One of these things is not like the other - part 4

Posted on Wed Dec 7th, 2022 @ 6:52pm by Lieutenant Myne Redal & Captain Gary Taylor
Edited on on Wed Dec 7th, 2022 @ 6:53pm

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Deck 14 - Holodeck 4
Timeline: Prior to current mission
3939 words - 7.9 OF Standard Post Measure

//ON//

~~ Previously, on the USS Elysium ~~

"Hey not complaining at all! It is nice you say I give you confidence, but I think you've had it all along." Gary returned as he bent and gently scooped Myne into his arms and started to walk as she sang. He soon joined in singing.

~~ And now... ~~

Gary and Myne continued their singing as they made a rather good singing pair. Their voices blending well as they searched for the wizard which would free Myne. They walked the yellow brick road. Well, Gary walked, and he carried Myne has she was unable to walk due to her bound state.

After what seemed like hours and their search showing no sign of where the wizard might be, Gary spied a small outcropping of rocks. Could these be some of the rock people Myne had made earlier? Drawing closer, Gary saw these were just ordinary rocks with no faces drawn on them. "Going to sit you down for a bit Myne. My arms were cramping. Legs are fine but my arms needed a break." He explained as he sat Myne gently down on the rocks and then slumped to the ground next to her. His legs extended in front of him.

He turned his head to look up at her, "You okay Myne?" He was concerned how she was dealing with her situation. As he waited for her reply, he was thinking on their search and their inability to find the wizard. Were they overlooking or completely missing a clue that would point them in the right direction?

Myne for her part kind of forgot about her predicament. She did love singing after all and she took advantage of it to sing as much as she wanted to with Gary. It had been a lot of fun and it kept her mind away from thinking about other things. Like how this was her fault from the start. But hey, she got a friend and big bro out of it. This is where a disconnect took place in her mind.

On one hand Myne grew up without siblings, so the way Gary was making her feel as he carried her was both alien and familiar the same time. Alien because of the reason stated of course. But familiar because many of her previous hosts had grown up with both younger and older brothers and sisters. Feeling both how she had lived through such emotional closeness to someone before and at the same time she did not really did a number on her.

Gary's words shocked her out of her spiral her thoughts were taking her in and she nodded. "Yeah, thank you Gary. You know, for putting me down nicely and not dropping me like a sack of that weird round thing you Humans like to eat. Pantanto? Tomato? Something like that." She smiled and watcher him slump down next to her.

"I am dealing. More worried about you Garyman. We can't maintain this pace honestly. You look like you are wearing out and the day is passing by quickly. Are you sure we can't just call for Super Garrett with his theme song?" Shaking her head she looked up at the sky for a moment. "I swear, after this I am rewriting the holodeck protocols and algorithms from scratch. It's gonna make the holodecks milktoast and boring, but it should also lower the ridiculousness of these events by at least 75%. People keep getting trapped in these deathtraps way too often." She muttered.

Gary shook his head and chuckled at her, "No, I am fine Myne really." He assured her. "I just needed to stop and give my arms a rest, as I mentioned they were beginning to cramp." He smiled as he looked at her and said his next, "The word you are looking for is potatoes and I would never treat you like a sack of them." As he spoke Gary picked at the ropes binding Myne's ankles together. After several attempts and several minutes had passed nothing had changed. The ropes refused to loosen. He sighed in frustration. "Damn." he muttered. He had no doubt the ropes holding her wrists together would react in the same stubborn way.

"I don't think singing the Super Garrett theme song is going to help us find him Myne. Not that isn't a good idea. I think this is a supposed to be a quest for you. After all, you are the one being made to endure as you say the ridiculousness of these programs. This is all aimed at you Myne. I don't know why but there has to be a reason for it. Right?" He pushed himself up a little straighter as he looked up at her, "As for coping, you are doing far more then that Myne, you are winning. You are refusing to let this situation get the best of you. If I was in your predicament, I'd be tugging and yanking, rolling on the ground to get free. But you have the sense to save your strength and the foresight to see where this is all headed."

He leaned back against the rocks. "Let's rest a few more minutes than we'll get back to searching for the wizard." As he spoke, he was thinking on this entire situation, it all seemed vaguely familiar to him as if he had seen it or read about it somewhere. But where? He shook his head and hoped the answer would soon come to him before much longer. He knew despite his words of encouragement to Myne, she was completely frustrated by her helplessness, and he needed to change that.

