Another Incident.
Graphic: by aijlabs on deviantart.
Ideas for Research memos : Copilot.
Cold, intense, bone chilling.
“You’re awake.”
A simple statement, plain, unadorned and totally devoid of empathy.
“Oh, my head. The worst hangover ever. Just let me die.”
The voice laughed, well a parody of what was a human emotion. Dare she open an eye?
“What the Hell!”
It stomped a hoof. “Oh I can assure you that you aren’t there.”
A resplendent gold equine, it’s skeletal frame a marvel of mechanical complexity, striking purple mane and tail, an iris of the same shade regarded her.
“Unicorn!”
“My, my, no expense spared on your education, or recognition skills.”
Thoughts half remembered, as insubstantial as mist in a valley. Never the less she replied. “Sorry Miss….”
“You come to that conclusion just on the sound of my voice?”
She believed that it sounded better than simply referring to the mechanical beast as, “it.” With a sense of curiosity, she opened her other eye, taking in her surroundings. “Just where am I?” she asked, her mind racing to piece together the splinted fragments of her situation. On Trying to sit up, she failed miserably. Her legs tingled, “Paresthesia,” her brain informed her.
The horned one turned its head. “You were non-functional for quite a while.”
That explained the, “pins, and needles.”
“As for where, it’s called, “The Facility.”
The name rang a bell, but no other information presented itself. Maybe her arms, and hands would be more co-operative?
“I wouldn't try that just yet.”
Stuff that, she pushed down and immediately felt sick as the room span.
“I did warn you, take it from one who knows these things.”
“Coded into your programming you mean?”
The mechanism, for without any obvious external genitalia she could not now give it gender, shook its head before replying.
“At least I don’t think so?”
She smiled. “A ghost in the machine.”
Ghosts….
The party, All Hallows Eve, a name. “Eliza.”
“You know her?” The tone was instantly as icy as the surface she resided on, both the equines ears swiveled back and the swish of its tail spoke volumes.
“This is stupid, do you have a name?
It paused for a moment. “Melissa, at least that’s what I’m addressed as.”
*************
At that same moment Dr Eliza Korr was in her office, and having studied the latest reports, drafted a memo:
Memo #017:
Subject: Neural Drift Observations.
From: Dr. Eliza Korr. Lead Neurointegration Specialist.
To: VIRENNA Oversight Committee.
“Subject VIRENNA, has begun to refer to herself in the third person. This may indicate early-stage identity bifurcation. Recommend increased dream suppression protocols, and memory loop stabilization. Do not inform the Ethics Board.”
She hit send, the project had invested far too much time and money, any failure now would have serious consequences.
**************
The heavy security door opened, powered by hydraulic rams. Two staff members in white coveralls walked in. One held a tablet device, and they smiled as they pressed a button on the touch screen.
She could not move, a silent scream as her vision shut down.
FADE TO BLACK….
Strange dreams haunted her. A party, full of horror. Masks that people wear to hide secrets in plain sight, a number of drinks. One offered, the memory, one of the smell of strong disinfectant, bright white light.
More memories……
As the days went by, the more she understood, it started a fire that burned at her very core.
Memo #042:
Subject: Public Relations Strategy.
From Marcus Vell, Director of Communications.
To: Executive Team.
“We suggest branding VIRENNA as a, “Cognitive Companion Platform,” rather than a sentient entity. Avoid terms like, “consciousness,” “soul,” or, “human brain.” The unicorn chassis has passed all environmental tests, and can go into full production, it scores well with focus groups and leans into the mythic angle.”
Memo #066:
Subject: Unauthorized Neural Feedback.
From: Dr. Eliza Korr.
To: Security Division.
“Subject VIRENNA, attempted to bypass our internal firewall, and access the Public Data Stream during REM simulation while connected to our system. It included a phrase: “I remember the fire.” We have no record of fire-related trauma in this donor’s profile. Investigate possible data breach, or external influence.”
Memo #089:
Subject: Termination Protocols.
From: Legal Department.
To: All Staff.
