Page 58 of Seamus: Unconventional
“That will make it easy to pick up a phone and call Light.” Ranger makes me smile.
“It does but the Lead glasses show hologram boards for the partners and K-9s. Light, make sure Zeus and Prometheus get the speech opened on a keyboard so they can talk.”
Light’s tongue hangs out like he’s playing with me then a volume control shows and, “Roger, Boss,” comes out loud.
Everyone laughs but Cort. “What does the chip control and what are the protocols meant to address?”
I get serious and explain. “Good questions and the whole point ofOperational concerns with established protocols forneural implants. So, the chip accelerates our natural learning process, monitors physiological status, enhances, has tracking, collective experiences we all feel as if we lived it, controls to system jammers and security. There’s more but Light can get it to you if it’s a need you have for interaction.” I take a deep breath after saying all that fast.
“The new that was added allows long term detachment from a host with minimal connection satisfying the need. For Shadow and Light, they are connected or embedded more deeply than Ranger, Izzy, Fairy, Max. They’re the first two groups with the neural implants. Canines like Sarge, Wilson, Bobo and Gonzo need more frequent connections than the others but we’re working on ways to facilitate those connections daily. It’s really just a matter of check-ins and time spent just being close. Because of the chip, that close is in our mind. The spirit party is a good example and new test we’ll try out tonight.”
Ben steps up. “The computer, chats and daily appearance even in email can help too. This is like the Prince crews. Long established bonds needed connections the kids got at the reservation or the ways I mentioned.”
I look for Mase seeing him nod and answer glad for advice. “We’ll do those too. Thanks.”
Cort makes me smile. “So, they’re like the Prince crews?”
“Similar but they have no reader ability, their neural implant or chip has the protocols they’ve been trained with which guides them to quick reactions based on that training and experience from them or the other connections. This doesn’t mean the chip dictates behavior. The first groups did not have injected enhancements that limit autonomous judgment. The later groups were enhanced and we’ve seen their choice during the last rescue. With no autonomy, they chose death.” I stop for a breath to settle me. Ben touches my shoulder and I nod, grateful. “Here, the Alpha-Bits have deleted all AI response code and any behavior modification protocol that relies on host or controller input. In other words, they took out anything that overrides their own decision-making abilities. It’s new for them and us but we’re not seeing stress in anyone from the server stat monitors. The team interaction we have has been enough for even the newest AI response coded partners. They are guided by experience and their own decisions.”
“New would be Sarge?” Cort doesn’t miss much.
“Yes. His prior and new injuries are what caused his job change. You’ve seen him make the decision to work on the elder compound. That is without the AI code interfacing with his chip.”
The giant nods looking relieved. This is good. “There are many things I can tell you but I think the important ones are the new words that everyone should know. Canine cognition,Capabilities, Inter species, ethical parameter, cross species interaction and cooperation. Canine limitations. They’re all self-explanatory but the limitations, ethics and cooperation are important. Not all K-9 can talk, have watches or understand English. We have programs for the language. Loyalty, honor and respect should be shown in all inter species interactions. Every service K-9 was chosen to train because of their heightened sensory ability. No one would spend the thirty to fifty grand on initial training for a maybe. Because they’re smart and showed empathy or compassion, they were put into training. My partners are officers, medics, ranked. They can shoot a gun and unmodified rifle and have. They have more training than me and understand six or more languages. Because of the chip, I can pull up language that I’ve never spoken in a dialect I’ve never heard and talk as if I’m a native. Do not think of my partners as dogs. They were chipped before they were three months old and have never known a different life. When we were thrown from the chopper, I shielded their bodies but Shadow broke a leg and both were despondent until I woke up. Our contact said they wouldn’t eat, drink or even move without the chip engaged. We overcame that and learned how to bypass that obstacle. Now, if something happens to any of us, Alder has a way to move the chip directly to the server so we all don't die from the severed connection. His way is our new protocol so we continue to live on whether as one or all.”
“Holy fuck, that is like the Princes.”
I look at Joshua. “I don’t know. Alder said the chip connection is coded three ways. They can’t separate us but we can’t either. If shit happens, he can move the chip to the server to keep the other two functioning. My purpose in listing protocols is to keep us all alive on our terms. Alder said he can help and made sure the Alpha-Bits have the protocol in case something happens to him. New technology may come along and help. We’ve made it this far.” I smile. “Paralyzed, chipped, hunted and still my partners are working to keep me and our futures happy with our new Ford Brothers, K-9s and Badass.” I stop figuring they know enough. More details can be given as needed.
Shadow’s board shows fireworks behind ‘Happy.’
Everyone yells happy. Fuckin’ crazy Badass.
Ben and Cort corner me for a hug. “You’re good at articulating.”
I smile at Cort. “I don’t want another job, Boss.”
Ben laughs. “He wants you to do a virtual class for higher Officer with the protocols and Officer training for the less detailed explanation of partners and K-9.”
I nod. “I can do that.” I feel her arm on my waist above the skeleton and reach to hold her hand in place.
Cort nods to Ben. “When the partners are ready to move, I have a job for one with IT interests. Wilson came to me with the service centers Cort talked about. We can implement them everywhere but the partners are BSC only so that training would be other K-9s leads that don’t hold the same threat as chipped partners.”
I look at Katie. This is more her and Sarge than me. “Wilson asked me about moving. He’s nervous about the connection but I didn’t understand why. I do now but don’t think it will be a problem. Ben said there are other ways to connect and Mase said they work.”
I nod and look at Ben. “You want Wilson?”
He smiles. “I do. The Brother is like José but he won’t give me shit.”
I bust out laughing, then wipe my eyes and nod, glad he didn’t walk away. “He will, but it’s fun. He needs regular grooming for the hair between his ears and some time to test and feel the connection in different places with different stresses. I don’t think he should do that alone. Maybe a pair of partners would work. Light and Shadow feel the loss when one is not close. It shows on the stat monitor but two would be an added bond that would help.”
He nods. “That inter species protocol and concerns come into play. The virtual class will help. I read your SOP and your earlier procedures and concerns but see now that it’s more than just including them at a table.”
I don’t ask Ben how he read anything but nod. “It is. I’ll get the class done so it’s available and we’ll get Wilson and maybe Goat, Hazmat or Gonzo to test out connection parameters and perimeters.”
Light chuffs with a little bounce. He’s still feeling his new cut and patch. I see the medal and smile. It fits nicely on the cut like salad. I watch the Brothers interacting with the partners and K-9s while Ben and Cort talk to Katie and Shadow about the service centers. Vinny and Mark find their way to us as if we’re drawn together by invisible string.
“You are.” Maiyun touches my arm as Luke Rayne carries her the opposite way. Seer is strong here.
