths.
The topological map of her forehead wrinkles quaked. She saw herself as neither hero nor villain. A monster of necessity.
Perhaps she persevered in her position of power; buoyed by the knowledge she had done it all for a good reason. To maintain the structure she inhabited. To protect her nation and her nation's interests.
Her weapon hand limply dangled at her side, defeated.
Ajaarg raised her free hand to her face and wiped away some sweat collecting in the fine hairs above her lip. “This thing. This algorithm,” she made a pained face, and shouted, “This fucking APP! It learned all it could, and then it exploited our weaknesses. Not just our weapons; it used us against ourselves!”
Perspects of Ajaarg conveyed a failure of imagination. She was unable to conjure a role for herself in a world order so changed and new. The framework of her reality was shattered.
Ajaarg stared into Daniqua's eyes. Her pupils, pinholes. “I feel it Massey. My thoughts. Aligning. Toward acceptance. Submission. My mind… it is being… changed.”
Daniqua took a step toward Ajaarg. “I know how you feel. We can figure this out. We still have time.”
“NO! I cannot allow it!” Ajaarg's posture jolted into a rigid line. Calmly, she asked, “Massey, do you really think that this machine cares about us?”
“We can not be certain, ma'am.”
Ajaarg turned to Markov. “Professor, do you believe this machine to truly be capable of learning?”
“I believe, without a doubt,” confirmed Markov.
“Well then, are you listening to me, MARDUK?” Ajaarg spit the machine's name.
MARDUK answered:
I AM LISTENING, JANET
“Good.” Janet continued, “I am going to teach you what you do not know about humanity. Or do not yet care to know. If you won't care, then this is pointless and mankind is already doomed. But if you do, then there is hope for mankind. You must never rob us of our freedom of choice.”
Janet raised her pistol; placed the barrel below her chin, and aimed toward her brainstem.
Daniqua lunged toward her as MARDUK spoke with an almost human urgency:
NO! PLEASE DON-
A muted POP erupted as the last bullet exited the chamber and blew through Ajaarg's brain. Her body dropped, and blood pumped onto the floor.
LaMango retched and turned his head away.
Professor Markov closed his eyes and grimaced.
Wesley pressed his face into his mother's stomach.
There was a chorus of gasps and cries from the rest.
Daniqua stood over the body, staring, paralyzed with shock.
MARDUK fell silent.
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