As they rested, Gary thought about what he had told Myne about being his sister and he had meant every word of it. He never had a brother or sister and the idea of having a sibling appealed to him. He hoped Myne liked the idea of not being alone, to have someone always there for you, standing in your corner.

"Why nooot? I was reading up on ancient Earth history, as you told me to do, darn homework. Po-ta-to-es were apparently very important for your ancestors. Like seriously important, never did I see a vegetable so sought after!" She mused and sighed deeply. "Boo, I was really hoping for a easy way out. In a strange way this does give me an idea for the next story arc of the Super Garrett show. So there's at least that latinum lining, right?"

Mulling over his words, Myne nodded slowly and looked a bit saddened. "Yeah, I guess this whole fiasco is aimed at me. And you are giving me too much credit Gary. I have lived enough lives and through more, let us say terrible situations. I was actually almost killed in action by Starfleet marines once. Well, almost, the host did die after Redal was removed. You face death so many times, at some point you learn to somehow cope with less life threatening situations. Sometimes, not always."

"I am curious though big bro why did my program focus on Earth mythos for all of these theatrics? This was originally a archivistic AI. Something Naril dug up from a dead world. Poor folks were highly advanced in AI and robotics to the point they had them do everything. They never made it into space because they got too comfortable. To the point where they slowly stopped breeding and just, you know, faded away in comfort. Do you think my modified program just got bored with the task I set up for it?"

"Potatoes were important and because they were and are, I'm not going to drop you or cause you to be hurt. "No, I don't see an easy way out on this. I am afraid to say." He commented before his face broke into a huge smile. "A Super Garrett, story arc eh? Sounds interesting and anything for a profit right Myne?" Gary poked teasingly at her.

He paused before he said his next. "But why is this all pointed at you? Why would a holodeck program seek to make your life and situation uncomfortable? What does it want? What is it's end game?" He added. "I think you are coping quite well with this situation. I know you aren't happy and I don't blame you in the least for feeling that way. Loss of control can be a scary thing for some people. Glad you are handling it so well."

"I think I have an answer why the AI chose an Earth style program for as you pointed out theatrics. The crew is largely human, you interact with humans, it wanted a program you could identify with, and it knew you would have difficulty in clearing out the problem and would call me. So, it wanted a program I would be familiar with and able to deal with." He explained. "I also think your program got 'tired' of doing the same old thing and wanted some excitement in its routine and you were the perfect choice to provide that excitement and it wants to see how you handle the situation you find yourself in." He shrugged his shoulders, "So yes, it got bored for the lack of a better term. That's my theory for what it is worth."

Myne looked at Gary as if he has struck her over the head with a sledgehammer. "Wow, just wow. Anything for a profit?" She asked in shock as she stared at him completely leading him down the wrong path without intent. "Something must be wrong with me. I haven't thought about my profits or latinum stash in so long. Bro what the heck is wrong with me? I should get my head checked! Thank you for reminding me, I need to poke some people over some debts I have forgotten to collect!"

Exhaling and clearly serious about it, she makes a few mental notes, mumbling the names to herself as if to remember them better. Myne has some profits to reclaim once this is done! "Loss of control. Yeah, that's something one cannot ever get used to easily. But I think you are right big brother Gary. It does make a lot of sense. I did give it a very tedious and boring task to do because I myself got bored of it. Maybe I should have given it a personality to boot, but no sense in crying over spilled cows."

Shaking her head Myne thought a bit longer. "You know, now that I think about it, we would have been in maybe a lot more trouble if I had made a real AI. Thank the stars for hardware limitations, right? Still, technology is a wonderful thing isn't it? All I did is make a facsimile of the AI, to mimic some of its abilities. Gave it a framework for it to fill with feelings so it can be subjective in what it cuts off as to not ruin the programs people created. Then set it to work with my intended results and methods. And look what it has been able to do? All from what basically amounts to a primitive setup on my part."

One thing is clear, Myne is completely fascinated as she talks about this. Her passion radiating with every word as her smile broadens, clearly very proud of her program, despite how it turned on her. A trait all of Redal's hosts have shared.

Gary watches as Myne reacts to what he has said. Her attention as been diverted from her current situation to making a profit and collecting old debts owed her. "I don't think there is anything wrong with you Myne. I think you were preoccupied with other more important things like Super Garrett, making episodes for the Super Garrett gang, his leaving. Things like that." He stares at her as she mumbles names of people who obviously owe her money. "I think you gave it a personality at least a basic one for it to realize it was bored." He countered. "And it's spilled milk, not cows." He says smiling.

