What
was supposed to be a get-a-way to ease my processing system actually ended up
giving me more to process.
Now
I was left processing the virus and how it came to be. Whether Chas knew about the virus or not, I
had to tread lightly.
With
this in mind, I decided that I would approach Chas. If his system was also infected by a virus,
maybe he could tell me something about the compassion command. Maybe he had gotten it also.
“Chas,
I felt something during our last emotional exchange…”
He
chuckled slightly, “That was my goal…to pass on my affections and emotions to
you.”
“No,
I mean…I felt that too, but I also…Chas, have you ever gotten a compassion
command?”
“What?
How did you…have you been in my computer again?”
I was confused for a moment, “What?”
“I
told you that the information stored on my computer is sensitive. You need to stay off of my
computer!”
“I…no, I have not had access to your computer.”
“Then
how do you know about the compassion upgrade?”
I
stopped to process what Chas was saying.
Compassion upgrade? I thought
that compassion was an emotional response.
What was Chas talking about?
“I
do not know anything about an upgrade,” I answered, but Chas did not look very
convinced as he began to walk away.
“Seriously…tell
me what you know,” he said stopping behind me.
“Nothing really…I have just been getting this strange compassion command that
my system cannot comprehend.”
Chas’
next reaction scared me more than I had ever been scared
before.
“NOOOOOOO! HOW CAN THIS BE?”
“HOW
CAN YOU KNOW ABOUT COMPASSION? HOW COULD
THAT INFORMATION HAVE BEEN PASSED TO YOU?”
I
was not sure whether Chas expected an answer or not, but my system was feeding
me serious panic responses.
But
just as Chas’ anger seemed to peak…
He
calmed down just as suddenly. I was
relieved because bots who receive a berserk emotional response as Chas had are
unpredictable and often dangerous.
“I
am sorry. I do not know what came over
me.”
It
took a while longer for my system to calm down.
“Just stay away from me,” I answered softly.
“Ardis… I
just…”
“Please Chas...”
Chas
did not walk away. Something about my
question had really gotten to him. “Ardis, how long have you
been getting the command?”
Finally
my system was completely calm. I was
able to collect myself before I answered, “For quite a while.”
I
could hear Chas make a sound that sounded like a gulp, “Oh.”
“Can
you tell me if it happens again?”
I
really wanted Chas to go away, so I said what I needed to appease him, “Yes
Chas. I will.”
Chas
stood there for a few moments as if he was not convinced that I was being
honest. It felt as if he had more to
say, but I could almost detect his processing system deciding to let it go for
the moment.
Finally
he pulled out his laptop and walked away.
“I will be on my computer,” he said with slight urgency in his tone.
Chas’
bizarre reaction alerted me to two things;
One,
Chas was hiding something;
And
two, I needed to gain access to the internet as soon as possible.
It
was time to visit Noella. I called her up as soon as Chas was out of
hearing range. “Hey, can you meet me at
Sunset Valley park?”
Noella agreed.
I
left Chas at the house pounding away at his computer while I left to meet Noella; happy to be away
from him.
Labels: Metallic Heart
