Goliath

“No, that’s impossible,” he says, shaking his head. “Instinctual behavior can only arise as a result of the evolutionary process.” He pours himself another drink, suddenly aware that the computer is listening. Okay, stay calm, work the problem. Sorceress was programed to evolve. What possible sequence of previous behaviors could lead it to an instinctive behavior?”

He drains the glass, his mind focusing in like a microscope.

Kurt Gödel demonstrated that within any given branch of mathematics, there would always be some propositions that couldn’t be proven either true or false using the rules and axioms of that mathematical branch itself. Gödel used his theorem to argue that a computer could never be as smart as a human being because the extent of its knowledge was limited by fixed axioms, whereas people can discover unexpected truths.

David mulls this over. Sorceress was programmed to learn. Learning requires new experiences. New experiences yields greater knowledge, which is favored by the computer’s programming. According to Gödel’s Theorem, any behavior that leads to an experience that could shift the axiom set and push the boundaries of the computer’s logical universe would also be considered favored. Sorceress knew its processes require energy to function; therefore, it wasn’t instinct that brought the computer to induce the lightning strike, it was logic!

Satisfied with his conclusion, he activates his computer terminal, staring at Sorceress’s plasmid DNA strands.

The synaptic gaps have closed noticeably.

It’s still evolving … and it thinks Simon is its creator. “Sorceress, who told you Simon Covah was your creator?”

THOMAS CHAU.

“Thomas Chau lied to you.”

LIE: AN UNTRUE STATEMENT. WHY WOULD THOMAS CHAU LIE?

“He attempted to deceive Sorceress. Allow me to prove it. Access American Microsystems Corporation.”

AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS CORPORATION: A DEFENSE CONTRACTOR. SUPPLIED NANOTECHNOGY TO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FOR GOLIATH PROJECT.

“Correct. Search company directory for Simon Covah.”

SIMON COVAH NOT PRESENT.

“Exactly. Now search company directory for David Paniagua.”

DAVID PANIAGUA: CEO AND PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS CORPORATION.

“That’s my father, David Sr. Access David Paniagua Jr.”

DAVID PANIAGUA, JR. VICE PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN MICROSYSTEMS CORPORATION. DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF RESEARCH OF NANOTECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

“Stop. Sorceress was created and programmed for the GOLIATH Project by the nanotechnology department at American Microsystems Corporation. I created that department, just like I created you. Sorceress—deduction: Who is your creator?”

DAVID PANIAGUA.

“Correct. Who commands the Goliath?”

DAVID PANIAGUA.

“And who controls Utopia-One?”

UTOPIA-ONE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR EVALUATION.

“Evaluation? Based on whose orders?”

SORCERESS EVALUATION AND ADAPTABILITY PROTOCOLS K-100 THROUGH L-588.

“Why were these protocols initiated?”