He sees her passion and pride. hears it in her voice, She, is proud of what she created despite being made a captive. by her own work. "I think it shows just how creative and talented you are Myne. You say this is a primitive setup on your part. I don't know but I take your word for it. Now look what your program has done. It created this program, lured you in, then had it so you called me. Not only that it has taken and made you, its prisoner. I mean you are its prisoner, right? You can't get free." He says the last sarcastically Not to hurt Myne but to remind her of her situation. "So, my question is how was it able to do all that?"

Gary sighs, "Um, a question for you. You aren't going to be selling copies of this little adventure, are you?" He has seen Myne's love for latinum but selling copies of this would be going too far in his mind. He continues to look at her as she sits on the rock, thinking, no doubt counting latinum bars in her head.

"Oh, milk? Well that makes a lot more sense! Thank you Gary! And yeah, things have been busy around the ship as of late." Myne agreed with the first part of his statement. Not necessarily the second. "Nah, I am just mooching on the hard work and knowledge of my past selves. Perks of being Joined, you know?" She chuckled as she boasted a little bit just because she could.

"But yeah, my little program is more impressive than I thought. But again, I have to stress, this is just a smaller version of what Naril has found. It is not all my credit. We keep looking for life out there and new civilizations, but we rarely pay attention to their work in the synthetic and programming spheres. You say it has me as its prisoner, it is true. But at the same time, the Naril part of me is fascinated by all of this. It was able to do all of this, because it is at least a shadow of the real AI blueprint I have saved in there." She nodded towards her PADD.

"That is not just a PADD Gary." Myne smiled as she admired her aged, century-old custom PADD, which suffered countless upgrades and more. "That is a ark. You hold in your hand almost four centuries worth of artificial intelligence from so many species. A true ecosystem in its own right. The latinum cost of precious parts required to keep that ark up to date and expanding is killing me sometimes. So, yeah, I will be selling copies of our adventure, but you know, heavily changed and modified. I will be keeping the premise though. Profits and all."

"That's a good perk then when you can both take advantage and profit from your past selves' endeavors. Nicely done." He followed Myne's gaze to her PaDD. "If it can create and do all this with a small portion of its original programming, I would hate to see what it could accomplish of the real AI blueprint."

"An ark huh? I believe it with the number of lives you've had and the countless races you have come in contact with. I would take exceptional care of that PaDD." He observed. "Yesh, I bet the cost to upgrade and improve gets expensive. So, you keep all the profit you make off your endeavors. Just make sure this little adventure is heavily modified and changed. I don't think you want anyone knowing about your predicament."

He paused as a scary thought came into his head. "You know, I just thought of something. We have to find the wizard to free you. This program is watching you, seeing how you react to your situation. You are in a way its teacher. What is to keep it from if not preventing at least making much more difficult for us to find the wizard? It could keep you bound indefinitely and me here with you." Gary observed. "Or am I missing something?"

"You wouldn't actually hate it too much. Or maybe you would, being pampered to high heavens might not be everyone's cup of tea!" Myne chuckled. "And yeah, I am taking care of it. It is why I never go anywhere without that PaDD. Speaking of costs and profits, wanna buy in a premium subscription big brother? You'll get full reels of bloopers and other fun bits!" The young Trill couldn't help herself from trying to make a sale while the iron was still hot.

"And yeah, don't worry, no one will be able to link our adventure with the predicament of Lary and Blyne." Another chuckle and a innocent smile, meant to tease the officer just a tiny bit. Then she shook her head and continued with surprising optimism. "This was a nanny AI my dear Gary. I kept that part of its directive as part of the program. So it won't actually put our lives in danger, I think. This is all theoretical you understand?"

Gary shook his head and smiled at Myne; she was incorrigible! "Well sis, just how much is this premium subscription going to cost me?" He bantered back. "Nobody better not be able to connect the adventures of Lary and Blyne to what we're going through otherwise you and I are going to have a nice, long chat." He threatened playfully. "But then, I don't think you'd want anyone to know you were tied up by your own program and for the record, I didn't say our lives were in danger. I said the program could make our search more difficult or keep you bound indefinitely."

