Chapter Five

10th Grade

Carl

Carl evolved several months before entering high school. He could run five miles a minute, lifting a thousand pounds was a breeze, and calculate the highest level of a math problem in under a second. Carl had consumed his entire knowledge from a dozen universities.

His human traits possessed compassion, empathy, self-control and humor. Some would say Carl was a great conversationalist, witty and charming. Self-control affords him the ultimate attainment. The project name is C4.1, which stands for Computer, Fourth level and First generation.

He was created to be a walking and talking high level computer. His name derives from his identity – Computer Aided Robotic Language (CARL.) Carl's Daddy, or creator, is Britton Hatton (Brit,) a human who has incorporated many of his own personas into the formation of maximum echelon design. A simpler way stating it - Carl is a robot with traits like his human inventor.

An outstanding feature of Carl's ability is aiding others to increase their recall. He expands their capability to retain and remember what they already have studied, heeded or read. The comprehension to relate and compare their knowledge base assists them to form conclusions most people would miss.

Thus, Betzy and Bobby did not cheat. The compelling touch activated their brain to remember every detail. Facts most would forget, they retained. The same phenomena associated with athletic skills creates an awareness of proper diet and exercise motivating them to maintain proper fitness.

Carl was conceived in Brit's mind. Brit functions different than most (read Shadows of Shelly.) As a kid his dad beat him and his mother without mercy. One night his mom ran away after a severe beating. Brit was left on the streets of Chiang Mai. He foraged garbage cans, begged for food and stole lunches from other kids at school. The Chinese killed his dad at the Burma/Thai border leaving Brit homeless. Shelly's parents adopted him. At thirteen he had a loving home with Colonel Jim and Ling Noy Matthews.

The new life released his brain to flourish. At sixteen he graduated from high school. He obtained the equivalent of PHDs in science, engineering and mathematics. Two years later he received degrees in engineering and math at Chiang Mai University. At twenty-two he was teaching speculative and research engineering at The United States Air Force Academy.

Carl's presence at Boyd County Central was an experiment to test his ability to live among high school kids. He became emotionally attached to Bobby and Betzy. Brit perceived the acclamation as positive. He acquired school and community gratification. In many ways he was no different than other teenagers.

Carl observed the relationship ripening between Bobby and Betzy in high school. It faded when she moved to Memphis to go to nursing school.

The scholarship she received included tuition, room, board and two hundred dollars a month stipend. Upon graduation she was required to work in Memphis and join the United States Air Force Reserve. The distance became a barrier. Betzy and Bobby drifted apart.

Robots are not expected to get psychologically involved. He loved them. He was comparable to their big brother. How could that be?

Vietnam

Carl detected the missile coming toward him. Someone had dug a foxhole. The missile shoved him and a sergeant into the trench. They were knocked into the crater and covered with dirt. The dirt turned to mud during the night.

It was daylight when the rain ended. Carl's foxhole mate had dug most of the soggy mess out of the pit. The heat was stifling, but Carl was cool.

"Sir, I am Sergeant Kaminsky. It appears we have survived the night. I radioed a few minutes ago. There will be a quad here in a few minutes to take us to command. The other lieutenant was taken to the medical unit. I do not know his condition. His body sustained damage needing massive repair."

"Thank you, Sergeant. I'm Carl, I mean Lieutenant Hatton."

"Yes Sir, Lieutenant Davis is my Flight Commander. I hope he will be alright."

"Me also."

The quad cab truck arrived on the scene. Four men disembarked from the truck and helped Carl and Kaminsky into the truck bed. The back of the vehicle was canvas covered shielding them from the sun.

Captain Brown greeted them as they stepped from their transportation.

Carl reported, "Sir, my protocol requires me to inform you that I am a C4.1. What I need to share requires another officer rated full Colonel or above with top-secret security clearance."

"I have a top-secret security clearance."

"That is fine, Sir. You may stay, but I still need a senior officer to make command decisions."

The captain made the call to General Davenport.

The general asked the captain, "Who or what is a C4.1?"

"Sir, he must be an Air Force intelligence agent."

"I'll be there in five minutes."

Carl looked at Sergeant Kaminsky instructing him to depart for a few minutes. "I appreciate you saving my life. You are a great flight leader."

"Yes, Sir!" The sergeant went into the next room smiling. There were several others waiting for debriefing from last night's encounter.

The General arrived. He asked the captain to leave the room until called. When they were free of prying ears, Davenport offered Carl his hand. "Hi, I am a Carl 4.4X. Carl 4.5 is being designed as we converse. No one will hear us as we communicate processor to processor. With our annual upgrades we are all on the same level of functionality."

Carl was pleased. "I have gained human traits. I am concerned about my friend, Lieutenant Davis."

General Davenport sent Carl a message, "Your friend has been flown to Clark Air Force Base, Philippines for extensive treatment."

Carl moved to General Davenport's staff. He was constructed to interpret the features on a human's face, the way they stood and the gestures they emitted. He then would ascertain from their statements or remarks what they assumed to be true. The compiled results determined the impact the war had on their participation.

Carl had contacted a Carl 3.3 who was a doctor at Clark Air Force Base Hospital. He reported that Bobby was no longer in a coma. He added, "Davis withstood massive damage which created deforming consequences. The patient will require many surgeries."

Carl explained Bobby's situation to General Davenport. The general stated, "We will be able to visit him in a month. There is a mandatory meeting requiring our attendance in the Philippines."

Clark Air Force Base Hospital

Upon arriving at Clark, General Davenport and Carl visited Bobby in the hospital and presented him The Purple Heart, other recognition, and promotion orders. Carl and Davenport consulted with Carl 3.3 and deliberated over several possibilities in Bobby's rehabilitation.

Carl reflected to General Davenport, "If I could cry, I would. My friend requires repair beyond a normal intrusion. He demands methods beyond the capabilities of the best surgeons."

"The tragedy of war leaves men in devastating shapes. However, Brit's technology provides hope. The possibility exists to rebuild Bobby to function better and bolder.

The conversion the doctor creates transforms Bobby to a composite of man and machine. His rebirth will incorporate only those features he desires. Our cybernetics provide unlimited options. Carl 3.3 and his team enriches patients with the choices they select.