Symbiota Sapiens 5

The Symbiotic Web wraps around my mind as I reach for it. Okay, I've been in two battles so far. The first I lost control of my powers and killed someone. The second I was hopelessly outclassed by immortals far beyond my powers. Powers. What had David said? Applications of knowledge through the Esseren. Time to work on that.

First I'm going to need some help. I reach for the computer function I encountered earlier for that brief terrifying second. Gingerly. I don't want to lose my sanity. There it is, I address it in my mind, forming my thoughts into commands.

:Search: Esseren version 1403.0, a User's Guide for New Guardians

The reply was instant.

::Object found, downloaded on Day 43, Quarter 2, Year 15038::

I decided to think about that odd date, especially the year, later on.

:Load manual:

The ugly green room appears again, as well as the three old men. Before they can say anything I'm querying the computer telepathically.

:Indicate the functional purpose of three avatars in the manual:

::The purpose is to adhere to a style reminiscent of the traditional induction ceremony of new Guardians in the first Citadel Atlantis. When Esseren was integrated into Guardian equipment, the manual was constructed with a visual interface that would be both familiar and authoritative to maximize effectiveness.::

:Please note, in all future representations or avatars, if they are constructed to take advantage of cultural archetypes, that I am not a representative of ancient Atlantean culture and will therefore gain maximum benefit if representations reflect archetypes specific to my personal experiences.:

::So noted. Would you like me to adapt this scenario to your personal experiences?::

:Yes. And all future scenarios unless such adaptation would lessen the effectiveness.:

The green room disappeared and was replaced with a classroom. Specifically, my original first-grade classroom, complete with my first grade teacher Miss Parkinson. Interesting. Miss Parkinson looked up from her desk, where she was applying star-stickers to papers, and smiled warmly at me.

"Jeremey, I'm glad you've already learned to use the computer functions of the Symbiotic Web! And making custom modifications to your manual, that's really quite extraordinary."

"I'm fairly certain the original Miss Parkinson never used such big words."

"Not with you, no. But now you're an adult. And in any case, you're obviously aware that I'm not Miss Parkinson but a computer program."

"So the computer adapted appearances and mannerisms to make me comfortable, but it knew not to have you treat me like a little kid, even though that would be more accurate, because that would make the program less effective?"

"Exactly."

"Smart computer."

"Oh, it's very smart. Its processing power isn't quite infinite, but let me just say that you are very unlikely to find any task that even comes close to straining its capabilities."

"Sounds good to me. Now what can you tell me about this waking sleep I seem to have fallen into?"

"You've fallen into this state for two reasons." Miss Parkinson said, and began to count off the points on her long, tapered fingers.

"First of all, the Esseren just completed a massive rebuilding and enhancement of your body from the molecular level up. Your feelings of hunger cued you to obtain fuel, which you did. Don't ever ignore any cravings of any kind, Jeremey. Even if it's something you'd never eat in your former life. Right now the Esseren are breaking that food into base components and replenishing your body's reserves, as well as their numbers. Any time you make major modifications to your body or implants you'll find it necessary to stuff yourself and then lie still for several hours."

"Okay, I get that. What was the second thing?"

"The second thing is that you've accumulated a backlog of new experiences that needs to be sorted for significance and analyzed for valuable information."

"Huh? You mean I've got to review the last day's events?"

"Exactly. There is an incredible amount of data to go through, though of course the computer can help you. You'd be amazed at the amount of knowledge you can glean just from today's experiences when they're put under a microscope. In time you'll learn to process these things as they happen so they don't pile up but for now... you'll be needing your night-time as badly as a human does."

"Okay...so how do I go about doing that? Can you help me?"

"I'm just a manual. If you like this avatar you can instruct the computer to use it as well."

"Hmm, no let's keep things separated so I don't get too confused. You're the teacher, that works for a manual. Something else..."

:Computer, please select an appropriate and effective avatar based on my personal experiences in order to allow me to communicate with you face-to-face, when I wish to.:

::This method of communication is less efficient than telepathic interface::

:I understand. Telepathic interface should remain open and will be preferred where an avatar is not sufficient to get the job done.:

::Understood.::

Julian appeared in front of me.

