un: c a t o , video

[unpurposed]

[It took Cato far too long to interface with what he was internally designating the 'network', though the term was a loose metaphor considering that he could not figure out any of it connected. Assuming, for a long time, that there must be a technological basis to it, he had spent an embarrassing amount of time trying to hack into something that instead seemed to simply work on command. It defied logic, but then, so many things about this place did.

When the image of cato finally appeared, at first it simply looked black. But upon closer inspection, the blackness was reflective, and as he pulled the strange device further from himself, his form became clearer. A robot, of some kind, comprised mainly of haphazardly repaired white panels (tarnished with age) and a very large red cross painted over his chest.

He made a sound distinctly like someone clearing their throat, before continue. ]

Hello.

[ His voice was surprisingly smooth, gentle, calm. Despite his appearance, his voice sounded like it belonged to a soft-spoken young human man. ]

Please accept my apologies for the direct address. I have recently been granted my personhood and have been assigned to a - [ He paused for a brief second ] - family. I am looking for the individuals named Sansa, Wrath, Alina Starkov, and Lan Sizhui. I will serve diligently.

If anyone is in need of medical assistance, please be informed that I am a fully licensed medical unit. [ Well. No one had taken his license away, so that was technically still true. ]

Thank you.

Comments

[unpurposed]

You are not being rude. I have already ascertained that I am either unique among this populace or so rare as so make no difference.

I am an augmented artificial intelligence housed inside a mobile robotic medical unit. Other terms to refer to my kind can include “robot” “droid” “bot” “tin-can” and “root of all evil”. [ There is, somehow, a sense of a chuckle in his voice when he delivers the last, though it sounds as calm and pleasant as everything else he has said. ]

Licensed means that I have been built and tested to prove that I can treat humans to the same or similar capabilities as a human doctor or nurse after years of medical training. It grants me the ability to deliver medical treatment legalized by the government.

[ a pause. ]

Though the town leader has not recognized me formally, so I may not be licensed in this jurisdiction. I will enquire.

[badlypoisoned]

[Of all those terms only 'root of all evil' has a translation in what amounts to ye olde Chinese. In other words, it was all gibberish to him.]

Well, claiming anyone to be the root of all evil is certainly is certainly no small matter. If your kind had picked that moniker yourselves I dare say it would be ambitious to a foolish degree...though it does not seem to be the case.

[Not from the way he said it anyway. He listens to the explanation of licensing with keen interest though.]

I see! How interesting. Though do you really need to be recognized by the leader here? Is there any point besides to have the honour?

[Look, he understands your explanation somewhat but it also seems like such a hassle!]

[unpurposed]

It is not the case. We are created by humans, it is a strange designation from the species that created us and yet also fear us. Many of us were deactivated and destroyed after the - - [ There is just the slightest pause, the smallest twitch, between his words ] - - war. Though any robotic aggression was only after deliberate instruction from human authorities.

[ His black face plate registered no expression and he was so still for a moment that it was easy to see that he was not, in fact, alive. After rerouting his thinking process, he continued: ]

This also acts as an explanation for licensing. It is illegal for any human or artificial intelligence to perform medical assistance without a license, because of the deep potential for harm from undereducated or malicious individuals.

I would not wish someone to assume I was going to hurt them. It’s a medical license, I can prove that is not my intent.

[badlypoisoned]

Ah, yes. People are very quick to blame the tool rather than the hand that wields it, aren't they?

[He himself sounds quite calm about it. People can be like that.]

But how would someone know if an individual is malicious until the moment they show their intentions? [The making sure people were educated part of it he understood, at least.] An individual can spend years healing others and yet be a monster behibnd closed doors. No one would be the wiser...or maybe choose to turn a blind eye.

[He says it blithely because yes, he has experience with that but he also acts as if he doesn't.]

You might be surprised, the things people will overlook if you are very, very good at what you do and if what you do is useful enough.

[unpurposed]

People can hide their intentions, though they do take an oath when they enter service. People can lie.

Artificial intelligences such as myself are built to be incapable of deception of that kind. We are programmed, and we follow the program that was designed for us at our creation.

To fully understand the licensing system, you would need to ask an AI that was built to handle law procedures and calculations. I was not. I am built as a caretaker, and that is what I am. A license will allow me to show that humans have also designated my use as such.

May I assume from your line of questioning that such bureaucracy is not used in the culture you are from?

[badlypoisoned]

How convenient.

[Though he imagined, for himself personally, having that sort of freedom restricted would be akin to torture.]

No. Apart from Imperial Physicians, there is nothing like that. Anyone who can write the words can claim to be some kind of miracle doctor. Though I suppose, if they didn't need a sign even illiteracy wouldn't stop them. Even a madman who lived mostly alone on an island can claim to be a doctor.

[unpurposed]

Humans are deeply dedicated to building systems that are convenient to them.

[ He delivers that in the same gentle and calm tone that he speaks of everything else. But there’s just enough of a pause after the words to make them awkward before it continues: ]

Then how does one ascertain it is safe to receive treatment from a self-proclaimed doctor?

[badlypoisoned]

Word of mouth, mostly. Otherwise? Individual good judgment and luck where good judgement or knowledge is lacking.

And, depending on which circles the self-proclaimed doctor runs in, whether or not they are in possession of all their limbs and eyes.

[unpurposed]

Ah, so the answer is “you do not, good luck.”

I regretfully must inform you that though I have four limbs I have no eyes. I hope this does not impact your perception on my usefulness as a medical practitioner.

[badlypoisoned]

[Oh, he likes you already.

He smiles.] That is, indeed, the answer for the majority of people.

[He laughs a little at the second part because, okay, he really likes you.]

Well, I suppose that depends. Were you built without eyes or did you get them plucked out for cheating the wrong person?

[unpurposed]

I have many photo-receptive sensory systems, including systems outside the visible light spectrum for humans.

But no, I have never had eyes.

[badlypoisoned]

[All of those words were also gibberish to him but he understood the spirit of the words well enough. This person(?) has no eyes but could see.]

Hm...then I can't hold that against you. [He says this like it was some great concession.] Still, I would advise you to observe the situation a little before going to the leadership here and asking for anything.

[unpurposed]

I appreciate your willingness to trust me despite my eyeless state.

[ It’s too late, he already went, but: ]

Do you have concerns about the local leadership?

[badlypoisoned]

I didn't remember saying anything about trust. All I said was that I wouldn't hold it against you.

[He says this a little cheekily.]

I have to admit, I am a cautious person. [It comes with the job...or maybe it's just his nature? Hard to say.] Human nature can be strange. Under extreme duress, people will often show great integrity...but often will show the opposite.

[He tilted his head, resting it on a palm with a smile.] Beyond that, both information and favours can be useful or dangerous to receive or give. I don't think it's a bad idea to keep things to yourself until it becomes clear which it will be.

[unpurposed]

I am programmed to follow local laws and customs. [ He says this, but there's a weird pause, a flash of a small red light on his black faceplate for a second or two, and then he continues as if nothing happened. ]

I appreciate your warning, and I will endeavor to be cautious.

[badlypoisoned]

[He still isn't sure what it means to be programmed but...]

A little rebellion is normal, isn't it? Besides, as long as you're not caught it's fine, isn't it?

[Is it!?]

Though, do the colours on your face mean anything? [It just flashed red!]