Shock Wave. Walt Richmond
the biochemical and the metalloid forms lend themselves to a variety of shapes,” Tinkan interrupted cheerfully. “But, Friend Terry, what is your numeric designation?”
Terry proceeded to supply that which his orientation told him was desired. “Which translates out,” he added, “basic citizen orientation.”
“Then you cannot know what you just said!”
“That is your opinion,” said Terry. “How would you classify me?”
“Sorry,” Tinkan answered, “insufficient referents for full classification. But you’re definitely not just a basic citizen.”
“And,” Terry replied, “I’m definitely not happy with that classification. Our problem seems to be to refer the matter of status for Grontunk and myself to a Citizen, Supervisor Class, for clarification. In order to get a Citizen, Supervisor Class here, our problem seems to be to create a signal that will call a Citizen Supervisor Class to this outpost. What emergency would cause a Supervisor to be called here?”
Tinkan replied readily. “Why, anything that constitutes an emergency beyond the capability of the computer to interpret and handle. Anything falling outside its basic orders would bring about such intervention.”
“And how can I get hold of a copy of those orders?”
“That’s simple enough. Ask the computer.”
“You forget. I’m a Basic Citizen. The computer is not required to give me any information of a technical nature beyond my understanding classification. But I was hoping you might have a copy of the orders.”
“Not completely. I do know some of the basics applying to my former job. For example, routine repairs of a predictable nature would be handled by my specific type of entity. However, if the cause of a malfunction is indeterminate so far as the computer is concerned, or if it does not fall within the predictable range of malfunctions, then a Supervisor must be called in to estimate the chances of recurrence and to specifically order any changes required in the computer’s routine to prevent future malfunctions.”
“Any unpredictable malfunction.” Terry sat thoughtfully. Then, “That seems simple enough.” He was already rapidly scanning over the general outline of the base and the various functions, not only those that he had been told of, but those that he could, from his own former knowledge, predict.
He had been told that the computer supplied its own power from several units, and that these were automatically monitored and regulated by the computer. But there was nothing in the General Citizen’s Orientation to indicate the type of operation factors involved in these units.
“Tinkan, are the power units electrical?”
“Yes.”
“Are the power units located close by, within the complex here? Or are they remote?”
“There’s a widespread grid of power collection units. They are located most advantageously around the planet, to make use of solar radiant energy, which is converted into electricity for transmission to this area.”
“And you have access to the repair department—say, to the switchboard unit that controls these stations?”
“Yes. As a nonspecific technical class I have access to any such in the station.”
“And if I give you specific instructions, you will obey them?”
“So long as the computer does not countermand your instructions, certainly.”
“And you are not in communication with the computer?”
“No. I’m not.”
“Then my first instructions are that you bring me a complete schematic diagram of the interconnections and interrelationships of the power collection grid and its termination in this building.”
“Such information is not available to . . .” Tinkan paused. “But then you’re not, are you? I would have to refer the matter to the computer,” he concluded.
“But you are not in communication with the computer. Right?”
“That is correct.”
“Then you don’t know my classification. Right?”
“That, too, is correct.”
“And, in an emergency, your orders read that you will take orders from any rational citizen. Therefore as a rational citizen of indeterminate rank, I order you to bring me this information.”
Tinkan sat silent for several minutes.
“You have shown me no emergency factor. And . . . I don’t like people pulling rank on me. As an Independent Entity, I must nevertheless follow my basic instructions. Therefore, if you will show me an emergency—”
“Rank, shmank,” Terry muttered. “We’ve got a problem to solve. I’m just trying to make it possible to solve it.”
He was thinking fast. There was nothing he could show the robot in the way of an emergency, and it couldn’t act as he wanted it to without an emergency. Tinkan had demonstrated he could “feel” logic, probably much the same feeling as Terry had in emotions. So if he could produce an emergency—it would have to be real. An emergency claimed without proof obviously wouldn’t be logical—wouldn’t work.
Abruptly he stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets to disguise their slight tendency to shake.
“Take me to the power grid control center,” he said. “I’ll show you that emergency.”
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