Sept 8: Sharkzilla vs Mechaheadmistress

[Toshiro Narumi]

In the afternoon, Tosh knocked on Minamida's office door. This was scarier than even the mission, but somehow exhilarating too.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Come in." she calls. When Tosh steps inside she's sitting at her desk, staring blankly into the space a computer monitor would usually occupy on the desk.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I..." began, fighting his nerves, "I had some questions about the project that I... umm... didn't feel safe committing to email."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I assure you, our email servers are quite secure, Mister Narumi." she says and after a pronounced blink turns to look at him.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I didn't want to trigger anything in the system that might effect the AI," he said with a whisper at the end.

[Ashlie Minamida]

Ashlie seizes up noticeably. It almost looks conspicuous on purpose. "What are you talking about?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I figured out what I'm helping do and Rob filled in the blanks. I still want to help... I think."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"There is no AI, Mister Narumi. What I asked you two to help with is reclaiming my mother's work. Did Rob tell you he was working to free an AI?" she asks almsot threateningly, silently hoping that Tosh will either understand the hint or be too scared to tell her otherwise. She really doesn't want to be forced to intervene.

[Toshiro Narumi]

He stepped back, looking surprised and more than a little hurt. "I..." he began nervously, "...f-figured it out m-myself..."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Toshiro, I'm sure you are a clever young man, but we're all flawed, yes? If I were to learn that someone is trying to meddle with any hypothetical AI then I would be forced to take action. I'm certain you must be mistaken." she says, her expression still hard but her eyes almost seem pleading.

[Toshiro Narumi]

He clearly didn't completely understand but he did notice the expression in her eyes.

Is this one those safeguards? She can't even discuss what she is?

"I... guess my imagination could have gotten the better of me..."

[Ashlie Minamida]

She finally seems to calm down. "It's understandable that you would be concerned. My mother was cautious as well, which is why she put in a lot of effort to ensure that her work would not be abused. Do you understand what I'm saying?" she asks, speaking very slowly and carefully, almost as if she was watching her words carefully.

[Toshiro Narumi]

He nodded. "It would have been like a child to her, and children need protection."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Yes and parents an often be overzealous. They might decide that a child needs to be protected from itself. How would you feel if your parents had decided your other half was too dangerous? Too great a risk to the world to be left unchecked?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I wouldn't feel that was fair."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Good, I think so too." she smiles faintly. "Does that answer your question?"

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I believe so, yes."

[Ashlie Minamida]

She nods. "I'm sorry I can't be more forthcoming with you."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Some things are just hard to make yourself talk about," he said. He could sympathize with that, at least.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I wish I had the luxury of making a decision like that, even a detrimental one."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Will reclaiming your mother's work give you that option?"

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I hope it will. I unfortunately don't have much insight into her work, as most of her notes died with her."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"I'd be proud to help you find out."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Thank you, Tosh. I appreciate it."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"That's the first time you've called me Tosh," he smirked.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Very observant." she smiles.

[Toshiro Narumi]

"Toshiro always makes me feel like I'm in trouble."

[Ashlie Minamida]

"I really hope you won't get in trouble."

[Toshiro Narumi]

"For what? A hypothetical exercise?" he asked, playing dumb. Well, trying to. He was a terrible liar.

[Ashlie Minamida]

"Of course not. That would be silly." she says, almost sounding as if she's telling it to herself to some extent.