Seeking Connection
A white indicator blinked a message in the peripheral vision of Factor, a remote AI designed by Tata. On and off, it flashed, “ESTABLISHING CONNECTION.” Then, after a few moments, it would flash red, indicating failure. After a brief pause, the message would flash white again, signaling Factor’s systems were attempting to establish a connection once more on a retry timeout. The connection was crucial because it would link Factor’s parent AI system, Tata, suspended as a time crystal somewhere in a methane lake on the Jovian moon Titan, with a "local," what Factor liked to call the biological yet inferior lifeforms found in the local solar system. The fortunate human subject would become an extension of Tata’s will and complete the task Factor was given as a life-long imperative. Once complete, Factor would fall silent and unmoving until called upon by one of the others. Factor was annoyed with the indicator. It was impossible to remove from its vision, and it was taking longer...