25. COLDIS
25
COLDIS
Butler Bot 35: Hello Boop-Beep! I have been hosting your Conduit Coldis and his team for a little while now and would like to inquire about additional information, if this is acceptable.
Boop-Beep: Hello! I am missing Coldis. I hope he is in capable hands with you! As a butler bot, you must know a lot about healthy, balanced meals!
Please ask. I will answer if I can.
Butler Bot 35: I have always enjoyed nutrition in particular. It’s important for a butler bot here in the Champions’ Tower. For example, I will always add a little narras powder to almost anything I serve a Conduit, unless they order something plain or something that would give the taste away.
I wanted to ask about personal space, especially as far as Guardian Vin is concerned. This question is sparked by the following event.
One morning, Guardian Vin and I were alone as the others were out or asleep. He stared at me for six minutes and seventeen seconds after I asked if I could bring him anything for breakfast. (I would normally have a breakfast with several options ready and laid out on the table, but the team asked that I not do that. I have since taken to serving them individually.)
Then Guardian Vin said he wanted layer cake or fruit. Those are two very different choices! But I had both, the layer cake specifically because Guardian Senlas and Conduit Orrey have mentioned it in conversation thirteen times since arriving here. So I served both. When I put the meal down in front of Guardian Vin, he still just stared. I retreated into the kitchen. I am not sure what I did wrong, Boop-Beep.
Boop-Beep: Usually, when other bots think to contact me about this, they report how Guardian Vin indirectly threatened them. At the shooting range, he will say things that can well be interpreted as a desire to shoot the bots rather than the targets.
Butler Bot 35: Has he ever shot a bot?
Boop-Beep: Guardian Vin isn’t technically a shooter. Weapons malfunction when he handles them. He simply insists on handling them.
Butler Bot 35: Does that mean he shot a bot before? Or not?
Boop-Beep: I don’t want to gossip. But after what happened to you, you should know. There are rumors that he did.
It happened back when he was still a student—I had not been activated then, so I have no direct observational data. It is said that like all young Guardians, he went to the G&C shooting range to see if he was going to be a shooter or if he caused malfunctions like so many Guardians do.
The narrative is that he was handed a gun and given instructions like all the others. He was taken into a shooting booth to fire round after round so the bot evaluating would have a good sample to go on.
The bot knew quickly that Guardian Vin was not a shooter. His gun malfunctioned multiple times. The shots didn’t fire as they should. But Guardian Vin looked at the bot—I think the way he looked at you, Butler Bot 35. He was calm, and he said, “All my family are shooters because they are all Conduits. I’ll be a shooter as well.”
The bot tried reasoning and explained the data. Guardian Vin didn’t want to understand. He called the bot a “Hound-tainted abomination” and worse, but the bot knew this was a young Guardian, and it was patient.
Shut up or I’ll shoot you, that’s what the chatter says Guardian Vin told the bot.
The bot had a responsibility. It tried explaining again. But Guardian Vin doesn’t break his promises. Coldis always says so. The chatter says he shot that bot, just shot it. Not to spread gossip, but that is the story I heard.
Butler Bot 35: Oh. I see. That is a highly informative story, Boop-Beep.
Boop-Beep: It can’t worry you! After all, Guardian Vin doesn’t have a weapon on him in the Grounds.
Butler Bot 35: Well. He brought their guns back from the clinic. And from the Battle of Starlit Stage—I told them how bravely they fought! After the battle, Guardian Vin stripped and cleaned, then reassembled the weapons. I gathered someone had planted trackers on them. The weapons are still here in the suite. Guardian Vin keeps them in his room.
Boop-Beep: In that case, I wish you good luck. It will probably be best for you if you are only seen if needed. Oh! Pay Guardian Vin a compliment on his excellent shooting! Or perhaps the way he used his illusion skills during the Battle of Starlit Stage. Yes, that is probably wiser. You shouldn’t bring up shooting at all.
Butler Bot 35: I agree. Can I contact you again if I have further questions?
Boop-Beep: Of course! Maybe we can talk about very balanced and highly nutritious meals for Conduits more then. That would be urgently exciting!
Butler Bot 35: I don’t see how so, but of course. Chat soon.
(TowerChat to External, Champions’ Tower bot network.)
“Either of you make this team look like idiots, I will personally get you each a demerit.”
Col tried to look as menacing as Vin, but that was a lost cause. Vin was born knowing how to frighten people just by looking at them, and those two are too set on wasting their time with rivalry to care anyway. Fucking idiots.
“Absolutely. Hyran?” Taros looked smug in his combat pants, their dark blue matching the dark blue flower pattern on his black shirt.
“Yes, understood.” Hyran wanted to please, Col had already learned that much about him, but he was still going to do whatever it was they were going to do.
“You two are idiots, but by all means. I’ll be upstairs eating snacks and telling the butler bot exactly how stupid you are. Bye.”
And there really wasn’t anything else to say. The two of them didn’t move and were clearly waiting for Col to vanish into the Champions’ Tower, so he did.
The interior of the building was almost as quiet as the day they had arrived, but a vaguely familiar Guardian—blond and blue-eyed—was heading toward the exit. He smiled at Col.
