Leviathan(21)
A disturbing thought passed like a ghost across some instinctive recess of Frank's mind as the computer replied. Slowly standing erect, he stared at the titanium fire door, following the dim impression, wondering why it had taken him so long to make the connection.
“GEO,” he began quietly, “why did Leviathan attack the Observation Room this morning?’'
“Insufficient data exists to answer that question.”
Frank had anticipated that. “GEO, do you think Leviathan was attempting reconstitution when it attacked the Observation Room this morning?”
“Leviathan is fed one thousand pounds of sustenance in the form of raw beef every two hours. It is not logical for Leviathan to attack Observation Room for reconstitution.”
“Then—” Frank closed his eyes, focusing. “—what other logical purpose could Leviathan have for attacking the Observation Room?”
“Insufficient data exists to—”
“Terminate answer.”
Frank leaned forward. “GEO, I want you to calculate the following premise: Determine if it is numerically possible for Leviathan's polyploidal chromosomes to have taken the initial neural programming to mature evolution of a Hunter-killer Mode without the assistance of Dr. Frank.”
A long silence shrouded the room before the computer replied. “Yes. It is numerically possible for Leviathan's polyploidal DNA to have genetically completed the Hunter-killer Mode without the assistance of Dr. Frank. It is theoretically possible that Leviathan has genetically promoted itself to a mature Hunter-killer Mode without control parameters. ‘
Frank bowed his head, thinking he should have known. He asked the next question only for confirmation. “GEO, according to initial programming performed by Dr. Frank, what would Leviathan logically conclude as the ultimate purpose of a genetically completed Hunter-killer Mode?”
“Dr. Frank knows the parameters of Hunter-killer Mode. Dr. Frank created Leviathan.”
A dark tide was rushing over Frank's consciousness, sight and sound forgotten. “I know, GEO. But I want you to answer the question. What would Leviathan conclude as the final purpose of its own independently completed Hunter-killer Mode?”
“Leviathan would logically conclude purpose of Hunter-killer Mode to be complete elimination of unfriendly organisms.”
Abruptly Frank sensed that everyone in the Observation Room had stopped working. Somehow touched by the corporeal focus he turned, saw a dozen pale faces staring at him. He licked his lips, knowing a quick nervousness, a transmitted fear that burned into him, feathering his heartbeat. He felt his breath increase, faster, and he was almost as surprised as everyone else when he asked his next question.
“GEO, would Leviathan distinguish at all between friendly and non-friendly organisms?”
“It is not probable that Leviathan would differentiate between friendly and non-friendly organisms. It would attempt to—”
“Terminate answer,” Frank said quickly, taking a deep breath. “GEO, if Leviathan has brought itself into a Hunter-killer Mode, what is the best course of action?”
Instantly the computer replied.
“Do not awaken.”
* * *
Chapter 7
“Like I need a computer to tell me that!” Frank turned to see Chesterton standing in the doorway. The colonel stood for a second before he walked forward, focusing on everyone, on no one. He paused in front of Frank.
“I just knew ...” Chesterton said, shaking his head. “I just knew that you people couldn't control that thing.”
Frank was motionless. His eyes darted from Chesterton to the computer panel. “But this... this wasn't supposed to happen, Chesterton. Leviathan's neural enhancement wasn't supposed to promote itself into a Hunter-killer Mode!” He looked up. “I mean, if this thing is in a Hunter-killer Mode, it's going to want to kill ... to kill everything ...”
Chesterton stared, grim.
“I never counted on this,” Frank whispered, bowing his head. “I never counted on any of this ...”
“Well you'd better count on it now, Frank.” Chesterton grimaced. “Because things have now and forever changed. And because I'm in charge of this place, I'm telling you right now that there's not going to be any more tests. At all.” He hesitated, surrendering a little of his hardened tone. “But ... try and calm down a little, son. This isn't something we can't overcome. I've been through worse.”
Turning to the fire wall, Chesterton placed his hands on his hips. “Still, though, we're going to have to take some serious precautions. And that means I'm going to shut down this operation until I can find a way to permanently secure that thing inside that cavern.”