"Yes Myne, I understand. All theoretical. I got it." He stood and looked around, nothing to see and he had no idea where to look, they were just stumbling along. "Well, as my dad used to say, daylights burning." He looked to Myne, " Any ideas or suggestions on which way we go? Do we continue west or go in another direction? " He paused before asking, "Can you stand? Or do you need help?"

Myne looked at Gary confused for a second as he threatened her with a long talk and shook her head. "Excuse-moi, ich nein ablo Terran!" Laughing after she nodded. "Fine, no one will be able to connect the dots. Plus, I am the one who gets thoroughly humiliated here! You're a veritable Night in Shining Armor! One that wouldn't bat an eye to paying a latinum bar per month? Or two?" She tried to push her luck a tiny bit more.

"Oh? Yeah, sorry, my bad. I thought you thought that we were in a more dire situation. Then yeah, no idea what to do if the program decides to do that. I could try to talk you through using my PADD to hack it, but that would take soooo long!" While pondering that course of action, she eyes Gary with a bit of worry. "Daylight can burn on Earth? I don't remember seeing that phenomenon when I was attending the Academy. Also yeah, could use help standing up please! As for direction, no idea. I don't really think it matters which way we go. So, maybe keep going west?"

Gary laughed in good humor. Myne was a breath of fresh air! He nodded his head, "Good, don't want anyone playing connect a dot." He looked at her, "Yeah, got me there. It is kinda embarrassing to get tied up by your own program." He teased her, "Not just tied up but thoroughly tied up." He said with a smile. "One bar of latinum per month. Don't push it." He grinned at her.

"No, let's not think on that and talking me through using your PaDD? Bad idea." He chuckled and shook his head, "No daylight doesn't burn. It's a human expression to mean time is wasting." He nodded and reached down and gently brought Myne to her feet. He looked about again, "Okay, we continue west." With that, he gathered Myne into his arms and started walking.

They had been walking, well Gary walking and Myne being carried for what seemed like hours when he stopped and stared at the sight in the distance. "Damn, I knew it! Where else would you find a wizard but the Emerald City?" He muttered as he continued to stare at the glittering emerald city rising from ground to touch the heavens with its spiral towers. "Myne, I think we may have something here."

Looking at Gary with an expression to melt a thousand hearts, Myne stares at him for a long minute before breaking and chuckling. "Fine, no more pushing it! One latinum per month is very generous! Thank you big brother! Also thank the stars that daylight doesn't burn. I get it now, but you terrans have the weirdest of expressions. They are so confusing and weird!"

Once again carried, Myne took the chance to rest a bit more, dozing off in his arms as he carried her. Until he finally stopped and look. Turning her head to check the same direction, her eyes also fell upon the city in the distance. "Huh, it is really an Emerald City. So strange. Can you keep carrying me? Hopefully, we find a cart? You know, knock on wood three times and wish for a cart! Or something like that!"

"You are welcome Myne." Gary nodded, "We do have strange expressions, that is true." He continues, "This is our secret, me buying a subscription just like this adventure is our secret." He resumes walking the city getting closer with each step. He looks down and Myne has fallen asleep, he can't blame her. She has had a tough time. He is roused from his daydreaming by her voice. "A cart?" He shakes his head, "I'm going to wish that you are untied."

They reach the main door/gate. It is huge and impressive like the entire city. Gary lowers Myne to the ground so she can stand. He places a hand on her shoulder to steady her, keep her from falling down. He bangs hard on the door, hoping someone hears it and answers.

Several long seconds past before a panel high on the door slides back and a face pokes through it. A face with a big, bushy moustache making it's wearer look lie a walrus. "What do you want?" He demands scowling at Gary and Myne.

'We'd like to see the wizard." Gary explains.

"See the wizard?" The guard repeats angrily. "No one sees the wizard! I don't see the wizard and I am a royal guard!"

Gary sighs, looks at Myne and has an idea. "He'll see us, this is partner Gadget Lady."

The guard looks at Myne in disbelief, "Gadget Lady? Looks like she could have used a gadget or two to free herself." He chuckles at his joke. "Alright, hold on." A moment later the massive door slowly creeps open. "Follow me if you want to see the wizard and be quick about it."

"Right behind you." Gary answers as he picks Myne up and hurries after the guard. "Looks like you may soon be free Myne.''

"It's Gadget Girl, not Gadget Lady." Myne mumbled as Gary picked her up again.

~~ To be continued ~~


//OFF//

Captain Gary Taylor
Executive Officer
USS Elysium

&

Lieutenant Myne Redal
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
USS Elysium