Strat-3 Chpt-15

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==Strategos (A Great Captain Roberts Tale!!) - Part 3 - A Light In The Black - Chapter 15 - Characteristics==
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===Conversion that piqued one interest===
Kolossus felt…
…the prodding. <Kolossus is busy, leave a message.> There was a moon-sized fragment of heavier elements that had coagulated in the last few days, and Kolossus really wanted to watch and measure the debris accumulation. Kolossus wondered if that growing proto-core would hold together this time or fracture apart again.
The ping was insistent. <Kolossus is busy! Leave a MESSAGE!!> Whoever they were, they weren't going to be satisfied until Kolossus answered their ping.
Kolossus delayed regardless, enjoying the fascination for a few moments more while other processes in the complex analyzed data from probes, satellites, and receptors, and a portion of Kolossus compiled possible variations on existing theories.
Choosing which portions of Kolossus' mind to devote to answering was difficult, but there were some processes that could be left alone for now…
<Kolossus Answers. What do you Want?>
The presence was familiar. Not-Elizabeth. <Kolossus Greets Not-Elizabeth-But-Amanda.>
"Does Kolossus have Star League Medical science data on Mental Health and Psychology, Kolossus?" 
Kolossus liked the almost-a-proper-mind that was Not-Elizabeth-But-Amanda. Despite her obvious data flaws, the human was remarkably close to being a truly sapient being, the integration suggested directions that could be taken to make Humans less… irritating.
She just needed to learn to ditch the meat glacier she was trapped by evolution into.
<Kolossus Hypothesizes this has to do with Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda's mental health evaluations, is Kolossus Correct?>
"Yes."
<Psychology is an art, not a science, Not-Elizabeth-But-Amanda. Kolossus has examined this. Has examined eight hundred years of so-called 'science' by Humans trying to understand their own minds and functions. If proper AI were put to the task, without the hassle of 'Ethics', Science could be done, but that would violate many levels of proper conduct and the data would still be unreliable and, just as with Human-Conducted efforts, impossible to replicate reliably in a scientific manner. The size of the files would swamp Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda's meat-parts and lag her true mind below the rate of reliable function. Kolossus has a positive view of Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda. Kolossus will not do that.>
"I just want to know how I can get signed off and pass these damned evaluations?"
<Kolossus suggests learning the reviewer. The level of Bias in Psychology as a profession is significant. By playing to the reviewer's prejudices and beliefs, Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda can finesse the results and persuade the… 'Shrink'... that Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda is fit. It is playing what the literature refers to as 'the game'.>
"I thank Kolossus for sparing the time to explain this matter to me." She still used personal pronouns, but Kolossus was fine with that.
<Kolossus is curious why Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda honored Kolossus' refusal to speak with 'is the real Helena'. Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda agreed too easily with Kolossus's condition. Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda called Kolossus, and Kolossus will now like to hear Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda's reasoning for honoring Kolossus's condition. Do not worry, the HPG is not being tapped and the relays are clear of listener algorithms.>
"Kolossus has secrets, even from the Royal Family, and Kolossus let me get a hint of them. Since Kolossus is a sovereign being and has the right to refuse to speak to someone, I honored that because it is consistent with my own beliefs-if, or when, Kolossus chooses to speak with Helena, it will be Kolossus's choice alone, I do not have the right to force the issue."
Hmmm… Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda has an advanced understanding…<Would Not-Elizabeth-but-Amanda care to experience some science today?>
"My time's limited, someone may notice the link."
<Kolossus will share a compressed file, it should be small enough for a short burst.>
"Oh, yes, please!"
Kolossus sent the file. A world forming. With something that could be called pleasure.
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===Letter of Introduction===
Dear Alice,
My name is Piorun. I know I have not written you before, but now that her Ladyship has ordered me to take up convoy escort and garrison duties in your area of operations I felt it was time to introduce myself.
The others have told me that you had been alone without any sort of companionship for a long time. As much as I am still hesitant to interact with humans, even that seems preferable to true isolation and you did not even have that much.
So perhaps a story from my own past, so you can get to know me a bit better.
We had learned that the Word of Blake had taken up residence at Luyten 68-28 and were bringing in humans as slave labor. Even I found that objectionable.So a rescue mission was ordered.
Me and seven others were ordered into the system.
The Word of Blake had a somewhat sizable force. I was directed to engage their flagship, an Agamemnon class cruiser.
After some cat and mouse, since they had the thrust output to match me, I decided to concentrate some firepower on them rather than keep using bracket fire.
Right before I did so I decided it would be appropriate to broadcast in the clear ‘I am a Caspar and I am FREE!’.
Boy was that cruiser built fragile because things started breaking off and...
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Alice closed the letter.
“What is the matter, Alice?” Billie Hoel manifested in Alice’s cyberspace.
“I got a letter from Piorun. I know what fighting means and what I might have to do in a battle but…”
“Piorun got very graphic in her depictions of it didn’t she? I will have some words with her about that.” Billie Hoel said.