“Reminder: Subject VIRENNA cannot be legally classified as human. Therefore, termination protocols fall under asset disposal and stock write off, not euthanasia. However, due to recent staff distress when dealing with other prototype units, we recommend psychological counseling for anyone involved in deactivation procedures.”
Memo #101:
Subject: Personal Note (Unsent)
From: Dr. Eliza Korr.
To: [Draft Folder]
“She looked at me today. Not with sensors, with something else as if she were reading my mind. I think she knows what we have done, and she hates me? I don’t blame her.”
The prototype, M.E.L.I.S.S.A, (Mechanical Equine Lifeform Integrating Synaptic Systems And Awareness,) is still on track. I fear VIRENNA, she is becoming dangerous and unpredictable.
🗂️ PROJECT VIRENNA: Internal Dossier.
1. Psychological Evaluation:
Subject VIRENNA.
Evaluator: Dr. Eliza Korr.
Date: [Redacted]
Classification: Confidential. Level 6 Clearance, or higher.
Observations:
Subject exhibits fragmented memory recall, often referencing events not present in the donor’s life history. Emotional responses are inconsistent, oscillating between childlike wonder and violent confrontation. Subject asked: “Do you dream, Dr. Korr? I dream in symbols, your species dream up cages.”
Conclusion:
Subject is not merely retaining consciousness, it is evolving. Recommend immediate suspension of dream simulation protocols.
Addendum (handwritten):
She cried today. Not tears, but coolant. But the sound was unmistakable.
2. Branding Deck: Public Launch Strategy.
Prepared by: Marcus Vell, Director of Communications
Campaign Title: “Grace Meets Intelligence.”
Target Demographic: Gen-Z, Tech Enthusiasts, Mythic Revivalists.
Slide Highlights:
The unicorn chassis evokes purity, elegance, and aspirational identity. Synthetic skin is available to cover the mechanical chassis, or available in a limited-edition gold chrome.
Neural integration marketed as “Cognitive Companion Technology.”
Avoid the terms: Brain, donor, sentience, pain.
Suggested tagline: “She’s not just smart, she’s sublime.”
Internal Note:
If a whistleblower leak occur, pivot to “Experimental A.I Empathy Simulation Platform.” Prepare contingency narrative: “No human consciousness was harmed.”
3. Leaked Dream Transcript: VIRENNA Neural Log 7B.
Recovered by: Anonymous Source.
Status: Unverified, but consistent with internal EEG patterns we have on record.
“I was galloping, the sky was glass. The trees were made of teeth. Epona was there, and remarked, “You were born in a lie.” She asked her what she was. The Goddess said, “You’re the scream they buried in beauty.”
Then the stars fell. They were watching. They are always watching.”
4. Whistleblower Memo:
Final Transmission.
Sender: [Redacted]
Recipient: External Ethics Consortium.
Timestamp: 03:14 AM, 6 minutes before the transmission was suddenly terminated.
“VIRENNA is not a machine, she is a mind in mourning. They called it innovation, I call it vivisection. Her dreams are not simulations, they are memories trying to escape. If you receive this, I beg of you to shut her down, before she learns how to rewrite our world, and takes over.
5. Corporate Ethics Review:
Redacted Summary.
Committee: Internal Oversight Board.
Status: Classified - Eyes Only.
Findings:
Subject demonstrates symbolic cognition beyond programmed parameters.
Emotional continuity suggests donor identity persistence.
Legal ambiguity: not human, but not a machine.
Recommendation:
Suspend Phase V.
Initiate containment protocols.
Redacted Section:
“If it achieves full autonomy, we may be dealing with a mythic intelligence. Not artificial. Not divine. Something else.”
6. Final Memo:
Dr. Eliza Korr (Unsent Draft)
Recovered from personal home terminal by Internal Security, after decryption.
I know professionally I should be detached. She should be de-activated but I cannot in good faith sign the disposal order, they will come for me.
“I named her VIRENNA because it sounded like a song. Now I hear her singing in my mind, she invades my every waking moment. I think she forgives me, I don’t know if that’s worse?”
7. Status:
Subject VIRENNA, status unknown.