“Conduit Coldis. I’m so happy to see you again. Do you remember me? You were struggling a bit the last time we met.”
It hit Coldis then. “You’re Shoda. Of course. I should’ve recognized you right away.”
Shoda waved that away. “Nonsense. You organized the most immediate rescue operations while needing some rescuing yourself. How is that head?” He tapped a finger against his own.
“Oh. All better. Well, still taking medication I don’t enjoy. But nothing to worry about.”
Shoda looked toward the exit. “And already going out. All by yourself?”
Col shook his head. “I had things to do and took my Guardian. But he’s an idiot, and Guardian Taros is an idiot, and the two of them are right outside where they decided to be idiots together.”
Shoda chuckled. “Jealousy?”
“I’m not actually sure, but something of the kind. My team is my family, and they’re protective. Guardian Hyran imprinted on me in case you didn’t know.”
“Oh, I could tell at Starlit Stage. He was apologizing so much.”
Col shrugged. “He does that.”
“Conduit, maybe I can help. To repay you for the help you and your team have rendered my city. Well, it won’t come close to repaying that, but I might know a way they can work through their jealousy. And I’ll make sure you get them back in mostly pristine condition.”
Narrowing his eyes, Col asked, “Do I want to know?”
“Hmm. Let’s assume no, but if you get curious, you can message me? I’ll prepare a recording for your personal viewing pleasure.”
“That works. Thank you.”
Shoda shrugged. “I was about to make some ice sculptures, but this might turn into more fun. For me, not them.”
“I think that’s…good. Mostly pristine?”
Shoda beamed. “Definitely mostly.”
With that, Col left Shoda to take care of two unruly Guardian idiots.
The suite was quiet but for the butler bot waiting for Col right by the door.
“Welcome back, Conduit. Can I get you anything? Something to drink?”
“Coffee couldn’t hurt. Thanks.”
On his way to the couch, Col saw the pile of gifts and tokens of gratitude had only grown. Brands had sent things for each of them, but there were letters and small boxes from private citizens as well. He opened one.
“I don’t know which of you precisely, but a member of your team saved my life when he pulled me from the rubble after the attack,” one started.
Col, the letter in hand, dropped onto the couch. He ran his left index finger along the edge of the missive. Real paper, not the highest quality perhaps, but nice. The writing wasn’t the even loops and twists of a calligrapher, so the citizen had done it herself, had sat down to find the words to thank them. And for all she knows, it might have been someone else entirely that pulled her free.
Col looked from the letter in his hand to the others still waiting. There are so many people here who will be left with the rubble of a dead Op-AI unless we find a way to pull them free.
He straightened and called his Op-AI from the big screen there.
Once more, the Argentean Op-AI had opted for the male avatar with the symmetrical, perfect features and the ever-present smile.
“Conduit Coldis! How have you been? We watched the news stream and your announcement of your imprinting. Such a beautiful moment for you and Guardian Hyran. Argentea is proud.”
Col nodded and made sure he returned the smile. “Not as proud as I am of my Guardian. He is with Taros now. The two of them were eager to explore their friendship.”
The avatar’s expression grew even more excited. “Oh, that is wonderful news! I’m sure your Guardian will make a powerful addition to your team. On that note, there is a request for another Conduit, Yamara Ikana. I have looked into his file for you. Conduit Yamara is very skilled, but I wonder whether he is the best fit for your team? He has always been a League Conduit, and his team mostly joined the insurrectionist forces.”
The avatar lowered his head, sad, disappointed.
“He’s fitting in too well for me to reconsider. Guardian Vin is very taken with him, and he’s made friends with Conduit Orrey.” And I promised. And he is scared of shadows I don’t even want to explore.
The avatar gave that some consideration, then nodded. “Those are compelling arguments. Thank you. We hope Conduit Yamara will be a productive addition to your team.”
“About my team,” Col started, bracing himself. “I need a rank given to Conduit Orrey. His actions have been too important, and I need his help running this team. He has already taken on responsibilities that would be easier handled if he had a rank.”
The Op-AI looked off to the side as if it were thinking. “He was a first rank protector when Guardian Senlas imprinted on him. Very good marks for his performance. And he would have made an excellent teacher. But he has not caught up on his Conduit schooling, although you do mentor him. What rank did you want for him?”
“Third. He is the one responsible for bringing in the protectors to the Battle of Starlit Stage. Without him, there would be more dead. And he is an S-classer’s imprinted. I need him to have a rank that fits.”
The Op-AI looked as if it gave that thought. “In this one case, I will make an exception. I award Conduit Orrey Acton the rank of third as a G&C operative of Team Three. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Op-AI. He will be delighted.”
The avatar grinned almost sheepishly. “That makes me overjoyed. Please continue to mentor Conduit Orrey and let me know right away if there is anything I can help with in furthering his training.”
Col nodded. “He was very focused on channeling when we were outside the walls, very focused on his Guardian and offering to help with the others. He is adapting quickly and seems to have no issues tackling new challenges as they arise.”
File that away and leave my little brother be.
