Humble Beginnings
Flood: Operative, after more reflection upon life, the universe, and so forth, and possibily due to yet another encounter with a simulacrum of that snooze, Morpheus, the Merovingian has given me a question he wants answered: was there something in the ancient relationship between humans and the Machines that inspired the Machines to use humans as their sole energy source? I've been at my wit's end trying to come up with an idea of where we can obtain such obscure information; and really, what's the point? There's just no reasoning with the Merovingian when he gets that far-off glint in his eye. I couldn't care less if the Machines powered themselves with nuclear energy or grape jelly. Well. Malphas had some ideas not worth mentioning... I, however, came up with the brilliant plan of consulting the Oracle. She seems to like you--I've no idea what she sees in you--so off you go.
Operator: Everybody knows the old Zion stories about that first robot who developed independent will and rebelled against his cruel human master, and then how the Machines went off and built their own city-state and got rich selling products around the world, and people got jealous and nuked the bejeezus out of 'em--or tried to. I saw a few old vid tapes when I was back in Zion that were supposed to be from back then; they seemed legit enough...but then again, the Machines invented Zion itself, so who can say what the real history was? Dunno if the Oracle would give us the real skinny even if she could, but I guess it's worth a shot. Bet you Dollars to donuts that she's "expecting" you.
Seraph: Welcome.
The Oracle: Oh, well...you know how old stories are. They always get a little exaggerated. You don't really think that all humans hated the Machines for being successful at business, do you? Or that all the Machines were interested only in business, for that matter? Nope, things are always more complicated than black and white...although the Machines were simpler back then. You people had a considerable head start on getting your heads muddled up.
The Oracle: Oh, I'd say they've just about caught up by now. They're fast learners, you know...and they've had good teachers.
Seraph: I hope the Oracle's answer will help you.
Flood: Typical of her--all smoke and mirrors, I will admit that I didn't expect her to resort to such cheap shots as that "simpler back then" crack. Hm... Shhh! Quiet, operative; I'm getting another idea, and it needs space to breathe and mature, like ripening fruit... Ah! There it is. An obsessive hoarder calling himself "Binary Boy" lives nearby. Hm? Why, I had one of our street urchins tail him home for a shiny nickel, once. May I continue? Thank you. It is my belief that he possesses a certain special access code. You're going to go get it.
Flood: Don't let him see you, operative; I want him left in the dark. I know that should go without saying, but I always have to remember that it's you I'm dealing with. In the dark to begin with...
Operator: Put a glove on that code. I think it's what we're after.
Operator: That's the ticket. Get out of there before he sees you.
Flood: Just as I thought: he's been taking advantage of a special access code to get into the Zero One archive directly, without having to go through the Archivists. He could get live runtimes out without alerting the Machines. Useful, no? Unfortunately, at this point I have to call in the Effectuator to handle a certain construct transaction. If that nitwit spoils my brilliant scheme, I'll serve him his own toupee...
Operator: Seems like this is getting complicated. What's Flood up to, and how is this going to tell us about the good old days? Anyway, Mr. Good Times himself is waiting in there.
The Effectuator: Hey! Did you really get a direct access code for Zero One? Man! I need you to come to more of my parties. This has real possibilities! Okay, for now, just stick 'er in the computer over there, and we'll kick off the transfer program.
The Effectuator: That Binary kid has more going on upstairs than I thought. Maybe it's time ol' Effy paid the tyke a visit of his own...
Operator: Whoa! Is that what I think it is? Um... I guess you'd better get it out of there... Maybe out the back way...
The Effectuator: Yes! I'm awesome! Check that out!
Taskmaster: 01101000 01100101 01101100 01101100 01101111 00100000 01110111 01101111 01110010 01101100 01100100.
Flood: Don't go towing that thing all over town frightening our clients, operative. If someone starts asking too many questions, just tell them it's your sister. They ought to believe that.
Operator: Whew! I'll be glad when that dead weight is off our hands. Looks like you're all clear for the time being, though. The Merv is waiting for you in there.
Beirn: Aw, that bucket of bolts ain't so tough.
Persephone: Such power, but so crude...
Operator: Oops, there's the Effectuator. Let's see what he's up to.
The Effectuator: The Merovingian's just scanning the robot's code.
Operator: So, did we get anything?
The Effectuator: What does it eat?
The Merovingian: Tres interessant... The thing's code is indeed much more simple than what we see in even the most rudimentary modern Machine program. It lacks complexity--the optional subroutines that would give it unique behavior, and the ability to solve problems creatively. Could it be that the Machines came by such things gradually--an evolution, or learning process? Hm... Perhaps this early simplicity led to a reliance on humans.
The Merovingian: Simplicity never survives long in a complex world. Unfortunate. Machines of this early type would have been quite...useful.
The Effectuator: I really gotta talk to Binny. He's bound to have more copies of that access code...
Persephone: Culture, refinement, grace, elegance; these things are acquired. Some think they are everything; others treat them only as what my husband would call "contrivances"--tools to cow the ignorant. Few appreciate beauty for it's own sake.
Flood: "Evolution" is an optimistic term, Mayk...and a two-way street for some.
((That's all for now until next crit.))