"How's this one?"

"Whoa...no, I still talk to him in the real world all the time. That could be too confusing."

"Then...how about this?"

Julian suddenly transformed into the 13 year old version of himself and gave me a carefree grin.

"Holy shit."

His face fell with disappointment. "Is this not acceptable, then?"

"Uh, yeah, I guess so. Just sort of shocked me. But...what made you choose him?"

"Well, you love your brother. Right?"

"Definitely."

"You listen to him...trust him."

"Oh, yeah."

"So he is the person with the most influence over you, correct?"

"Well, I hadn't thought about it that way, but yeah you're right."

He flashed a triumphant smile. "So you will be most open to advice coming from this form."

"Ok, yeah I get it." I shrugged, still a little uncomfortable with the realism of the simalcrum.

He was all seriousness then.

"Now, you have several memories that need your attention. I can catalogue and cross-reference several of these for you if you like."

"How does that work?"

"I analyze them for every last bit of useful data and add that data to my own knowledge bank. Which is currently empty except for the manual and basic operating software, I might add."

I frown at him. It. "You don't even have some kind of super-encycolopedia of ancient knowledge? That sucks."

"Guardians live for thousands of years, and accumulate massive amounts of knowledge by learning it, gleaning information from experience. Knowledge creates power, which can be dangerous if not tempered by wisdom. Wisdom is only gained by experience. So it is best that your primary source of knowledge is also experience."

"Oh, sort of a check and balance system then."

A careful frown, "Hmm, from your synaptic memory stores I surmise this phrase refers more to a safeguard on political rather than physical power. And specifically it is a balancing of opposites. Not a good metaphor. It is better to describe it as a self-enforcing power limitation."

"Whatever. Okay so you're basically stupid but you know basic things about how you do things and why. Enough so I won't blow myself up accidentally."

He scowled at me, as if trying to decide whether the stupid part was an insult. Finally he gave a grudging "yes" in response.

"Okay, well I want you to at least get up to date on twenty-first century technology and culture, okay?"

"I have access to your synaptic memory stores. So far I have only gleaned whatever thoughts cross the surface of your consciousness but if you like I can retrieve your entire life memories and sift them the same way."

"Like, you could go back and see everything I ever learned in school but forgot after the test?"

"Not only that, but every word in your textbooks that your eye may have fallen across idly, whether you actually read it or not. And anything you heard but ignored or didn't understand."

"Very cool. I should have had you around for exams!"

"Don't you wish." He snickered. That reminded me...

"Hey how come my body hair all disappeared."

He blushed.

"Um...well Guardians were usually shaved when they took the oath. So...when they built the base program for the Esseren they included a definition of the ideal body conditions that should be maintained. So...they're still the default."

"I could change the settings?"

"Well yeah, of course. Anything you want. Fancy yourself in green?" He raised a speculative brow at me, looking me up and down.

"Um...no. But just to understand...I can basically look like anything I want?"

"Anything. Though the more changes it takes, the more materials, energy, and time it will take. And if it's really drastic you're going to have to be in your inert state while your body is rebuilt."

"Ugh. No thanks. I'll keep it in mind if I need to change my appearance though."

"So...everything has basic default settings that were made up thousands of years ago, but I can do whatever I want as long as I notice that something is set a certain way and decide to change it?"

"Exactly. You are in command of a versatile self-programming supercomputer of nearly unlimited abilities, as well as an army of microscopic robots in your body. Anything you want to do with those resources is limited only by your imagination and know-how."

"Interesting. So if I want you to sort through all my memories for me every day, that's no problem?"

"None at all. But sometimes there are memories whose significance you should be aware of to help you use your resources better."

"Okay. From now on I want you to catalogue and sort all memories, including those before I was changed. And anything that needs my attention, bring it to my attention. Okay?"

"Okay. And if you like, I can crossreference your memories so that if something happens that there is a relevant memory for, I can raise it to your conscious mind along with an analysis of why it is important."

"Yeah, isn't that sort of what the subconscious is supposed to do?"

"Yes. Only without the perfect recall, and without the concise analysis."

"Sounds good. Do it. Now is there anything you need to bring to my attention?"