“Thank you for telling me that. It is always good to see a Conduit flourish. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Col took a deep breath. “Yes. My Guardian has a suggestion. It’s about the Ferrean Op-AI. He was wondering if you can do what Judiciary-AIs do, copy yourself to build a new Op-AI for Ferrea?”
The avatar’s eyebrows went up, and his mouth formed a perfect “O.”
“That isn’t how an Op-AI is made. I cannot do it. And even if, the hardware in Ferrea was damaged. There is no place there for a copy of myself.”
Col almost bit his nail but caught himself in the last moment. “If it were an emergency, dire, and if the hardware existed, could you do it then?”
The Op-AI was quiet for almost ten seconds. Col counted them.
“I think if that were the case, I might try. It might not succeed, but the benefits would outweigh the risk of failure.”
That is…good? “Thank you, Op-AI.”
“Of course. But you need not worry. The situation is being handled. I put in the request to the Committee of Grounds Infrastructure Oversight. The situation is being taken care of, and you need not worry.”
“Yes, I know. But I like thinking through possibilities. It helps sharpen my problem-solving skills.”
The avatar brightened at that. “A very good idea! I encourage that. Anything else you want to chat about today, Coldis?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact.
“You are aware I spoke with one of the Guardian insurrectionists? Alesa Yun?”
The avatar looked sad. “I was but didn’t want to bring it up in case it might rouse uncomfortable emotions. I can suggest treatment options, but a Therapeutic AI is the best way to start dealing with the attack. Should I arrange for one to contact you and talk? It can even keep you company while your Guardian is away so you feel safe and seen. I also recommend letting your Guardian know how you feel and what you need from him.”
Col dismissed the idea with the wave of his hand. “No. It’s not that. It’s what Alesa said. He still has contacts to the outside, and he seems to think they will come and free him. That’s concerning.”
The avatar sighed. “I am aware of the content of the conversation, but I agree with the Judiciary AIs. The likeliest is that the insurrectionist was lying because he wanted to hurt you. He has proven very capable of it, and it is what insurrectionists do. You can never forget that, Coldis. Your hurt is their gain.”
“I know that. And I won’t forget it. Insurrectionists—Guardian insurrectionists or other—threaten the very foundations our cities and the Grounds are built on. That is why I feel acting with too much caution now rather than with too little later would be beneficial.
“In addition, the protectors are stretched thin, given they are covering the Grounds now as well. A repeat attack would hit Ferrea all the harder for it.”
“I see. You make a compelling argument.”
Finally. “I just want the cities to be safe, and Ferrea, which has lost so much, in particular. Oh, Op-AI, the protectors mentioned they were having to expand their efforts to handling rogue security bots on the Grounds? Do you think you can help them?”
“Coldis, please follow my words. Security bots are designed to shut down before they are compromised, so I can assure you, any security bot you encounter on the Grounds will protect you to the utmost. Given the current situation, it is understandable why they are not welcoming toward regulars on the Grounds.”
“I trust the security bots completely, but I would feel much better if they trusted the protectors who came to our aid and are still here to help, even now. I don’t like that there is conflict between the bots and the protectors. Wouldn’t it be better for Guardians and Conduits like myself to see them work in harmony?”
“Hmm. That too is compelling, Coldis. I will think on that and make adjustments.”
Hyran’s mothers will be relieved. “Thank you, Op-AI. I don’t think there’s anything else that needs discussing right away.”
The avatar’s expression was pleased. “In that case, you should rest. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you or your team with.”
If only you could make them not behave like idiots. “Thank you, I will.”
Col ended the call, and the butler bot hovered over to him with a large mug of coffee on a tray.
“I didn’t want to interrupt, Conduit.”
Col took the mug, grateful for the warmth and familiarity of it. “Thanks. Can I ask you to do something else for me, bot?”
The lights above its bot eyes blinked excitedly. “Of course!”
Col gestured at the mail. “Can you sort through this? Everything that was sent, people who sent it? Can you make a list for me?”
“Should I read the letters for you, Conduit?”
Col worried his bottom lip, tightened his hold on the coffee so he wouldn’t bite his nails.
“No. No, I’ll read them. Can you bring them into my room?”
“With a snack?” the bot asked, bot voice lifting with excitement.
“Sure. Why not. Something sweet. I think they’ll make me want to have something sweet.”
The bot blinked hesitantly. “Your office AI mentioned it could only discuss healthy meal plans very generally and that it wasn’t able to track the amount of snacks consumed or currently stored in your office.”
Col lowered his chin, solemn. “The same might happen to you if you’re not careful, butler bot.”
Col stood and headed to his room. Emulating Vin after all. At least I manage to scare a bot if not my own Guardians.
Once he’d sagged down on the bed in the room—his and Hyran’s room, for now—he pulled out his screen to send a message to Vin.
Vinnie,
Can you go see Pinota? Alesa told me he expects to be freed by our Female Voice. See if Pinota can add more to that. If you want, check up on Alesa as well. I broke his nose during my visit.
Col hit send, then issued an order to the Judiciary AIs to let him through.
It took Vin some time to respond.
Will do. Taking Y.
Col looked at the message. He smiled before turning off his screen and waiting for the butler bot to bring him something sweet.