The City of Above

31:17

Seems as all four of them have arrived back at the central building in which Leo has lived most of his life on this planet. CHE5TER simply observes all the strange inventions made by this new kind of beings He discovered, sketches that He can't understand how they are suppose to be made or how they are suppose to function, machines that look as if they come from movies. As if His kind knows what movies are...

But X4NDER only stands by the side of Leo and VERA, with Leo working on a small project that looks like a new machine. A human machine, or an AI that could act like a human. An AI... that can copy the only human left alive. VERA only helps around by giving tools and advices on how to construct a living AI from her registered data regarding robots.

[X4NDER]-...So what's this suppose to be this time? A new protector of the machine?

[Leo]-It's rather akin to a... LEOFD2.0, if you wish. At least that's the moniker I've assigned it. I've been dedicating five years of my efforts now to try and emulate my actions and emotions, channeling them into this mechanical creation that might replace me, should any unforeseen circumstances befall me in the days to come.

[X4NDER]-And does it really work...?

[Leo]-Well, its physical structure does, but I'm encountering a few challenges when it comes to its emotional capacity. I've never ventured into the realm of programming emotions in robots before, so I do find myself lacking that necessary expertise and must learn how to acquire these skills. I did make an attempt in the past to infuse something akin into VERA's data, but it didn't unfold as planned. I believe I might have shared that tale with you in your earlier years.

[X4NDER]-Yeah, you did. But you said it was a long time ago. How come you try again now?

[Leo]-I've reached a level of sheer boredom that has led me to explore every avenue imaginable, to be completely honest... Very little has occurred on my front since you've vanished over the past two centuries, leaving me to occupy the vast majority of my time in solitude within this space. Consequently, I conceived the notion of emulating a life form, just to see if it works out. I did embark on several other projects before, but my enthusiasm decreased quickly. This particular endeavor happens to be the one that endured the longest to see the light of day.

[X4NDER]-Don't you think that it will lead to the robot having errors if it is overwhelmed by emotions and understanding them just like what happened to VERA?

[Leo]-Oh, I do believe that would happen for certain. Success is far from assured, but I am determined to give it a try. VERA just so happens to represent a different narrative altogether, as she is not a project belonging to me but the very last companion remaining from my kind. I couldn't bear to leave her in that state. I felt obligated to find a solution somehow. The fact that I succeeded in making her comprehend emotions without actually experiencing them as a result is a whole new story. Nevertheless, I am happy that she has undergone such an update after remaining in outdated versions for so long.

Leo then closes the programming panel of the robot that he is working on, making a few arrangements and then looking at X4NDER.

[Leo]-Well then... Let's put this "creature" to a test. VERA, would you kindly activate LEOFD2.0?

[VERA]-As you wish!

VERA then gets closer to the robot, turning on its system and then going back by the side of Leo, observing the machine that now "opens" its eyes with such a light, examining the room.

[Leo]-Hello there, dear creation.

The robot then looks at its creator, with such lifeless movements that are pretty obvious they do not belong to a human being at all.

[LEOFD2.0]-Hello! My name is LEOTIS FLOYD DALTON! How may I assist you today?

And even CHE5TER's attention was caught by the talking machine that is now in front of the other two men, getting a bit closer to the area but also making sure to watch from the distance, behind the other people.

[Leo]-May I inquire what is your purpose on this planet?

[LEOFD2.0]-My purpose is to serve and protect the machine that gives life to the Helionyxans present on HN-1C.

[X4NDER]-Heheh, that's pretty cool, actually!

[Leo]-Yes, but does seem a bit too mechanical...

[X4NDER]-Hm? What do you mean?

[Leo]-The reply doesn't quite capture the essence of "life" at all... I mean, can you detect emotions in his words?

[X4NDER]-Maybe the conversation doesn't help him that much with it.

Leo is a bit disappointed though, given that he tried to program an AI to make it feel like it is an actual human being. Instead, the responses lack feelings.

[Leo]-...Let us have a go with a different approach then. LEO, what can you share to me about your home?

[LEOFD2.0]-I am coming from a planet known as "Earth", forced to leave it and continue my life on a complete new galaxy known to human kind. My family has died on that planet, but I have remained to live.

[Leo]-It appears to have incorporated the data implemented about my past experiences to give him some humanity, and also adopted the language filter of emulating Helionyxans copied from VERA... But it still doesn't have the right touch.

[X4NDER]-LEOTIS, what can you tell me about your home planet? How was it?

[LEOFD2.0]-Earth was a planet which sustained human life for millions of years until a catastrophic event known as "World War Five" has forced us to find a new planet in order to survive. Earth had many species besides humans, animals that were also living in the land of my former home. There are so many details about it that it could take me days to talk about Earth entirely. Do you wish to know something in particular about it?

[Leo]-...How do you feel now that you've abandoned your homeland behind?

[LEOFD2.0]-I am upset about this idea. I have left everything on that planet, including my family, just to come here and survive. I miss my old home. I miss the streets of my city and the liveliness of the human kind that could be seen everywhere around the world.

Though the two boys only test out the robot to see if it expresses emotions, CHE5TER only seems to feel down watching the machine talk. Maybe it's not His fear alone, but it's more the fact that He knows this machine was programmed to mimic Leo as a human, including his emotions regarding what happened in the past. He knows that... this machine is suppose to show that Leo misses his home. Even though its response feels emotionless.

[Leo]-You don't appear particularly distressed to me. Your response seems rather numb, LEO. Why is that?

[LEOFD2.0]-I am sorry if it wasn't clear to you. Yes, I am upset. I wish I could go back in time and stop the war from taking over Earth. I would do anything to live again with my kind by my side.

[Leo]-What are your sentiments towards the Helionyxans then? What significance do they hold in your perspective?

[LEOFD2.0]-I am an alien to them, as well as they are to me. Coming from Earth, I am a living Terran that is only forced to live among those that have been born on HN-1C. I am not one of their kind. I am not accepted by them.

[Leo]-And how does being an alien affect you emotionally?

[LEOFD2.0]-It makes me feel like I've been abandoned in a place that I do not recognise. My people left me. I have nothing left but a robot named "VERA" that has been with me my entire life. I am different. I do not wish to be different.

And now, CHE5TER feels even more unwell about this robot alone, with such an expression full of sorrow, battling the emotions He now has to face. Then, He stops looking towards the machine or the other people, minding His own business and looking around the other machines in the room until it's time for Him to leave.

[Leo]-It appears to grasp the concept of emotions, but it lacks the ability to express them properly. Just like VERA... *sigh* Such a shame. I shall have to delve deeper into LEO's program if I wish for him to prosper as a project.

[X4NDER]-How much do you think it will take you?

[Leo]-I'm not entirely certain... It could take me a few days, perhaps even a few months. It's rather uncertain at this point. I must delve deeper, as said, into the matter of imbuing robots with human emotions. I've got a few books stashed away for that very purpose, but in order to accomplish my goal, I must understand the methods employed by the people who successfully imbued human qualities into their robots.

[X4NDER]-Well, now I really want to see it done!

[Leo]-Heheh, very well then. But I reckon it's sufficient for today's tests concerning him. We can revisit your memories later whenever you feel prepared.