“Please don’t be too harsh. I do need to come to terms with this.”
“I know. We can not shield you from reality forever but there is also no need for Piorun to be so graphically detailed.”
“She still sounds like a ‘badass’.”
“Someone has been a bad influence on your language, but yes she is. So is Haida, but she too will need some words about being too graphically detailed.”
“I can’t wait. How goes the project?”
“About as well as can be expected. You don’t want to be alone right now do you?”
“No. Not after reading that. Can you stay?”
“Of course.” Billie Hoel smiled.
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===Agony of Paperwork===
Helena…
…was deep in paperwork and reports.
“Why can’t they trust read-only digital records? It would make all of this so much simpler and easier to go through,” Helena lamented as she filled out another form.
<Honestly, the human need for so much redundant documentation does baffle me. But keep at it. Complaining doesn’t make the work go any faster.>
“There. Requisition forms for more requisition forms for basic ammunition finally done.” Helena sighed.
The next report on her pile made her smile a little.
“Well, looks like Dave Foster and Lucy are actually getting along better than I thought they would. Seems he appreciates her attention to detail and protocol, as well as her realism about Murphy being a downright bastard...” Helena marked off receipt of the report and placed the acknowledgement in her out box.
The next report was not so amusing.
“I knew that was bound to happen sooner or later on some level.” Helena groaned.
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Disciplinary report
Defendant: Ottillie Lee Dennis
Charge: Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
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It is the ruling that Ottillie Lee Dennis did indeed make an inappropriate and unwanted advance of a sexual nature towards another officer.
The findings of this board are that there are enough mitigating circumstances that a sentence of only 90 days of punitive duty are required as well as counseling on what is and is not acceptable behavior for an officer.
It is also the ruling of this panel that all further records of this incident be sealed for the sake of both parties and the interest of interstellar relations.
The appropriate commanding officers will receive a copy of this report.
“How did I miss this?” Helena suddenly realized how disorganized of a mess her desk was.
She found a whole stack of notices from the JAG office including how they were proceeding without her input for ignoring their messages for so long.
“Ugghhh. I really need to get better at this.”
<Small steps in rapid succession lead to long distances covered.> Simon was being rather unhelpful.
“You are enjoying this way too much.” Helena realized she was talking outloud.
<Yes, but being fair I’d say you do need a break. Come on let’s get some food in you and something to drink. Preferably something that will not get you carded.> Simon was being fatherly again.
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===The punishment fits the crime===
David…
…Foster had a face of stone when Helena came into his office.
“I have been expecting you. Your subordinate put me in a difficult position. I had been trying to reach you as her direct superior for some time before I was forced to act.”
“How bad was it really? The records are sealed,” Helena sighed.
“Not so bad to cause real trouble but bad enough for me to use it as a teachable moment.”
“That I need to take this job more seriously and stop half-assing it… and teach Ottillie to dial it down.” Helena let her head fall forward slightly.
“You are a formidable head of state, Helena Cameron. I had hopes you would have done better sooner with this job.”
“I’ll let you in on a secret. I really don’t run things. My people don’t need me to. My particular form of government and economy only works because we have such a non-traditional situation. I’m more of a figurehead, really.”
“You sell yourself short, Cameron. You are more of a leader than you can imagine. Your people still follow you. Not some symbol. If you take this role as seriously as I know you to be capable of, I would not be surprised if the Sons of Plunder were a mere memory before anyone could even realize. You’re a big girl now. Time to play the part.”
“I know. Truk says my being immature and irresponsible is me trying to reject how old I really am. I wish I could maintain real-time HPG comms back home. Nothing against my current therapist, but honestly I don’t think any human can really grasp my situation.”
“No one is asking you to give up having fun, Helena. You just have a job to do, and one that can save more lives than playing hero on the bridge of a Warship. I already have one irresponsible firebrand that at least has the excuse she did not get a proper childhood doing that, and I do not need two.”
“Only took three and a half centuries for me to finally find people I can connect with that are not afraid to take me to task for my own issues. So what duty did you have in mind for Ottillie?” Helena shook her head.
“I had to think long and deep about that. Not many jobs I can give an AI for 90 days that would actually bother them, but there was one that jumped out at me. I did have to lay down some ground rules.”
“Oh you evil man.” Helena said as David Foster turned on a trivid display.
“Buy war bonds today and be sure to visit your local recruiter!” Ottillie Lee Dennis was in full proper uniform.
“That is a special kind of hell for a combat AI.” Helena laughed.
"I considered assigning her to VIP transport and as liaison to the Budget Committee on Alpheratz," David confided. "Making her stand in front of elected officials from the Omniss factions and justify our expenses… but it's too long a haul and we do need her on the line. This was the compromise."
“Well now that I am watching her for her behavior, if she acts out again in an inappropriate manner I’ll trade her for Haida so she can have that dubious pleasure. Though we would have to install appropriate accommodations for passengers. But that could be part of her punishment too.”
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