"A few."

Young-Julian raised a finger.

"First, there is the matter of your encounter with the woman on the plane. When you signalled her she was able to attack you through your implants."

"Yeah, that hurt."

"This revealed a weakness. When you turned on your transmitter/receiver you made yourself open to attack. In the terms of your day, she 'hacked' you and caused havoc in your Symbiotic Web, and therefore in your mind. You are fortunate she canceled the attack when she realized you were not a threat to her."

"Yeah."

"I've already taken the liberty of building a defensive subprogram to prevent that from ever happening again. And of course I am aware of her method of attack so if necessary I could duplicate it."

"You mean you can duplicate anything that gets used against me?"

"If I have enough observational data of how it was done, yes. The most effective Powers hide the way that they work, however."

"Okay. Got that. What about that telepathic shouting thing Elena did on the train?"

"I was coming to that. Yes and no. You can duplicate the telepathic shout, but I am not sure how she was able to amplify the audible part of her voice by so much."

"Okay. What else."

"When you encountered the mortals in the train station, there was a period of time in which you seemed incapable of moving."

"Yeah, I froze up."

"An analysis of brain patterns indicates that this was linked to a strong emotional response when your brother was propositioned for sex."

"Well they were threatening to rape you! Him!" I growled.

"Yes. Well, this indicates that your brother is a point of vulnerability for you. This may well be the reason the Guardians insisted you cut ties to him."

"Wait a minute, don't tell me you agree with those-"

Young-Julian cut me off with a wave of his hand.

"My analysis indicates that their request failed to take into account the degree to which you are emotionally attached to your brother."

"Um..."

"My point in mentioning that, however, is that he is a vulnerable spot. You'll need to protect and compensate for that. In that encounter your emotional attachment eventually translated into a moment of protective rage. The result was that you killed one of the mortals, an action you regretted immediately afterwards."

"That's true. I just...lashed out." I said somberly.

"There are three issues here. First is the fact of the attachment itself. It makes your brother a potential hostage to be used against you. This situation would be very difficult, if not impossible, to counter. The solution to this is to make it a high priority to protect him from any such situation before it can develop."

"I agree. In case there is any doubt, you should consider Julian's well-being as a pre-requisite of my own well-being. You are to take whatever measures are necessary to protect him, even if it requires you to risk my own safety."

"Understood. Secondly, you froze up when he was threatened. I believe your command just now helps with that. If he is in danger in the future, I can interpret that directive as permission to temporarily take control of your bodily functions to help him. Is that acceptable?"

"It's creepy is what it is. But yeah, if it's necessary, or if I freeze up, do it."

"Then third is your emotional overreaction, when you lashed out. I take it you do not want to kill anyone?"

"I'm willing to kill anyone to save my brother." I said coldly. "I just don't want to kill when it's not absolutely necessary, or because I'm out of control."

"I understand. Would you like me to restrain you if I feel you are doing something unnecessary?"

"Um...no...but maybe you could sort of remind me in an effective way? Or if there's an alternative, you could make a suggestion?"

"I can dampen your rage centers in your brain if you are on the verge of losing control, and I can give you a pretty effective fast reminder to bring you back to yourself. I can also dump alternative options, even some pretty complicated plans, into your conscious mind whenever you face a fast choice."

"Do that, from now on. Not at every turn, but whenever you think there is a significantly better option that I haven't considered."

"I'll do that."

"Okay. So that's the hacking thing, the shouting thing, and the protecting Julian thing. What else?"

"Finally...Devon."

"Yeah. That guy's a bit scary."

"Most extremely powerful beings are." Young-Julian countered.

"Yeah, Elena and the others were pretty scary too." I admitted. "Maybe I should hear Devon out. But I'm not sure if I want to trust him."

"Then I suggest you don't trust him." Young-Julian said. "Talk to him, but don't trust him unless you think you should. I can probably help you analyze him, too. Though I warn you, he'll have his own equivalent of me analyzing you. With a lot more experience behind him."

"Yeah I hear that. But how the hell do I go about contacting the self-proclaimed 'Lord of the City'?"

"He's sitting next to your bed right now."

"What?!?"